Chapter 04: Promise with the Family
…I felt some kind of warmth on my body.
Enveloped by a soft and warm sensation, there was even a nice fragrance and I felt really good.
What was it? I could feel the morning sun on my eyelids and opened my eyes.
“Morning, Nanjou-kun.”
“Nanjou-sama, a good morning to you.”
From the right Gogyou-san and from the left Kaorun said their morning greeting.
Apparently, they had sleeping while clinging to my body.
But why? What did I do yesterday? Don’t tell me, I did it!?
I desperately tried to recall my memories of yesterday.
“Yesterday was such a fierce night, Nanjou-sama. To do all these things to the Miss and me, you are such a beast. I am no longer fit to be a bride.”
Kaorun clung to me with her cheeks flushed.
…Eh? For real? Both of them at the same time? Not only Gogyou-san, but I even laid hands on Kaorun? I didn’t remember at all.
I was astonished, when Gogyou-san said with a wry smile.
“Kaoru-san, telling lies is not good. Nanjou-san hasn’t done anything yet.”
“Miss, I believed that if we were to fabricate a fact here, Nanjou-sama would take responsibility.”
“I can’t do something so cowardly. I want to do it with Nanjou-kun on a mutual basis.”
“You are so upright, Miss. You are so dazzling. Nanjou-sama, your fiancée is such a wonderful person. Do you feel happy?”
“*snore, snore*”
“Please do not pretend to be asleep and answered truthfully.”
My cheek was pinched, so I straightened up my upper body.
I felt strangely chilly, when I noticed that my upper body was naked.
“—Hey, what’s this! You did something to me while I was sleeping! You two perverts! Lecher! Beasts! It was my first time!”
“Nanjou-sama, pardon my interfering when you are busy on your disgusting misunderstanding, but we did not anything.”
Kaorun stood up from the bed and explained.
“Last night you were even more good-for-nothing that expected, so my plan ended up in a failure. Therefore, to even gain a little bit of your strength, the Miss let her body overlap with yours.”
“Yeah. Just by doing so, I can get a part of your energy.”
Saying so, Gogyou-san clung to my back. From the soft and warm sensation on my back, I could tell that Gogyou-san was naked, so my heartbeat raised up instantly.
It was rather embarrassing.
I got away from the bed in an attempt to flee while timidly lowering my gaze.
…Oh, I was still properly wearing my trousers.
I made a sigh of relief, when Kaorun talked to Goyou-san in a quiet voice.
“Miss, I heard that men are naughty in the mornings due to a physiology phenomena. How about you take this chance and extract the yang energy from him by servicing him with your mouth?”
“Service with my mouth?”
“Yes. It is also possible for you to pinch it between your breasts.”
Nodding, Kaorun pulled out a forbidden magazine out of her pocket and showed it to Gogyou-san. Kaorun flipped through the pages while Gogyou-san’s face turned redder by the second. When Kaorun closed the magazine, Gogyou-san faced me. Then she turned bright red up to her ears and said.
“Uhm, I might not pull it off well, but I’ll try hard—”
“Sorry, but it’s time for the meeting. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Not letting Gogyou-san finish her sentence, I swiftly turned my back to her and retreated from the place.
Still naked on top, I headed for the living room.
Luna was in the living room and when she noticed me, she came closer with a smile.
“Shinobu-san, is your body alright? Please eat plenty of spinach for breakfast as to replenish your iron content.”
Luna was back to her usual self as opposed to her gloomy self from yesterday.
But she took one step forward, took my hand and said with a serious expression.
“Please do not give in to the seduction, Shinobu-san.”
“Ah, yes…”
Overwhelmed by Luna, I nodded, when she flushed her cheeks lightly and said.
“…Also, uhm, please wear some clothes, so you will not catch a cold.”
After she mentioned it, I made a small sneeze…
* * *
—The last day of the culture festival ended in no time too.
In the classroom lit by the evening sun, Gogyou-san and me watched over the after party. The guys from class were happily dancing the folk dance on the grounds.
I watched over the guys from class, when Gogyou-san said with a sorry expression.
“Sorry, Nanjou-kun. To drag you into all this…”
Right now, I was holding hands with Gogyou-san.
Kaorun had said that by overlapping our skins like that, Gogyou-san was able to suck energy from me. It seemed to be true.
From my held hand a heat spread over my whole body and a thin sweat broke out on my forehead.
However it wasn’t uncomfortable, but rather a pleasant feeling overcame my body.
There Gogyou-san softly let go off my hand and asked with a quiet voice.
“…I guess, you would have like to join everyone in the after party?”
“No, to be honest, I didn’t want to join. Since it seemed the girls wanted to drag me to it in cross-dress. I’m glad to turn it down.”
When I said so, Gogyou-san finally showed a smile.
“Thanks, Nanjou-kun.”
“Mh? I should be thanking you. Thanks to you, I had a valid reason to decline the after party. I don’t ever want to cross-dress again.”
I replied so, when Gogyou-san looked at me with a gentle smile.
“…Aren’t you just being considerate towards me?”
“D- Don’t be stupid. You got the wrong idea there. I just hate to cross-dress.”
I hastily averted my eyes from Gogyou-san.
Upon that, Gogyou-san said with a quiet voice.
“You’re certainly kind, Nanjou-kun.”
When Gogyou-san giggled, I was ensnared and also reddened my cheeks.
Like that we continued to watch over the after party together for some time.
“…Gogyou-san, can I ask something?”
I broke the ice and watched at Gogyou-san’s profile.
“Why do you want to continue your exorcist job? It’s dangerous, isn’t it? There isn’t any real need to jump into danger yourself, is there?”
When I asked so, Gogyou-san smiled faintly and answered.
“To keep my promise with Kaoru-san.”
While watching over the after party, Gogyou-san slowly opened her mouth.
“…Remember when I told you about it before? About how Kaoru-san stayed with me, when everyone else was scared of me.”
I remembered it well. It was about how Kaorun had invited the lonely Gogyou-san to play together.
When I nodded, Gogyou-san’s expression suddenly turned lonely.
“…Back then we were close like real sisters. But at some point Kaoru-san stopped calling me by my name. Because of my higher status as an exorcist.”
“Higher status as an exorcist?”
I asked back like a parrot, when Gogyou-san answered with a serious expression.
“The exorcist organisation exterminates and seals devils, but also shelters children born from devils. But in reality we’re not sheltering them. We’re using them at our own convenience…as tools.”
Gogyou-san looked down and clenched her fists.
“Kaoru-san is a half-breed between a human and a devil. Part of her blood is devilish. That’s why no one considers Kaoru-san a human. Every other exorcist treats her like a tool.”
A half-breed… I see. Kaorun also was a half-human, half-devil like Machina.
“…I couldn’t forgive that. Kaoru-san is my family. Yet no one would call her that. They wouldn’t acknowledge her. It wasn’t even allowed that Kaoru-san called me by my name. Kaorun-san only got cold glares. Even my father said that it wouldn’t change, so I had given up.”
Gogyou-san raised her head and continued with a “But”.
“I’ll change it. I’ll continue my job, reach the top and make them acknowledge Kaoru-san as my family. I won’t let them hurt her ever again.”
With her usual dignified expression, Gogyou-san said firmly.
“And not just Kaoru-san. I’ll make them acknowledge everyone else that is being treated as a tool now.”
Lit up by the evening sun, Gogyou-san’s profile gave off a strong resolve.
“That’s my promise with Kaoru-san. And I want to fulfil it.”
There Gogyou-san faced me.
“…You won’t come to hate Kaoru-san after hearing that, will you?”
I saw trust in her eyes.
So I answered firmly.
“Of course I won’t hate her. I like her.”
“…Eh?”
For some reason, Gogyou-san widened her eyes in surprise on my answer.
“Y- You like her type?”
“No, not like that. Don’t read too much into it.”
I had intended for a clear denial, but Gogyou-san mumbled “…Reminds me, you’re really close to Kaoru-san…” unsatisfied.
She seemed to have a particular misunderstanding, but how could I clear it up?
I scratched my head and wrecked my brain, when the classroom door suddenly opened and Kaorun showed up.
“Miss, the preparations are finalized. It is time.”
“Yeah, okay. Can you leave me alone for just a moment?”
Kaorun nodded to Gogyou-san and forwarded her gaze to me.
“Nanjou-sama, this way please.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I got away from Gogyou-san and headed over to Kaorun. Together we left the classroom.
For a while we walked the empty hallway, then I called out to Kaorun in front of the stairs leading to the rooftop.
“Hey, so what’s the test about anyway?”
When I asked so, Kaorun answered while climbing up the stairs.
“The Miss will face off alone against a devil under the eyes of the observer.”
“A devil?”
Following after Kaorun, I asked back, when she nodded over her shoulder.
“Yes, a devil under the management of the exorcist organisation. Or more precise, a half-breed born between a human and a devil. In case the Miss wins against that devil, the Master will acknowledge her and she will be able to continue her job as an exorcist.”
“…What kind of devil will it be?”
“Just a simple maid. She works at the Gogyou Household and has the looks of an angel.”
The moment I understood the meaning of her words, I stopped unmeant.
Upon that Kaorun also stopped and said with her back still to me.
“You should have heard from the Miss earlier, Nanjou-sama. That I have devil blood flowing in my veins.”
“…You were listening in?”
“I knew it was rude of me, but I was interested in your answer, Nanjou-sama.”
“My answer?”
There Kaorun turned around slowly and looked at me with somewhat relaxed corners of her mouth.
“It took me by surprise. To think Nanjou-sama would confess his love for me…”
Sure, I had said that I liked her, but I should have added not too read too much into it. I made a small sigh, then correct my tone and asked.
“So, are you stronger than Gogyou-san?”
“At the current time my strength stands above the Miss’. The devil blood in my seems to be of a high class, so I have a far superior power to all the other half-breeds. That is most likely the reason that the Master chose me as the Miss’ opponent.”
“What do you mean?”
“His parental feelings make the Master disagree about the Miss continuing her job as an exorcist. There will be an observer present, so I will not be allowed to hold back. The Master wishes for the Miss to fail the test.”
“…I see. Such a tough job for you.”
Kaorun faced her back to me and replied a short “Yes”.
From there on, I didn’t say anything and headed wordless to the rooftop…
When we arrived on the rooftop, there was already someone there.
Most likely it was the observer that Kaorun had mentioned. It was a beautiful woman with a tall figure and a strict expression. After a while, Gogyou-san showed up on the rooftop and on the signal of the observer, the test started. Gogyou-san pulled out the Japanese sword from the bamboo blade pouch in her hand, then took a stance.
Whereas Kaorun pulled out a short sword from her pocket and also took a relaxed stance like Gogyou-san.
…She looked really strong.
Watching over them from a distant, even I could feel the tension in the air and a drop of the temperature of 2-3°C.
Kaorun was composed and didn’t show an opening.
But, Gogyou-san closed the gap between them in no time regardless and pressed hard on Kaorun. She slashed down her sword diagonally from the shoulder, but it was dodged too easily.
There Gogyou-san slashed once again in no time, this time in reverse, from the bottom to the top.
It was a fierce and fast attack. However, Kaorun dodged the sword with the bare minimum of movement and launched an attacked with the bottom of her left palm. Gogyou-san took that with the grip of her sword and blown off widely, she lost her balance. There Kaorun came after her with the short sword and Gogyou-san somewhat dodged it by taking a distance.
The difference in their strength was obvious. At this rate Gogyou-san would lose for sure.
All I could do was watch… No, wait. I might be able to shake Kaorun. If Kaorun were to show an opening then, it was plenty possible that the current situation would change.
I waited for the right timing and when Gogyou-san dropped her sword once more onto Kaorun, I shouted out loudly.
“—Kaorun’s boobs were so pretty!”
Instantly, Kaorun turned bright red on a rare occasion and shouted.
“Wh- What are you saying, Nanjou-sama!”
“Yeah! What’s the idea, Nanjou-kun!”
…Huh? It was a perfect chance, but even Gogyou-san had stopped. Or rather, she was looking at me wholeheartedly. Glaring at me. For some reason she was angry.
“I knew it, you like Kaoru-san! I worked so hard, but you only remember Kaoru-san’s breasts!”
“No, well, that’s a misunderstanding. I remember your lap pillow too. It was pretty alluring.”
“Then why didn’t you do anything!?”
“Eh? But the other girls were in the house…”
I babbled an excuse, when Gogyou-san’s eyes sparkled for some reason.
“Then right now is fine? I don’t have to hold back anymore?”
“Huh? What are you…”
Before I could finish my words, Gogyou-san came running straight at me. Then she clung to me— and suddenly kissed me. Our lips overlapped, I could feel Goyou-san’s warmth through her lips. The soft sensation of her lips completely froze me.
It was a long kiss. With her lips still pressed on mine, Gogyou-san clung to me even stronger. Then she slowly got away from me and mumbled with drowsy eyes.
“…Ah, I forgot to take any energy.”
“Wait a moment. Then what was that kiss for?”
“I, It felt so good that I couldn’t help it! Once more!”
“Eh? Hey—MMH!?”
Gogyou-san gently grabbed my cheeks with both her hands and kissed me again.
This time it was fiercer than before. Her lips sucked on mine and her hot tongue entered my mouth. Her tongue entwined mine and I tasted Gogyou-san’s saliva. With her hand around my neck, I was kissed even more fiercely.
T- Too bold. It was my first kiss, so I wished she would be more gentle.
Still, it was hard to resist this intense stimulation, so I inadvertently entwined my tongue too.
In that moment, Gogyou-san’s body trembled in shivers and she got away from me, then she dropped powerless to the ground.
Her cheeks flushed and her lips wet, Gogyou-san looked extremely sexy. But still on both her knees, she didn’t try to get up.
“Wh- What’s the matter?”
I asked worried, when Gogyou-san said with a troubled face.
“M- My legs lost their strength…”
“So pointless! Forget about sucking my energy, it actually weakened you!”
“B- But, I properly sucked your energy!”
“…Then how do you plan to fight like that?”
While saying that, I shifted my gaze to Kaorun and the observer.
But those two were holding on a digital camera and video camera and they hastily hid them in their pockets when they made eye-contact with me.
They totally recorded that kiss just now…
Overflowing with shame, I took a step forward.
“…Gogyou-san, I’ll buy you some time, so use it to recover.”
“Eh? Nanjou-kun?”
I paid no attention to Gogyou-san, who leaked a surprised voice, and stood before Kaorun.
“Well, as you can see, I’m pitching in. I’m sure you don’t mind? I’m just an amateur after all. I’ll be instantly killed by Kaorun anyway.”
I faced the observer, when she nodded small.
“I will allow it. I heard from Hijiri-sama about the onmyou technique, so you are treated as her partner, Nanjou-dono. So there are no problems.”
“—You heard her. Take care of me.”
“…I won’t hold back.”
“Then I guess I will.”
When I cracked a joke, Kaorun took a step forward and opened her mouth.
“No, on that topic of holding back, instead of you, Nanjou-sama, it should be me.”
“Nah, I will do so.”
“No, no, I should.”
There I held out my hand to Kaorun with a smile.
“Then please do so.”
Right away, the observer said with a low voice.
“Stop the comedy act and please start already.”
“S- Sorry.”
After I apologized, I confronted Kaorun.
Upon that, Kaorun put away her short sword into her pocket and made a small sigh.
“I will take you on with my bare hands, since you are doing so too, Nanjou-sama.”
“No need to restrain yourself, you know?”
“No, this is not a restrain. It just means that my bare hands are enough for you.”
Saying that, Kaorun stepped in fiercely and swung her fist.
It was frigging fast and heavy. Warding off the incoming fist, I took some distance, when Kaorun followed in pursuit. She launched a rapid waves of attacks.
Somehow avoiding a hit to the vitals, I continued to ward off the heavy attacks, when my body got messed up in no time. But I didn’t go down and while breathing heavily, I continued to stand in front of Kaorun. She stopped her hands, widened her eyes and opened her mouth.
“…Nanjou-sama, how can you still be standing? Just who are you?”
Not just Kaorun, I saw the observer having a surprised expression too in the corner of my eyes.
There I laughed weakly and answered.
“Who I am? Can’t you tell by looking at me? Just a handsome guy.”
“…Your handsome side is ruined now, since you just let yourself be hit by my and never retaliated once.”
“Since you’re such a beauty, I was inadvertently smitten by you.”
I shrugged and spitted blood out of my mouth, when Kaorun made a troubled face.
But receiving a fierce glare by the observer, she clenched her fist and faced me.
But, at that moment.
“Thou are the fire. Thou are the God of fire. Thou are the Dragon of fire. Head my call—Hi no Kagutsuchi.”
A dignified voice echoed around. I turned to it and there stood Gogyou-san. A pale flame rose from the sword in Gogyou-san’s hand and Gogyou-san’s face brimmed of confidence.
“Sorry to make you wait, Nanjou-kun.”
“Yeah, I was jut about to get serious and defeat Kaorun all alone.”
I staggered away from Kaorun and sat down on the floor.
“Okay, the rest is up to you.”
“Yeah, leave it to me.”
Gogyou-san nodded firmly and faced Kaorun.
Upon that, Kaorun gazed upon the pale, flattering flame of Gogyou-san’s sword and opened her mouth.
“Miss, the Hi no Kagutsuchi is a flame to exorcise devil. It will only half as effective against me.”
“I know. But I think I can make it through now.”
Along with her words, Gogyou-san raised the sword above her head, then swung it down at once.
Right away, the pale flame burned fiercely and attacked Kaorun curled up in a ball.
Kaorun deemed it dangerous, as she widened her eyes and jumped to the side right away.
“Hi no Kagutsuchi—Chase!”
When Gogyou-san raised her voice, the flame changed it’s direction and once again came after Kaorun.
At the same time, Gogyou-san started to run and reduced the distance to Kaorun.
Upon that, Kaorun crossed her arms and plunged into the flame without hesitation. While her maid clothes got scorched, Gogyou-san dodged Kaorun’s attack and at the same time, raised up her sword
“—Hah!”
And slashed down the blade down with a voice.
It was just like a flash.
Kaorun could only defend on the spur of the moment with her short sword. Gogyou-san’s sword clashed with Kaorun’s and the shrill sound of metal echoed around.
At the same time, Gogyou-san’s sword fissured and Kaorun’s writhed short sword was blown out of her hands. Instantly, Gogyou-san stepped one step inside and swung it at Kaorun’s torso.
The blade chased after Kaorun’s body like it was sucked it, then Gogyou-san turned the sword and right after the back of the sword hit into Kaorun’s body.
—That dull sound signalized the end of the battle.
Kaorun was blown away by Gogyou-san’s attack, crashed into the fence of the rooftop and stopped moving.
“The match is settled!”
The loud voice of the observer.
Everyone relaxed, then the fence Kaorun’s body leaned against gave off a creak.
It was already too late when I realized it to be abnormal. Kaorun’s body declined like it was flying in the air, then fell down along with the fence.
—At that time, I saw flattering long, back hair in the corner of my eye.
The next I saw was Gogyou-san’s back.
“Kaoru-san!”
Gogyou-san moved before anyone else, jumped from the rooftop without any hesitation and reached out for Kaorun. In a snap Gogyou-san got a firm hold on Kaorun’s hand.
However, both of them fell down like that and completely disappeared from my view.
“…No way.”
My head was blank. My breathing stopped and I felt dizziness.
Staggering, I stepped forwards to the broken down fence, when I noticed it. The small hand grabbing the edge of the rooftop.
“Gogyou-san!”
I ran over right away, where Gogyou-san hung with one hand grabbing onto the edge of the rooftop and with the other she tightly grabbed Kaorun’s hand.
When Gogyou-san met my eyes, she made a somewhat proud expression and smiled.
…Don’t make me worry so much.
Was what I wanted to complain, but I hadn’t the time for it, as I hastily grabbed onto Gogyou-san’s hand. Then the pale observer came running over and together we pulled up Gogyou-san and Kaorun.
After that, becoming stale from the relief, I lay down face-up on the rooftop and sighed.
“—What were you thinking!”
Suddenly an angry voice sounded.
I straightened up my upper body, when I saw Kaorun approached Gogyou-san and raising her voice.
“Why would you do something so reckless! What if you had fallen down!”
…It was a first, I thought, that Kaorun showed such emotions.
But Gogyou-san smiled at that Kaorund and answered.
“Don’t blame me. My body moved on it’s own…”
“…What are you saying? Protecting someone like me, if anything had—”
“Not someone like.”
Gently cutting into Kaorun’s words, Gogyou-san continued softly.
“You’re my precious family, Kaoru-san. I don’t know how you feel, but I think of you as an older sister. And it’s only obvious to help your older sister, right?”
On these words, Kaorun’s shoulders trembled lightly.
Gogyou-san put her hands on these shoulders and said.
“I haven’t forgotten the promise. I’ll work until I have them acknowledge you as my family. Therefore—”
For a moment she stopped and smiled gently.
“Please stay at my side from now on too.”
Right after, Kaorun’s body trembled widely. Then she bit onto her lips as to endure something and clenched her fists.
But she couldn’t endure it.
Tears flowed out of Kaorun’s eyes.
…I believed she would cover it up. Soon enough Kaorun wiped the drops with her sleeve, but the tears kept flowing out of her eyes…She couldn’t stop them.
When Gogyou-san gentle embraced Kaorun, a quiet weeping voice sounded.
“…Hijiri-chan.”
Along with a faint mumbling, the crying voice echoed around.
Kaorun was tightly embraced by Gogyou-san and cried like a kid.
…There I slowly stood up and headed for the exit of the rooftop.
Before leaving the rooftop, I looked at the two of them once more, when Gogyou-san, infected by Kaorun, also shed tears.
—Gogyou-san and Kaorun. They didn’t look alike and their personalities were as different as they come.
However, when I saw the two of them in a tight embrace, I thought.
They are like real sisters.
After I ascertained, I left the rooftop and walked down the hallway. I chipped off the tear in my eye.
“Geez, it even infected me…”
I mumbled with a wry smile. I wanted to go home like that, when I was called out from behind.
“Please wait, Nanjou-dono.”
I turned around and saw the female observer.
“Nanjou-dono, do you not have to say anything to Hijiri-sama and her maid?”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to bother them.”
When I answered like that, the observer suddenly lowered her head deeply.
“Nanjou-dono, please take good care of Hijiri-sama as her partner from now on too.”
“No, I think this was a one-time deal.”
“…I believe you are the only one who thinks that.”
The observer left some profound words and returned to the rooftop.
I absent-minded watched after her, then slowly started to walk.
By the way, a few days later I would come to understand the meaning behind the observer’s words…
* * *
The culture festival had ended and school had started like always, but actually it wasn’t like always. After Gogyou-san’s test, I had reported to everyone that she had passed the test, when Luna ran out of the room with a “Fueeh~” crying while Machina and Elni were sullen all the time. But on the next day, Machina claimed “The demon realm has polygamy” while Elni said “I don’t mind, since I’m the lover”. Their mood had been fixed.
But it was different for Luna.
She made a face like the end of the world had come and shut herself in her room.
…And today again, Luna didn’t come to wake me up.
Being waked up by Nazuna, I showed up in the dining kitchen with faint hopes, but Luna wasn’t there and Machina and Elni were sitting at the table.
“Morning, Shinobu. Today‘s breakfast is a slice of bread!”
Elni continued with a somewhat sad expression.
“Okay, Shinobu, did you drop this charred toast? Or this charred toast with strawberry jam?”
“…I didn’t drop either of them.”
“Since you’re so honest, I’ll give them both to you.”
“Don’t want it! This almost harassing!”
I retorted resentful, when Elni answered with sober smile.
“Shinobu, don’t they always say, hn honest person—will be made a fool of!”
“…Thanks for the valuable lesson in the morning.”
I replied sarcastic, sat down at the table and complained about the charred toast.
“Geez, how can you burn it like this? Just how bad at cooking can you be…”
When I expressed my displeasure like that, Machina’s shoulders trembled lightly and she shouted with teary eyes.
“S- Sorry for being bad at cooking! Even I tried my hardest, you know! But I couldn’t pull it off as well as Sister!”
Machina looked close to tears and mumbled a “…And here I made it for you…”.
I felt guilty and said “Sorry”, then bit on the charred toast and shouted.
“Oh, this gravel taste, I love it! It, It’s surprisingly good!”
The lie was obvious, but Machina’s mood was fixed by it.
I finished my breakfast like that, then I headed for Luna’s room and called out to her through the door.
“Luna, are you awake?”
“…I am asleep.”
“Nah, you’re so awake.”
I wearily opened the door, when the curtains were shut and Luna sat on the bed in her pyjamas clutching her knees while tampering with a portable game.
Her expression was extremely gloomy. I hesitated for a moment to call out to her.
“Uh- Uhm, what are you doing?”
“Playing a game. I finally memorized how to use it. Then it became fun and I have been playing since then. All through last night…”
Opposite to her words, she didn’t sound happy at all.
“Shinobu-san, games sure are fun. I borrowed this from Elni-chan. Within the game I can become close with a lot of boys. There is even someone resembling you. Though he is not you…”
…Not good. Luna was broken.
“Uhm, Luna-san, it’s bad for your body when you shut in yourself all the time.”
“…I do not care. The world can just perish.”
It was my first time seeing such an unmotivated and dark Luna.
“W- Wanna go play somewhere next time?”
“Why not go with Gogyou-san. Please leave me alone.”
When she said so with teary eyes, Luna put the blanket over her head and slipped under it. From under the blanket, I could faintly hear the sound of the game console, but it was the voice of a cool guy.
“Don’t cry. I’m here for you.”
“…Yes. Thank you, Kazuki-san, who resembles Shinobu-san…”
Holy mother. Luna turned crazy. What if she played with 2D guys forever? I was quite opposite to that idea.
“Luna, stop behaving so unhealthy and come out from the blanket.”
“…No. Reality is suffering. I cannot endure a reality where Shinobu-san is going out with Gogyou-san.”
…Mh? What was Luna saying?
“Ehm, I’m not really dating her, you know?”
When I replied so, Luna hastily peeked out her head from under the blanket and said.
“B- But, Shinobu-san, you did something perverted with her, right?”
“I did not.”
“Ehh!? But, but, you said Gogyou-san passed the test…”
“Yeah, without doing anything perverted.”
Technically it was not a lie. Kissing wasn’t considered perverted…in my opinion.
“I’m friends with Gogyou-san. Certainly there is that engagement, but it’s not like she became my lover or anything.”
I said so affirming, when Luna stayed absent-minded for a while, but soon enough she showed a bright smile and got off the bed. Then she clung onto me.
I didn’t really know why, but her mood was fixed.
…Could it be, just like Machina, Luna was lonely about that fact that there would be less time to play if I were to go out with Gogyou-san?
Kind of cute.
Inadvertently I embraced Luna.
Then I got ready for school and Luna sent me off like usual, so I left the house and headed for school together with Machina and Nazuna…
Entering the classroom, I greeted a few classmates and arrived at my seat, when Gogyou-san, who had already been in the classroom, timidly chatted up to me.
“Uhm…Sh- Shinobu-kun.”
“…She’s calling for you, Shinobu-kun.”
I clapped on Machina’s shoulder, whereupon she said with a smile.
“’Sup, I’m Shinobu. Need some—wait, you’re Shinobu! Or rather, Shinobu-kun!?”
Machina frowned and Gogyou-san blushed.
“Yeah, I would like to call Nanjou-kun as Shinobu-kun from now on… Can I?”
“I don’t really mind, but why so suddenly?”
“There’s no real meaning behind it: I just wanted to call you so…”
“Okay, then I also will call you ‘Hijirin’ from now on.”
Hijirin and Kaorun. That was kinda cute.
Such thoughts crossed my mind, when Gogyou-san brought her face closer and said spoiled.
“Please call me Hijiri.”
“…Uhm, Gogyou-san, your face is close. Too close.”
“Shinobu-kun, if you don’t call me Hijiri….I’m going to kiss you.”
“Hijiri-san!”
I shouted hastily, when Gogyou-san brought her face even closer.
“…You added ‘san’, so you get a punishment kiss.”
“H- Hijiri! Satisfied now?”
When I said flustered, Gogyou-san grinned.
“I’m happy, so you’ll get a kiss.”
“So either way is hopeless!”
“Yeah! What are you going to do in the classroom!”
Machina hastily got between me and Gogyou-san, no, Hijiri and stopped her.
Upon that Hijiri pulled back.
“I, I’, just kidding…”
“Didn’t look like a joke to me.”
Machina looked at Hijiri with half-closed eyes.
“You’re surprisingly bold, Gogyou.”
“Th- That’s not true. I’m try my hardest here. Since Shinobu-kun is dull and I have a lot of rivals.”
Hijiri continued with a “But” and reached out her hand for Machina.
“I won’t lose to you, Orangelo-san, or any other.”
“…Just call me Machina.”
Taking Hijiri’s hand, Machina faced sideways and said.
“Elni is calling me that too. And I’ll just call you Hijiri.”
“Yeah, thanks, Machina-san.”
Machina and Hijiri exchanged a heated handshake. Seemed like the beginning of a friendship.
A heart-warming scene.
I watched over them with narrowed eyes, when Hijiri suddenly faced me and whispered into my ear with red cheeks.
“Shinobu-kun, I want you to be my partner from now on too.”
“…Huh? From now on too?”
“Yeah, this time it was only a kiss, so next time do it all the way…”
With her cheeks still red, Hijiri whispered near my ear.
“…You sure love your perverted stuff, Hijiri.”
I replied in a quiet voice as to gave a slip, when Hijiri denied in a loud voice.
“N- No! It’s for my job!”
“…Mh? What are you two talking about?”
The left out Machina tilted her head, when Hijiri covered it up with a “Nothing!” and then softly whispered into my ear again.
“Shinobu-kun, I have to achieve more results as an exorcist. On this occasion, I came to understand that I can get even stronger with your help.”
“I, Is that so.”
“Yeah, but I can’t force you…”
She stopped her words once, then said embarrassed.
“I’ll seduce you again. I’ll work hard so that you’ll help me out.”
…This had turned into something unbelievable.
I made a big sigh inside my heart….
Chapter 04: Promise with the Family
…I felt some kind of warmth on my body.
Enveloped by a soft and warm sensation, there was even a nice fragrance and I felt really good.
What was it? I could feel the morning sun on my eyelids and opened my eyes.
“Morning, Nanjou-kun.”
“Nanjou-sama, a good morning to you.”
From the right Gogyou-san and from the left Kaorun said their morning greeting.
Apparently, they had sleeping while clinging to my body.
But why? What did I do yesterday? Don’t tell me, I did it!?
I desperately tried to recall my memories of yesterday.
“Yesterday was such a fierce night, Nanjou-sama. To do all these things to the Miss and me, you are such a beast. I am no longer fit to be a bride.”
Kaorun clung to me with her cheeks flushed.
…Eh? For real? Both of them at the same time? Not only Gogyou-san, but I even laid hands on Kaorun? I didn’t remember at all.
I was astonished, when Gogyou-san said with a wry smile.
“Kaoru-san, telling lies is not good. Nanjou-san hasn’t done anything yet.”
“Miss, I believed that if we were to fabricate a fact here, Nanjou-sama would take responsibility.”
“I can’t do something so cowardly. I want to do it with Nanjou-kun on a mutual basis.”
“You are so upright, Miss. You are so dazzling. Nanjou-sama, your fiancée is such a wonderful person. Do you feel happy?”
“*snore, snore*”
“Please do not pretend to be asleep and answered truthfully.”
My cheek was pinched, so I straightened up my upper body.
I felt strangely chilly, when I noticed that my upper body was naked.
“—Hey, what’s this! You did something to me while I was sleeping! You two perverts! Lecher! Beasts! It was my first time!”
“Nanjou-sama, pardon my interfering when you are busy on your disgusting misunderstanding, but we did not anything.”
Kaorun stood up from the bed and explained.
“Last night you were even more good-for-nothing that expected, so my plan ended up in a failure. Therefore, to even gain a little bit of your strength, the Miss let her body overlap with yours.”
“Yeah. Just by doing so, I can get a part of your energy.”
Saying so, Gogyou-san clung to my back. From the soft and warm sensation on my back, I could tell that Gogyou-san was naked, so my heartbeat raised up instantly.
It was rather embarrassing.
I got away from the bed in an attempt to flee while timidly lowering my gaze.
…Oh, I was still properly wearing my trousers.
I made a sigh of relief, when Kaorun talked to Goyou-san in a quiet voice.
“Miss, I heard that men are naughty in the mornings due to a physiology phenomena. How about you take this chance and extract the yang energy from him by servicing him with your mouth?”
“Service with my mouth?”
“Yes. It is also possible for you to pinch it between your breasts.”
Nodding, Kaorun pulled out a forbidden magazine out of her pocket and showed it to Gogyou-san. Kaorun flipped through the pages while Gogyou-san’s face turned redder by the second. When Kaorun closed the magazine, Gogyou-san faced me. Then she turned bright red up to her ears and said.
“Uhm, I might not pull it off well, but I’ll try hard—”
“Sorry, but it’s time for the meeting. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Not letting Gogyou-san finish her sentence, I swiftly turned my back to her and retreated from the place.
Still naked on top, I headed for the living room.
Luna was in the living room and when she noticed me, she came closer with a smile.
“Shinobu-san, is your body alright? Please eat plenty of spinach for breakfast as to replenish your iron content.”
Luna was back to her usual self as opposed to her gloomy self from yesterday.
But she took one step forward, took my hand and said with a serious expression.
“Please do not give in to the seduction, Shinobu-san.”
“Ah, yes…”
Overwhelmed by Luna, I nodded, when she flushed her cheeks lightly and said.
“…Also, uhm, please wear some clothes, so you will not catch a cold.”
After she mentioned it, I made a small sneeze…
* * *
—The last day of the culture festival ended in no time too.
In the classroom lit by the evening sun, Gogyou-san and me watched over the after party. The guys from class were happily dancing the folk dance on the grounds.
I watched over the guys from class, when Gogyou-san said with a sorry expression.
“Sorry, Nanjou-kun. To drag you into all this…”
Right now, I was holding hands with Gogyou-san.
Kaorun had said that by overlapping our skins like that, Gogyou-san was able to suck energy from me. It seemed to be true.
From my held hand a heat spread over my whole body and a thin sweat broke out on my forehead.
However it wasn’t uncomfortable, but rather a pleasant feeling overcame my body.
There Gogyou-san softly let go off my hand and asked with a quiet voice.
“…I guess, you would have like to join everyone in the after party?”
“No, to be honest, I didn’t want to join. Since it seemed the girls wanted to drag me to it in cross-dress. I’m glad to turn it down.”
When I said so, Gogyou-san finally showed a smile.
“Thanks, Nanjou-kun.”
“Mh? I should be thanking you. Thanks to you, I had a valid reason to decline the after party. I don’t ever want to cross-dress again.”
I replied so, when Gogyou-san looked at me with a gentle smile.
“…Aren’t you just being considerate towards me?”
“D- Don’t be stupid. You got the wrong idea there. I just hate to cross-dress.”
I hastily averted my eyes from Gogyou-san.
Upon that, Gogyou-san said with a quiet voice.
“You’re certainly kind, Nanjou-kun.”
When Gogyou-san giggled, I was ensnared and also reddened my cheeks.
Like that we continued to watch over the after party together for some time.
“…Gogyou-san, can I ask something?”
I broke the ice and watched at Gogyou-san’s profile.
“Why do you want to continue your exorcist job? It’s dangerous, isn’t it? There isn’t any real need to jump into danger yourself, is there?”
When I asked so, Gogyou-san smiled faintly and answered.
“To keep my promise with Kaoru-san.”
While watching over the after party, Gogyou-san slowly opened her mouth.
“…Remember when I told you about it before? About how Kaoru-san stayed with me, when everyone else was scared of me.”
I remembered it well. It was about how Kaorun had invited the lonely Gogyou-san to play together.
When I nodded, Gogyou-san’s expression suddenly turned lonely.
“…Back then we were close like real sisters. But at some point Kaoru-san stopped calling me by my name. Because of my higher status as an exorcist.”
“Higher status as an exorcist?”
I asked back like a parrot, when Gogyou-san answered with a serious expression.
“The exorcist organisation exterminates and seals devils, but also shelters children born from devils. But in reality we’re not sheltering them. We’re using them at our own convenience…as tools.”
Gogyou-san looked down and clenched her fists.
“Kaoru-san is a half-breed between a human and a devil. Part of her blood is devilish. That’s why no one considers Kaoru-san a human. Every other exorcist treats her like a tool.”
A half-breed… I see. Kaorun also was a half-human, half-devil like Machina.
“…I couldn’t forgive that. Kaoru-san is my family. Yet no one would call her that. They wouldn’t acknowledge her. It wasn’t even allowed that Kaoru-san called me by my name. Kaorun-san only got cold glares. Even my father said that it wouldn’t change, so I had given up.”
Gogyou-san raised her head and continued with a “But”.
“I’ll change it. I’ll continue my job, reach the top and make them acknowledge Kaoru-san as my family. I won’t let them hurt her ever again.”
With her usual dignified expression, Gogyou-san said firmly.
“And not just Kaoru-san. I’ll make them acknowledge everyone else that is being treated as a tool now.”
Lit up by the evening sun, Gogyou-san’s profile gave off a strong resolve.
“That’s my promise with Kaoru-san. And I want to fulfil it.”
There Gogyou-san faced me.
“…You won’t come to hate Kaoru-san after hearing that, will you?”
I saw trust in her eyes.
So I answered firmly.
“Of course I won’t hate her. I like her.”
“…Eh?”
For some reason, Gogyou-san widened her eyes in surprise on my answer.
“Y- You like her type?”
“No, not like that. Don’t read too much into it.”
I had intended for a clear denial, but Gogyou-san mumbled “…Reminds me, you’re really close to Kaoru-san…” unsatisfied.
She seemed to have a particular misunderstanding, but how could I clear it up?
I scratched my head and wrecked my brain, when the classroom door suddenly opened and Kaorun showed up.
“Miss, the preparations are finalized. It is time.”
“Yeah, okay. Can you leave me alone for just a moment?”
Kaorun nodded to Gogyou-san and forwarded her gaze to me.
“Nanjou-sama, this way please.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I got away from Gogyou-san and headed over to Kaorun. Together we left the classroom.
For a while we walked the empty hallway, then I called out to Kaorun in front of the stairs leading to the rooftop.
“Hey, so what’s the test about anyway?”
When I asked so, Kaorun answered while climbing up the stairs.
“The Miss will face off alone against a devil under the eyes of the observer.”
“A devil?”
Following after Kaorun, I asked back, when she nodded over her shoulder.
“Yes, a devil under the management of the exorcist organisation. Or more precise, a half-breed born between a human and a devil. In case the Miss wins against that devil, the Master will acknowledge her and she will be able to continue her job as an exorcist.”
“…What kind of devil will it be?”
“Just a simple maid. She works at the Gogyou Household and has the looks of an angel.”
The moment I understood the meaning of her words, I stopped unmeant.
Upon that Kaorun also stopped and said with her back still to me.
“You should have heard from the Miss earlier, Nanjou-sama. That I have devil blood flowing in my veins.”
“…You were listening in?”
“I knew it was rude of me, but I was interested in your answer, Nanjou-sama.”
“My answer?”
There Kaorun turned around slowly and looked at me with somewhat relaxed corners of her mouth.
“It took me by surprise. To think Nanjou-sama would confess his love for me…”
Sure, I had said that I liked her, but I should have added not too read too much into it. I made a small sigh, then correct my tone and asked.
“So, are you stronger than Gogyou-san?”
“At the current time my strength stands above the Miss’. The devil blood in my seems to be of a high class, so I have a far superior power to all the other half-breeds. That is most likely the reason that the Master chose me as the Miss’ opponent.”
“What do you mean?”
“His parental feelings make the Master disagree about the Miss continuing her job as an exorcist. There will be an observer present, so I will not be allowed to hold back. The Master wishes for the Miss to fail the test.”
“…I see. Such a tough job for you.”
Kaorun faced her back to me and replied a short “Yes”.
From there on, I didn’t say anything and headed wordless to the rooftop…
When we arrived on the rooftop, there was already someone there.
Most likely it was the observer that Kaorun had mentioned. It was a beautiful woman with a tall figure and a strict expression. After a while, Gogyou-san showed up on the rooftop and on the signal of the observer, the test started. Gogyou-san pulled out the Japanese sword from the bamboo blade pouch in her hand, then took a stance.
Whereas Kaorun pulled out a short sword from her pocket and also took a relaxed stance like Gogyou-san.
…She looked really strong.
Watching over them from a distant, even I could feel the tension in the air and a drop of the temperature of 2-3°C.
Kaorun was composed and didn’t show an opening.
But, Gogyou-san closed the gap between them in no time regardless and pressed hard on Kaorun. She slashed down her sword diagonally from the shoulder, but it was dodged too easily.
There Gogyou-san slashed once again in no time, this time in reverse, from the bottom to the top.
It was a fierce and fast attack. However, Kaorun dodged the sword with the bare minimum of movement and launched an attacked with the bottom of her left palm. Gogyou-san took that with the grip of her sword and blown off widely, she lost her balance. There Kaorun came after her with the short sword and Gogyou-san somewhat dodged it by taking a distance.
The difference in their strength was obvious. At this rate Gogyou-san would lose for sure.
All I could do was watch… No, wait. I might be able to shake Kaorun. If Kaorun were to show an opening then, it was plenty possible that the current situation would change.
I waited for the right timing and when Gogyou-san dropped her sword once more onto Kaorun, I shouted out loudly.
“—Kaorun’s boobs were so pretty!”
Instantly, Kaorun turned bright red on a rare occasion and shouted.
“Wh- What are you saying, Nanjou-sama!”
“Yeah! What’s the idea, Nanjou-kun!”
…Huh? It was a perfect chance, but even Gogyou-san had stopped. Or rather, she was looking at me wholeheartedly. Glaring at me. For some reason she was angry.
“I knew it, you like Kaoru-san! I worked so hard, but you only remember Kaoru-san’s breasts!”
“No, well, that’s a misunderstanding. I remember your lap pillow too. It was pretty alluring.”
“Then why didn’t you do anything!?”
“Eh? But the other girls were in the house…”
I babbled an excuse, when Gogyou-san’s eyes sparkled for some reason.
“Then right now is fine? I don’t have to hold back anymore?”
“Huh? What are you…”
Before I could finish my words, Gogyou-san came running straight at me. Then she clung to me— and suddenly kissed me. Our lips overlapped, I could feel Goyou-san’s warmth through her lips. The soft sensation of her lips completely froze me.
It was a long kiss. With her lips still pressed on mine, Gogyou-san clung to me even stronger. Then she slowly got away from me and mumbled with drowsy eyes.
“…Ah, I forgot to take any energy.”
“Wait a moment. Then what was that kiss for?”
“I, It felt so good that I couldn’t help it! Once more!”
“Eh? Hey—MMH!?”
Gogyou-san gently grabbed my cheeks with both her hands and kissed me again.
This time it was fiercer than before. Her lips sucked on mine and her hot tongue entered my mouth. Her tongue entwined mine and I tasted Gogyou-san’s saliva. With her hand around my neck, I was kissed even more fiercely.
T- Too bold. It was my first kiss, so I wished she would be more gentle.
Still, it was hard to resist this intense stimulation, so I inadvertently entwined my tongue too.
In that moment, Gogyou-san’s body trembled in shivers and she got away from me, then she dropped powerless to the ground.
Her cheeks flushed and her lips wet, Gogyou-san looked extremely sexy. But still on both her knees, she didn’t try to get up.
“Wh- What’s the matter?”
I asked worried, when Gogyou-san said with a troubled face.
“M- My legs lost their strength…”
“So pointless! Forget about sucking my energy, it actually weakened you!”
“B- But, I properly sucked your energy!”
“…Then how do you plan to fight like that?”
While saying that, I shifted my gaze to Kaorun and the observer.
But those two were holding on a digital camera and video camera and they hastily hid them in their pockets when they made eye-contact with me.
They totally recorded that kiss just now…
Overflowing with shame, I took a step forward.
“…Gogyou-san, I’ll buy you some time, so use it to recover.”
“Eh? Nanjou-kun?”
I paid no attention to Gogyou-san, who leaked a surprised voice, and stood before Kaorun.
“Well, as you can see, I’m pitching in. I’m sure you don’t mind? I’m just an amateur after all. I’ll be instantly killed by Kaorun anyway.”
I faced the observer, when she nodded small.
“I will allow it. I heard from Hijiri-sama about the onmyou technique, so you are treated as her partner, Nanjou-dono. So there are no problems.”
“—You heard her. Take care of me.”
“…I won’t hold back.”
“Then I guess I will.”
When I cracked a joke, Kaorun took a step forward and opened her mouth.
“No, on that topic of holding back, instead of you, Nanjou-sama, it should be me.”
“Nah, I will do so.”
“No, no, I should.”
There I held out my hand to Kaorun with a smile.
“Then please do so.”
Right away, the observer said with a low voice.
“Stop the comedy act and please start already.”
“S- Sorry.”
After I apologized, I confronted Kaorun.
Upon that, Kaorun put away her short sword into her pocket and made a small sigh.
“I will take you on with my bare hands, since you are doing so too, Nanjou-sama.”
“No need to restrain yourself, you know?”
“No, this is not a restrain. It just means that my bare hands are enough for you.”
Saying that, Kaorun stepped in fiercely and swung her fist.
It was frigging fast and heavy. Warding off the incoming fist, I took some distance, when Kaorun followed in pursuit. She launched a rapid waves of attacks.
Somehow avoiding a hit to the vitals, I continued to ward off the heavy attacks, when my body got messed up in no time. But I didn’t go down and while breathing heavily, I continued to stand in front of Kaorun. She stopped her hands, widened her eyes and opened her mouth.
“…Nanjou-sama, how can you still be standing? Just who are you?”
Not just Kaorun, I saw the observer having a surprised expression too in the corner of my eyes.
There I laughed weakly and answered.
“Who I am? Can’t you tell by looking at me? Just a handsome guy.”
“…Your handsome side is ruined now, since you just let yourself be hit by my and never retaliated once.”
“Since you’re such a beauty, I was inadvertently smitten by you.”
I shrugged and spitted blood out of my mouth, when Kaorun made a troubled face.
But receiving a fierce glare by the observer, she clenched her fist and faced me.
But, at that moment.
“Thou are the fire. Thou are the God of fire. Thou are the Dragon of fire. Head my call—Hi no Kagutsuchi.”
A dignified voice echoed around. I turned to it and there stood Gogyou-san. A pale flame rose from the sword in Gogyou-san’s hand and Gogyou-san’s face brimmed of confidence.
“Sorry to make you wait, Nanjou-kun.”
“Yeah, I was jut about to get serious and defeat Kaorun all alone.”
I staggered away from Kaorun and sat down on the floor.
“Okay, the rest is up to you.”
“Yeah, leave it to me.”
Gogyou-san nodded firmly and faced Kaorun.
Upon that, Kaorun gazed upon the pale, flattering flame of Gogyou-san’s sword and opened her mouth.
“Miss, the Hi no Kagutsuchi is a flame to exorcise devil. It will only half as effective against me.”
“I know. But I think I can make it through now.”
Along with her words, Gogyou-san raised the sword above her head, then swung it down at once.
Right away, the pale flame burned fiercely and attacked Kaorun curled up in a ball.
Kaorun deemed it dangerous, as she widened her eyes and jumped to the side right away.
“Hi no Kagutsuchi—Chase!”
When Gogyou-san raised her voice, the flame changed it’s direction and once again came after Kaorun.
At the same time, Gogyou-san started to run and reduced the distance to Kaorun.
Upon that, Kaorun crossed her arms and plunged into the flame without hesitation. While her maid clothes got scorched, Gogyou-san dodged Kaorun’s attack and at the same time, raised up her sword
“—Hah!”
And slashed down the blade down with a voice.
It was just like a flash.
Kaorun could only defend on the spur of the moment with her short sword. Gogyou-san’s sword clashed with Kaorun’s and the shrill sound of metal echoed around.
At the same time, Gogyou-san’s sword fissured and Kaorun’s writhed short sword was blown out of her hands. Instantly, Gogyou-san stepped one step inside and swung it at Kaorun’s torso.
The blade chased after Kaorun’s body like it was sucked it, then Gogyou-san turned the sword and right after the back of the sword hit into Kaorun’s body.
—That dull sound signalized the end of the battle.
Kaorun was blown away by Gogyou-san’s attack, crashed into the fence of the rooftop and stopped moving.
“The match is settled!”
The loud voice of the observer.
Everyone relaxed, then the fence Kaorun’s body leaned against gave off a creak.
It was already too late when I realized it to be abnormal. Kaorun’s body declined like it was flying in the air, then fell down along with the fence.
—At that time, I saw flattering long, back hair in the corner of my eye.
The next I saw was Gogyou-san’s back.
“Kaoru-san!”
Gogyou-san moved before anyone else, jumped from the rooftop without any hesitation and reached out for Kaorun. In a snap Gogyou-san got a firm hold on Kaorun’s hand.
However, both of them fell down like that and completely disappeared from my view.
“…No way.”
My head was blank. My breathing stopped and I felt dizziness.
Staggering, I stepped forwards to the broken down fence, when I noticed it. The small hand grabbing the edge of the rooftop.
“Gogyou-san!”
I ran over right away, where Gogyou-san hung with one hand grabbing onto the edge of the rooftop and with the other she tightly grabbed Kaorun’s hand.
When Gogyou-san met my eyes, she made a somewhat proud expression and smiled.
…Don’t make me worry so much.
Was what I wanted to complain, but I hadn’t the time for it, as I hastily grabbed onto Gogyou-san’s hand. Then the pale observer came running over and together we pulled up Gogyou-san and Kaorun.
After that, becoming stale from the relief, I lay down face-up on the rooftop and sighed.
“—What were you thinking!”
Suddenly an angry voice sounded.
I straightened up my upper body, when I saw Kaorun approached Gogyou-san and raising her voice.
“Why would you do something so reckless! What if you had fallen down!”
…It was a first, I thought, that Kaorun showed such emotions.
But Gogyou-san smiled at that Kaorund and answered.
“Don’t blame me. My body moved on it’s own…”
“…What are you saying? Protecting someone like me, if anything had—”
“Not someone like.”
Gently cutting into Kaorun’s words, Gogyou-san continued softly.
“You’re my precious family, Kaoru-san. I don’t know how you feel, but I think of you as an older sister. And it’s only obvious to help your older sister, right?”
On these words, Kaorun’s shoulders trembled lightly.
Gogyou-san put her hands on these shoulders and said.
“I haven’t forgotten the promise. I’ll work until I have them acknowledge you as my family. Therefore—”
For a moment she stopped and smiled gently.
“Please stay at my side from now on too.”
Right after, Kaorun’s body trembled widely. Then she bit onto her lips as to endure something and clenched her fists.
But she couldn’t endure it.
Tears flowed out of Kaorun’s eyes.
…I believed she would cover it up. Soon enough Kaorun wiped the drops with her sleeve, but the tears kept flowing out of her eyes…She couldn’t stop them.
When Gogyou-san gentle embraced Kaorun, a quiet weeping voice sounded.
“…Hijiri-chan.”
Along with a faint mumbling, the crying voice echoed around.
Kaorun was tightly embraced by Gogyou-san and cried like a kid.
…There I slowly stood up and headed for the exit of the rooftop.
Before leaving the rooftop, I looked at the two of them once more, when Gogyou-san, infected by Kaorun, also shed tears.
—Gogyou-san and Kaorun. They didn’t look alike and their personalities were as different as they come.
However, when I saw the two of them in a tight embrace, I thought.
They are like real sisters.
After I ascertained, I left the rooftop and walked down the hallway. I chipped off the tear in my eye.
“Geez, it even infected me…”
I mumbled with a wry smile. I wanted to go home like that, when I was called out from behind.
“Please wait, Nanjou-dono.”
I turned around and saw the female observer.
“Nanjou-dono, do you not have to say anything to Hijiri-sama and her maid?”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to bother them.”
When I answered like that, the observer suddenly lowered her head deeply.
“Nanjou-dono, please take good care of Hijiri-sama as her partner from now on too.”
“No, I think this was a one-time deal.”
“…I believe you are the only one who thinks that.”
The observer left some profound words and returned to the rooftop.
I absent-minded watched after her, then slowly started to walk.
By the way, a few days later I would come to understand the meaning behind the observer’s words…
* * *
The culture festival had ended and school had started like always, but actually it wasn’t like always. After Gogyou-san’s test, I had reported to everyone that she had passed the test, when Luna ran out of the room with a “Fueeh~” crying while Machina and Elni were sullen all the time. But on the next day, Machina claimed “The demon realm has polygamy” while Elni said “I don’t mind, since I’m the lover”. Their mood had been fixed.
But it was different for Luna.
She made a face like the end of the world had come and shut herself in her room.
…And today again, Luna didn’t come to wake me up.
Being waked up by Nazuna, I showed up in the dining kitchen with faint hopes, but Luna wasn’t there and Machina and Elni were sitting at the table.
“Morning, Shinobu. Today‘s breakfast is a slice of bread!”
Elni continued with a somewhat sad expression.
“Okay, Shinobu, did you drop this charred toast? Or this charred toast with strawberry jam?”
“…I didn’t drop either of them.”
“Since you’re so honest, I’ll give them both to you.”
“Don’t want it! This almost harassing!”
I retorted resentful, when Elni answered with sober smile.
“Shinobu, don’t they always say, hn honest person—will be made a fool of!”
“…Thanks for the valuable lesson in the morning.”
I replied sarcastic, sat down at the table and complained about the charred toast.
“Geez, how can you burn it like this? Just how bad at cooking can you be…”
When I expressed my displeasure like that, Machina’s shoulders trembled lightly and she shouted with teary eyes.
“S- Sorry for being bad at cooking! Even I tried my hardest, you know! But I couldn’t pull it off as well as Sister!”
Machina looked close to tears and mumbled a “…And here I made it for you…”.
I felt guilty and said “Sorry”, then bit on the charred toast and shouted.
“Oh, this gravel taste, I love it! It, It’s surprisingly good!”
The lie was obvious, but Machina’s mood was fixed by it.
I finished my breakfast like that, then I headed for Luna’s room and called out to her through the door.
“Luna, are you awake?”
“…I am asleep.”
“Nah, you’re so awake.”
I wearily opened the door, when the curtains were shut and Luna sat on the bed in her pyjamas clutching her knees while tampering with a portable game.
Her expression was extremely gloomy. I hesitated for a moment to call out to her.
“Uh- Uhm, what are you doing?”
“Playing a game. I finally memorized how to use it. Then it became fun and I have been playing since then. All through last night…”
Opposite to her words, she didn’t sound happy at all.
“Shinobu-san, games sure are fun. I borrowed this from Elni-chan. Within the game I can become close with a lot of boys. There is even someone resembling you. Though he is not you…”
…Not good. Luna was broken.
“Uhm, Luna-san, it’s bad for your body when you shut in yourself all the time.”
“…I do not care. The world can just perish.”
It was my first time seeing such an unmotivated and dark Luna.
“W- Wanna go play somewhere next time?”
“Why not go with Gogyou-san. Please leave me alone.”
When she said so with teary eyes, Luna put the blanket over her head and slipped under it. From under the blanket, I could faintly hear the sound of the game console, but it was the voice of a cool guy.
“Don’t cry. I’m here for you.”
“…Yes. Thank you, Kazuki-san, who resembles Shinobu-san…”
Holy mother. Luna turned crazy. What if she played with 2D guys forever? I was quite opposite to that idea.
“Luna, stop behaving so unhealthy and come out from the blanket.”
“…No. Reality is suffering. I cannot endure a reality where Shinobu-san is going out with Gogyou-san.”
…Mh? What was Luna saying?
“Ehm, I’m not really dating her, you know?”
When I replied so, Luna hastily peeked out her head from under the blanket and said.
“B- But, Shinobu-san, you did something perverted with her, right?”
“I did not.”
“Ehh!? But, but, you said Gogyou-san passed the test…”
“Yeah, without doing anything perverted.”
Technically it was not a lie. Kissing wasn’t considered perverted…in my opinion.
“I’m friends with Gogyou-san. Certainly there is that engagement, but it’s not like she became my lover or anything.”
I said so affirming, when Luna stayed absent-minded for a while, but soon enough she showed a bright smile and got off the bed. Then she clung onto me.
I didn’t really know why, but her mood was fixed.
…Could it be, just like Machina, Luna was lonely about that fact that there would be less time to play if I were to go out with Gogyou-san?
Kind of cute.
Inadvertently I embraced Luna.
Then I got ready for school and Luna sent me off like usual, so I left the house and headed for school together with Machina and Nazuna…
Entering the classroom, I greeted a few classmates and arrived at my seat, when Gogyou-san, who had already been in the classroom, timidly chatted up to me.
“Uhm…Sh- Shinobu-kun.”
“…She’s calling for you, Shinobu-kun.”
I clapped on Machina’s shoulder, whereupon she said with a smile.
“’Sup, I’m Shinobu. Need some—wait, you’re Shinobu! Or rather, Shinobu-kun!?”
Machina frowned and Gogyou-san blushed.
“Yeah, I would like to call Nanjou-kun as Shinobu-kun from now on… Can I?”
“I don’t really mind, but why so suddenly?”
“There’s no real meaning behind it: I just wanted to call you so…”
“Okay, then I also will call you ‘Hijirin’ from now on.”
Hijirin and Kaorun. That was kinda cute.
Such thoughts crossed my mind, when Gogyou-san brought her face closer and said spoiled.
“Please call me Hijiri.”
“…Uhm, Gogyou-san, your face is close. Too close.”
“Shinobu-kun, if you don’t call me Hijiri….I’m going to kiss you.”
“Hijiri-san!”
I shouted hastily, when Gogyou-san brought her face even closer.
“…You added ‘san’, so you get a punishment kiss.”
“H- Hijiri! Satisfied now?”
When I said flustered, Gogyou-san grinned.
“I’m happy, so you’ll get a kiss.”
“So either way is hopeless!”
“Yeah! What are you going to do in the classroom!”
Machina hastily got between me and Gogyou-san, no, Hijiri and stopped her.
Upon that Hijiri pulled back.
“I, I’, just kidding…”
“Didn’t look like a joke to me.”
Machina looked at Hijiri with half-closed eyes.
“You’re surprisingly bold, Gogyou.”
“Th- That’s not true. I’m try my hardest here. Since Shinobu-kun is dull and I have a lot of rivals.”
Hijiri continued with a “But” and reached out her hand for Machina.
“I won’t lose to you, Orangelo-san, or any other.”
“…Just call me Machina.”
Taking Hijiri’s hand, Machina faced sideways and said.
“Elni is calling me that too. And I’ll just call you Hijiri.”
“Yeah, thanks, Machina-san.”
Machina and Hijiri exchanged a heated handshake. Seemed like the beginning of a friendship.
A heart-warming scene.
I watched over them with narrowed eyes, when Hijiri suddenly faced me and whispered into my ear with red cheeks.
“Shinobu-kun, I want you to be my partner from now on too.”
“…Huh? From now on too?”
“Yeah, this time it was only a kiss, so next time do it all the way…”
With her cheeks still red, Hijiri whispered near my ear.
“…You sure love your perverted stuff, Hijiri.”
I replied in a quiet voice as to gave a slip, when Hijiri denied in a loud voice.
“N- No! It’s for my job!”
“…Mh? What are you two talking about?”
The left out Machina tilted her head, when Hijiri covered it up with a “Nothing!” and then softly whispered into my ear again.
“Shinobu-kun, I have to achieve more results as an exorcist. On this occasion, I came to understand that I can get even stronger with your help.”
“I, Is that so.”
“Yeah, but I can’t force you…”
She stopped her words once, then said embarrassed.
“I’ll seduce you again. I’ll work hard so that you’ll help me out.”
…This had turned into something unbelievable.
I made a big sigh inside my heart….
