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I had a terrible time yesterday. I know it’s all my own fault. I got scolded and criticized by everyone I met, leaving me feeling slightly sulky too, especially during the last one, Akane’s scolding.

“Why does it always happen when I do something?” I wondered. The other guys never get rebuked when they cause a stir, so why do I get lectured this much when I cause a commotion? It’s unfair. I swear I’ll properly monitor my health from now on and make a real good mess next time.

“Now then, they should be here soon.”

It’s time for the field trip goers to come. Originally, I would have been with them, but I was sent back home, so now I’m currently hiding in a corner waiting for the others to arrive. Why am I hiding myself? You should already know. The twelve family guys already found me, though.

“I think about it every time, but what’s with those guys’ searching capabilities?”

With their abilities, maybe they can even keep up with Lulu. My mission this time is to regroup with the returnees without being seen by the other students. For that reason, I’m even in my uniform. It’d be sad if talks about my situation get around tomorrow.

“That’s exactly why I only informed Kaori.”

Even with me gone, most people would be too occupied with their own business, so it’s surprisingly not easy to know. It’s not like they have any reasons to look for me anyways. There’s only a few who know the reason I was forced home. While it’s possible that Kaori would spill the beans, at most it’ll only be to Miyako and Harumi.

“Right on schedule. Looks like there weren’t any problems in their last day.”

Even with all that happened, I guess the final day went uneventfully. The schedule should be basically all travel today, with some stopovers. The buses orderly entered the academy’s parking lot and when the students started getting off, I went to rejoin them.

“Welcome back.”
“So you really came. I had a tough time explaining things to Harumi and Miyako, you know?”
“Kaori. Let me get straight to the point. Your Christmas plans are?”
“Helping out at the cafe. Aren’t yours the same?”

We need to sell Christmas cakes after all. According to the owner, due to me there were a lot more cake reservations than last year, so they need help. I’m glad to hear about the reservations, but not about it being my fault. I was told that because of my mother, people from different walks of life started coming.

“I know that it’s busy during Christmas Eve. But please think of it as saving me and take up my request.”
“What request?”
“Date me on Christmas Eve.”
“Your wording! Explain to me why!”
“I’ll explain in detail later. If you don’t accept now, the hunters will arrive.”
“Who?”
“Those from the twelve families.”

Kaori let out a deep sigh, but please understand that I’m in a really tight spot. If those idiots come, it’ll spoil the mood. I’m going to be held wholly liable if this fails, so there’s no way I can have them along.

“From the moment I brought up this conversation, those deviants are sure to sense something.”
“It does look like Kotori is heading towards us.”

That’s too fast. And why is Nagatsuki also coming our way? He’s the last one I want to have along. It’s painfully obvious that it’ll cause weird rumors to float around, and neither of us is going to come out of it unscathed.

“Alright. I’ll take you up on that, but give me a proper explanation, okay?”
“Thank you. I’ll explain at the cafe. Talking here would cause a major problem.”
“Just what are you burdened with, Kotone?”
“I was dragged into this for a long time.”

Still, it’s finally going to end. We don’t know how it’ll end yet. It’ll all depend on the principal’s guts and Shizuru’s feelings. By all rights, I have no place between them, but I’m wedged in to help.

“What were you two talking about?”
“We were talking about our plans for Christmas.”
“Is it a party? Will you join us again, Kotone?”
“I won’t go.”

I’ve said it many times, but I don’t plan on returning to high society. I don’t have an invitation to the Christmas party anyway. Then there’s no need to force myself to join. Kotori seems sad about it, but I won’t go back on this.

“Being wealthy has its troubles, huh.”
“You wouldn’t understand unless you experience it. You can barely spend time with friends with the event functions.”
“Unless you get sick, you always have to participate. There were times when it was tough, but I’m used to it now. I still want to spend time with friends, though.”

Feigning sickness to be absent is also difficult. If you lie and get found somewhere else, it’ll turn into an issue of trust. Having to think about the future consequences of your actions since childhood is the fate of those born into the twelve families. And escaping this is difficult.

“In that regard, you seem to have a lot of freedom, Kotone.”
“It’s special in my case. I was practically exiled once, after all. Another thing that shapes my current situation is how I’m disliked by many.”

It’s thanks to the previous Kotone’s actions that I’m in my current situation. While it was the worst, ironically it’s why I have my freedom. Would you become the worst to obtain freedom or accept the restricting present? What would I have done in that situation?

“What are your plans for Christmas, Kotone?”
“I will be working at the cafe. There will also be a party after work, right?”
“That’s the plan. We should at least celebrate Christmas, after all.”