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Chance, is it. I don’t know what she means by that, but I suppose it’s a line she set for herself. Still, it’s a shame that I won’t be able to see Kotone’s future antics up close. I only have little time left to be able to meddle with her as a senior too.

“Rin, what’s with that smile?”
“It’s nothing.”

She definitely knows what I’m thinking. As her junior, Rin can proactively maintain a close relationship with Kotone. That smug smile of superiority is pissing me off. I’ll mess her up on stage later.

“Rin. Think about it. You seem to be under the impression that things will be peaceful once I’m gone.”
“Isn’t that actually the case?”
“You’re likely to encounter people as chaotic as me or even worse if you associate with Kotone.”

Rin had a look of shock. How did she not realize this? Even Kotone’s normal friend Kaori gets wrapped up in a lot of trouble, doesn’t she? Kotone does some sort of aftercare, but that doesn’t really help much. If it were me, I’d still find getting dragged into situations enjoyable. Rather, that’s my main objective.

“It’s not like I want problems happening…”
“In your case, Kotone, the way you form connections is just weird. Hadzuki and I can take it without issues, but starting from this year, it’s likely only Kotori who can keep up with you.”

That girl would probably be happy just to be with Kotone. A part of me is always prepared for some retaliation whenever I play with Kotone. I’m sure Hadzuki is the same. Still, with me and Hadzuki gone, perhaps things won’t really escalate with Kotone no longer in the student council.

“Which reminds me, it should be about time.”
“Time for what?”
“Time to go to Kotori’s place, where I’ll be staying today.”

Kotone really knows no fear. I’m genuinely shocked, and Rin looks like she wants to ask why Kotone’s doing this. Kotone is practically jumping into a lion’s den of her own free will. Something normally unthinkable for her.

“Kotone. You should really value your own safety more.”
“Sister Kotone. If you want to maintain your purity, then you’d best not continue.”
“What are you even saying?”

Not good, she doesn’t get it. A sleepover alone with Kotone is sure to make Kotori go wild. Her father might try to intervene, but it’s obvious that the powerful berserk Kotori will overpower him. Your chastity is in sure danger, Kotone.

“Besides, you’re staying at our place tonight.”
“And why is that?”
“Because of that.”

Where I pointed, Kotone’s bodyguards are now visibly drunk. From papa’s thumbs up, he likely made them drink. It’ll be impossible for them to travel to the next house in that condition, so they inevitably have to stay at our house. Nice job, papa.

「What the heck were they doing while I wasn’t watching…」
「You can’t really blame them. They can’t refuse the drinks poured by papa, after all.」

He’s an important potential customer for them, after all. If they do anything to sour the relationship, who knows what their boss will say. Papa is aware of that, but he probably did it because it’d be funny. Also, maybe for mama’s sake too.

“I’ll have to contact Kotori.”
“I’ll do that. It’s partly my responsibility after all.”

Kotori will probably say that she’ll pick them up if Kotone calls her, and I have to stop it somehow. Honestly, I’m scared. When it comes to Kotone, Kotori can become a completely different person. If I wanted a peaceful settlement, having Kotone call her would be the correct choice.

“Yahoo, Kotori! Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year, Aya. Sorry to be blunt, but I’m currently busy preparing, so please keep your business short.”

“I’ll shelter Kotone tonight. As such, this time’s sleepover is suspended.”
“Ha?”

Uwa!? scary! That’s all she said, but the pressure’s intense. If we were talking face to face, I likely would’ve run away. Hadzuki would’ve been speechless. Maybe the strongest of us in the twelve families is actually Kotori. There are other more troublesome families, though.

“I mean, there’s a proper reason for this. You see, Kotone’s security team drank themselves unconscious, so they can’t travel.”
“Then we’ll pick her up.”
“But think about it, Kotori. Kotone is sure to go visit your home.”
“Naturally.”

“However, she’ll leave immediately after her stay. In that case, you’d have more time together with Kotone if she arrives in the morning instead.”
“Hmm, one more push.”
“If you take this deal now, oh what do you know! You’ll get a new concert recording of Kotone as a bonus!”
“I want it! Then it can’t be helped, Aya. If you insist, I’ll endure until tomorrow.”

Thank goodness I have a negotiation card. I feel bad for Kotone, but I actually have a video record of today’s performances. For my own studies. I can listen to various people singing naturally, so it’s really informative. If I just extract the ones with Kotone, then it’s an easy win with Kotori.

“See you tomorrow then!”
“I’ll be waiting.”

As for her last muttering of how she’ll prepare a doghouse for the bodyguards, I definitely didn’t hear that. Scary. It’s seriously scary how I can easily imagine her actually doing that. It’s completely papa’s fault, but I can’t say that. I’ll definitely get some blame if she knew.

“Okay, Kotone. Let’s go for an extra round!”
“Is it just me or have I just been sold out?”
“I mean, Kotori is scary, you know.”

She’s someone you really don’t want to make angry. I’m putting Kotori above a sullen Kotone. Still, today’s January is going to be absolutely interesting.