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The conversation continues without any signs of progress. What can we do to calm her burning jealousy? There is the option of leaving it as is without any resolution, but will Minadzuki even allow that? We are the reason why it turned into a problem.

“Considering the future, it’ll be best to resolve this somehow.”
“At the bare minimum, we need to make her willing to listen to us.”
“I’m fine with her staying this way. It’s interesting, after all.”

Rin and I are trying our best to gently steer things to a resolution, and yet Aya seems to want chaos for the fun of it. She really does have a twisted personality. Don’t be amused by people’s suffering.

“I guess we can sign a written oath promising that we won’t get into a romantic relationship with Minadzuki.”
“It definitely won’t happen, making it easy to write. That’ll be our show of compromise.”

Being someone who’s male on the inside, I can’t imagine being lovers with him. Rin has the right to be picky, but I’m sure a child from the twelve families is a no. The more talented they are, the more conspicuous shortcomings tend to be.

“Could you write that you will never approach him instead?”
“Considering our relationship as fellow twelve family members, we can’t. Even at the academy, there are chances of us bumping into each other unintentionally.”

I shot down Kiyose’s suggestion. Is this girl really alright? I feel like she’ll get jealous just from seeing Minadzuki talk to a girl at school. How do we prevent that?

“Eliminating the girls around Minadzuki isn’t possible.”
“If he’s only surrounded by men, it’ll invite weird rumors.”
“I’d love to see that.”
“Don’t give her weird ideas.”

While Minadzuki has a displeased expression, Aya-senpai seems awfully interested. Ignoring the contrasting two, Rin and I focus on coming up with a solution but we can’t think of anything at all. To begin with, is this really our responsibility?

“Minadzuki just has to put his best foot forward, right?”
“We can just watch them from the shadows.”
“That’s your answer after deliberating so much?”
“”Do your best.””

After all, we really couldn’t think of anything. It’d be rude for us to arbitrarily get in-between other people’s relationships. If Minadzuki can just put in the effort, it’ll limit the collateral damage and also deepen their relationship. Setting aside how Minadzuki feels about Kiyose…

“Call me for your wedding. I’ll be there to celebrate.”
“I’d appreciate it if you call us too. Leave the performance number to us.”
“We’ll sing with all our heart.”
“You should all know that you’re on the top rankings of people I absolutely don’t want coming.”

Add Hadzuki and it’s a wrap. There’s no chance of it being a normal wedding. At worst, they might even take over the ceremony and do as they please. Just like the old rogues’ den. We ended with a roaring success, but our whole class was interrogated by the teachers the next day.

“I should have already debuted by the time of Minadzuki’s wedding.”
“If it’s to celebrate, then I wouldn’t mind having a duet with you, Aya.”
“A duet between sis and Unknown is unbelievably rare to see. Now this is a bargain.”
“Why are you trying to sell it so hard?”

For some reason, this conversation getting derailed isn’t bothering me. I guess that’s how chatting usually goes. It’s not like I came here with a proper objective. I honestly just came here to give my new year’s greetings. This development was unexpected, though.

“In the first place, Ms. Kisaragi, you don’t have any intention to debut, right?”
“Ask that to the future me. Everyone around me is pressuring me so hard it’s getting more difficult to refuse.”
“You’re set to join an agency, after all.”
“I can’t imagine you escaping from mama’s grasp.”

These guys already know my real personality, so I can grumble freely. We can’t talk like this when there are other people around, after all. There is approximately one girl who can’t follow our conversation, but the talking continues without care.

“Um… what does it mean for a personage of the twelve families to debut?”
“It’s fine to tell Kiyose. As long as she promises with me, she’ll keep it secret even if it kills her.”
“That’s scary in and of itself. The singer Unknown who’s made the news recently is me.”
“And I plan to train to be a professional singer after graduation.”
“I’m different, okay? I’m going to succeed the family.”
“You two are mad. It’s a mistake to expect romance from you.”

I’m well aware that I’m a bit too free-spirited. But in my case, they’re dragging me into and paving a clear highway to this future. It isn’t like I planned to be a singer in the future. It isn’t, and yet…

“I’m going to marry if I find my ideal man. Someone who’d wholeheartedly cheer me on during my performances and support me in my private life.”
“”Doesn’t exist.””
“Sis’ standards are too high.”
“What part of it is ‘too high’? It’s just average, isn’t it?”

For normal people, that is. Someone who’d cheer you at your performances? Still fine. But someone capable of supporting your private life? That’s a high bar to reach. Unless Aya can find someone able to keep up with her antics, it’s impossible for her. That’s why Rin thinks her standards are high.

“Sister Kotone, do you have any standards for your ideal man?”
“Absolutely none.”
“That’s no fun. Think about it for a bit longer.”
“I can’t imagine having a future with a man at all.”
“Are you perhaps lesbian? Am I on your sights? Oh gee, what do I do~?”
“I’m not lesbian either. I just don’t have a good grasp of romantic love.”

People who know the circumstances of the Kisaragi family should know what I’m trying to say. I personally do have an understanding of romantic love. But it’s different for “Kotone”. After being released from her deep love towards her family, she has no idea where to direct these emotions anymore. At least that’s my guess.

“Being a member of the Kisaragi family, it can’t be helped. I’m relieved to know you aren’t in that demographic.”
“Wait, you’re actually being serious?”
“I always had trust in you, Sister Kotone.”
“Marrying should be a personal decision, after all. I’m already stuck doing it, though.”
“Is that a pronouncement of discontent regarding our engagement?”
“Your eyes are scaring me!”

It’s scary being stared at by eyes devoid of emotions. Even I’m feeling scared. On the other hand, it shows just how much she loves him. Whether it’s enviable or not will depend on one’s tastes. Kiyose is quite a beauty herself, so people might be more inclined to feel raging jealousy.

“Well, it’s about time to give our conclusions. Kiyose, you should learn to have a bit more self-control. There are situations where imposing restrictions will only cause problems for Minadzuki, you know.”
“Minadzuki has to interact as one of the twelve families, after all. I’m sure he’s already aware of how to discern people to socialize with, including women.”
“You should trust Minadzuki more. Fawn on him once you’re in the privacy of home.”
“Finally, some decent answers. I’d rather not go with Rin’s advice, though.”

That’s where you should compromise. Since if she can’t fawn over you outside, she’ll have to compensate for it somehow. It’s not like you’d be scolded for whatever happens outdoors. From how I see it, Minadzuki doesn’t deny Kiyose. He doesn’t have hate for her, so their relationship has potential for growth.

“Kotone. You should consider leaving soon.”
“It’s fine, I didn’t really give a specific timetable.”
“It’s obvious that her mood will only grow worse the longer you take to arrive, so no.”
“What’s this about?”
“The next house she’s visiting is Kotori’s. Minadzuki, that should be all the information you need, no?”

Hearing Aya’s words, Minadzuki’s face turned pale. Is he recalling some terrible memories? The only time I remember them interacting was during the after-party, though.

“Okay, leave now. Leave before you get me involved!”
“Why are you so panicked about this?”
“That Kotori changes drastically when you’re involved!”

Well yeah, I know that. All I told her was that I was going to visit her today. I didn’t make any estimations of how long we’d be here, after all. I did say that we might arrive this evening, but it’s still around noon.

“She’s the only person I’ve found to be scarier than Kiyose.”
“I don’t quite understand why, but I really feel like buying more time here.”
“Don’t drag me into your mess!”

For some reason, I don’t feel that eager to reach Kotori’s place. I’m sure it’s because I have some bad feeling about it, but I can’t exactly pin down what it is. I’ve already given up knowing that I have to stay over, though. I wonder what she has in store for me.

“That family’s pretty unique too.”
“It seems so, considering your distant gaze. I mean, I do know about it, but still.”
“They’re quite intense. It’s not much different here, though.”
“It may be my own family, but I really can’t deny that.”

I don’t know any among the twelve with normal families. Even the Kisaragi family turns weird when I get involved. I’m sure if I bring along Rin, the twins will go wild if they hear what she refers to me. At the very least, I hope they don’t meet each other before this year’s opening ceremony.

“No choice, I guess we’ll leave. Well then, you two. I wish you happiness.”
“It was a pretty fun time.”
“Don’t get me caught up in your problem, alright? I’m really counting on you.”
“Leave already, walking disasters.”

We had a surprising encounter, but it wasn’t as bad as the Shimotsuki family visit. As expected, that family’s the craziest one. Still, I can’t help but feel worried about what awaits at the Fumidzuki residence. I trust that Kotori won’t do anything I’d really hate, but I’m still anxious.