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After paying homage to the shrine, we did the typical fortune slip drawing. I pulled good fortune. A safe and inoffensive result. Love fortune: none? First time I’ve ever seen that. Don’t they normally write “complicated” or so?

“It’s excellent fortune!”
“Mine is moderate fortune. Good omen for employment. Now that’s motivating.”
“Small fortune. Careful with accidents. Well, that’s just worrying.”

Everyone’s showing different reactions. Rin’s accident thing is probably hinting at some kind of trouble during the next school year. It’s not my business. I shouldn’t intrude on the problems of the lower years. Watching from the shadows is the right answer.

“Kotone, are there some good things written on yours?”
“There’s a lot of things written, but in the end, it’s all about how you interpret it.”
“Well, that is true, but it’s our first test of luck this year.”

If you put it like that, that makes me the least fortunate in our group. It does ring a bell. I’ve died once before, so there’s no way I have good luck. I guess I should be grateful that I didn’t pull misfortune.

“Opportunities to form connections abound. Is this a good thing?”
“I think you’ve formed plenty enough last year. Whether it’s for better or worse does depend on your perspective.”

If I had to choose whether it was for better or worse, I’d say it’s on the better side of things. There was my first meeting with Kaori and through various school events, I was able to make friends. Gaining connections with the members of the twelve families was unexpected. Looking back now, I really did form a lot of connections.

“I met Kotone last year. That’s enough for me.”
“I had no idea that I’d meet such an outlier. At first, I even thought you were a completely different person.”
“You got unhinged around the latter half, though.”

I lightly smacked Rin’s head. Who are you calling unhinged? Looking back, I was relatively behaved in the first half of the year. But around the second half, ever since the twelve family after-party to be exact, I started causing problems. Not that I regret it.

“Hadzuki mostly led me by the nose during the early days. I am aware that I took actions questionable even for my standards later on.”
“The after-party was really fun. I’m genuinely grateful that you offered to host it at your place.”
“I’m really grateful that you stopped sis from living independently. In the worst case, it’s possible that she’d call me to do chores.”

Aren’t you working your little sister too hard? Rin obediently following that is also a problem. She should be able to refuse. It’s not like Aya has some dirt on her, I believe she helps out because she just loves her older sister.

“What’s the plan after heading back?”

There’s zero possibility of them holding a concert like with the Shimotsuki family. And unlike Minadzuki, it’s not like they have some troublesome individual lying in wait. Well, there is Kotori’s father, but her mother should strike him down a peg. The issue here is Kotori herself.

“After having dinner and taking a bath, we don’t have any other plans.”
“It’s alright. We’re fully prepared.”
“Hold it. What exactly is this thing you had to prepare?”
“It’s a secret!”

It’s that. The one where I’d likely hate it so she’s keeping it a secret until the last moment. It’s something I’d refuse. Thinking about it, the only thing I can think about is embarrassing stuff. Stupid stuff, I do all the time. Singing, not a problem as long as I’m singing with Aya.

“Kotori. What are you planning on dressing me in?”
“Phwee~”

It’s no use trying to sweep it over with that awful whistling. There are only a few things I truly hate, so it’s easy to guess. The Shimotsuki sisters will likely wear it just because, but I’m different. I’ve had experience with this even when I was still a man, to the point I developed a light rejection reflex.

“Why not humor her, Kotone? It’s New Year’s after all. Let’s make memories to remember it by.”
“I’ll join too. It should be less embarrassing if you’re not doing it alone.”
“Why are you two sisters so eager about it?”
“”Because it sounds fun, obviously!””

I have no allies to be found. Even if I continue saying no, they’ll eventually resort to forcefully undressing and changing me into it. In that case, I’d be better off not doing any futile resistance and just change into it myself.

“Good to see you came! Now leave!”
“Shut up, dear!”

Immediately as we returned to the Fumidzuki residence, Kotori’s father spouted some nonsense and his wife knocked him out with one blow. I don’t know why, but it’s such a common scene that it gives me a bit of comfort. Also, why are my bodyguards being led somewhere else?

“Welcome to our abode. Unlike my foolish husband, I gladly welcome you.”
“Thank you very much for your continued patronage. I’m sorry for asking of such an unreasonable request.”
“Kotone’s wearing her business smile.”

She’s a high paying customer, after all. The reason why the cafe is prospering even though we don’t advertise at all is word of mouth. The cafe has gained value simply because the madams of the twelve families go there. The repeating customers are purely the result of Saori’s talent, though.

“I’d love if you invite us over next.”
“T-That, I’ll consider for some other opportunity.”
“Kotone stammering, that’s rare.”

I can’t help it. Even I don’t know what could happen if the twins and Kotori ever meet. All I know is whatever aftermath it results in, I’ll have to deal with it. It’s clearly going to be a problem.

“Is it really alright to invite one of the twelve to my home?”
“I think it’s too late to care about that. You were doing as you pleased and now the other families might imitate you.”

Families with amiable relationships might already be doing that. In my case, we got acquainted through our connection as fellow academy students. And there are other ways to get acquainted with people. Whether good or bad, encounters like these lead to connections. My ties with the Kisaragi family have been severed, though.

“You’re always welcome at our place.”
“Mama will be happy too. And it’ll relieve the burden on me.”
“Nah, unlikely.”

Rin is definitely going to be dragged back into it. Rather, if she escapes, I’m chasing her down. If I had to deal with two uncontrollable beasts, then I’ll need to at least match them in number first. I’m not going to suffer all by myself.

“Are all of the Kisaragi family like you, Kotone?”
“They’re not similar to me. Personality-wise, of course.”

The old Kotone might be similar. They’re a bloodline of family lovers, after all. I guess I’m a bit similar? I love my step-mom, but not in a way that’s out of line. Besides, if the family were similar to me, then it’d be dangerous for different reasons.

“They’re generally earnest. The exact opposite of me and Aya.”
“So like Rin, then? Must be fun to tease.”
“Stop it. You’d be mistaken to expect them to react like I do.”

She’ll just be left confused. She’s not the type to go wild and let loose. And the twins are sheltered and have never been with unhinged people like us. They’re normal people who are straying a bit towards the wrong path.

“Come to think of it, where are my bodyguards?”
“They’ve been invited to the doghouse.”

I don’t understand what she’s saying. Why was it necessary to lead Akira’s group to a doghouse? I don’t remember Kotori and my bodyguards getting into a conflict. Is the ‘doghouse’ just a figure of speech? There’s nothing good in that string of words.

“It seems like dinner is ready. I had a bit of a hand in the preparation, so I’d like to hear your thoughts.”
“That reminds me, you can cook, right madam?”
“I have an abundance of spare time, so it’s really just a hobby. I shouldn’t take other people’s jobs, after all.”

If the madam assertively took charge of the cooking, some of their house chefs would no longer be needed. I guess they’re keeping in mind the need to return money to the economy. Meanwhile, I’m doing the complete opposite, trying to keep my expenses as low as possible. I’m really not fit to succeed the Kisaragi family.

“Well, this is quite the amount.”
“Kotori said her friends will be coming, so I was feeling motivated. The others were overly eager as well.”

So Kotori is also popular within her own household. I agree that she’s generally a good kid. However, whenever we’re together, I remember her being unhinged 80% of the time. Still, I don’t think we can finish this much food, even though I can eat a considerable amount.

“The servants will eat the leftovers, so no need for concern.”

I don’t intend on being reserved, so don’t worry. I plan to eat until my stomach is full, after all. There are some un-New Year-ish dishes, but that doesn’t matter. Eating a piece, it was so delicious I felt so happy.

“Haah, so delicious.”
“You eat so happily as usual. While it certainly is delicious, you’ll get fat if you overeat.”
“I want to avoid the New Year Bulk-up.”
“My figure doesn’t change no matter how much I eat.”

I’m curious when Kotori’s figure stopped changing. At any rate, it’s really delicious. The tamagoyaki is so well-made and refined. Judging from the madam’s smile, this must be one of the dishes she made. Amazing.

“I know you’re focused on eating, but Kotone. Do you understand what’s coming after this?”
“Whagh?”
“There’s no way Kotori isn’t excited for bath time, you know?”

Swallowing everything left in my mouth and thinking about it, I rejected the possibility. There’s no way a regular household would have a large bathtub. Normally you’d take a bath one person at a time.

“Her thinking ability has been decreased by the delicious food. It’s one of her weaknesses. Kotori, has the bathroom reconstruction finished yet?”
“It was expanded enough to accommodate everyone!”

I nearly spit out the food I had in my mouth. I forgot, Kotori isn’t normal. I was wondering if there’s any idiot that would remodel their bathtub just for this day, and there it was.

“Kotone! Let’s bathe together!”
“Well, that’s, I think I’ll pass?”
“Kotone, give it up. Kotori will never yield.”
“Sister Kotone. Knowing when to surrender is important.”

Okay, let’s put everything else aside and focus on eating. If anything bad happens, I’ll think about it then.