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It would’ve been nice if Yayoi was at the door waiting for Hiiragi to exit, but life is never that easy. I’m sure there aren’t many people who’d be so vigilant when stepping outside their own home.

“Good, she still hasn’t come.”
“Haven’t you asked about her schedule or something? ”
“The word schedule doesn’t exist in her dictionary.”

In other words, she can only cower in fear, not knowing when Yayoi could come for her. While that is pretty stressful, that’s a daily affair when with the rogues den. There’s even times when your home would suddenly be surrounded.

“Is your house far away?”
“Far enough to need a train ride, at least. And we’ll still need to travel by car after.”

I contacted Misaki, instructing her to pick us up at the train station. I guess I should give her a piece of candy. Since if I don’t periodically feed her, she might not listen to my commands.

“Now if Nako was here too, it’ll be like the good old days.”
“That’s reminding me of things I really don’t want to recall.”
“We’re on a random encounter system, so it can’t be helped.”

There’s really no guessing what could happen. Whenever I’m walking with Hiiragi, even a car suddenly appearing to hit her wouldn’t be a surprise to me. That’s just how random things can get.

“The police pretty much remember your face from the frequent questioning, right?”
“I honestly have no idea why they still always approach me when they already know my face.”

Isn’t that because you act so suspiciously? Maybe they’re just being sure in case Hiiragi is up to some antics. They might be right about that, but we’ve never done anything criminal, you know?

“Come to think of it, have you met with the others yet?”
“I’ve met Nako, Ruru, Isami and the gang, Satoru, Ayaka, Ran, and unfortunately had to team up with Shirose.”

“I see. In that case, you still haven’t met with a lot. I heard you were acting separately during the New Year’s commotion.”
“After all, I was playing commander while they were the capture targets. I didn’t meet them in person, but they’re still unhinged as usual.”
“I honestly wanted to join in too, but work came in right at that time. ”

I think Ani was really glad that Hiiragi didn’t come. When it comes to being unpredictable, Hiiragi is number one. Even with Ani and Hadzuki combined, it might have been dangerous regardless.

“I’m genuinely grateful to the absentees. If everyone was around, things probably would’ve gone out of control.”
“A three-way battle would be the least of your worries. It can be difficult to tell who’s actually teaming with who sometimes.”
“Without a correlation diagram updated for every encounter, it’ll be hell to understand the situation.”

In the beginning, there were situations that escalated to the point that even Ani got confused and overwhelmed. The cause of it was, as you would expect, also Ani. It’s not relevant right now, so I’ll leave it there.

We exchanged silly gossip, past experiences with relation to Ani, and ridiculous conversation topics on the way, so it didn’t get boring at all. But then something happened as we were close to the train station.

“And she’s suddenly gone.”

I was chatting with Hiiragi just now, but she suddenly vanished. Did she fall into an open manhole or something? There isn’t any manhole close by, though. In other words, she might have voluntarily disappeared. If that’s the case, maybe there’s some of Yayoi’s people nearby.

“Koto-chan, yoho~o!”
“This one I didn’t anticipate.”

I didn’t expect to encounter Isami here. To begin with, Hiiragi’s house is a considerable distance away from Isami’s, and while we are heading to the train station, this is far from Isami’s usual area of activity. Unless she had some kind of errand, it should have been unlikely for us to meet.

“Why are you even here?”
“No particular reason, I guess. I just go on occasional walks.”

As usual, I can never anticipate her next move. While I can control Isami to some extent, I have absolutely no idea about how she behaves when she’s out of my sight. Besides, I don’t really want to see Isami right now.

“Are you alone too, Koto-chan?”
“Hiiragi was with me just now. But it looks like she’s disappeared somewhere.”
“Shihocchi always disappears without any warning. And then she’d appear next to you all of a sudden, too.”
“Just from that description, she sounds like a ghost.”

Still, because of Ruru, the rogues den people are already used to it. As expected, Hiiragi can’t win against a specialist in their own field. However, while that is the case, that doesn’t diminish how abnormal she is.

“Still, this is perfect timing. Encountering Koto-chan all alone like this…”
“Personally, I find this to be the worst time for us to meet, but if you have business with me, let’s get this over with.”

I don’t want any more people coming along to the Kisaragi residence. I wouldn’t mind taking my current acquaintances, but I’m sure that if I bring my past acquaintances home, it’ll just result in increased trouble. Particularly with Hiiragi and Isami, they’re the most troublesome ones.

“This is something I’ve really wanted to say. Kotone, thank you so much for letting me see Sou one last time!”

I really can’t guess her next move. There’s a limit to being abrupt. Isami bowed down really deeply and I’m conflicted on how to respond. Should I go as me or as Ane?

“Please raise your head, Isami. I haven’t done anything worth your gratitude.”

I let my hair down and switched to Big Sister Mode. I know it sounds stupid, but it’s the most correct way to describe it. By the way, there is no Big Brother Mode. I’m already similar to Ani to begin with.

“Rather, I need to apologize to you. I’m sorry for causing you two to part again.”
“So he really did pass on.”
“Very casually at that.”

Ani and Ane left everything on my shoulders and passed on. Honestly, it would have been preferable if they had tied all remaining loose ends before passing. Still, while they had no hesitation at all, did they really have no lingering regrets?

“It would have been nice if we were at least left some last words, don’t you think?”
“Well, maybe it shows how much trust he has for you. That you, Kotone, would be capable enough to properly take his place.”

I see. Isami doesn’t know that Ane passed on as well. Maybe she didn’t even consider that as a possibility to begin with; I’m just mimicking Ane right now, but since Isami has never met Ane, she can’t tell the difference.

“It’s really awkward to say this, but Ane has gone together with Ani as well. I’m their little sister, to be exact.”
“Wha?”

Unusually for her, Isami froze. This is the proper reaction. Since Ani vanished, you’d normally think that the original personality, which is Ane, would remain. Ani and Ane are the insane ones.

“Little sister?”
“Yep. I’d appreciate it if you consider me as their successor.”
“So you mean, you’re also my little sister?”
“Okay, stop there. Let’s think properly for a moment.”

That ends Big Sister Mode. I need to control Isami before things get out of hand. It may be true that Ani and Isami have been together since they were born, but I have no relation to her. It’s not like she was close with Ane after all.

“Isami, understand that there is nothing connecting the two of us at all.”
“There’s Sou, isn’t there? Besides, it’s just weird to have you calling me formally after all this time.”
“Distinguish between blood relations and emotional attachment. I don’t want to be infected by the crazed group called rogue’s den.”
“Since you’re taking over for Sou, then you’re already neck deep into the muck.”

It’s already too late, huh. Still, this here should’ve been a more melancholic moment; I have no idea why it followed up with this stupid exchange. There’s no seriousness at all.

“Still, with this, you’ve now officially become Koto-chan in name and in reality. A Perfect Edition Koto-chan, if you will.”
“Don’t say it like I’m some limited edition goods.”
“Okay, to deepen our friendship, I’ll be with you for the whole day, Koto-chan.”
“Your house is that way; go home already.”
“No way. Even if you reject me, I’m staying with you.”

Why are there only inconsiderate fools around Ani? With Hiiragi disappearing all of a sudden, can I just forget about her? Has she been captured by Yayoi’s people? Or did she encounter some different trouble? I have no idea; you can’t predict anything with her.

“I really want to dump you somewhere.”
“I don’t know where we’re going, but let’s go!”

Maybe I really should reschedule my visit for a later time. No, Misaki will likely just pick me up and drag me home. Why am I already deep in trouble from my very first day?

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