Leave a comment

In the end, I went home with Isami and Hiiragi in tow. Rather, I feel glad that no one else found us and tagged along. Silver linings, I guess. Like, if Ayaka came along, I wouldn’t know what to do.

“Wow, that’s a big mansion.”
“I knew it, each family probably has different facilities. Yayoi’s place was more like a sport’s gym, you see.”
“Maybe they’re designed based on the family’s specialization.”

The Shimotsuki apparently have their own music studio. I’m absolutely sure that they’d make me sing if I asked to see it, so I’m never going there. But they’re definitely going to drag me there some day. Damn you, Shimotsuki.

“Hey, isn’t this the part where, when we open the door, there would be a line of maids greeting, right?”
“Like we’d do something that wasteful. Everyone has work to do; efficiency is top priority.”
“Thought so. There were only a few people at the entrance of Yayoi’s place too. But when I tried running away, I was cornered by a lot of people that came from who knows where.”

This must be the first time I’ve ever seen Hiiragi talking with a troubled smile. In the past, one of her main traits is her ability to laugh away her troubles as mere things of the past; just how much hardship has Yayoi continually subjected her to?

“I’m home.”
““Sorry to intrude~””

Anyhow, I put Hiiragi’s matter aside and arrived home. Here, I completely forgot one fact. The fact that, as Kotone, I have never brought anyone home with me until now.

“Kotone… brought people with her home!? ”
“Well, that’s pretty rude, mom.”
“Hi, I’m Koto-chan’s friend number 1~”
“Then I’m number 2~”
“Misaki, these two are as dangerous, if not worse, than Shirose and the others.”
“All hands, high alert!”

I’m glad I didn’t need further explanation. If someone who had a terrible experience with the rogues den knows that one of their kind is around, they’ll naturally be on high alert. In Misaki’s case, she even urged the other maids to be on alert, so they should be able to limit the casualties.

“Have you been playing with Shiro and the others? ”
“She and Kataribe joined our graduation after party, so we had mystery okonomiyaki.”
“The spicefest, huh. It hits from the inside, so that can get pretty harmful.”
“Shihocchi, it’s still fine in your case since you can tolerate it. For those of us who don’t have any tolerance, it’s just awful.”

It really does a number on your stomach. It’s completely overkill for a test of courage, and the idiots who took the initiative to eat all regretted their decision. Isami being one of them.

“Oh yeah, Misaki. Contact Yayoi for me. Tell her that I have her prey, so come and pick it up.”
“Understood.”
“Aren’t you fast at selling people out?”

Best to get rid of the troublemakers ASAP. My only worry is that Yayoi might stay for a while instead of leaving immediately. Still, I don’t believe she’d stay long at the residence of a twelve family member she’s not even acquainted with. I’d retreat immediately if I was in her position.

“Um, Kotone. I believe I heard you mention Yayoi; have you gotten acquainted with more of the twelve families?”
“Nope. This idiot is the one acquainted with Yayoi, and she’s currently on the run. I’ve never even talked to Yayoi before, so we’re practically strangers.”
“Currently on the run from Yayoi here~ Sorry if a window glass gets broken in the chaos when she arrives.”
“Does Yayoi ever do that, too?”
“We’re the only ones who’d do something as stupid as that, you know.”

True, there were members of the rogues den who had done that before. Mainly Ani and Hiiragi. Complete with a full-face helmet and a protective jacket equipped. When the rogues den are making merry, there’s no telling what can happen.

“I see your friends are quite the characters.”
“Mom, these guys are the exception; my same-age friends are normal, you know.”

Honestly, mom being composed throughout the conversation is pretty weird, too. Look at the twins; they’re overwhelmed and have their jaws wide open in confusion. Moreover, the maids are right by them as if to protect them.

“Shihocchi, we’re clearly being seen as dangerous people, aren’t we?”
“They’re technically right about that. I am curious about what the others did to cause this kind of response.”
“The New Year incident, probably.”
“ “Makes sense.” ”

Even if they only heard it from hearsay, there’s no way they would let their guard down against people who can put up a good fight against the renowned twelve families. The twins haven’t been influenced by the twelve family’s influence yet, but now the rogues den’s bad influence might ruin their futures.

“Where has the Japanese spirit of hospitality disappeared to?”
“Shut up and wait for your captor like the prey you are.”
“It’s been a while since I was given non-human treatment.”

Normally with guests, they’d be led to a different room where they’ll be served tea, but the maids are completely focused on home defense. I do actually find it weird that they’d be this defensive just from Misaki’s words; did something happen behind the scenes?

“Ho hoh, so this is your little sister, huh. You two don’t look much alike.”
“Sister dearest, would it be alright if I hit this person?”
“Feel free.”
“Wai-!?”

As Kotoha was about to kick her on the shin, Hiiragi quickly moved away. She angered Kotoha because she was staring at a certain spot when she said that. Hiiragi likely did that intentionally. However, she might not have expected that kind of reaction.

“Don’t worry, lil sis. You don’t need breasts to live. Besides, you actually have more than I do.”
“I don’t know how to respond, but that doesn’t make me happy.”

Stop with the self-deprecating joke and the enlightened smile. Look at poor Kotoha’s face; she’s conflicted on how to respond. Maybe I really shouldn’t have brought them along. It’s going to be a nuisance covering for them.

“Sister, are these people really friends of yours?”
“Unfortunately so.”
“We’re forever friends! ”
“Ya~y!”
“You want to be destroyed, you fools?”

Normally, people are a bit more behaved when coming to their friends house for the first time, right? I feel like Hiiragi is slowly ramping up energy, but it’s still far from reaching dangerous levels. Well, the maids are keeping an eye on them, too.

“For being Kotone’s friends, they’re… quite the peculiar sort. ”
“Mom. It’s alright, you can call them the weirdos that they are.”

She’s probably figured it out. Mom knows of ‘my’ encounter with Ani. So she should be able to guess how we got connected and why we got close. Fate works in mysterious ways.

“These people are close friends of Souji.”
“Oh my. Then the one who yelled while performing a dropkick was… ”
“That idiot.”

Only Hiiragi would do something as erratic as that. In between Ane and Ani’s meeting and separation, Hiiragi appeared twice. The first was the coincidental encounter in the middle part. The second was her intentional intrusion near the end. It’s no exaggeration to say that she saved Ani from danger.

“I thought it was a pretty smart move.”
“It was perplexing since your words and actions were conflicting.”
“Shihocchi, what did you do?”
“I shouted, ‘Help, someone’s being attacked!’ while doing a jumping dropkick.”
“It just ended up adding confusion to the situation.”

I don’t know how she found us, but Hiiragi came and yelled out, which honestly did save the pinned-down Ani. However, I have no idea why she even did the jump kick. If it’s only to attract attention, then the yelling was more than enough.

“Shihocchi was really reckless back then, huh.”
“I don’t feel she’s any different in the present day.”

She may seem more behaved, but I don’t believe Hiiragi’s changed. She just isn’t talking about it, so I have no idea what kind of recklessness she’s been up to these days. We didn’t even know of her activities with Yayoi.

“Lady Kotone, the master has been waiting for you.”
“I decide when I want to go to him. But, well, it would be troublesome if he comes here. I guess I should go soon.”

I am curious how father will react upon encountering Hiiragi and Isami. No matter how mad he gets, the two probably wouldn’t care. And I’m not going to do anything about it. Rather, I’ll probably be enjoying it from the side.

“Well, it’s time for me to go.”
“Don’t go overboard~”

Isami gave a word of advice, but that’ll depend on father’s behavior. Misaki is following right behind me, probably to keep watch. I guess they’re being cautious because of the previous incident. I’m not going to be as extreme as Ani, you know.

Support Us

Unlock Early Access ------- Select Project ------- Project Gender Bender Project Necro ∴ Support your favorite series and unlock chapters before the public release.