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Even as I stand before Father’s office, I don’t feel any fear or anxiety. All I have is excitement. Is this a positive reaction influenced by Ane, or is it the thrill of judgment influenced by Ani? I can’t figure out which. All I know is that I don’t have any hate for Father.

“I guess I just don’t have any strong feelings towards a stranger.”

In the end, it’s just a tragedy. Despite being family, he’s none of my interest, nothing more than a stranger. This begs the question of what the excitement I feel means. If I had to give an answer, it’s likely just a remnant. A remnant from the second me.

“Father, this is Kotone. May I enter the room?”
“Come inside.”

He has quite the guts to be so commanding after getting a solid hit from Ani; maybe it’s thanks to his pride? Ani predicted that he’ll show some change after that incident. He received a physically painful lesson from his own daughter, so it could have reformed him. Out of fear.

“It’s been a while, father. How is your nose nowadays?”
“It’s fine.”

For being fine, he’s really avoiding eye contact with me. Seeing him silently rubbing his own fingers, he must be putting up a front. I haven’t really done anything to make him feel pressure. I’m just smiling.

“Well, what might be your business with me?”
“I’ll cut straight to the point. Who are you?”

That really is pretty straight to the point. Still, why now? He should have noticed something off about Kisaragi Kotone long ago. Agreeing to living alone, making connections with the twelve families, and working a part time job. Those should have been unthinkable for the individual called Kisaragi Kotone.

Or perhaps he didn’t monitor me, resulting in this late inquiry. Or perhaps Ani’s punch was what caused him to notice something off with Kisaragi Kotone? Mother and the twins didn’t feel anything off with Kisaragi Kotone, they only celebrated her change. However, father is different. It’s a difference in treatment towards one’s child.

Now, back to the question. For his inquiry, my answer is obvious.

“I am Kisaragi Kotone. It’s the undeniable reality.”

I’m not Ani or Ane’s substitute. From now on, I will be the one to live as Kisaragi Kotone. In that, I have no doubts. And if I had any, it was all blown to bits by the morning surprise. However, the prospect of being the same as those two does make me feel reluctant.

“Are you implying that I could be a different individual? Or that perhaps my personality has been replaced? Who would even believe such a ridiculous notion?”

With a haughty, nearly mocking tone, I distance him from the truth. There is nothing to refute this claim. At most, it would only be speculation without evidence. Speculation which if I reject, fails to become the truth.

“You’re right. It is a ridiculous thought. However, there are times where ridiculous notions occur in reality.”
“Huh?”

His unexpected response bewildered me. Before, I’m sure he would have been either exasperated or enraged in response. But as he is now, he seems to be genuinely open to change. The proper conduct for a member of the twelve families.

“Well, this is a bit unexpected.”
“What is?”
“That the attack affected you more than I thought it would.”
“True. I suppose it did affect me greatly. Due to that, my narrow perspective has widened and I am now able to consider what unhealthy obsessions could result to.”

Oh Ani, your punch appears to have caused a drastic personality change. Who could have guessed that this personification of mother complex would end up getting better? I should be happy about this, but I’m sad that I don’t have an excuse to attack him now.

“Perhaps the blockage of your nose expanded your field of vision?”
“Hmph, that wouldn’t be funny even as a joke.”

Incredible, he just let it off. It’s an unbelievable progress if we compare it to his past demeanor. No, maybe this is his original personality. Maybe Ani’s punch forcefully tore off some negative energy influencing him.

“So, does your answer remain the same?”
“Yes. I am Kisaragi Kotone. And this fact will never change.”
“I see. Then this discussion is over.”

Now, what will happen next? While he said the discussion is over, he hasn’t dismissed me yet. Maybe he has other things to talk about, but I have no idea what it could be. It doesn’t seem like his fear of me has vanished either. Then why is he still keeping me here?

“For the next topic. Well, I suppose this is the main topic. Do you wish to succeed as the next family head?”
“No.”
“Why? As the eldest daughter of one of the twelve families, it should be natural for you to expect to be the next head of the family.”
“That’s simply your belief, and you’re mistaken in thinking the same applies to me. Most importantly, my current circumstances leave me ill-equipped to be a family head.”
“A singer, huh. Shimotsuki has left quite a nuisance of a shackle.”

Being the head of the family while being active as a singer is impossible. This is something father understands. Even if you can somehow manage the tight schedule, some complications will inevitably occur, and family head duties will have to take precedence. However, if that happens, Shimotsuki will likely intervene.

“Why do you wish for me to be the family head? Didn’t you judge me to be unsuitable before?”
“I changed my mind. You have built bridges with various different individuals of the twelve families and gathered multiple capable people to serve your whims. I have no idea what happened to you this past year.”
“They just came and stuck to me on their own.”

Built bridges? I don’t remember ever taking the initiative to connect with them. They just came to me on their own, used me for their own aims, and then for some reason, we ended up becoming friends. It’s nothing more than a product of coincidence.

Serve my whims? Like I’m ever in control of those rogues. They just stir up trouble as they please, and taking advantage of the resulting chaos is an effective hand. By the way, this is Ani’s opinion.

“I feel that you also have other misconceptions, but I will say that you are overestimating me.”
“Is that so?”
“That is so.”

Suddenly, I noticed something interesting. Whenever I push strongly, father readily backs down. As an experiment, I took one step forward and witnessed him seemingly flinching back. It seems like he hasn’t conquered his fear yet.

“I don’t believe that’s a good reaction to have towards your own daughter.”
“I don’t believe a good daughter would punch their own father on the face either.”

No one would probably believe this to be an actual conversation between parent and child. Or maybe they’d suspect that the daughter blew her top in the past and slammed the father with her unfiltered sentiments. Physically, of course. Still, It feels like our conversation isn’t meshing properly.

“If that is all, then I shall take my leave now. I still have other business to attend to.”
“While being family head is out of the question, I may ask you to be an aide.”

That much, I’m willing to compromise. Moreover, what kind of family has an older sister who wouldn’t help out her brother during their time of need? Still, before I can lend a hand, Kotoha will probably be able to resolve the issue. An older sister’s necessity thins out in the face of a talented younger sister.

“Now, for the main topic…”
“How many main topics are there?”
“This is the last one.”

I already said that I have other business to attend to, I guess all of the twelve families tend to prioritize their own circumstances. I’ll still listen, but it’s probably another thing that’s not my problem.

“Do you think I can mend my relationship with the family?”
“No.”

I refused, and immediately exited the room. Like I’d agree with something that convenient for you. If it was Ani in my place, fists would have flown in response. Besides, if he really wants to mend the family relationship, he should have consulted with mother first, not me. Do it in the proper sequence.

“Jeez, it’s great that he’s turned decent, but why ask me for that?”
“Perhaps he simply finds you to be that reliable, Lady Kotone. I was personally scared that you would suddenly punch him at any given moment.”
“I’m not some wild boar, I won’t do that.”
“Please recall the New Year incident.”

That’s Ani’s doing and not mine, so it doesn’t count. His last words certainly did irk me, but instead of enacting judgment, I chose to leave. Part of it was because it would be stupid to have my time wasted.

“Frankly, I’m really curious about what’s happening on this side.”

At the hall where Isami and Hiiragi are waiting, the disastrous scene I witnessed gave me a light headache. It was such an absurd sight that it would be useless to figure out what happened.

“How did things end up being this way?”

Maybe it really was a mistake to bring rogue’s den members home.

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