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It’s a headache-inducing sight. There being someone rolled up in a bamboo mat is still understandable. I’m somewhat used to it at this point. However, the fact that the wrapped person is standing straight isn’t. As well as how there’s a rope around her body, and someone who I don’t know holding the other end of it.

“What’s going on?”
“Koto-chan, welcome back~”
“Who’s the unfamiliar leash holder over there?”

The standing bamboo mat roll is obviously Hiiragi. Her head is peaking out, so I can tell from her face. The person holding the rope should be, by process of elimination, Yayoi. Appearance-wise, she doesn’t look that strong, but Nako is the same in that regard.

“Ah, let me at least introduce myself. I am Kisaragi Kotone. A friend of your puppy over there.”
“I’m Yayoi Mizusu. Thanks for cooperating with her capture!”

She’s the personification of the word lively. Based on what I can sense from her, she’s probably a lot of trouble. From what Hiiragi said, she must be stupid athletic, so I would either need to slip past a gap in her focus, or overwhelm her with multiple unexpected moves.

“I honestly gave up when I saw Hiiragi run into the Kisaragi residence.”
“I thought you would barge in, no questions asked.”

If she was similar to Hiiragi, then I assumed that she would at least do that much, but it seems like Yayoi is still reasonable. If that wasn’t the case, she wouldn’t be allowed to be the next family head of the twelve families, huh. The rogue’s den is full of fools who threw away their sense of reason in a ditch, you see.

“Woof, woof!”
“Have some pride, will you?”
“When 90% of your mobility is restricted, pride is the first thing to go to the trash.”
“Hiiragi, you’ve discarded too many things you shouldn’t have.”
“I kinda get that.”

Isami agreed with me, while Yayoi didn’t seem to understand. The difference of understanding is just the result of our longtime familiarity with Hiiragi and her hijinks. It’s also common to see her throw away her sense of danger as well.

“So, how did she get captured?”
“She got grabbed by the ankle when she launched a dropkick, then she was flung around and slammed to the carpet. It was brilliant.”
“Sister, it’s the first time I saw a human spinning around like the hand of a clock.”
“It was amazing.”
“I didn’t want to know that information, but I can easily imagine it.”

From Isami and Kotoha’s explanation, I understood the gist of the situation. In other words, Hiiragi didn’t miss her preemptive attack, but was instead countered and captured. Still, it’s Hiiragi we’re talking about, so it must have been a perfect surprise attack. To think she was easily captured after that. Yayoi, what a menace.

“Well then, allow me to excuse myself.”
“Yayoi. Can I say something quick?”

Ah, I have a bad feeling about this. Does she intend to enact the rogue’s den motto, “If I fall, we fall together?” Isami must have sensed it as well. As the two of us were on guard, Hiiragi faced us and showed a wide grin, proving our fears to be right.

“Isami, the girl over there, she’s about as athletic as Nako.”
“Don’t compare me to that battle cyborg, I’m not in the same league. You can’t compare a rabbit to a gorilla, can you?”
“You fool.”

Did she get cocky, resulting in her blurting out several words too many? Or did she think that Hiiragi only wanted to drag her along without much thought? Hiiragi has various different quirks, but if I had to classify her, she’s an all-rounder type. In other words, she can also set traps.

“Kotone~ Could you pick up the smartphone I dropped over there?”
“Yeah, yeah. You probably had it on recording, didn’t you?
“Well of-to-the course!”
“I was tricked!”

Realizing that it would be impossible to drag Isami into her business with Yayoi, she changed her objective. In short, instead of Yayoi, she intends to set Nako against Isami. Frankly speaking, Isami was just caught in the crossfire, but I suppose Hiiragi outmaneuvered her.

“Ha ha ha! Let’s fall to hell together!”
“Shihocchi!”

After calling Nako a battle cyborg and gorilla, judgment will now inevitably befall her. Moreover, there’s even an audio recording serving as evidence. Isami is completely pale in the face, while Hiiragi lets out a triumphant laughter. Two contrasting figures.

“Now hurry up and take that mad dog away.”
“There’s more people getting into trouble for some reason, so I should probably do that.”

Yayoi tripped Hiiragi’s feet, knocking her to the ground and then dragging her away. Unable to even properly balance herself, Hiiragi could only let things take its course. Rather, it’s a mystery how she was able to stand up earlier.

“Your friend was quite interesting, Kotone.”
“She was quite the fighter, sister.”
“So there’s that way of doing things, sis?”
“I’m begging you, please don’t learn from her as an example.”

For the twins’ education, letting them see the rogue’s den way of doing things is a no-no. Sure, if you wanted to learn how to bring someone down or cause damage against them, the rogue’s den way is effective. It’s even applicable in some parts of business and management. However, it’s also easy to make enemies with this method.

“Koto-chan, help me~”
“This is something I can’t help you with. Obediently accept Nako’s judgment. I have no idea when it’ll befall you.”
“That’s the worst part about it!”

If you know when you’ll be struck, you can brace for it. However, if you don’t know when judgment will befall you, you’ll feel anxious day by day. Hiiragi picked a pretty nasty tactic. Does that reflect just how much she didn’t want to be taken by Yayoi?

“This is exactly why I hate it when Shihocchi uses her head.”
“Well, Hiiragi rarely initiates a mental battle. Practically no one considers that to be a possibility. Even you, who knows her well, can end up like this.”
“I thought she just wanted to drag me with her like normal.”

Hiiragi probably thought that even if Isami came along with them, she wouldn’t show results that would satisfy Yayoi. If that happens, Hiiragi might instead be punished for her lie. This is likely why she chose a different approach.

“The title of rogue’s den’s biggest nuisance is no joke.”
“Front line, assault, and back line. No matter where she’s positioned, she’s crazy effective. But no matter where she’s at, there’s a possibility of her confusing even her allies. Like, what the hell?”
“It’s Hiiragi, after all.”

She’s always unpredictable, it confuses even those on her own side. Team commander would be left either dumbfounded or with a headache. Even Satoru disapproves of integrating Hiiragi in tactics and strategies. She’s just too difficult to handle.

“Hiiragi considers herself to be best suited for the assault team, so she usually takes up that position.”
“In our first battle, no one could anticipate her movements, so it got really chaotic.”
“Sister, what exactly are you talking about?”
“Just the past of some weirdos.”

I really shouldn’t talk so much about the past here. If they ask me why I know so much about the rogue’s den’s past, it’ll be troublesome to think of an excuse. I suppose it’s about time for me to leave.

“Mom. Father’s showing signs of improvement, so you could at least give him some advice.”
“It seems like you rejected him.”
“That was your idea? There’s no way I’d lend him a hand, you know?”

I did that much during New Years, remember? The chances of me ever helping out father is slim as it can be. It’s only when we have a common enemy to deal with. Other than that, I have absolutely no intention of helping him.

“Keeping the family together is difficult, isn’t it? I’ve already known that for a long time, though.”
“I’ll admit that I had a part in that. However, that’s a completely different story.”
“You’re quite stubborn, too.”

If I look back on the past, Kisaragi Kotone also had a hand in causing our family’s dysfunctional relationship. However, I reflected on my actions, and showed sincere change. That’s why it’s now father’s time to show his sincerity. Not that I will necessarily accept him.

“I probably have to get a move on soon. Mom, I have somewhere I need to be at, so I’ll be going now.”
“Take care of yourself.”

For some reason, something felt off with her response. It’s unusual for mom and the twins to allow me to leave so easily. Usually, they’d at least ask me to stay over first. There must be some reason for this.

“If you’re going, then I’m coming along too.”

And then there’s Isami who’s been following me ever since. If we assume that our meeting was not coincidental but planned, there are a few possibilities that can be considered. And among them, the most likely is…

“The upperclassmen, huh.”

Our destination is the all too familiar cafe. And I’m sure that there’s something waiting for me there. I have no idea what the upperclassmen have prepared for me. With both anticipation and anxiety in my heart, I left the Kisaragi residence.

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