「 Wow! 」
Agnes and the girls cautiously touched Yukino’s belly.
「 Say h.e.l.lo to the child 」
Yukino said. Agnes and Mao-chan.
「 h.e.l.lo, my name’s Agnes 」
「 Come out soon, okay? 」
They gently pat Yukino’s belly.
「 Come here Luna, touch it 」
「 O-Okay. Excuse me 」
「 Does it start to move inside? 」
Yomiko asks Yukino.
「 Well, I can’t say it for clear, but it does feel like that sometimes. I’ve just entered the stable period 」
「 But, Sensei’s child is inside. That’s amazing 」
「 Hey, Yukino-chan 」
Mao-chan looked up at Yukino.
「 What? 」
「 Why is there something written in Yukino-chan’s stomach? 」
That’s.
「 Agnes can’t read it 」
「 Err, Yoshikou?1 」
Luna reads the tattoo.
「 Err, that’s, hey, say something will you?! 」
Yukino glares at me.
「 Well, a lot of things happened. I’ll tell you girls when you grow up 」
「 That’s right when you grow up, there will be lots of things that you don’t understand, but it will happen someday 」
Then, she looked at me.
「 I’ve never thought of entering the bath together with this idiot, and you girls, and still get along 」
Yukino.
「 Did you make peace with Megu-chan already? 」
Mao-chan asks.
「 Well, that’s 」
Megu looked at Yukino. Yukino looked back.
「 You know, it’s normal for Megumi to be screaming around most of the time. That’s common, so don’t mind it 」
「 But 」
Mao-chan looked at Megu.
「 Megu-chan’s been making a scary face lately 」
「 Me? Is that so? 」
Megu’s surprised.
「 That’s right. Megumi-chan always makes a scary face and say “Go study,” or “make sure to clean up” 」
「 That’s because Agnes-chan’s not tidying up after studying? 」
Mao-chan grins.
「 I’m doing it. I’m cleaning up! But Megumi-chan still makes a scary face even if Agnes is cleaning up 」
「 S-Sorry 」
Megu apologized.
I guess that’s because she’s forcing herself to be the housewife of the mansion.
She’s showing Agnes and the girls an angry look more than necessary.
「 But, if you don’t study seriously, you can’t go to the same school as Luna-chan 」
Katsuko-nee comes over.
「 I don’t care about school anyway 」
Agnes never lived together with people of the same generation as her.
She’s been in this mansion all this time.
Therefore, she fears the outside world.
「 But, Luna-chan’s going to attend school. What will you do? While Luna-chan’s going to school, Agnes will stay in the mansion, do you want that? 」
「 That’s 」
「 Luna-chan will make a lot of friends in school. Then, the more she have fun in school, the later she’ll come back home for Agnes-chan waiting for her 」
Katsuko-nee says with a smile.
「 That’s a big problem! Uuuu 」
Agnes groans.
「 Oh right. Agnes, tomorrow, there will be another girl of the same age coming over. She’s Luna’s cousin 」
「 Oh right! Koyomi-chan’s coming over too! 」
Yomiko shouts, instead of Luna.
「 Koyomi-chan? 」
「 Yes, she’s a cousin of ours 」
Luna tells Agnes.
「 Then will that girl become Agnes’ friend too? 」
Agnes looks worried.
「 She will! Yomi will tell her! 」
「 I’ll also ask her to get along with you. It’s okay. She’s cute and kind 」
Yomiko and Luna smiled at Agnes.
「 But, once Koyomi-san stays over here, she’ll go to school together with Luna-chan. Then, look. Agnes-chan’s the only one not going to school even though the three of you are at the same age? Do you still not want to go? 」
Katsuko-nee said. Agnes.
「 Luna and that girl will go to school? 」
「 Well, they will. Education’s compulsory after all 」
Yomiko replied.
「 Uuuu. Then, Agnes has to go too 」
「 But, can you enter a school through their tests? 」
Yukino said.
「 Tests? 」
「 That’s right, they check how much you’ve learned 」
「 Uuu, Agnes’ knowledge is… 」
「 But, if you don’t study, the school might not accept you 」
「 Is that true, Yukino-chan?! 」
Mao-chan asks Yukino.
「 That’s right. That’s the reason for the tests. Also, even if you were enrolled in a cla.s.s, but your grades are too low, then you might be left out on the same cla.s.s while everyone at the same age progresses 」
「 Same cla.s.s? 」
「 Luna and Koyomi-chan may enter the sixth grade, and you’ll stay in the fourth, or fifth grade 」
Yomiko said.
「 What will happen? 」
「 That means, even if you go to the same school, Agnes-chan will be left out and have to stay in a different cla.s.s 」
「 I’ll be separated from Luna-chan? 」
「 It can’t be helped. Your school years are different 」
Yukino smiled.
「 That’s a big problem!! 」
「 And so, you must study until you take the entrance examination, okay? Everyone’s here to help you out 」
Katsuko-nee said.
「 P-Papa! 」
Agnes clings to me.
「 It’s okay. Everyone’s here to teach you. I’ll try to help you out as well 」
How much knowledge does a sixth-grade elementary school student need?
「 Agnes is a returnee from her country, and so they’d more-or-less tolerate her, I think 」
Katsuko-nee said.
Well, Agnes, with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and white skin is really a half-French half-j.a.panese.
The setting that she’s come from a different country would go through.
「 Therefore, I don’t think she needs to learn the high-level kanji or history just yet 」
Even so, she needs to at least know how to read and write.
Also, arithmetic, ah, no, just primary school math will do.
A child from a different country should still have attended school.
It would be strange if she doesn’t know how to use Arabic numeral math.
「 Agnes, do you remember your multiplication table? 」
I ask worriedly.
「 Yes, 9*9 is 81 」
「 Don’t worry. She’s learning from Ojou-sama’s learning program, and we’re teaching her stuff one by one 」
Right.
Minaho-neesan and Katsuko-nee are looking after her studies since the summer holidays.
The objective is for Agnes to join the school.
「 The plan was to have her enter school by next year, but with Luna-chan joining us, we thought of speeding up. She now has someone to study with together 」
Katsuko-nee’s right.
Instead of adults teaching Agnes alone,
Having Luna with her would make Agnes willing.
「 Besides, she’s behind Luna-chan when it comes to studies, and so she has to hurry 」
Katsuko-nee looks at Luna.
If Agnes lags behind, Luna can teach her.
「 Then that means, Mana should be attending school too 」
Mana said.
「 Together with Yomiko-chan 」
Yomiko smiled.
「 Oh, you don’t want to be with Yomi? 」
「 That’s not the problem though 」
Mana still fears that she’d be exposed.
「 Oh right. Let’s have Yomiko and Mana as twins instead 」
I suddenly came up with an idea.
「 The two of you are fraternal twins. Therefore, there’s no problem even if you don’t look alike 」
「 But Onii-chan 」
「 Katsuko-nee, Mana’s transferring to Misuzu and Ruriko’s school, right? 」
I asked.
「 Yes. I think that will be the case due to security reasons 」
It’s better to go to the same school coming from this house.
Either way, there will be a car to pick Ruriko up here.
「 Mana, how many people do you think knows that you’re Maika in Misuzu’s school? 」
Shirasaka house is a so-so n.o.ble house.
An all girl’s school filled with only daughters of distinguished families should have those who know Shirasaka Maika.
The guys from the branch families of Kouzuki house knew about Yukino.
Even if they’re from different schools, they may have met in a party, or they know someone that knows her, there should be some kind of contact.
「 Hmmm. I think there’s about two or three that I’ve talked to, but there should be at least 20 who’d realize that it’s me once they see my face 」
Mana said.
「 That’s not true 」
I smiled at Mana.
「 You’ve changed a lot since four months ago. You’re taller and much more beautiful 」
「 But, I’m still myself. 」
Mana looks down.
「 I wonder? If we say that we’re twins, then they’ll think that way. We’re similar yet different. That’s what they’d think 」
Yomiko’s full of energy.
「 I wonder? 」
「 That’s right. We’ve got some accidental resemblance, and if sensei and we say that we’re twins, then n.o.body will say that it’s false 」
「 O-Okay 」
Mana’s pushed back by Yomiko’s cheerfulness.
「 Oh, by the way. When in school, don’t call me Yomiko, but Yomi instead! Then, it will be Yomi, Mana, and Luna. See? Doesn’t that sound like we’re sisters? 」
「 Oh, what about me then? 」
Tsukiko smiles as she heard the conversation from a distance.
「 Tsukiko-oneesama is Tsukiko-oneesama! You’ve got a beautiful name! But, since I won’t become a shrine maiden anymore, I’d instead seal away the Kanji of my name. The girl who sees the night will always be the Yomi shrine maiden after all 」
Yomiko’s insecurity was her desire to succeed as the shrine maiden no matter what.
Yomiko’s now released from that fate.
Then.
「 And as for my real name, well, I’ll tell only Sensei’s child. But from now on, I’m Yomi, right? Sensei! 」
Yomiko presses her loli-big-t.i.ts against my arm.
「 Yeah. I think that’s a good idea 」
Changing names is one way to cut yourself from your previous life.
I’ve experienced that.
「 What about the last name? I’m currently Yoshida Mana 」
Mana asks.
「 I don’t mind being the only Takakura 」
Tsukiko tells her sisters.
And since she’s succeeding in the Takakura shrine, Tsukiko can’t give up her Takakura surname.
But, her little sisters.
They don’t have to become shrine maidens anymore, and so they can give up the name.
「 I-I want to stay as Takakura too 」
Luna said.
「 After all, Koyomi-chan would stay as a Takakura as well when she comes over 」
Their aunt, Takakura Kiyomi didn’t marry officially.
Therefore, she still remains as a Takakura in her family register.
That means, her daughter, Koyomi, is also a Takakura.
「 If I’m no longer a Takakura, then Koyomi-chan may get confused 」
That’s right.
I think the cousins should stay as Takakura even if they transfer to school together.
「 What about Agnes? 」
Agnes asks with a blank face.
「 Agnes only has Agnes in her name 」
Oh right.
Agnes was born in this mansion and wasn’t allowed to go outside, and so,
She doesn’t have a family register.
Shirasaka Sousuke isn’t a man who thinks of that.
Well, Minaho-neesan’s making a move and will manage to give Agnes a family register, but,
「 Agnes is Kuromori. You’re a girl from this house, Kuromori Agnes 」
I said.
That’s natural.
「 No, no, nope! 」
Katsuko-nee said in a panic.
「 Kuromori is a name of demons when it comes to the distinguished families 」
Oh right.
To the elderly of the distinguished families, Kuromori house operates the luxury brothel, Kuromori.
If they look at their granddaughter’s graduation alb.u.m and see the name “Kuromori,” they’d definitely get startled.
They’d probably tell their granddaughter to not a.s.sociate with the Kuromori family’s girl.
They might think that Kuromori’s taking their granddaughter and turn her to a prost.i.tute.
There’s still some bad reputation from Shirasaka Sousuke’s era.
「 Then, what to do? Should she go with Yoshida, just like Mana? 」
Mana asks.
「 Sorry, Mana, Actually, I’ve already abandoned that name too 」
「 Oh right. Mana did abandon her Maika name after all 」
Hmm.
「 Yuzuki should do 」
Huh?
Looking at it, Minaho-neesan’s at the entrance of the bathroom, Naked.
「 Yuzuki Agnes. Yuzuki Mana, Yuzuki Yomi, if you don’t mind, then use that 」
Yuzuki. That is Minaho-neesan’s real name.
Minaho-neesan’s mother’s house is Yuzuki.
She’s born named Yuzuki Minaho.
She took the name of her father after retiring from being a prost.i.tute and engaged in the management of the brothel.
「 Then, let’s have that, Mana! 」
Yomi said with a smile.
「 Since we’re twin sisters now, I’m calling you Mana 」
「 Yeah, then Mana will call you Yomi 」
「 What about Agnes? 」
「 Should we make Mana and Agnes-chan cousins? 」 Let’s just say that her father is a foreigner 」
「 Mana, I thought it was her mother? 」
「 Yeah, let’s make it the father instead 」
That’s to escape from Shirasaka Sousuke’s existence.
She looks like someone with mixed race, so if she says that her father is a foreigner,
Then, n.o.body will imagine that Agnes is Shirasaka Sousuke’s daughter.
「 Huh? But Agnes’ Papa is Papa 」
Agnes clings to me.
「 Well, that’s true, but we need a fictional father to keep you out of the public eye 」
Mana desperately explains, but Agnes doesn’t understand.
「 Yoshin.o.bu and the Takakura sisters come over here. I’ve got a serious matter to discuss 」
Minaho-neesan poured herself some water, entered the bathtub, and called us out.
「 Ah, Agnes, I’m off for a moment 」
「 No, desuno! 」
「 There, there, Agnes-chan. He’ll be back soon, let’s wait together 」
Mana tears Agnes off me.
「 What is it, Minaho-neesan? 」
Tsukiko and I head to Minaho-neesan.
「 It’s nothing important. It’s just about Agnes and the girls’ school 」
Then, Tsukiko.
「 There’s no need to worry, if someone noticed something, we could use our Miko power 」
Oh.
Mana and Agnes.
If there’s anyone who tries to investigate them, Tsukiko and the girls will deal with it.
「 I feel sorry to ask, but please do. I think you know it already, but you must not let anyone know about your power 」
「 Yes, we’ll use it without anyone realizing 」
「 Right? Luna 」
「 You’re the one I’m most worried about, Yomi-oneesama 」
Luna tells the energetic Yomi.
「 Don’t use your power arbitrarily, if you think that you need to use it, be sure to consult with me. I will relay that to Kou-sama 」
Tsukiko looks at me.
「 Will that be all right? 」
「 Y-Yeah got it 」
I’m glad that they’re consulting it with me.
「 As for Kansai, everything’s progressing as Kouzuki SS planned. Don’t worry. Koyomi-san should be coming over by tomorrow as well. We’ve decided that it’s better if she doesn’t move out by tonight. Transportation from Kyoto to Tokyo takes a long-distance after all. If we made her use public transport, she might get caught 」
There’s still the aftermath of today’s deal.
Some of the Yakuza may still resist and rampage.
I guess we’re going to watch the situation overnight?
「 I’ll go back to Takakura shrine to pick up some personal belongings. As for your daily necessities, go shopping tomorrow. Okay? 」
「 We’re sorry for the inconvenience 」
Tsukiko bows to Minaho-neesan.
「 You’re all now Yoshin.o.bu’s woman, and so you don’t have to mind it. It’s stupid to see that you’re being reserved when we’re already family 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 Let me say it beforehand, I’m the eldest of this family. I’m your elder sister 」
「 Yes, certainly 」
「 Yes, I understand 」
「 I understand 」
The Takakura sisters bow their heads respectfully.
「 Good, you understand. You three can go back, Sorry but, could you entertain them for a moment? 」
Then.
「 Onee-sama, please don’t be reserved towards us as well 」
Tsukiko said.
「 Yeah. Don’t say “Sorry, but” 」
「 There’s nothing to apologize for, we’re all family 」
Yomi. Luna.
「 R-Right, anyway, if you’d please 」
「 Yes, Onee-sama 」
Then, the sisters come back to everyone.
「 What’s up? 」
「 Yeah, it was nothing. It’s just that Koyomi-chan’s coming over by tomorrow 」
「 Really? 」
「 Yes 」
「 Mao-chan will get another big sister! 」
Agnes shouts in happiness.
「 It’s not just one. Tsukiko-chan, Yomi-chan, and Luna-chan are all my big sisters starting today 」
Mao-chan smiles.
「 Seriously, it’s always fun! 」
Looking at the girls, Minaho-neesan.
「 In the end, Yoshin.o.bu made the right choice 」
「 Huh? 」
「 You’re the one who said that make Luna Agnes’ friend 」
Now that she mentioned it, yes, I did.
「 She needs to have someone of the same age, not just elder or younger sisters. They can forge a relationship where they study and play together 」
Yeah, Agnes looks like she’s having fun since Luna came.
Back then, she’d cling to me right away.
But now, she wants to be with Luna.
「 Geez, I get it! Agnes will learn academics from Luna, so Luna will learn about s.e.x from Agnes! 」
Err.
I guess that’s it.
「 Agnes knows well how to please Papa! 」
「 Yes, let’s study together! 」
「 That’s right! Luna! 」
「 Wait wait, teach Yomi too! 」
「 Mana-chan can teach Yomi-chan! 」
「 Yeah, I’ll teach you a lot. That includes the techniques I learned from Katsuko-oneechan 」
Hey, Agnes, Luna, Yomi, Mana.
「 Who should Mao learn from? 」
You’re talking about that while Mao-chan’s present.
「 I’ll be the one to teach Mao-chan for the meantime 」
Yukino hugs the little girl.
「 Hey, Yukino! 」
「 What? You’re teaching her, Megumi? 」
「 Don’t fight!!! 」
Mao-chan tells the two.
「 Geez. 」
「 Mana-chan also had Yomiko-chan, a girl from the same age, and so she found the courage to move forward 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 Yeah. She finally dares to go out and attend school 」
If it was Mana alone, she might hesitate.
Now that Yomi’s here, Mana got a motive to move forward.
「 And as for Yukino-san and Megumi 」
Minaho-neesan looks at the two with kind eyes.
「 Besides, Megumi, ever since before… 」
「 What now, you haven’t changed at all either Yukino 」
The two are still fighting each other even though Mao-chan stopped them.
「 They’re having fun 」
Huh?
「 After having too many big sisters, Nei and Mieusu-san, too many little sisters, Ruriko and Mana-san, and children to protect, Agnes and Mao, Megumi hasn’t found someone she can vent out on freely 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 Megumi’s trying to make herself look like she’s a woman who can do things when with Nei and the older. And when with Mana-san or Agnes, she can’t gush out her anger. That’s her personality 」
Oh, I get that.
「 Therefore, she’s lost because she doesn’t know what to do in this family. In addition to that, Katsuko, Margo, and I move around when there are big problems, and we don’t get involved with Megumi. She feels that she’s becoming incompetent, but there’s no one she can talk about it. Then, she’s becoming conscious of the sisters who are too kind, making her feel lesser. As a result, she’s the only one floating out of the family 」
I see.
That’s another insecurity.
「 Don’t they say that conflicts can only be made between people of the same level? Well, having fights isn’t a good thing, but it’s also painful if you don’t have anyone to compete with and vent out on 」
Misuzu and Nei don’t think of Megu as a rival.
Neither Ruriko nor Mana.
Even when Megu complains about her dissatisfaction, there’s n.o.body that worries or presents a solution.
That only stimulates Megu’s insecurity.
She feels she’s falling behind the other girls.
「 That’s why Yukino-san’s here 」
Minaho-neesan looks at Yukino who continues to throw insults at Megu.
「 They’re of the same age, known each other for a long time, and sisters from different mothers. She’s bullied Megumi all this time, and so she hates her. Yukino’s the origin of Megumi’s insecurities 」
They have the same father, and yet,
Yukino’s received a good life, while Megu’s poor family was abused.
Therefore, for Megu, Yukino is…
「 Then, last May, Megumi and Yukino-san’s position changed, and so Megumi got carried away. Knowing that I still pampered her. I’ve made her grow impudent 」
Minaho-neesan.
「 But, that’s only until now. I think that she should grow even for a bit. I mean, children like Yoshin.o.bu is rare. You never float away even when your environment changes 」
「 Sorry 」
「 Don’t be. I’m praising you 」
Minaho-neesan smiles wryly.
「 But I realized it this time that Megumi’s gone a little too far. She’s holding insecurity towards the other family, yet she’s becoming arrogant being with you. It’s messed up. I don’t think that Megumi herself know what’s what. I didn’t watch over her seriously. Sorry 」
「 No, I don’t think that’s the problem 」
I…
「 I’m the one who always tries to do something whenever Megu’s facing a problem. I’m the only man in this family after all 」
I don’t understand it, and so I couldn’t deal with it.
I couldn’t prevent Megu’s twisted growth.
「 That’s wrong. Megumi’s problem isn’t something that can be resolved by a man and a woman 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 There’s that case. Since you are Megumi’s man, you cannot fix her insecurities. It’s that kind of problem 」
Oh. I see.
Megu’s caught by,
Her desire to create a position in the family as a woman.
Therefore, her insecurities target Misuzu and Nei, and all the other women.
And if I, a man meddles in, it only creates a complicated situation.
「 You’ve noticed it sensibly. Therefore, you were trying your best not to speak earlier, weren’t you? Yoshin.o.bu, your intuition’s sharp after all 」
Yeah, I didn’t say anything that much earlier.
「 The problem is that Nei and the girls lose their temper and they keep giving Megumi ultimatums 」
Huh?
「 Just like in school earlier. Nei and the girls used shock therapy to let Megumi see the reality in front of her, they’re trying to make her understand Megumi’s standpoint, but 」
All Megu did was say that she’s become, my slave.
She abandoned thinking.
Unable to think of what she should do, she just left everything to me.
Naturally, that didn’t reach any solution.
Megu herself still hasn’t resolved the conflict inside her head.
Her anxiety and dissatisfaction just piled up even further.
「 Seriously, Nei, Misuzu-san, and Edie are too smart for their own good. They think of everything through logic because of that. They believe that the other party is as intelligent as them 」
Minaho-neesan.
「 But, Megumi’s not that smart, her comprehension speed is on a different level. She deals with it with her emotions before making a logical comprehension. But, Nei and the girls won’t understand that kind of slow mind. They’re intelligent after all 」
Yeah.
「 Therefore, I was really wondering what to do. Even if I give my verdict, Megumi’s heart will remain closed. And I couldn’t return here until I finished processing information with Kouzuki SS. There’s also the case with Kouzuki-sama 」
The reason why she didn’t sneak out halfway was for Megu.
Mego-san and Shou-neechan thinks that Minaho-neesan wants to work with Kouzuki SS>
「 Seriously, I was wondering what to do. Who would’ve thought that Yukino-san’s the answer 」
Minaho-neesan looked at Yukino.
「 I told you that’s wrong Yukino! 」
「 What are you talking about, Megumi!? 」
The two curse at each other.
「 Having someone that you can knock ideas against each other is the best. Those girls have similar personalities in their root 」
「 They’re sisters after all 」
I said.
「 They’re not just sisters. They’re of the same age, and they know each other well, and so they don’t hold back when fighting. Having someone on the same level means that Megumi won’t be acting strange anymore, I believe 」
Maybe.
If Misuzu or Nei tells her something, Megu will accept it even though her heart is rejecting. After all, she’s a good girl who subdues her emotions.
She thinks that Misuzu and others are far more superior than her.
But, if it’s with Yukino.
Yukino speaks harshly, yet it’s precise.
Megu opposes with a loud voice as she’s unable to subdue her emotions, but,
If she thinks that Yukino’s right, Megu would accept it.
There’s no opposition inside her head.
「 Oh, I get it 」
I thought.
「 Yukino’s been trying to act like a good girl in the cla.s.s during the start 」
A girl loved by everyone, kind, cheerful.
「 That’s right. Just like Megumi. She also tries to act like a good girl, doesn’t she? They’re similar 」
I see.
They know each other well, and so they throw insults at each other.
They don’t feel insecurity towards each other.
「 I’m glad. For both Megu and Yukino 」
If they’re fighting that much, I’m sure that they’ll get along well.
「 Yeah, people need someone like that in their lives 」
Agnes has Luna.
Mana has Yomi.
And,
Megu has Yukino.
「 A counter partner, someone you can face straight up 」
Yeah.
「 But, Yoshin.o.bu, did you know? 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 You’ll never be able to have someone like that 」
1. Now that it was in Katakana, I found out that it’s actually Yoshinikou, not Yoshikou