Chapter 1168. In the Dark of the Night / Ice Creamer
Everyone got out of the bath.
Fortunately, the people who bathed with us tonight…
The spoiled girls who ask me to wipe their bodies and put on their underwear, which are Agnes, Mao-chan, and Misuzu, aren’t with us.
Everyone wipes off the water from their body and switches to new underwear.
Instead, Michi and Ai wiped my back.
That’s great.
When Agnes is with us, she’s going to make me towel all the other girls and put on their clothes as well.
Agnes wants to be fair with everyone but, that would mean that I’m going to put on all the girl’s panties forever.
As expected, I’m already tired tonight.
「 You see…we’re already finished…preparing for the pastry…tomorrow 」
Ai whispers to me.
「 Yeah, sorry about that., Everyone did all the work 」
「 We know that Yoshida-kun works hard…so it’s okay 」
Ai smiled at me.
「 Then, we’ll just do the usual tomorrow, right? 」
Shaping the rested dough, then lining them on the pad to transfer them to the school bakery.
「 Yes, but…you’re tired, so it’s okay now 」
「 I’ll go help out so Onii-chan should go to sleep now 」
Mana slides in and tells me.
「 No, I’m still fine. I feel bad to leave you to it 」
I said.
「 It’s okay to exert yourself but Onii-chan, you’re too tired now that I can feel it 」
Mana said.
「 Yeah, I can tell it even if we don’t have Tsukiko-san’s power 」
A lot has happened for the past two days this weekend.
「 Besides, you still haven’t finished dealing with the princess, haven’t you? 」
Mana looks at Erica.
Yeah.
Her elder sister, Marika’s happily talking to Nagisa and Tsukiko, putting on her bathrobe, but…
Erica looks lonely alone.
「 Marika-san has a docile personality, but she’s flexible. As for Erica-san, she has no experience in changing herself to match with the new environment 」
Mana speaks her a.n.a.lysis.
「 I think things are a little different from what she imagined 」
Michi?
「 She has a mental image of what a s.e.x slave is 」
Oh right.
Erica did read all the p.o.r.no books in her Grandfather’s library.
「 Yeah, she imagines more of a manga harem 」
Mana agreed.
「 She wasn’t expecting everyone to be so friendly, also 」
「 What is it Michi? 」
「 She wants to have a “special relationship” with Master 」
「 Huh? But, isn’t “s.e.x slave and master” already a special one 」
「 That’s not it, Onii-chan. I think that she’s just surprised because Onii-chan had more women than she expected, and it’s all beauties, wise, and confident women 」
Oh, I see.
「 That’s not all. Misuzu-oneesama, Ruriruri, Arisu-imouto or Karen-imouto, if she lines herself with the young ladies of n.o.bility, she feels pride, but 」
Michi said.
「 That girl is still a commoner in our school 」
「 She’s the daughter of the head of the top-notch auditing firm, and she’s attending in your school, so she’s no commoner 」
Michi’s school doesn’t enroll girls outside the n.o.bility, and the families they accept.
Even if one’s a daughter of a man who suddenly became wealthy or a daughter of a celebrity, they’ll fail the interview.
Erica’s enrolled in the school because her Grandfather deals with the n.o.bility and they trust him.
「 Ai is the commoner 」
Ai’s father is working at a good company, but yeah, she’s a commoner. An ordinary person.
「 But, far from commoners, our mansion houses Eri-chan, Rie-chan, or me, children of criminals 」
Mana smiled wryly.
「 I think that it’s her first time conversing with girls like the twins too 」
Right.
If that’s the case.
The girl who can understand how Erica feels the most would be the other student in that school who isn’t also a n.o.bility, Mariko?
No, Mariko has the blood of the Kanou house. Her mother’s origin is from the Kanou house.
If that’s the case, Erica won’t be accepting Mariko either.
「 Oh, Arisu-chan called me 」
Mana said.
Arisu, a junior in the same school talks to Erica.
Team Arisu has Mitama, Kinuka, and Karen, they’re gathering around Erica, wearing their bathrobes.
「 Uhm, that girl…Arisu-san 」
Ai’s right, Erica won’t join the team Arisu.
Arisu is a daughter of the Kurama house, which fell off, and so she can’t go to that school anymore.
Furthermore, she’s 13, and Erica’s 14.
Erica, who wants to be the center of the place with her confidence can’t accept a younger girl as her leader.
Mitama and Kinuka, the former servants of the Kurama house, stays by Arisu’s side.
The 12-year-old Karen, who was the young lady of the Mizushima house, is much closer to Arisu than Erica.
「 Maybe I should go over there 」
I feel like I have to step in.
「 No, it’s still too early 」
「 Yes, too early 」
「 It’s too early for Onii-chan to reach out a helping hand right now 」
Michi, Ai, and Mana said.
「 She should be reaching the next stage 」
Mana smiled.
◇ ◇ ◇
「 Here, ice cream 」
After taking a bath, we went to the dining room…
Katsuko-nee’s homemade ice cream is waiting.
「 Papa, hurry! Hurry! 」
It’s not just the members who entered the bath.
Agnes, Luna and Koyomi-chan, Misuzu, Yoshiko-san, Mariko, Edie, Megu, and Yukino, Margo-san, Shou-neechan, and Rei-chan are all here.
Everyone’s wearing pajamas.
「 Mao-chan’s already asleep so let’s keep it a secret that we ate ice cream tonight 」
Yeah, Mao-chan isn’t here. Also, Minaho-neesan, who’s staying over the new brothel tonight.
Michi’s elder sister, Kudou Haruka, and Tendou Otome, now Kendou Maria, are now lodging in the Kouzuki SS training building so they’re not here.
「 Erica-san, this way 」
Misuzu calls Erica.
「 O-Okay 」
Erica can’t help but lower herself when her senior in school, a young lady of the Kouzuki house calls her.
「 Okay, now distribute this 」
Katsuko-nee puts the ice cream into a small dish and hands it to Megu and Luna and the girls.
「 T-Thank you 」
Yukino never does anything at times like this.
「 Here, Yoshi-kun’s share 」
Megu brings my plate.
「 Yeah, thanks 」
Right, in the bathroom, Erica was facing the twins with a bitter look, so…
The other girls who are familiar with Erica became easy to talk to.
That’s why even when the twins were a bit pushy on Erica, she still managed to make it through.
Now, she’s becoming accustomed to the type of girls she never met before.
They prepared all the members so she can find a friendly conversation in the group.
Most of the girls who welcomed at the entrance are people Erica never talked to before.
「 Everyone has their ice cream, right? Okay, then Dear 」
Katsuko-nee talks to me.
「 We’re not asking for a toast, but give us a comment at least 」
Eeeh?
「 Well, when everyone’s done eating, be sure to brush your teeth before sleeping 」
「 We already know that! 」
Yukino shouted.
「 Also, don’t talk that we ate ice cream tonight because Mao-chan will get angry 」
「 We know that too! 」
Also, hmm.
We’re eating ice cream and yet it would be weird to say “cheers”
If that’s the case…
「 Well then, READY, GO!!! 」
Everyone started eating ice cream from my cue.
「 Yo-chan, this isn’t a speed-eating contest though 」
Nei laughed, but even so, she eats her ice cream
「 Wow! What’s this, so delicious! 」
「 For real! 」
「 Katsuko-oneesama, this is delicious 」
「 Yes, it’s rich in milk 」
The contrast of the twins eating like there’s no tomorrow and then Arisu and Karen who are eating elegantly is fun.
「 We still have some left so you can ask for seconds 」
Katsuko-nee looked at the ice cream eaters, but…
「 But you won’t blame anyone if you get fat okay? 」
Nei laughed.
「 No, I don’t care if people call me a pig right now 」
「 I’m a happy pig 」
「 You know, it’s always been delicious food ever since coming to this house 」
「 I know right, Eri-chan buhibuhi 」
「 It sure is delicious! Rie-chan! Buhibuhi 」
Yeah, Katsuko-nee’s ice cream is absurdly delicious
「 Katsuko-oneechan, why don’t we sell this ice cream in school? I’m sure that this will sell 」
Mana proposed, but…
「 Ice cream needs a lot of hygiene control. It’s okay if it’s just everyone here at home eating my homemade ice cream, but I’m a little scared of going large production for the students in our school 」
「 Indeed, we don’t eat ice cream from abroad either 」
Katsuko-nee said. Shou-neechan reacted.
「 Foreign, especially privately run stores, have a high likelihood of upsetting your stomach. 」
Rei-chan added.
Erica’s listening to the conversation.
As expected, she’s confused with the atmosphere.
Then.
「 Dear 」
Nagisa brings Marika.
「 Minaho-san called earlier, but instead of Minaho-san, I’m the one going to visit Marika-san’s mother in the hospital tomorrow 」
Marika’s mother is a former prost.i.tute of the Black Forest, and she’s hospitalized because her body is sick.
「 Morimoto-san contacted a lady who was in the mansion at the same time as Marika-san’s mother. That way, Morimoto-san, that person, and I will come to visit her. 」
Morimoto-san is the old clerk working for the Black Forest. Nowadays, he’s living with his wife in the house adjacent to the mansion.
The mention of a lady…
「 As expected, a former prost.i.tute will make Marika-san’s mother open up 」
Nagisa said.
「 Minaho-san sure is a former prost.i.tute, but she’s now the head of the Kuromori house. She belongs to the management side, so she will be cautious if Minaho comes over suddenly 」
I see. Marika’s mother retired from prost.i.tution during the time Shirasaka Sousuke was in control, so…
Her image of the Black Forest management ranks is now poor.
Besides, Minaho-neesan’s atmosphere is a bit intense.
It’s much better to give the first greetings to Nagisa, a person with a warm personality.
「 I will tell her that we’re taking custody of Marika-san, but she will never become a prost.i.tute 」
「 Yeah, thanks 」
I’m sure that Nagisa will deliver the talk smoothly.
「 Then, tomorrow afternoon, we’ll wait until Marika-san’s school is over and then we’ll go to the hospital 」
Nagisa said.
「 Tomorrow, I want to go to the flower market in the morning, I need some flowers for urgent orders. That’s why I’m not free until afternoon 」
Oh, I also went and helped out Nagisa in the flower shop before.
I couldn’t go and help now since I have a morning routine in the bakery, but…
「 Haiji-chan’s coming with me, do you mind? 」
Haiji?
「 Today, she helped me out in the shop a bit but I think that girl has the talent in business more than being a bodyguard 」
Nagisa looks at Haiji who’s eating ice cream next to Edie.
「 So, I want to teach Haiji-chan the atmosphere of the market 」
Yeah. Haiji’s the stubborn type, so…
So it’s better to bring a tolerant woman, like Nagisa, with her.
「 Mariko’s also learning business in practice in Nagisa’s shop 」
It’s so she doesn’t just look at the numbers but also directly at the faces of the customers.
「 Yes, but, Mariko’s a girl from a good family, so she can’t just skip school and watch the work in the market, right? 」
If I recall correctly, the market opens up at 7 and continues until 10.
She can’t go to school if she does inspect that.
Haiji’s a bodyguard, or should I say that the bodyguard girls are all smart.
Michi and Edie are both geniuses that can memorize a book after reading it once.
Haiji too, she’s a half-European girl, and yet her j.a.panese is perfect, and her intelligence is up there.
She shouldn’t have problems skipping school for just a day.
It should give her some time away from Mariko too.
「 Right. Take care of Haiji, Nagisa 」
I said.
「 Oh my, in the end, she formed a team Nagisa 」
Mana who’s listening from the sides laughed.
「 If Mariko-san will be in team Nagisa, then Kana-san will join in too, right? I recall those two talking about starting a business 」
Mariko and Kana-senpai seem to get along a lot.
Kana-senpai stayed over last night but she went home today.
Then.
「 Uhm, if possible, I want to join in Nagisa-san’s team too 」
Marika who stands behind Nagisa speaks bashfully.
「 Eh, Marika-san’s joining team Nagisa too? 」
Mana shouted. It caught everyone’s attention
「 Team Katsuko’s fun too! Mana’s in that team! 」
Mana said, but…
「 No, uhm, everyone in team Katsuko is very energetic, so I’m a bit 」
「 Oh, I get that, they’re too powerful 」
Nagisa agreed.
「 Besides, Nagisa knows a lot of arts, based from our conversation earlier, uhm 」
Nagisa has flower cla.s.ses, and she knows a lot of art-related stuff.
She probably talked about cla.s.sical music, which is Marika’s specialty.
「 Also, uhm, I feel that you’re a very reliable big sister 」
Nagisa built her shop a few years ago, and she’s already succeeding in management.
Nagisa’s flower shop is a famous store.
On the other hand, Katsuko-nee and my bakery business is still just a temporary business in the school cafeteria.
Nagisa’s on top when it comes to mature composure.
Well, she’s already a mother of Mao-chan for four years so she has that presence.
「 Oh, so Jasmine’s on Nagisa-san’s team! 」
Nei said loudly.
「 Why Jasmine? 」
Agnes takes the bite right away.
「 Marika means Jasmine 」
Nei explained.
「 Oh, that’s good! I’ll use Jasmine-chan! 」
Agnes smiled and said.
「 Yeah, it’s good. Jasmine-oneechan has that cute image! 」
Luna adopted right away.
「 Then we’ll start calling you Jasmine-oneesan too 」
Koyomi-chan said.
「 That’s decided! Agnes will tell Mao-chan tomorrow 」
Agnes, Luna, and Koyomi-chan, the trio decided.
「 Why not? Erica-san and Marika-san is so complicated 」
「 We have Mariko-san too 」
The twins said.
「 Hey, you girls are going to say that? 」
Mariko complained.
「 It’s you girls who are the hardest to figure out, it’s Rie and Eri 」
「 You don’t have to mind us, we’re a set 」
「 Yes, isn’t that right, Eri-chan? 」
「 Yes, Rie-chan 」
The twins looked at each other and laughed.
「 Anyway, we now decided to call Marika-san as Jasmine-chan in our place, okay! 」
Nei tells everyone.
「 I-I… 」
Marika’s blushing, embarra.s.sed, but…
「 It’s already decided so just give it up. Look at me, they call me Rei-chan in the house 」
Rei-chan, full name Fujimiya Reika, told Marika, now called Jasmine.
「 Yes, just give it up! 」
Nei said and laughed.
「 Why not? Everyone sees you as a cute girl so they’re calling you as such. Right? 」
Nagisa tells Jasmine.
「 Y-Yes, I understand 」
Jasmine accepted.
「 Now Jasmine-chan’s going to blend in with the family smoothly 」
Mana whispered to my ear.
Yeah, Jasmine is good.
The problem is…
「!!! 」
Erica’s staring at her sister, who mixed in the family ahead of her.
「 Mana, which team do you think Erica suits best? 」
I asked Mana.
Mana…
「 Well, that depends on Ruri-oneechan 」
Ruriko?
「 I think Ruri-oneechan needs to muster her courage and leave team Katsuko and create her team 」
That means…
「 Yoshiko-san, who’s been left hanging around has no place unless Ruri-oneechan creates an independent force 」