第６２０堀：命がけの顔合わせ (Part2)
"Th-thank you. Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Well, you see..."
From that point on, I couldn't make out the conversation, but Amanda and Eoid, who were standing nearby, looked shocked.
"Oh, come to think of it, we haven't told Amanda and Eoid about this yet, have we? Hey, Yuki, is it okay to show them?"
"Ah, sure. The members should know. Especially since Kagura, Mikos, and Solo will need to provide support in Haiden."
Hm? What haven't they told them?
"Alright, I'm releasing the magic."
As Riel said that...
*Twitch, twitch, twitch...*
Animal ears, the mark of a Shrine Maiden, sprouted from the heads of the three of them. And tails appeared from behind them as well...
"And, like this, we were hiding our ears with magic. We thought it would cause a commotion if we let them show."
"Ah, I see. But Riel, Tori, Kaya—your ears are so cute!! Can I touch them!?"
"No, you can't."
"That's right. Basically, we don't even let our own kin touch our ears or tails. Only husbands, children, or best friends. Look, you wouldn't like it if just anyone patted your head, right? For us, ears and tails are equivalent to a woman's chest or hips."
"Ah, I see. I wouldn't want those touched either. But what about the 'best friend' category? I really want to touch them!"
"...I don't mind if it's you, Amanda. But if you hurt me, I'll be angry."
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you. Oh, and Eoid, you're not allowed to touch."
"I won't. If I did something like that, Yuki would kill me."
While Amanda was squealing with delight as she was allowed to touch their ears and tails, I was trembling again.
*So, I really am going to die...*
Not only did I kidnap the Spirit Shrine Maidens, but I also put their unborn children in danger. It’s a miracle I’ve survived this long.
...Father, Mother, Sister, thank you for everything until now. Please, try your best to make sure my death settles the score.
As I tried to walk toward the window again, my body, as expected, wouldn't move.
"Calm down. Get a grip. Don't go dumping the aftermath on me and Solo!!"
"Th-that's right. Riel and the others have forgiven you, so that kind of thing is not allowed!!"
*Hehe*, Mikos is so flustered she's calling herself "I" instead of her usual self. It's okay. The troublesome "me" will be gone soon. Sorry, Solo. I'm such a useless senior.
As I twisted my body, trying to shake off the restraint with all my might, someone appeared in front of me, blocking the path to the window.
"Yes, yes. Calm down. I’m not holding a grudge over the incident where Kagura summoned us anymore. Just pay me back with your work from now on."
Yuki said that, patting my shoulder.
...Work, huh? Yes, post-mortem slaughter. That is the only reason for my existence. It was a fleeting dream. Yuki said from the very beginning that I was needed for the post-mortem slaughter, didn't he? And yet, I had such a strange dream. I'm such a fool.
"...Yuki. Try to be a little more honest."
"Yes?"
"Honestly, Yuki-san. You should choose your words more carefully."
"If it were me, I might have already committed suicide. Well, Kagura is one step away from it, too."
Oh, I realized the Shrine Maidens were closing in on me. This is it—time to say goodbye to this world.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Yuki-san is always like this. Riel!! Kaya!!"
"Yes!"
"Understood."
"Hey, hey, what is this?"
For some reason, Riel and Kaya each grabbed one of Yuki's arms and pulled them wide apart. Then, Tori pushed Yuki toward me from behind and wrapped his arms around my body, forcing him into a hug.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
As I blinked in confusion at the sudden turn of events, Riel and Kaya, who had helped wrap his arms around me, whispered from the side.
"I knew it the moment I saw you. You're in love with Yuki-san, aren't you?"
"...At first, I was angry, but Yuki often tells us that Kagura is working hard so that his anger isn't directed at us, and we can see you working hard even now."
Um, what does that mean?
As I remained in a daze, unable to escape Yuki's embrace, Tori came up from behind...
"It means it all depends on Kagura's efforts from here on out. As you know, Yuki-san has a mean streak, so think of this hug as a reward from us. In the future, you'll have to ask for it yourself."
"Th-that means..."
"We have no objections if that is what Kagura desires. Do your best."
Hearing that, my head cleared up. My hopes weren't crushed yet!? No, rather, since I've gained his wives as allies, the advantage is on my side!!
As I was thinking that, Yuki, unfortunately, ended the hug and pulled away.
"Hey, wouldn't that be sexual harassment!? She's still a student!!"
"She seems to have calmed down, and Kagura doesn't seem to mind, right?"
"Yes. Thank you, Yuki. I've calmed down."
"...Well, if you're calm, that's fine. Now, since the introductions are over, let's talk about the organization..."
Yuki, who had been bewildered, immediately switched gears and began talking about work. I should follow Yuki's example and work hard, too. And then, I'll make sure he truly acknowledges me.
"But, Tori. Aren't there two more troublesome ones?"
"There are. But that, too, depends on Kagura's efforts."
"...A difficult challenge. Milly and Eris are formidable enemies."
I thought I heard something like that, but now is the time for work. I have an important role to play.
As I was psyching myself up, Mikos tugged on my clothes.
"What?"
"Don't 'what' me. You caused us so much trouble, and yet you're the one who got the best treatment? That's unfair, isn't it? At the very least, give me that cardigan that smells like Yuki-sensei."
"No way."
"W-wait, seniors!? Any more of a scene than this would be bad..."
We decided to call a truce for now and talk after the organizational meeting. By then, I had calmed down, and I managed to avoid a rift in our friendship by giving the cardigan to Mikos.
"Yay! It smells so good."
"...What was that about being a senior?"
It must have been my imagination that Solo's gaze was a bit cold.
Kagura survived, and in the process, became a pervert.
Well, happy days are still far off, and there is no doubt that from here on out, she will be advancing while using Kagura as a shield for all sorts of troublesome matters.
Amidst that turbulence, how will Kagura grow!! And what will Yuki do!!