第８７６堀：本当のご褒美 (Part2)
"Onii-sama intended to marry Hiiro and the others all along, but since we've been like family for so long, he thought he could save the confession for later."
"Wha—!?"
At Hiiro's revelation, Dressa and I let out strange cries of shock in unison.
"Honestly, Yuki-san. This is why you have to speak your mind clearly," Seraria sighed.
"If anything, because it was them, you should have told them first," Rurua added.
"Mm. Yuki is hopeless at things like this," Deryu chimed in.
"Indeed. While the length of time isn't everything, you do realize they've been waiting much longer than Kagura and the others, right?" Eris pointed out.
"I'm sorry. In my mind, confirming the situation with Stasia and Enora—since the talk of marriage came out of nowhere for them—was the priority. I thought once that was settled..."
So, Onii-sama had been thinking and acting in his own way. However...
"You idiot! Do you have any idea how Vilia, Hiiro, and I felt!?" Dressa shouted.
"Yes. I truly thought Onii-sama had come to dislike me," Vilia added.
"Hiiro thought so too. So when I asked him straight out, this was his answer. That's why Hiiro was scolding him," Hiiro said.
He had no idea how we felt. Onii-sama really can be quite tactless sometimes.
"I'm truly sorry. That's why..."
As Onii-sama spoke, he stepped toward us and handed us small boxes.
"I might have disillusioned you with all this, but if you're willing to put up with someone like me, please stay by my side forever."
That was what Onii-sama said to us. Inside the small boxes were, of course, rings. They were simple yet radiant—the same proof of love and marriage that our sisters always wore with such care. The ring I had dreamed of for so long was now right before my eyes.
I was happy—beyond happy. And yet, for some reason, my vision began to blur and warp.
"...Sniff. I-I suppose it can't be helped. If Yuki is going to go that far, I'll be your bride."
"Hiiro has been Onii-sama's bride since forever!"
It seemed the other two were crying as well, as they were covering their eyes. I had to give my answer too.
"Yes! Vilia will happily become Onii-sama's pleasure-bride!"
"Ah, Hiiro will too!"
"Wait, both of you—me too!! I'll be Yuki's pleasure-bride as well!!"
"Hold it! Who taught you that word!?"
For some reason, Onii-sama's demeanor shifted from his previous sincerity to one of pure panic as he questioned us.
"Um, Labyris said that there are many kinds of brides, and the one that would make Onii-sama happiest is a 'pleasure-bride'..."
"That brat Labyris did this on purpose, didn't she? Dammit... Listen, Vilia, Dressa, Hiiro. You must never use that word. Just 'bride' is perfectly fine."
"Is that so?"
"It'll ruin my reputation, so please, just stop."
I didn't think Onii-sama's reputation could fall much further at this point, but if he insisted it was bad, then I suppose it was.
"...Well, Labyris did have a suspicious smirk on her face, so I had my doubts. But Ria and the others didn't stop us, did they?"
"Now that you mention it, you're right. I wonder why?"
"Hey, Big Sis Jessica, why was that kind of bride no good?"
When Hiiro asked, Jessica didn't change her expression at all as she answered casually.
"Well, simply put, it sounds bad to the public. The meaning of the word is a bride who is always ready and willing for physical intimacy whenever the husband desires. Honestly, it's something we'd all like to be."
"Right? Regardless of work or anything else, you just want to do it, don't you?" Cleena added.
"Mm. It's a lewd title. That's why it's best to avoid it in public," Deryu noted.
"However, Yuki-sama's sense of reason is a bit too strong; he won't make a move unless we push him. I suspect it was Labyris's way of advising you to become brides with that level of resolve," Eris explained.
With Onii-sama, anytime!? T-That truly sounds like the married life of my dreams! H-However, I must still do my job properly!
As I tried to steel my resolve and push down my desires...
"Now then, Yuki-san. That's enough work for today. You need to properly make up for the delay," Seraria said.
"Indeed. We'll handle the remaining work here," Rurua added.
"Mm. Yuki must properly attend to Vilia and the others," Deryu insisted.
"Quite right. We can't have you separated by work on your very first day. Now then, we'll leave the guarding duties to Dressa and the girls, shall we?" Eris smiled.
"Leave it to us!"
"Please, leave it to us!"
"Okay!"
And so, we guarded Onii-sama from morning until night, working hard at being his brides.
Ah, come to think of it, perhaps this was the true reward for all our hard work at the sea.
Thus, Vilia, Hiiro, and Dressa finally became his brides.
Vilia and Hiiro had finally caught up to the "game" version of the story!
Though, the Yuki in the game was much faster at making his move!