「 Now, give me your answer 」
Katsuko-nee pushes Mana and me.
I.
Mana.
「 What’s wrong? Make your decision now. You need to be fast here. If you have made your resolve, then there’s nothing to be afraid of. Now, hurry up and say it. If you don’t reach a conclusion here, later you’ll regret it forever. Now, think about it and make a judgment! 」
I can understand what Katsuko-nee’s saying.
I have to decide. I have to give an answer.
If not, it’ll be a lifetime of drag.
I’ll regret it.
Therefore.
「 I-I! 」
「 I 」
But, I don’t know what to answer.
I don’t know what’s right!!
Then.
「 Just kidding, you can’t make a conclusion as a makeshift. That’s what unscrupulous cults do 」
Katsuko-nee smiles.
WHAT?!
「 Human behavior can’t quickly be decided logically. Also, you’ll notice your internal problems unexpectedly. 」
Err.
「 Because of that, humans often say excuse for what actions they make. “Back then, that’s all the choice I had,” “There was no other way,” “Thinking about it now, there were worse situations than this,” they all add those as a postscript. In short, “I wasn’t mistaken,” or “I didn’t have any other options,” they just want to guarantee themselves 」
Y-Yeah.
「 You see, whatever you chose right now, the result will change with the actions you take in the future. It’s important to choose, but it’s also important to know what to do after making that choice 」
Katsuko-nee said.
「 Mana-chan, staying here doesn’t equate abandoning Ichikawa-san and Yukino-san. On the other hand, coming back to Ichikawa-san’s house doesn’t cut off your bond with us. That is all depending on your actions in the future. 」
That’s indeed true.
In the end, it all depends on us.
No matter what we choose.
「 Then, in addition to that, in life, you’ll be involved in factors you can’t do anything about. For example, one of the two of you may fall ill to a sudden illness. This mansion may catch fire suddenly. Ojou-sama may fail at work, and we all get arrested. The situation is always flexible. Even if you make a choice, that might not still go that way 」
I look at Mana.
Mana’s listening. Showing an earnest look.
「 Therefore, it’s just stupid to say “This must be done,” or “It has to be this way.” It’s nonsense. If you move with that idealistic reason, then you won’t be able to respond to reality. Just like people who have been mind-controlled by cults 」
「 So, what should I do? 」
Mana speaks up.
「 I’m thinking so hard. Then, I made a conclusion 」
「 You overthink so your head boils up, and your thoughts go to the worse one. Then, you ended up with a horrible argument 」
Katsuko-nee said.
「 Kouzuki-sama has said this before: What’s most important is the inspiration1, it has the power to feel the presence of danger 」
Inspiration senses danger?
「 You see, earlier, when you heard that Mana-chan’s going back to Ichikawa-san, what did you first think? 」
Katsuko-nee asks.
「 I thought that it’s bad, I have to stop her 」
I answered honestly.
「 Oh, why? 」
「 Huh? 」
「 Well, Ichikawa-san is Mana-chan’s grandfather. He might accept Mana-chan warmly, who knows? 」
「 But still 」
「 What we know about Ichikawa-san is only one part of him. Well, he may be trying to push Yukino-san to a mental hospital but that’s a problem of Yukino-san, he might be a kind grandfather for Mana-chan 」
That might be true but.
「 You don’t believe in things like blood relationship due to how you were raised but your house was a unique case, right? It might be okay to believe in blood relationship when it comes to Mana-chan. To be honest, even during the negotiation, he showed his sympathy to his granddaughters 」
Katsuko-nee looks at me.
But.
「 But, I thought that if Mana goes to Ichikawa-san, she’ll never be happy. That it’ll be a bad end for Mana 」
Katsuko-nee.
「 That’s your inspiration. You felt “That’s dangerous” Therefore, you thought of stopping Mana-chan, isn’t that right? 」
「 Y-Yeah, I think so too 」
Mana looks at me.,
「 Therefore, take care of that inspiration. Tell her only that sense of crisis. If you use some unneeded logic, then it’ll become ridiculous 」
Katsuko-nee looks at Mana this time.
「 Mana-chan, why do you think you have to go to Ichikawa-san’s house? 」
「 That’s 」
Mana averts her gaze.
「 Because I’m a burden to Onii-chan. Besides, there’s Yukino-oneechan’s problem too 」
「 Okay, both of them are just a reason after. It’s different from the first inspiration 」
Katsuko-nee says immediately after.
「 T-That’s! 」
Mana’s confused.
「 Then, why did you consult him when two were alone? 」
「 Huh? 」
「 If you seriously planned to leave the mansion, then you should’ve talked to Nagisa or me. Before talking to him 」
Katsuko-nee?
「 If you tell him then you know that he’ll ask you to not go, right? He won’t return Mana-chan back to Ichikawa-san 」
Huh?
「 Once he accepted someone in his family then he will pour all his love. You know that don’t’ you? He doesn’t like being abandoned by his family 」
I.
「 Even if he clings, he’ll hold onto Mana-chan. To him, Mana-chan is someone he can’t lose 」
Katsuko-nee’s words pierce my heart.
「 Yeah. I’m really disgusting. I’m so selfish, egoistic. I didn’t want to let Mana go 」
Not just Mana.
Everyone I love in my family.
「 Oh, it’s okay to be egoistic you know. On the other hand, the love you pour on your women is bottomless. Because you think you don’t want to be abandoned you are always earnest towards us, you never betray us. That is why we trust you and think it’s cute. We love you. There’s nothing improper about that 」
Then, Katsuko-nee looks at Mana once again.
「 Then, Mana-chan, you actually want him to hold you back, right? Do you want to be told that you’re needed? 」
「 I 」
「 But, if you do so, you’ll feel embarrassed about yourself, so you added some unneeded logic. Before soon, that reason will grow large, and you’ll lose knowledge of the origin of your feelings. Then, your head boils, and if you keep concluding it with logic, then it’ll become a horrible misfortune 」
Katsuko-nee looks at Mana kindly.
「 I wonder. I might’ve just wanted Onii-chan to stop me 」
Mana thinks.
「 Don’t look for answers inside yourself. Only convenient, good reasons will come up 」
Katsuko-nee tells Mana.
「 Take a good look at him. Then, the answer will come out in a moment 」
Katsuko-nee said. Mana looks at me once again.
Then.
「 Ah 」
「 What’s up, Mana? 」
I ask Mana.
「 I see, when I woke up this morning, I felt sad that Onii-chan wasn’t next to me 」
「 Huh? 」
「 When I thought that Onii-chan was sleeping over at Misuzu-san’s house, I felt sad 」
Mana.
「 Then, if I feel this sad then I thought of getting out of the mansion 」
Hey hey, what’s with that leap!
Ah, I guess that’s what the extreme logic.
「 If I go to Ichikawa-ojiichan’s house together with Yukino-oneechan, then Onii-chan can never come. If we have nights where we’re not together, then we should never have been together 」
Err.
「 I’m the one who’s selfish here! If I can’t have Onii-chan all to myself, I thought of escaping to a place where I can’t meet Onii-chan! 」
Her small shoulder is trembling.
「 My maiden’s heart can understand that 」
Katsuko-nee said.
To me, it’s just an unreasonable logic.
But.
「 Mana, come here! 」
「 Huh? 」
「 Just come here. No, I’ll do it instead! 」
I stand up from my seat and stand on my knees before Mana who’s sitting on the chair.
「 Don’t go anywhere. Just stay by my side! 」
I hug Mana’s small body tightly.
「 Onii-chan 」
Mana mutters.
「 This might not be love I have, this might be just a filthy attachment, but I don’t want to give Mana to anyone else. I want you to be mine all the time. I won’t let you go, Mana! 」
I’m the worst.
I don’t want to let go of her because of my ego.
Is that love?
Isn’t this just my selfish attachment?
「 I mentioned attachment earlier, but that is not that bad at all 」
Katsuko-nee said.
「 Relationship between people changes a lot. A husband and wife whose passion for love has vanished won’t lead to disastrous family life. They can’t make their children unhappy. Even if their love is over, some couples stay together for many years and live together as best friends. A lot maintain their family even without sex 」
There are various types of relationships.
「 Attachment is written with the kanji of ‘love’ and ‘make’ 2 」
Make love.
「 In the end, it’s always up to the person at that moment. No matter what kind of relationship it is, those who strive to be happy with their accord will become happy. Happiness is given by people, people who don’t want to do anything themselves has no choice but to be unhappy 」
Katsuko-nee.
「 At that moment, an at that moment, treasure your inspiration. Don’t overlook the signs of crisis. And, keep pursuing happiness. Take action immediately after gaining inspiration, don’t overthink. If you think, then you’ll be unable to move and end up in a situation where you can’t escape 」
Katsuko-nee looks up at the blue sky outside the window.
「 As soon as I came here, a senpai told me this: It’s probably the worst to be kidnapped and turned to a prostitute but, you can’t think about it and be depressed all the time. First, live. You must survive. Gain inspiration for that. A flash can do anything. Use your survival instincts. No matter how low it is, you must not lose the will to be happy 」
Then, to Mana;
「 What does Mana-chan’s inspiration want to do now? 」
Mana.
「 I want to stay here. I don’t want to leave Onii-chan!!!! 」
「 Then don’t leave. Stay with me! 」
I hug Mana tight, and she returns a hug as well.
「 Onii-chan, Onii-chan, Onii-chan! 」
Mana cries on my chest.
「 I want to stay with Onii-chan! But, but you see, is it okay?! Is it alright for me to stay!? 」
I.
「 There’s no good or bad; I want you to stay here, so stay. Stay with me. Stay forever. Don’t leave me 」
「 Un, okay, Onii-chan, I’ll stay forever! 」
Mana.
◇ ◇ ◇
「 Oh my, is there anything wrong? 」
Looking at the courtyard, Ruriko’s looking us through the glass door.
Edie and Agnes are with her.
「 Yeah, Mana-chan was just sad because Ruri-chan took him away last night 」
Katsuko-nee said laughing.
「 I see, I’m sorry 」
Ruriko speaks bashfully.
「 No, Ruri-oneechan did nothing wrong. It’s my fault 」
Mana wipes away her tears in a hurry.
She also parts away from me.
I knew it; she’s like Megu. She thinks of Ruriko as Kozuki faction.
I sit on a nearby chair.
「 No, I am Mana-chan’s elder sister, so I’m sorry for not noticing Mana-chan’s feelings. Let’s go together on the next occasion 」
「 Ruri-oneechan? 」
「 Misuzu-chan, Michi, and I want to get along with Mana-chan 」
「 Really? 」
Mana’s suspects.
「 Onii-sama wishes for it. Ruriko will do anything for Onii-sama 」
Ruriko smiles.
「 Then I believe you 」
It seems that Ruriko’s answer was an excellent answer.
If she answered “We’re family,” or “For the sake of the family,” then Mana will not believe Ruriko.
「 Everyone come in, I’ve prepared tea. Edie, would you like coffee? 」
Katsuko-nee invites the three girls outdoors.
Ruriko asks Edie in English.
《 OH、YES！！！ 》
Edie laughs and comes inside.
「 Come, Agnes 」
I call her out.
「 Yes, desuno 」
She toddles towards me.
This 12-year-old blonde beauty is like an angel.
She’s like a pure fairy.
This small girl had sex with me yesterday.
「 American’s prefer coffee than tea after all 」
Katsuko-nee said while preparing Edie’s coffee.
「 Papa. Here 」
Agnes hands me something.
It was a four-leaf clover.
「 Oh, thanks 」
I’ve heard about this, but I never thought it existed.
「 The three of us were looking for it to give it to Onii-sama. 」
Ruriko smiles.
「 Then I have to say thanks to you three. Thanks, girls 」
I also say it in English for Edie.
「 Let’s keep it as a pressed flower 」
Mana said.
「 Yeah, you’re right 」
I don’t know much about making pressed flowers, however.
It seems Mana knows.
Then.
「 Uhm, Papa 」
Agnes comes to my knees.
「 Yes, what’s wrong? 」
Agnes big blue eyes look at me.
「 It’s about time we do it? 」
Huh?
「 Sex with Agnes 」
Err, it’s still morning though.
No, I had one round with Megu already.
「 Papa, do you hate Agnes? 」
Hey hey!
「 That’s not true. I love you, Agnes 」
「 Then 」
「 But look, there’s no need to do only sex 」
「 But, Agnes is born to have sex with Papa 」
Hmm?
Everyone pays attention to what Agnes said.
「 Agnes was told like that since I was a child 」
No, Agnes is still a child. She’s 12 right now.
「 Agnes’ body is for Papa to enjoy, once I become an adult, I need to have sex with Papa every day. If I can’t satisfy Papa, then I’ll be abandoned in a mountain. 」
Err.
「 Who told you that? 」
Mana asks.
Agnes:
「 I forgot 」
She answers with a blank face.
「 It’s the person who took care of Agnes before me. She’s Shirasaka Sousuke’s nanny 」
Katsuko-nee speaks in a dark voice.
「 She’s the only one talking to Agnes when she was young. Shirasaka Sousuke didn’t come to see her that frequently 」
Shiraska Sousuke’s nanny always told Agnes that “when you grow up, you’ll be your Papa’s sex slave” ever since she became aware.
Inside that confined basement, she’s made to masturbate three times a day while looking up at Shirasaka Sousuke’s naked image.
「 Agnes finally became an adult, so I need to have sex with Papa. If not, I’ll be thrown in the mountains 」
I hug Agnes’ small body.
「 I won’t throw you in the mountains, Agnes will be with me forever 」
「 Yes. Therefore, let’s have sex, desuno 」
Agnes.
I’ve succeeded in erasing Shirasaka Sousuke as Agnes’ center.
I overwrote Agnes’ “Papa” to me.
Therefore, Agnes trusts me, had sex with me.
But.
The teachings Agnes had for many years.
The mind control that she’s her Papa’s sex slave and that she’s only alive to have sex isn’t fixed.
「 Agnes, do you like me? 」
「 Yes, desuno! I love Papa! I love Papa now the most!! 」
Agnes said, then she clung to my chest.
Papa now.
In short, Me.
「These kinds of things need time 」
Katsuko-nee said while giving us tea.
Ruriko’s helping out.
「 Especially in Agnes-chan’s case, she’s completely blocked from the outside world, and nobody else taught her 」
Agnes didn’t even receive an Elementary education.
She’s only been watching Shriasaka Sousuke’s sex videos for the sake of becoming his toy.
「 What should I do? 」
I ask Katsuko-nee?
「 First, you have to keep Agnes-chan in an environment where she can relax. In there, we have to teach her various things bit by bit 」
An environment where Agnes could relax.
「 You need to have sex with her every day to make her feel secure for now. If not, she might think that you hate her 」
Huh?
「 In addition to that, all the sex she knows were from Shirasaka Sousuke’s videos 」
Perhaps all of it is just perverted sex.
「 That man’s addicted to sex after all 」
Agnes thinks that as normal.
「 That kind of addiction will cause a strong mental and physical shock if you refuse it suddenly. All you have to do it cut it down little by little while paying attention to the quantity 」
First, I have to lower down the level of sex Agnes thinks she should do.
The amount too.
「 For her, losing her virginity while being recorded isn’t strange. She’s only seen sex forcibly recorded after all 」
Agnes’ herself is looking at me with a blank face.
「 Papa, do you not like Agnes? Do you not want to have sex with Agnes? 」
I.
「 I said I love you. I want to have sex with Agnes of course! 」
「 I’m glad! Desuno! 」
That smile.
「 Agnes will do all her best! It’s okay even if it hurts! Please play with Agnes, Papa! 」
「 Yeah 」
I pat Agnes’ hair, and she laughed happily.
Katsuko-nee, Mana, Ruriko watches us quietly.
Agnes has a severe illness in a sense. In her heart.
I will take care of Agnes no matter how many years it takes until her heart is cured.
I’m Agnes’ Papa after all.
「 LION! 」
Edie said while sipping the coffee Katsuko-nee gave her.
Err.
「 Ruriko, Edie tells me the same thing every time she sees my face but what does she mean by that, could you ask her? 」
Repeating it so many times gets me curious.,
「 Yes, Onii-sama 」
Ruriko asks Edie.
Then, Edie looks at me.
「 “Do you know lion, the animal?” She asks 」
Hey, don’t make fun of me. I know what lions are.
「 Far from knowing, I’ve seen one. There are lions even in Japan 」
I replied. Edie gets excited.
「 “Have you really seen one?! How is it?! Was it big?!” She asks 」
You’re the one who hasn’t seen one, Edie?!
「 The mane was this wide! 」
I tell Edie with gestures.
Edie’s eyes shine and then she nods.
Then, she talks with Ruriko for a while.
I mean, that’s a very long talk!
Edie’s getting even more excited.
「 W-What did Edie say!? 」
Ruriko?
「 No, Edie said “Where is the lion living in Japan?” she asks, so I replied “What Onii-sama saw was in the zoo. There’s no lion in Japan’s jungles” 」
Yeah, the one I saw was from the elementary school excursion.
「 Then, I said “In Japan, there are facilities where you can see lions in their territory in a safari park form,” then she said, “I want to go there” 」
So that’s why she’s excited.
「 Well, let’s go there someday 」
When Ruriko translated what I said, Edie’s eyes sparkled.
「 Let’s go there too Agnes 」
I tell Agnes who’s sitting on my knee.
「 Papa, what is a lion? 」
So that’s what she’s curious.
「 It’s a big cat. Agnes-chan, you saw the cat in the garden earlier, right? 」
Ruriko follows up.
「 Oh, a cat 」
「 Do you know what a cat is? 」
「 Yes, I see them in the skylight lying down often 」
Agnes’ world is only the skylight that pours sun into the basement.
She can see at least cats and birds.
「 How big is this cat? 」
Err.
「 As much as Katsuko-nee, I guess? 」
I don’t have anyone else to compare, so I replied as such.
「 Gao!! 」
Katsuko-nee roars!.
「 Returning to the topic, why does Edie say lion when she sees me? 」
Ruriko asks.
Then.
「 “You don’t know lion’s ecology?” She said 」
Ecology.
「 Lions are polygamous. Gao! 」
Katsuko-nee tells me.