「 Did you call for me, Onii-sama? 」
After talking with Mana, this time Ruriko comes over.
Ruriko’s hiding her crotch and chest with a towel and her hands.
「 Uhm, I thought that exposing my skin would make Onii-sama pleased but, Nei-oneesama gave me advice saying that Ruriko must not forget embarrassment 」
Ruriko says as she blushes.
「 Yeah, true, it’s better to have only Mana walking around naked without concern. Ruriko’s much cuter when embarrassed 」
「 Thank you very much 」
「 Come here 」
「 Yes 」
Ruriko comes to my bathtub.
「 Ah, Mana’s breaking the rules of not soaking the towel in bath 」
I say in panic.
Ruriko doesn’t have experience in bathing as groups.
「 Is that so? 」
「 Yeah, you take off the towel and keep it outside the tub 」
「 Certainly 」
Ruriko folds her towel precisely then puts it on the edge of the tub.
Once again, she goes to my side, hiding her nipples and crotch with one hand.
「 Do you take a bath with Yoshiko-san usually? 」
「 In the past, yes, but Ruriko’s already an adult. I take baths alone 」
I see.
Just because she’s an Ojou-sama, she doesn’t need to have someone to wash her body.
「 I have Yoshiko-sama take care of my hair after taking a bath 」
「 Taking care of your hair? 」
「 Making sure that it’s dried up properly, combed, or else women’s hair becomes messy 」
I-I see.
「 Yoshiko-sama washes my body until elementary school. Thinking about it now, I feel sorry for her 」
Ruriko and Yoshiko-san’s age difference is three years.
Ever since she became old enough to be aware, Yoshiko-san looked after Ruriko as her attendant.
But, Yoshiko-san’s actually Ruriko’s cousin.
Ruriko seems to feel sorry making her blood-related cousin take care of her all this time.
「 Then, this time, let’s have Ruriko wash Yoshiko-san’s back. You can take a bath together again 」
「 Onii-sama 」
Ruriko looks at me.
「 Just have Ruriko do what Yoshiko-san has done to you until now. It’s not like you won’t be meeting Yoshiko-san again! 」
「 Yes, that’s true 」
Ruriko nods.
「 Onii-sama, would you mind having me next to you? 」
「 No, come 」
Ruriko sits next to me.
Her smooth shoulders stick tightly to me.
「 I like Onii-sama. I’m delighted I met Onii-sama 」
Ruriko
「 Now, I’m having fun on everything I can’t hold back. All things surprise me come one after another, I would not have imagined taking a bath with everyone, naked, like this. To think I would feel this much peace from taking a bath with a man 」
Ruriko kisses my chest.
「 Then, what is the subject of my call? 」
This 15-year-old Ojou-sama looks up at me, smiling.
「 Yeah, since this is an excellent opportunity for Ruriko, try to get along with people you do not get along with 」
Everyone other than Minaho-neesan and Kyouko-san’s group is in the bathroom.
「 The people, I don’t get along with? 」
Ruriko shows a curious face.
「 I have already talked to most people, but, 」
She was with Nei and Margo-san from the time they kidnap her.
Mana, Mao-chan, and Agnes were making cake under Katsuko-nee’s guidance.
Misuzu and Michi, are known from long ago.
「 Is this about Edie-san? 」
「 No, let’s leave Edie to Michi 」
I don’t understand the thoughts of that American fighting girl that well.
No, even Michi’s train of thought becomes uneasy sometimes, but;
Michi can be understood when she talks, and Misuzu and others are watching over her.
Michi seems to be thinking about Edie so let’s try to watch over them for a while.
「 Then, is it about Megumi-oneesama and Nagisa-oneesama? 」
There it comes.
「 Why do you call Megumi with -oneesama and Nagisa is just -sama? 」
「 Ah 」
Ruriko mumbles.
「 No, it’s merely because you didn’t have enough time to talk and understand each other, right? 」
「 I think so too 」
Ruriko admits
「 No, it is as Onii-sama says, I might not be getting along with them that well 」
「 Huh? 」
「 I don’t usually have a relationship with a motherly woman until now 」
It’s not motherly, Nagisa is Mao-chan’s mother.
「 Ah, Ruriko’s bad with her mother 」
I understand what’s in Ruriko’s mind.
「 No, uhm, I 」
Misuzu grew up with her parents, but,
Jii-chan separated Ruriko from her parents, isolated then raised her with Yoshiko-san
That’s of course under the strict command of the head of Kouzuki house, Jii-chan, but,
But still, just because of an order, the beloved daughter’s separated from the parents.
The father, Kouzuki Shigeaki’s also a problem.
「 Don’t worry. I’m the same 」
I smile at Ruriko.
「 This isn’t boasting, but I never talked to my mother properly ever since I was born 」
The other side was ordered arbitrarily
No, that’s also different,
That person never talked to me directly.
That person just orders me about Father or Grandma.
That person doesn’t even look into my eyes.
「 Onii-sama 」
「 Ask about me from Misuzu, Megu, or Nei-neesan. I think that would help Ruriko to get along with everyone 」
Yeah
「 I see, I think of myself as Mao’s father, I think of myself as Nagisa’s husband, so I don’t hate Nagisa’s motherliness 」
I see a new perspective in my mind thanks to Ruriko.
「 Or rather, Ruriko’s image of Nagisa as Mao-chan’s mother is too strong. You have to fix that 」
「 What do you mean? 」
「 Nagisa is my woman before Mao-chan’s Mama. She’s one of Ruriko’s precious family. She’s Ruriko’s elder sister 」
「 yes 」
「 Try to look at her as a woman. She’s a bright, gentle and a lovely sister 」
「 I understand, Onii-sama 」
Also.
「 Rei-chan too, Ruriko’s the only one calling her『 Fujimiya-san 』, right? Of course, Ruriko’s been having Rei-chan as a guard from Kouzuki security service so I don’t think that could be fixed, but; 」
「 Ah, that’s not the case 」
Huh, Ruriko?
「 I purposely talk to Fujimiya-san like that 」
On purpose?
「 Yes, I think that Onii-sama’s thought of regressing her to early childhood would be good for fixing her twisted views, but, 」
Ruriko speaks.
「 She may be a toddler in mind, but Fujimiya-san’s body is already an adult. I think that the person herself feels the most discomfort 」
Yeah, Reika’s tall, and she also has a wonderfully fleshed out body.
「 Therefore, when we all speak to Fujimiya-san as her infant mode “Rei-chan,” I thought that Fujimiya-san herself feels that she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. Furthermore, she’s under the impression that she’s the one making herself feeling out of place so Fujimiya-san might lead to self-denial speaking my senses are mistaken 」
I-I see that’s why
「 Then, I call her “Fujimiya-san” occasionally. It shows that the sense of discomfort she’s feeling is from the outside. I think it’s a necessary safety device for Fujimiya-san’s spirit 」
Ruriko’s been thinking about that, I see.
「 No, I do not deny Onii-sama’s thoughts. I think that it’s undoubtedly better for Fujimiya-san to go back to her early childhood and experience rebuilding her relationship with others. But, it’s dangerous to completely regress her to an infant, as expected, there has to be a stop somewhere 」
Yeah, Ruriko’s right.
「 Fujimiya-san’s has come and gone between an infant and adult so many times. I think that the magnitude of the fluctuation has a positive influence on Fujimiya-san. Therefore 」
「 Got it, do what you feel is right 」
We’ll call Reika as Rei-chan.
Ruriko will call her Fujimiya-san.
That would make Reika’s heart go back and forth as a toddler and adult.
Her heart will sway.
It’s dangerous to fix her only to a young girl, Ruriko’s right.
「 You really understand people’s hearts 」
I tell Ruriko.
「 I think that it’s because one can observe from the outside, objectively, calmly 」
Ruriko’s skin soaked in hot water has become red.
There are beads of sweat floating on her forehead and nose.
「 If it’s my own heart, I won’t understand it 」
Ah
「 It’s about Yoshiko-san? 」
「 Yes, I can’t see the answer to what I would like to do with Yoshiko-sama or what I should do 」
The future’s unobstructed yet she can’t see her answer.
「 Onii-sama, what should I think about in the future?
「 Future/
「 Yes, Onii-sama has great power now, what would use this power for? 」
Power?
「 No, I don’t have any power 」
I’m a dumb guy
I don’t have any athletic ability.
「 No, Onii-sama has the wisdom and courage, authority, assets, and even violence, everything 」
Huh?
「 Kuromori-sama and Katsuko-oneesama have the intellect. Kouzuki house’s authority and wealth. Kyouko-sama’s fighting power. Onii-sama has the potential to influence both the surface and the underground world! 」
I smile wryly
「 That’s the power Minaho-neesan has in Kuromori, that has nothing to do with me 」
「 What are you talking about, Onii-sama’s the center of all the powers connected. Onii-sama’s in the middle, so that’s why we’re stable 」
「 Is that so? 」
I’m just a normal high school student1
I’m even inferior to other people.
「 I’m already filled with the thoughts of what I have to do 」
Ruriko smiles.
「 What you have to do? 」
「 Yeah. First would be searching a school Mana could transfer. I’m also worried about Megu’s clubmates, worried about Michi and Edie. Also, of course, Agnes-chan and Rei-chan too. Also 」
「 What is it? 」
She’s not here so, how is Yukino doing?
Since she has an amazing nerve, she could be sleeping soundly under a blanket.
「 I’m worried about Minaho-neesan 」
It had a good result to have her away from the mansion for one night, but;
Minaho-neesan’s revenge will be finished this evening.
「 Also, I’m of course worried about Ruriko and Yoshiko-san too 」
「 T-Thank you 」
Ruriko blushed.
「 Jii-chan too, I hope he doesn’t get dispirited 」
Jii-chan’s also my family.
「 I have to resolve each and one of them 」
Yeah
「 I’m already doing all my best on those. That’s the only thing I can do after all 」
I don’t have the time to think about the future.
「 Onii-sama, do you not have a dream or purpose in life? 」
「 For now, a bakery 」
I declared.
「 A bakery? 」
「 Yeah, I promised Katsuko-nee, besides, I have to work and earn money 」
「 Why? 」
「 Because money’s needed for Megu and Mana’s tuition and other expenses 」
「 So Onii-sama will make bread for those? 」
Ruriko’s surprised.
「 Yeah, I’ll make bread and sell it. That’s all I can think of, for now, either way, Katsuko-nee has decided to make a shop. I have to help her. Ah, I will help out in Nagisa’s shop too 」
「 Onii-sama?! 」
「 Ah, don’t misunderstand, Mana and Megu doesn’t have parents now, so I have to earn their tuition and living expenses but, I’ll make for Ruriko as well 」
「 For me too? 」
「 Yeah, that’s obvious. You’re also my woman 」
「 However, Kouzuki-sama’s put out my support cost 」
Oh, Jii-chan did say that. He said he’ll pay hundreds of millions a year?
「 That’s on its own, well, I can deposit it to Minaho-neesan and Katsuko-nee. But, I want to earn money for you 」
If not, I’m not a man.
「 Either way, the money I earn will be divided evenly and handed to everyone. I don’t have any hobbies nor wants 」
The problem is whether I can feed everyone with the wage I earn from the bakery or not.
Well, Katsuko-nee’s going to manage the bakery.
I will just do all my best.
「 Is that okay with you, Onii-sama? 」
Ruriko asks.
「 Obviously it is. Isn’t that what it means to live with everyone? To be happy together? 」
That’s what I think.
「 My aim is just that. To make everyone live happily. For that, I will do everything one by one. That’s all I can do so there’s no choice but to do it 」
I accepted my family.
I definitely don’t want to let go of them.
「 I’m moved 」
Ruriko said.
「 Onii-sama is like this that’s why Katsuko-oneesama, Nagisa-sama, Kuromori-sama are so attached to Onii-sam 」
「 I guess. I’m unreliable after all 」
I can’t do anything without them.
「 I’m grateful to my elder sisters 」
「 That’s not true, Onii-sama’s very strong 」
Ruriko smiles at me.
「 Hey, it’s about time you free him up, the other girls will get angry if you don’t 」
Katsuko-nee comes and tells Ruriko.
「 Ah, I’m sorry 」
I
「 Ruriko too, if you want to do something then tell me. I’ll help you out 」
「 Onii-sama? 」
「 Don’t hold yourself for me. It’s Ruriko’s life after all 」
「!」
「 I will make you happy as well. Definitely! 」
Ruriko hugs me.
Tightly, strongly
「 I already am 」
「 Then I will make you even happier 」
「 Yes 」
Ruriko kisses my forehead kindly.
「 This person guards the base so we can attack more outside 」
Katsuko-nee tells Ruriko.
「 If you get tired and come home, he will come to heal you. He will never betray his family. He will always smile and hug you 」
「 Yes, Katsuko-oneesama 」
Ruriko smiles at me.
「 Let’s have Onii-sama stay in the center of the house! 」
「 That’s how it is, if he’s at home, we can fight outside in peace 」
「 What do you mean, Katsuko-nee? 」
I don’t get what Katsuko-nee’s talking about.
「 Hmm, even if you make bread in my bakery, you must devote to production 」
「 Huh? 」
「 You see, in a bakery, there’s a shop-front seller, there are other girls better than you in that, right? 」
「 No, I’ll do it alone 」
「 Look, in a bakery, you must make bread quickly all day 」
What?
「 In mornings, you make breakfast bread, during lunch, lunch bread. Afternoon, snacks. At nights, you make bread for a take-home or French bread. Depending on the type of day, you have to make different kinds of bread, make, bake, make bake, a repetition of it 」
「 I see 」
I see it’s different from convenience store’s bread.
I must contest with freshly baked bread.
「 That’s why, you make the bread in the bakery, or instead there’s a lot of candidates for a cute girl seller 」
Ah, that’s true.
Instead of me, Megu, Mana, Nei, are all beauties.
It will sell more if the sellers are women.
「 You can make bread, and when you’re free, play with Mao-chan and other girls. We’ll deal with the business side 」
Katsuko-nee smiles.
「 Yeah, I’ll leave that to Katsuko-nee and others of course 」
I don’t think I have a business sense
Katsuko-nee looks at RUriko.
「 He will protect the home in that manner. The place we come home is his place, so you understand what’s for the best, right? 」
Ruriko
「 True, it certainly might 」
「 He’s such an honest and kind person. It’s dangerous to let him out carelessly 」
What?
「 Am I that useless? 」
「 That’s not it, but look, it would be troublesome if you get caught by a strange girl 」
Katsuko-nee laughs.
「 Katsuko-oneesama, you’ve already thought of a specific plan for it 」
Ruriko’s admiring
「 Well, of course, it’s our future after all 」
Katsuko-nee laughs.
「 By the way, my bakery and Nagisa’s flower shop will be in the same building. We’ll be buying the whole building. We’ll be living on the upper floor. Then we’ll make a big bath just like this one so everyone can come in. I’m still talking to Nagisa on which place will that be 」
Katsuko-nee seems to be promoting the plan she was talking about before.
「 Then, what would you do, Ruriko-san? 」
「 Yes? 」
Ruriko’s surprised.
「 Do you want to make contributions using Kouzuki-sama’s money? 」
「 Uhm 」
「 You’re a much more business-minded woman than Misuzu-san 」
Ruriko’s shocked.
「 I don’t mind if the building we buy would have something other than a bakery and a flower shop 」
Does that mean?
「 Ruriko-san’s the type that wants to do her own business than us who want to be nurtured by him, right? 」
Katsuko-nee laughs and looks into Ruriko’s eyes.
「 That might be 」
Ruriko admits.
「 Then, think about it, you don’t need to do it now. Well, considering the preparation period and the refurbishment of the building, let’s make the goal for about a year 」
「 Thank you very much 」
Ruriko bows her head.
「 Then, let’s go to where everyone is 」
Ruriko said then went back to Agnes’ group.
「 That girl’s fundamentally ambitious. She’s a girl brimming with the intention of becoming the successor of Kouzuki house 」
Katsuko-nee said as she looks at Ruriko’s back.
「 Therefore, we have to make her do her own business she can practice. If not, she’ll suffocate 」
I see.
Ruriko’s a girl who’s the most similar to Jii-chan.
「 She’ll no longer worry about Kouzuki house, so it’s better to let her do what she wants 」
Ah, that’s why
She was asking for my purpose.
Actually, Ruriko’s seeking her own future, not mine.
「 Our family, girls who become sex slaves become externally active, you see? 」
Mana said that she wants to become a supermodel.
Misuzu, my pet also said that she’d go to Tokyo University and become a high-level bureaucrat.
「 Well, since she’s a cheerful girl she wants to be bound in sex 」
Katsuko-nee said.
「 No, Katsuko-nee, I think Megu mentioned that she likes being bound 」
I answered.
「 That’s because Megumi-chan’s family oriented, so she’s the type that wants to be bound as it’s different from usual. In her case, it’s better for her not to work outside and just stay inside the house 」
Katsuko-nee’s thinking of everyone’s future.
「 If we’re talking about staying in-house, Agnes will be there too. She’s basically an indoors girl. Thinking about her, sorry but, we would like you to stay home as much as possible 」
True.
Therefore, I would be making bread in the bakery?
There’s no problem if the house is in the same building as the store.
「 Also, it would be the best to have Agnes make bread with you once she becomes an adult but, that’s too much to hope for 」
Katsuko-nee smiles wryly
She’s already thinking for ten years ahead.
「 That girl’s too cute, so, she could be a signboard-girl for the flower shop 」
Nagisa comes.
「 Nagisa’s shop signboard-girl is Mao-chan isn’t she? 」
「 Not bad, two signboard-girls 」
Nagisa smiles
「 But, before that, in her case, there’s a lot of things to consider such as family register and education 」
Katsuko-nee.
「 I guess let’s make her a returnee child? Her face is foreign after all 」
「 No, Nagisa, Agnes can only speak Japanese 」
Ah, she’s always been looked after by Shirasaka Sousuke’s nanny after meals.
「 Then we can just teach her a foreign language. Either way, we only have to teach her primary education 」
Agnes has never been to a school before.
「 Reading, writing, math, social studies 」
「 She’s twelve now. She’s going to a middle school next year, so why don’t we have her fit with the ordinary girls? 」
「 Then, we have to teach her primary education, a suitable foreign language, and have her enroll as a returning child 」
Katsuko-nee said.
「 There’s no other way 」
There’s a lot of things to do.
「 Onii-chan! Mao-chan said she wants Onii-chan to wash her body! 」
Mana calls me.
「 Got it. I’m going! 」
It’s about time I get off.
「 Mana’s next! 」
「 I’m next! 」
Mana and Nei raise their hands.
I’m sure it’ll end up with everyone wanting me to wash their body
Geez, this is getting busy. Seriously
- Kamijou Touma ↩