Chapter 210 : To the next Stage

「Anyway…Megumi-chan and Mana-chan too, both of you worry about Yukino-san too much」

Katsuko-nee said.

「That’s right…Yo-chan treats Megu-chan and Mana-chan much better…and I think he loves you two!」

Nei-san tells the two.

「…I know that but」

Megu answers.

「But…when I watch Yoshi-kun and Yukino’s sex…it really feels painful」

I…

「Got it…I won’t have sex with Yukino anymore then」

「…Yoshi-kun」

Megu looks at me.

「Eh, are you sure about that, Yo-chan?」

Eh…Nei-san?!

「What do you think, Katsun?」

Nei-san turned to Katsuko-nee

Katsuko-nee is…

「I…I don’t think you should cut it off with her like that」

「Un…I think so too」

Margo-san joins in the conversation.

「We have hypothesized that Yukino-san is Yoshida-kun’s『safe blanket』but the situation might be a bit different」

Megu looks at Margo-san

「What do you mean?」

Margo-san laughs

「I think Yoshida-kun’s feelings he has for Yukino-san is much more complicated. Even at this stage…he doesn’t forsake Yukino-san. Even when having sex with Yukino-san, he doesn’t take the pleasure one-sidedly like a rapist. Rather, he’s working hard to serve Yukino-san. He only makes his own pleasure a secondary」

「…That might be the case」

Megu looks at me…

…I

「Well…that said, I don’t want Yoshida-kun to become a man who grabs women calmly to satisfy his own needs only…」

「That is…I think so too」

「Then, Megumi-chan…you do understand that it’s not a good idea to make Yoshida-kun and Yukino-san separate immediately…」

…Err

I don’t get it…

「Perhaps…Yoshida-kun has some trauma when having sex with a girl…it’s a complex」

……Complex

「Yoshida-kun doesn’t ask to have sex with you, right? Or rather…he won’t. That’s one of his complexes」

…I

「Furthermore…when Yoshida-kun’s having sex, he always concentrate with the girl he’s doing it with? That’s amazing. He always gives priority to the pleasure of the other than his own」

「Yes…he’s like that」

Katsuko-nee declares.

「That is for now…I think Yoshida-kun’s『women』is yielding good results. Girls, you feel an amazing『sense of security』when you have sex with Yoshida-kun, don’t you?」

「That is…yes」

「Mana also feels very warm」

Megu and Mana answered while blushing.

「That is because Yoshida-kun always does his best to not betray your expectations…and he never refuses does he?」

…Never refuses

「When you girls feel uneasy and asked Yoshida-kun to embrace you…No matter how tired Yoshida-kun is, he’ll desperately embrace you…!」

Megu and Mana look at each other

「Yes…I think so」

「Un…Onii-chan’s always doing his hardest」

Margo-san speaks to the two.

「But…if you continue doing that, Yoshida-kun mind and body would give up, don’t you think?」

「…That is」

Margo-san looks at me.

「Earlier, Yukino-san’s rape in the『Emergency broadcast room』…Minaho didn’t make that event as a part of revenge for the Shirasaka family」

…It’s not『revenge』?

「Minaho thought that you’d make up your mind through that event and abandon Yukino-san」

So I would abandon Yukino…

She created such a big event for that?

「Therefore…this morning’s stage, the event where Yoshida-kun compares Yukino-san to Megumi-chan and Mana-chan was repeated…」

The sex with Yukino in the AV room and the sex with Megu and Mana in the classroom.

「Yoshida-kun right now is bearing everything alone right? But, there’s a limit to everything…isn’t that right?」

…Un

「…Yoshida-kun, you should realize your own limits. You can’t save everyone with your own power」

…Margo-san

「You should give priority on who you should save first…who should you protect first…」

I’ve been told this multiple times up until now.

…Priority level

「If you’ve got the composure in the situation then of course…you can save all of the people you listed but…if you go beyond the limit… You can’t save the people in your order, right?」

…I can’t save everyone.

「Even if you’re Superman…you can’t save all of humanity. Understand that. But still, in order to save more people…you need to dare abandon the people in the lower priority」

…Prepare to abandon

「The initial plan was to have you watch Yukino-san raped by Endou-kun. Therefore, Megumi-chan was in there too」

Then…I would chose Megu and abandon Yukino…

That was the decision supposed to be made.

「What changed the plan was after observing your sex with Yukino-san in the AV room this morning」

That early morning sex?

Where Yukino and I cursed at each other…

「That sex was a very strange one. You two should have a relationship of a rapist and the victim…and yet you were having sex like close friends. It’s different from lovers…it’s a very strange sex where you have established a relationship of trust although there’s no love between each other…」

True…Yukino and I.

We have a strange trust on each other.

「So Minaho noticed that it’s not good for Yoshida-kun’s spirit to dispose of Yukino right ow」

Yukino’s supposed to be immediately disposed.

「For Yoshida-kun…Yukino-san is still a meaningful existence. Therefore…Minaho-decided to take Yukino-san this way. For your sake…!」

For my sake…

「Therefore…formally, she made you chose whether you’d go help Yukino-san or not. Of course, she knows that you’d chose to rescue Yukino…to press down Megumi-chan’s opposition」

It was all foreseen by Minaho-neesan…

「But still…she wanted you to embrace the choice『of your own will』 It’s not fate or the flow of situation…you chose it, don’t you?」

「…Yes」

「Then…Minaho and I will be allowing Yukino-san. She’s on the list of『women』Yoshida-kun’s trying to protect…」

Yukino’s not my『woman』

But…for me.

She’s always a『woman』that exists in the『list of priority』in my mind.

She’s on the bottom part though.

But still…I

I always am considering Yukino.

「But…from now on, think before you act. Your list is already a lot. It’s reaching the limit now」

…Un

「If you go beyond the limit…everyone might die. Make sure you always have the room to keep your『women』where your hand can reach them…okay?」

「…Yes」

I’m dumb…

I don’t have any special abilities either…

I should figure the range of what I can do or I would just trouble everyone.

「Megumi-chan and Mana-chan too…it’s about time you stop asking from Yoshida-kun always. Think about Yoshida-kun’s mind and body limit…」

「…Yes」

「…Got it」

The two nodded small

「I’ve been prioritizing my own feelings that I’ve been asking too much from Yoshida-kun, I reflect on it…」

「Mana too…I’ve been depending on Onii-chan too much」

…I

「No…of course, you can rely on me anytime you feel lonely. I’m here for that reason」

「Thanks…Onii-chan…but」

「Un…we also want to become girls Yoshi-kun could rely on…!」

Megu…Mana…

「I’ll try to learn how to endure…and polish my femininity」

Mana said.

「Me too…I’ll do my best to become a good wife…!」

Megu swore to me.

「With that said…Yoshida-kun, your list for the time being is…」

Margo-san speaks.

「Nei, Megumi-chan, Mana-chan…Nagisa-san, Katsuko-san…then, Misuzu-san and Michi-san, lastly and a bonus, Yukino-san, is that right?」

Michi’s surprised.

「I’m included?」

Margo-san smiles.

「That is the『priority』list of the people Yoshida-kun treasures… Yoshida-kun thinks of Kudou-san as his family long ago and he treasures you…!」

「That is…I understand but…」

Michi falters…

「Margo-san…that’s not enough」

I said.

「Oh, right…I forgot Minaho too. Minaho’s much older than Yoshida-kun and she’s the guardian of the whole『Kuromori』…But she’s in Yoshida-kun’s list. Minaho’s surely pleased …!」

I…

「No…it’s not just Minaho-neesan…you’re in my list too, Margo-san…!」

Margo-san’s surprised…!

「…Me?」

「Yes…Margo-san’s also my treasured『family』 We’re relatives. I think of you as my sister…!」

Margo-san…

「Err…I」

Nei-san speaks to the confused Margo-san…

「Maru-chan…you should just say『thanks』at that time…!」

「T-Thanks…Yoshida-kun…!」

I make a list in my heart.

Minaho-neesan…Nagisa…Katsuko-nee…Margo-san…Nei-san…Misuzu…Megu…Mana…Michi…then, Yukino on the bottom.

That is my current family.

The people I should defend…

I should concentrate on protecting these people…

I should make a clear distinction to the other people…

…If not

I won’t be able to protect anyone with my power.

I should know my own limit…

◇　◇　◇

After the meal…Michi and I prepares to go outside.

Katsuko-nee and Nei-san switched and this time, Nei-san’s going to eat.

「Yoshida-kun…bring this with you」

Margo-san handed me three round go-like stones

There’s a switch on top of it.

「It’s like a children’s『alert buzzer』 If you press the switch, it’ll make a tremendous loud alarm after 15 seconds…!」

It’ll roar a sound after a time difference…

「The followers Cesario Viola brought were American style…」

…American style?

「It means they solve everything with guns1」

…I see

The enemy’s supposed to be armed with firearms…

「Even in America…during the first world war, there were a lot of people who returned home without even shooting a gun in the battlefield」

Margo-san tells a story.

「As expected…there’s quite a resolution needed to pull the trigger aiming at people. There wasn’t a lot of people who can pull the trigger without hesitation」

…I see2」

「Therefore…in the current US military, they’re being trained to reflexively shoot at something moving. They were trained to pull the trigger arbitrarily before they could check if it was a human」

…Does that mean?

「Of course…there are a lot of mistaken fires as a result. There are many cases of they mistakenly shot and killed an ally. But, that’s the policy of the US army…!」

Margo-san looks at Michi.

「Kudou-san…I think your father told you this but…don’t ever make a careless move in front of Cesario Viola’s minions. They shoot their guns by reflex. If you shoot your bloodlust straight ahead…you can just be shot」

「…Yes」

Michi answers.

「Yoshida-kun too…don’t throw something towards the enemy. They would shoot at that moment…!」

Once you show a chance…they’ll shoot.

If you show a will to attack…they won’t hesitate.

「This buzzer is used to curve their nature. Place it quietly on a place away from yourself in a way the enemy won’t notice」

…Un

「No matter how trained a human is…they will absolutely react to sudden events. That includes loud sounds and light… You can create a chance there」

…I see

「Got it…I will take this」

I put the『Buzzers』in my pocket

「Then…we’re going」

When I say that…Nei-san who’s eating soumen…

「Take care! I will be feeding Yukiyuki properly so don’t worry!」

…Yukiyuki?

「It’s already decided that girl is Yo-chan’s bitch! If she’s a human they could be jealous of her right?」

「Ah, that’s great! Mana will think of that too…!」

No…Mana

Yukino’s your real sister you know…

Are you sure about that…?!

「Mana will be taking care of Yukiyuki too…so take care!」

…Is this okay?

…Haa

「Right…if you think of her as not human, then you’d think『who cares』…!」

Even Megu says that.

「Ah, wait a moment…!」

Katsuko-nee runs holding a paper bag…

There’s a navy blue suit inside the bag.

「What’s this Katsuko-nee」

「That would be the clothes you’re going to wear in Misuzu’s presentation today…!」

…Katsuko-nee

She’s been resizing this while in the middle of this business.

「…Try wearing it for a bit」

I try putting on the business suit.

「Hmm…the length is just right. The sleeves are a bit jammed」

Katsuko-nee marks it with a dress pin.

Following…I put on the pants…

「I have to raise the hem for a bit…after that, there’s no problem」

「…Katsuko-neesan」

Megu speaks to Katsuko-nee

「Could you let me do it?」

Katsuko-nee

「Is that so…okay, that helps. Please」

She smiled and handed Megu the pants

「Ah, Mana wants to help out too!」

Mana said that but…

「Mana-chan…can you sew?」

「Err…I’ve sewn during our home economics class…」

Mana’s in low spirits because of what Katsuko-nee said.

「Mana…I will be doing it this time so watch. Next time, Mana will help out」

Megu gently speaks to Mana.

「Un, got it…Megu-oneechan…!」

Mana happily smiled.

◇　◇　◇

「…It’s really strange」

Coming out of the school building…Michi told me.

There’s already nobody around…

Most of the students have already left the school.

There still some of them left but, the teachers will patrol and drive them out either way.

The teachers would be coming home too then finally…the school would be unpopulated.

It’ll take a bit of time I guess.

「What’s strange?」

I asked Michi.

「The group 『Kuromori』…Even though it’s a group of people without any blood relationship, they’re turning to a group united like a『family』」

「Un…we are basically a group of people who lost their family so I think everyone thought that they want their own『family』」

When I answer…

Michi sends me a glance…

「Yoshida…you don’t get anything…」

…Eh?!

「『Kuromori』…is gathered around Yoshida. Although they’re people who originally thought about『family』…if it wasn’t for Yoshida, they won’t be gathered as a group in such a short time」

「Is that so?…I just entered『Kuromori』recently. Margo-san and Nei-san are already good terms with each other back then…」

「But…Shirasaka house’s daughter, Mana-san naturally blends to the group as well…」

「It’s not Mana-san but Mana…Mana’s Michi’s『Little sister』after all…」

「…You’re right」

Michi’s cheeks blushed.

「Before I knew it…I was also caught in the wave of『family-fication』…」

「…We’re not forcing you. Michi, unlike us, you have both of your parents…」

「…Yoshida」

「Those who have their family should prioritize their own family」

That’s what I think

「…You’re right」

Michi mutters sadly…

「…Yoshida」

Michi suddenly called me.

「What?」

「…I will definitely protect Yoshida. Therefore, Yoshida, please think of surviving more than anything else…」

…Michi

「Yoshida is here that’s why those people are united. Yoshida right now is a person who can’t just die…!」

I can’t die…

…Un

I won’t die right now.

I have to live until I make everyone happy…

Even if I die, I can’t…3

「I have to live whatever happens」

「…Yes」

Going from the backyard of the school building towards the baseball club grounds.

On the sloping ground…『Kudou Detective Office』is parked…

In front of the van…

Kudou papa doing radio exercise alone…

「Oh…what’s wrong?」

Kudou-papa smiled looking at Michi and me.

「Father…I’ve brought lunch」

Michi said then I hand over the paper bag Katsuko-nee gave.,

「Hm…what’s the menu?」

「It’s soumen…!」

「Oh…I wanted something cold and refreshing…!」

Kudou-papa’s pleased.

He put the plastic container in the paper bag in the ice.

I brought over the soumen for several people, omelet and salad…

Michi brings a flask with cold barley tea.

「Also…a message to Kudou-san」

When I say that…Kudou-papa.

「Get in the car…we’ll talk inside」

…Err

Kudou papa covers his mouth with his hand and whispered to me.

「…Do you know lipreading? If it’s here, the enemy might know what you’re talking about…!」

…Oh.

Doing a radio exercise in a place where the public would notice…

It’s being watched by the enemy already.

Rather than that…he’s purposely making the enemy’s eyes concentrate here…

「Well, get in」

Kudou-papa…opened the slide door of the van.

…Then.

Toni-san is sleeping like a log.

「Hey, Tony, wake up! It’s food! Food!」

Tony-san gets up.

「Fwaaaaaii, boss…!」

They were observing 24 hours in turn…

「Norma too, stop what you’re doing and come here. It’s food!」

「…Please wait a moment」

Norma-san is facing a laptop in the driver’s seat.

「Now then…what’s the message? Let me hear it first」

Compared to yesterday…Kudou-papa seems to be a bit blunt.

Well…he’s been watching outside since last night…

It can’t be helped…

「Then…I’ll speak」

I told him what Margo-san said.

「『Kuromori』members will be escaping this school with three cars from the hidden garage for the staff at 2:15. Everyone will be on it. Nobody will remain in the school. …The destination is『National theater』 The route heading there would be left to Kudou-san’s judgement…!」

Kudou-papa looks at me.

「…A complete withdrawal?」

Before I could annswer…Michi speaks.

「『Kuromori』is prepared to resolve everything by the end of today…!」

In short…we’ll take Cesario Viola’s head today…

「…Well, that’s not a bad judgement. If you just shut yourself in here, the situation will only get worse…!」

Kudou-papa said.

「…Is that so?」

When I asked…

「This is a good hideout but…you people have more people closed up in there than what’s planned, right?」

True…it might be a bit too much

「If you shut yourselves in there, you’d be lacking in food and daily necessities and the stress would accumulate. It can’t be helped that you aim for a short-term decisive battle…!」

That is a pro’s judgement.

Then…is Cesario Viola thinking the same thing?

「Kouzuki old man made a『final battleground』with pleasure…so you have to settle it only tonight at the hotel…you guys and Viola…!」

As expected…that’s the case.

「…Boss!」

Norma-san speaks up from the driver’s seat.

「What’s wrong?」

「Pattern Blue!」

…Her voice is tense.

「We’ve been glaring at each other last night, we’re getting quite frustrated…they’re the same it seems」

Kudou-papa looks at me.

「It seems you came at a bad time…!」

…Does that mean?!

「…Enemy attack!」

1. FREEDOM! ↩

2. Yeah, you belong to those few ↩

3. But people die if they are killed!