Volume 8 - CH 32

Hosokawa Seiko is Concerned

After parting ways with Mishima, I started dragging my tired body back to my house.

I couldn’t fully comprehend how strong [Energy Drain] was in the game but now that I feel it on myself, it’s pretty bad……

It’s a Gift that can turn an entire household into skeletons and kill Emi with a single touch, it’s obviously something very dangerous. I need to teach her how to control it as soon as possible.

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“Ugh……”

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Why do I have to go through all this when I have nothing to gain from it? Such thoughts came to my mind…..

It’s as bad as when I was swinging a practice sword with full protective gear for 3 hours inside the gym with no air conditioner in the middle of summer……

I guess it’s a relief that it’s not as bad as last time huh…..

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Aren’t you a little too tough, Mr.Original Hideyori……?

Is there really nothing I can do to improve my condition…..?

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“……”

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I almost regret getting involved with Mishima Haruka.

After all, nothing would happen to her even if she was left alone for the three years of high school.

……still.

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…….the loneliness in her eyes was the same as Eien-chan’s.

When I see that kind of eye, I just can’t help but step in because she reminds me of myself when I lost kendo.

Since I was reincarnated as Akechi Hideyori, the scumbag piece of trash, I feel that loneliness as well.

If there was no one who knew about my circumstances like Madoka and Master, I would probably collapse already.

I really can’t thank the two of them enough…..

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Ahh, what am I doing……?

I hate myself for giving my all to something that doesn’t even need to be done while never thinking about what is in store for me.

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It’s not that I hate Mishima Haruka or anything.

Honestly, I want to help her.

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…..but am I actually helping Mishima?

I’d be seriously depressed if she actually thinks of me as an annoying guy who showed up out of nowhere……

I realize again that I truly don’t have the personality of a protagonist.

And I can’t help but smile bitterly at myself for that.

A guy like Takeru who’s usually incompetent but turns out to be the most reliable when you need him would obviously be more popular right……..

An actual handsome guy like Yamamoto is surely popular too.

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I walk home while doing self-reflection.

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When my house came into view, I saw a familiar figure standing in front of it.

Like StarCha, Hosokawa Seiko’s two-side-up hairstyle sways loosely in the wind.

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“Y, Yo! Seiko!”

“Ah!? Onii-chan!”

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When I called out to her, Seiko smiled happily and my expression softened.

The fatigue caused by [Energy Drain] was blown away.

If it’s now, I feel like I don’t even need the protection of Gift Resistance against it.

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“What’s wrong? Why are you out here?”

“I…….I haven’t seen your face since you entered high school so I came.”

“I see. You must have been busy at work right? Well, come on in.”

“Yes!”

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We used to play a lot in middle school but ever since I started high school, I couldn’t see her at all. There were even times when I was crying alone in my bed.

Even today, when I was waiting for Mishima, I was browsing the internet for StarCha to find the best time to go meet her.

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“I’m bac~k.”

“Sorry for disturbing~”

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When Seiko and I announced our arrival, my aunt peeked her head out from the inside.

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“Welcome back, Hideyori. Who’s the girl next to you?”

“Ahh, come to think of it, Oba-san never met her huh…….”

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My aunt’s eyes widened as she looked at Seiko.

Among my friends, I think the only ones she met were Emi, Takeru, and Risa.

Since Sakuya is her relative, she should know about her as well.

That said, even though my aunt and Master are siblings, I’ve never seen them talking. Since I can’t picture them having a conversation face to face at all, my impression was them being only acquaintances.

I want to try seeing her and Master talking to each other like siblings someday.

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I kind of have the feeling that Master is the one lower in the hierarchy though………

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“Nice to meet you, My name is Hosokawa Seiko.”

“Seiko, -chan?”

“Yes. I’m Hideyori-san’s little sister.”

“Ara Ara, I’ve heard from my younger brother and Hideyori before but……your eyes are just like Hideyori’s.”

“Haha, yes.”

“Make yourself at home okay.”

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Saying so, my aunt directed a gentle smile toward Seiko.

She’s not directly related to the Akechi family but her eyes seem somewhat happy.

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“And Oji-san……”

“You don’t have to greet him. He’s already left for work after all……”

“Ahaha……. Right, that person isn’t home right now…… I will get you some coffee and cookies so bring her to your room okay.”

“Yes.”

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Perhaps my aunt picked up on my reaction toward the mention of my uncle, she immediately urged me to take Seiko to my room.

Seiko looked a little confused but she probably feels that she should touch on the subject so she didn’t say anything.

Just like that, I took Seiko to my room.

There, I decided to ask her what I’ve always been curious about.

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“Don’t you mind being told that your eyes look like mine?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I mean, ……my eyes are kinda scary right……”

“I don’t mind it at all you know. I did have a complex about it before I became StarCha but now I’m proud to have these eyes.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

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Seiko smiles.

Her smile made me smile as well. Honestly, I’m happy to hear her say that.

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But, you know, Seiko?

I’m, not really your brother…….

Your real brother is inside me……, it’s him.

……are you really okay with someone like me taking his place?

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A few minutes after that, my aunt brought us cookies and two mugs of coffee.

Seiko lowered her head and received it from her.

After saying “Have fun~” my aunt left the room.

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“……Onii-chan, do you not get along with your uncle?”

“…….”

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Perhaps she noticed something wrong by instinct, Seiko bluntly asked me about my uncle immediately after my aunt’s gone.

It’s a very delicate subject so I wonder how I should answer her……

In truth, I can’t thank my aunt enough for dealing with both me and my uncle every day.

The topic of my uncle was that much of a taboo, even with my aunt.

TLN: The Wholesome moment