Vol. 1: Chapter 2 - Part 8

Volume 1: Chapter 2 – Part 8Author: Geraint

The sun was already setting by the time I stepped out of the ramen shop. Riko had treated me to a bowl as an apology for her earlier rudeness. She was still the same girl I remembered—chatty and cheerful. Her parents were just as kind, though they shared how Riko's stubbornness led her down a dangerous path.

It seemed her bright and friendly personality was misunderstood by some boys, who began fantasizing about her. Of course, Riko never intended to lead them on, but rumors started spreading. She became the center of attention—envied by girls and desired by boys. Her so-called friends turned on her, spreading false stories behind her back.

The gossip grew out of control. People began saying she was a slut who dated and slept around with different guys. None of it was true, but the damage was done. Her reputation shattered, she was forced to leave school. Her family moved here to escape it all... but some of the delinquents still managed to find her, since it wasn't far.

"Well, I better head back before it gets dark," I muttered.

"Eh? Seir-kun, don't tell me... are you scared of the dark?" Riko teased with a playful grin.

"I'm not that childish. It's just my turn to take care of my baby sister."

"You have a baby sister? I want to see her! She must be really cute!"

"Yeah. I'll introduce you next time. Anyway, I'll be going now."

"Fufu~ See you soon, Seir-kun!" she said, waving cheerfully.

As I walked along the road, my phone buzzed. A message from Riko popped up—we had exchanged contacts before I left.

[Let's continue our chat here.]

"...Seriously?"

[Later. I'll be busy.]

I sighed and typed my reply. Just after sending it, another message appeared:

[Okay. Goodnight.]

I pocketed my phone and headed home.

When I opened the gate and stepped inside, Yuuka was standing at the entrance with an annoyed look while I took off my shoes.

"Onii-sama! Do you know what time it is?!"

"Hmm... time for me to take care of Fuyumi?"

I set my shoes on the rack and switched into my slippers.

"Wrong!"

"Then what is it?"

"Today is Sunday! I didn't have work at the office—we were supposed to bond today!" she pouted angrily.

"We still have time tonight. What do you want to do?"

"Well..." She hesitated.

"See? You didn't even think of anything."

"Then come with me!"

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the living room.

"Hey! What are we doing?"

"Sit right there!" she ordered, pointing to the couch.

Once I sat, she jumped beside me, snuggled up, and leaned her head on my shoulder.

"Don't move. Just stay like that, Onii-sama."

"Okay, okay..."

"Hehe~"

She looked genuinely happy, clinging to my arm.

Suddenly, I noticed someone on my other side—Shiina, sitting with a pout on her face.

"Huh? Shiina?"

She didn't say anything, just leaned her head on my shoulder.

"Hmph."

"Hey, I'm not a pillow. Give me a break, will you?"

The two of them soon fell asleep leaning on me.

"Uwaaaaah~!"

Himiko-san approached, exhausted and holding a crying Fuyumi.

"I'm sorry, Yuki-sama... I'm at my limit…"

"Thanks for your hard work, Himiko-san."

The moment I held Fuyumi, she stopped crying.

"Ugh… I'm going to bed. Taking care of two babies is exhausting…"

"Well, you do have a daughter."

"I have no problem with Ayaka. I'm talking about your dad. Ever since Mia-sama left, he's been asking me to pamper him like a big baby. That man is shameless!"

Her face turned red as she grumbled and left.

"I'm going back to sleep, Yuki-sama. Goodnight…"

"Goodnight, Himiko-san."

With Yuuka and Shiina asleep on either side of me, and Fuyumi in my arms, I sighed.

"Lilith!"

She appeared, kneeling before me.

"Yes, Seir-sama!"

I noticed some sauce on the corner of her mouth.

"…You've been sneaking food from the fridge again, haven't you?"

"Of course not."

I sighed. "You're such a terrible liar."

"Forget it. Just help me out of here."

"Yes!"

Since Himiko-san was resting, I took care of preparing dinner. I woke up the two girls and we ate together. After dinner, I tucked Fuyumi into her crib and quietly left the room. I returned to my room, changed into my sleepwear, and went to bed.

Later that night, I woke to Fuyumi's cries. Still half-asleep, I picked her up from the crib, cradled her until she calmed down, and carried her to my room so I wouldn't have to keep walking back and forth. I laid her beside me and slowly drifted off again.

Knock knock knock!

"Huh?"

Flashes of lightning lit up the sky as thunder rumbled outside. I groaned and got up.

"Kyah! Onii-sama! Wake up! Please let me in!"

Yuuka's panicked voice called from the hallway.

I opened the door and found her standing there with teary eyes, hugging a pillow. She was trembling, dressed in a sleeveless cream blouse and matching shorts.

"Onii-sama, you dummy!" she cried, stepping in and looking around. When she saw Fuyumi asleep on my bed, she smiled softly and laid down next to her.

Moments later, another voice called hesitantly.

"Umm… Yuki-kun?"

Shiina appeared, peeking from behind the wall.

"Scared too? Come in."

She entered just as thunder roared again, and she jumped into my arms in fright.

"Kyah!"

I froze. Something soft had pressed against me. She wasn't wearing a bra, and her chest had… grown quite a bit.

Oh no. Bad thoughts, go away!

I slapped my cheeks and tried to return to reality.

Eventually, I let her sleep beside me. Now there were four of us in bed. Shiina moved closer, resting her head on my shoulder.

She seemed scared… not just of the thunder.

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, nothing will harm you. Even if it's a ghost or a curse. After all, I'm the demon prince Seir—feared just by name alone."

"Pfffft." She giggled.

"Hey! I'm being serious here. Why are you laughing?"

"You reminded me of this classmate I had who used to say delusional stuff like that."

"…So you're saying I'm delusional?"

"How could I say that, when you're the one who saved me from that generational curse? If you hadn't shown up, I'd be dead. I just want to live a normal life—no more spirits, no more danger."

"It's fine. You can choose that life."

"…Hey, Yuki-kun. Are you really going back there someday?"

"…Yeah. I have to."

"Wouldn't it be better to stay here? With us?"

"Sorry, Shiina. I can't. I have unfinished business back in my world."

…Especially with my father.

Shiina held onto my shirt tightly.

"Even so, I haven't really figured out how to get back. Without a way home, I may have no choice but to stay here."

That seemed to ease her mind. She relaxed, her eyes fluttering shut.

The next morning...

I opened my eyes to find Dad and Himiko-san staring at me.

Both my arms and legs felt heavy.

I looked down—Yuuka and Shiina were still clinging to me in their sleep, legs wrapped around mine. Fuyumi was now in Himiko-san's arms.

"I didn't do anything malicious to them," I said quickly.

(To be continued.)