61 The Birthday Banquet Blunder & The Arrow of Time

"Hey, Qiong…" Kagura called out. She turned, not with her usual impatience but with a calm, expectant glint, slyly winking. Puzzled, he clapped his hands, smiling sincerely. "Happy birthday! You'll get my gift when you're back this afternoon."

"Mm…" Qiong's gentle smile mirrored his, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Kagura…"

"No big deal, it's only right."

"…" Qiong chuckled, took a few steps, then paused, back to him. "By the way, what do you want for your birthday?"

"Mine's ages away, it's only what, April?"

He recalled last year's gift from Qiong—a simple sketchbook of joyful scenes with him, Nao, Eriri, and Sayuri. Qiong could draw, though her skill was mediocre, passable but far below Sayuri's, let alone Eriri's—a half-baked talent.

"Why not think about it now?"

"Hm…" Kagura snapped his fingers, joking, "A Qiong photo collection?"

"…" Qiong glanced back, muttering, "Pervert."

"Just kidding! Anything else is fine."

He barely held back laughter, waving it off.

"Still… I might consider it." Qiong hurried to her room, pushing the door open. "I'm changing."

She omitted the usual "Don't peek," for in this normal timeline, she secretly wished he'd sneak a look. Without a lock, he could easily spy or barge in to ravish her.

Closing the door, she leaned against it, hands clutching her racing heart, whispering, "As expected… when I was in danger, Kagura rushed in first… So thrilling… I want to touch myself… If not for school, I'd do it once, twice—no, twice wouldn't suffice."

Unaware of her murmurs, Kagura dashed to his room, grabbed an electric mosquito repellent and liquid, and rushed back, knocking with his elbow. "Qiong? I brought the repellent. I'll leave it in Eriri's room."

Creak—

Qiong flung the door open, right hand on the knob, left holding her unzipped JK skirt, standing nonchalantly.

Kagura glanced, then averted his eyes. Her skirt's open zipper was minor; her unbuttoned shirt revealed a flat, snowy abdomen and a dainty AA-cup white lace bra, its edges framing tantalizing glimpses of soft flesh, quickening his pulse.

"Why're you blushing?"

Qiong boldly stepped forward, grabbing the repellent from him, inspecting it casually.

"It's… your shirt buttons…"

"It's just underwear. You've seen it before. Or—" she smirked, mockingly glaring, "don't tell me my near-A-cup chest sparks any perverse desires, dear Master Kagura?"

"…"

Speechless, Kagura stood dumbstruck.

"Where'd this repellent come from?"

Noticing its worn look, Qiong grew suspicious.

"My room."

"Then what'll you use?" Her "Are you stupid?" stare caught him off guard. Usually indifferent, her concern today startled him. Scratching his head, he mumbled, "I can go a day or two without."

Smack! Qiong shoved the repellent back, tossing her head with a huff. "Then I'd get scolded! Take it back!"

"…Huh—?!"

Bang!

She slammed the door, cutting off his protests.

Kagura trusted the system to protect him from bites but hadn't planned to tell her, surprised by her firmness.

"Sorry…" Qiong whispered behind the door. "I lied… Getting scolded by Sayuri is minor, but I don't want you bitten because you gave me your repellent… Idiot."

"I'll talk to Mom. Use this for now. Put it here. Change and come down for breakfast—don't live on snacks all day."

Unaware of her thoughts, he left the repellent on a wooden stand by her door, striding away.

"Eh?"

Qiong, stunned, opened the door to stop him, catching only his hand closing Eriri's door.

Gazing at the repellent, she smiled warmly, closing her eyes. Truly… I love you most…

During class, Kagura stole glances at Yumiko Miura, wondering if she could trigger "points." Testing wasn't hard, but time was tight—Qiong's birthday meant he had to hurry home after school.

After School

Kagura packed swiftly but lingered, texting Yukino: "Qiong's birthday, skipping Service Club today, sorry." Before sending, Eriri's feigned sweet voice called from the back door, "Brother Kagura, how long will you stare at your phone? Don't you remember what today is?"

"Look, it's Sawamura Eriri!"

Classmates still in the room erupted, eyes glued to Eriri, scanning her thoroughly.

Eriri forced a polite smile, waving to her "fans," then fixed her gaze on Kagura.

"Oh, and Maid Qiong! She's so tiny and cute! Her skin's insanely pale! Those slim legs… That frail vibe is perfect!"

More chatter turned to Qiong, who stood expressionlessly at the door, urging him with her eyes.

Both clearly anticipated Qiong's birthday banquet.

Kagura was excited too, but more for seeing Qiong in the gift he'd chosen: seven-centimeter heeled princess shoes with ankle straps, black-and-white, the highest she could manage, paired with hose she'd called "perverted," dimming his hopes she'd wear them.

"Let's go."

Kagura grabbed his bag, stretched, and headed to the back door.

The trio returned home. For Qiong's birthday, Nao, unusually freed from "confinement," skipped afternoon classes. Already in her iconic maid outfit, she opened the gate for them, relieving the usual maids.

Bowing slightly, she said, "Qiong, happy birthday…"

"Mm… Thanks."

Qiong nearly ignored her but, recalling their void-time day with Kagura, softened.

Kagura moved to pat Nao's head, but she dodged, tilting her face away. Qiong leaned back, smirking, pressing her right eyelid and sticking out her tongue.

She didn't say "Bleh—," but her taunt flustered Nao, unsure of Qiong's newfound confidence.

Qiong's smugness stemmed from Kagura's intense void-time ejaculations.

Nao instinctively puffed her chest.

Unfazed, Qiong chuckled playfully, turning away.

"Hm? What's up?" Eriri asked, confused.

"Nothing…"

Qiong replied calmly.

At the banquet, Kagura's musical performance was a staple. While others enjoyed appetizers, he played the violin, retaliating with a frenzied variation of The Irish Lover. Nao, mortified, covered her face, skipping food, stomping under the table.

Yes, Kagura's "Irish Lover" was her.

Eriri and Qiong, irritated, charged him. Eriri snatched his violin, Qiong his bow, disarming the "noise-maker."

"Ugh, so sappy!"

Eriri, shuddering, scratched her arms, pushing Kagura to his seat.

Sayuri sat at the patriarch's head seat, not beside Kagura, leaving his side for Nao.

"Ahem, you asked me to play, so I played. What's the issue?"

Kagura shamelessly tapped his collarbone, feigning innocence.

Eriri kicked him under the table, slamming it with a scowl. "You don't want to eat, fine, but let Nao eat!"

"Of course I want Ai to eat."

"Then, Master Kagura, could you not play that song now? Talk about bad timing!" Nao, hands lowering, revealed red cheeks and teary eyes, pleading pitifully.

—Just say you want me scolded longer, no need to be coy!

"Ahem… Sorry, my bad."

Kagura stifled a laugh, touching his lips.

Knock knock—

The dining room door tapped lightly. Sayuri clapped twice, and Nao's mother, leading maids, pushed in a cart, singing a birthday song. It bore a three-tiered blueberry-raspberry-strawberry cake with intricate pull-flowers and jam-written blessings.

Another two-tiered cart followed, laden with gifts wrapped in colored paper and gold ribbons. Kagura's gift, likely the last to arrive, had been inspected by Sayuri, who X-rayed and checked all their packages.

Kagura hadn't gift-wrapped his; Sayuri must've done it.

"Thank you…"

Qiong stood, bowing to Nao's mother and the maids.

Many might cringe in such moments, but for Qiong, raised in grandeur, birthday banquets were trivial. Even at summer galas with dignitaries, she'd glide in gracefully.

"Mom…" Nao stood, bubbling with joy, then pouted, muttering, "You didn't do this for my birthday."

"Then do it for Mommy's birthday~" Nao's mother winked playfully.

"Thank you." Sayuri, master of such occasions, rose, gesturing smoothly. "Move the cake. Qiong, think about your wish. Kagura, help her with the candles."

"Got it."

Kagura stood, taking candles from Nao's mother.

Brushing her warm fingers, he recalled the 100 points. Could… Nao's mother be a "freeloader" suspect?

Not that vain, he admitted overlooking women like Eriri or Sayuri. The system's puzzle was daunting. Immortal, unable to die, he needed points for Golden Apples to grant Nao and Saki eternity, requiring trials with other girls. Now, Lady X complicated things.

The cake split into three: the largest between Qiong and Nao, medium between Eriri and Kagura, smallest before Sayuri. Kagura inserted seventeen thin candles, lighting them with a long lighter.

Sayuri clapped; Nao's mother dimmed the chandelier.

"Got your wish ready?"

Kagura held the still-flickering lighter, smiling kindly at Qiong, her face aglow with candlelight.

"Mm…"

Qiong clasped her hands, closing her eyes.

—Next birthday, I hope normal-timeline Kagura makes me a semen cake… And that ability—I never want to use it again. Cherish now, the future, the truest him I love.

Carefully holding her twin-tails and bangs, she blew out all candles in one breath.

The cake, ordered by their father, was excessive; leftovers would be discarded, unavoidable.

Nao's mother turned on the lights, maids placing gifts further down the table, bowing. "Enjoy." They left swiftly.

Nao gazed longingly at her mother's retreating figure, missing her "mom energy."

Gift-opening followed, but Kagura never anticipated the colossal blunder awaiting.

"Qiong, whose gift first?" Sayuri clapped, hands to her cheek, smiling with squinted eyes.

"Mm…"

Qiong craved Kagura's gift most but, to avoid seeming obvious, picked Eriri's gold box, opening it under her tense, eager stare.

"Hmph, besties, right?"

Eriri puffed her chest, as if Qiong choosing hers was natural.

Kagura nearly teased her modest size but feared a cake to the face.

He'd guessed Qiong would pick Eriri's first and Nao's last—those two never got along.

Eriri's gift, likely delivered early, was known to Sayuri. Still, when Qiong opened it, Sayuri feigned delight, clapping.

Tch, what an act—worthy of an ambassador's wife, flawlessly performed.

Eriri's gift: a luxurious makeup set. Qiong glanced…

No interest. Maybe for dates with Kagura. Usually, too lazy… Pass.

Useful enough, she nodded. "Thanks, I love it."

"Glad you do! You're a grown girl; a little makeup's nice!" Eriri patted Qiong's butt, earning a glare—such a sleazy move.

Next, Qiong opened Sayuri's gift: an exquisite women's watch, nearly identical to one Sayuri picked for Kagura last Saturday, but daintier, feminine.

"Thank you, Madam…"

Though expecting it, Qiong's eyes sparkled. She set the makeup aside, slipping the watch onto her left wrist.

"Oh? That watch… feels like jerk-bro's, no?" Eriri, sharp-eyed, darted glances between them, squinting.

"Same model, just a women's version," Nao sipped tea coolly.

"I wasn't asking you!" Eriri snapped quietly.

Nao shrugged.

Qiong, wristwatch matching Kagura's, shook it lightly. "What do you think, Kagura?"

"Perfect. Suits you, adds elegance."

"If you say so, no issue then~" Qiong bowed politely to Sayuri. "Thank you, Madam."

"No, no~" Sayuri beamed, waving it off.

Then, their father's gift: several tailored silk dresses, similar yet distinct, in Qiong's flaxen-white hair shade, shimmering under lights. Her delighted touch confirmed their luxury.

Qiong's figure hadn't grown in years; tailors used her set measurements.

"Nice dresses. Wear these out, and guys' eyes will pop," Eriri said enviously.

She received comparable gifts from their father, but who tires of presents? Daily birthdays would be ideal.

"Looks great on Qiong," Kagura and Nao said in unison.

They locked eyes, sharing a knowing smile.

"Tch, tch, tch~~~" Eriri smirked, mentally chanting "perfect couple" endlessly.

Sayuri, unfazed, sighed, tapping her thigh. "Lovely~ I want a new kimono~"

"Then, Mom… er, Sister, order one…" Eriri nearly slipped, correcting herself.

"But I want gifts~" Sayuri patted Kagura's thigh, pouting playfully. "Kagura~~ Mommy wants gifts, wants, wants, wants~"

"Mother's Day, I'll get you something."

"Yay~~"

Sayuri cheered, mimicking young Eriri seeing a new game, her makeup and lipstick mature, though her childlike "mini-furisode" kimono—short, exposing thighs—and candy-striped hair ties screamed youth. Her chest, flatter than Eriri's, remained unchanged.

Now, Kagura's gift.

But…

"Huh, why's it a small box?"

Qiong, reading his name, lifted a box far smaller than a shoebox. Kagura thought his gift was among the larger boxes. What happened? A mix-up?

Confused, he tilted his head at Sayuri, knowing she unpacked and repacked gifts. She'd know his shoes and hose were for Qiong.

Sayuri tilted her head back, questioning, "What's wrong?"

Kagura gaped, gesturing helplessly.

Something was off.

Eriri and Nao noticed their silent exchange, but Qiong, focused on the gift, didn't. All eyes turned to her as she unwrapped it.

Qiong deftly untied the ribbon, slicing the repacked box with a letter-opener, barely containing excitement as she snapped it open.

Seeing the "gift," Kagura's worried expression froze.

His hands slapped his rigid face, fingers splaying, raking into his inky hair. Standing slowly, his mouth stretched from a line to an O, head tilting, neck craning, eyes wide, fingers scrubbing his temples.

AAAAHHH—!!!

Damn it, that's not the gift!!!

Nao, seeing it, propped her elbow on the table, sighing, too embarrassed for her master.

Eriri, spotting it, glared, then blushed awkwardly, eyes darting, lips pursed, pointing at Kagura, words stuck.

Sayuri, serene, propped her cheek, smiling as if amused, while Qiong…

Expecting hose, Qiong was stunned. Kagura sent this publicly?

Holding one, blinking, she was thrilled—intimate, naughty items—but…

Shoes and hose were intimate, but as a brother, this was off.

"No—!!!"

Kagura wailed.

Yes, the box held anal plugs for Saki—medium, five, pink, safe plastic, three beads each, curved bases to fit. Ordered Tuesday, due Wednesday or Thursday, he'd forgotten. Sayuri, assuming he'd consulted Qiong, wrapped them elegantly with other gifts.

Though surprised Qiong wanted anal plugs, Sayuri's liberal parenting didn't question it.

Qiong wavered—blush, rage, or toss it?

Maybe… a mistake?

Glancing at Kagura's horrified face, she knew he was linked to the plugs.

How did he equate two pairs of heels, hose, and five anal plugs? Illogical!

"No, no, that's not the gift!"

Like a tornado, Kagura knocked over his chair, snatching the box, but one plug fell, bouncing elastically to Sayuri's feet.

Clutching the box, he dove under the table, spotting the plug. Nao stood, muttering, "Master, mind who's at the table before diving…"

Ignoring her, with Eriri and Qiong stepping back, Sayuri sat calmly. Kagura crawled, grabbing the plug, relieved.

Looking up…

His mother's youthful legs were inches away, slightly parted, dim light under the white tablecloth revealing her bare thighs in her short kimono. His eyes drifted to her crotch.

Pitch black… No, wait, her legs moved… A glimmer through the tablecloth gap…

A smooth, hairless pubic mound flashed.

Cough—cough, cough…!

Realizing his impropriety, Kagura coughed, clutching the plug, retreating, face flaming.

His cock, unwittingly hard, made staying awkward. Eriri was ready to berate him, Nao turned away, whistling innocently, while Sayuri, gleeful, whipped out her phone, cackling, "Look! My dear Kagura gave Qiong five beaded anal plugs! Mwahaha~~~"

Sayuri, you're pure chaos!

Thankfully, she missed his earlier indiscretion.

But, Sayuri, no panties at Qiong's birthday?

Mortified to his core, Kagura fled with the plugs before Eriri could scold, sprinting to his room.

Qiong sighed at her empty hands.

—If you'd given these privately, I'd love them, especially if you fucked and filled me first…

Eriri, after a stunned pause, chased, red-faced, yelling, "Jerk-bro, stop! Explain this, or I won't forgive you!"

"I'm innocent!!!"

Kagura wailed, reaching his room. Eriri's twin-tails flared like engines. He slammed and locked the door, leaving her to eat a closed door.

Bang, bang, bang!! Eriri pounded, hand aching, still red-faced. "Dead bro, come out! Or I'll snap your dick tonight!"

Nearby maids giggled behind hands.

Failing, Eriri kicked the door, only to hop, clutching her sandal-clad foot, wailing, "Ow, ow, ow—!"

Kagura stashed the plugs in a corner, searched frantically, and found his heels in Sayuri's room—size 22, like hers. Qiong and Sayuri shared cup and shoe sizes.

Sayuri mistook the plugs for Qiong's gift, kept the heels for herself, planning to ask later.

"Motherfucker, Sayuri, you've screwed me! Filming it—you thrive on chaos!"

He unpacked the heels and hose, rushing to the door, kicking it open. Eriri charged in; he dodged, circling her like a matador, dizzying her, and bolted.

After ages, he cleared the misunderstanding. The plugs' intended recipient went unasked—Sayuri found it hilarious.

The banquet exhausted him. By 7 PM, he stripped and entered the bathroom.

"Ugh… what a day… deadly."

Never had he been so humiliated.

Gifting anal plugs to his half-sister before four family women—what a feeling.

The embarrassment burned. Distracted, he turned on the shower without adjusting, jolting under cold water.

"Hiss…"

Dodging, he set it to 38°C.

The chill sparked a sudden urge to pee.

"Eh… whatever, peeing in the shower's fine."

Though improper, he didn't bother dressing for the toilet. He'd enjoyed watching Nao pee in the shower, feeling her warm stream, her calling him a pervert.

As he finished, the system chimed.

"You've activated the Golden Ability [I Can Save]."

Shocked, mid-stream, he entered the system space.

"System, what's a Golden Ability?"

"As implied, a Golden Ability is copied from a girl who triggers point rewards for Golden Apples. Ejaculate inside her vagina three times within 24 hours to copy it."

"I see… So the 'system time error, unable to parse' was this ability's effect?"

"Correct. The trigger is confirmed: urinating outside a toilet. After initial activation, you can save at two slots, A and B, and overwrite them."

"Loading a save to the past makes that 'past' imaginary time. Continuing a new 'past' turns the experienced future into imaginary time. System check-ins, bounties, and ability triggers in imaginary time are retained, though minor corruption may occur due to unforeseen factors."

"No wonder…" Kagura exhaled, then asked warily, "Do we know who Lady X is?"

"Apologies, this is a semi-permanent corruption. You can identify her yourself."

"How?"

"Ejaculate inside her three times within 24 hours. The system will confirm the matching Golden Ability, identifying her as Lady X."

"I need to know who she is to do that! Am I supposed to fuck random girls?"

"I'll identify her once you ejaculate inside her."

"Tell me first!"

"You must ejaculate first!"

"You…" Kagura nearly cursed but held back. "Can I save to the past?"

He longed to undo his earlier blunder.

"Apologies, save points are only 'Now.' Later, 'Now' becomes the past."

Another apology. Kagura sighed, saying no more.

He pieced it together: Lady X went back, slept with him, then returned, making that past imaginary, explaining his lack of memory but the system's point record.

"This ability, used well, is astonishingly powerful…"

Kagura began plotting its potential.