「 Now then, that’s all for exposition. As for our standpoint, 」
Minaho-neesan looks at me.
「 Currently we, Kuromori, are under Kouzuki-sama’s protection 」
Minaho-neesan says protection, not control.
「 I know. It means that we’ll follow Jii-chan, right? 」
I said. Minaho-neesan.
「 You’re the type that prepares for the worst with simple ideas but, try having various ways of thinking from now on 」
「 What do you mean? 」
「 I want you to prioritize thinking on how can we, Kuromori survive 」
「 Even if that means we betray Jii-chan? 」
Minaho-neesan smiles wryly.
「 Certainly not, the situation now doesn’t call for that. However, you need not let that possibility get out of your head. We may be under Kouzuki-sama’s protection, but we are not his vassals. If any disaster befalls Kouzuki-sama, we cannot collapse together with him 」
I get that.
Personally, I like Jii-chan.
Misuzu and Ruriko, my women, are both ladies of Kouzuki house.
Shou-neechan and Rei-chan are both Jii-chan’s subordinates, members of Kouzuki SS.
I’d like to help out Jii-chan if he’s in danger as much as I can.
But, Kouzuki house has nothing to do with my family.
I must avoid a life crisis for Megu, Mana, Agnes, and the other girls.
「 You must make a line you never cross inside your mind 」
We’ll support Jii-chan no matter what until we reach that line.
However, if we’re demanded to cross the line, we have no choice but to give up, even if that means abandoning Jii-chan.
「 I feel sorry for Kouzuki-sama however, he is also prepared for the worst to come 」
Jii-chan is also entrusted with the lives of all of Kouzuki clan and the companies.
He’s willing to make sacrifices to protect more lives.
「 Then that means Jii-chan might abandon us depending on the situation, is that it? 」
That is our relationship with Kouzuki house.
「 Yes. Therefore, I’d like to secure Ruriko-san and Misuzu-san with us 」
The two of them are in school.
「 Having the two by our side would be our best insurance 」
Jii-chan’s dearest daughters. Misuzu and Ruriko.
With both of them on our side, Jii-chan won’t do the unreasonable.
「 Where’s the two right now? 」
「 I don’t know. Kouzuki SS should’ve picked them up. But, I don’t know if they’ll come straight here 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 Misuzu-sama said that she’ll head here as soon as possible 」
Michi said.
「 But, the current situation is different. There are two factions of Yakuza looking for Takakura-sama’s daughters. Kouzuki SS is deranging their information at full operation. Even your Shou-oneesan appeared on the school, didn’t she? 」
「 Y-Yeah 」
She came to take Anya.
「 Shou-oneesan went to your school because she wants the school and the mansion to be notified. You see, Shou-oneesan is Kouzuki-sama’s personal bodyguard 」
Yeah, she makes sure that the places Jii-chan goes to are safe locations.
I saw how she does it during Ruriko’s father’s funeral.
「 Kouzuki-sama will take Takakura-sama here. That’s what the Yakuza thought since Shou-oneesan was in this area. And then, they tried to stop it no matter what. If Takakura-sama takes a step inside this mansion, that means she’ll become a prostitute 」
Therefore, the Yakuza were gathering in front of the main gate.
「 But, Shou-oneesan went to your school instead of the mansion. And then, she took Nikita-san. That’s a letdown for the Yakuza. 」
Minaho-neesan smiles.
「 But, it doesn’t mean that they don’t understand what she did. Kouzuki SS is short of hands when the Yakuza attacks. They can’t keep Nikita-san under surveillance. I mean, they’d like the people involved in Kyouko-san’s showdown to return to the headquarters. Therefore, the confrontation as mentioned earlier will be put on a temporary stop, and they’ll make a deal with Kyouko-san’s side 」
Temporary stopping the showdown.
「 To show respect to Kyouko-san who accepted the offer, Shou-oneesan, the head of Kouzuki SS personally went to pick up Nikita-san 」
I see.
「 I mean, the most troublesome one is the police, wanting to arrest Kyouko-san and the others. They secured Nikita-san first so she won’t be dragged for questioning when the Yakuza barges in. That’ll increase the troubles if it happens 」
I see.
「 Well, we don’t have to worry about Nikita-san. Shou-oneesan will protect her 」
Yeah, Shou-oneechan took the trouble to pick her up.
We can leave it up to her.
「 Also, the Yakuza groups might hire freelancers. 」
Huh?
「 That’s why we went ahead and hired Dai Grepher-san, who would be a scary enemy for us. Didn’t he say that? 」
Oh, that part where he shouted: “I work for money.”
「 If he’s just skilled then that’s okay but, he’s also familiar with information on our side. It will be trouble if he goes to the Yakuza’s side 」
He should be familiar with the internal structure of Kouzuki SS and which bodyguards they have.
「 So that’s why he went to the school with Endou? 」
「 That’s just an afterthought. That man is too flashy, his fights look like they’re coming from a manga. If he fights Nikita-san and Michi-san, they’ll only see it as an advertisement for action actors 」
Indeed. Old man Dai Grepher’s movement is too strange.
Anya and Edie are both flashy, and then Michi’s too strong even though she looks like a petite Japanese girl.
It only looks like a fight show from the eyes of the students because it’s too flashy.
「 Now then, I have to tell Michi-san one bad news 」
Minaho-neesan looks at Michi.
「 What is it? 」
「 Among those freelancers Yakuza hired, one of them is Yamaoka-san, the former director of the guard department of Kouzuki SS 」
You mean?
「 That doesn’t matter to me 」
Michi said.
However, Minaho-neesan.
「 Yamaoka Etsuko’s name is also there 」
Etsuko?
「 Michi’s mother is now named Yamaoka Etsuko 」
That’s right. Michi’s mother’s name was Kudou Etsuko.
She had an affair with Yamaoka.
And then, when chief Yazawa kicked Yamaoka out of Kouzuki SS.
「 That also doesn’t matter to me 」
Michi.
「 Just what is she doing while Father’s discussing divorce with her? 」
She speaks sighing.
「 But, it’s troublesome to have two enemies who know the core of Kouzuki SS 」
Michi’s calling her mother an enemy.
「 That’s not all, those two know about Yoshinobu as well, don’t they? 」
Me?
Oh right. Yamaoka and Michi’s mother both know about me.
「 Therefore, we raised the alert to the maximum level even in school 」
Minaho-neesan sighs.
If they know about me, then my relationship with Megu and Nei too.
They made contact with us at the theater where Ruriko danced and at the hotel in Odaiba.
「 Was it wrong to leave Megu and Nei there? 」
I asked.
「 It’s okay. Although they’re with the Yakuza, I don’t think that Yamaoka-san has that much of authority. Their objective is Takakura-sama. There’s no possibility that Takakura-sama would come to an ordinary school like ours. The Yakuza won’t do anything like a forced search 」
If they’re not confident, then they won’t force to break in.
「 By the way, which one? 」
Michi asks.
「 Which Yakuza group hired the two traitors? 」
Right.
There’s a faction trying to take over Takakura shrine and marry the girls for convenience, and then.
there’s also a faction trying to protect their lady from becoming a prostitute.
「 The one who wants to take over Takakura house 」
Minaho-neeesan replied.
「 They keep on making the worst choices I see 」
Michi speaks in regret.
「 But, what is it for real? 」
I asked unconsciously.
「 Don’t this mean that everything’s settled when those who want to take over Takakura shrine is taken down and the lady returns, there won’t be any more problems, right? If that’s the case, there’s no need to make the girl a prostitute 」
I said. Minaho-neesan.
「 Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier, but, 」
She’s showing a slightly troubled look.
「 It might be contradicting what I said earlier 」
Earlier?
Oh, not the part where we follow Jii-chan blindly.
The part where we draw a line and think of the family’s survival first.
「 Earlier, what I mentioned was when all the other options are not possible. It’s only when our family feels in crisis, and we fall into a situation where we absolutely have to betray Kouzuki-sama. Do you understand? 」
Minaho-neesan stares at me.
「 Until we reach that case, we will be under Kouzuki-sama’s protection so we will follow his orders no matter what 」
No matter what?
「 Even if Jii-chan is wrong? 」
「 So how can you make the judgment that Kouzuki-sama is wrong? 」
Minaho-neesan asks.
「 We, especially you don’t know all the information on what’s happening, do you? You’re not in a position to arbitrary judgment 」
That’s right.
「 The lady of a high-class family like Takakura house has decided to become a prostitute. And, Kouzuki-sama has approved of it. There might be a big reason behind it that we don’t know, or maybe, there’s none 」
Yeah.
「 It would be rude if we try to pry into that, isn’t it? We shouldn’t make judgments. Even if that order is ethically unacceptable 」
We mustn’t think. Mustn’t judge.
「 We only need to concentrate on ourselves. If we can’t do things according to the order, then nobody will trust us in the underground society 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 I think you understand this but, you’ll be the one who’ll make the lady of Takakura house turn to a prostitute 」
Me.
「 Kouzuki-sama cannot do it on his own. Educating the prostitute is a job of the brothel 」
Jii-chan’s too old to use his male function.
If that lady is to become a prostitute of Kuromori, then I, the only male in the house will do it.
「 You will devote yourself in sex service until your partner is able to do it. You must not go easy on the lady even if she cries or screams 」
That’s my job.
That is the livelihood of the brothel, Kuromori.
As I am Minaho-neesan’s brother.
「 Yeah, I know. Minaho-neesan 」
I replied calmly.
◇ ◇ ◇
「 So, why did you bring me here as well? 」
Yukino speaks up.
「 I have nothing to do with all of this, do I? I mean, that Yakuza or even the lady from a shrine or something 」
MInaho-neesan.
「 Didn’t I mention it? Kouzuki SS is short of workers 」
「 I did hear that 」
Yukino replied.
「 That’s it. The guards who are usually with you will be assigned to another job. So, I want you to stay here for a little while 」
「 For a while? How long is that? 」
Yukino’s in a bad mood.
This mansion has nothing but horrible memories for her.
「 This will reach a settlement by tomorrow, Sunday. It won’t drag that long 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 You’ll feed me something other than Umaibo, right? 」
Yukino only ate umaibo back when she was confined here.
「 Right back at you, don’t sneak out to the kitchen in the middle of the night and steal food 」
「 Guh! 」
Ah, that happened, right.
「 Don’t worry. I want you to give birth to a healthy baby, so I guarantee your meals 」
「 I see, that’s okay then 」
「 That child in your stomach is my child after all 」
Yukino looks down.
Minaho-neesan had Yukino’s father take away the child in her stomach and her sister.
Therefore, she wants to take back the two by making Yukino pregnant.
To Minaho-neesan, the child in Yukino’s stomach is the reincarnation of the deceased family of hers.
「 Yukino, let’s go to the dining room for now 」
I call her.
「 We haven’t eaten lunch yet, I’m hungry 」
After selling the bread in the cafeteria, Endou happened.
We didn’t have time to eat our meals.
「 Or do you not want to eat? 」
「 I didn’t say anything! 」
Yukino glares at me and shouts.
「 Let’s go, Michi 」
「 Yes, Master 」
Michi’s face looks gloomy.
Was it that shocking that her mother became an enemy?
「 Then, Minaho-neesan, we’ll head to the dining room. Do you want something? I’ll bring them to you 」
「 Could you ask Katsuko to bring me coffee? 」
「 Just coffee? 」
「 I want to concentrate for now 」
「 Got it, Minaho-neesan 」
We head out to the dining room.
◇ ◇ ◇
「 Papa! Papa! Papa!!! 」
Agnes comes clinging to me.
「 Hey, Papa, should we have sex? Right now? 」
Err.
「 Sorry, Agnes. We haven’t eaten lunch yet 」
「 Yes, not now 」
Katsuko-nee’s voice comes from the kitchen.
The smell of a delicious soup comes from there.
「 Actually, we’re supposed to eat the sandwich in school, but since I had the chance, I made some easy soup. Ah, Mana-chan, bring out drinks 」
「 Okay~ 」
Mana’s in the kitchen too.
「 Onii-chan, are you okay with barley tea? 」
「 Yeah 」
「 Michi-oneechan? 」
「 Yes, That will do 」
「 Yukino-san, do you drink barley tea? 」
Yukino looks sullen.
「 That’s okay. I’m avoiding stimulants now 」
「 Hmmm, I see 」
As usual, these sisters have a strange distance between them.
Mana pours barley tea into the cups on the tray and brings it to us.
「 Here you go 」
「 Yeah, thanks 」
「 Thank you, Mana-imouto 」
「 ………… 」
Yukino, say thanks at least.
「 Oh right, MInaho-neesan said she wants coffee 」
「 Okay. I’ll bring it to her 」
Mana replied brightly.
She’s in charge of the housework in the mansion under Katsuko-nee’s instructions.
No, Megu was supposed to be the housewife in the mansion.
But, Megu has school activities.
Mana’s new school isn’t decided yet, so she’s in the mansion all the time, she has a lot of opportunities to do housework together with Katsuko-nee.
Katsuko-nee has been busy teaching me how to make bread for the past month, so she’s in charge of household matters.
Therefore, Mana and Agnes are helping out more and more.
Ruriko’s growing better at cooking duties.
I mean, she initially had the talent for it.
Nei’s someone who can manage things without problems.
She’s good at dealing with things, skillful, also, she’s a fast thinker.
Therefore, Megu’s the only one becoming stagnant for these past four months.
This must be another cause of Megu’s impatience.
「 Master, I will make a call 」
Michi tells me.
「 Call? 」
「 Yes, I’d like my older brother and sister to know where that person has gone to 」
Oh, I see.
「 Indeed. You should contact them, wait, are you not telling your father? 」
I asked.
「 Father perhaps already knows 」
I see.
Kudou-papa’s in charge with the monkey business of Kouzuki SS.
If Minaho-neesan knows it, the same information should’ve reached Kudou-papa as well.
「 Excuse me 」
Michi stands in the corner of the room.
She takes out her phone and starts a call.
Mana passes by her, holding a coffee tray.
Agnes also brings plate and spoon in a wagon from the kitchen.
「 Oh right 」
I should call them too.
Misuzu and Ruriko.
I think they’re together so I’ll call Misuzu.
I take out my phone and pressed dial.
『 Yes, it’s Misuzu! 』
Misuzu’s voice sounds exited from the start.
「 Ah, it’s me, where are you right now? Are you with Ruriko? 」
『 Yes, Danna-sama, we’re together. Yoshiko-chan is with us too. We’re in the car, just coming out of school 』
They just came out?
「 Classes are long over, right? Were you in school until then? 」
『 That’s because we were waiting for the car to pick us up 』
Oh.
Kouzuki SS is short in workers as they have to deal with the two Yakuza factions.
『 Rei-chan finally came 』
Rei-chan.
This morning, wasn’t Taki-san the one who escorted Ruriko?
No, the two daughters of Kouzuki house has to be guarded.
This is a job for an ace, Rei-chan.
『 How should I put it? We have six convoy cars with us 』
They’re securing them completely.
Yeah, those guys,
They might kidnap Misuzu and the two in exchange for the lady of Takakura house.
「 So, where are you heading right now? 」
『 Of course, to the mansion there 』
Here.
Are you coming here?
『 We will protect Danna-sama, please wait for a while longer 』
No girls, you’re the one who needs protection.
「 By the way, where is the girl from Takakura house right now? 」
『 I do not know 』
「 Where’s Jii-chan? 」
『 I don’t know either 』
Misuzu doesn’t know either.
『 After all, we’re moving right now 』
Moving?
『 It’s Grandfather so he should be moving in secret without anyone knowing 』
I see. I get it.
Misuzu and the girls are decoys, standing out with all the escorts.
Jii-chan’s moving under the water without us knowing where.
『 Anyway, we’re in a call right now, we’ll discuss the details later 』
Misuzu said.
『 Ah, please wait, Ruriko wants to talk 』
Ruriko?
『 Hello, Onii-sama? 』
「 Yeah, what is it? Did anything happen? 」
Ruriko’s a sharp observer, did she notice something?
『 I baked cookies in our cooking lessons today. Please eat it later 』
Err.
『 There are no problems for now 』
Ruriko’s voice speaks gently.
『 Nobody is foolish enough to try and attack us 』
?!
『 The other side would prefer not to have an all-out-war 』
I see.
If they get Misuzu or Ruriko involved, Jii-chan won’t go easy anymore.
It would be an all-out-war with Yakuza and Kouzuki house.
『 Those people can’t do their work without a sponsor 』
She means the Yakuza groups.
『 Most of their sponsors are old acquaintances with Kouzuki house. They can’t do anything unreasonable 』
I see.
『 We will be back in 30 minutes, Onii-sama 』
Ruriko tells me.