kscans

Chapter 970 - And So the Days Pass Merrily

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“—So yeah, that’s more or less the situation.”

“Got it. I’ll prepare for that.”

“Prepare what, exactly?”

“Planning a welcoming party that won’t be at least a little rude to your ‘young ladies’… and, well, a plan to mentally fortify your father so he doesn’t pass out on the day of?”

“…Please do your best with the latter. As for the former, you don’t have to worry so much.”

“Like hell I don’t. Do you have any idea who you’re bringing home? We’re talking about a lineup of faces that would make most celebrities pale in comparison. You get that, don’t you?”

“Yes, well, I’m fully aware. In fact, it might sound conceited, but I’d say my statement comes from being more than fully aware of each of their personalities.”

“…I’ve rarely heard a son gush so infuriatingly.”

“Eh… well, about that…”

“Honestly, well………… I’m only acting calm because, in the end, my own sense of reality is thin… or rather, almost nonexistent. Good grief…”

“………………”

“He was always a popular kid, but this current situation is just, well, I never would have imagined…”

“…Huh? Wait. I’m terribly sorry for this unbelievable situation, but I have no idea what you mean by ‘always popular.’ When and what are you talking about?”

“You goddamn idiot son of mine.”

“Aren’t you a little harsh with your own child???”

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter now.”

“Hold on, Mom, it absolutely matters. I just got verbally assaulted for no reason—”

“Anyway, a high possibility for sometime in the next two weeks, right?”

“………………Yes. Well, yes, that’s right.”

“Okay. We’ll make sure to keep our schedules open.”

“Mkay, thanks… You sure it’s okay?”

“A family emergency takes priority, obviously. We can manage for two or three days.”

“…I see. Well then, I’ll leave it to you.”

“But, well, the detailed schedule. The sooner the better, okay?”

“Roger that. Okay then—”

“Nozomi.”

“Y-Yes?”

“…………Never mind. We’ll talk when you get back.”

“What is it—”

“Bye now.”

“Wait—……………… She just hung up. My mother is intense…”

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◇◆◇◆◇

—And so, to get back on track, this was the next day.

Now that I’d steeled myself and made the call, all I could do was let nature take its course… Not that I intended to be so irresponsible, but in the end, what will be, will be.

I’d made my peace with it a long time ago.

And so, I got the three girls’ immediate schedules via group message and had a quick preliminary chat, then shared the rough timeframe we’d settled on with my dear mother. I did what needed to be done calmly, methodically, and steadily.

Once set in motion, things wouldn’t stop. Time would surely fly by, and two weeks would feel like a literal instant….

Well, I didn’t quite think it would be that fast.

I didn’t, but… —Okay, let’s take this one step at a time.

First, what happened the very next day.

“—Welcome, my junior, Haru. Alright, you’re up.”

“…Hang on a second, senpai. An explanation. I believe I have the right to know why I was suddenly and forcibly summoned here without a word.”

“Hey, Haru. It’s been a while… or not? Oh, well. Let’s play.”

“Uni, you don’t get to just say ‘let’s,’ either. And you, cat, don’t move. Don’t even think about leaving. I’ve pretty much figured out what’s going on, and I don’t really mind, but at least fulfill your duty and give me a proper handover.”

“Who are you calling a cat? Haven’t you been getting a little too big for your britches lately?”

“Right back at you.”

“Ahaha, Haru and Natsume are so close! It’s great!”

“Well, that’s…”

“It’s not ‘well, that’s…’! And Uni, stop with the ‘HaruNatsu’! I told you to knock it off, I’m gonna clock you!!!”

“Okay, let’s go! One-on-one-on-one!”

“Hold on, I’ve already been at this for two hours! You said you just needed me for ‘a little while’! You said my junior would take over so I could rest—”

“Alright, bring it on! Let’s do this, c’mon!!!”

“And you! Don’t just jump in on the spot!! If you’re gonna fight, do it between the two of you! Hey, wa— Nngh-ahhhhhhh! You stupid boys!!!”

…And so went a scene in the training room of the Southern Faction’s war base.

Then, on the day after that.

“—Ugh, what the—? Get off me, you little squirt! Stop swarming me! Are you a bug or something?!”

“A bug?! Of all the things to say, you call the cute, adorable Mi-na a bug!!! Hmph, this guy’s getting way too cocky! Go get him, you two!!!!!”

““………………””

“Go get him!!! Hey!!!!!”

“…Hm?”

“What, it seems she was talking to us.”

“…………Should we?”

“If you ask me, I think the one on top is the one who needs to be taught a lesson.”

“I agree.”

“If you think so, then maybe you could help me out?!”

“…Hey, is this okay?”

“Hmm? What do you mean, ‘is this okay’?”

“Ah, no, they’re not even looking! Dammit, you useless bystanders…!!!”

“They’re extremely close. Practically glued together.”

“Ah… well, it’s fine. As long as it’s just some harmless roughhousing, I don’t mind.”

“Are you the type who doesn’t get jealous?”

“I wouldn’t say that… but well, it depends on the person, I guess.”

“Is he someone you can let it slide with?”

“It’s not so much that I can let it slide, but more that it’d be foolish to even bother… Let me ask you this, instead. Does that not make you jealous? Seeing that.”

“Not at all.”

“What, so we’re the same, then—”

“But I am jealous.”

“—we’re not… huh? Wait. Uh, you are jealous?”

“Right now, I’m about half-furious.”

“Eh? Ah… eh?”

“I’m just wondering who gave them permission to be all over my brother.”

“………………I-I see.”

“Yes.”

“………………”

“………………………Should we get them?”

“Let’s wait until you’ve calmed down a bit. …I’ve never seen you make a face like that before.”

“Hm… What kind of face?”

“…………The kind of face that makes me think I’d rather not be your enemy.”

“Is that so.”

“—H E Y Y Y! ! ! Y O U T W O O O ! ! !”

“I won’t let you get away!! You’re gonna pay for the crime of so casually ruining our matching outfits!!!”

…And so went a scene at the Round Table of the Eastern Faction’s war base.

—And then, on the day after that.

Which is to say, three days after the invitation to my parents’ place.

“And we’re here! That’s right! So anyway! My agitation and everything else kinda turned into motivation and I started crafting with super high energy and… I made a masterpiece!!!”

“W-Wow…”

“………………Ooh…”

Our next stage is the personal Atelier of the [Milmarinus]. The stars of this scene are Ni-na, presenting her creation, and Sora, whose future as a dress-up doll awaits her.

Thus, the reason I—who was, of course, obligated to attend—am half-collapsed on the side is… yup, well, for that very reason.

“Anyway, that aside… what’s with the tired look on his face?”

“Ah, haha… Well… he was very popular, as usual? Or something like that, it seems…”

It wasn’t just one scene a day; it was a constant storm of daily life events.

So many… so many things kept happening…………—And at this rate.

It seemed that reaching the two-week mark, in both real time and perceived time, was still a little ways off.