Chapter 206
Beneath the earth, that pillar lies dormant. Beneath the earth, that anomaly is sealed. Beneath the earth, that sacrifice remains bound. She... exists there for eternity, yet also for a fleeting moment.
The dragonfly, newly emerged from its molt, lives only a day; the cicada, seven days. A crane can live for fifty years, a turtle for ten thousand. Each creature has its appointed lifespan, so the moonlit days beneath this ground are but a brief respite, a moment's rest. ...Of course, boredom inevitably sets in.
A deep, delicate sigh shakes the very core of the earth. Now then, what shall she do? Even in dreams, she wish to meet her friends, but unless invited, she cannot enter the dream realm. Contact always comes from their side. She has long thought how truly inconvenient that is—to be allowed only to entertain oneself, especially when contact is forbidden.
...That is why she decided to investigate the earth.
It is nothing extraordinary. If she think purely logically—being submerged, calmed, and nourished by the soil, yet she was not completely powerless over this ground. If she could influence it, then naturally she could act upon it in return; it is the very principle of existence. To peer into the abyss is to be watched by the abyss in turn.
In short, humans were greedy. They should have kept everything sealed and isolated, instead of trying to squeeze power from countless pillars like they did. A trap was laid there... Though, perhaps that is a cruel judgment. The fact that she used her friends to manipulate humans—that was her own doing. A self-made deception. There is no room for laughter here.
Thinking on such things, she channel her awareness along the flow of her Spiritual Vein—like spider silk stretching and winding—through her own Shinki (Divine Energy) that continues to drain away, perceiving the earth. She stretch her senses corner to corner within this Center region, understanding how the energy she consider her flesh and blood, her ki, is being used.
Ah, how joyfully it is used. Ah, how trivially it is used. Ah, how nobly it is used. Ah, how foolishly it is used... She feel these acts through her ki and pulse, and many layers of emotion arise. Humans, no matter how many years pass, remain unchanged. That is both vexing and endearing. That is why these small, fragile lives…
...?
'...Ho. This is...'
She sense it. She perceive the ritual. It is a remarkably interesting ritual—a nostalgic one. Surely now, at this very moment... Ah. This sensation. So, this is the existence they spoke of.
'Sounds interesting. Maybe she'll enjoy watching a bit?'
After all, there are many spectators. Perhaps she can join as one of the pillars, partway through...?
* * *
The "Rite of the Hundredfold Moon's Cage" is a forbidden technique, strictly prohibited by the Fusō-kuni imperial court. It is an evil ritual that manipulates fate.
It is known as the "Hundred Shrines Pilgrimage." A folk tradition of praying to gods and Buddhas by repeating prayers about a hundred times... this is the ultimate form.
A cage, isolated from the outside world, is mimicked. Within it, a hundred prayers are offered to the gods. To fulfill desires, one crosses a hundred thresholds, repeating this process for a month.
It resembles what the white fox did. The difference is that this ritual targets the future, and unlike the fox's case, a redo is allowed here.
Outside, a month passes; inside this cage, time is a hundred times longer. Moreover, it is divided into a hundred parts, repeating endlessly. The essence of the ritual lies exactly here: crossing the hundred thresholds repeatedly, pulling the desired outcome closer. It is, indeed, fate manipulation. Praying to the gods, offering time, conducting it together—solidifying the observed moment...
"Of course, it is not without flaws. If you cannot find a satisfactory result within the hundred repetitions, the final result will take priority. Past results cannot be chosen later. This ritual asks you how far you will go before cutting off."
While calmly pouring tea from the teapot into the teacup before me, Juuyaku, dressed in a doctor's garb, explained the ritual's flaws, offering tea sweets as a side gesture.
"...Additionally, isn't there another curse activated?"
"I believe this ritual originates from the Nanban moon god. Both divine figures and youkai are strongly influenced by the moon. Since this repeating ritual divides the month until the full moon, it might reinforce the ritual in two ways."
"A divine figure, huh..."
Hana calmly sipped her tea while I sat there wearing a sour expression. One reason this ritual is forbidden is because it requires a high-ranking god or youkai, capable of observing worldlines. Naturally, such beings are not found just anywhere. They cannot be easily brought into the Center region. But I... had a hunch.
The thought crossing my mind was the stupid, idiotic white spider... I hadn't seen it for a long time. Usually, its ridiculous nonsense runs through my head, but now... something felt off.
"...Shall we sit?"
"Hm? Ah... ah?"
Lost in thought, I responded lazily to Hana's call, and she came over. Then, with a quick motion...
"...I've been researching on my own. However, I still haven't found that divine figure. Sorry."
For some reason, she sat on my lap while explaining, apologizing in a flat, expressionless voice, looking down slightly. It was a quiet, modest apology—demure.
...Wait a minute.
"I feel like the distance is too close, but don't get the wrong idea."
"Nyahaha! No, no! This is totally the kind of closeness you'd have with family!"
Juuyaku Kaya, who had appeared behind me, launched a surprise attack, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her cheek to mine. She sniffed me, confirmed the scent, and then, without mercy, added her weight on top of me. I was sandwiched between the sisters, front and back.
...Yeah, well, what can I say?
"Did something... get heavier?"
"Isn't that rude to say to a lady!?"
It was a near-shout from one of my sisters, unwillingly reacting to my immediate thoughts.
* * *
I first became aware of the principle of this cycle of a hundred revolutions, thanks to the training of the two members of the Juuyaku family, who had become part of the space's residents and ritual participants.
The ritual repeats endlessly. The body relives the same days over and over. Nothing from one round carries over to the next. But the soul is something higher than the body. Even if the surface shows no memory of the past rounds, the ritual would be pointless if the same mistakes happened again and again. That means the memories must be engraved deep within the soul, hidden beneath the surface—the memory of every past round.
This realization of mine was sparked by an incident involving misconduct, almost like harassment, toward the maids. At that moment, a faint scent reached me—perfume, maybe. The order of the scent, the way it touched my nostrils, stirred something inside me. It awakened that hidden part of my memory.
It was the Proust effect—memories triggered by a scent. Regardless of the term, the phenomenon itself, I understood it as a pharmacist dealing with various chemicals. It resembles a trick's mechanism—a prank from the past where perfume mixed into headache medicine awakened the soul's memory. I had thought my headache persisted even after taking the medicine... I understand now.
"To be exact, everyone uses different perfumes, and I'm not sure if I'd even need the medicine, so it's like a lottery, right?"
"In fact, many cycles have passed. Fortunately, everyone has been trying again every round."
In their speech, I sensed a faint trace of effort. Perhaps they had guided me, as I was guided to take the medicine, through daily life charts for everyone. This was the result of trial and error, finally bearing fruit.
"Then from the beginning, should I just... no, that wouldn't work."
I recalled fragmented loops and found myself convinced by my two stepsisters' words. The drug's effect is linked to scent. Memories from loops not connected by scent cannot be recalled... yet even so, it was enough to grasp the seriousness of the situation and predict it. Certainly, from their perspective, it was necessary to convey the situation without anyone knowing or mentioning it. Hence, this roundabout method.
"I see, I see. That helps. But... never did I imagine you two would become my lifeline."
...Yes. Some might doubt this explanation so far. Why were these two—who had betrayed me and belonged to Juuyaku—here like this? Why were they assisting me? Was I not suspicious?
"Hehehehe! Because we're siblings, after all!"
"Step-siblings, right?"
"Isn't it the same thing?"
"There's a hundred light years of difference, though."
Yes. Sister. Stepsister. Brother. Stepbrother. We inevitably recognized each other as such. Though I felt the absurdity in my mind, my soul could not deny it.
Where the difference between daughter and sister, or between senior earthworm and their followers, emerges is probably in origins or processing steps. Regardless, I recognized these two—Juuyaku's homonculus bearing the Youbo (youkai mother) factor—as my sisters. More precisely, my stepsisters.
And probably, they felt the same. These two instinctively recognized me as their brother, their "stepbrother." The indescribable consciousness between us when we faced each other in Juuyaku's territory must have come from this. No matter what, I could not see them as strangers. Even trying to be neutral, something like familial love naturally came first. I simply couldn't interact with them by reason alone.
(That's why there might be a reason to take care of them... isn't there?)
...I recall the last memory in Juuyaku family's basement. The memories I could recall through the drug and scent are still fragmented and incomplete. Just a tiny part. Still, I understand. Those two likely can never return to the Juuyaku family. That must be the reason they cooperate with me, beyond just being stepsisters. They no longer have any bonds to lean on.
Of course, I have only one sister. She's the only one who's truly my sister. Still... ah, yes. The real sister is only her. But precisely because of that... please forgive me for having a few fake stepsisters?
No, from Yukine's point of view, those stepsisters are totally like alien cats. I wonder which one she treats as the older sister?
"...Well, yeah. For now, I'm saved," I said, feeling a little relieved.
"Ehehehe, you're welcome ♪" Kaya grinned, teasing.
"Hmm," Hana replied quietly.
Despite their renewed gratitude, Kaya and Hana responded in their own ways. I couldn't tell what they were really thinking inside. After all, I was the one who took away their place to return to — at least, I was the sister they owed it to. I didn't want to distrust them, and I couldn't. Haha, if something was a setup, that'd be the end.
"...I've grasped the situation here. Which cycle did you remember?" Hana asked.
"Hm? Well, let me think..." I focused my mind to organize my thoughts, as Hana suggested. Then, I recited only the ones I could recall, the cycles I could identify.
"16, 34, 35, 52, 62, 74, 83... something like that? There are a few others, but I can't say which ones exactly."
"Ugh."
"Ugh..."
"What's with that reaction?" I asked, noticing their faces twist with disgust.
The two Yakushi's expressions looked like they had just bitten into the sourest umeboshi. They were clearly taken aback. What did I do?
"Well, hey...?"
"Quite a tumultuous cycle, huh?"
"...I won't deny it," I admitted.
The cycles I could remember were dreadful. A continuous string of tragedies. It wasn't rare for me to fail at the worst moments and sacrifice everyone despite their cooperation. The female servants, once full of despair, took their own lives, turned on each other, were vented on, and some who tried to protect them died too. Some cycles just decayed beyond repair.
Overall, it was a pathetic performance on my part. Each time, I wondered how I could even face it again.
"By the way, the female servants seem to inherit the memories of each cycle, huh?"
"As for the hundredth visit... well, Mari, the ritual's main participants are probably us, including the female servants," Kaya said.
"My stepbrother is... close to an accessory in this whole setup, isn't he? Like the vases, Buddha statues, or shrines—just another piece of furniture in the yashiki estate."
"Furniture?"
At Kaya's blunt words, I couldn't quite respond... but whatever. More importantly...
"...I do recognize many of those female servants. The layout of the yashiki estate as well. This is Tachibana's villa, right? So the ritual... Princess?"
The existence of Tachibana Kayo, the master of the yashiki estate, came to mind, but I denied it. She wouldn't have the skill for such forbidden arts, especially with no magical background. If that's the case, the one capable of such advanced sorcery would be limited... The top suspect would likely be the princess.
"We don't even know who the main priestess is, and we've never seen Princess Onitsuki. Both Kaya and I were unexpectedly drawn into the ceremony."
"Then why the Yakushi... well, it's obvious now."
I remembered from a past rerun that I'd already been given an explanation. The maids and the main officiant of the ritual took on their roles to prescribe various medicines for themselves and others, serve as advisors for the ritual, and ensure it was completed as best as possible.
"Love potions, stomach medicines, anesthetics, right? Sleeping pills, preservatives, explosive agents... I also prescribed flavoring medicines!"
"Don't remind me of such unpleasant memories..." I muttered, tired of Kaya's casual finger-counting. I didn't want to say what those substances were actually used for. But by the end, it was clear the maids had been doing all sorts of things just to get high.
Well, it was my fault for pushing things so far...
"Honestly, it'd be easiest just to let yourself go..." Kaya's laid-back remark hit me as I hesitated and thought. In some ways, she was right.
The real problem was what this ritual was even for. That was the root of all the issues.
"That reckless act... I'm not sure if you could even call it that, but it was probably a terrible sight, huh? I suppose I..."
Even though she fell, she still had to take on the Earth Mother. Whether she truly succeeded was questionable... Still, it seemed impossible that I, at the epicenter, would come out in good shape. Just moving my limbs as I do now was abnormal enough.
That's right. It's abnormal. Beneath this skin is a cluster of abnormalities. Something non-human is lurking inside, hidden by human skin.
"I don't know what kind of mechanism this body is, but... well, it's probably just for show, right?"
That's probably why it came to this. Such a ritual begins. And... ah, I feel nausea. It's grotesque, shameful.
(Someone who doesn't mind dying... Did Aoi request Kayo? And that's why they hurriedly gathered everything...)
I don't know how many sacrifices are needed. But if they're rushing to gather that many, it's impossible to get everything from scratch. They used what they already had... that's probably it. Things planned for "entertainment" were repurposed.
(No relatives who would speak openly, no regard for human rights at all. Time is money. Life is worth even more. If so, there are possible choices. Aoi, who commanded it, and Kayo, who accepted—both are just merchants, after all, and it's what you'd expect.)
(She's quite a cruel young lady, after all.)
A pure-hearted maiden and a born merchant—that's the impression I've gotten from my interactions with her so far. She's indulgent toward those she trusts and considers close, but to those outside her circle, almost as if they're not human at all—cruel, cold, and ruthless. Indeed, if she wanted to, she wouldn't be out of place wielding such a hand.
The image of her accepting Aoi's offer with a slightly troubled expression flashed through my mind. Imagining the scene where she agreed to sacrifice several people just to this extent... Wait, wait, wait. I shouldn't speak out of bias.
Moreover, I must keep confirming now.
"...Do you know how many times I failed in the ritual and caused trouble because I couldn't endure it?"
"Just once!"
"No, three times."
"Huh? Was it?"
"Haha, either way, it's hopeless..."
Sighing at the countless times I lost control during the rounds, I remembered that the final day of the ritual was the most critical.
Because my consciousness ran wild, I couldn't recall the fine details even with medication. But based on the fragmented scenes etched into my memory, I could mostly guess the reasons.
"They're pretty much at their limit, too."
I was able to persuade them for a while... but they finally stopped explaining the tutorial. Well, there's a limit to trust. Especially under extreme conditions. They probably want the Hell of Infinity to end and find relief. They've died countless times already. They've grown accustomed to dying.
...Or maybe I'm crippling and killing she/they in a half-hearted rebellion, forcing them into misery. Do they think, 'Finish the ritual quickly and restore peace'?
"Do you dislike it?" Kaya asked.
"Yeah. I dislike it."
"You're stubborn, aren't you? Does that even benefit you?"
"If we thought in terms of gain and loss, you wouldn't be here, right?"
"That's also true!"
Kaya responded with a beaming, satisfied smile, seeming convinced. Then, following her gaze, I looked at Hana. She still wore her usual expression, calm but unreadable. Fuumi's phrase went unspoken. In other words, a passive agreement.
"It'll become another troublesome matter... but just a few more rounds. Please endure."
"No, no, no! Helping each other is what siblings are for, right? Ehehe, I've been relied on!" Kaya hopped around, her joy shining brightly, while Hana calmly began the meeting, shrugging her shoulders in contrast.
"But... hahahaha, no matter how many countermeasures I think of, they all fall apart, don't they? By the way, do we have any new medicine?"
Abstinence. Restraint. Sealing Curse. Fasting. Medication. Evacuation. Release. I'd tried every possible method so far, but each time the result was frustrating. A never-ending string of failures. No wonder the maids must have broken down. Even if they wanted to kill me to end it, the ritual's main priestess would massacre them all. They had no choice. No escape.
Escaping into pleasure and faith, falling into masochism, becoming intoxicated and sacrificial... that must have been their mental refuge.
"Convincing... there just aren't enough lives left, huh?"
"I've died multiple times during the persuasion process, after all."
I sighed, and Kaya exhaled deeply with a carefree tone, as if recounting a family member's failure. Indeed, it was a failure.
To be honest, I sacrificed my own body once to prove my resolve to everyone. But after gaining their trust, I betrayed their expectations the next round. Gaining trust is hard, losing it takes a moment. Honestly, I should be grateful for all the chances I've been given.
In other words, I can only solve this alone... but there aren't many chances left.
"Now... what should I really do?"
The final day of the ritual. Thinking about the greatest hurdle ahead, I reluctantly sank into deep thought. If things continue like this, even if I regain my memory, it would be the same. Failing, then moving on to the next cycle...
"How about this!? Brother, come with me, okay?"
"Huh?"
As I pondered, Kaya suddenly made her request. I hesitated, and before I could react, she pulled me from behind.
"Huh!?"
"Yes. Get in the middle!"
I rolled on the floor, slipping underneath her. She knocked me down and spread her legs wide, sandwiching me between them, grabbing my wrist and forcing it to her neck. Stunned, I watched Kaya wink at me and stick out her tongue.
Right after that, the shōji paper door slammed open with force.
"I heard that the Master came here. Is there something wrong with your health?"
I immediately recognized the voice behind me through the open door—it was Zero. From the footsteps, others were there too. I didn't want to know why she had fallen silent, nor did I understand the meaning behind their gaze.
"This is—"
"Please do not enter. Medical treatment is in progress."
Hana quickly took charge, answering Rei's question firmly. Kaya, pinned beneath me, shifted her attention as a subtle signal came from the shadows. The words "together with" crossed my mind.
"...Hmph!! Come on!! Scream more, you gutter trash!!"
Her voice echoed loudly as I moved my hips back and forth in a dance-like bowing motion—the so-called hip bowing. From the side, it looked ridiculously intense.
"Hic, hic, o... Stepbrother, a bit more intense... ngh!? Hyah!? Kuu!?!"
A whispered critique was immediately followed by a convincing cry of delight. I obeyed, moving my hips more forcefully. The sound of fabric rubbing filled the room, followed by a loud thud as the floor was slammed. The floor creaked beneath me. What am I even doing?
"...Medical treatment, you say?"
"Yes. We're treating the accumulated fluid in the lower abdomen that hasn't been released. This is a professional setting. No interference, please."
"Is that sarcasm?"
Here is the full professional light novel–style rewrite following all your instructions and formatting rules:
---
"Die!! Hey, you bastard!! It's too loose!! Tighten it up more, damn it!!"
Rei's furious shouting mixed with Hana's sharp voice and a third—likely Shino's—cut through the room like jagged glass. Harsh, urgent, and far from pleasant. I could hear them loud and clear, even while raising my own voice in frustration. What the hell was going on behind me?
"Sarcasm? What are you talking about?" Rei snapped, not hiding her irritation.
"It sounded like you were implying our usual care isn't enough," Hana said flatly, her calm tone laced with quiet offense. "Do you think we slack off?"
"You're here because of poor health, remember?" Shino added matter-of-factly. "Your examination showed excessive fluid buildup. We're managing the discharge now. Since we're dedicated, we can handle it efficiently."
"...!!"
Their exchange felt unbalanced—an edge of irritation on one side, and cold precision on the other. But one word stood out and echoed in my mind.
"'Dedicated'...?"
A shaky, breathy hiccup came from Kaya, followed by a wet sob. Then her voice, soft and trembling with emotion, slipped out from the corner.
"Hyu... hic... hic... Ahhh!? ...Ahaha... Stepbrother's dedicated device...?"
She said it like it was nothing. Casually. Offhandedly. Like it made perfect sense.
What the hell was a "dedicated device"? Shouldn't it be a machine? A prototype? Some kind of color variation?
"We should help too," Shino said, shifting closer.
"I told you. It's unnecessary," Hana replied curtly, her tone cold as steel. "Please leave."
"Come on! Yeah!! Go!! Just go already, you slut!!!"
The rising tension behind me made my entire stance feel absurd—like I was the only one left out of a joke I didn't want to understand.
"Let me make it clear," Hana continued, her voice low but resolute. "We're not like you. We're on another level. It'll be my turn next. And if that still doesn't work... I'll call for backup. But that'll take at least half a day."
"Ooooooo!!?"
Kaya let out a sharp gasp, reacting as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her exaggerated performance was... frighteningly convincing. The way her breath hitched, her body twisted, her flushed cheeks and trembling pupils—it all looked terrifyingly real.
She was too good at this.
"No... n-not this...!" Kaya whimpered, her voice barely a whisper as she shivered. "Even through clothes... it hits so deep... it's hot, hard... s-suddenly... th-thick, way too thick...!?"
"...What did you just say?" I asked, leaning in and murmuring under my breath.
That was when she screamed. A piercing shriek, echoing across the room.
It was a perfect act. Dramatic to the point of madness. No doubt a performance—to skip any more words and keep me distracted.
Fine. I get it.
I'll play along.
"Haha! Hey, is this it!? Is this the good part!? This is where it feels good, right!? Haha!! Eat this!! Take it all in!! I'll skewer you, you damn bitch!!"
"Master! Here, we must lend a hand too...!!"
"Shut up, you noisy old defective product!!"
I sensed someone approaching from behind. Without looking, I raised my voice sharply, trying to drive them back.
"Hah, hah, hah...!! Huh! Hooh!! I'm punishing this defiant brat!! You hear me!? Huh! Huh! This is discipline—so stay out of it!! Eh!?"
Crude, frantic words spilled from my mouth. Nonsense, really. Pure bluff. But I had no choice—anything to keep the illusion alive. When my vocabulary ran dry, I bent at the waist, faking motion to obscure the truth. The silence behind me was deafening.
"Ku...!! Hah!! Don't just stand there staring at my backside all the time!! If you're bored, then go away already! You're a nuisance!! ...Hah, hah... If you're that bored, go hole up at the mansion and write more of that little sister fiction!!"
I tossed the words over my shoulder, barely glancing back. A dismissal—desperate and crude. I just wanted them gone. Fast.
By the way, that last line was Kaya's cue, carefully indicated by Fuumi on the acting card. She followed it with full seriousness, her expression intense.
"...Understood. Please, enjoy yourselves."
"Go, go!! Crush them! Break them!!!"
After a pause, the voice replied—too polite, too obedient. I ignored the tone and kept throwing out insults, dull and resigned, as the sound of retreating footsteps echoed away. The shōji door slid closed with a quiet thud.
Still, I didn't stop. Even after the sounds had faded, I continued my performance. Just in case.
You never know when someone might come back.
"...This should be enough. They're no longer nearby."
"Hey! Hey!! Go, gooo!!! ...Got it. I'll stop."
The roar and immediate response signaled it was time to end this reckless hip-bending dance. It was already a punishment game against my stepsister—and it was public now.
What am I even doing...
"Kaya, was it heavy? It's okay now... no, are you alright?"
"Huh...? Fine... still energetic...?"
I quickly apologized and moved away from her body draped over me, but Kaya was spaced out, soggy, almost melting. Even after moving away, her legs were still spread wide, arms raised in a cheer, drool dripping from her mouth forming a small lake. "Super mature." Such a rude phrase popped into my mind.
"Fuu... hee... amazing... hot..."
For some reason, Kaya rubbed her abdomen over her clothes. Let me say this clearly: I didn't do anything. There's no reason for this tuna-like reaction. It must be a prank.
"..."
"What's up, Hana? What's with that look? Step-brother is innocent."
She looked at my face, then down, then back again with a sullen expression mixed with understanding. I don't get it. I don't understand anything. What did I do?
"Indeed, I didn't do anything," I said quietly, almost to myself. "I didn't do anything."
"Then what's with that look in yher eyes?" Hana asked, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at me.
"I'll clean up before Kaya gets too agitated," I said, trying to sound calm.
"Wait, what... clean up?" she echoed, her tone sharpening.
I felt like I needed to say something—anything—but no proper excuse came to mind. While I stood there frozen, Hana walked past me without another word, her expression unreadable. Her answer had been vague, but purposeful. She made her way over to Kaya, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"...Huh?"
"K-Kaya..." I called out, uncertain.
"...Huh!! Big Brother!! I can't take it anymore—" Kaya cried out, her voice cracking. "Huff Octopus Vinegar!!?"
A moment later, with her eyes bulging and her jaw unnaturally unhinged, Kaya—who had just finished shedding her exoskeleton and was slowly rising—was knocked out cold by a single, clean strike from Hana. The impact was brutal. Too brutal.
That... definitely wasn't the kind of force one should use on a girl's face.
"This is the only way to stop Kaya," Hana said, her voice firm, as if preemptively defending her actions.
She climbed on top of the unconscious Kaya, her expression faintly pouty, and pried open Kaya's gaping jaw before slipping a small pill into her mouth.
"Agh!? Jaw...! Ukyuuun..."
Kaya squirmed for a moment, then went still. Her breathing evened out, and she began to snore softly. Whatever Hana gave her must have been a sleeping pill. We proceeded to tie up her limbs with rope.
"Heave-ho," I muttered, helping with the restraints.
"Close her mouth, too," Hana said, glancing at Kaya's wide, toothy maw. "She doesn't like people seeing her like this."
With a gentle touch, Hana carefully shut Kaya's monstrous mouth. I could understand—if that thing dried out, it might crack.
"Kaya has this habit of biting heads when she's unconscious," Hana explained. "So when you do it, restrain her first, then aim for the throat."
"You could've told me that earlier. And I'm not doing it again," I replied with a sigh.
"But won't we have to, if we're planning more secret conversations?"
"Huh!? You want secret talks every day, while I'm bent over like that!?"
"I can handle it," she said flatly.
"...A steak, huh."
"...?" Hana tilted her head, clearly confused.
"...Forget it. You wouldn't get it." I said, half-smiling. "...Come to think of it, there was that one time the maid brought out steak too."
"...Please stay here for now," Hana said as she gently pushed Kaya's segmented legs into a more compact form. Her tone grew firmer. "...After you leave, behave as if nothing's changed. No one can know that your memory has returned."
"Like normal," I repeated.
"Yes. Just like before."
"...As usual, huh..."
My thoughts wandered to the events of a previous loop. Can I really go back to pretending nothing happened? Can I stay ignorant again?
"By the way," I asked, "what reasoning led to that arrangement?"
"Apparently, it's to distort the perception of the offering," Hana replied. "They say they failed in a previous loop."
"I see. But... it's horrible. Every time, it just gets worse."
Each loop felt more extreme. More inhumane. More deranged. Were they really evolving this ritual... or were they just flailing desperately? It felt like the latter. Desperation in disguise.
"As for the ritual... it seems we'll be heading to the cow shed next."
"Stop. Seriously, don't."
I already knew what was waiting there. Before regaining my memories, I might have followed without questioning it. But not now. Please... not that again.
"...If you truly hate it that much," Hana said, pausing before dragging the sleeping Kaya to a corner of the room, "there is another way."
"What is it?"
"Please listen carefully," she whispered.
I leaned in, wary. The plan she outlined was quiet, secretive. Suspicious.
"...Will that actually work?"
"Everyone's been tweaking the process based on previous loops. This method has precedent, so I doubt anyone will notice."
"...There was really a loop like that?"
It sounded better than giving a 'reward'... but the risks remained. If we were discovered, Kaya and Hana could be in danger. And I wouldn't be able to stop it.
"There's also the option of using medicine."
"No," I said immediately, then took a breath. "...Fine. Let's go with your idea."
I've already gutted myself, slit my throat, even severed my own neck. Compared to that, this shouldn't be so hard. Shouldn't be.
"...Why are you holding your hands out like that?"
Hana was standing calmly, arms extended toward me as if asking for a hug. Her face was completely still, but her gaze held a quiet intensity.
"...Next, it's my turn."
"Huh?"
"For my Stepbrother broth."
"Stepbrother... broth!?"
"Mm."
I blinked. Her deadpan expression didn't change, but her tone was just a little serious.
"Very important nourishment. Without it, I'll wilt."
"You're not a plant-based organism, are you?"
"Is that... not okay?"
"...Alright."
She truly didn't understand the nuance, but her quiet plea was enough to defeat me. In this place—half sanctuary, half battlefield—it was difficult to deny her. Even small comforts felt precious here.
"...Hehe."
Her voice was small and childlike, sitting on my lap with the faintest of smiles. Her expressionless face had softened, just a little.
* * *
"Master, are you feeling well? As scheduled, your work in the cow shed—"
Evening. Around dusk. A maid—Shino—entered, bowing with a graceful smile as she addressed me politely.
"...I'm tired of this. I'm stopping."
I rejected her words flatly, not even pretending to be courteous.
"Huh? M-Master? But..."
"I'm feeling lazy. So no visit today," I said, brushing past her.
Shino looked lost, blinking in confusion as she reached for the words to object.
"Master! I told you yesterday! Everyone is—"
Before she could finish, I slammed my fist into the wooden pillar beside her face. A loud crack echoed through the room, and her body flinched.
"...Huh?"
She froze, stunned, unable to process what had just happened. Her eyes darted to the pillar, then to me.
"I said I'm not going. Understand?" I said, glaring directly at her.
"Y-Yes..."
The scent of fear—literal fear—spread into the air. Her legs trembled as she took a step back. I caught her chin with one hand and tilted her face upward, making sure she couldn't look away.
"Change into something fresh. Come to my room alone. Bring some books."
"...?"
"It's too much trouble to read. Tell me a fairy tale. Got it?"
"...Y-Yes."
I muttered the instructions like they were meaningless, then pushed her aside as I walked off. Still, I couldn't resist a glance back.
With a deep, almost worshipful bow, Shino spread a shimmering pond across the floor, her face flushed and dazed. Behind her, Hana raised a small sign with three stars on it, while Kaya—just beginning to stir—gave a shaky thumbs-up from where she had collapsed on the tatami.
That reaction... definitely wasn't what I expected.
Well. Yeah.
"Surely you're not some sexually awakened sow, right...?"
I let the thought trail off.
Truly... I didn't want it to be like this.
Fan art:<br>A portrait of the Tachibana family's young lady. What is this blasphemous, tentacle-like object...? => <a href="https://www.pixiv.net/artworks/131397766" target="_blank" rel="noopener noindex nofollow">here</a>
Notes:
• Mari - Energetic and affectionate girl who leads the younger group. Bold during play, but shows a tender, bashful side in emotional moments.
• Fuumi - One of the playful twin girls; energetic and sweet. Often paired with Shii in mischievous antics, she's reflective and emotionally tuned in, sharing a deep concern for their mother, Amatsuru.
• Rei - Female. A character who is part of the group with Hana and Shino. Her appearance and personality are not extensively described, but she is involved in the 'medical treatment' scene, showing irritation and engaging in tense conversations.
• Shino - A maid who twists around Master's left arm, biting and licking his fingers in affection. Her devoted service feels maddeningly abnormal to Master.
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