[Part 3/4]
"This is bad. Maybe it's pedophilia? Or maybe it's bestialism? Or perhaps..."
"Can't we just separate public and private matters?"
I quickly cut her off to prevent further defamation. Honestly, I just wanted to go ho. Azuma's curse was definitely going to trigger if I got too worked up, and I'd end up getting beaten up by an octopus or sothing. The 'Yamiyo no Hotaru' series was all about villains who used loopholes in the law and curses to get away with things.
Anyway, I'd been gathering information about the young lady in front of since the incident in Kansai. And from what I could tell, her personality was just as problematic as the orphanage full of brats. It was unbelievable that she'd been allowed to stay there for so long. The Mommy Tanuki would definitely blow a fuse if she found out.
The problem was, from my standpoint, it was extrely difficult to just kick her out....
"So, you're saying the kids in the guest room are getting in the way, right?"
"...! Children can be so noisy, after all."
It's just before the response. In addition of Shiro, I'd instructed the older kids of the group to keep an eye on the guest room, the corridor, and the garden, making sure they didn't get too close. The thought of getting kidnapped and taken on a wild ride was terrifying. The kids' autonomous actions were hard to restrict, even with Azuma's curse. It was like trying to take down an impregnable fortress from the inside. This was already beyond my control.
"What a pain. Those brats are the worst. They don't understand, and they're not allowed to get hurt or feel good, so it's hard to find a way to get through to them physically. It's really tough, isn't it? You're really struggling."
"..."
In response to my silence, Miyataka's young lady let out a sly, teasing laugh.
"That's right. Why don't I help you out, then?"
"Help...?"
With a joyful expression, the young lady spoke as if she'd just thought of sothing.
"That's right. Help. Babysitting assistance."
"You're telling to leave the trivial tasks to soone like Miyataka's young lady? That's just ridiculous... I'd rather decline politely."
The words were sugarcoated, but in reality, it was a clear rejection. Babysitting? Raising kids? Are you kidding ? What are you planning?
"Don't bother being polite. It's only proper to not refuse soone's kindness, isn't it?"
"I don't want to bother soone from the esteed Miyataka household with such trivial matters."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not bound by family obligations, so I can co and go as I please, whenever and wherever I want."
"But..."
It was clear that the other person knew exactly what was going on. This was a ridiculously pushover. I had to find a way to deflect it sohow...
"...Hmm, I'm not interested. How about we do sothing else instead?"
"Sothing else?"
"I don't know if you're listening, but I was trying to have a tea party with Onitsuki's guest the other day, and it got cancelled. It's a sha, so I thought I'd invite you sowhere else instead. Maybe a kabuki play?"
"?"
The Magical Demon Rod's words struck with a quiet shock. It was like a nightmare co true. I had to avoid it at all costs.
In the original story "Yamiyo no Hotaru", there were several conditions and choices to enter the Darth Tamaki Route. Getting invited to a kabuki play by the Magical Demon Rod was one of them.
To be precise, it was an unofficial all-female kabuki performance. Tamaki would be led to the dressing room by the Magical Demon Rod, who was targeting her favorite actor. And then, she would et the Minister of the Left, who was secretly watching the play from the dark audience seats.
As they watched the play, the Minister of the Left would talk about the history of kabuki, the history of performances, and the history of shrine maidens, cleverly prying into the protagonist's heart and revealing his sorrow, despair, and thirst for power... It was the first step towards falling into darkness.
"I understand. If that's what you're saying, then I'll accept your invitation."
I had almost reflexively said those words. As soon as I said them, I regretted it. I realized my mistake in making such a careless comnt. But it was too late. My mouth had already spoken the words of doom.
"Hehe. That's fine. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Could you prepared for the sleepover?"
"...Sleepover?"
"You can't be serious, leaving the young lady to walk ho alone at night?"
"But aren't you coming alone?"
"I thought I said I'd do as I please?"
"..."
"Well, I apologize if I've caused any trouble. I'll prepare so souvenirs too, so look forward to it, okay?"
The young lady, Miyataka, stood up, leaving stunned, and exited the room. Unlike last ti, there were no noisy kids rushing out when she opened the shoji paper door. Only the white fox girl was waiting by the veranda.
"Oh, you're so cute, little beast."
Miyataka's young lady declared, looking down at Shiro with a silent gaze.
"No need to see off. See you tomorrow!"
She said, leaving behind with a cheerful tone. Unlike last ti, I didn't have the energy to chase after her. I just hung my head, feeling helpless...
"Tomobe-san..."
"Haha, I'm in trouble, it seems..."
I forced a laugh, but my voice was dry and barely audible. I was exhausted, both physically and ntally...
"Was that about Tamaki-san and the others...?"
Shiro asked, sounding worried.
"Do you understand?"
"I've heard the general content, yeah."
"Is that so..."
It was probably through Akane's connections.
"Were you that worried?"
"Haha, I just didn't want to get too involved."
Although it's not as intense as the original story, I'm still trapped, and I don't know what trigger will make fall into darkness. The Minister of the Left's reaction is also terrifying. There's a possibility that my hope wll be crushed by despair.
...Yukine, who's likely to be by Tamaki's side. How will the Minister of the Left evaluate her existence? Just thinking about it makes my body tremble.
(Aoi... can she sohow help?)
I thought back to the pink girl clinging to my leg and felt uncertain. It would be best if she could protect her sohow. But can I really expect that? When I think about the original story's developnts, it's just...
"...Tomobe-san?"
"...Whoa?!"
Worries, worries, worries. When I realized it, Shiro was right in front of , and I couldn't help but jump back in surprise.
"Are you okay? You looked like you were in a lot of pain..."
The white fox really did look worried about . Its overly energetic appearance might seem annoying to so people, but... considering its personality and our relationship, it's not like it's acting or anything.
"Yeah... I'm sorry. I've gotten us into a lot of trouble."
At least I apologized when I got here. I should have done it earlier, really. I ended up putting Shiro and the orphans in danger.
...If Azuma finds out, I'll be in big trouble.
"Oh, don't apologize! I'll help you too! This house is safe thanks to Azuma-san, so we won't be in danger. We'll be fine, I promise...!!"
Shiro hurriedly tried to comfort , encouraging to work together to get out of this situation. It was really kind of it.
"...Ah..."
I responded with gratitude, moved by her kind and forward-thinking attitude, as well as her willingness to listen to my reasons without judgnt.
"...Yeah. Let's not eat the Sekihan rice, okay? At least not until we make sure there's nothing weird in them."
Sekihan is a basic technique for Magical dicine, after all.
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