Vol. 4 Chapter 1.2 – A Small Hand and a Big Event

“A festival?”

On a late afternoon during exam break, in the dining room of Kaga Ryousuke’s house where he was playing the role of host, Lisara Restall tilted her slender neck while sitting on a chair. Her long red hair swayed softly, releasing the fragrance of shampoo into the air.

“I was trying to talk about our future plans just now. I don’t think that Galdabroeg will stay quiet like this forever.”

“But Melro Life Insurance is already moving in your place, right? Then we’ve got nothing to do.”

Lisara pouted at Ryousuke, the homeowner sitting across from her, as if offended by his response.

With her red, delicate lips, well-defined nose bridge, slightly sharp upturned eyes—she was an unmistakable beauty. Even that childish expression she made while pouting looked picture-perfect.

“We’re supposed to be keeping a low profile in the human world, so we can’t move around openly. But Ryousuke, there’s a high chance Galdabroeg is targeting you.”

“If he’s a wanted criminal, he’s not gonna do anything flashy. Especially not in a crowd.”

“A crowd?”

“Yes, a crowd. In other words, the festival.”

Ryousuke insisted firmly.

“So what about the festival?”

“What? Don’t tell me you don’t know what a festival is?”

“Ryousuke, what do you take me for? I am Lisara Restall, daughter of the prestigious Restall family from the Shinigami realm, heiress candidate, and second-place scorer on the First-Class Shinigami Exam!”

“The fact that you had everything lined up and still ended up second… that’s just so typical of you, Lisara.”

Ryousuke nodded earnestly. Somehow, Lisara always gave the impression of tripping at the very last step.

“I was supposed to be first! First, I tell you! You know it too, Ryousuke—Iria used those fake boobs to take the exam!”

Lisara leaned forward from her chair, making her case passionately.

Iria—Iria Fukumune. Currently working as a gravure model, but her true identity was that of a First-Class Shinigami directly under the executive unit of Melro Life Insurance, the Shinigami organization. Also, she happened to be Ryousuke and Lisara’s classmate. Her trademark had been her voluminous, bouncing breasts, but a recent incident had revealed that her chest had been enhanced using Shinigami spellwork. In reality, her bust was about the same flat level as Lisara’s.

Yes, Lisara too had a flat chest.

Absolutely flat.

“Ryousuke… you were just now thinking my chest is the same—no, just slightly smaller too, weren’t you?”

Lisara glared sharply at Ryousuke. Sitting beside her, Kyuru Zeria added,『Lisara-oneesama, deceiving yourself like that is just too sad, you know』.

She shook her head with a sigh, holding a teacup in one hand. Her chestnut-colored wavy hair swayed softly. She was Lisara’s cousin and junior, a cute trainee Shinigami with a slightly twisted personality.

“Kyuru… what exactly do you mean by that?”

Lisara turned back to Kyuru, the corners of her mouth twitching.

“I mean exactly what I said.”

Kyuru giggled sweetly.

“Onee-sama’s bust is flawlessly and perfectly flat, and yet you go around claiming it’s just a little small. It’s so pathetic, I feel so sorry for you. If I could, I’d gladly give you some of my own.”

Despite smiling without the slightest hint of sympathy, Kyuru said it anyway. Incidentally, Kyuru actually did have a proper bust. For someone still growing, it was fair to say her chest was on the larger side.

“Hmph, I see. Sounds like you’re picking a fight with me, Kyuru.”

“Oh my, if it’s a bust battle, I’ll gladly accept. Of course, on the condition that if I win, you’ll hand over the position of the next head of the Restall family.”

Kyuru glared right back at Lisara.

Yes, Kyuru was always trying to drag Lisara down. In fact, the very reason Lisara had come to the human world was due to one of Kyuru’s schemes. Thanks to Ryousuke’s… efforts?… the plot failed, and Kyuru also ended up stuck in the human world.

“That doesn’t benefit me at all! And what even is a 『bust battle』?!”

Lisara slammed the table with a loud thud.

“Allow me to answer that.”

Ryousuke stood up and straightened his back.

“The history of bust battles—that is, boob battles—is long. It originated in ancient China, was brought to Japan along with Xu Fu, and became a secret pastime among the nobles of the Heian period. Later, in the Edo era, rules were formalized within the Ōoku to determine hierarchy. Those rules have been passed down to the present day.”

[The Ōoku (大奥) refers to the “Great Interior” — the women’s quarters of Edo Castle during the Edo period in Japan, where the wives, concubines, and female attendants of the Shogun lived.]

“…What are you talking about?”

“His brain must’ve short-circuited.”

Lisara and Kyuru’s icy stares pierced into Ryousuke.

“What? Don’t look at me like that. Ever since I learned about the Ōoku in class, I’ve fantasized about it nonstop. It’s my dream, you know? Isn’t it amazing? A beautiful boob battle unfolding in a garden of women. Laughing, squealing, the girls fondling each other’s chests, measuring them, staring at them, rubbing them together… and in the end… haa haa haa… I-I can’t take it…”

When he closed his eyes, it came to him clearly—a paradise on Earth. A bust battle among beautiful girls in kimono. And the only man among them was Ryousuke. Ah, what a perfect space it would be. The thrill and excitement were unstoppable.

“Sometimes I wonder… even if a Shinigami has to constantly use the Existence Bond Raise to maintain their physical form in the human world, wasn’t it a bit too much to stab one of the Restall family’s sacred treasures, one of the Old Five, the Broken Sword Gram, into the soul of a guy like this?”

Kyuru looked at Lisara with a critical gaze.

“I had no choice. Since Gram is marked as my possession, unless I stab it deep into the core of Ryousuke’s soul—into his very will to live—I can’t extract any spiritual energy. There’s no way I could’ve known that his life force was… such a perverted soul… sigh.”

Lisara let out a heavy sigh.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to just form a normal Shinigami contract?”

“So I’d have to support Ryousuke’s life personally? No way, I hate that idea. And besides, with the natural spiritual energy Ryousuke’s soul puts out, there’s no way I could maintain Existence Bond Raise.”

“Ryousuke-san’s spiritual energy is about half that of an average person, after all.”

At Kyuru’s pointed remark, Lisara made a bitter expression.

“Exactly. Normally, we form contracts with multiple people just to keep using Existence Bond Raise. It was a total emergency—I was about to be forcefully returned to the Shinigami realm from running out of spiritual energy. The only option left was to draw directly from his life force.”

“Well, it’s true that Ryousuke-san’s spiritual energy recovers at an absurd rate… thanks to his, um, horny surges.”

Kyuru chuckled dryly.

“Ugh, please don’t bring that up…”

“In that sense, I was lucky. Even if he’s just a dog, Caesar has the qualities of a true hero. Yes, Caesar could definitely be called a Singular One among dogs.”

“Woof!”

Caesar, who had been lying at Kyuru’s feet, barked softly.

At only three years old, he stood at the top of Asagaya Town’s canine hierarchy, where Ryousuke and the others lived. He held the undisputed title of the number one most wanted male dog to be cuddled—truly the dog of dogs, a canine hero.

“It’s true that Caesar is a Singular One among dogs.”

Lisara glanced at Ryousuke, who was still consumed by his harem fantasies, and let her shoulders slump in defeat.

“No matter how generously I look at it, he doesn’t seem like a Singular One at all…”

A Singular One—someone who holds the spiritual energy equivalent to thousands or even tens of thousands of people, a truly exceptional human being. Shinigami, by nature, make contracts with humans in order to obtain Life Jewels, the crystallized spiritual energy released at the moment of death. The more fulfilling and happy the life a person lived, the higher the quality of their Life Jewel.

That’s why Singular Ones must be guided toward a more satisfying life. For that reason, Shinigami enter exclusive one-on-one contracts with them. Behind every great hero or genius, there has always been a Shinigami supporting them from the shadows.

“If we don’t find a Singular One soon, even the Shinigami realm will start getting suspicious about what we’re up to.”

Kyuru nodded in agreement with Lisara’s mutter.

“Of course. We reported that we were researching old spell techniques, but it wouldn’t be strange if some Shinigami start doubting us soon. Especially since both candidates for the Restall family heir are here in the human world together.”

“…Did you just casually include yourself as a candidate for heir? Are you still trying to drag me down?”

“Onee-sama, how cruel!”

With her fists turned inward before her mouth, Kyuru teared up dramatically.

“Kyuru has been wholeheartedly helping with the search for a Singular One! All so that we can find one as soon as possible and you can form an exclusive contract with them!”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you felt that strongly about it…”

“Of course I do! After being defeated by the power of love between Onee-sama and Ryousuke-san, Kyuru has had a change of heart!”

“L-love… the p-o-w-e-r… o-f… l-o-v-e?”

Tilting her head bit by bit, Lisara echoed the words in broken syllables.

“Yes! Onee-sama, boldly showing Ryousuke-san your most embarrassing side and Ryousuke-san awakening Gram to protect you. Ah, what else could that be but love!”

“S-stop it! Why would I be in love with Ryousuke?! That pervert!”

As Lisara protested, Kyuru gave her a teasing, smug grin.

“My, so you really don’t feel even a tiny bit that way? Oh dear, poor Ryousuke-san, going through all that danger and trying so hard, only to be left in the cold.”

“T-that… that’s not the same thing! I mean, I do appreciate Ryousuke, and, um, well, you know… it’s not love or anything like that, but maybe something like friendship? Like… a guy friend, I guess? It’s not romantic, but there’s a certain trust, you know? Yeah. He’s actually surprisingly reliable in a pinch.”

Staring up at the ceiling, Lisara kept rambling as if making excuses for herself.

“Hmmm, did you hear that, Ryousuke-san?”

“Ryousuke—eh, eeeh!?”

Panicking, Lisara looked around. Across from her, Ryousuke had just snapped out of his fantasy and was scratching his cheek.

“D-did you… hear all of that?”

Lowering her gaze awkwardly, Lisara blushed slightly and mumbled.

“You kind of got poked by Kyuru right around the『not love or anything like that』part.”

“…Kyuruuuu…”

She shot a glare at Kyuru, but Kyuru only grinned back mischievously.

“Lisara.”

“Hyai!”

Ryousuke suddenly called out, and Lisara’s response cracked in surprise.

“It doesn’t really matter what you think.”

“Huh?”

“I care about you, Lisara. Honestly, it wouldn’t be wrong to say I love you.”

Steam practically rose from the top of Lisara’s head as her face turned beet red in an instant. Kyuru, beside her, was just as stunned. Caught completely off guard, she blinked repeatedly, looking between the two of them in confusion.

“R-Ryousuke… what are you… what are you saying?”

“I mean what I said. You already know, don’t you?”

Ryousuke stared straight into Lisara’s eyes.

“Know what…? W-well, maybe, I might’ve thought something like that once or twice…”

Lisara stammered out her answer.

“To me, girls are treasures. That includes Kyuru here, and even the wicked Iria—I’ll protect them. I’ll cherish them. And if that makes me popular, awesome. If not, even just imagining them makes me happy. That’s why I care. That’s love. I love all the girls in the world!”

With his fist clenched tightly, Ryousuke declared it passionately.

And then Lisara replied—coldly, icily, without hesitation.

“So this is what they call murderous intent…”

“Eh? Wait, what? Didn’t I just say something really cool?”

Looking completely puzzled, Ryousuke turned to Kyuru. But she, too, was giving him a cold stare.

Even Caesar at his feet was glaring at him.

“What the—surrounded on all sides!?”

Just then, a doorbell rang out—ding dong—saving Ryousuke from what seemed like certain doom.

“Ah! It’s Mina!”

Leaping to his feet as if to escape, Ryousuke rushed to the front entrance. Watching him go,

“Mina’s coming?”

“No idea. Kyuru hasn’t heard anything.”

Lisara and Kyuru looked at each other in confusion. It was Wednesday during exam break—just before summer vacation, with the closing ceremony coming up the day after tomorrow. They hadn’t even seen Mina, their classmate, since school let out.

Apparently, only Ryousuke had been in contact with Mina. That alone was enough to make them feel like something was up.

Looking at the clock, it was just about to hit 4 p.m.

“Come to think of it, Ryousuke said something about a festival earlier.”

Lisara had been thinking of asking him whether they should grill the cheap chicken thighs she bought for dinner, and in response, he mentioned there was a festival.

“Could this be tied to some scheme related to the festival?”

Lisara touched her chin and pondered.

“Pointless to wonder. It’s bound to be something perverted” Kyuru said bluntly, holding nothing back.

“Come on, Kyuru. Even Ryousuke might think of something decent once in a while.”

“Has that ever happened since we came to the human world?”

“Uh…”

Lisara paused, caught off guard by the question.

She couldn’t think of anything.

Desperately digging through the depths of her memory for the sake of Ryousuke’s reputation, she still came up with nothing. No matter how cleanly she swept through every corner, she couldn’t recall a single wholesome or brilliant idea from Ryousuke that wasn’t somehow perverted.

“…………”

“Lisara-oneesama?”

“Kyuru, I think believing in the potential of the future is… a really beautiful thing.”

“In other words, you couldn’t think of anything, but maybe next time will be different, right?”

With a sigh, Kyuru shook her head.

“I just don’t understand what makes you trust him at all.”

“Don’t say that. Ryousuke has his own way of trying hard. Sure, he makes that annoyed face but in the end he still shares his spiritual energy with us and more importantly, he’s the one letting us live in this house.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“And also…”

Lisara trailed off, suddenly hesitating. Praising Ryousuke too much felt a little embarrassing.

‘I mean, if I said something like『when it counts, he throws himself in harm’s way to protect us and it’s kind of cool』Kyuru would definitely start prying again. Ugh, if only he weren’t so perverted. If he didn’t fantasize about other girls too, maybe… just maybe…’

As Lisara was lost in thought, Ryousuke entered the room with Mina and called out to her.

“What’s got you so deep in thought?”

“What else? Your constant fantasies. If it weren’t for that, maybe I’d…”

Noticing Ryousuke’s presence mid-sentence, Lisara clammed up. Then, clearing her throat:

“What’s with that big bag?”

She pointed at the large bag Ryousuke was carrying.

“Wow, you’re not even trying to hide that subject change.”

Ryousuke chuckled bitterly and placed the bag on the dining table.

“It’s just your imagination.”

“Sure, whatever.”

Not bothering to press it, Ryousuke started eagerly unpacking the bag.

“Mina brought this over for me.”

He began lining up the items one by one on the table.

“Waaah, so cute! Is this… a yukata?”

Lisara’s eyes sparkled as Mina smiled warmly.

“Yeah. I brought the yukata I wore a few years ago, and the one I wore last year.”

“But why?”

“Ryousuke-kun called me and said we should all go to the festival tonight.”

“That’s right. And when you think of festivals, you think of yukata. Just seeing someone in a yukata is enough to get you excited, right?”

Lisara and Kyuru looked at each other, then turned back to Ryousuke and nodded deeply.

“See, Kyuru? Sometimes Ryousuke actually comes up with great ideas!”

Lisara’s voice practically danced with joy.

“Ugh, just this once, I admit defeat.”

“Heh, total victory!”

Hearing Kyuru’s declaration of loss, Lisara grinned triumphantly. It wasn’t just the cuteness of the yukata that made her happy—it was also that Ryousuke’s reputation had risen slightly. Not that it should matter to her, but still, she couldn’t help being pleased.

Well, they did have a contract, irregular as it was, so it made sense for her to feel glad that her partner was being recognized.

“And of course, when it comes to yukata… it’s all about the nape of the neck.”

That dubious line from Ryousuke hit Lisara’s ears like a punch.

“When a girl with long hair ties it up… that glimpse of the nape. And even better—what you never get with normal clothes—that slight dip of the collar in a yukata that shows off the nape. I wanted to see it. Yes, I wanted to see the nape of Lisara and Kyuru, glowing in the summer night!”

Ryousuke stood there, fists clenched, trembling with joy.

“Wait… is that the real reason you prepared the yukata?”

“Hey now, don’t make me sound like an idiot.”

Ryousuke grinned at Lisara’s suspicious question.

“Of course, I’m also hoping for that lucky moment when someone’s obi comes undone.”

At that answer, Lisara crumbled to her knees, while Kyuru laughed so hard she pounded the table.

“…And I’ve been showing him mine every year…”

Mina muttered softly to herself, then gave her cheeks a light slap with her palms.

“What’s wrong, Mina?”

When Ryousuke asked, she smiled and replied,『It’s nothing』then turned to Lisara and Kyuru.

“Do either of you know how to put on a yukata?”

“I wore traditional clothes for a test of courage once, but I’m not confident about dressing myself.”

“I’ve never even tried before” Kyuru added.

“Then I’ll help you out.”

Mina clapped her hands and stood up.

“It’s already evening, so let’s change in the tatami room you two have been using.”

Following Mina’s lead, Lisara and Kyuru stood up with the yukata in hand. Ryousuke also got up.

“…Ryousuke.”

Lisara looked back at him.

“Yes? What is it?”

“You and Caesar can stay here and house-sit.”

“No, you’ve got it all wrong. I was just… going to the bathroom. That’s all. I definitely wasn’t thinking something like,『If I casually walk with them, maybe I can sneak a peek while they’re changing』. Nothing like that. Really.”

“Oh? Then would you like me to make you so uninterested, so utterly turned off, that you won’t even think of peeking?”

Lisara reached toward Ryousuke’s chest—to drain his life energy, that perverted soul he carried, and convert it into spiritual power.

In Ryousuke’s mind, a horrible memory resurfaced. No matter how thrilling the situation, no matter how close he came to a boy’s fantasy, he couldn’t feel a single flicker of excitement. Nothing worked, not even that. That completely drained, lifeless sensation—as a man, he felt like he had died. That trauma drove Ryousuke to snap into a salute.

“I’m sorry! I’ll stay here with Caesar and just imagine you changing!”

“Don’t even imagine it!!”

“Wha—But freedom of thought and belief, mental freedom, they’re protected by the Constitution! Which means my imagination is inviolable—sorry. I’ll stop.”

Seeing Lisara’s hand drawing even closer, Ryousuke quickly lowered his head in sincere apology.

Satisfied, Lisara left without draining his pervy soul and walked off with Mina and Kyuru.

At first, they walked calmly and composed.

After a few steps, their pace turned a bit lighter.

And by the time they left the living-dining area, they were practically skipping.

“Lisara’s that happy, huh…”

A faint bitter smile surfaced on Ryousuke’s face, and then disappeared.

He thought to himself.

Since Lisara came to the human world, how many proper outfits had she even worn? Their life—Ryousuke, Lisara, and Kyuru—was sustained entirely by the allowance sent from Ryousuke’s parents overseas. But his parents didn’t know about Lisara and Kyuru, the irregular guests. It wasn’t like he could just say, 『A lot’s happened and I’m living with some Shinigami, tehe』.

So the allowance was only meant for Ryousuke. That money was being split among three people—for food, utilities, and everything else. Their living expenses were tight. There was no extra money to buy anything beyond the essentials.

And Lisara had come to the human world behind everyone’s back.

Even though Kyuru’s information manipulation had made it seem like Lisara was researching ancient techniques, the truth was she’d left without permission. No matter how much of an elite lady she was, she didn’t have any spending money.

Which meant Lisara only had the bare minimum of clothing.

“She must really want to wear cute outfits… But outside of summer break, we’re not even allowed to have part-time jobs…”

There was one way Ryousuke could give her clothes.

Through his pervy soul.

By converting his perverted soul into spiritual energy and using a special spell to create clothing from literal dust. That’s how things like school uniforms and underwear were generated.

“But still… that’s just…”

As Ryousuke struggled with his thoughts, Caesar let out a small bark at his feet, almost as if to say:

“You already gave her a yukata, didn’t you? That’s good enough.”

“You’re right, Caesar. But… they’re probably changing right now…”

In an instant, Ryousuke’s mind leapt to a changing scene.

They were probably in their underwear, commenting on each other’s bust sizes, envying each other’s slim waists, fumbling with how to wear the yukata, and ending up with exposed chests as they adjusted the collars…

“Woof… (Weren’t you not going to fantasize?)”

“Caesar, even a dog like you doesn’t get it? This isn’t fantasy. It’s simulation. I’m just projecting a likely outcome of reality—there’s no extra lewdness added. Fantasy is when you inject more erotic elements and build a paradise in your brain. This is different.”

At Ryousuke’s reply, Caesar flopped down on the floor, clearly done with him.

And then, twenty minutes later, after Ryousuke’s simulation had fully played out, the door to the living room opened and the three girls entered.

In that instant, Ryousuke’s simulation was completely blown away.

Reality had far surpassed his imagination. Far, far surpassed it.

Kyuru, in her yukata, looked just like a living doll. Her light chestnut hair was tied at the back of her head, and she wore a beaming smile.

Mina, wearing a yukata, still couldn’t hide the sheer volume of her chest. It made you want to spin her around like a top just to watch it sway.

And then, Lisara. Her long, long red hair was tied up in a bun on top of her head. Maybe unsure if it suited her, she looked a little downcast, holding her drawstring bag in both hands while glancing up at Ryousuke from beneath her lashes.

“…Kuuuuh”

Tears streamed down from Ryousuke’s eyes.

“W-what’s wrong with you?”

“Lisara… I… I must be dreaming.”

“A dream?”

“Yes. This is just too perfect. The most amazing yukata look… and a summer festival…”

“Perfect? R-really? Does it suit me?”

Blushing a little, Lisara spun in a full turn.

“It suits you perfectly. You look exactly like a yukata beauty.”

“Ahahaha. Oh stop it, I know already, but… eheh…”

“And Kyuru, Mina. You two look amazing too.”

“W-well of course I do. I mean, Kyuru is always adorable.”

“Ryousuke-kun called me amazing… he said I’m amazing…”

Kyuru scratched her cheek awkwardly and Mina responded while fidgeting shyly.

And Ryousuke… wasn’t even watching them.

Tears were pouring down his face. His eyes squeezed shut, fists trembling as he sobbed with emotion, pouring out his heartfelt thoughts.

“Ugh, I get it. I know this is just a stroke of luck. I know that for a guy like me, something as huge as Yukata Girls at a Summer Festival isn’t meant to happen. But even if it’s just a lucky event, I have no regrets about this summer! I can face tomorrow!”

One man weeping passionately.

One girl spinning bashfully in place.

One girl scratching her cheek with a smug grin.

One girl blushing and fidgeting while looking down.

“Fwaaaah…”

And one dog, Caesar, yawning in utter exasperation.

With no one left to play the straight man, the four of them remained in that frozen moment for a while.

※ ※ ※

“Pretty crowded, huh.”

As the festival music echoed along the shrine’s approach, Ryousuke pushed through the crowd. Behind him followed the three girls in yukata. For Ryousuke, who dreamed of experiencing a miraculous summer surrounded by three yukata-clad beauties, this crowd was nothing short of a curse. After all, if he had to walk in front to clear the way, he couldn’t enjoy the view behind him.

Even if they weren’t his, even if those beautiful girls were out of reach, couldn’t he at least be allowed to look? Just this once, couldn’t he bask in a moment of harem-like bliss? Damn you, stupid god!

“Damn it, this is why I wanted to leave earlier. Because we were late, we’re stuck in this crowd!”

“Late? And who was the one crying the whole time?”

Lisara, walking just behind him, sharply picked up on Ryousuke’s grumbling and snapped back.

“You could’ve stopped me instead of just watching!”

“…Well, um…”

Lisara faltered at Ryousuke’s retort. Then Kyuru chimed in from behind her.

“Lisara-oneesama, you were spinning around in circles too~”

“You were grinning from ear to ear, Kyuru!”

“Better than spinning like a top, thank you very much.”

“I mean… it’s basically the same thing…”

At Ryousuke’s observation, Lisara and Kyuru both turned their faces away with a pout.

“Um, you guys… how about we stop fighting and check out the night stalls?”

Mina timidly suggested from the very back. Just as she said, the path alongside the shrine was packed with festival stands. Cotton candy, chocolate bananas, sauce crackers, candied apples, yakisoba, grilled squid legs… All of them essentials—no, the real stars—of a summer festival.

Ryousuke, Lisara, and Kyuru all stopped in their tracks, their eyes drawn to the stalls.

“S-so this is Japan’s summer festival… We learned about it at Shinigami Academy, but what is this feeling? Despite the cheap, tacky vibe, there’s this strange charm that tugs at my heart—no, my soul…”

Lisara muttered, and Kyuru nodded in agreement.

“Yes, everything looks cheap and shoddy, yet my soul is screaming! I want to buy things, I want to frolic, I want to carry something in both hands!”

“Fufu, I feel the same. No matter how old you get, festivals are always fun. Right, Ryousuke-kun?”

Before he realized it, Mina had come up beside Ryousuke, smiling gently at him.

“Well, yeah. Mina and I have been coming to this festival every year since we were kids, and it never gets old.”

“Yeah. It’s always so much fun.”

“Hmmm, so you two come together every year, huh?”

Lisara threw a sideways glance and Ryousuke replied without missing a beat.

“She may be a childhood friend, but Mina’s cute and has huge boobs. There’s no way I’d go with someone like Ohira instead.”

“R-Ryousuke-kun, maybe don’t say that in the middle of a crowd…”

Mina’s face flushed bright red.

“It’s obvious enough just by looking, isn’t it? I mean, she already stands out.”

And it was true. Anyone could see it—no, anyone was seeing it. Men passing by couldn’t help glancing at Mina’s chest at least once.

“Standing out like that… Ahaha, that’s embarrassing… cute, you say… ahaha…”

As Mina fidgeted in embarrassment, Ryousuke turned away and called out to Lisara and Kyuru.

“What now, Ryousuke?”

“My, are you just going to leave Mina-san like that?”

For some reason, Lisara’s tone sounded annoyed and Kyuru wore a bitter smile.

“What’s with you two?”

“It’s nothing at all!”

“Yes, nothing at all for Kyuru either!”

Weirdos, the both of them.

“Anyway, about the night stalls—you two are fully aware of our household finances, right?”

Both girls nodded with a quick bob of their heads.

“We can’t rely on Mina’s allowance. So, our total war chest for the three of us is three thousand yen.”

“Th-three thousand yen!?”

Lisara’s eyes went wide in shock. Well, for a proper rich girl like her, that amount must’ve seemed impossible. But it couldn’t be helped. Even if he planned to work over summer break, money that wasn’t there now couldn’t be used.

“I can’t help it. Summer break is just getting started. I’ve gotta think about other fun stuff too…”

“No, that’s not it. I mean, are you sure it’s okay to use that much!?”

She was surprised for the opposite reason…

‘Well, Lisara is really good at digging through supermarket sales. And she’s great at cooking cheap but tasty food too.’

Yesterday, she made a snack using leftover crusts from the bakery she’d become friends with, frying them and coating them in sugar.

“In summer, fresh foods spoil faster, so it’s hard to buy a lot of stuff on sale, you know?”

It was a very down-to-earth observation.

“If I calculated right, it’ll be fine. Plus, Peach Garden Academy allows summer jobs. I plan to earn a bit.”

“As long as your math checks out, I guess…”

“So, that means we’ve got to be very selective about which stalls we hit.”

“Yes! Yes, yes!”

Kyuru raised her hand energetically, even bouncing on her feet.

“Kyuru would like that cotton candy snack, please!”

“But Kyuru, that cotton candy stuff is mostly just air, right? I think it’d be better to get something with a bit more substance.”

“Lisara-oneesama, why are you always so stingy?”

“S-Stingy!?”

“It’s a rare festival! You have to enjoy it, or it’s a waste!”

“But we don’t have much money… Something like yakisoba fills you up and is more efficient, don’t you think?”

“What’s this, Lisara? Are you just hungry?”

“S-shut up, you idiot! That’s not what I meant at all!”

Lisara shook her head wildly from side to side. Her reaction was suspicious… very suspicious.

“Um, you guys…”

Returning to her usual calm self, Mina raised her hand gently.

“I have a decent bit of allowance left, so… I wouldn’t mind paying for Kyuru-chan’s cotton candy.”

“Wait, really!?”

Kyuru clapped her hands and jumped up with joy. But Ryousuke and Lisara exchanged uncertain looks.

“Mina, even so—”

“It’s okay, Ryousuke-kun. Besides, if Kyuru-chan and I buy the things we want, and you and Lisara do the same, we can all share them later, right?”

“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Ryousuke, why don’t we just lean on Mina a bit tonight and repay her later?”

“U-uhh…”

Even if she was his childhood friend, Ryousuke couldn’t help feeling awkward about letting a girl pay for him.

“Ryousuke-kun, sometimes it’s important to let a girl feel appreciated too, you know?”

“Really…?”

“Yup, really.”

Mina’s gentle smile made it impossible for Ryousuke to argue.

“Yeah, alright. Then Mina, I’m counting on you to take care of Kyuru.”

“Okay!”

“Mina-san, let’s go to the cotton candy stall right away!”

Grabbing Mina’s hand, Kyuru dove into the crowd with uncontainable energy.

“Hey! We’re meeting up in thirty minutes at the omikuji vending machine next to the main shrine, got it!?”

“That’s our usual regroup spot if we get separated, right!”

Mina’s voice echoed from within the crowd.

“Geez, that girl’s way too excited…”

Ryousuke chuckled, and Lisara chuckled beside him too.

“She acts mature, but she’s still just a kid.”

“Seriously.”

“But… you two really are childhood friends, huh?”

“What do you mean『really』? It’s not like I’d lie about that.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Lisara shrugged, though Ryousuke had no idea what she meant.

“Well, whatever. Let’s enjoy things our way, too.”

Lisara smiled cheerfully.

Seeing that smile, Ryousuke had a strong feeling this year’s summer festival was going to be a fun one.

…Or so he thought.

Yes, before he knew it, things had taken a completely unexpected turn.

It happened just a few minutes after that feeling of excitement.

Lisara suddenly raised her voice, tight with nervous tension.

“I-It’s my first time, so… d-don’t just leave it all to me. You… you’re the guy, so you should, um, take the lead… okay?”

“Uh, wait, huh?”

“I-It’s my first time with a guy, too!”

Lisara turned her face toward Ryousuke. Her face was bright red, and even though their eyes met for just a second, she immediately looked away again.

“So, Ryousuke… you need to properly… um, do it…”

By the time she got to『do it』, her voice had dropped to a tiny whisper. As soon as she finished saying it, she turned away again.

“Lisara… a-ah, okay. I-I’ll do it. I’ll take the lead.”

Ryousuke’s heart was pounding so loud it felt like it would burst. But he was a man. With a girl saying this much to him, there was no option but to go through with it.

“Lisara, is… is this okay?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Hearing her tiny answer, Ryousuke slowly applied pressure…

“Ow! Be a little gentler…”

Hearing her voice, Ryousuke quickly eased up.

And then, he felt it.

Lisara’s warmth.

The warmth of her hand, which he had just taken into his own.

For the first time, Ryousuke and Lisara held hands and started walking.

The whole thing had started just after Lisara’s smile.

She had taken a step forward, then suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s… pretty crowded, huh.”

She said it without turning back.

“Yeah, it is.”

“We might get separated…”

“Well, I guess there’s a chance.”

“Earlier, when Kyuru took Mina’s hand, it was probably to reduce that risk. A perfect example of risk management.”

“I mean, I don’t know if it’s that serious…”

“No, it’s risk management.”

“…Okay.”

“Wouldn’t you say the first step in crisis prevention is eliminating potential danger early on?”

“Uh, I have no idea what you’re trying to say, Lisara…”

Lisara’s right hand extended behind her—toward Ryousuke.

“Listen, Ryousuke. This is strictly risk management.”

“……Uhh, so what exactly does that mean?”

Lisara suddenly spun around, stomped back toward him and grabbed Ryousuke’s left hand.

“W-Wait, hey!?”

His heart practically leapt out of his chest. Without a care for the cardiac arrest she might’ve caused, Lisara forcefully shot her words at him.

“You don’t want to get separated, right? Besides, you’re the one holding the wallet!”

“Y-Yeah.”

“If we get separated, I can’t buy anything, you know?”

“R-Right.”

“That’s why this is risk management. Got it? It’s just risk management!”

“U-Understood!”

He couldn’t even bring himself to squeeze her hand back. He simply straightened his back and walked stiffly forward, letting her hold onto him.

Not a single complaint could be made. No matter the reason, here he was, walking through the summer festival stalls, hand-in-hand with a girl in a yukata—a beautiful girl, at that. What could be more perfect in youth than this? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

This was the kind of fulfilling youth Ryousuke had longed for over and over again but never thought he’d attain.

That’s when a thought hit him.

“W-Wait a sec…”

“What is it?”

Lisara, for some reason facing slightly away from him as they walked, answered in a stiff tone.

“Well… we’ve held hands before, like, during the spirit power measurement thing…”

“Y-Yeah, I guess we did…”

“But like… walking around holding hands like this—it’s our f-first time, right?”

His voice cracked with nerves. But Lisara didn’t answer. Instead of saying anything, she just stopped walking.

“U-Uh, Lisara-san?”

When he called her name, Lisara flinched slightly. Then, she let go of his hand.

‘…Crap. I shouldn’t have said that. I ruined the moment.’

That thought came with a strange sense of relief too. He was happy—overwhelmingly happy—but so happy he didn’t know what to do with himself. It was the kind of joy that made you want to run away from it all.

But contrary to his inner chaos, Lisara softly called his name.

“Ryousuke.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“You’re right. Like you said… this is my first time… holding hands and walking with a guy. So, you know… that’s why, um, I want you to do it properly… not me.”

And with that, Lisara reached out her hand again.

Ryousuke awkwardly took it.

His heart pounded wildly. The excitement was real—intense—but it felt different from the usual thrill. It wasn’t about lust or adrenaline. It was something deeper. Something warmer.

Ryousuke couldn’t quite figure out what exactly felt different and that was frustrating.

To make things worse, Lisara remained completely silent, so the two of them just wandered aimlessly down the shrine path.

Along the way, they bought the yakisoba they originally planned to get, and then, at the casual invitation of a vendor next door, purchased a festival mask.

That was it.

Neither of them said a word. They simply walked side by side in silence.

It was awkward. Unbearably awkward.

And yet, Ryousuke couldn’t bring himself to break that tension. Nor did Lisara make any move to say or do something to shift it.

That fragile, tightly wound atmosphere was finally shattered by a single voice.

“Huh? Isn’t that Lisara-san and Ryousuke?”

Cutting through the crowd came the voice of their classmate and reigning president of the school’s unofficial girl-watching intelligence network, 『Mankokapak Party』—Ohira. His voice obliterated the awkward tension between the two in an instant.

Almost simultaneously, Ryousuke and Lisara let go of each other’s hands and turned to face each other, chuckling nervously.

“Man, you’re so lucky, Ryousuke! Hogging Lisara-san in a yukata all to yourself?! That’s not fair!”

Ohira shoved his way through the crowd and closed in on Ryousuke.

“Well, you know… just using my privilege as the live-in guy, I guess.”

“Yeah, yeah. Gotta give Ryousuke a little eye candy every now and then as a reward,”

Lisara added with a playful tone, smoothly picking up where Ryousuke left off. It was their usual back-and-forth banter—nothing strange about it at all.

“So, Ryousuke.”

“What?”

“If Lisara-san is here, that means Ookura-san and Kyuru-chan must be around too, right?”

Pushed by Ohira’s energy, both Ryousuke and Lisara nodded.

Ohira made a small fist pump. “Alright, I’ve decided! I’m gonna create a ranking of all the girls from our school who came to tonight’s festival in yukata! And then I’ll write a full report and present it at the end-of-term ceremony the day after tomorrow! Let’s gooo!”

With that bold declaration, Ohira disappeared into the crowd.

Stunned by Ohira’s overwhelming presence, both Ryousuke and Lisara stood there for a few seconds, staring in the direction he had disappeared.

But they were still in a crowd. Pushed along by the flow of people, if they weren’t careful, the distance between Ryousuke and Lisara would widen.

“H-Hey, Lisara!”

Ryousuke hurried after her as she started to get swept away. Lisara quickly realized what was happening and struggled her way back to him.

By the time they reunited, they had ended up near some shrubs along the path.

“Ahh… so basically we got shoved out of the way,” Ryousuke muttered with a wry laugh as he turned to Lisara—only to find her now wearing a children’s hero-themed mask.

“…What the hell are you doing?”

Lisara didn’t answer. She just looked at Ryousuke, still wearing the mask.

“Should we do… risk management again?”

“…Huh?”

“I mean, the risk of getting separated just became reality, didn’t it?”

Her expression was hidden behind the mask, but her voice seemed a little higher than usual.

“You’re not against it, are you?”

“Well… yeah, we did nearly get separated just now.”

“Right.”

“But like, at least take off the mask when we’re walking. It’s dangerous.”

“…I will… once we start walking.”

“…Whatever.”

Ryousuke scratched his head lightly and reached out, taking Lisara’s hand amid the sounds of flutes and festival chatter. He was just about to start walking—

“Kyah!”

Lisara let out a small shriek and suddenly lost her balance.

“Whoa!”

Thanks to holding hands, Ryousuke was able to catch her before she fell. He even managed to keep hold of the yakisoba.

“……”

“……”

A few seconds of frozen silence. Then, without a word, they gently pulled apart.

“S-See? I told you it’s dangerous to walk around with that mask on.”

As Ryousuke pointed this out, Lisara removed the mask and pouted.

“You’re wrong. The thong on my zori broke.”

[Zori also rendered as zōri are thonged Japanese sandals]

Sure enough, the strap on the zori she was wearing on her right foot had snapped.

“Ah, those were old sandals from Mina’s place, right? Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

“I need to apologize to Mina…”

Lisara’s mood visibly sank as she remembered whose sandals they were. Seeing that, Ryousuke tried to lift her spirits by speaking cheerfully.

“Well, we can do that later. First we need to figure out what to do now.”

“Huh?”

“You can’t really hop around on one foot in this crowd, can you? Or are you saying you’ll walk with your arm around my shoulder all night?”

“…Yeah, I’d like to avoid that if I can.”

Lisara gave a wry smile, likely imagining what it would look like.

“In that case, it’s simple. I’ve got an idea—let’s head over there.”

“…Fine, I suppose I have no choice.”

Nodding, Lisara awkwardly leaned on Ryousuke as they put their arms around each other’s shoulders, heading toward a nearby bench Ryousuke remembered. Lisara hopped beside him on one foot.

Ryousuke slipped his arm under her armpit, raising it upward—because if he left it lower, it might accidentally land on her chest. He had already been glared at for that once. So rather than『linking arms』, it was more like he was half-carrying her from the side.

That was the mistake.

By the time they reached the bench a short distance off the main path, the prelude to disaster had already begun.

Neither Ryousuke nor Lisara, unfamiliar with yukata, noticed it happening.

“If you sit on the ground, you’ll get dirty. So take a seat here on the bench.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“It’s a trick they often use in period dramas. I’ll use a handkerchief to patch the broken sandal strap.”

“Oh, I see. I guess washing that old handkerchief and keeping it around was worth it.”

“Exactly. Alright, I’ll help you sit down, okay?”

“Yeah.”

He pulled his arm out from under her armpit. Lisara kept holding onto Ryousuke’s shoulder and carefully lifted her right foot—the one with the broken sandal strap—trying not to let her yukata flap open as she unsteadily lowered herself onto the bench.

Neither of them thought about the obi tied around her back.

Sliiide.

The sash caught on the back of the bench.

The obi, which had already loosened during the awkward walk here, slipped free.

Rustle. The collar of her yukata parted to either side.

“…Huh?”

Lisara froze, letting out a dumbfounded sound.

In front of Ryousuke’s eyes, the yukata spread open even wider, left and right.

“Th-this is… this is the soul of the Japanese people!”

Within Ryousuke, the ever-flowing spirit of Japanese manhood blazed into flame.

She wasn’t completely naked. Most importantly, Lisara was still properly wearing her underwear.

However, however, the beautiful fabric of the yukata was partially hiding Lisara’s white underwear.

Yes, that’s right — the beautiful yukata fabric was also partially hiding Lisara’s pale stomach.

Let’s look at the upper body.

The bra unnecessarily strapped onto that sadly flat chest was only covering the outer edges of the presumed peaks. Of course, there was no cleavage to speak of.

But if you shifted your eyes higher, there it was — her collarbone.

From her neck to part of her clavicle was exposed, visible just barely through the yukata, with a perfect and delicate degree of exposure.

Now, the lower body.

Perhaps because her right leg was raised, her right side wasn’t visible.

But her belly button peeked in and out from the swaying collar of the yukata, as if teasing Ryousuke by alternating between reveal and conceal.

And her left side — a magnificent waistline worthy of being called a national treasure was fully exposed.

“The right side being hidden, while the left side is visible… that’s what makes it so amazing!”

And then, the panties.

The white panties were also only half-visible — on the left side.

“More than anything else — the left leg, the glorious left thigh is completely exposed! And the base, the very root, where the thigh meets the body, that place connected to the Eden hidden by the panties — it’s completely out in the open!”

Without thinking, Ryousuke saluted.

Of course, while engraving this precious, far too precious, one-in-a-lifetime scene — a miracle that should be recorded in human history — deep into his mind.

“No, but wait. Wait, me. Am I really satisfied with this? Should I not go further? Toward that forbidden urban legend — the『no panties under a yukata』territory. Should I not, as a man born Japanese, strive to witness such a vision? Yes, indeed. That red field, half-hidden beneath the yukata — should I not be aiming to see that, to yearn for it?”

From the deepest depths of Ryousuke’s soul, where his life force slumbered, a roar erupted.

The《Broken Sword Gram》stabbed into him absorbed Ryousuke’s burning erotic soul, made his body tremble, and began to rise — strong, proud, and fierce.

There was no stopping it now.

Before this piercing stimulus, this dream-like situation, Ryousuke’s lewd soul simply couldn’t be stopped.

With his soul ablaze, Ryousuke shouted.

And letting that outpouring soul guide him, he lowered his head.

“So, that’s why… I’d like you to take off your panties.”

“…………”

“Don’t worry. Even a pervert has decency and rules. I won’t look while you’re taking them off!”

“Ryousuke, would you please raise your face?”

“Eh, I can watch while you’re taking off your panties!?”

At Lisara’s unexpected reply, Ryousuke snapped his head up with force. The moment he did, Lisara’s hand touched his chest.

“Huh?”

Ryousuke let out a stupid-sounding noise and froze up.

“Gram, In the name of your master, Lisara Restall, I command you. Offer unto me the power of the soul that you have embraced!”

“Uhiieeeeeeeek!!”

At the same time as Ryousuke’s shriek—

OoooooooooooOOOOONNN!

《Gram》 roared out a bestial cry and trembled.

“Gram, obey the command of your master!”

Before Lisara’s resolute command,《Gram》quieted its roar.

At that exact moment, the energy of life — Ryousuke’s erotic soul was converted into spiritual energy through《Gram》and flowed into Lisara.

Ryousuke’s excitement wilted and shriveled up…

Little by little, the overwhelming excitement he felt from the sight of Lisara’s seductive figure in the opened yukata lost its hold over him.

No, in his mind, in his reason, he still understood that this sight was erotic, that he should be turned on.

But in reality, he could only muster a detached reaction like,『Well, whatever』. Ryousuke began to transform into a dried-up, finished man.

“Phew, I suppose this much should be enough.”

Lisara let out a breath as if satisfied. To that Lisara, Ryousuke spoke calmly.

“Lisara.”

“What is it?”

“It’s too sad to watch. Just hurry up and fix your yukata.”

Ryousuke quietly stared at Lisara, her yukata disheveled and her skin exposed.

“Huh?”

“It’s just sad. Seriously sad. Even though I’m looking at you half-naked in a yukata, I feel nothing, absolutely nothing. Not even the slightest bit of volcano!!”

Thwack!

Ryousuke’s face was suddenly smashed with a mask from a festival stand.

※ ※ ※

While Ryousuke was getting a mask slammed into his face, Kyuru and Mina were thoroughly enjoying the festival stalls.

“Hmm, I wonder how things are going over there.”

Murmuring that, Kyuru lightly tore off a piece of cotton candy and popped it into her mouth.

“Kyuru-chan, are you worried about them?”

Mina, walking beside her, looked at Kyuru as if trying to probe her.

Dodging that gaze, Kyuru took another bite of cotton candy.

“…Of course not. This has nothing to do with Kyuru. It’s just, you know, I was wondering if something interesting was happening. That’s all.”

“I wonder if that’s really true.”

“Of course it is. Besides, wouldn’t it trouble you too if your rivals increased, Mina-san?”

“Rival…? I’m not…”

Being hit with that probing look, Mina trailed off uncertainly.

“More importantly, Mina-san, are you really okay with being with Kyuru right now?”

“Eh…?”

“You wanted to go around the night stalls with Ryousuke-san, didn’t you?”

“Th-that is…”

“You don’t have to hide it. I understand.”

“Yeah. But I wonder why. At that moment, I just felt like I had to do it… Even I don’t really understand it myself.”

“Uuun” Mina tilted her head slightly in puzzlement.

“Good grief. You’re a caregiver down to the marrow, Mina-san.”

Kyuru smiled and looked up at Mina with warmth in her eyes.

It was at that moment.

“How carefree.”

From Mina’s mouth came a voice that didn’t sound like it could possibly be hers.

“Mina-san…?”

“If you thought Ookura Mina merely pulled back because she’s a caregiver, Kyuru Zeria, then I’m telling you, you’re more naive than I imagined.”

“…Just who are you?”

Kyuru stepped back to create distance, lowering her stance to prepare for combat at any moment.

“Hmm, this body certainly belongs to Ookura Mina, but I am not Mina. Still… this place is too conspicuous. Let us speak over there, behind those unfrequented bushes.”

The one who was Mina yet not Mina said that.

“You think I’m the kind of Kyuru who would just naively follow along after being told that?”

“Fair point. But I’m the one controlling this Ookura Mina’s body. You could say she’s a hostage. Even so, are you saying you still won’t obey me?”

“Kuh…”

Kyuru bit her lip. It was frustrating, but the other was right. As long as Mina was being controlled, she was effectively a hostage.

“I’m glad you seem to understand. Now then, follow me.”

Kyuru stared bitterly at Mina’s back as she began to walk away, then reluctantly followed after her.

“Now then, just as I expected, there’s no sign of anyone coming around here.”

In a secluded corner of the Chinjuyu Forest, far from the glow of the night stalls, Mina muttered.

“What do you plan to do, bringing me all the way out here? If you’re thinking of attacking Kyuru, even if it’s Mina-san, I’ll knock you out.”

Kyuru glared, baring hostility.

“Haha, in this current situation where I’m merely borrowing Ookura Mina’s body, I can’t really do anything, can I?”

“There’s still a chance you might be a lesbian, you know.”

“Could it be the influence of having Kaga Ryousuke nearby? You sure come up with some perverted ideas.”

Mina gave a dry laugh.

“Wha—d-don’t lump me in with a pervert like Ryousuke-san!”

“Hmm. But it would be a problem if you two didn’t end up together.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Kyuru blinked, clearly unable to understand what she was hearing.

“Would you get it if I said,『you two need to become one』?”

“Hah?”

Not a clue what that meant.

“Good grief, you talk like you’re mature, but you really are still just a child.”

At those words, Kyuru frowned deeply in irritation.

“Let me put it in a way even a child can understand. Kyuru Zeria, you are going to have your first experience with Kaga Ryousuke.”

Kyuru stared blankly at Mina. One second. Two. Ten. Thirty. A full minute passed, and Kyuru’s brain still couldn’t process what she had just heard. Mina, seeing that, had no choice but to add a more direct explanation.

“Kyuru Zeria, you will give your first time to Kaga Ryousuke.”

“Give my first… first experience… become one…”

Kyuru repeated the words—and then turned bright red and screamed.

“You’re saying I’m going to have my first time with Ryousuke-san?!”

It was a completely off-pitch shriek. 

“Th-that’s absolutely ridiculous! Why would I—me, Kyuru—why would I ever give my first time to someone like th-that pervert?! That’s impossible! No way, no, no, not happening, not ever!”

“Oh? You’re reacting with that much denial? Or could it be you’re just shy?”

“I-I’m not embarrassed at all! From the bottom of my heart, from the very—”

She hesitated a moment, then shook her head vigorously and shouted again.

“A-anyway, no way! Just no! More importantly, just what are you thinking?! Who the hell are you, and what’s your goal doing something so absurd?!”

“Good grief, you still haven’t figured it out?”

Mina shrugged her shoulders and stepped closer. Kyuru quickly reined in her rising emotions and stared sharply, full of wariness.

“My name is Meiz Galdabroeg, ranked sixty-nine among the Stanzas.”

Galdabroeg declared solemnly.

“Wha—!”

“I already cast a spell on Ookura Mina’s soul once. It seems you all thought you had broken it, but my spell isn’t something weaklings like you can deal with. The wedge is still firmly in place.”

It wasn’t boastful, merely a calm statement of fact.

“But I am not a demon either. Kyuru Zeria, if you’re willing to negotiate, I’ll release Ookura Mina’s soul.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

Kyuru shot a look that didn’t just show suspicion—it lacked even a fragment of trust.

“I am a revolutionary. And revolution values honor and trust.”

After saying that, Mina—no, Galdabroeg—let out a small laugh.

“Not that I expect you to believe me, of course”

“Obviously.”

“But even so, you have no other option but to trust me.”

Galdabroeg spoke coldly.

“Ah, of course. Now that you know the truth, you could try seeking help from the Shinigami organization. But remember this—I’m always watching you all through Mina’s body. You should know what will happen if you make any strange moves.”

“Kh… kuh.”

Kyuru groaned in frustration.

“Relax. What I’m asking from you isn’t difficult.”

Galdabroeg pulled out a cylindrical object about five centimeters long and tossed it to Kyuru.

“What is this?”

Kyuru caught it and stared at the object suspiciously.

“Lipstick.”

“Lipstick?”

“For your first time, you’re not even going to bother with a bit of makeup?”

“Wha—!!”

Kyuru’s face turned bright red.

“Hahaha, just kidding. That’s not just any lipstick. Whoever wears it will be linked to me spiritually for a short time.”

“…And what’s the point of that?”

“I want to know the secret behind Kaga Ryousuke’s soul. That soul doesn’t feel like a Singular One, but something is hidden in it. I must uncover what that is.”

“There’s something about Ryousuke-san’s soul…?”

“That’s right. And that’s where the first experience comes in. A person’s first time always deeply shakes the soul and exposes openings. Using that gap, I plan to probe into Kaga Ryousuke’s soul. But for that to happen, I must be in contact with him at that very moment.”

Galdabroeg paused his words there, then grinned at Kyuru.

“In other words, while linked to me spiritually via that lipstick, Kyuru Zeria—you are to carry out your first physical union with Kaga Ryousuke. Simply put, your first time.”

“Wha—wha-wha-wha—”

The shock was so great, no words came out of Kyuru’s mouth. Her brain was on the verge of short-circuiting.

“I originally intended to do it using this body of Ookura Mina, but as incomprehensible as it is, Kaga Ryousuke doesn’t seem to view these alluringly massive breasts as sexually appealing. Restall’s successor is also flat-chested. He probably doesn’t see them as sexual targets. Which means, despite your youth, with breasts worthy of fondling, you are my only choice.”

“Th-that may be, but if Kyuru does it… I-I mean, from the outside, that’d make Ryousuke-san a lolicon! I’ve never heard anything about him being a lolicon!”

“Relax. All men love breasts. After all, no matter what else they reject at birth, what they latch onto is breasts. That’s right, unless they’re sagging too much, age doesn’t matter in the face of breasts!”

“This guy is hopeless..”

Kyuru muttered without thinking.

“Have I convinced you?”

“Of course not! This isn’t just betraying Lisara-oneesama again, this is about risking a maiden’s purity!”

“Exactly. But are you prepared to abandon Ookura Mina? I believe I’m offering rather generous terms here.”

“In what universe?!”

“Ookura Mina’s spiritual power is considerable. So much so that I considered using her as a test subject for refining my spell to extract spiritual energy—and to replenish my own power. If you refuse, I’ll begin those experiments using Ookura Mina. But if you accept my proposal, though a bit regretful, I will give up on her.”

“Kh… guuuuuh…”

Galdabroeg listened to Kyuru’s groans with evident pleasure, muttering “Hmm,” and grinning.

“Wouldn’t it be more motivating if there’s a benefit for you as well?”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you successfully have your first time with Kaga Ryousuke, I’ll tell you the secret of his soul. Not a bad deal, is it?”

“The secret of Ryousuke-san’s soul…”

“That’s right. The secret of the soul that awakened 《Broken Sword Gram》—a feat even Singular Ones can hardly accomplish. It may even help you replace Restall.”

“T-that’s… but…”

Kyuru hesitated.

“Come now, you’d be saving Ookura Mina’s soul. There’s nothing to hesitate over.”

“W-well… that may be true..”

“Now then, let’s hear your answer. Yes or no?”

Faced with that final ultimatum, Kyuru lowered her head.

There was no helping it. With Mina taken hostage, there was no way she could resist.

Kyuru actually liked Mina quite a bit—this caring, pure-hearted girl. Unlike herself, who aimed to surpass even Lisara, whom she admired like an older sister, or like Iria, who betrayed the Restall family for the sake of her own ambition, Mina’s soul was radiant and precious to Kyuru.

She was doing this to save Mina.

And on top of that, there was the bonus of learning the secret behind Ryousuke’s soul.

The part about losing her first time to Ryousuke was… incredibly, impossibly mortifying…

‘I’ll just have to think of it as being bitten by a stray dog…’

A bitter smile rose naturally to her lips.

‘Well, besides… Kyuru is the daughter of the Zeria family. My first time was always likely to be with some stranger in a political marriage. If I think of it that way, Ryousuke-san might actually be the better option—wait, what am I thinking?! There’s no way that’s true, absolutely not. For someone like that to be my first… ah, it’s the worst, seriously the worst! This is nothing but a disaster! Kyuru, you’re so unlucky!’

She tried desperately to lower her opinion of Ryousuke.

“…Why are you grinning, then fuming? What are you even doing?”

Galdabroeg asked with a puzzled tone. Kyuru glared sharply at him.

“How dare you intrude on a maiden’s emotional turmoil. That’s beyond insensitive!”

“Ah—right, sorry… no, wait, that’s not what I meant! So, what’s your answer?!”

“Yes! Yes, alright! That perverted, lecherous idiot—uh, and, um, feminist—but that’s not really an insult… ugh, anyway, he’s the worst, but I’ll do it! My first time! That’s what you want, right?!”

“A-ah, yes, that’s right.”

Caught off guard by Kyuru’s sudden outburst, Galdabroeg nodded repeatedly, somewhat flustered—and then awkwardly cleared his throat with a cough.

“Right, well then. I’m satisfied with how fruitful this deal turned out. Now, I’m also a busy man, constantly being hunted and all. I’ll have you complete your first time by the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s absurd!”

“It’s simple. Just crawl into his bed tonight. I don’t think that’s unreasonable at all.”

With a sly grin, Galdabroeg’s presence vanished completely from in front of Kyuru…