After helping the two of them recover to about ninety-nine percent, and waiting until Kaguya finally calmed down, Shichen took them back to rejoin everyone. Then they all boarded the plane home.
He could have just teleported straight back, of course, but on a school-organized trip like this, it really wouldn't do for a teacher to go off on his own.
Way too many hassles.
Adding two more people for the trip home wasn't a big deal; the travel agency was still footing the bill anyway, and there were seats available.
Speaking of the travel agency, Shichen suddenly thought of Ellen. What had she actually come to do?
She hadn't taken any real action at all, and was just happily playing with the students.
That battleship should have had something to do with her, right?
Forget it. It wasn't something worth worrying about. Since she hadn't done anything, he decided to leave her be and focus on more important things—like getting home and hugging Yoshino.
He hadn't slept all night, then played with Tohka and the others the entire day. On the way back, Shichen couldn't resist his drowsiness and nodded off, leaning against Tohka's shoulder.
Tohka tilted her head to look at him, lips curving up, then adjusted her posture so he could sleep more comfortably.
Sitting on his other side, Kurumi watched the scene, feeling a little moved, and quietly suggested they switch seats.
Tohka, naturally, refused.
On Tohka's other side was Origami. She looked at Shichen's sleeping face, then at Tohka's happy expression, and said nothing.
Her own matters still weren't settled; this wasn't the time to enjoy things. Once she found her parents, she wouldn't hold herself back anymore.
Then she'd do exactly what she wanted.
When Shichen opened his eyes again, the plane was just landing.
After they left the airport and Kozue-sensei finished giving her instructions, the students all headed off their separate ways. Shichen then took Tohka and the Yamai twins home.
Kurumi and Origami didn't come along.
Kurumi had been separated from Sawa for three days and missed her a little; she wanted to go see her.
Origami didn't say much of anything—just said goodbye quietly and left on her own.
Once they'd left the airport, Shichen found a spot where no one was around and teleported everyone straight home.
"Onii-chan!"
"Shichen-nii!"
The moment they came back, he heard Kotori and Yoshino calling out in surprise and delight.
"I'm back," Shichen said, pulling both girls into his arms.
"Wow, you're really laying it on thick," Yoshinon quipped.
"Yeah, we haven't seen Kotori and Yoshino in almost two days. I missed you both like crazy," Shichen replied.
"Two days?" Tohka looked at him suspiciously.
"Haha~ I actually came back the first night," Shichen admitted with a laugh.
"Eh? You came back and didn't bring me with you!?"
"You seemed to be having a great time with your classmates."
"Oh, that's true."
"Onii-chan, who are those two?" Kotori had noticed Kaguya and Yuzuru.
"Right, I forgot to mention it. This is Kaguya and this is Yuzuru. They're spirits too."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Kaguya."
"I am Yuzuru…"
The two greeted everyone, looking a bit stiff.
"Hehe~ No need to be so formal. Just treat this place like your own home," Shichen said.
"Onii-chan, are you going to have them live with us too?" Kotori asked.
"I don't really have a choice. Kaguya and Yuzuru don't have anywhere else to go. They're good girls."
"Really? And you don't have any special relationship with them, Onii-chan?" Kotori narrowed her eyes at him.
"Well…" Shichen was at a rare loss for words.
"Mm…"
Kaguya and Yuzuru both blushed, immediately recalling last night's scenes.
Those memories really didn't want to go away.
"I knew it," Kotori muttered under her breath.
"Mm? Knew what?" Tohka asked, confused.
"You don't need to know, Tohka. Just focus on enjoying summer break. If there's anywhere you want to go, tell me and I'll take you," Shichen said quickly.
"Really!? That's awesome!"
"Tch~ Onii-chan, you've turned bad," Kotori grumbled, folding her arms.
"What are you talking about? How could I possibly turn bad?" Shichen said, ruffling her hair thoroughly.
"My twin tails…"
"I'll tie them again for you."
"…That's more like it."
Kotori was always easy to placate. Once he'd glossed things over with her, Shichen started on dinner.
Kurumi and the others would be coming over to eat together.
The school trip was over, summer vacation had begun—definitely something worth celebrating.
Before long, Kurumi arrived with Yamai in tow.
Kurumi was followed shortly by Reine, who had just stopped by the school.
By the time Shichen finished cooking, Origami still hadn't shown up. He sent her a message—she was fine, just couldn't make it.
He could only let it go.
Dinner was lively. Kaguya adapted almost instantly—she wouldn't stop talking, dripping with chuuni lines.
Yuzuru wasn't like that; she gave off a calm, wife-like vibe and kept piling food onto Shichen's plate.
It was hard not to suspect something from her behavior, but thankfully no one questioned it.
After dinner, Yamai pulled out a board game and they played until midnight before finally heading to bed.
Kurumi and Yamai stayed the night, and Reine didn't go home either.
There were more than enough rooms, and plenty of beds; no need to worry about space.
Shichen carried everyone who was too sleepy to move back to their rooms one by one, then finally went back to his own room.
But before he could fall asleep, he was interrupted. The door opened, and Yuzuru, dressed in a light, fluttery nightgown, came in.
"Yuzuru? What brings you here?"
"Answer. Kaguya is already asleep."
As she spoke, Yuzuru closed the door and walked to the bed. Without another word, she climbed in and lay down beside Shichen.
"What are you doing?" he blinked.
"Explanation. You probably weren't satisfied yesterday, right? I've already fully recovered." Yuzuru rolled over, wrapped her arms around Shichen's neck, and locked eyes with him.
Her sleepy eyes were burning.
"Just you? You sure?"
"Question. Did you want Kaguya to join?" she countered.
"That's not it. I'm just worried you won't be able to handle it," Shichen said, holding her light body, shaking his head.
"Realization. You're right, you are pretty amazing… should I go wake Kaguya?"
"Forget it, she's already asleep. No need to drag her in."
"Resolved. Then I'll just have to work hard on my own," Yuzuru said as if steeling herself.
"…It's not that serious," Shichen muttered, smacking her lightly on the butt.
"Mm… Please be gentle with me, Shichen…"
Knock knock knock.
Suddenly, a knock at the door cut her off.
The two looked at each other in silence.
Shichen was just about to sense who was outside when a familiar voice came through.
"Shichen, open up. I know Yuzuru's in there."
It was Kaguya.
"I'll get the door," Yuzuru let go of Shichen, climbed out of bed, and opened it.
"Yuzuru! I knew you were here!" Kaguya squeezed into the room, glaring at her.
"Question. Why did you come?" Yuzuru asked.
"I—I came… to get you!" Kaguya answered, sneaking a glance at Shichen, stammering and flustered.
"Guess. Really? You didn't actually want to come yourself?" Yuzuru tilted her head.
"Wh–why would I want to come? Come for what?" Kaguya played dumb.
"Well, obviously for…" Yuzuru dove back onto the bed, into Shichen's arms, and kissed him.
Shichen wrapped his arms around her and responded in kind.
The two of them completely treated Kaguya as if she weren't there; the sound of their kissing filled the room, soft and teasing.
Just listening was enough to make Kaguya lose it, never mind watching. Her face instantly went scarlet, and her legs felt rooted in place.
It didn't take long before Yuzuru and Shichen broke apart, panting slightly, and looked at her.
"Really not coming, Kaguya?" Yuzuru asked.
"I…"
"Request. I can't handle Shichen by myself. Kaguya, come help," Yuzuru added seriously.
"Hmph! If that's how it is, then it can't be helped. It's not that I want to come, I'm just worried you'll get bullied too much," Kaguya declared in classic tsundere fashion, then walked to the bedside, looking at Shichen, hesitant.
Shichen didn't bother being polite—he pulled her straight into his arms and kissed her.
"Mm!"
Kaguya stiffened for a moment, then quickly turned soft, collapsing against his chest.
Before long, the room was filled with "singing" again—still a duet, low and suppressed at first, then rising higher and higher.
They must have been shy at first; once they got used to it, they completely let themselves go.
No matter how loud the song got, though, none of it escaped the room.
The next morning, Shichen got up cheerfully as if nothing had happened, humming to himself while he made breakfast.
Summer vacation had started, and everyone was in full lazy mode; they didn't get up until nearly noon.
One by one, they trailed out in their pajamas. Shichen felt completely satisfied just watching them eat breakfast.
Afterward, without inviting anyone along, he went out alone to buy groceries.
He'd just picked up a few things at the market when he realized someone was following him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a figure in a T-shirt and shorts with a baseball cap pulled low; the build was clearly feminine, but he couldn't see her face.
She didn't seem afraid of being noticed—she walked straight up and suddenly threw her arms around him.
"Shichen~ why haven't you come to see me yet? I've been waiting so long I'm about to die over here!"
"…?"
Once he saw her face—the striking gray-white short hair—Shichen froze.
You came out on your own? That's not how this is supposed to go at all!
~~~
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