The sky darkened.
Stars began to appear in the night sky above the rural town, far brighter and more dazzling than in the city. The summer breeze stirred Miss Tohka's long hair, making her bangs sway gently—an entrancing sight.
Tohka knelt on the tatami in the courtyard, gazing at the young man resting his head on her lap. She gently stroked his black hair, her fingertips slowly sliding to his forehead, then softly caressing his cheek.
That tender expression left the blonde beauty, Suiren, who stood silently behind them, speechless. She was still a little dazed, unable to believe her mother could show such warmth—such unreserved affection—toward him. It no longer seemed like a simple physical relationship between them.
He's still a student… even a few years younger than me. Suiren felt a strange unease.
"Mom…"
As the girl spoke, she saw her mother raise a finger to her lips. Unfazed by her daughter's surprise, she lowered her voice and whispered, "Are you very surprised?"
"…"
"Actually, I'm surprised myself. I only meant to use him to get revenge on that man, but now… I can't help but develop some feelings," Tohka said, carefully observing Kazuma's sleeping face. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier, Suiren—for letting you see such an embarrassing scene."
"But it was necessary. I don't regret it. In fact… I feel relieved."
She looked completely relaxed, even showing a rare smile. Seeing her mother like this, Suiren realized that she hadn't smiled so happily in many years. That realization led her thoughts to her parents' relationship, and she was startled to notice how cold her mother had become toward her father over time.
When did things fall apart? She couldn't remember at all. Why hadn't she noticed? Her mother had never mentioned it either. Was it to keep her and Aoi from worrying?
So… this really has nothing to do with Kazuma-kun.
Even without him, things would have ended up this way.
"I'm sorry, Mom… Aoi and I didn't know…"
"It's because I chose not to tell you," Tohka shook her head. "I didn't want you to worry. Suiren, those things are in the past now. There's no need to bring them up again. You've both grown up—you're no longer children. You can decide your own paths."
Tohka looked up at her.
"So be careful with everything. Think deeply before making decisions, and take responsibility for your own life."
The girl fell silent. Was Mom hinting at something? There seemed to be a deeper meaning behind her words.
"What about you, Mom?" she asked.
Tohka blinked, her expression unreadable. She didn't answer. Instead, she lowered her head again, admiring Kazuma's sleeping face.
"He fell asleep so quickly… he must be really tired. But when he's asleep, he looks more his age. A little naïve… a little innocent. Still just a child."
So I was…
Tohka-sensei bit her lip slightly, becoming more absorbed.
"Kazuma's contrast is really something… when he's awake, he's like a wild bull, but when he's asleep, he's so quiet."
Suiren struggled to keep a straight face.
Mom… do you even hear what you're saying? What kind of shocking things are those?
Watching the harmonious scene—her mother giving him a lap pillow—the girl suddenly spoke.
"Mom, um… Aoi ran out and still hasn't come back. I'm a little worried…"
Yes, I'm worried about Aoi. Definitely not trying to interrupt them.
"That child still hasn't come back? What about her phone?"
"She didn't answer," Suiren said, holding her glowing phone in the darkness. "Is she still angry? I should send her a message first… and explain Mom's situation…"
Remembering the danger she had encountered that morning, she couldn't help but feel anxious. Tohka also began to feel uneasy.
At that moment, Kazuma opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw… was a pair of proudly raised, enormous breasts.
Blocking out the sky.
Well, it was night anyway, so there was no sun to block—but even the moon and stars were completely obscured. Those towering "mountains" loomed above his head like a massive wall, triggering a primal urge to climb.
So… he reached out and grabbed them.
Grab.
His head rested on soft thighs, his face pressed against warm skin, a faint fragrance drifting into his nose. Combined with the sensation in his palm—
Ah. Truly the peak of happiness.
"Kazuma," Tohka said, not even swatting his hand away, letting him do as he pleased. Still, with her daughter standing nearby, she felt slightly awkward and sighed. "You start doing bad things the moment you wake up. You were much cuter when you were asleep."
"???"
"Then I'll try to do bad things even while I'm asleep from now on," Kazuma said, rubbing against her soft thighs, reluctant to leave. Eventually, he sat up and rubbed his temples. "I just heard… Miss Aoi still hasn't come back?"
His senses were sharp.
"Did I make her angry?"
"Mother told me everything," Suiren said, her gaze toward Kazuma now complicated. "You're not to blame."
Even though you did sleep with Mom…
She grew more worried.
"Could she have run away from home? Mom, I'm going to look for her!"
"Wait," Kazuma looked at the dark night. "At this hour, the two of you searching would be like finding a needle in a haystack. I'll go."
"I'm sorry, Kazuma," Tohka sighed. "I have to trouble you again."
"It's fine. I was planning to look for Fuyumi and Nanakamado Nanaka anyway. Those two haven't come back either. As for Miss Aoi… it's just a coincidence."
The beautiful and mature Tohka-sensei cut him off completely. She seemed to be relying on him more and more. Tohka stuck out her alluring tongue and pressed hard on the back of his head, as if to express her feelings in this way.
The beauty kissed him for a while, then let go of Kazuma and wiped the silver thread from the corner of his mouth. "Be careful on the road. Not just Aoi, you must also come back safely."
That tone, that expression, this is Tohka-sensei! Mature, gentle, understanding, truly a good woman~
Kazuma sighed with emotion while taking out the [Seeker's Staff]. For finding people, this thing was the best.
The silver-haired, big-breasted girl was currently walking on a road. This was the road leading out of the town to the outside world.
After running out of the house, her sister had called several times—but Aoi didn't answer.
She looked up at the dark sky, knowing Suiren-nee-san must be worried, but she still couldn't bring herself to return. That scene had shaken her too deeply.
Ding—
A notification sound broke her thoughts.
She hesitated. She didn't want to check it—but in the end, she couldn't resist.
"Eh? This…"
It was from her sister.
It explained everything that had happened that afternoon—her father's betrayal, her mother's years of emotional distance, and their final separation.
Aoi was stunned.
"How… could that be?"
Her hands trembled as she clutched her phone, unwilling to believe it. But like Suiren, she recalled her mother's coldness over the years—and suddenly, everything made sense.
So… I misunderstood him again?
Thinking of what she had said earlier, her face shifted from pale to even paler. She exhaled deeply and crouched down.
"Why didn't Mom tell us sooner…?"
Her mind was in chaos.
Even after learning the truth, she didn't want to go back. She didn't know how to face her mother… or Kazuma.
Just as her emotions tangled together—
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
A car sped toward her in the darkness, its horn blaring.
Brakes screeched.
Too late.
By the time Aoi snapped out of it, the car was already right in front of her—its headlights blinding.
!!!
"Holy crap!!"
In that split second when her thoughts went blank, she heard a voice.
Then—
She was kicked away.
Screech!!!
Bang!!!
Everything happened in an instant.
She was thrown into the roadside bushes, rolling across the ground. When she looked up, she saw the car had skidded to a stop—and a figure flying through the air like a kite with its string cut.
He hit the ground, rolled several times, and lay still.
Aoi's eyes widened in shock.
Her phone slipped from her hand.
"Kazuma-kun…?"
The terrifying moment, turning danger into safety, did not bring her relief. Instead, the silver-haired girl's face turned pale, and a pain began to grow in her constricted chest. She rushed to him in a panic. "Kazuma-kun? Kazuma, hey! Kazuma!"
Why did he—
"Are you two okay?!" The female driver rushed out, flustered and pale.
"What are you waiting for?! Take him to the hospital!" Aoi shouted.
"R-right! I'll—"
Kazuma suddenly raised his hand and grabbed Aoi's arm.
"Miscalculation… I forgot Fuyumi took the Reflection Cloak to wash, and I haven't gotten it back yet. But thanks to this accident, I noticed something unusual… heh… hehehe…"
This must be a fluke.
"???"
"Kazuma-kun… how are you?" Aoi asked, gripping his hand tightly, her eyes full of worry.
"Miss Aoi, your mom said to come home for dinner. And… it's dangerous to wander outside at night."
Kazuma tilted his head—completely fine.
"I'm sorry…" Aoi lowered her head, filled with guilt. "Let's go to the hospital!"
"No need. I'm actually fine."
Kazuma stood up expressionlessly—then suddenly grabbed the beautiful driver by her collar and roared,
"And YOU! How do you even drive?! Can't you see the road?! I almost got killed, you know that?!"
"I-I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" The young woman looked like she was about to cry. "It's my fault—sumimasen! I'll compensate you however you want!"
Hmm… that sounded very much like something out of a certain kind of manga.
Kazuma nodded in satisfaction.
"Good attitude. Very good. Get in the car… and do it again."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you hear me? Hit me again."
"…"
What a lunatic.
*****
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