「 So, where are we going next? 」
Torii-san asks sullenly as we get in the elevator.
「 Yeah, there are two more children to talk to. They’re children that came with Tendou Otome and the others 」
I explained it briefly.
「 Those are girls too? 」
Torii-san glares at me.
「 Yeah 」
「 So, why are the two in a separate room? 」
That’s…
「 Well, the girls in that room, other than Tendou Otome, since she just clings to Tokuda Sonoko-san and didn’t let go. Anyway, Tokuda-san and Kurosawa-san can’t return to their hometown because of the Kansai organizations, and so they will work as prostitutes. You get that, right? 」
「 Yes, I get it. Not that I agree though 」
Torii-san replies aloof.
「 Also, you heard about the young ladies of the Kurama house, right? The elder sister, Misato-san will become a prostitute to earn for her family, but… 」
「 The younger sister, Arisu-san is too young that she can’t become a prostitute, but she’ll be sold off instead, right? I can’t agree with that either 」
I have no need to persuade Torii-san though.
「 Ah, wait 」
But, she’s fundamentally sharp-minded.
She noticed what I’m trying to say.
「 Those girls are also too young. Therefore, they can’t become prostitutes… 」
「 Yep, that’s it. Don’t you feel sorry if you place girls who’ll receive different ends in the same room, do you? 」
The daughters of Yakuza have a complicated relationship too.
Tendou Otome is the bossy one on the center and the three girls bow their heads to her while bullying the others.
Nobody’s in good terms, or should I say that they never relax with each other.
「 So, are you selling those girls off as slaves too? 」
Torii-san looks at me.
「 No, I won’t sell them. I’m taking them 」
「 Taking? 」
「 Yeah, as my sex slaves 」
At that moment.
Torii-san tries to slap my face.
But.
「 Calm down 」
Michi grabs Torii-san’s hand.
I also sensed Torii-san’s Qi and moved immediately.
「 Stop it! Didn’t you hear what he just said?! 」
Torii-san screams in anger.
「 Of all things, why are you making them your slave?! I mean, what does it even mean?! What do you think of women?!! 」
「 Oh? If Kou-sama didn’t take them, they will split apart and sold off to rich pedophiles 」
Tsukiko speaks gently.
「 Compared to that, don’t you think it’s better if the sisters are together and under Kou-sama’s custody? 」
「 Sisters? 」
Torii-san looks puzzled.
「 Yeah, the next room has Rie and Eri. They’re twin sisters 」
I replied.
◇ ◇ ◇
The elevator opens.
Yeah, I remember this floor.
「 The same room from last night? 」
I asked Kinoshita-san.
「 Yes, that’s right 」
「 Then I know where it is. Thank you, Kinoshita-san 」
I thanked Kinoshita-san who led the way.
It’s the room next to the monitoring room Minaho-neesan used last night.
It’s the nap room, it has a shower room inside.
「 Then, I’ll stay in this room, just call me when you need something 」
Kinoshita-san enters the monitoring room with a smile.
「 What’s with that person? She’s smiling despite hearing all of our conversations 」
Torii-san speaks ill of Kinoshita-san as soon as she’s gone…
「 She’s a specialist on the underground society work in Kouzuki SS 」
I said.
Kinoshita-san was a former Banbarubie 3 member.
She took lessons from Barbie-san and Ruby-san about the underground world.
「 Therefore, she’ll pretend that she didn’t hear anything and she’ll never speak of anything even when asked 」
「 How can you say that? Even if she’s from Kouzuki SS I’m sure that she’d speak a lot when there’s money involved 」
Torii-san who is in a bad mood starts deprecating Kouzuki SS.
「 That’s not true 」
「 Like I said, how can you declare it like that?! 」
Torii-san shouts at me.
「 I worked with Kinoshita-san for a few occasions, she’s a professional. She’ll never betray us as long as it’s within the contract 」
I saw her during the combat with Cesario Viola in the hotel.
「 Then, if the contract’s null she’ll quickly turn traitor, is that it? 」
Torii-san speaks ill-tempered.
「 Kouzuki SS will renew their contract with Kinoshita-san before that happens. Talents like her are hard to come by. Kouzuki SS will never let people like her go, even if that means increasing their bonus 」
Besides, Barbie-san’s order is to have her go to Kouzuki SS.
Kinoshita-san will stay here as long as she can learn.
「 Talent? That woman looked like she’s careless, uneager, her body’s thin, and she doesn’t look like a bodyguard at all. She’s at her high-school, right? 」
「 And that’s why she has the talent. Torii-sama, the fact that you didn’t notice it is what proves it 」
Tsukiko said.
「 What do you mean? 」
Haa.
「 Actually, Kinoshita-san has a babyface. 」 Besides, she has a cute appearance. Ordinary people will see only that, but… 」
She’s a monster who swings that heavy and hard pulverizing flail with her delicate looking body.
「 I’ve seen Kinoshita-san take down 30 Yakuza alone with her fists 」
It was during the Takakura shrine incident when Jii-chan made a deal with the Yakuza.
「 You’re lying, aren’t you? 」
「 It’s the truth 」
Following what I say, Michi;
「 Master never lies 」
「 That’s the lie 」
Torii-san glares at Michi.
「 No, it’s true. Kou-sama’s an honest man 」
Tsukiko said.
「 Yomiko, Luna, Koyomi-chan and I all feel at ease when Kou-sama’s close to us 」
That’s…
「 Ordinary people can’t help but have different thoughts from their speech. We can see the lies in the words, even from our fathers 」
Tsukiko speaks a bit sad.
「 However, Kou-sama’s words are exactly his thoughts. Kou-sama only lies only when he must do so, but, we know that he does that out of his love for the family 」
Right, it doesn’t mean that I don’t lie.
I speak out lies when I have to.
For example, I’m not actually Agnes’ Papa.
「 And because Kou-sama’s so straightforward, we can feel at ease seeing other people’s minds. We stay by his side in peace 」
Tsukiko said.
「 Agnes-san too. Kou-sama influences her the most, and so she’s growing to become a girl who never lies 」
Speaking of which, she really is.
Agnes always says what she thinks, and it shows on her face.
She doesn’t keep secrets. She doesn’t speak lies.
「 And since Luna and Koyomi-chan lives with Agnes-san every day, it influences them too 」
Agnes who has no two-sides lets Luna and Koyomi-chan feel at peace.
Agnes wants to get along with them from the bottom of her heart.
Mao-chan too wants to be best friends with those in the family.
「 And Kou-sama’s the center of it all. Kou-sama’s existence saved us 」
Tsukiko.
Right, someone who can read minds must be in constant pain.
Most of the Takakura shrine maidens have their minds fall ill.
「 It’s not just with people who can read minds 」
Michi;
「 We also can feel at ease because Master’s here 」
「 What are you girls talking about? I don’t get it 」
Torii-san complains with a displeased look.
「 Could you explain it further to me? I mean, I didn’t even get what you’re trying to say 」
No, that’s…
「 Sorry, I don’t think Torii-san will get it 」
I replied.
「 Those unrelated can’t understand 」
Even so, Torii-san;
「 And that’s why I’m telling you to explain it to make me understand?! Did you forget? Kaan Momoko-oneesama had me go here! You’re accountable for me! 」
No.
「 I don’t think you’ll understand no matter how much we try to explain to you. I mean, it’s not like we can explain it, nor we want to 」
I…
「 Torii-san, all you have to do is report to Momoko-neechan what you see, and what you know. Besides, even if Momoko-neechan sees us as cruel people, I don’t really care 」
Our circumstances and position in our lives are different.
There will be a gap between mutual understanding no matter what.
「 What’s this, you’re running away? 」
Torii-san feels it that way.
「 No, it’s not that 」
「 You’re evading me 」
「 That’s not it. Torii-sans looking from up high. Higher than us 」
I said.
「 Therefore, I can’t explain it in a way that it’ll reach Torii-san’s height 」
「 What?! I don’t get it 」
Then.
「 It’s basically “If you’ve never eaten while crying you don t know what life tastes like.” 」
Tsukiko said.
「 I know that line, it’s Goethe, isn’t it? 」
Torii-san replies.
「 You may understand the meaning but you’ll never fully understand it if you don’t experience it personally 」
Personal experience.
Those who had the personal experience can perceive it.
Is that so?
「 Someone smeared in mud will only focus on their emotion and complain about the one who isn’t 」
I said.
「 In the end, Torii-san, you don’t like the fact that we’re turning Sonoko-san into prostitutes, or that we’re erasing Tendou Otome’s memories, and also the fact that the girls in the next room are my slaves? Do you feel angry? 」
Torii-san seems annoyed.
「 Yes, that’s right! Isn’t that obvious?! 」
She looks at me angrily.
「 This isn’t something you should do to others! You’re all the worst! I won’t forgive you!!! 」
And she looks at us from far away where there’s no mud.
「 We think the same. This is the worst. That this is unforgivable 」
「 Then… 」
「 But, this is the only way!!! We’re doing the best of what we can too! 」
「 What’s “best” there?!!! The best choice is to make everyone happy! 」
「 This is what happens because not everyone can reach that happiness! 」
Nobody can give everyone complete happiness.
I’m doing all that I can with what I can do within my reach.
「 That’s not true! You’re just lacking in the effort! That’s obvious! I’m sure it is! 」
Torii-san doesn’t get it.
「 I mean, those girls are going through a horrible experience because of your selfish desires! That’s definitely it! I know that! 」
She never had dirt in her hand.
She’s not someone who spent her nights feeling only her temperature, alone, unable to see the future.
「 Hey, you’re too noisy! What’s with all that screaming in the corridor. 」
The door to the nap room opens and Nei comes out.
「 Ooh, Yo-chan, morning! 」
She looked at me and smiled.
「 Who’s she? 」
Torii-san asks.
「 My elder sister 」
「 Huh? Your elder sister?! 」
Torii-san seem to remember Minaho-neesan who she met earlier
「 Just how many elder sisters do you have? 」
Torii-san who couldn’t hold her anger to me earlier asks me.
◇ ◇ ◇
「 Oh, just when we were thinking that he’s coming, right? Rie-chan 」
「 Right, Eri-chan, Onii-san, you brought another woman with you 」
The twins face us with a surprised look.
「 Ah, Onii-chan, morning! I’ll prepare tea now 」
Mana looks energetic.
「 Did you girls eat breakfast yet? 」
I asked.
「 Nonono, Onii-san, you speak like a mother 」
「 Really 」
The twins laughed.
「 No, I mean it. Did you girls eat breakfast yet? 」
「 We did. It was in lunch box however 」
「 As expected, it’s the lunch box from Kouzuki SS-san 」
「 Yes, it’s much better than the lunch box Father gave us 」
「 Father gave us a nori bento after all 」
「 Really. Onii-san, we ate nori bento every day ever since we came to Tokyo 」
「 And the lunch box today has a lot of side dishes 」
「 And they all taste delicious 」
「 We ate so much for breakfast that we might not be able to eat lunch anymore 」
「 That won’t happen. Eri-chan, you’re a glutton 」
「 Right. I guess I’ll eat lunch too 」
Err.
As expected, if it’s the two of them doing that combo, they’re lively.
「 So, Onii-san, who’s this girl? 」
「 Is she another one? 」
「 The same as us? 」
「 Another sex slave? 」
The twins said.
「 N-No! You’re wrong!!! 」
Torii-san flies into a rage.
「 Oh? You’re not? 」
「 Then what are you Onee-san? 」
Err.
「 ♪Minami yoko yokohaha! Hakosukaaa!!!♪ 」
Mana and Nei bring in tea while singing together.
「 We changed some of the words to not get in trouble~ 」
I don’t get what Nei’s talking about.
However.
Speaking of which, I wonder what she is to me?
Torii-san came to Kouzuki house as Misuzu’s guests.
She’s not really a friend of mine.
If that’s the case.
「 Do you girls know about the Torii Electronics? 」
「 I do! I do! 」
「 I know it too 」
「 That’s the company that makes a lot of appliances and stuff, right? 」
「 Even computers, right? 」
Oh, these two know about it because it’s a huge company.
「 Well, this girl is the…president’s daughter, right? 」
I asked.
「 Papa’s a director of a holding company. Grandfather’s the chairman!! 」
Torii-san shouts with an angry tone.
「 Err, what it means is that Torii-san is the daughter of Torii electronics 」
I explained.
「 Ah, I get it. That means… 」
「 Huh, Eri-chan, what did you get? 」
「 That means ‘that,’ Onee-san is… 」
Eri smiles.
「 She is Onii-san’s next prey! 」
「 Ah, I see! I get it now! 」
H-Hey!
「 Still, Onii-san really loves to pick beauties as his coma 」
「 Right. Nei-san, Mana-san, Ruriko-san, and Luna-san from last night and the three girls here now are all beauties 」
「 So, Onii-san, are these two already coma? 」
The twins look at Tsukiko and Michi.
「 Yes, we already are 」
Tsukiko read the thoughts of the two and understood what the word meant.
She shows a gentle smile.
「 W-What, t-tied up? 」
Of course, Torii-san who is a young lady doesn’t understand.
「 It means exactly that 」
Tsukiko smiles.
「 And what is that supposed to mean? 」
Err, h-how do we explain this?
「 It’s English. Commerce 」
M-Michi.
「 It means “transaction” 」
「 No, I get what “commerce” means You know… 」
「 These girls are asking if Torii-sama is Master’s new transaction 」
Michi, you’re good. Nice.
「 Girls, don’t speak anything unnecessary 」
I warned Eri and Rie.
「 But you know, Onii-san 」
「 Right, Onii-san 」
But, the twins look like they’re enjoying my troubled look.
「 That’s as far as you go 」
Michi told the twins. Her words are loaded with Qi.
As expected, the twins shut up.
「 Oh right. This girl is Kudou Michi. And this one is Luna’s elder sister, Takakura Tsukiko 」
「 Hello. Pleased to meet you
Tsukiko smiled at the twins
「 Oh, she’s Luna-san’s elder sister? 」
「 Now that you mention it, they resemble each other 」
They saw Luna yesterday and so the twins accept it quick.
「 By the way, is she also like Luna-san? 」
「 Onee-san, are you Onii-san’s sex slave too? 」
Tsukiko…
「 Well, I wonder? 」
She laughs.
Torii-san looks at Tsukiko.
「 I’ve sworn my life to Kou-sama, and I do wish to bear Kou-sama’s child. But, unlike my sisters, I cannot stay in the same place as Kou-sama’s slave 」
「 Tsukiko’s home is a shrine. Therefore, she has to inherit it in the future 」
That’s all I tell them.
I can’t talk about the details right now.
「 Oh, so that’s why you’re wearing a shrine maiden clothing 」
「 I thought that it suited her that it shouldn’t be cosplay 」
「 She’s the real one, Rie-chan 」
「 Yeah, she looks perfect in it 」
The twins agreed
Then.
「 I, Kudou Michi, aim to become Master’s best slave 」
Hey, Michi.
「 Hey, aren’t you Misuzu-sama’s bodyguard? 」
Torii-san retorts.
「 I am Misuzu-oneesama’s bodyguard and Master’s slave. I yearn for both from the bottom of my heart 」
Michi declares.
「 W-What are you talking about? 」
Torii-san doesn’t get it again.
「 Oh well, Mitchan’s an M when Yo-chan’s with her 」
Nei smiles wryly
「 Yes, I’m an M 」
Michi puffs her chest with pride.
「 Uwawa, Rie-chan, she’s an M 」
「 I don’t get that 」
「 She looks scary though 」
「 But, Eri-chan, she says that she’s an M 」
Hearing the conversation of the two, Torii-san;
「 What does it mean? 」
Oh.
Right, she’s a young lady.
「 Huh, don’t get it? It’s such a famous novel though 」
Nei smiles.
「 Novel? 」
「 That’s right. It’s in the elementary library. I read that when I was four 」
W-What?
「 Edogawa Ranpo’s Denjin M Didn’t read that one? 」
Denjin M.
「 I haven’t. I never saw those in our library 」
Right.
That’s the library for the super-high class young ladies of Japan.
「 Then go read it. You won’t understand it unless you do. While at it, go read Tetsujin Q, Youseijin R, and Kyuukyoku Choujin R! 」
Nei laughed.
「 Well, it’s better than starting with “The Caterpillar” or “A Brute’s Love” 」
Michi said.
「 Mana loves the “The Traveler with the Pasted Rag Picture” 」
「 I like the “The Appearance of Osei” 」
Mana and Tsukiko even give their recommendations.
「 Err, what are you talking about Onee-san? 」
Eri asks.
「 Err, it’s Edogawa Ranpo! 」
Nei laughs.
「 By the way, Yo-chan, you came here because you have business here, right? 」
Oh right.
「 Ya-chan, you heard from Rei-chan or Shou-neechan? 」
From what I can see from the twins, I don’t think they know that their parents are dead yet.
But still, I’m asking just in case.
「 No, not yet. Onee-chan didn’t tell me anything ahead of Yo-chan 」
Nei knows.
The reason why I came to the twins at this moment.
「 I see. Eri, Rie, listen to me 」
I look at the two.
「 What is it, Onii-san? 」
「 Oh, what’s with this serious turn? 」
The twins look smiling.
But, they get it.
They can imagine what I’m about to say
「 It’s about your parents, they’ve come back to Kansai and died 」
I resolved myself and tell them clearly.
「 Ah, I knew it 」
Eri said.
「 Of course, I thought so 」
Rie too.
「 They died, I see 」
「 Somehow, that was fast. Eri-chan 」
「 Right, they died too fast 」
「 Yeah 」
The twins accept their parents’ death calmly.
「 Thinking that they’re no longer coming back, somehow… 」
「 Right, I feel sad 」
「 I see. I feel refreshed though 」
「 Yeah, they were troublesome people 」
「 If we stayed with them, we would have no future at all 」
「 Yeah 」
The parents of the twins are scums who use their daughters to sell videos of them to lolicon.
「 Didn’t we talk about this? Where Eri-chan and I leave that family as soon as possible 」
「 Right. We planned where we ran away from them
「 And that once we escaped from them, we’ll never see them again 」
「 Right. But if we escaped, those people would find us wherever we go
「 That’s why this is okay. 」
「 Yes, this is okay 」
The two speak feebly.
「 I’m glad that I’m not seeing them again. I feel refreshed. I feel clean 」
「 Right, I feel like the burden’s removed from me 」
Hearing the two, Torii-san.
「 Wait for a second you two! 」
Her nose is breathing roughly as she speaks.
「 Your parents died, don’t say that you feel refreshed! I know what went on with you but they’re still your parents! 」
The twins.
「 Right, they’re our parents 」
「 The parents who made us suffer all the time 」
They look at Torii-san coldly.