Chapter 154
Maidens in Love
Translated by LyraDhani
Edited by LyraDhani
“Tsugumi is very quiet at school. But he has a lot of mischievous friends, and it seems his teachers often scold him.”
“Hmm? Are there a lot of delinquents at Chidori-chan’s school?”
“No, it’s a preparatory school, but Tsugumi’s class is a little bit special…”
Chidori chuckled as she said this. The students in F class, where Tsugumi belonged, were not bad people, but they all had strong personalities.
Chidori herself got along reasonably well with the students in F class – she received birthday presents, brought sweets to class, and maintained a friendly relationship with them, but her classmates didn’t want to get involved with F class. According to them, the F-class students’ personalities were too unique and difficult to get close to.
Under such circumstances, Tsugumi, who had normal sensibilities, often got involved in troublesome situations.
As far as Chidori remembered, one of his classmates once begged him, “I want to use supple human hair for making bisque dolls, so please grow it out starting today. I just need about 50 centimeters!”
After that, a boy who came to school wearing a girl’s uniform told him, “I think I’m being stalked, so come to school with me for a while. Please play the role of the boyfriend, Tsugumin.”
By the way, she heard that he tearfully refused the case of the hair, but he accepted the boyfriend role reluctantly because he couldn’t refuse, and on the third day he caught the stalker and was safely released from his role.
But despite his complaints, he seemed to be enjoying his time with his classmates, so he must be getting along well with them.
When Chidori told her about such things, Suzushiro burst out laughing.
“Pfft, haha! I heard that there are a lot of strange people there, but it’s true. I thought Tsugumi-kun is just making things up.”
Suzushiro said as she wiped away tears that had come from laughing too hard. …Indeed, it was something that normally didn’t happen.
“I thought so too at first, but after listening to the story, it seems to be true… Tsugumi said, ‘This much is bearable,’ but he didn’t want to talk about it much.”
Chidori let out a small sigh as she said this.
She heard rumors at school about a late-night tour of haunted places (Tsugumi was forced to participate) and a search for buried treasure using a map bought at an antique store, but she didn’t know how much of it was true.
When Chidori said this in a troubled tone, Suzushiro smiled enviously and opened her mouth.
“But I am kind of envious because your school looks like a fun place. I talk a lot with my classmates, too, but I can’t go to school very often because of my work. The studies are difficult, and I have to do my best to keep up with the classes! I don’t know how you can manage club activities and school.”
“I work half part-time, so compared to Suzushiro-san of Jukka, I have a lot more time on my hands. Tsugumi also helped me with various household chores.”
As expected, she washed her own underwear, but perhaps if she asked Tsugumi to do it, he might actually do it for her, although he would be puzzled. It was a little embarrassing so she wouldn’t ask him to do it.
When she told her that, Suzushiro put her hand over his mouth in surprise and said.
“Eh, Tsugumi-kun can cook? That’s amazing!”
“He’s very skillful for a boy. Recently, he’s gotten better than me at cooking. I’m very grateful for that, but as his older sister, I feel a little complicated…”
Saying that, Chidori smiled wryly.
It seemed that Tsugumi had become addicted to cooking, and in the past few months, the lineup of dishes served for dinner had increased considerably, and whenever he had time, he made strangely elaborate dishes.
In fact, he had developed a talent for cooking, and the dishes that used to be so tasteless and bland were now served with delicate flavors and beautiful colors.
The food was delicious and she had no complaints. But this was a matter of honor, not only as an older sister but as a woman.
“I’m not a good cook at all. Even if I look at a recipe, I can only make something that tastes subtle. …I see, so he cooks.”
Suzushiro then paused for a moment and opened her mouth, bringing her face close as if to speak privately.
“Um, does Tsugumi-kun hate girls who can’t cook? You see, Tsugumi-kun seems to like homely girls…”
Chidori stiffened involuntarily when Suzushiro shyly said this.
“T-that Tsugumi? Um, I wonder…? He doesn’t seem to care much about it…?”
Chidori answered in dismay, but her heart was full of confusion.
“Really? But I guess I should be able to do at least one simple home-cooked meal.”
Suzushiro’s red cheeks, the embarrassed expression on her face, and her eyes shaking with anxiety, no matter how you look at it – she was a maiden in love.
–Crack, she could hear some part of her heart creaking.
Chidori tried hard to control her trembling voice and quietly asked.
“–Suzushiro-san, do you like Tsugumi?”
Suzushiro then covered her face with her hands in embarrassment and nodded slowly.
“Ugh, I knew it would be obvious if I asked a question like that… I love your brother, Chidori-chan. Ugh, this sounds like a confession, so embarrassing!”
Chidori involuntarily held her breath when she saw the blushing Suzushiro.
–She couldn’t express in words how shocking Suzushiro’s confession was.
Chidori had subconsciously recognized Suzushiro – a Magical Girl of Jukka – as “a superior existence.”
So, no matter how close Suzushiro’s friendship with Tsugumi was, Chidori never thought that she would ever like Tsugumi, an ordinary human being.
Suzushiro fanned her face with her hands to cool off the heat and began to talk to hide her embarrassment.
“Well, I think he probably only thinks of me as his little sister, but at least I want to know what he likes….I don’t have the courage to confess yet, but I hope you’ll support me.”
Chidori couldn’t say anything to Suzushiro, who told her so while changing her expression. When Suzushiro told her straight up that she loved Tsugumi, a heavy feeling built up in the pit of her stomach.
–Suzushiro was an honest, cute, and talented Magical Girl. There was no reason to object to her going out with Tsugumi.
Besides, Tsugumi used to complain so much about wanting a girlfriend, so he would be happy to have one.
Rather, as an older sister, she should be happy that such a wonderful person loved her younger brother.
That’s why she felt this way – even though it was absolutely wrong to think that she didn’t want anyone to take Tsugumi away from her.
With such contradictory feelings, Chidori bit her lip and turned her head down. Because she didn’t know what words would come out of her mouth.
–While Chidori was silent, Suzushiro tilted her head to look at Chidori, who suddenly turned pale.
Suzushiro didn’t mean to say anything particularly strange, but perhaps the love stories related to her own family member were offensive.
–I’d like to be friends with Tsugumi-kun’s sister if possible. Did I do something wrong?
With that kind of anxious thought, Suzushiro asked, “Chidori-chan? Are you okay?”
Chidori looked at Suzushiro with a surprised face. Then she smiled awkwardly and shook her head.
“…It’s okay. I was just a little taken aback.”
When Chidori said so, a mixed expression of emotion appeared on her face, and she gently pressed her chest as if to suppress it.
–Suzushiro felt a sense of déjà vu when she saw Chidori’s face. She had a feeling that she had seen something similar somewhere recently.
Her eyes shook with passion, and her face suppressed her emotions. It was just like an actress in a romantic drama she had recently seen on TV.
The woman, who came out as the protagonist’s childhood friend, had the same face as Chidori did now when she heard that the protagonist was going out with her best friend.
In other words, if Suzushiro’s prediction was correct, Chidori had feelings for Tsugumi that went beyond familial love.
Thinking that far, Suzushiro nodded her head in agreement.
No wonder she didn’t look so good. It wasn’t normal to support your enemy of love.
“Chidori-chan also loves Tsugumi-kun, huh. Does that make us rivals?”
“Eh?”
When Suzushiro said so with satisfaction, Chidori looked up in surprise.
“You like him, don’t you? I also listen to my friends’ love stories, and I can tell that much when I see Chidori’s face. Because Chidori’s eyes are the eyes of a girl who is struggling with love.”
–Even if you fall in love, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be rewarded. But still, the feeling of being in love cannot be buried. Suzushiro once saw a person who cried out in pain after saying that.
However, Suzushiro couldn’t help but wonder why Chidori made such a face even though her love wasn’t broken.
“What are you talking about? T-Tsugumi-kun and I are brother and sister, you know…?”
Chidori looked at Suzushiro with a puzzled look on her face and said so, as if to persuade herself.
“Well, it’s a matter of legality, but what’s wrong with that? I think we’re free to fall in love with anyone.”
“B-but…”
“In Japan and Egypt, there used to be a lot of sister-brother marriages. Are there any problems with that? If not, you should at least be mindful of your own feelings.”
Suzushiro thought that there was no need to be so concerned about it since blood marriages had been repeated for generations. Moreover, family marriages were common in ancient Egypt, the birthplace of Gereg, the contract God whom Suzushiro adored. Therefore, it wasn’t something to be avoided.
Suzushiro didn’t know what other problems Chidori was facing. But she didn’t think this was a reason to give up on love.
Suzushiro got up from the bed and sat down next to Chidori with a thud. Then Suzushiro slowly opened her mouth.
“What’s wrong with a girl falling in love with a boy? It’s fine, if you like him, you like him. –But love is war. You can’t complain if someone else takes your place while you’re waiting for the right moment!”
Like us, for example! Suzushiro looked into Chidori’s face from below and said so as Chidori’s eyes gradually filled with tears.
Then, as if enduring something, Chiori grasped her hands tightly and exhaled deeply.
However, she still couldn’t suppress the feelings that had been born inside. In no time, clear drops were spilling from Chidori’s eyes and drenching her clothes.
“…–anyone.”
“Hmm? What?”
“I won’t give Tsugumi to anyone…!”
When Chidori said this in a tearful voice, she began to wail like a child. It was as if her previous appearance as an honor student was a lie.
“I won’t let anyone take him away from me. I’ve always been there by his side.”
Seeing Chidori sobbing with every word, Suzushiro laughed a little and said in a hoarse voice, “I don’t intend to lose either.”
–But, Chidori-chan is my opponent. I’ve got a very strong rival.
Thinking of this, she let out a small sigh. The opposite sex that came up most often in conversations with Tsugumi was undoubtedly Chidori. It would be extremely difficult to wrestle Tsugumi’s attention away from her.
–But I have no intention of losing.
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No one is allowed to interfere with a maiden in love. Even if that person is God. Anyone who stands in the way of someone’s love should be kicked by a horse and turned into a star.
–In the end, as long as the two of them share the same feelings, they are bound to clash at some point. If that were the case, it would be better to fight head-on, fair and square, so there would be no repercussions.
At the very least, they should face each other seriously, as two people who fell in love with the same person. At least, that’s what Suzushiro thought.
Then, when Chidori had calmed down, Suzushiro muttered.
‘Well, then, no matter who wins, there will be no hard feelings! Well, I’m afraid that in Tsugumi-kun’s case, there may be other rivals. …Chidori-chan, do you know anything about them?”
“…A senior and a junior in my club seem suspicious.”
“Eh, Tsugumi-kun is popular!? Isn’t it dangerous?”
While lying down on their bed, they talked about such things.
It might not be quite the same as being friends but Chidori had put down her guard. Did she give up or did she just shrug it off? Suzushiro couldn’t tell which it was, but she vaguely thought it wouldn’t turn out bad.
And so the night went on for the maidens in love.
Bonus
A brief summary of Tsugumi’s classmates who have appeared so far
Amari Yukitakai: The inhuman devil.
Azalea: A transfer student from abroad. A fanatical Christian. He hides it well but he is a good fighter.
Akiyama: Tsugumi’s close friend. He is a good-natured guy. He is actually a member of the baseball club and is good enough to almost always get on base when he is in the batter’s box. However, his defense and pitching sense are garbage, so he can only play in games as a substitute batter.
Fuyuno: A punkish-looking girl who belongs to the art club. She has an outstanding talent for painting. One of the most decent people in the class.
Taciturn Literary Girl: A woman who can twist up a pervert with one hand. She reads mostly medical books. There is a section where she tries to efficiently destroy the human body.
A boy who claims his own AI as his girlfriend: A type of genius that does no harm to those around him. He says it is pure love. However, he talks about his imaginary (AI) girlfriend at every opportunity, so people other than his classmates think he is sick.
A man who makes bisque dolls: He has enough common sense not to ask girls to provide him with materials. His sculpting skills are beyond professional. He calls all the dolls he makes his sisters.
A man who dresses up as a woman: He looks like a cute girl. However, his voice is a bit of a baritone, so when he talks, people are disappointed. He doesn’t mind at all.
Committee class rep (from the light novel bonus): The class rep who takes good care of the class. In his secret backstory, if you violate a certain amount of rules, he will use his joint techniques on you without mercy. When it comes to the rule penalty, he treats both genders equally.
In addition, there are many other strong characters such as a loli who forces students to call her “mama,” a fortune teller who demands an exorbitant amount of money, and an unlucky detective apprentice.
It would be possible to write a whole book just on the episodes with the classmates, but the latter half of the story doesn’t involve them much in the main story, so I probably won’t write about them.
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