Chapter 70 Family
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Hiroya’s POV)
Since it was a bit early for dinner, we decided to go to the hot springs together. At the inn’s bath, we often bathed together, so I felt a little lonely being separated by gender. I guess I’ve gotten a bit spoiled.
On the other hand, the women’s bath has gotten quite lively with Kazumi, Rena, Liz, Martina, and Dorothy all together.
Compared to that, I’m──
”Hey! Isn’t that the rich kid from earlier? I saw you, and it was an amazing match!”
”Of course! This kid is the child of Sir Shinji and Lady Megumi, right? A thoroughbred!”
”I’ve fallen for that elf on the other side…”
”Hey kid, introduce me to that blonde, confident girl!”
”Oh, I want that curvy, sexy older sister!”
”You guys really don’t see it, do you? Those girls are all crazy about this kid. Didn’t you notice on the way here to the village? It’s obvious from the outside.”
And here I am, stuck in the hot spring with these noisy soldiers.
Well, they’re not bad people, so I just smile back. Sigh…
* * *
(Kazumi’s POV)
”Since there’s no one else here, I’ll ask you, Kazumi…”
Liz comes closer to me in the hot spring.
”Is it really okay?”
”What do you mean?”
”Well, it’s about Hiroya… You liked him from your past life, right? You finally got your feelings across, and, um, you two have… gotten together, right?”
”Oh no, that’s embarrassing, Liz.”
”No, I’m being serious, Kazumi. Do you have any feelings of wanting to keep him to yourself or jealousy? Am I really okay being Hiroya’s girl?”
”Ah, about that…”
I think Liz wants to ask if I’m okay with my man being with other girls.
”I’ve thought about it a lot…”
Martina, Rena, and Dorothy also wave me over to talk.
”Honestly, don’t you all like Hiroya?”
…There’s no response.
”Be! Honest!”
I say it a bit more firmly.
”I… to be honest, at first, the ‘female’ part of me wanted Hiroya… I thought it was just because he was the first boy to touch me, and that it was just my body wanting him.”
Everyone listens to Liz.
”But then I thought, why would I want an 8-year-old boy? When I heard Hiroya’s heart is 23 years old, it made sense.”
Liz splashes water on her face in the hot spring.
”I felt that mature attitude and kindness from young Hiroya, and I must have sensed a ‘mature male’ in him. I feel bad for you, Kazumi, but I think I’m ‘in love with Hiroya’.”
After saying that, Liz gets embarrassed and submerges her face in the water.
”I like Big Brother Hiroya. I told Big Sis Kazumi too, but I don’t want anything in return. Just being near Big Brother Hiroya and thinking about him makes me really happy…”
As always, the stoic Martina says,
”I don’t really know about it, but when Rena’s close to Hiroya, my body feels all warm and fuzzy.”
Rena is like a goddess, so she probably knows a lot about romance manga, but she might not understand her own feelings.
”Dorothy, you are ready to give yourself completely, right? You really like him that much?”
Dorothy nods vigorously.
”You all spoke honestly. That’s great. ──So… maybe that’s why?”
I end up asking a question, but I try to gather my thoughts to answer Liz.
”I don’t want to be the only one happy with Hiroya and make everyone else feel lonely. …Because, I like all of you just as much as I like Hiroya, you know?”
Maybe it’s because we’re in the hot spring, or maybe we’re just shy, but everyone’s cheeks turn red.
”Also… I failed at marriage in my past life.”
I can feel the surprised atmosphere from everyone.
”I had given up on having a happy family. Sure, my parents weren’t on bad terms, and I love my current papa and mama, okay? But I had given up on having my own family──.”
I continue with a smile, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
”──But you know. Meeting everyone and being together like a family. I’m so happy right now. With Hiroya at the center, everyone around him is smiling. I want to cherish this happiness. So, I want everyone to be honest with Hiroya and express their feelings. I don’t want you to suppress them and feel sad.”
”…Kazumi is still an adult, isn’t she?”
Liz whispers.
”But I kind of understand.”
Rena caresses my cheek.
”I… I’ll let Hiroya hold me. I’ll… give him my first time…?”
”Yeah. I know Liz has been holding back.”
”…I once indulged in ma***bation while hugging a sleeping Hiroya…”
Liz, who is now as red as can be, confesses.
”I also… kissed Big Brother Hiroya while he was sleeping…”
Martina, also turning red, confesses.
”When I was under the influence of the aphrodisiac, I comforted myself while thinking of Hiroya…”
”Everyone’s doing it, huh?”
I can’t help but laugh. Dorothy turns red and puts her hand to her mouth.
”Well, it depends on Hiroya, but… he loves all of you, so it’s okay. But… I have no intention of giving up my position as his number one.”
I make sure to declare my position as the legitimate wife.
”We can’t take that away, and I think it’s impossible. Hiroya loves Kazumi so much.”
Liz laughs.
At least everyone seems to understand.
* * *
On our way back from the hot springs, we take Rena to the clinic, as she will spend the night with her parents. After having dinner at the inn and preparing for school tomorrow, we decide to go to bed early.
Hiroya is already asleep in the next room.
Me, Liz, Martina, and Dorothy sleep together, as usual, with the two beds pushed together.
After a while, I hear everyone’s breathing as they sleep. But then, I hear someone sobbing, so I sit up.
”Dorothy? What’s wrong?”
It seems Dorothy is crying in the corner of the bed. Dorothy looks at me, her expression startled.
”I see… we talked about our family at the hot springs. I’m sorry, it must have been hard for you, Dorothy, who lost your family.”
Dorothy shakes her head.
’Losing my family was a very painful and sad experience for me.’
Dorothy’s words flow into my mind through ‘Telepathy’. She buries her face in my chest and cries. I caress Dorothy’s long hair, which is the color of autumn leaves.
”I know… I should have been more considerate… I’m sorry, Dorothy.”
’But soon, I was able to form such a wonderful family. … There were people who accepted me as a family. I was crying because I was happy about that.’
I feel like I’m about to cry from the sadness. I hug Dorothy tightly.
”You’re family. Dorothy is our precious family.”
After Martina and Liz, I feel like I have a new little sister.
Martina is the kind of sister you can’t leave alone. Liz is… she acts like an older sister, but she’s actually a spoiled little sister. I wonder what kind of sister Dorothy will be. Oh, Rena is my older sister.
’So… what is your past life? Mr. Hiroya’s heart is 23 years old?’
Yes. I’ll tell Dorothy about it as a bedtime story.
* * *
As we talk through ‘Telepathy’, Dorothy, who is in my arms, falls asleep peacefully. As I’m about to fall asleep, I feel someone getting up from the bed.
I manage to open my heavy eyelids and see that the silhouette is that of Liz.
(She’s been holding back for so long, and then Ares gave her the cold shoulder…)
In my melting consciousness, I think she’s going to Hiroya’s room.
(‘Soundproof’… be gentle with Liz, Hiroya…)
I cast the magic next door. I’m at my limit… just as I’m about to fall asleep, I lose consciousness.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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