[Part 5/6]


    "I don''t have the right to meddle in friends'' rtionships, you know!? But that doesn''t mean I''m not worried!"


    "Is that so?"


    Well, she probably meddled in Yukine''s business too, so that makes sense.


    "Iruka is definitely from Ezo, right? ...I''ve heard there''s some history between you two. Half-youkai. There''s a difference in status too, right? She''s rough around the edges, and her education as a partner is questionable. It might be tough being with her since she''s a bit too forward!!"


    Tamaki listed out the issues rted to Iruka. It wasn''t gossip; they were all solid facts. There were probably even more serious problems about Iruka that Tamaki didn''t know about. But why was she telling me this now... wait, partner?


    "But that''s why... I thought about how close you two are and what you''re really thinking! I jumped to conclusions about Suzune, but I can''t ignore Iruka, right!? So,e on!"


    Tamaki almost talked nonstop and probably turned to face me. I felt a strange sensation, like being pierced by her gaze from behind.


    "I want to know. You''re so close to Iruka. What are you really thinking?" "What am I thinking? Well... let''s see."


    I paused for a moment... then started to speak. I changed from my usual polite tone to a more casual one. I made my tone closer.


    "...With her, well, it''s like we''re bad friends, I guess? We''re rivals too. You''ve heard about our past, right?"


    Tamaki nodded at my words. That''s convenient.


    "Honestly, I know there''s no obligation to get along. I could even say I have a reason to confront her. ...But just so you know, I''m not taking advantage of her weaknesses or anything."


    "No way! I''m not thinking that far!"


    When I checked if she misunderstood something from an eroge, Tamaki hurriedly denied it. That''s good. If the protagonist thought of me that way, it would be a death g.


    "Actually, I have younger siblings."


    "...Younger siblings?"


    Tamaki was probably confused by the sudden confession. She must have tilted her head, wondering why it was said now.


    "I have a little sister around Suzune''s age. I think she has older brothers too, right?"


    "Y-yeah..."


    Even though Tamaki was puzzled, especially since Suzune''s name came up, she responded.


    "Iruka was worried about Tamaki-sama, and Suzune when she thought you two are going to be punished. ...Even though it''s enemies, it''s just how she is."


    I remembered what happened back then. Tamaki and Suzune. Acting like they would do anything for Iruka...


    "Iruka, really..."


    "I also sold myself for my younger siblings. Since Suzune is about the same age as my sister, I got attached to that attitude... I guess that''s where the bad connection started? Well, I really took advantage of people''s weaknesses."


    I talked about how I had to help Iruka, especially as a protector for Suzune.


    "Ahaha... Iruka is sharp like that. Does Suzune really look like your sister?"


    "No, she''s not that graceful. She was more of a mischievous brat. Kind of like Iruka... Oh, thinking about it, maybe Iruka sees her like a younger sibling?"


    I realized this surprising fact. By the way, the silly spider that calls herself my daughter says she''s a big sister, so ording to that, she''s my daughter. Her? Seriously?


    "...Could it be that I look like a younger sibling to you too?"


    "...Now that you mention it, maybe a little. You''re probably like the second son."


    Among the younger siblings, he was the easiest to deal with. He was slower than the third son but much more honest. If you ignore the gender, he did seem to have some simrities with Tamaki.


    (...Wait. In the original story, Yukine had a good rtionship with the protagonist. Could it be that the protagonist was seeing the second son in that way?)


    I thought about that possibility and the current situation. In the original story, the family was supposed to be wiped out, and from what I heard from Iruka, the second son was doing well with his parents.


    They boughtnd with the money I sold myself for. They went from being tenants to owning a small farm, but that wasn''t the end. They saved money seriously, clearednd, and when the time was right, they bought farming tools andnd little by little with help from the younger siblings.


    Now they even hire a few workers. They can''t really be calledndowners. Most of thend is poor. But even in a small vige, they''ve gained a decent position, ording to Suzune''s stories I heard through Iruka.


    I heard they even got married a year ago. Apparently, the wife is the illegitimate child of andowner. Since she''s 2 years older and came back home, it''s probably a clearance sale. There''s no way they could have tied the knot otherwise.


    Still, she would probably protect the house from jealousy and envy. I think that''s why he married her. ...Please don''t take over the family, okay? Just handle things well.


    ...Oops. I got off track.


    "...The second son is a smart kid who doesn''t cause trouble. But the other 2 are quite the troublemakers, you know?"


    "So that means I get the cold shoulder?"


    "No way, I would never say that to the daughter of Hotoya..."


    "Hmm."


    Tamaki probably red at me with a side-eye. But I could tell the atmosphere was getting lighter.


    "Haah... I can''t believe all 3 of us were treated like younger siblings."


    "I just realized that right now... Sorry about that."


    "It''s fine. It''s true that you''ve helped me a lot. ...Hmm. So, Iruka and Suzune are like siblings, huh?"


    Tamaki epted my apology. Then she muttered something quietly... What was that?


    "Tamaki-sama?"


    "Nothing. ...By the way, your way of speaking has gotten worse again, hasn''t it? Since we''re in this situation, I wish you''d be more casual."


    "Because we''re close?"


    "!? ~~~!! Come on! Stop saying it like that!! It''s so rude!?"


    Ssh! The sound of water echoed. She probably yelled while soaking in the bath. She might be blushing.


    "Sorry, I was born rude. Please forgive me."


    "~~!! That excuse is pathetic, you know? You''re a Household Member Coordinator now! Get it together! Got it!!?"


    Tamaki groaned as she lectured me. I guess I should tone down the teasing.


    "Hahaha. I''ll try my best."


    "Geez!"


    For a moment, there were sounds ofughter and heavy breathing, then silence returned. In the dark, only the sound of water and quiet breaths echoed around us...


    "Oh, I forgot. Holding your arm for so long is rude, right?"


    "Ah!?"


    After calming down, I realized it and let go of Tamaki''s arm. Right after that, Tamaki grabbed my arm.


    "...Tamaki, sama?"


    "Just call me Tamaki! ...Um, are you getting back at me?"


    "...Did you get scared in the dark?"


    "..."


    "Got you there."


    It must be a bit lonely to soak alone in an onsen at night in a strange ce. Especially after all the chaos before. But staying in the same onsen with a guy for too long feels a bit inappropriate.


    ...Still, I should probably leave soon.


    "Are you getting too hot?"


    "I''m fine. The water here isn''t that hot. ...Can I stay like this a little longer?"


    "...Just a little, okay?"


    I sat cross-legged in the water and gave in. Suddenly, something warm touched my back. We were back-to-back.


    "Ah, it''s hard. And kind of rough?"


    "Tamaki?"


    "Hehe. Did it make your heart race?"