V5Ch2: Siblings Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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“Huh? Yukito-kun?”

I suddenly turned around at the sound of someone calling me, and there was the face of a familiar female college student.

Once a loner myself, the number of acquaintances I have now is extraordinary. My SNS account is always flooded with “Check my profile♪” messages.

Surprised by the encounter, I decided to use a familiar nickname affectionately.

“San-Mio?”

“Could you at least use ‘Chan-Mio'?”

“I thought it might be rude since you're older.”

Sitting at the desk was San-mio, also known as Mio Ninomiya.

On the table were various types of distributed materials, displayed in a vibrant manner. Mio-san's feminine sense was in full force, drawing the attention of participants.

“Are there many customers?”

“Not many!”

Mio-san always seemed like a cool character, but the gap between appearance and reality was striking.

“How come Yukito-kun is here?”

Mio-san's eyes widened as she looked toward Hinagi. Hinagi looked confused.

This childhood friend of mine was surprisingly shy around strangers and seemed uncomfortable.

“Hey, Yukito. …Who is this?”

Hinagi whispered hesitantly. Many people have experienced feeling left out when a friend interacts with someone they don't know, and I was no exception. After a moment's hesitation on how to introduce Hinagi, I settled on a safe approach.

“This is Mio Ninomiya, a university student who belongs to a Yarisa club.”

“Yarisa!?”

“I'm not in a Yarisa!” [TL: university club for socializing and having s*x.]

Amid Hinagi's shock, a double denial came back.

“Once I became a university student, I decided to be more serious…”

“See? Because you said something weird, now she's misunderstanding.”

While watching Hinagi renew her resolve with half-closed eyes, Mio-san looked exasperated.

“I decided not to associate with those kinds of groups anymore. We're not fools.”

The “we” probably referred to her friend, Tristy. Though I wouldn't interfere with her social circle, I hoped she'd take good care of herself. I didn't want to see her cheerful American father sad.

“I've never been interested in sports clubs anyway. Now I'm in a cultural club.”

Mio-san showed me the books on display. They had the names of university circles written on them.

When Hinagi and I were touring the venue, there were several circles operating under university names.

“Heh. So, even for a cultural club, there are activities like these outside?”

“Exactly. The actual activities can vary greatly, but circles participating in these events probably have some enthusiasm. It also adds to their external achievements.”

“I see.”

That was useful information for us high school students. Hinagi listened with interest.

“By the way, are you and Yukito-kun here for a literary date?”

“No, it's not—”

“It's a date!”

Hinagi answered sharply with lightning speed. I tried to correct it again.

“No, that’s—”

“If I say a date, I mean a date!”

Total defeat. For now, I decided to stay silent.

“Even if you say that, isn't it really a date?”

“I told you, it's a date! Huh?”

Mio-san was also trying to get in on the fun. I wondered what was so amusing about this…

“That aside, it's more like a reconnaissance. Actually—”

I explained the situation, and Mio-san's voice bounced with excitement.

“That's amazing! Can you tell me which work it is?”

“Well, um, yes. Do you know this site? It's in the romance genre—”

Hinagi also seemed quite pleased with the pure praise, looking happy.

That's a good sign. Hinagi's social circle isn't very wide. But if she deepens her connections with those around her, there should be more people who will support her when she's in trouble. That's fine. There are many more people who reach out to me now than before, expanding my world.

I hope Hinagi can achieve that too. There might come a time when we part ways. No one knows how long we'll be together.

“By the way, I'm sure there's a colored paper in the bag… Found it! Could you sign this?”

“A signature!? I've never done that before, and it's embarrassing!”

Mio-san was asking Hinagi for a signature. Quite the fan.

“Please keep it a secret for now, Mio-san.”

“Got it! Hinagi-chan, I'll definitely buy it when it's released! I'll send you my thoughts later!”

“Thank you very much!”

With Mio-san, I'm sure she won't leak any information. I don't have to worry about her reselling the signature.

“By the way, it's almost time to switch to free time. How about taking a little break?”

After switching places with the members who had been exploring the venue earlier, I spent some time at the venue while receiving various explanations from Mio-san.

We then took a break in the rest area. I was filled with a mild sense of fatigue, possibly from the intense atmosphere of the venue. Hinagi looked the same, her expression sparkling with excitement.

“I never expected to be so close to a future author. It really feels like I’ve witnessed your talent firsthand.”

“It's not like that… It's also thanks to you, Yukito.”

Hinagi even started saying it was thanks to me. Her hard work paying off had nothing to do with me.

“I see. It’s important to you, isn't it?”

“Yes.”

Hinagi quietly nodded at Mio-san's suggestive words. A comfortable silence settled over us.

Changing the subject, Mio-san sipped her tea from the vending machine and spoke up.

“By the way, that girl—Tristy—she got invited to join a fashion circle. They asked her to model, but now she's really into making clothes.”

“Is that okay?”

Noticing the underlying concern, Mio-san waved her hand as if to reassure me.

“It's a well-established circle. You can be at ease. Every November, they hold a fashion show, and it seems like they make their own clothes for it. It's quite a big event, and they handle everything from the planning to the operation of the show. I'm thinking of going to see it this year.”

“That sounds really appealing!”

Hinagi is a girl, after all. Girls tend to be interested in fashion. Even though fashion shows don't quite resonate with me, it's great to hear that her real life is fulfilling.

“By the way, I heard she might be having some trouble, so you might get a call from her soon.”

“I don’t want her to come to me for advice.”

Lack of knowledge about fashion makes me feel out of place. When someone talks about high fashion, I imagine transforming jets into robots or something with gimmicky elements.

“That's okay. Help her out. Yukito, you're good at making clothes, aren't you?”

“It's not like I'm particularly good at it…”

Indeed, the sewing machine is always running at home, but I wouldn't say I'm skilled.

“Is that so? Heh, you're really talented. Your childhood friend is a writer, after all.”

Mio-san seemed to realize something and muttered to herself.

“I see. That's why people gather around you—”

Looking around, the venue was filled with smiles. Having something to be passionate about seemed like a magical charm that made people attractive. I wonder if I'll find something like that someday.

“Mio-san, why did you decide to join a club?”

“Well, let's see… the reason, the reason…”

When I asked the question that had come to mind, Mio-san thought for a moment before speaking.

“I was born in a rural area. It wasn't exactly the countryside, but rather a normal regional city you could find anywhere. It was rich in nature, the air was fresh. I'd say it was a comfortable and good place to live. My family was close, and I had many friends from my school days.”

So, Mio-san moved to Tokyo for her studies. I hadn't known that.

“But you know, I've always had this doubt. Or rather, I suppose I was anxious about it. Every morning, I would wake up and go outside, but there was no one around. Not a single person walking. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but that's how it felt to me. It felt like I was left behind in a world, as if I were in a ghost town, a sense of isolation. It seemed like only the cars speeding by were proof of human existence.”

Mio-san's eyes, as she gazed into the distance, looked somewhat lonely. Perhaps she was lost in her thoughts.

“Nobody else questioned it. I felt like I was the odd one for wondering about it.”

In a world where that's the norm, it's difficult to question common sense. Mio-san must have sought a broader world because she questioned the everyday reality she was surrounded by. That must be the case.

There might have been some anguish in leaving her hometown, yet she chose this path.

“It's a downside of car-centric societies.”

“Is it?”

Hinagi seemed puzzled, not familiar with it, but it's a common story.

A deserted town with no one around. It's a metaphor, but not just a metaphor.

In a car-dependent area, you use a car for everywhere, even to the nearby convenience store. It's normal to drive there. Only students or people walking their dogs are seen on foot.

On the contrary, seeing someone walking can be suspicious. This excessive car culture leads to the hollowing out of shopping streets. Cars are the primary means of transport, and trains are not used. And with cars being the main mode, using a shopping street without parking is a hassle.

Towns centered around train stations decline, while suburban areas with large parking lots for electronics stores and shopping malls develop. This is a fundamental cause of the issues faced by rural areas.

And so, what results is a city that is devoid of the presence of people, with cars running everywhere.

“I spent my student days vaguely, without much direction. Then one day, I happened to attend an event with friends, and I was astonished. I discovered that there was a world full of young people with so much enthusiasm, and I had never seen anything like it in my own town. It was a transformative experience, changing my values. Outside of school, you don't meet people of the same generation very often.”

Mio-san let out a sigh and smiled.

“Tristy, she's desperately searching for her own path now. It seems she's actively challenging herself with various things. And that inspired me to remember the past.”

People who venture into the city versus those who stay in the countryside. There's no inherent superiority, but maybe everyone has similar feelings. In life, it's a matter of balancing challenge and comfort.

I felt like I had touched on a part of what Mio-san cherishes. A closed world is one of stagnation.

That's not necessarily bad. There's comfort and stability. It's protected.

But it's also true that stepping outside can reveal a completely different set of possibilities.

Hinagi too. The current situation is something she has grasped. It should become a significant confidence boost.

She is moving forward. To the future, shining brightly ahead.

I hold admiration for them. Am I progressing like they are?

The path ahead still seems pitch dark. Just walking carefully to avoid missteps feels like my limit.

“By the way, Mio-san, my mother said she wanted to talk to you.”

“What, an interview? Uwa, what should I do? I’m getting nervous.”

“It's not that, actually—”

I recalled what my mother had mentioned previously and started to explain it to Mio-san.

Mio-san blinked in surprise but quickly nodded in agreement.

That night, I received a message from Tristy.

[Aaah, help me, Yukito-kun! I've never walked a runway before!]

Neither have I?

---

“It’s such nice weather today.”

“Umu. It is.”

“………………”

Talking about the weather is a classic example of a conversation with zero productivity. When someone brings up the weather, neither party is particularly invested in the discussion. The response is often half-hearted, a mere formality.

Such conversations usually occur when both parties have abandoned genuine communication. The topic is so trivial that neither party cares much about it.

But the old man next to me doesn’t seem to care at all. The person who contacts me most frequently is Himiyama-san, but the person next to him is also Himiyama-san. Needless to say, it’s not Misaki-san.

“How many favors do you plan to do for our family? Before even repaying the previous ones, you’re already piling up more. At this rate, we’ll go bankrupt. None of us can hold our heads high.”

“Keep your head up.”

“Yes, yes.”

With an exaggerated bow, Rishyu-san is going through the motions. Is it really okay for him to be doing this?

“Hahaha. A politician should not look down on the people but must look up to them in order to truly be close to them. This is how things should be. Paying taxes and avoiding under-the-table money is essential. It's unacceptable.”

“Please, give them a good talking-to.”

He looked distressed as he lamented about Japan. Even though he is retired, Rishyu-san still has the temperament of a politician.

Under the sunlight, the white horses prance happily. Animals are free.

Often, I receive calls from Rishyu-san who seems to be enjoying his retirement. Today, however, I was summoned and have ended up in a place like this from early in the morning. Where exactly am I?

“I never imagined Misaki would once again aspire to be a teacher… When I heard it, I couldn’t believe my ears. It was something neither I nor her parents could ever do. We knew she was struggling, but we could only watch helplessly.”

“To begin with, it's my fault. It’s like I caused the problem myself.”

Himiyama-san is trying to reclaim the dream she once had, a dream she was passionate about. She had once faltered, her spirit broken, and gave up. I can’t imagine how much courage it took for her to stand up again. I twisted the path Himiyama-san was meant to follow. It was a cruel act.

Yet, Himiyama-san never blamed me. She believed that the time spent was valuable, that it was a necessary detour. Sanjoji-Sensei said the same thing. It was a needed roundabout path.

Because she knew pain, she could empathize. Because she knew pain, she could care for her students.

I understand. I’m sure Himiyama-san will become a wonderful teacher. I had a strong sense of it.

Now, Himiyama-san is pursuing her goal with determination. She’s likely very busy. We don’t encounter each other as frequently as before, but she still sends me sexy images almost every day. Every day, Yuri-san discovers and deletes them. It’s a secret that I sneakily restore the images every night. I feel bad for Himiyama-san who sends them. I have no ill intentions, really.

“Reunion is fate. Meeting as if guided by destiny, and then life improves. It’s truly amusing how you were born under such a star. That Tojo you recommended is doing very well.”

Tojo refers to Hideomi Tojo-san, the father of Erika Tojo-Senpai , whom I, who was almost forced to take over Rishyu-san’s role, managed to avoid by turning into a scapegoat. While I'm relieved to have avoided trouble and shifted the burden, it seems I'm being pushed to deal with Erika Tojo-Senpai as a form of gratitude from Hideomi Tojo .

Erika Tojo-Senpai should at least have the right to choose. She was already troubled by an arranged marriage against her will, so I hope she can live freely without such constraints.

“In our family, there seems to be a growing consensus that if something goes wrong, we should just leave it to you. Should we formalize a consultancy contract? Perhaps a ten-year one?”

“Having everything dumped on me would be problematic.”

Rishyu-san burst into laughter. This old man is remarkably lively and energetic.

“Indeed. First, we need to settle the accumulated issues. Work deserves compensation. However, simply paying money would be boring. That’s why I brought you here today.”

“So where exactly is here?”

At Rishyu-san’s signal, a person with a white horse approached, leading it towards us.

“Actually, I have a hobby of owning horses. I've been a horse owner for many years. Even for me, this white horse is a first. Look at its shiny, splendid coat. Come, touch it yourself.”

The laid-back horse, with its round eyes, stared at me intently.

When I was encouraged to pat it, the horse neighed and rubbed against me.

“…I thought so, but is it that I have a disposition that animals like?”

“Even though people dislike you!”

“Again with the odd statements.”

Rishyu-san was chuckling. It's true that animals often warm up to me. When I visit Sekka-san's house, the rabbit Friedrich II frequently hops onto my lap and poops there.

It's a given that Sekka-san, jealous of Friedrich II, makes an appearance in a bunny suit.

Oh, and just to clarify, Sekka-san does not poop on my lap. I should mention this for her honor.

But recently, due to her high-exposure outfits, she caught a cold (this part is NG).

“Well, it's a rare white horse. Do you have any interest in racehorses?”

“Interest or not, I'm a minor, so I can't buy race tickets.”

“Hahahahaha. That's true. In fact, it seems like you being a high school student is a mistake.”

It's no mistake. I, Yukito Kokonoe, am indeed high school first-year students.

Regardless of being a minor, the Kokonoe family's rule is strict against gambling, so even if I were an adult, I wouldn't engage in horse racing. I would feel too guilty towards my ancestors.

“As we're about to enter the stable, I thought about what would be an appropriate reward. A privilege of horse ownership is naming the horse. So, are you excited?”

“I'm more excited by the bad premonition.”

Rishyu-san’s face was filled with mischief. Smiling broadly, he announced proudly.

“This horse's name will be ‘Yukito Himiyama’!”

With a burst of dramatic excitement, the name ‘Yukito Himiyama’ was declared.

“That's so uncool it's hilarious.”

Yukito Himiyama, indifferent, continued munching on hay. Laughing emojis everywhere.

“Registered racehorse names must be at least two characters and up to nine characters long. After agonizing over it for days, I decided that this was the best name. I'm patting myself on the back.”

“This is why old men are unbeatable.”

The sheer audacity. Although I'm not well-versed in horse racing, I wonder if during races, the name Yukito Himiyama gets called out repeatedly? It's a certain cause for frustration.

“This is also a token of gratitude. I did consider naming it ‘Yukito Kokonoe’, but that name was too obvious, and many people would immediately recognize it as related to you, so I gave it some thought.”

“If you’re going to consider, at least consider ‘Yukito’ instead…”

Feeling dejected, the horse, Yukito Himiyama trotted over to offer some comfort.

Thank you. You're so kind, Yukito Himiyama (Neigh)

“Perhaps you could also marry Misaki and become Yukito Himiyama?”

“Neigh.”

I tried to neigh too.

“Right now, given your age, it would probably take the form of an engagement, but eventually…”

Eventually, what are you suggesting? This family is too forceful and frightening!

“Well, up to this point, the reward was something I arranged on my own, but don't you have any requests?”

As I played with the horse at my leisure, Rishyu-san brought this up.

It seems not only Rishyu-san but also the Himiyama family feels deeply grateful for what happened. After all, it was Misaki who made the decision. I only pushed her a little, encouraging her to look toward the future rather than dwell on the past.

“I don't need any reward.”

“That won't do. One must reciprocate gratitude. Hmm, in that case, how about I prepare a large chest and a small chest?”

“Are you referring to the tale of the tongue-cut sparrow? What's inside?”

It’s a common theme in fairy tales where choosing the small chest is seen as humble and virtuous, but I think that’s nonsensical. It's perfectly fine to choose the large chest. It's a case-by-case situation.

“The large chest contains shares of a major corporation, while the small chest has unlisted shares of a startup company.”

“That's so modern it's hard to be pleased…”

What a contemporary twist on the chest. I nostalgically recall the old times when generals and merchants would trick people with boxes of traditional sweets, only to find them filled with gold coins. I haven't experienced that, though.

“If there's anything I can do to help, I won't hold back.”

If Rishyu-san gives his full effort, most problems would be resolved.

After thinking for a while, I came up with one thing I could ask for.

“By the way, I'm looking for land, but I haven't found a place that meets my conditions.”

“Land? Are you starting a business? Fine, I'll arrange as much funding as you need. I can even invite you to the bank—”

“Please don't decide on the spot.”

What is the Himiyama family's opinion of me?

Avoiding reality, I explained the situation to Rishyu-san. I have no intention of starting a business. I'm simply looking for land to build a family home.

“At my age, a condo might be more convenient.”

“Condos are convenient, and they offer better security. My mother also doesn't intend to build a very large house; she's aiming for a functional home suitable for a family of four.”

While I have some longing for a large suburban house, I've learned that there are difficulties with that as well. The vast mansions with 8LDK or 10LDK, often seen in the countryside, are filled with romanticism but are extremely inconvenient.

Especially today, with the culture of gathering relatives during Obon or New Year's fading, the Kokonoe family only has connections through my mother's side, so having so many rooms would just be excessive. One guest room would be more than enough.

Cleaning takes time, and if weeds grow in the garden, they need to be removed. Tree pruning also needs to be done regularly. Maintaining a house is a lot of work, and having a car is essential for transportation.

Given these factors, a common life plan is to live in a single-family home until the children grow up and then move to a convenient apartment in the city for retirement. The Kokonoe family aimed to balance convenience with not seeking too much space.

“I see. … I can give you the land I own, but it would be too big for four people unless we divided it into lots. Or, do you think we could divide it up and build a house for Misaki to live in?”

“That's not an option.”

That’s scary. She’s like a real-life M*LF next door. Calling Himiyama a M*LF is misleading from all sides, but if that were to happen, she would definitely become a visiting Yukito instead of a visiting wife.

“Alright, understood. Leave it to me. I have a wide network and connections. I'll definitely find a piece of land that will satisfy you. —With options.”

“Adding in ominous words, are we?”

Given Rishyu-san's love for his grandchildren, there might be some kind of trap involved. While I'm grateful for the help in finding land, I might need to stay vigilant.

But above all, finding land that will make my mother happy is the most important thing. I won't compromise as I aim for top marks in filial piety!

With renewed determination, I realized I needed to solve this mystery soon.

“So, could you finally tell me where we are?”

Early in the morning, after the car parked in front of the apartment, I was blindfolded and brought here. When I asked why such a convoluted trick was used, Rishyu-san said he had watched a prank video on a video site and wanted to try it out himself. How playful.

Leaving the past aside, he is now a troublesome old man with too much free time in his retirement.

However, since Rishyu-san frequently donates generously to my video channel, I can't dismiss him. Everyone, please subscribe and give a thumbs up to my channel!

---

“Wow, you know the professor!?”

The charming secretary with glasses covered her mouth in surprise. She looked very refined.

I had come to the office of Goddess-sensei, the “Kozukata Legal Office,” seeking advice. Seeing it now, it's clear that Goddess-sensei was indeed a lawyer. The brand-new sofa and the impeccably clean room made me naturally sit up straighter.

Goddess-sensei had apparently left a major firm two years ago to start this current legal office. Her excellence is evident, living up to her reputation as a legal goddess. Despite her usual demeanor!

“I met her through some connections a while ago.”

“Connections, you say…?”

The secretary, who was quite cute, tilted her head in curiosity. She seemed like the type to be a soothing presence. She was visibly eager to know more about my relationship with Goddess-sensei. I took a sip of the tea she had served.

As for how to describe my relationship with Goddess-sensei… Considering the age difference, it might be a bit odd to call it a friendship. I considered various possibilities—hot spring buddies, etiquette bag friends, Demon friends—but none seemed quite right. —Then it struck me. This is it!

“I'm Goddess-sensei's caregiver.”

“Caregiver?”

“No, that’s not it!”

Goddess-sensei hurried in and took a seat on the sofa.

A lawyer and a caregiver—a surprising encounter.

“Is it okay now?”

“Sorry for the wait. —But don't let my staff hear you saying weird things!”

“It's just the truth, isn't it?”

“That's true, but still!”

“Is it really true, Sensei!?”

The secretary’s glasses almost slipped off her face. Was it that shocking?

The current Goddess-sensei bore no resemblance to the demon who used to roll around drunk on the ground.

“You should forget everything you just heard. Got it?”

“Uhm…”

The secretary wore a puzzled and conflicted expression. Goddess-sensei's sharp gaze was directed at me. Given that I was receiving free advice, it would be adult to uphold Goddess-sensei's dignity here. But, I'm still a kid.

“So, what brings you here today? Also, aren't you always dealing with some sort of trouble?”

“Unlike Goddess-sensei, I'm just a student, but for some reason, I never run out of things to consult about…”

We met by chance, but Goddess-sensei said she would listen to anything, so after returning from our hot spring trip, I gave her a list of problems I was having.

Today, I’m asking about a new problem I’m having on my list.

“…I can kind of understand why people rely on you. Yukito-kun, you’re kind and caring. Maybe you’d be good at being a lawyer?”

“A lawyer? I’ve never thought about it.”

I’ve never imagined my future, but is that an option in the future?

“When that happens, come to my office. You’ll be welcome♪”

She winks with a charming snap.

That might actually be a good thing. I could help my mother, who is preparing to go independent, and I could help Yuri-san and Sekka-san when they’re in trouble. Social status is important.

Humans are creatures who are weak to authority. Power isn’t necessarily evil.

I’ve caused my family a lot of trouble up until now. If I don’t repay her kindness, even a little, I’m worthless.

“Well, then, I’ll be known as Yukito Kozukata, so please treat me well.”

“Wait! Why am I marrying you!? And as a son-in-law!?”

Goddess-sensei stood up. Objection!

“Eh, but we’re going to work together now–“

“I didn’t say that much!”

“S-sensei, it’s really not good to make a move on a minor!”

“I didn’t!”

“That’s right! What Goddess-sensei made wasn’t a move, it was something else–“

“Shut up, shut up, shut up! If you say anything more, I’ll kiss you and shut you up!”

“Why are you going to use the same method as Yuri-san…”

I need to quickly prepare some [Goddess-Sensei Chu~ru]…

“No way… I can’t believe you’re in a sordid relationship with an underage boy–“

“I’m not yet!”

“Not yet!?”

The office lady had collapsed back in an odd position. She's is really fun…

“It was really hard because she was on top of me and violently attacking me.”

I want you to experience what it’s like to carry a drunk person on your back.

“That’s shameless! Sensei!”

“I told you it wasn’t!”

※Kozukata Legal Office is a friendly workplace.

After a bit of commotion, we get to the point. For some reason, everyone was tired.

“Yukito, I’ll lecture you later.”

“The usual hotel then.”

“Okay.”

“What is it with you, Sensei? What is your relationship really like? Hey, hey!”

Goddess-Sensei looked away. Is she aware of her careless remarks?

“…Anyway. What on earth do you want to talk about?”

Goddess-Sensei suddenly became calm, but her previous words and actions ruined it.

However, there’s no doubt that she is a reliable adult. I decided to explain the situation succinctly.

“I kidnapped a girl, will that cause any problems?”

“Bffft!”

The tea that Goddess-sensei was drinking spat out in a big flash. I ended up covered in tea, dripping all over.
I took out a handkerchief and wiped my face. …I need to wash my soaked T-shirt.

“Does Goddess-sensei have a fetish for throwing her own bodily fluids on others? I don't like bringing this up, but it doesn't seem like something to be proud of.”

“Don't just assume I'm like some perverted woman from a tabloid magazine!”

I'm not sure, but maybe that's just how things are.

“Eh? But you seemed so happy to dirty me…”

“Ha. You're the only one who's humiliated me like this since I became a lawyer. Be proud of that.”

“Is that something to be proud of?”

“Are you really asking that right now?”

The office lady gently wiped me with a towel she had brought. Sorry for the trouble.

As my face was being cleaned, I decided to explain the details to Goddess-sensei once more.

“—Well, that certainly sounds like quite a complicated situation…”

After hearing the story, Goddess-sensei sighed deeply, looking quite troubled.

“Parental abduction? Kidnapping? But in this case, it’s about abuse, so whether it will be recognized as such—”

Goddess-sensei muttered to herself as she stood up, coming back with some documents in hand.

“I'm not a specialist in civil law, but this is currently a major topic.”

The documents Goddess-sensei showed me were about joint custody. Currently in Japan, the system is based on sole custody.

Either the mother or the father holds custody, but in practice, the system heavily favors mothers. Even if a divorce occurs due to infidelity on the wife's side, it doesn't significantly impact the custody of the children.

The rights are strongly protected. However, once the child turns fifteen, the child’s wishes become a priority.

In other words, even if the old man were to file for a change in custody, considering that both my sister and I have no relationship with him, it would be a futile effort.

That aside, the recent proposal for changing from sole custody to joint custody is largely due to the abuse of the system.

Goddess-sensei explained that this involves issues like parental abduction, kidnapping, and the fabrication of domestic violence claims to demand compensation.

Organizations and lawyers that conduct such actions as business partners are causing a surge in cases where fathers have their children taken away or children are taken abroad and go missing.

“From what I understand, the situation is quite difficult… You can't sue a parent without evidence, and especially if it's not physical abuse but psychological, even if there were evidence—”

Kikyo-chan is a middle school student. Even if she is suffering, filing a lawsuit against her mother is not practical, and she doesn't want that.

Even if she went to the child consultation center, it would be hard to get abuse recognition, and since it's not an urgent situation threatening her life, they can only offer consultations.

Originally, intervening in family disputes is difficult. Even in cases of theft among family members, there are exceptions like the “family exception rule,” where legal consequences are not applied, highlighting the limitations of legal enforcement in such matters.

“So, did you abduct your sister?”

“Please don't say things that make it sound so bad. I only helped her run away.”

I raised my thumb, index finger, and middle finger on my left hand. Goddess-sensei looked puzzled.

No one expected this rule to come up again.

“It's the Yukito Kokonoe Left-Hand Rule. Thumb is abduction, index finger is intimidation, and middle finger is escape—”

“It’s not kidnapping after all!”

Goddess-sensei seemed to suddenly realize something.

“Wait. blackmail? You didn't blackmail, right?”

Yare yare. I'm being underestimated. I'm not that foolish.

“I wouldn't do something like that. I just instructed her to leave a letter on the desk saying, ‘I've taken your daughter. If you contact the police, you know what will happen to her'”

“That's what you call blackmailing!”

“!?”

“Why are you acting surprised as if you didn't expect this!? It's not good, you know? If you get reported, it's over…”

“Well, it's already past, so…”

“Don't change the subject so quickly! This is not a situation to be optimistic about! And besides, with this, I might share some of the responsibility since I heard this story. I might end up being an accomplice…”

“Oh, it's about time for me to head out. See you later, Sensei.”

“Wait! I'm not letting you go!”

Goddess-sensei swiftly restrained the office lady who was trying to make a hasty exit.

“Let me go! I have a date with my boyfriend now!”

“Don't lie! You've never had a boyfriend, have you?”

“How rude! Even if it's true, it's sexual harassment, Sensei!”

“When did Japan become such a sexually harassing society?”

Is there anyone more sexually harassed than me? At this rate, I might become a guru of sexual harassment.

“Stop saying pointless things like a wide-show commentator!”

Goddess-sensei, while rubbing her forehead, seemed to be thinking of a solution.

“In this case, it's a half-sibling situation, right? Since they're in the second-degree kinship, could we push it through as a family matter? Since she wants it and we can use the pretext of protecting her from abuse, it might work even if reported…”

Even though it started with the old man, now that I've stuck my nose into the Touren family's issues, I must find some kind of solution. I thought only my little sister was my sibling. If my half-sister sought me out as her brother, I wanted to respond.

—It must have been her last hope.

“Maybe we should go for adoption to take custody—though that's not going to be easy.”

A thunderous roar echoed with Goddess-sensei's words. The weather outside was perfectly clear.

“Counteracting a change of custody with adoption? That sounds interesting!”

“Wait, if this gets any more troublesome, it won't be a joke anymore! Do you understand?”

Adoption? I see. If it's Mother, the Great Saint, and if Kikyo-chan strongly desires it, it might be possible. But it would mean transferring schools and, more importantly, it signifies a break with my parents.

The old man and Kikyo-chan's mother wouldn't approve. It would be the start of a major war between the Kokonoe and Touren families.

Why did the old man appear before me? Did he want me to become Kikyo-chan's ally by taking me? Did Tsubaki-san wish for that? Is that even possible?

I don't know. At least from the story I heard from Kikyo-chan, it won't lead to a resolution.

“Oh, is that a sports newspaper on the shelf?”

I noticed a sports newspaper on the shelf. Perhaps it's for guests?

“Oh, this child is an enthusiastic baseball fan. She enjoys watching games at the stadium.”

Heh. The office lady likes baseball. That's unexpected.

“I'm so embarrassed…”

“There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's wonderful to have a hobby you're passionate about.”

“Kyun♡ Is this love—?”

“What are you saying, miss? Didn't you just say you were going on a date?”

“I don't have a boyfriend! I wanted a boyfriend who would go to baseball games with me. Sports bars can be quite intimidating for a woman alone…”

I picked up the sports newspaper and skimmed through it. As summer turns into fall, the pennant race heats up. The paper was filled with articles on player stats, team analyses, as well as news about players who will become free agents and draft prospects.

I hoped the office lady was a kind fan who doesn't drag mascots around with chains. As I wished for this, a certain word caught my eye. At the same moment, inspiration struck.

“This is it! This is it, Goddess-sensei!”

“What's wrong all of a sudden?”

I handed the white and black underwear I got from the panty crane as a souvenir to Goddess-sensei, who was staring blankly. I gave some to the office lady too. No, I got too many and had some left over.

Thinking back, why was I so engrossed? I was possessed by the magic of the panty crane. It was a devilish machine that could captivate people.

“Change of custody mediation, adoption… and ‘personnel compensation.' Hehehe. I've won.”

“Personnel compensation? Was it an A-rank?”

The office lady, in her natural airheaded way, didn't seem to get the point. But this was not the time for such concerns.

How could I have not thought of something so simple!

If the old man wants me so badly, I'll go to the Touren family!

But I couldn't take Kikyo-chan, who came to me for help, back with me.

I'm Kikyo-chan's personnel compensation. In other words, it's a trade between the Kokonoe family and the Touren family. This is it!

Furthermore, hostage exchanges are a fundamental part of diplomacy. It's a common practice in many countries to negotiate the release of spies captured abroad with spies captured domestically.

“Goddess-sensei, please prepare a certified letter right away. The content will be about adoption.”

“A-are you really going to do that!? Is it okay?”

“Don't worry. I won't do anything that would trouble you, Goddess-sensei.”

This is truly a clever strategy. It will be unacceptable to the Touren family, but the old man was the one who took the hardline approach first. I'll show them what a real hardline strategy looks like.

“Haa… Since I met you, I feel like my image has been completely shattered.”

Goddess-sensei held her forehead. Haha, nice joke.

“? Rather than shattered, wouldn't ‘burst' be more appropriate—”

“Mooouuuuuu! You don't have to hold a grudge! Fine, if it makes you happy, I'll wear this souvenir! Is that enough for you!? Let’s go!”

“Eh!? Sensei, me too?”

“I'll show you something impressive, so be prepared!”

Goddess-sensei grabbed the office lady's arm and vanished into the changing room.

The calm and composed image of the courtroom goddess was nowhere to be seen. It was hilarious.

“Alright, let's go home. Things are going to get busy from now on!”

With renewed determination, I left the Kozukata Legal Office.

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