CH 457

Author’s Note: I’m veeery sorry for the long wit! The update is resuming from today. Please enjoy this last arc!

The back of his eyelids was red. His consciousness was hazy, even so  he understood that his body was stiff with sweat covering it.

His body wouldn’t move like he wanted it.

A strange sense of uneasiness was whirling inside his chest. While  his consciousness was approaching wakefulness, he finally could even  feel the pain of his neck, a vital spot getting pierced──

「……tsu!?」

Hajime sprang up in a flash. He looked around while breathing slightly roughly.

*Slid* From his neck──Yue slid down. From Hajime’s chest until his  stomach.  She sensually licked off the blood at the corner of her peach  colored lips.

In addition, when he looked at his left arm that he couldn’t move,  there was Shia hugging it tightly, while his right hand was completely  buried into Tio’s twin mountains.

*Chirp chirp* The energetic sparrow’s chirping was mixed with the  sunlight that was shining in from the gap of the opaque curtain.

It seemed that the weather today was really good.

「I see.」

Hajime’s shoulders dropped as he reached an understanding.

No wonder that his body couldn’t move. He should be sleeping alone  last night, but apparently these three then slept together with him and  held him tightly in place without him realizing it.

The redness of his eyelids were because the sunlight unluckily shined  down directly on his face. And there was no need to mention about the  pain in his neck. It was from Yue’s half-asleep neck sucking.

「She had a great damn time chewing there.」

Most likely she was sleeping face down on top of Hajime while  clinging on his neck. It made him wanted to say to her 「It’s absolutely  hard to sleep in that posture isn’t it?」 in exasperation.

Yue who was puckering her lips looked truly happy. It seemed that she really had her fill of the taste of Hajime’s blood.

He nonchalantly dropped Tio outside the bed and freed his right arm.  He completely ignored the strange scream 「Dabadah!?」 and flicked Yue’s  forehead with his finger.

「……Nnu……?」

She fretted like a baby while her hands wandered around……

「Ou!? Wait damn you!」

She unconsciously grabbed a certain rod that was right nearby in a tight hold. Then her mouth opened wide Aa~~~~ in preparation to suck once more.

This was really bad. Extremely terrifying. It was only at this time  that Yue’s protruding tooth stopped being her charm point and  transformed into a wicked weapon.

Hajime freed his left arm too from Shia forcefully in panic. He  ignored the 「Fugya!?」 scream and held up Yue with both his hands. Just a  moment later Yue’s protruding teeth snapped close on empty air.

「T-that was closeee……my blood flow is rushing back the first thing in the morning.」

「Nna? ……Nnu, Hajimee? Morniiing」

As expected Yue-san seemed to wake up from all the movement. She  smiled sleepily. She had not the slightest idea of the fiendish deed  that she was just about to commit a moment ago as she radiated such  angelic loveliness.

Hajime sighed. He smiled wryly at Yue who was tilting her head 「Nn?」  in puzzlement while greeting her back 「Good morning」. Then Hajime moved  his gaze to the calendar inside his room.

「Sheesh. What a way to start the day, even though this day is an important turning point in a way.」

There was a red circle drawn on the calendar. That red circle was surrounding the words “graduation day”.

Yes, it was several months after the shocking incident that revolved around the “Dragon” and onmyouji.

Today was the day of high school graduation ceremony.

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「Geez! Really papa, you were doing perverted thing even in this kind of day nano!?」

「I didn’t. Or rather, I don’t want to get asked something like that by my daughter.」

Hajime already changed into his uniform and finished his preparation  to go to school, but his expression was becoming really awkward while he  was sitting beside the dining table.

Myuu was in bad temper. She was sitting at the opposite side of the  table while crossing her arms and glaring sharply at him like a parent  who was going to give a lecture.

「Why didn’t you call Myuu and mama too nano!」

「You’re angry for completely the wrong point there. Also, I didn’t call for them. They just trespassed as they pleased.」

「There was no way papa didn’t notice them coming in nano. In other  words, this is the so called tacit understanding nano! And yet papa  called it them doing as they pleased, horrible! Man is always like that!  What do you think girl is nano!」

「Remiaaa! Myuu has learned some strange words again!」

「M-my my……those words shouldn’t come from soap opera you know? After  all I only watched them when Myuu wasn’t home. I’m not lying. It’s  true.」

Remia who was helping with breakfast preparation looked out to the  dining room and denied any involvement. Though it was a bit suspicious  with the way she was insisting it like that……

Also, it seemed that Remia-san was recording the show while Myuu was  home. Then she would watch it secretly at midnight. Sometimes there  would be excited voice 「Oh my oh my!」 from her room.

Recently her room was even starting to get filled with Blu-ray  collection. All of them were famous works……it seemed. Though it was with  the prerequisite that it was the opinion of sordid love drama fans. (by  Sumire News)

「Or rather, you’re at grade school already……rather shouldn’t you be  at that age where you’ll hate it to sleep together with your dad?  Tomoichi-san also said it.  The moment Kaori got into grade school,  Kaori stopped sleeping together with him, and she also disliked to bath  together with him anymore. He reminisced with sake in one hand while  crying, saying something like 『Girl grow up really fast. You should  resolve yourself too Hajime-kun』.」

「That is that. This is this.」

「Kuh, you’re all talk……no, you aren’t just all talk, but you definitely have gotten damn better at talking.」

「Muu……does papa hate it to be together with Myuu nano? Hvae Myuu, done something wrong?」

Myuu instantly made a sad look even though she was in a huff just  now. It seemed that she had gotten a bit lonely because there was almost  no chance for her to sleep together with him lately.

「Well, I was busy with a lot of things recently that even our  sleeping time didn’t match. If Myuu want to do that then I don’t  mind……rather I’m really happy as a father.」

Tomoichi-san also told him. When Kaori hesitantly told him 『Getting  my laundry mixed with Otou-san’s laundry is a bit……』 and refused for  their laundry to be done together anymore, his memory for around one  week before and after that was blown away from his brain. When Hajime  heard that, he made a very conflicted look thinking that certainly, at  least his memory would also get blown away if he heard Myuu telling him  something like that.

And then, at that moment,

「Hajime-kun, it feels like recently you’re often talking with Tomoichi-kun huh. Why didn’t you call Tou-san too?」

The father──Shuu was sitting on sofa while drinking tea and watching  morning news. His hair was still messy from waking up. He looked back  across his shoulder and asked that question with a very discontent look.

Hajime was busy talking with his daughter right now so he only smiled  at him before proceeding to ignore him. The uncle ran to his tea to  drown his sadness. He got his tongue burned.

「Then, papa!」

「How-e-ver! There’s condition.」

「Condition!? There’s a condition just for a daughter to sleep together with her papa nano!?」

I never heard anything about that nano! Myuu’s eyes widened from half in shock and half in discontent.

However, this was a point that he couldn’t surrender as a papa. He  wasn’t lying that he was busy recently and because of that his sleeping  time got mismatched with his daughter Myuu, but there was one more  reason. As a father who thought about his daughter, there was a harsh  but honest advice that he had to bring up in consideration of Myuu’s  recent behavior.

Yue, Shia, and Tio who had just finished their preparation around  that time were entering the living room and watching the scene with  widened eyes wondering what was going on.

Shuu whose eyes were tearing up from the pain in his tongue had Yue  applied regeneration magic on him while briefly explaining the  situation.

Everyone’s expression was turning into a warm smile seeing the  negotiation that already broke out right from the morning between the  father and daughter. They sat around the dining table and took the  observing stance like usual.

「First」

「First!? It’s not just one!?」

「Don’t take off your clothes.」

「Even though Yue-oneechan always did it too!」

「……Nn!? Myu, Myuu!? Always is a bit of……faulty statement……」

「Second, don’t try kiss excessively.」

「Even though Yue-oneechan also like to ignore “tei pee o(TPO)” when kissing!」 (TN: TPO=Time Place Occasion)

「……Fuguh. I’m sorry for not reading the room.」

「Third, don’t use precocious words excessi──no, that’s troublesome. Just keep those two rules in mind. ──Don’t imitate Yue!」

「Hajime!?」

Yue’s gaze snapped toward Hajime. However, Hajime papa who was  serious about his daughter’s education didn’t even look at her. Shock.  It was as though she was treated like a harmful book for youth  protection.

「Uu, b-but papa……Myuu is papa’s daughter but……Myuu also want to be papa’s wife……」

「Kuh, Tomoichi-san, will even a good girl like Myuu enter rebellious  age later on? Will I be able to endure it when that time come?」

That sentence was definitely among the top three sentences that any  father would be happy to hear from their daughter. Hajime was so greatly  moved that he closed his eyes. But, at the same time, Hajime recalled  the figure of Tomoichi who was drowning himself in the sake that he  brought to him as souvenir while reminiscing about Kaori’s childhood. He  was trembling in fear when thinking that he would also have to walk  through that path someday.

In any case, he had to properly face his daughter here as a father. Hajime’s expression turned tense and grave.

「Papa want, Myuu to grow up to be a wholesome girl.」

「……Hey, Hajime. Does that mean that I’m not wholesome? Hey, Hajime, Hey, heyyyy」

That was exactly what he meant, Shia and Tio thought. Far from wholesome, she was the embodiment of eros, they thought.

Myuu glanced at Yue who kept tugging on Hajime’s sleeve. Then she pouted.

「It’s unfair that papa only focused on Yue-oneechan and others nano……」

Even yesterday, even though papa said that he would sleep alone, in  the end the others invaded into his room. Myuu was sulking really  childishly.

Conversely Hajime felt relieved seeing her showing such childish side of her. He was feeling warm and fluffy inside.

Since they moved back to earth, a lot of things that were far from  normal kept happening. Experience made children grew up regardless  whether they wanted it or not. Myuu was already mentally more grown up  than the girls her age even before that, so he welcomed time like this  when she was being selfish. It didn’t matter even if it made him became  called as stupid parent.

Yue and others must also felt the same.

「……I’m sorry Myuu. Your big sisters were unfair.」

「I’m sorry Myuu-chan. But, we also have a reason for doing that you  know? It seems that Hajime-san’s sleep is shallow recently. And it looks  like that he can sleep deeply when there’s someone beside him desu.」

「Goshujin-sama seems to frequently awoke at night.」

「Eh……is that true nano, papa?」

Actually it was true. He often woke up at night or at dawn since a  short while ago. Though of course, it wasn’t something that serious and  there were also days where he could sleep soundly until morning, so he  wasn’t really lacking sleep or anything.

「Aa, actually that’s true.」

「I-is papa alright nano?」

Myuu leaned forward worriedly. Hajime lightly patted her head while showing her a cheerful smile.

「Ou, there isn’t any problem at all. It might be the influence of the  King Tree’s revival to the world. I’m still bracing myself to it  unconsciously. After all even though I have grasped the willpower, we  don’t know when and where some kind of incident might occur again……」

Although it was necessary in order to prevent the destruction of  fairy world, as expected even Hajime couldn’t stay leisurely to deal  with the various incidents that happened from the aftereffect of the  King Tree’s revival.

Especially the incident where Kousuke ran into Fujiwara Hinata, this  generation’s strongest girl onmyouji──at the end of it the shocking fact  that “Japan itself was the dragon apparition” came to light. That  incident could lead not only to Japan’s destruction, but even the  world’s collapse.

The world right now was starting to notice the existence of such  supernatural power and phenomenon. This situation truly ought to be  called as the transition period.

Several months had passed since then.

It was absurd to expect that the situation had calmed down. Rather  many countries and civilians were making the firework growing bigger  below the surface as time passed.

It was only natural because even though Hajime had grasped the power  of the planet, he couldn’t go as far as managing the individual’s  awakening to power.

Hajime himself was burdened with endless tasks like monitoring the  impact to the world and dealing with the consequence, investigating or  protecting various power spots especially the dragon’s vine and dragon’s  den, investigation of legends all over the world that might get  awakened, adjusting the “miniature garden” that was going through rapid  growth, etc.

And above all else, the awakening of the “Dragon” was the one thing  that had to be avoided no matter how unlikely it was. It was necessary  for Hajime to tighten his control and grasp over the willpower.

Of course, his reliable comrades and friendly foreign organizations  were also giving their cooperation but……at the current time, his  dizzyingly busy schedule was still continuing.

「Fukube-san and others are also really busy aren’t they?」

Shuu seemed to have sensed that the breakfast would be finished soon  and moved to the dining table too. It was just like he said.

「Yeah. Japan, China, along with Britain and Vatican that has close  relationship with us are a step ahead in responding against the  supernatural phenomenon, But other countries are also becoming earnest  in creating their own organization to deal with this.」

They were more or less in a cooperative relationship with “Shadow  Monk” the sorcery group of the mainland China, but even that  relationship was based on the premise that it benefitted their national  interest. That relationship wasn’t as intimate and trustworthy compared  to their relationship with Britain or Vatican. The type of that  relationship would depend on the diplomacy in the future.

Also, it wasn’t hard to imagine just how anxious the other countries  were for having allowing these four countries to obtain overwhelming  advantage in the field of dealing against supernatural phenomenon over  the rest of them.

Although diplomacy was a domain that ought to be left to the  government, Fukube and his men had to deal with the other countries that  were extending their hand this way from the underworld.

Right now Fukube-san’s stomach medicine drinking speed was at the  level of gunman from western movie. The quantity was comparable to  gatling gun. According to Kousuke, before long his speed might leave  behind the speed of sound or something.

Hajime who couldn’t bear to watch that recently started to regularly  deliver other world’s stomach medicine that was created under the  supervision of Emily to the returnee response department.

When Fukube-san first received it from Kousuke, he said 「We are, drug  comrade aren’t we?」 with the atmosphere of someone who saw Buddha in  hell. He laughed extremely happily with a weary expression.

It felt like he would be able to hit it off with Aularodde.

Getting back on topic.

「This, art already that correct? The returnee response department too  art now just a type of cover. Its true form art the secret section that  was created internally at the same time……the “Response Room For  Supernatural Case” was it? It’s that one correct?」

「It’s the section of Tsuchimikado people──the onmyoujis isn’t it?」

「……Nn. Though it seems everyone ignored its official name and called it as the “Onmyouryou (Bureau of Onmyou)” though.」

「Hina-chan also seems busy nano. Even though we managed to become friend, she doesn’t really have time to play nano.」

Myuu looked dejected. There was also how it was the first friend she  made since coming to earth whose age was close to her and also aware of  the hidden world. Myuu and Hinata had completely hit it off with each  other but……

It seemed this generation’s strongest girl onmyouji had no free time.  Not to mention that she could even teleport on her own through Inari  Shrine though it was limited within Japan only. The girl herself had the  personality that was overflowing with sense of duty, so since coming to  play to “miniature garden”, the two of them had never met directly and  played together anymore until now.

Myuu looked dejected from her loneliness of unable to meet her friend  and her worry to her papa’s condition. Shuu gave a sidelong glance at  her and vigorously drank from his teacup before asking a question to  change the atmosphere.

「The graduation party, you said that it’ll be held at Sonobe-san’s place right?」

「Yeah. It’ll be fine even if Tou-san and the others also come though.」

「Graduation party should be just for the graduated students. The guardians also coming is just out of the question.」

「……Fufu, Otou-sama(father-in-law). Usually it should be the child who said that line shouldn’t it?」

「I’m really an understanding father right, Yue-chan. Even though  there’s a dad so great this close by, my son went to other family’s dad  to consult about his daughter. Don’t you think that it’s horrible?」

「Don’t hold a grudge just for that kind of thing……」

After the graduation ceremony, Hajime and co planned to gather in  “Wisteria”, the restaurant and also the house of Yuuka for graduation  party.

Although the participants would only be the graduated students just  like Shuu said……that wasn’t the case. Naturally Myuu, Remia, and Tio  would also participate. Hinata and Rana and some other people who they  weren’t unfamiliar with were also being invited through Kousuke.

The guardians would also attend the graduation ceremony today, but  the parents would have their own gathering after that in Yaegashi  residence where they would hold a banquet.

During the time their children were missing, they cooperated with  each other through the “family association” that they started up in  order to search for their children. They were people who had supported  each other through tough time. Shuu and Sumire and the others must  wanted to rejoice with the other parents too that their children were  able to graduate safely.

「Well, anyway, Myuu.I’m fine, and you’ll be able to meet with Hinata  today after so long, so don’t worry about it and have fun okay?」

「Yes papa. Myuu’s sorry for being selfish even though papa is so busy.」

「I’m telling you don’t worry about it. It’s papa who’s bad because  I’ve certainly made you felt lonely lately. Sorry. Let’s sleep together  today.」

「Is it okay nano?」

「Ou. As long as you don’t imitate Yue.」

「Myuu won’t copy Yue-oneechan! From now on Myuu will make Hina-chan  as Myuu’s model nano! Hina-chan was really cute when she said 『I’m going  to polish myself for now, so I will be able to make him turn his eyes  toward me one day』 nano. Target, Yamato Nadeshiko! Nano!」

This time Myuu’s expression brightened up radiantly. Yue was reaching  her hand toward her saying 「Hey, Myuu. Yue-oneechan isn’t your model  anymore? Am I fired? Am I fired as a model nano? Hey, hey Myuu」, but  Shia who was reading the mood tightly grabbed that hand from moving  further with a kind expression.

「Papa. Mama too!」

「Aa~, well, if Remia is okay with that.」

Remia was coincidentally coming out from the kitchen at that timing  holding a tray that had the tea for everyone on it. Their eyes met. She  must have heard. She nodded with a soft and warm smile. The tips of her  ears were just a bit red.

Somehow, it felt like compared to when Remia had just first arrived  to Japan, her conduct and atmosphere toward Hajime had also changed just  like Myuu. The way her true feeling was hard to understand with the way  she went 「My my ufufu」 with the composure of an adult from before had  ceased considerably. Now she could be seen showing her happiness and  anxiety and embarrassment honestly.

Remia was the one who had interacted with Hajime the shortest  compared to the others in Tortus, but now she had also gotten used to  living in a different world, and she had also obtained a job as clothes  designer that she felt was worth doing. And on top of that her living  together with everyone like this might have brought a lot of change to  her on an emotional level.

「Yes yes, Remia-chan. Don’t keep flirting and bring the foods to the table. The breakfast will get cold.」

「My my, forgive me, Okaa-san(mother-in-law).」

「Ah, I’ll also help out too~」

「Myuu will hell out too~」

Freshly cooked white rice, grilled salmon with crispy skin, rolled  egg, salad, and then miso soup. Sumire was setting the foods on the  table with her slippers making sounds from her brisk steps.

Those were breakfast that clearly looked delicious and carefully made  from a glance despite being orthodox menu. With Shia and Myuu helping  out too, the dining table became quickly enveloped in appetizing aroma.

「Thanks, Kaa-san. Remia too. Or rather, it’s unusual that Kaa-san is the one making the breakfast.」

「Well, today is a special day after all.」

Sumire was completely a night owl who was weak in the morning.  Normally she entrusted the breakfast preparation to Shia or Remia, but  as expected she couldn’t just laze around when it was the day of  graduation ceremony for her son and the others.

「……Fufu, thank you very much, Okaa-sama(mother-in-law).」

「Mine gratitude, Kaa-sama(mother-in-law)!」

「Your welcome. Even so, it will be my last day being able to see  Yue-chan and Shia-chan in uniform. Too bad……no, they can just normally  cosplay later can’t they?」

「That’s right Sumire. We were also like that.」

「Stop that! I don’t wanna hear my parents’ abnormal nostalgia right from the morning!」

「Okaa-sama(mother-in-law), please tell me about that in detail.」

「Don’t ask! This is why you got fired as Myuu’s model you know, Yue!」

「!!?」

Nagumo family was lively like usual even in this special day of graduation ceremony.

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「KyYYYAAaAAAAAAAAAAAA–」

At the alma mater of Hajime and co, in this auspicious day, there was  a scream that clearly denoted an incident echoing through the whole  building.

It was a scream like the scream of a maiden who had just found a  scene of massacre. No, perhaps it should be called as the shriek of a  demon who was crawling out from hell instead. Everyone reflexively paid  attention toward the direction the voice came from while wondering what  was happening.

But, they immediately averted their gaze with a wry smile.

It was only natural. Putting aside the urgency that could be felt  from the scream, it was a common scene in a graduation  ceremony──perhaps, maybe……no, perhaps it was something a bit too  excessive or exaggerated but……anyway, it was a common scene.

「ONEEEEEE-SAMAAAAAAAAA-, I’M BEGGING YOU PLEASE REPEAT A YEARRRRRRRRRR!!」

「Just what is this child saying.」

The girl’s twintail was bouncing up and down unrulily. Her face was  messed up from tears and snots. She was unashamedly displaying a face  that no high school girl should ever make while clinging on the pretty  leg of her beloved Onee-sama.

Scary. She was looking so despairing that anyone wouldn’t be able to deny it even if the girl got mistaken as an apparition.

It went without saying that the girl was an “Onee-sama Freak” who was  especially standing out above the rest even among the Soul Sisters──it  was Kouhai-chan.

She was tightly clinging on Shizuku as though to say that she  wouldn’t let go even if she died unless Shizuku repeated a year.  Sometimes she would also rub her body on Shizuku’s foot with very  natural movement. Shizuku-oneesama looked like she had a terrible  headache.

Right now the graduation ceremony had safely finished and it was time  for active students and graduated students, and guardians and teachers  to chat and reminisce outside the auditorium.

A wall of people was formed around Shizuku by a great number of  active students (all of them were girl) even though they were looking  slightly put off by Kouha-chan’s unruliness.

Shuuzou and Kirino and Koichi also came, but they couldn’t get closer  with how popular their daughter was. However they didn’t look troubled.  Rather they were watching while looking somewhat happy.

「No, don’t just watch and save me……」

Seeing no other way, Shizuku searched for Kaori. It was hard to see  because of the throng around her but by searching for her  presence……found her.

「UOOOOOOOHN, KAORIII! C-CONGRATULATIONS FOR-, GRDUATING SAFELYYYYYY!!  AND THEN CONGRATULATIONSSSSSS!! OTOU-SAN IS-, OTOU-SAN ISSSSS-」

「Geez, stop it Otou-san! You’re exaggerating! You’re embarrassing me!」

She had gotten caught by the unruly Tomoichi-otousan. The surrounding  looked put off with how he was bawling so excessively. The active  students who looked like they wanted to talk to Kaori were smiling wryly  while watching from afar.

It seemed that she couldn’t expect any help from her best friend.

Ai-chan-sensei were talking with other students and parents. Yuuka  and other classmates were also busy taking photo with their respective  friends or making their last memory in school.

「Just what is the point of staying in the school that doesn’t has Onee-sama in it!? What should I do from now onnn!!」

「No, just go to school normally and graduate.」

「Onee-sama is telling me to quietly spend a year of darkness? That’s too much!!」

「It’s your words that are too much. Look, the sad face of your  homeroom teacher. Your classmates are also looking a bit conflicted.」

No, we are fine. We are used to this already. Kouhai-chan’s  classmates were waving around their hands as though to say that.  Kouhai-chan wasn’t hated or even shunned by her classmates even though  she was like this, so perhaps she actually had amazing communication  ability.

Well, from the way none of them approached to stop her, perhaps she  was simply treated like “Dangerous to touch! Watching from some distance  is best!!”.

It was then, around ten female students performed a heroic act of cutting through the throng of Soul Sisters.

「Yargashi-senpai sorry! We’ll take away this idiot right away!」

「She has been a real bother to you! Also once more──」

「「「「「Congratulations for graduating!!」」」」」

They were her juniors in the kendo club. The girls who were led by  the next captain. They were also Soul Sisters, but they were the ones  who had overcome fierce competition and made the membership of kendo  club as their own. Their conduct was at different level. Their common  sense too.

Shizuku too couldn’t help but feel happy and relieved seeing their  beautiful salute and their firm tone. She naturally let out a smile,

「Thank you. Do your best in the club activity okay? If you need it then I’ll come to help out anytime.」

「「「「「Tsu, thank you very much!!」」」」」

A percentage of the throng got knocked out and collapsed from  Onee-sama’s pure smile. Meanwhile the girls of kendo club turned red,  even so they saluted while their happiness exploded inside.

And then they wrapped the raging Kouhai-chan in a bamboo mat, put  blindfold and gag on her, lifted her up above their heads, then walked  away while yelling one two one two. They were very skillful with the process. To a degree that a kidnapping organization might come to scout them.

「Now then, with this I can talk with Otou-san and others──」

「Onee-sama! Please give me your second button-」

「I’m aware how selfish I’m being! But please, bless me with that ribbon!」

「If it’s something that Onee-sama is wearing then anything is fine!」

「Then what about panty! Rather I want the panty!」

「Wai-!? You girls, please calm do──」

Shizuku’s voice that called for them to stop got swallowed by their  shrilly voices . Her figure also got swallowed and vanished behind the  throngs of Soul Sisters.

It seemed that it would still take some time until everyone’s Onee-sama would be able to talk with her friends and family.

「She won’t be able to meet up with us for a while like that.」

「I really underestimated Shizuku-chan’s popularity. Well, Yue-chan and Shia-chan are also amazing though.」

「Are you fine with that, Hajime? There’re also a lot of boys over there y’know?」

Nagumo family was watching that going on from some distance. Shuu and  Sumire turned their gaze where Yue and Shia were at. There they were  surrounded not only by active students, but also by graduated students  from other class.

The crowd was composed with half girls and half boys.

There was nobody who didn’t know Yue because of her beautiful look.  When Hajime wasn’t nearby, her elegance as a former royalty would even  drift off around her, so she was considered by the underclassmen as an  existence to idolize.

Shia often helped out in clubs as helper, and coupled with her natural innocent atmosphere made a lot of people adored her.

「No, I’m not that kind of restrictive man who’ll meddle just because they give greeting to others.」

In fact, just from brief observation there were some of them who  might try a sink or swim approach……well, Hajime was on standby nearby  while holding a smartphone in one hand. Those people kept sending  glances at him, but it wasn’t to a degree that he would need to go out  of his way to threaten them.

「Besides, it might be their last chance. It’ll be fine as long as they aren’t persistent.」

「Well, connection from your high school day that will continue to  last even after you become adult is actually not that many after all.」

「Is it something that Hajime won’t be able to experience with how busy you are? That’ll be unfortunate on its own way.」

By the way, not a single active student came to talk to Hajime……was not the case.

Should it be said that it was unexpected? It seemed that the boy  underclassmen were secretly harboring reverential feelings toward him as  a real harem man.

「Ossu, Anikii!! Congratulations for your graduationnn!!」Male  underclassmen who were giving that kind of greeting while bowing like  people from self-employed profession that was started with the letters  “ya” kept approaching Hajime.

They were asking him things like wanting to learn the path of man  from him even after graduation or something. Male underclassmen who was  hoping to exchange contact number with Hajime was making an orderly  line. In its own way that sight was just as bizarre as the throngs of  Soul Sisters.

It was troublesome so of course Hajime didn’t tell them his contact number.

Though he irresponsibly told them that if they had something that  they really wanted to discuss no matter what then go rely on  Aiko-sense……

The secretly whispered rumor that “Perhaps Aiko-sense has also gotten  seduced by him?” sounded more credible because of that. It made the  male underclassmen to go 「Serious respect. We just can’t stop feeling in  awe-ssu, senpai-」. Their respect toward Hajime became unnecessarily  even higher.

It went without saying that after that, those underclassmen would  give a deep salute to Aiko each time they passed her as though she was a  madam of an organization of self-employed profession that started with  the letters “ya”, which made her bewildered.

It was then, Hajime found the person that he had been looking for.

「Tou-san, Kaa-san. I’m going over there for a bit.」

He walked to the completely opposite direction of Yue and others.  Shuu and Sumire watched with puzzlement at Hajime who was walking back  to the auditorium where the graduation ceremony was held just now.

「Hm? Where’re you  going? I thought that you already greeted Ai-chan and the other parents.」

「You already took photo too right? You still haven’t taken one with  Shizuku-chan and Kaori-chan but……look, Yuuka-chan kept glancing this  way. She had taken photo with you before this, so perhaps she want to  join up with you soon? 」

Also, Yuuka-chan had shrewdly obtained a photo of her alone with  Hajime. Of course, it was the fruit of Nana and Taeko’s cooperation.  Right after the graduation ceremony finished and they exited the  auditorium, the wave of Soul Sisters assaulted Shizuku, while the active  students crowded around Yue and others. The three of them then swiftly  took advantage of that chaos.

Although, Yuuka wasn’t just merely getting instigated by those two.

──N-Nagumo! It’s a special day……want to take photo together? It-is-just! For commemoration!

Yuuka said that with a bright red face while looking aside, but she  was unusually showing her honest side. Though naturally after taking the  photo, she vented her anger to Nana and Taeko who teased her by jeering  「「Oo~」」 and clapping their hands.

Even so perhaps Nana and Taeko would tattle on Kaori later. After all  Yuuka would look cute when she desperately made excuse while Kaori  interrogated her with a nice smile.

Friendship banzai.

「No, there’s still a teacher who I haven’t greeted. He arrived really  late but, well, that person is just like that. He must have read the  mood considering the impression that it would give to a student like  me.」

「? There’s that kind of teacher……」

「Aa, I see.」

Shuu and Sumire were slightly surprised from the not a small amount  of gratitude and respect that they felt from Hajime’s words, but their  expression turned understanding when they saw the person who was  standing beside the auditorium’s entrance without them noticing it while  quietly watching the graduating students. Shuu and Sumire nodded to  each other, then they followed slightly behind Hajime.

That person saw Hajime approaching and his expression became particularly sullen.

「Do you have a business with me, Nagumo-kun.」

「I just wish to give a greeting──vice principal.」

Yes, it was the vice principal whose unnaturally gorgeous black hair(wig) was his trademark.

The vice principal looked slightly taken aback seeing Hajime’s wry  smile as he said those words, even so his expression immediately  defaulted to his perpetually sullen look.

「That’s polite of you. I would be able to have a slightly easier time  if you could also add some restrain to that. You are the student who  gave me the most stomachache throughout my whole career as teacher.」

His tone that was full of sarcasm was also going strong. It went  around a full circle and amusement welled up inside Hajime. That must be  because he could think of this attitude as this teacher’s  individuality.

And, he was able to think like that because……

「I’m sorry for all the troubles that I had caused.」

「Hmph. That’s simply my job as teacher, Nagumo-kun. I don’t need any  apology. ……Besides, I don’t know what kind of circumstance all of you  had or perhaps still have even now, but you would be able to take care  of  it somehow even without us doing anything right?」

「Why do you think so?」

「I know from looking at your face everyday. Even though there was  that kind of incident, all of you were still able to smile so joyfully.  That was the proof that all of you can go on with your life without fear  even without relying on teacher.」

「I see……」

「Although, your class was carrying on by using you as their mental  pillar. From today all of you will go on your separate way and won’t be  able to see each other everyday. ……Do be careful. There’s a part of you  that is slightly dry when it come to human relationship but, never  abandon the friends who are relying on you!」

This. Even though he was full of sarcasm, all his words contained  certain “teaching” that was said based on understanding his students.  Even though he was the teacher who was the easiest to hate in the  school, from his every words it could be seen how much he had been  watching after his students.

That was why, Hajime wanted to give him a proper greeting at the end.

「Vice principal──thank you very much.」

「……」

Hajime could feel the slight surprise from vice principal when he bowed deeply toward him.

「I’ve really put you through a lot of worry by forcing you to deal  with things that have no precedent at all. Certainly, we might be able  to manage somehow with just ourselves. But, it is a fact that we were  able to return to school and continue until now because of vice  principal taking command to deal with everything this whole time. It’s  also a fact that it was thanks to that we were able to spend a proper  school life. That’s why──」

──I’m truly thankful from the bottom of my heart.

Hajime once more expressed his thanks along with a beautiful bow.  Those words were filled with strong emotion that truly conveyed his  earnestness.

For a short while, there was silence that could be felt as though time had been cut off just in that spot.

「……Raise your head.」

Hajime stopped bowing. He stared straight from the front at the vice principal who was frowning as usual but……

「I’m looking forward to your class’s achievement in the future, Nagumo-kun. ──Congratulations for graduating.」

The vice principal’s expression loosened up kindly just for the brief moment when he spoke those words.

Shuu and Sumire followed next and spoke their greeting and gratitude.  After that Nagumo Family walked away with the vice principal seeing off  their backs.

「And, do you have business with me, Hatayama-sensei?」

Actually Aiko saw Hajime and the vice principal conversing and  approached them somehow. It was then the vice principal suddenly  addressed her.

Aiko felt like she was criticized for peeking and her body jerked.

But, although the vice principal’s scowl had returned, it felt like  he had the air of someone who had put down the heavy burden on his  shoulder. It felt like he was far easier to talk with than usual. And so  Aiko unconsciously talked to him in a more informal way than usual.

「No, I don’t have any business here. But, the soft expression just  now, it make me think for a bit that vice principal won’t get  misunderstood too much by the students if you look like that more  often.」

「There’s no misunderstanding at all. I’m a sanctimonious, gloomy, and irritating teacher.」

「Ee? You’re aware of that yourself!?」

「I shouldn’t be the one saying this but……you have gotten really  talkative haven’t you, Hatayama-sensei. Should I say that your nerve has  gotten thicker compared to before……」

「I-I’m sorry. But but, I think if vice principal at least just soften  your expression a little, then even the students will look up more to  you……」

「I’m not asking for something like that. Bad memory has easier time  than good memory to remain inside human. If the students can look back  at their past and think, come to think of it, that teacher was really  annoying, he preached only that kind of thing──it will be enough for me  if they can remember like that. And if after that they can think, but  well, that was an important talk, I would feel like that I have  fulfilled my role as a teacher.」

「Hm~m……but, if it’s going to be that way then won’t “memory with good  teacher” be better? Or rather I think that kind of memory is needed!」

「Just what are you saying?」

The vice principal was gazing at the graduating students, parents,  and active students who were having pleasant chat with each other. He  looked deeply emotional. And then he finally moved his gaze toward Aiko.

「That is the role of a teacher like you.」

「Eh?」

「The students all have their own ideas and tastes. In that case, the teachers too have also to be like that.」

Aiko’s mouth hanged wide open. The vice principal snorted seeing that  stupid expression and turned on his heel. He must be leaving to take  care of his remaining work.

「What are you doing? You’re going to participate in the students’  graduation party anyway later on right? Finish the works that you have  to do quickly. It won’t be my fault if you don’t make it in time.」

Aiko didn’t remember ever saying about her plan, but as expected the vice principal had seen through her.

The vice principal had been admonishing her since some time ago that  Hatayama-sensei is too close with the students, but with Hajime and co  graduating safely, perhaps he had recognized her a little as a teacher,  including Aiko’s stance as a teacher.

Aiko mended her expression and slapped her cheeks with both hands  several times. Even with Hajime and co graduating, Aiko’s teacher life  would still continue. She would receive a new class next year. She  couldn’t continue feeling lonely forever. She had to switch her mood,  she told herself.

And then, staring once more at the back of “the great senior of a  teacher” who had supported the student life of Hajime and co that could  be called as turbulent without any exaggeration, Aiko spontaneously  yelled.

「Katsuura-sensei!」

「Who’re you calling Katsura! My name is Kazuura!!  Is that intentional!? Is that name intentional!?」(TN: Katsura=wig)

「Sorry, I stuttered! More importantly!」

「More importantly!?」

「I respect you vice principal! Please keep on instructing me harshly from now on too!! I’ll keep watching sensei forever!!」

「Nnnn-, y-you’re saying that kind of thing again.」

The impossible misunderstanding──Am I being targeted (deep meaning) by Hatayama-sensei? ──that was born from numerous conversations that missed the mark was still not resolved yet.

For some reason, that was the only truth that the vice principal was  unable to see through. Meanwhile Hatayama-sensei didn’t even notice  about the existence of that misunderstanding. Their misunderstanding  would surely, perhaps……

「It will keep continuing even from here on huh.」

Hajime chuckled from hearing Aiko’s voice behind him.

「Then you should just tell him the truth.」

「You are really stupid dear. It’s outrageous that you want to solve  this kind of miraculous misunderstanding. I need to ask Ai-chan about it  every time she come playing. This is priceless material!」

「I see. Certainly.」

If they heard this exchange between Nagumo couple, someone like  Tomoichi-san might yell angrily 「Weren’t you feeling grateful to the  vice principal!? This is why Nagumo family is just-」.

「Now then, it’ll be time for lunch soon. I think it’ll be fine even if finish up here and go to the restaurant but……」

Hajime said while running his gaze at the classmates. It was then.

「Oi, Nagumo! You still aren’t going huh!」

「We’re going ahead there!」

「Ah?」

Suddenly there were two voices that were filled with irritation. When  Hajime looked back, there were Shinji and Yoshiki there. They were  looking annoyed.

「Yeah, I’m also just thinking of going there. But, you won’t be able  to go in even if you go ahead y’know?  Sonobe’s parents will head  straight at Yaegashi residence. The restaurant’s key is with Sonobe.」

「Shit, so you’re telling us to keep staying in this hell」

「Just what’s with you guys? Those aren’t words fitting for graduation ceremony huh?」

「Shaddup! Look at me!」

Shinji pointed angrily at himself. More accurately at the position of  his uniform’s second button. The button was still affixed there  properly.

「There ain’t any girl underclassman who actually have been watching  me secretly from the shadow all this time, or even a classmate who  actually have been secretly having feeling for me!! Even though I  already prepared the spare of the spare of the spare of the spare for my  spare second button!」

「No, that can’t be called second button anymore──」

「Getting asked for your second button is just a dream……something like that only exist in the world of manga! Dammit all!!」

「Y-you two really never strayed huh……」

Also, the parents of Nakano family and Saito family had greeted Shuu,  Sumire, and Hajime some time ago before departing ahead to Yaegashi  residence. Perhaps they were unable to bear it anymore to watch their  sons who were desperately looking for “the dream girl who would ask for  their second button”. After all their gaze looked distant when talking  with Hajime and his parents.

There, Shinji’s eyes coincidentally saw the place where Hajime’s second button should be at.

It was there.

Instantly the love hungry monster made a joyful evil smile.

「H-hee? What the hell Nagumo. You said this and that but in the end nobody──」

「Oi senpai! I heard! Apparently it was you senpai who sent the kendo  club members at me! To dare to get in the way of my important time with  Onee-sama, unforgivable!」

Kouhai-chan came running with her cheeks puffed up like squirrel. Shinji and Yoshiki’s expressions turned dejected seeing her.

「What, you got released? Even though I told them to lock you in gym storage or somewhere until we go home.」

「Hahn. Do you think that this me who have fought evenly matched  battles with Nagumo-senpai day by day wouldn’t be able to slip out of  that level of imprisonment at this point?」

「No, even from afar I thought that their binding over you was perfect though……」

「I can slip out, like *slurt* from something like that instantly even in my sleep.」

「Isn’t it strange to use that sound effect there? You, are you really human?」

「Senpai is the only one who I don’t want to hear that from.」

They were having such normal exchange like usual that would anyone  who heard it wouldn’t be able to imagine that today was actually the  graduation. However, Kouhai-chan who was relatively courteous to  everyone other than Hajime and Shizuku gave a proper greeting with a bow  to Shuu and Sumire.

In that Christmas incident──a somewhat blasphemous incident that  dragged her along with bus guide-san and rabbit eared maid-senpai──she  visited Nagumo residence and became acquainted with them there.

But, Shuu and Sumire were looking at Kouhai-chan with gentle eyes  that were more than expected for just an acquaintance. Or rather, their  eyes were warm.

Perhaps that was why?

「Sorry that our son is always like this. Please keep playing with him even after graduation okay?」

「N-no, we aren’t playing……」

「It’s fine even if you come playing to our home without reservation even after graduation.」

「U-umm, that’s why I’m saying that we aren’t playing here, this is an out of norm battle with Onee-sama on the line……」

「「Yep yep, if you say so.」」

「……」

Kouhai-chan was looking terribly awkward despite dealing with the parents of the hateful senpai. *Fidget fidget, squirm squirm*

At the corner of her eyes, there were Shinji and Yoshimi looking  fixedly at such Kouhai-chan with blank expression. They looked very  eerie. As expected even Kouhai-chan whose nerve had thickness like a log  became concerned when their figures entered her sight.

「U-umm, senpai. Those two……」

「Don’t mind them. They are sad beasts who harbored illusion about second button.」

Shinji and Yoshiki’s eyes snapped widely open. Kouhai-chan jerked.  But, she showed no sign of running away and muttered 「Second button……」  while nonchalantly turning her gaze to Hajime’s uniform.

「H-hee. So there isn’t any girl who want to get senpai’s second  button. Well, that’s natural! There’s no way anyone will idolize this  kind of brutish senpai!」

「No, this button is hot item but all of them are boys. As expected that doesn’t feel right.」

「I-I see……」

Hajime made an expression of not knowing what to say. Seeing that  Kouhai-chan also made an expression of not knowing what to say ──but  right after that, she started fidgeting for some reason. She played with  her trademark twintail with her fingertip.

Shinji and Yoshiki’s eyes were becoming similar to that of murderer.  Meanwhile Shuu and Sumire’s gazes were becoming warmer in inverse  proportion to them.

「Good grief, it really can’t be helped. Yes, yes. Actually I really  don’t want it. But even if it’s just for this moment senpai is still  Shizuku-oneesama’s lover. If senpai of all people is in this state then  Onee-sama’s reputation will also suffer. Yes, that’s why it can’t be  helped, I’m actually really reluctant but……I-I can take that second  button for you senpai.」

「No, I’m not gonna give it to you though?」

「……」

Air that felt like *Su-un* was flowing. Kouhai-chan never even  thought that she would actually be denied and stared fixedly at Hajime  while blinking her eyes repeatedly.

「……Fufu, sttrangee~. Senpai, are you feeling shyy? Even though I  myself aren’t feeling anything about it. Look, just hand it to me  already. This is an embarrassing to do as a Soul Sister but, I’m bearing  with it for your sake. This is my mercy so that senpai won’t go through  a lonely graduation ceremony you know? Now, sob with gratitude while  presenting that──」

「No, I’m telling you I’m not going to.」

「……」

The time stopped once more. Kouhai-chan and Hajime’s eyes were locked  with each other. What Hajime-san was doing wasn’t a type of teasing. It  seemed that he seriously didn’t plan to hand the button.

A second passed.

「Tsu, –, whhhhyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!」

「You’re loud ──wait stop it stupid. Don’t grab it」

「Senpai is the stupid one! You don’t have anyone to give it to anyway  right!? Even though I’m telling you that I’ll take it for your sake  why’re you refusing it then! Don’t screw with meee!!」

「No but……you, you’re one incomprehensible fellow who got your hand on  something like aphrodisiac because of going with the flow……sending  curse using someone’s second button as medium feels like something you  might be able to do……」

「What do you mean by curse!?」

She was an adventurer type high school girl who would run into random  incident or commotion routinely. In this world where things like  onmyouji or curse had became real, it felt like she could possibly run  into a chain of events that would end up with her learning curse  technique. It was a scary thought. Even more so because she was someone  who wouldn’t hesitate at the slightest to attack only toward Hajime.

「Eeii, senpai is prattling incomprehensible things like curse or whatever! Enough excuse just hand over your buttonnnnnn-」

「What do you mean hand it over. Your condescending attitude is instantly collapsing y’know.」

「My pride can’t endure getting refused by senpai-」

「That’s not my business.」

Hajime and Kouhai-chan got into grappling posture like in  pro-wrestling where their hands held and pushed each other beside their  head. Then Kouhai-chan untangled her hands slipperily.

「Bunny-senpai’s taught technique, Screw *ite!!!」

She unleashed a technique from a certain American Football manga. It  was that technique where the player rotated while stealing the  opponent’s ball. It was the signature move of the superhuman rabbit  eared maid who was working in Akiba’s maid café.

「I said stop」

「AH」

She was stopped with an eagle grip on the face. The fingertips of  Kouhai-chan’s extended hand disappointingly only grazed Hajime’s second  button. She was really desperate for someone who was condescendingly  said that she would receive it for his sake.

Seeing that exchange of offense and defense between Hajime and Kouhai-chan──

「「……」」

「Ah, youth.」

「Nice, really nice! As expected that girl is really a source of material!」

Shinji and Yoshiki were staring with eyes that were gradually  changing into something blasphemous that was hard to describe. The eyes  of the Nagumo husband and wife were sparkling as though they were  watching a youth movie. Or rather, Sumire-sensei was starting to use her  smartphone’s video recording function to make record for her story  material.

「Uuu, uuuuuu!!」

「Why are you looking a little like you want to huh. ……Haa, I get it.」

「U?」

Hajime tossed away Kouhai-chan and tore off his second button to hand  to Kouhai-chan before she completely forgot human language.

「A……」

Kouhai-chan reflexively caught it and stared on the button on her hand in a daze.

Before they knew it, Yue and others had finished up making memory and  talking with underclassmen and were gathering at a slight distance  away. Hajime started walking toward them while,

「It’s not like our bond will get cut off after this. Even without that, you kouhai will be my kouhai forever.」

Smiling wryly. Kouhai-chan instantly returned to her senses and glared angrily at Hajime.

「……I-it’s not like I want this because of that kind of reason! Please  don’t be so conceited! This is purely me receiving it for my pitiful  senpai’s sake, that’s all! Where is your thanks! Come on say ittt-」

「Yes yes, thanks. Don’t use it for mischief or anything else okay?」

「Hmph, now that it’s in my hand I’m fre to do anything with it~~~!」

It seemed that Kouhai-chan too had realized the situation around  them. Especially the warm gazes of the Soul Sisters and her own  classmates.

The tip of her ears reddened faintly and she ran away to escape like  usual. But, Kouhai-chan stopped running a bit ahead and turned around.

「Congratulations for the graduationn!!」

She properly gave such befitting words as an underclassman like that.  However, she did it while pulling her eyelid down and sticking out her  tongue.

Kouhai-chan who was boisterous but also the one who gave the most fun  time to their class that held a unique circumstance. She always came  charging into their class without any reservation.

Her figure that was boisterous till the end made all the classmates,  not just Hajime unable to stop themselves from letting out a wide smile  on their face.

However,

「Heey, Nagumo. Is it fun thrusting reality right on our face? Don’t you have a human heart inside that chest?」

「Shinji, if it’s like this then let’s put gum or something into his food in the party later.」

The two monsters who hungered for romance were the exception.

.

.

Author’s Note: First, my heartfelt gratitude for everyone who are  still kindly reading this story. Thank you very much. My apologies for  making everyone waiting for so long.

After my plot collapsed, I tried remaking it but it didn’t go well  and my heart broke. Then I temporarily distanced myself from writing.  While doing things like making avatar to enroll into magic academy or  doing calamity move with Hylian, my desire was revived so, I haven’t  finished creating the plot, but I want to write anyway.

In the first place this After was written with the stance of  scribbling off what I wanted to write without caring about the timeline,  so surely this time too I’ll manage somehow after I start writing……I  hope, just do it me. That’s my mentality.

Forgive this Shirakome who is like this till the end, but I’ll be  happy if everyone can enjoy this last arc of Arifureta together with me.

Please, best regards!