Chapter 85: Idle Talk (1) – Yukishiro and Akari

Idle Talk (1) – Yukishiro and Akari

April the 30th.

One month was about to pass since Yuuta’s second high school year had started. The sound of bamboo swords bashing against each other could be heard from the dojo located right next to the Yoshiwara residence.

The ones crossing swords were the instructor and one of her pupils. The pupil had interest in swordsmanship for a while now and so she started in April to commute to this dojo in order to retrain herself from ground up.

Now she had reached a point where she could hold her own against the instructor.

“Yaaaaa!”

What she was currently seeking was a swordsmanship grounded in real combat. Or to be more precise: she wasn’t training swordsmanship but a combat style to protect a man. As such she wasn’t just commuting to this dojo alone either.

Gasping hard, she squeezed out, “…Thank you very much.”

“You’re truly talented. Though it’d be great if you could come here more often.”

While panting, the pupil answered, “…Please forgive me.”

“It’s such a waste. But well, since you’ve got your own circumstances, I won’t delve into this topic any further. If you seriously devoted yourself to swordsmanship, I’m sure you could aim for the national championship.”

“Thank you for your coaching.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you next week. I’ll take care of the cleaning, so hurry and go back. Before the regular pupils show up.”

“Okay.”

She quickly did the least amount of tidying while wiping her dripping sweat and then left after bowing at the dojo. In the dressing room, she put on her uniform and hid her face behind a mask. The masks didn’t cover all of her face. It just concealed the area around her eyes, her upper nose, and her left cheek.

Because the dojo staff was aware of her circumstances, there was no problem with them seeing her face, but there was still the slim chance that a regular pupil or someone else would see her when she got into her car.

Personally she liked the mask with the marguerite drawings on it, which Yuuta had chosen for her, very much, and thus she felt like wanting to wear it at all times.

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She climbed into the car that came to pick her up and returned to the place she was staying――the detached mansion built for Yuuta on the grounds of the Yoshiwara residence. At present she was working there as a live-in maid.

After having worked a sweat off at the dojo during the morning, she took a shower once she came back to Yuuta’s mansion.

A guest was scheduled to visit today at noon. As such she fixed her appearance after cleaning her body and waited for the guest’s arrival.

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“Today was my swordsmanship training day.”

“If you train too rigorously, you are going to make Yuuta-sama worry.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

“When he previously saw the bruise on my wrist…he got terribly worried.”

“I’m happy to see that you have become all lively again, though.”

“I’m doing my utmost to not make Yuuta-sama worry.”

Two cups filled with warm milk tea were placed on the table. The ones talking were Yukishiro and Akari.

“How is everyone doing?”

“They have calmed down after they understood the meaning of my words.”

“Forgive me for not allowing you to clearly speak about it.”

“All of them understand. Please do not mind it.”

Akari slowly took a sip from the milk tea brewed by Yukishiro. She had stopped Akari from doing it herself, arguing that it was her job as maid, and prepared the tea for the two of them. Brewing delicious milk tea for the guests was one of Yukishiro’s guilty pleasures.

“It’s great.”

“Hehe, it seems to be quite popular among our guests.”

The problems surrounding Yukishiro hadn’t been resolved. Rather, because she was being sheltered by the Yoshiwaras, the problems had grown more complicated.

“About Saori-sama…”

“Yes…”

“Going by the state of the training as family head for Iori-sama, it seems like Saori-sama plans to bring you back, Yukishiro-sama.”

“Iori’s training began in March. Has Mother already given up on her despite less than two months having passed?”

“The management of Katsuya-sama’s class, the exchange with girls of her age whom she had neglected thus far, and on top of that, the training as family head; it sounds as though Iori-sama got fed up with all of it.”

“I see…”

The heavy responsibility, which had weighed down on Yukishiro so far, was now resting on Iori’s back. And Iori apparently wasn’t able to bear it.

“Are you going to help her?”

Yukishiro calmly took a sip of tea after Akari’s question. Akari had refused the contact from Iori’s side. Once Iori understood that she wouldn’t be able to meet her directly, she contacted Akari’s cousin. But, informing the teacher about that led to Iori becoming unable to meet Akari’s cousin as well.

Akari didn’t have the slightest intention to betray Yukishiro and join Iori. In the first place, she thought of the people, who had rumored that Iori might become the family head instead of Yukishiro, as utter fools who couldn’t even assess a situation correctly.

Yukishiro and Iori were different calibers. And the weights they shouldered were different too.

However, now the situation has changed thanks to the complicated state of affairs.

The Yoshiwaras and Yuuta were discussing things with the Minatos and the state for the sake of Yukishiro. Although a conclusion hadn’t been reached yet, the most important matter in those discussions was the question of what to do about the future headship of the Minatos.

Things would change, depending on Iori’s ability or inability to become the next family head. If she couldn’t become the next family head, Saori would stubbornly insist on getting Yukishiro back.

And that was only natural. The continuous existence of the Eternal Minatos was an important matter for Saori, the Minato family, and the state.

On the other hand, if Iori were to shoulder the responsibility of being the next family head, the need to get Yukishiro back at all costs would vanish.

If Yukishiro-sama could become happy just like this…

From Akari’s point of view, Yuuta and those around him were truly cherishing Yukishiro. A building had been added to the back of Yuuta’s mansion. For Yukishiro’s sake.

That building was connected to Yuuta’s mansion through a passageway, and could also be locked from the inside. Yukishiro had spent her time until that building was finished in the mansion’s guest room, but after the construction concluded at the end of February, she immediately moved there. Yukishiro’s building was equipped with a living room, a guest room, a bedroom, a bathroom, and everything else she’d need to live a good life.

Akari and Yukishiro were currently talking in the guest room of that very building.

If the word ‘sincerity’ took the form of a person, it’d definitely turn into Yuuta-sama. Of course, the same applies to Aoi-sama and everyone from the Yoshiwaras as well, though.

Akari had met Yukishiro several times after she was taken in by the Yoshiwaras and recovered her liveliness. On each of those occasions, Akari couldn’t help but to feel deep respect towards Yuuta due to the stories she heard from Yukishiro.

Yuuta didn’t ask anything in return from Yukishiro. He was simply being kind to her.

If both continue to get slowly, very slowly, to know each other…

Yuuta never did anything reminiscent of making a move on Yukishiro. Of course, he knew that it’d be insincere towards Aoi and the others to do something like that. However, Akari believed that any normal man might have desired Yukishiro’s body in a situation like this.

Yet, Yuuta merely protected Yuksihiro, who was in a situation where she wouldn’t be able to resist even if he forced himself on her without making her his girlfriend or wife.

Aoi-sama is wishing for it as well.

Aoi had told Akari that she wanted to silently watch over the relationship between Yuuta and Yukishiro. Aoi had become Yuuta’s girlfriend during last year’s evening ball and it was planned for her to become engaged to him at her birthday next month.

Aoi would become Yuuta’s first wife. That was a settled fact Aoi couldn’t yield to anyone else, but Aoi welcomed the deepening of Yuuta and Yukishiro’s relationship instead of rejecting it.

The relationship between those two was good at present, but it wasn’t as though you could call it romantic. Even Yukishiro’s name Marguerite was nothing more than an alias when she interacted with guests as a maid. He had borrowed it from the flower he saw in the public park on that day. Thinking that Yukishiro liked marguerites, he had gifted her a mask with marguerite flowers drawn on it.

Going by Yukishiro’s behavior, she clearly thought well of Yuuta. And it wasn’t as though Yuuta hadn’t noticed her feelings either.

But, both likely needed some more time.

For this very reason…if only Iori-sama could become the family head…

It’d be inexcusable for the next family head of the Minatos to be the second wife. And all the more so, if the first wife of that man were to be the next family head of the Yoshiwaras.

If Iori could take over the family headship and become Katsuya’s first wife, Yukishiro would be free. Probably not completely free, but she’d be able to live happily as one of Yuuta’s wives. Though the Minato’s might break off all relations with her.

Akari was hiding a certain determination in her heart during today’s meeting with Yukishiro. When Akari had returned home from Yuuta’s mansion on the night of New Year’s Eve, her mother had been awaiting her. She had waited for the return of her daughter who had left during a night of heavy snow after telling her mother that she couldn’t tell her any details.

Akari had wavered due to her mother’s questions. She intended to get through it by deceiving and hiding the truth. She had been able to become Yukishiro’s right hand because Yukishiro trusted her. But, the initial connection stemmed from the relationship between her mother and Lilika’s mother Ena.

Her mother had told her that it’d be far too presumptuous for her to describe her relationship with Ena as friendship, but as far as Akari could tell, Ena considered her mother a friend.

Thanks to that connection, Akari was able to get in touch with Yukishiro and gain her trust.

Akari loved her mother dearly. Yet she lied to her mother.

She thought she did it for Yukishiro’s sake, but while telling her the story she made up, Akari couldn’t stop her tears. Seeing her mother’s face as she had quietly listened to her story when she finished talking broke Akari’s heart.

She prostrated herself on the spot and apologized in all earnest. Repeatedly telling her mother how sorry she was. She wanted to be helpful. But, that thinking was way too selfish and egoistic.

Her mother gently hugged Akari, who was prostrating while sobbing, and told her, 『Akari-chan, do you know what is most import for your mother?』

Akari groaned throatily while her tears overflowed. Her mother continued speaking while stroking the back of her daughter, 『Your mother, you see, is living while doing her best for you, Akari-chan. I want you to grow up healthily, laugh, and be happy』

Akari hugged her mother tightly.

『Won’t you tell me what happened? No matter what it is, your mother will always be on your side』

Akari told her mother what happened. Still, once she told her the truth, Akari felt guilty towards Yukishiro, Yuuta, Aoir, and the others, resulting in her crying even more.

When Akari looked at her mother after telling her everything, her mother smiled at her.

『Don’t worry, Akari-chan. I won’t talk about Yukishiro-sama to anyone. Even if I were to be summoned by Saori-sama, it’ll be fine if I simply say that I don’t know of anything』

『Are you sure?』

『Of course. You, my beloved daughter, are much more important to me than something like our relationship with the Minatos. If the Minatos cut their ties with us, I could live on, but if I were to lose you, I wouldn’t want to live on anymore』

She tightly hugged her precious daughter.

『It must have been so hard on you. You did well』

Hearing those words caused even more tears to spill out of Akari’s eyes.

『Let’s watch how things develop for the time being. Seeing how the Yoshiwaras are moving for Yukishiro-sama’s sake, the situation might develop in ways we cannot fathom』

And as Akari had continued to watch the situation, April had come to an end. Yukishiro and Yuuta’s group knew that Akari had told her mother the truth.

Before today’s meeting with Yukishiro, Akari was told a certain something by her mother. That was the source of the determination dwelling in Akari’s heart.

『Your mother is going to offer her life to the Minatos and do her very best so that Iori-sama will be able to fill out the role of family head for the sake of Yukishiro-sama’s current happiness. Though this might cause trouble to you, Akari-chan』

Akari’s mother was a second-generation high woman. Their family didn’t possess as much power as Ena’s. If Akari’s mother tried to support Saori, it’d likely invite the opposition of the powerful families surrounding Saori. And if she tried to support the much younger Iori, she might be considered to be a bad woman who was trying to turn Iori into her puppet.

Akari was able to become Yukishiro’s right hand because Yukishiro trusted Akari.

But, no matter which route Akari’s mother chose, it’d be a thorny path. Yet, she resolved herself to put in all the effort necessary so that Iori would be able to become the next family head. For the sake of Yukishiro and her daughter’s happiness.

Due to that resolve of her mother, Akari had told her that she’d also support Iori together with her. If her mother backed Iori, her daughter would naturally be regarded as part of the Iori faction.

Just like Ena had supported Saori, Akari and her mother would support Iori.

However, the situation was different this time around. Ena had desired to support Saori from the bottom of her heart. Yet, neither Akari nor her mother wanted to support Iori from the bottom of their hearts. A life, where they’d support Iori for the sake of Yukishiro, probably couldn’t be called a happy one for the two of them.

『It’d be great if your mother’s power alone would suffice to support Iori-sama as family head. Sorry』

“Don’t say such things,” Akari had ended up crying again.

『It’s something I definitely don’t want to do, if I consider your happiness as your mother. But, if your heart yearns for the happiness of Yukishiro-sama, it won’t ever become happy as long as Yukishiro-sama isn’t happy』

Up until now, Yukishiro had endured it all by herself. She had taken on the distorted vortex enclosing the Minatos with her own body and soul. So that the waves wouldn’t hit Akari and the others.

Yukishiro had repeatedly apologized for not having been able to put up with it any longer and for not being able to conduct herself skillfully, but Akari thought that Yukishiro wasn’t correct.

『Do you have the resolve to offer your life to the happiness of Yukishiro-sama?』

Akari had nodded.

And today Akari intended to support Iori together with her mother, if Yukishiro chose her current happiness and didn’t return to the Minatos. At the same time, this might also mean that Akari would need to bid her farewell from Yukishiro.

After slowly putting the cup down, Yukishiro apologetically looked at Akari.

“Thank you, Akari-san.”

Her answer to the question whether Akari should help Iori was gratitude.

“Akari-san, you see, I…”

“Yes?”

“Until now…I have frantically tried my best in my own way.”

“I am aware of that. Even though I could never understand the hardships you went through.”

“Thanks. I have always done my best while thinking it’s for the sake of the Minatos, Mother…and everyone else.”

Akari silently nodded at Yukishiro’s words. She knew that Yukishiro had worked hard for their sake.

“But, you know, recently I realized that I wasn’t part of that.”

“You weren’t part of it…?”

“Yes, I think I forgot the feeling of cherishing myself. Of course, it’d be wrong to only cherish myself, though.”

Cherishing oneself; at some point Yukishiro stopped being able to consider something so natural.

“For this reason, I want to try cherishing myself a bit for now.”

“Please don’t cherish yourself only a bit, but put your own happiness above all else.”

“Hehe, thank you. I want to do my best once more so that I can do just that. I have become slightly more selfish than I have been up until now,” Yukishiro winked at Akari with a mischievous smile.

“Yukishiro-sama…”

“Akari-san, I might be a weak-minded, cowardly person, but would you please lend me your strength once more?”

“Of course!”

Akari’s passion was ignited by Yukishiro’s powerful remark. Yukishiro had always led Akari and the other girls as the perfect lady. Even now when she was looking at Yukishiro who had suffered deep emotional wounds, Yukishiro was more noble and pure than anyone else in Akari’s mind.

“As for Iori, I would like to help her a bit to fix her naivety. There is no need for you to get directly involved with this, Akari-san. It will be fine to ask the girls of the same generation as Iori and the children of those related to the Minatos.”

“I understand.”

“I will watch over Iori’s growth until March next year when she finishes her first year at high school. Though I feel sorry that it will also mean that I will have to make everyone wait for me.”

“Waiting one year is no problem at all for us.”

“If Iori shows signs that she will grow splendidly as the next family head, it will become possible for her to assume that position just like that. However, at present the possibility for that to happen is rather low.”

“Yes.”

“I will continue to deepen my relationship with Yuuta-sama until March next year. Though it also means that I will rely on Aoi-san and the Yoshiwaras for everything.”

“I’m sure Yuuta-sama cherishes his ties with you, Yukishiro-sama.”

“I’m doing my best for that to become an accomplished fact. If Iori doesn’t become capable of holding the position as next family head, I will return to the Minatos.”

“Okay.”

“About Mother…this is also shameful, but I plan to rely on Nanase-sama for this.”

“Nanase-sama?”

“Yes. The broken heart of Mother will never heal, but I think Nanase-sama is the only person who can touch Mother’s heart.”

Yukishiro had no choice but to depend on Yuuta, Aoi, Nanase, and the Yoshiwaras. She was quite aware that her way of thinking was quite brazen and shameless, seeing how they had already saved her life.

I don’t know whether he’ll accept a cold-hearted woman like me. But, I’ll become honest with my heart. I won’t look back at the heart which I offered to Takuya-sama during my three junior high school years and the one high school year. I’ll focus on what lies ahead and keep walking forward.

“If Iori becomes capable of acting as the next family head, I won’t return to the Minatos. In such a case, I will have them treat it as me having broken off all relations with the family or me having died.”

“…Okay.”

“At that time, it will definitely cause trouble for all of you. Please get ready with everyone, including that possibility as well.”

“As you wish.”

After taking another sip of the milk tea, Yukishiro powerfully declared, “No matter which of the two paths I will ultimately take, I will aim to become Yuuta-sama’s wife. As second, third, or whatever wife. I will do my utmost to make Yuuta-sama pay attention to me.”

“…Okay.”

“Akari-san, something like the honor of the Minatos doesn’t exist in the first place.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone knows about what happened to my mother. Ever since that time, it would have been ridiculous to talk about something like honor or dignity, right?”

“T-That’s…”

“Hehe, forgive me. I know it’s hard for you to openly talk about this. But, this is what I think. Even a second or third wife is still a wife. It will also allow for the name of our family as Eternals to continue.”

“Yes.”

“And since the connection between the Minatos and Yoshiwaras will become stronger through it, it’s a good thing. Well, the state and the other Eternal families probably won’t consider it to be good, though.”

Akari, who had devoted herself to offering her life to Iori for Yukishiro’s sake, was overjoyed by Yukishiro’s reassuring words. The situation was uncertain in all respects. But, Akari could definitely feel a sliver of hope.

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“By the way, is the box over there for me?”

“Ah, I received it from Lilika-san.”

“I see.”

A slightly big box was standing in the guest room. Yukishiro had been curious about since before she started to talk with Akari.

“This here is the key.”

“Thanks. …Ah!”

“I-Is something the matter?”

“N-No, it’s nothing. Yes, nothing…”

Yukishiro remembered that key. It was like the key to the hidden shelf in her own room inside the Minato residence. Since it only had the same design, Yukishiro assumed it wasn’t the key to the hidden shelf. But, deliberately using this design meant…

“T-Thank you for delivering it. Please pass on my thanks to Lilika-san as well.”

“Okay. Lilika-san mentioned she would visit you during her next day off.”

“I-I see. I’m looking forward…to that.”

Just like that, the talk between Akari and Yukishiro came to an end.

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After Akari went back home, Yukishiro locked the door connecting her place with the building on Yuuta’s side, and immediately rushed to her bedroom.

She suppressed the trembling of her hands and opened the box from Lilika which Akari had brought with her.

“Aah♡”

She found inside what she had expected. A letter from Lilika was included as well.

『To Yukishiro-chan♪ Since you had become lively, facing forward, when we were able to meet before, I’d like to pass this to you. I heard that Akari-san would be heading over to you tomorrow, so I asked her to take this with her』

“Yeah…thank you very much, Lilika-onee-chan.”

Of course the box contained the sex goods of Dreamseducer Yuu.

『Because I also bought Dreamseducer Yuu-sama’s exclusive VR goggles, which went on sale last year, I will include them♪』

“The VR goggles!”

Yukishiro joyfully hugged the VR goggles. The letter wasn’t finished at that point, though.

『Onee-chan also bought and installed Dreamseducer Yuu-sama’s exclusive VR game 「Your and My Memories of Love」, which likewise went on sale last year. But, Yukishiro-chan, you should focus first and foremost on your exchange with the real Yuuta-sama, okay♪?』

“Yes! Of course!”

She answered to Lilika who wasn’t present. Yukishiro was all smiles, but she suffered a huge shock from the following lines in the letter.

『I have also bought 「Even so, I still love you」, which has started to be sold in April』

“!!!”

Even so, I still love you──a game where Dreamseducer Yuu ended up transformed into a fiendish goblin by an evil magician. The story revolves about the player heading out to save Dreamseducer Yuu, but…

Y-You’ll have perverted things done to you in a rough manner…by Dreamseducer Yuu-sama as a goblin!

『Onee-chan went ahead and played it』

“Eh!?”

Lilika already finished the game.

『At the beginning you can only choose Soft M as difficulty. Once you clear the game in Soft M difficulty, you become able to pick M. If you clear M, Hard M becomes available. And once you clear Hard M, it looks like you are allowed to play Extreme M. Onee-chan cleared M and also enjoyed Hard M, but M was better in the end』

It looked like M was the optimal difficult setting for Lilika.

『I think Soft M will be fine for you, Yukishiro-chan』

Lilika-onee-chan, forgive me. I’ll definitely play Hard M. Extreme M is…I don’t know whether I’ll try it, to be honest.

『Coupled with the sale of 「Even so, I still love you」, the exclusive 「Ring」 for Dreamseducer Yuu-sama’s VR games went on sale as well. I have also included the ring in the package♪』

What ring?

The box certainly contained a ring that could be put around the wrist.

『If you put this ring on your wrist, you can play the game without holding a controller. It seems to be linked with the Succubus Suit. If you extend your hand for the choice shown in the VR space and touch it, the game will move forward, so you can really immerse yourself in the game! 「Your and My Memories of Love」 also supports the ring♪』

Yukishiro quietly folded the letter and offered a prayer of gratitude to Lilika. And then she looked at the clock.

Currently it was 1:30 p.m.

Today Yuuta-sama is scheduled to come back to the mansion. He is supposed to arrive at 4 p.m. Two and a half hours… Cutting it close is out of the question. Two hours. Just two hours…

While holding back her impatience, Yukishiro took off her uniform. And her underwear.

As soon as she had completely regained her vitality, she also recovered her previous, extraordinary figure. Her F-Cup chest from her third year in junior high had grown into G-Cup during her first year of high school and had now almost reached H-Cup.

After becoming completely naked, she put on the Succubus Suit. Then she equipped the ring on her wrist, connected the exclusive earphones with the VR goggles and put them into her ears. She affixed two dildos in the angle suiting her the most. After all, the game would have sex scenes. Though she didn’t know whether she’d be able to reach the insertion scenes within the two hours she had.

Finally she put on the VR goggles and turned on the power. A VR space that seemed all too real spread out in front of Yukishiro. The titles of two games could be seen floating in the air.

『Your and My Memories of Love』

『Even so, I still love you』

I promised to Lilika-onee-chan…to think about my exchange with the real Yuuta-sama first and foremost…t-that’s why…that’s why, I…!

What she grabbed with her hand was…