Ch.53 Shadow of the 5th Person. An Unbelievable Situation

"Haaah, haaah...! Damn it, they are still chasing me...!"

"Mahiro Ojou-sama---!"

Thump, thump!

And so, I am currently on the run, leaping and bounding across the rooftops.

I suppose this is technically trespassing, but I have no time to care!

If I get caught, I have no idea what they will do to me!

"Eey!"

As I was hopping and skipping across the rooftops to escape, I heard a shout coming from below.

I wondered what it was and looked over there...

"Wait, why do you even have a bola nojaaa?!"

What is more, the one actually being used to hunt!

"Whoa, that was close!"

I managed to twist my body to avoid the bola flying towards me.

Thanks to improved physical abilities, I can move pretty much as I imagine, which is a huge help. 'Tis wonderful.

No, before even thinking about making a tsukkomi internally, avoiding this should be the priority!

If one maid is using something as dangerous as a bola, then the other maids must be using something equally dangerous!

"Kuh, I missed...! But I won't let you get away, Mahiro Ojou-sama! I'll do whatever it takes to finish you of—no, I mean, capture you!"

"Did you just say you were going to finish me off!?"

Also, capturing me is not much different!

Before all that, I cannot help but wonder if these guys actually see me as prey!? A rabbit? Is the rabbit element the problem?

I am not a wild animal, you know.

...Surely the reason she used the bola is not because I am running away in rabbit form, is it?

...Ah, that is totally possible! Those crazy people would do something like that!

"Ah, there she is, everyone! Get ready!"

"Mizuki?! What exactly are you planning to—"

I instinctively turned towards the source of the voice, and there stood about 10 maids, each holding what looked like a bazooka...

"Bazooka!?"

Where did that come from?! Also, is all the setting not wrong?! This is supposed to be fantasy! There should absolutely be no military element in this!

"FIre-!"

With a shout from Mizuki, 10 white projectiles flew towards me with a loud thud!

What are those white things ja?!

But I know for sure that getting hit would be bad! Dodge!

"Uryaaah!"

With a shout to psych myself up, I managed to dodge those white something.

They flew off into the distance, propelled by some mysterious force.

...That bazooka is definitely not an ordinary one.

"Is this still no good...? I thought if any of those hit, I'd get to see a truly magnificent sight."

"That's a shame..."

"I wanted to see Mahiro Ojou-sama covered in something white..."

"What the hell did you guys really just launch?!"

Wanting to see me covered in something white? That is clearly the behavior of creeps!

As I thought, I must include the maids among the people I need to be wary of!

Also, I do not believe that is something you would normally think about someone you are supposed to serve ja!

"It's something that becomes gooey when you touch it!"

"What kind of thing are you firing at me noja?!"

"Incidentally, it's also a little bit sticky."

"What material are those made of ja?!"

I am so glad I did not get hit by it!

Just imagining it is terrifying!

"Damn it, I have to keep running away!"

I decided to run away with all my might from the master and servant who were launching some ridiculous things.

◇◆◇

"Pant... pant...! I-I-I-I-I have finally, shaken them off...!"

I ran around trying to escape for about an hour.

I was currently hiding in a residential area in the western part of the city. On a rooftop, of course.

...If someone sees me here, I will be in a lot of trouble, since 'tis a crime and all... Maybe I should put a box of sweets or something in the mailbox of the house in question later.

"Even so, this is really exhausting..."

While my stamina has been boosted by my abilities, my physical strength before the boost was frankly terrible.

As for my physical strength when I am transformed, I would say 'tis probably about enough to run half a full marathon.

If I also use growth, well... Maybe twice as much?

However, I know not for sure since I have never experimented with it.

"Mahiro Ojou-sama! Where are you?! Please come out!"

Do you really think that will work, you idiot?

"Mahiroo—, we have some delicious green tea and yokan from a long-established Japanese confectionery shop that's been in business for 158 years."

What?!

I-is that the one?! Is that the yokan from Fujinoya, the rare yokan that you have to line up at an absurdly early hour just to buy?!

"Also, the green tea is called Karigane? you know?"

......Nuu, guhh...!

What a wicked combination...!

Damn you, Uishi Group!

Damn you, Miho, for leaking the information!

Damn, I want to eat it...! I have never eaten that yokan before, so I want to try it...! 'Tis the only thing that outweighs my desire for sleep...!

What a brutal display of financial power...

"If you don't come out, I'll eat it myself."

...Uuuuuuuuu!

I want to eat it... I really want to eat it...!

...M-maybe, just a little peek?

I cautiously peered down at the ground from the rooftop.

"...There is no mistake, that... Is the real thing!"

Miho, who is below, has the logo of "Fujinoya" on her paper bag she is holding.

Moreover, what is in her hand is that yokan I have always wanted to eat. O-oow, even from a distance it looks incredibly delicious.

If I were to step in now, I would probably be able to eat it, but... Umumumuu... In this form, without a doubt... I would be eaten before I could eat the yokan.

I do not want that ja.

...But I am really curious about what it tastes like and what the texture is like.

But, but...!

"Uuuuuuuuuuuu!"

Damn, what a torture!

I want to eat, but if I go now, I will be eaten, and if I do not go now, it will probably end up in Miho's stomach...

'Tis a choice between eat or be eaten.

Of course, I am the one who is going to get eaten...

"............There is no other choice. I will have to give it up..."

I muttered in a voice that even surprised myself with its sense of despair, and then I left the scene without a sound.

◇◆◇

And so, I continued running around.

Having confirmed that there were no maids on the ground, I ran across the road.

Of course, going up on the roof all the way is a bit much.

"......But, how peculiar."

As I ran, I muttered to myself about the strange feeling I had been having for a while.

'Twas probably about an hour since I transformed.

I feel strangely restless, like I am itching all over, or maybe my body is heating up... I cannot seem to settle down.

In terms of imagery... well, 'ti slike my body is being rebuilt from the inside out.

"...Do not tell me, is there some kind of drawback to my ability manifesting itself?"

That is probably not going to happen.

However, the information I saw in that disclosure was not actually all of it.

'Twas way too long, so I could not be bothered to read the whole thing, and I did not read the second half either.

...What did it say again?

I think... if I stay transformed for more than an hour, something happens...

"Mu? An hour? That is, not good, is it?"

………………!

"This is bad! I have to... I have to hide somewhere!"

I know not why, but something like my sixth sense is sounding the alarm!

There must be something going on...!

I nervously looked around, searching for a suitable roof.

...What exactly is a "nice roof"?

But that is not important right now... Mu? That house...

Looking for a house with a nice-looking roof, I spotted a wall with white walls and a tiled roof a little further ahead. Upon closer inspection, I could see a fairly large house inside.

...I feel like I have seen this somewhere before.

A-alright, for now, since I do not seem to have much time ja, I shall escape to the roof of that strangely large Japanese house (or something that looks like a mansion) that looks familiar!

I think I could probably hide there for a while.

Now that I have decided, time to sprint at full speed!

Do not underestimate the leg strength of a rabbit!

"P-please let me make it in time!"

I gathered my strength to leap over the wall surrounding the mansion, and just as I leaped with great force,

Pon!

The moment I heard that sound, my consciousness inexplicably snapped.

...I wonder what happened.

◇◆◇

3rd Person POV

While something happened to Mahiro, what happened to Mizuki and the other demons?

"--Hah!"

Mizuki suddenly heard a sound effect (a hallucination) like "Kyu-piin!" ring in her head, and then her eyes widened in surprise.

"...Mii-chan, what's wrong?"

Seeing Mizuki like that, Mashiro asked what was wrong.

Currently, the search is being conducted in two pairs: Mizuki and Mashiro, and Miho and Aria, which is why these two are together.

"Ah, no, it's just that my husband-detector has picked up on the appearance of a new husband..."

"...I sometimes wonder, is Mi-chan even human? And that husband sensor?"

Although expressionless, Mashiro seemed slightly taken aback by Mizuki's incomprehensible remarks.

Lately, Mashiro has been seriously wondering if this person might be something that transcends humanity.

"Ah, no. How should I put it, it's a sensor that picks up on the presence of a woman who loves Mahiro-chan, and it just activated now. By the way, I also sensed it with Aristia-san and Mashiro-san."

"...Lo〇con monster. In short, Lo〇mon."

This neologism isn't necessarily wrong.

"also, she seems like a very cute little girl I could dote on."

"...As expected of Mii-chan. unwavering."

"Ehehe."

She didn't mean it as a compliment, but for some reason Mizuki smiled shyly.

Mashiro genuinely wondered, "Is she really that president's daughter?"

"So, are you perhaps thinking that Mahiro will get a new husband?"

"Yes, absolutely. My sensors are always spot on!"

"...But it's only been used twice?"

"We promised not to say that."

In response to the nitpicking remark, Mizuki put her index finger to her lips and said this.

"...I see. So, who is it? Anyone you can think of?"

"Well... I can't say for sure. But let's ask someone who knows Mahiro better than anyone to provide us with some information!"

"...Mihorin?"

In Mashiro's mind, Miho seems to be the person who knows Mahiro best.

Well, it's true that among Mahiro's four husbands, Miho is the one she's known the longest.

Next would be Aristia, but since she only really interacted with her at their part-time job, overall Miho has known Mahiro longer.

"No, it's a different person. For one thing, they're not a woman."

"……A man?"

"Yes, that's right. Let's get to it."

Mizuki took out her smartphone and started making a call.

"Hello, this is Uishi. Is this Sasanishi-san?"

[Oh, Uishi-san? It's unusual for you to call me. By the way, you and Mahiro haven't been to school, did something happen?]

The person Mizuki called was Kengo, Mahiro's childhood friend.

Fortunately, it was during break time, so he can answer the call.

"Mahiro-chan has started to run away, so we're chasing after her."

[...What could have happened for that to happen?]

Even Kengo couldn't help but be astonished by the outlandish reason.

In fact, when Kengo heard that reason, he visibly looked astonished.

"It's because we saw her wearing a see-through babydoll."

[...What's wrong with that guy? A see-through babydoll...well, that's something she'd probably like. She was probably told to at least wear underwear to bed, and she thought, 'This is practically naked, so it should be easy to sleep in ja!']

Kengo is absolutely right. They haven't known each other since kindergarten for nothing.

[So, she ran away because she was afraid of being attacked by Uishi-san and the others, is that it?]

And he also correctly guessed the reason why Mahiro tried to escape.

Impressive.

"As expected, your understanding of things related to Mahiro-chan is very high."

[Well, we've been at each other since kindergarten. ...So, you called me just to ask that?]

"Ah, no. I just have something I'd like to ask you, Sasanishi-san..."

[Anything you want to ask? As long as I can answer.]

"Thank you. The question I wanted to ask is this: Are there any women who had a clear crush on Mahiro-chan between kindergarten and the third year of junior high school?"

[A girl who had romantic feelings for him between kindergarten until the third year of middle school, is it? Uhh...]

In order to answer Mizuki's question, Kengo reflects on the past.

Since Kengo usually spent time with Mahiro, they both remember each other's actions to some extent.

However, in Mahiro's case, she's probably quite likely to have forgotten about it.

Kengo groaned, searching his memory.

Then, after a few dozen seconds had passed,

[Oh, now that I think of it, I remember back then that there was a girl he became close to, whether he had feelings for her or not is unclear though.]

That's what he said.

Unbelievable. Apparently, that person really exists.

"So, who was this person, and when did this happen?"

[Let's see... I think it was when we're in second grade of elementary school? I've never met her, but as you probably know, Mahiro's kind of... a womanizer, right?]

"There's no mistake about that."

It's questionable for a husband not to deny it at all, but in this case, it's her own fault. Mahiro is a natural womanizer.

[So she unconsciously flirts with them from time to time. Well, most people gave up because of her cluelessness and how popular she is, but occasionally someone like Otoda or Uishi comes along.]

"Someone like that when you were in second grade of elementary school...?"

[Yeah. And I think the person he was with at the time was a bit older, I think? He was the type who was more popular with people his own age or older rather than younger people. He must have picked her up somewhere. One day he came up to me saying, 'I have become friends with an older person! I have made a new friend nojaa!' And when I heard what he was saying, it was a girl, you know? At the time I was like, 'Wow. That's so typical of Mahiro!' and I really admired him, but by the time we were in sixth grade, it was pretty obvious that the other person definitely had feelings for Mahiro too.]

It must have been a somewhat memorable event, because Kengo enjoyed reminiscing and chatted away about the past.

Just in case Mashiro could hear, Mizuki put the call on speakerphone.

Therefore, Mashiro also listened to the story and was somewhat taken aback by what she heard.

Mizuki, meanwhile, was curious about who the other person was and listened intently, nodding along.

"So, do they still keep contacts with each other?"

[No, they shouldn't be now.]

"……Why?"

[Oh? What's going on? Even the the student council president is here. Is she really being chased by all of her husbands? Even though she's my childhood friend, things are getting interesting! Ha ha ha!]

Kengo looks like he's having a lot of fun.

He has always laughed at the problems that Mahiro causes (or rather, the problems that spontaneously arise around her), so he always had a fondness for these kinds of events.

Since he loves festivals, he has a fondness for these kinds of unusual experiences.

"...So why don't the two interact anymore?"

[Hmm, apparently the family that she lives in is, well, what do you call, a prestigious family? That kind of type. Their house is apparently a traditional Japanese mansion, and on top of that, she's the kind of person who goes to a girls' school.]

"So, you're saying her family told her not to play?"

[No, that's not what I meant. On the contrary, it seems like her parents were happy that she had made friends of the opposite sex.]

"...Then why?"

[There was an age difference, and to top it off, it was in a neighboring town. Back then, it was quite a struggle for Mahiro to even go over to hang out, and since she was considerably older, plus she also skipped grades, so our interactions only lasted about two or three years.]

"...Skipped grades?"

[Apparently, she was quite a brilliant person, and apparently she was already a university student when she was around high school age.]

The two wondered what Mahiro's social circle was like.

"So, that person is now..."

[Hmm, well, it seems like she went to a university overseas, but I don't know what she's up to now. I mean, she apparently skipped grades when she was in high school, so she's probably back by now!]

"I see, I see..."

After hearing Kengo's explanation, they are becoming almost certain of the true nature of the reaction Mizuki's sensors were causing.

Mashiro, for her part, speculates that perhaps that person is close by right now.

[...Come to think of it, why did you want to ask that? Could it be that she's raised another flag indicating she's going to get another husband?]

"No, I just had a bad feeling about it. ...Well, since it's Mahiro-chan, I have a feeling she might actually be setting up some kind of flag."

"...I can't deny it."

[You're right. ...Oops, I've talked too much. I was allowed to interrupt the class because it was Uishi, but if I continue like this I won't be able to keep up with the class, so I'm hanging up.]

"Yes, thank you for the information provided."

[Information provided...? Well, never mind. I'm glad if I could be of help. See ya!]

"Yes, please do your best."

[Of course!]

And with that, the call ended.

Incidentally, after hanging up the phone, Kengo said,

"...Did I perhaps say something that would strangle her? ...It's alright, right? Hahaha!"

Things like that.

"Anyway, it's possible that she may have come into contact with that person."

"...Serious situation. We must contact Mihorin and Sti."

"Yes, then let's continue our search."

"...Mm. Also, please don't touch my butt too much."

"You found me out?"

"...Mahiron is having a tough time too."

A lo〇con was a lo〇con.

◇◆◇

Now, as for Mahiro...

"............Kyu, kyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!? (loose translation: W-what the heck is this!?)"

For some reason, she had transformed into a cute, fluffy, cherry-blossom-pink... rabbit itself.

What happened?

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