Ch.55 A Past Promise. Mahiro Might Die

Next morning.

"---lease~."

...Muu, what is it jaa?

'Tis as if someone is shaking me or calling out to me...

...Maybe 'tis just my imagination. I am sleepy. I want to sleep more. Do not disturb me...

"--please~"

Ugh, who is trying to disturb my sleep...?

I will not get up. I will not get up jaa...

"Wake up, please~."

...S-so persistent.

Damn, it seems like I am regaining consciousness.

I was shaken over and over again, and although the voices were not exactly loud right next to my ears, they disrupted my sleep, causing my consciousness to rapidly surface.

At the same time, I felt a strange chill.

"Achoo! U-uu, so cold..."

Even though 'tis almost May, the mornings are still chilly...

...Mu? Cold?

I should be in rabbit form right now, so my fur should be protecting me... but now that I think about it, this feeling on my skin...is it a blanket?

When I was in rabbit form, I could barely enjoy the blankets because of my fur, but now I can enjoy them to the fullest.

"...Hah!"

"Oh, are you awake now~?"

"Umu...Wait, I, I can speak!?"

I suddenly sat up with a jolt, and the woman next to me, the one called "Yui", started talking to me.

Before I could even offer a greeting or anything else, I was surprised to hear a voice coming out of my own mouth.

"?"

Meanwhile, the woman looked bewildered and confused.

"H-hey, I spoke just now, right? Right?!"

"Ah, y-yes, you did~. But is that not just common sense?"

"Normally that would be the case, but yesterday was anything but normal for me noja. Oh, how wonderful! To be able to express my will and thoughts! For the first time in my life, I thought it was wonderful to be able to speak."

Ahh, I am relieved.

But why did I revert to my original form? That is what I do not understand.

I remember eating dinner last night, dozing off, and eventually falling asleep... But what happened after that? Or will I be turn back once I get some sleep?

Umuu... I have no clue.

"U-umm~..."

"Oops, sorry. I got a little flustered."

"No, that is not the problem... Um, who might you be~? And, my little bunny that was sleeping next to me is gone..."

"Ah, that is what you meant... Well, you might think I am saying something strange out of nowhere, but yesterday's rabbit was me ja."

"......Fue?"

"I said, that fluffy, cherry-blossom-colored rabbit from yesterday was me ja."

"..."

She has a blank, vacant expression on her face.

...Well, that is to be expected.

Frankly speaking, even if someone suddenly tells you such an outlandish story, whether or not you can believe is another matter entirely.

Fuumu, how do I prove that?

As I pondered how to explain, the woman's blank expression suddenly changed, and she began to think deeply about something.

Then, her expression changed to one of trepidation.

Mu ? What is this ja? Her expression changes quite a lot from place to place.

"Um, excuse me, but may I ask you something strange~?"

"Umu, 'tis alright ja."

"I am not sure if this is the case, but~... are you perhaps an acquaintance or relative of Hiro-kun?"

Is what she was asking.

...Hiro-kun? There is only one person who calls me that.

"...that way of saying it, Yui-nee?"

"That way of calling me... could it be that you are Hiro-kun~?!"

"Umu. It really is Yui-nee ja. It has been a long time ja, Yui-nee. I think the last time we met was when I was in fourth grade. You have become quite beautiful."

"Hiro-kun too, you have become quite cute, have you not~?"

"No, I do think that is not something that can be excused like that."

For some reason, most of my relatives still only offer very simple words even when they see me like this.

Is it not a little too simple?

"But how did you recognize me? Especially since we have not even talked that much. I mean, how did you identify me right after I came out of my rabbit form? How crazy."

"Ufufu~. I love the way you talk and the way you act. But, Onee-chan is surprised. I never imagined that cute Hiro-kun would turn into such a cute girl. Could it be 'TSF syndrome'?"

"Yes. This happened at the end of March. I have been living like this ever since."

"So, the rabbit from yesterday too~...?"

"That is part of my ability, I suppose. Although, 'tis not like that is a form I chose to become, 'tis more like a result of a slight drawback that arose from using said ability..."

I never imagined I would turn into a real animal.

But I see. "Beast Transformation" is a very apt description.

I had become a real animal, after all. So the name was really perfect, was it not?

"Well, 'tis what it is. But what exactly—achoo! Uuu, 'tis a little cold..."

"Oh no, that will not do~. You will catch a cold if you are naked. Give me a moment."

Saying that, Yui-nee stood up, opened a nearby chest of drawers, took out a pair of panties and a dress, and came back to me.

"Okay, for now, please wear this~."

"Sorry about that... Okay. Phew."

I put on the underwear and dress I received.

That feels a bit better now.

Being naked has its own concerns, is it not?

"Ara ara~, you have become so cute!"

"Really? Well, you see. This disease makes you become your ideal partner. Naturally, one would end up looking adorable, would they not?"

"So, does that mean Hiro-kun is a lo〇con~?"

"I am not a lo〇con!"

Damn, even Yui-nee is saying that...

"Ufufu~"

She still has that same gentle, dreamy smile and aura...

Well, I suppose that is to be expected.

"By the way, when did you return to Japan noja?"

"It was quite recently, I think? I studied abroad at a university there, and after graduating, I worked there for a little while~."

"I see... But you came back quite suddenly."

"Ufufu~. I have been missing life in Japan too. I have been wanting to eat white rice and miso soup."

"Umu umu. Rice and miso soup are the best. After all, for a Japanese person, the staple food and soup should be white rice and miso soup ja."

When it comes to breakfast, some prefer rice and others bread, but I am most definitely a rice person.

Rice is truly the best.

"I suppose so~."

"...But there should be more to it than that, right? You are a young lady from a prestigious family, after all. Your father and mother were quite overprotective ja."

"Exactly as Hiro-kun said, I was planning to go home around this age from the beginning~."

"Oh, so that is how it was. In that case, you could have at least told me in a letter..."

We used to exchange letters once a month, but there was no mention of anything like that in last month's letter.

Even though we were not real siblings, we spent our time together thinking of each other as brother and sister, so i feel a little sad.

"There's a reason for that, you know~... But I wonder if it is really a good thing for Hiro-kun to be here?"

"Huh? What do you mean by that ja?"

"I wanted to fulfill our old promise~."

"...A promise, you say?"

"That is so~. I wonder if you have forgotten?"

"A promise... When was that made ja?"

I do feel like I made some kind of promise with Yui-nee, but I cannot quite remember what it was.

That was quite a while ago, you know.

So I asked Yui-nee when that happened.

"It was the day before I left to study abroad, I think~?"

"The day before..."

So that would mean when I was in 4th grade.

Fuumu... A promise... A promise...

I feel like something happened, but I cannot quite remember.

What exactly did we promised?

As I stood there with my arms crossed, groaning and grumbling, Yui-nee gave a slight, wry smile.

"Well, you were so young back then. It is understandable that you do not remember. Anyway, let us go~."

"U-umu. I understand."

I feel bad...

◇◆◇

And so, we moved to the main hall.

The fact that we ended up holding hands while moving along the way was quite something.

I thought this when I became a rabbit, but I cannot help but think that Yui-nee is just like that perverted lo〇con.

Moreover, the way we are connected looks exactly like a mother and daughter.

Fuumu...

"Good morning, Yui-sama. ...Oh? Who's that child over there...?"

"I do not know if you remember, but this girl is Hiro-kun~."

"Could it be... Mahiro-sama!?"

"S-Sama? Why am I being addressed with the honorific 'Sama' noja?"

I wonder if I was ever addressed with honorifics like "sama" By these people...?

"That tone of voice... there's no mistake. So, is it 'TSF syndrome'?"

"Looks like it~"

To be judged solely on tone of voice...is that really okay? Or rather, is that not too simplistic? I feel like there is a problem with using tone of voice as the sole criterion for judgment.

There is also the possibility that I am an imposter impersonating me, you know...

"Then, I'll prepare breakfast for you too, Mahiro-sama."

"Please do~"

When Yui-nee said that, the maid left.

"U-um, Yui-nee. Why am I addressed with honorifics by everyone in this household noja? What exactly is my position in this household...?"

Being addressed with the honorific "sama" must mean that something terrible is waiting for me. I cannot shake that feeling off.

As if to prove it, my sixth sense seems to be sensing some kind of danger! I feel like 'tis sounding an alarm!

"Is it not because you are about the same age as me~?"

"Why thought?! I am not from this house noja!"

"That is true, for now~."

"'For now'? What do you mean 'for now' ja?"

"Ufufu~."

"You are kind of scaring me ja!"

This is bad. I am starting to not want to go any further.

Actually, this pattern looks strangely familiar... Huh, what is this ja? I cannot believe it, but could it be that old promise is...? No, surely not.

H-however, I did hear that I raised the flag of all four of my husbands without me realising.

Do not tell me, Yui-nee is like that too...?

Just kidding. Haha, that is probably not true.

Speaking of Yui-nee, she has always been a mysterious, maternal figure, and moreover, she only ever thought of me as a little brother. No, more like a child? Either way is fine.

I do not think she would follow the usual pattern.

'Tis a little scary, but I am sure it will be alright.

"It looks like they are waiting up ahead~."

"Is that so? ...Who?"

"My Otou-san and Okaa-san~."

"Hohou? Now that you mention it, it has been a long time. The last time was when I was in fourth grade, was it not? But when did they know that I...?"

"I just sent them a text message when I handed you your change of clothes a little while ago~."

"I see. In just that one instant."

Perhaps she types very fast?

"Otou-san, Okaa-san, is it okay if we come in~?"

"Ah, it's okay."

"Come in."

"They said. Well then, let us go in~."

"Umu."

...'tis fine to say it with a smile, but are we going in while still holding hands?

Moreover, it does not seem like she is going to let go.

Do you like holding hands?

"So you've come... Oh, wait? That girl over there is..."

"I heard Mahiro-san was coming, but what's the deal here?"

In the back of the hall, Yui-nee's father and mother are sitting and waiting.

The father is, how should I describe him? He has a gentle, well-proportioned face, a harmless appearance, and he is wearing a jinbei.

The mother is a beautiful woman with her hair styled in an updo ja. She is the type of woman with a traditional Japanese beauty.

The names of these 2 are: with the last name of Sakurakouji, the father is Touji, and the mother is Sayuri.

Fumu... but still, these two have not changed much since before.

If I had to say, they look a little older, but even so, they still seem pretty much the same as before.

Is that just how their body is?

Although they had been told in advance that I would be coming, they could not hide their surprise when it turned out to be their own daughter and the little girl holding her hand.

Well, that is probably what is to be expected.

"Regarding that, listen to this girl~..."

Wait, are you just going to leave it all to me?

Not that I mind.

"Ahh, it has been a long time ja. I am Ouka Mahiro."

Oh no. It has been so long, I did not know how to talk, so my usual tone and polite language came out at the same time. (TL: she usually said "Ouka Mahiro ja" In her introduction)

"……Hmm?"

"Ara?"

"I understand you are both surprised, but this girl is the real Ouka Mahiro-kun~."

・・・← I feel like I am seeing something like this in the air.

Then,

”"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH!?””

They were extremely surprised.

◇◆◇

"Ahh, I see... So that's Mahiro-kun... I see, it seems like you have quite a tough time."

"Well, once I get used to it, this form is actually more comfortable. That said, 'tis not the case all the time. But when it comes to sleeping, this form is overwhelmingly better."

"Fufufu, it seems you still love sleeping as much as ever."

"Well, that is because I am me."

Although they were surprised at first, once I explained how I ended up looking this way, they accepted it surprisingly easily.

Now that you mention it, this is the normal reaction.

By the way, the reason I am speaking in my usual, normal tone is because they have allowed it. Using polite language is too much of a strain on my shoulders.

"But, I see. You have become a girl, huh."

"Well, yes... But why do you look so disappointed noja?"

"Hahah, it's about Yui's old promise, or rather, the favor she asked of us."

Again ja. That promise again ja.

I wonder what kind of promise she made to my past self, that Yui-nee.

"But I believe that with 'TSF syndrome,' it's possible to be with either male or female. Darling."

"Oh, that's right. Yui, is that okay with you?"

"I do not mind~."

"I see I see. Well, then let's go with that."

"That's great, Yui."

"Yes~!"

...It seems like something terrible was decided right in front of me... What is going on?

"M-my apologies, but I do not understand what you are talking about..."

"Hmm? Mahiro-kin, do you perhaps not remember?"

"Remember what...?"

"The promise you made with Yui."

"Well, I do remember making some kind of promise... but I cannot remember what it was about..."

Hmm, what was the promise again...?

Umuu...

"I see, so that's how it is. Well then, let me get straight to the point."

"U-umu."

What is going on ja? He suddenly started straightening his posture.

Is this that kind of thing? A serious atmosphere?

However, I have a deep-seated feeling that this is a bad sign.

"It's a promise of marriage."

“………………Oh, Jesus…” (TL: She said exactly this in the raw)

My bad feeling was right.

Actually, my accuracy rate when it comes to my bad feelings is 100% so far.

Fu, fufufu... What was I doing...?

"By the way, it was Yui who proposed the marriage."

"Is that so!?"

"Yes, I think she said something like, 'I'm sad to say goodbye to Hiro-kun... So, when you grow up, I hope you'll marry me~.'"

Thank goodness! 'Twas not from me!

If I had been the one to say it, I would have definitely been held responsible!

With this, there is still a chance to escape—

"And then Hiro-kun said, 'Mu? I am fine with it if Yui-nee's feelings remained the same, and I reached an age where I could get married.' You know~"

...I cannot escape now, can I?

This is hopeless. I mean, why did I forget something so important?

"That's the situation. If possible, I'd like Yui to go to Mahiro. I can't hand her over to some random guy I don't know. I know your character well in that respect. After all... I had you on surveillance."

"......U-um, Touji-dono."

"What is it?"

"If I am hearing it right, did you not say something about putting me on surveillance just now...?"

"I did."

"...Seriously?"

"I'm serious. I believe we've been checking on you regularly, and we've gathered enough data by the beginning of March last year, so we decided to go ahead with this. The best impression we got was that you never caused any problems and treated everyone equally."

Apparently, they just barely missed seeing my current lifestyle.

That part was good noja, but... if I do not say anything now, something terrible would happen, would it not?

Or rather, why am I making such a casual promise, like something out of a romcom noja?

Normally, you would not make a promise like that, would you?

...And now I just thought of something. 'Tis fine that Yui-nee was the one who brought up the details of the agreement, but...considering what happened back then, was it not a little bit risky?

The promise was made the day before Yui-nee left for overseas.

So, as for our ages at the time... I was 10 years old. Yui-nee was 15.

...Is that not a serious matter?

Is it not bad when middle schoolers and elementary schoolers are together?

Or rather,

"Normally... I feel like those kinds of promises are made by people around the same age..."

Even when I am in my 3rd year of high school, Yui-nee will be 23 years old.

Entering into a relationship under those circumstances could potentially be considered a crime...

"Apparently, Yui has always preferred younger guys."

"Also, if she had to choose, she tends to prefer people who aren't too tall."

Wait a minute. What kind of information is that?

She prefers younger men? And ones who are not tall at that.

...So, what does that mean? Does it mean that this fellow had feelings for me, as a 4th grader, when she was in the 3rd year of middle school? Romantic feelings?

………………She is the same!

"Wait, wait, wait! I am a second-year high school student right now ja! I feel like it would be really bad to date an adult!"

"So, does Mahiro-kun dislikes Yui?"

"That is not true. I mean, even though 'twas a long time ago, we made a promise, so there is no way I dislike her. If anything, I would say I like her."

...Am I being too honest?

Damn it.

When one has had some interaction with someone or have a moderate level of affection for them, 'tis hard to lie when asked those kinds of questions.

Frankly, I think 'tis pretty messed up to be able to confidently say "I hate it" in response to that question.

"Then there's no problem! Besides, now that Mahiro-kun is sixteen, the legal age for marriage, let's just get it over with quickly."

"Wait wait wait wait! Eh, what? Are we going to do it now?!"

"Of course?"

Even if she says it with a look that says, "What's the problem with that?", 'tis still a problem!

When I look at Touji-dono, he has such a happy expression on his face!

Yui-nee is...

"Ufufu~"

Not good! She looks so incredibly happy!

Ugugu... what should I do? 'Tis getting difficult to tell them that I already have husbands (four of them)...! These guys are totally determined to get me and Yui married!

B-but, if I do not say it now, I am guaranteed to end up in a shuraba!

That must be avoided at all costs!

"M-my apologies. There is one important thing I need to tell you..."

"Hmm? What is it? Could it be that because you're both women, you're worried about not having children?"

"Well, that might actually be solvable... Wait, that is not the point!"

Oh, that was close! I almost mentioned its existence just now!

...Speaking of which, when will that medicine arrive?

No, that matters not right now.

"Well, you see...the truth is, I already have four wives who called themselves husbands..."

"""Four people!?''''"

"Umu, four people..."

They looked surprised, as if to say, "Where did that happy atmosphere from just a moment ago go?"

That is surprising, is it not?

At the same time,

"Is that so..."

"Umuu, it pains me to say this, but regarding this matter—"

I was about to say, "Let us pretend it never happened," ignoring my terribly painful conscience, when it happened.

"—There's no need to refuse, Mahiro-chan."

Suddenly, I thought I heard the voice of a perverted lo〇con.

Suddenly, I broke out in a cold sweat.

...I am trembling.

"Who was that voice just now?"

"Touji-sama, Sayuri-sama! We have a visitor—"

"A visitor? Who exactly has come?"

"T-that is..."

Before the maid, who had rushed in, could begin to speak with a flustered expression, someone else entered the hall.

"Good morning, everyone at the Sakurakouji household. And... I've come to pick you up, Mahiro-chan?"

There, behind a cheerful smile, was Mizuki, speaking with an air of mysterious intimidation.

Leaving aside the question of where that voice came from just now... oh no, I might die.

This might be the biggest crisis of my life.

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