Chirem Act 6-13
BGM: Wuthering Waves - Unwritten In The Stars
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Act 6-13: Flowers in Both Hands. Trouble Trailing Right Behind
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
Part 1
Our next stop was a labyrinth built into the edge of the venue. A cave, hidden at the far end of a waist-deep bath, served as its entrance. Inside stretched a twisting maze, riddled with traps and obstacles. A trial of persistence, and one of the most popular attractions on offer.
「Shall we split into pairs here as well? We could all go together, but apparently that wouldn’t be much fun.」
While we were waiting our turn, Ein turned back toward us and made the suggestion.
「Does it really stop being fun just because there are more people?」 I asked him.
「Apparently so. The pamphlet says it’s basically a haunted house inside. Smaller groups make it creepier. Still, we can’t exactly toss a girl in there by herself, aren't we?」
「Fair point. A haunted house, eh…」
I turned my face just enough to glance at Elsie beside me. Fragile. Nervous. The kind of person who flinched at sudden noises. This attraction was a nightmare waiting to happen. And if we split into pairs, someone would be left behind again. I could already picture it. Elsie, forcing a smile, quietly offering to wait outside so everyone else could enjoy themselves.
However, doing that would just be too heartless. This time, I should probably sit out with her. Silvia might want to pair up with me, but she could grit her teeth and join someone else. We could even turn back with Elsie and give the Fancy Canal another go.
Just as I’d made up my mind and was about to ask her—
「R-Rakuichi-kun! P-please… Would you p-pair up with me?!」
Elsie seized my right hand with both of hers, her face burning red all the way to her neck as she blurted it out.
Coming from someone so shy, so bad at speaking up, it was the last thing I expected. I froze, words failing me. I stared into her earnest eyes, forcing my stalled thoughts to start moving again, trying to untangle what she was really saying.
「W-Wait… what did you just say? A pair… with me? And hold on… you’re actually planning to do it? This maze? You know it’s basically a haunted house, right?」
I questioned her as if cornering her, but Elsie didn’t falter for a second and nodded hard.
「Yes. I know. It’s fine… I-I’ll put up with it, no matter what… so please, go with me!」
「You don’t have to force yourself through it, you know? This isn’t training. It’s meant to be fun. If it’s a no, then say it’s a no properly, and we’ll try another attraction――」
「Rakuichi-sama. I want to tag along as well.」
Just as I was earnestly trying to calm the panicking Elsie, my free arm was suddenly swallowed by a warm, unmistakably soft pressure. I turned, only to find Sylvia pressing my left arm firmly into her generous cleavage, staring up at me with an almost painfully earnest gaze.
「S-Silvia-san?! What are you doing all of a sudden...」
「Please allow me to come with you. I want to be with you, Rakuichi-sama.」
「I get it, I really do! But right now I’m trying to talk to Elsie...」
「Mu~~~~~~... Rakuichi-kun!」
I was in the middle of talking Silvia down when Elsie suddenly called out. There was way more anger in her voice than usual, so I turned around without thinking.At that exact moment, Elsie pulled down the zip of the rash guard she had clung to so stubbornly.
What had been hidden was revealed in a single breath. A lovely two-piece swimsuit, yellow and floral, its vibrant colours dancing against the half-elf’s clear, pale skin. It was bold, yet never crude. Modest, yet undeniably striking. A swimsuit that felt as though it had been made for Elsie alone.
And having finally shown herself to me, Elsie clutched my right arm, as if challenging Silvia head-on.
「’m not forcing myself! I want to do this attraction with you, Rakuichi-kun! Come on, that’s fine, right?!」
「I also wish to challenge it with you, Rakuichi-sama. I want to be with you. Please grant Silvia’s wish.」
「Whoa, whoa, whoa! You two, wait! Please, just wait a second!」
Pinned between two soft, overwhelming pressures, I could do nothing but flush scarlet and let out a shameful cry. What is this situation?! Just moments ago, everything was peaceful. How did I end up driven into a corner like this?!
I racked my brain, but the cause escaped me. Worse still, I couldn’t even see a single correct option to escape this situation. Left with no other choice, I shot a desperate look towards Ein and the others, silently begging them to save me.
「H-Hey! Why is Rakuichi the only one getting this treatment?! There are other men here too―― Like me!」
「Oi, stop interfering with Elsie-chan and the others. Come on, Ein, let’s go.」
「Huh? What, seriously? Don’t tell me I’m paired with Lillian again?! Come on, that’s not fair! This time it should be someone e--- Uwah?! Don’t yank my trousers, you idiot! Fine, fine, I’m coming! You’re good enough, just let go of my pants!」
Perhaps my plea reached him, because Ein started complaining at the two of them. But before any of his demands could be met, he was seized by Lillian and dragged straight towards the cave entrance.
Just before vanishing into the darkness of the corridor, Lillian glanced back at u--- no, she fixed her gaze squarely on Elsie. Then, without warning, she threw us a wink. What was that meant to be? A signal?
「Alright then, guess we’ll head out too.」
「Yes. I’d rather avoid sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong and getting kicked for my trouble.」
After that, as naturally as breathing, Rogue and Mishelle formed a pair and followed after Ein and the others.
「Let’s go too. Alright, big brother, we’ll be waiting for you at the exit~」
「Drop dead! Wander the labyrinth forever, all by yourself! Rot away until you’re nothing but dust」
Bell and then Ferio ditched me fast, disappearing into the cave while the latter tossing out some seriously resentful words. Not one of them cared about me at all. What a bunch of traitors.
Shiver!
「Eh?!」
At that moment, a spine-chilling wave of dread ran through my entire body. At the same time, I felt eyes boring into my back. Not just one or two of them, either.
What on earth just happened? To uncover the source, I slowly turned around. There, I found a line of waiting men glaring at me with looks sharp enough to curse someone to death, and my cheek twitched involuntarily.
This is bad...Really bad. I had no room to complain about Ain and the others. I had completely forgotten about everyone else. Burning in their eyes was unmistakable jealousy and rage, directed at a man being sandwiched by buxom beauties. If I didn’t get out of here soon, they look ready to pounce at any second.
「Rakuichi-kun!」
「Rakuichi-Sama!」
「Alright, alright! I get it! We’re going together! Three’s fine, so let’s just go already! Come on, move it!」
I whipped my face forward, threw my arms around the shoulders of the two hanging onto me, and started walking before anyone could argue. The stares stabbing into my back went from bad to worse, but I absolutely refused to look behind me as we rushed straight into the labyrinth.
◇◆◇
「Hmph... Finally. Took them long enough. I was getting bored.」
Blending into the crowd, Chris shot a glare at Rakuichi and the others as they vanished into the tunnel. The jealousy in his muttered words was clearly different from everyone else’s, heavier and way more personal.
「… So? You said you’d mess with him, but how exactly are you planning to do that?」
Yuri felt his sister’s emotions roiling just beneath the surface, wild and uncontained. He chose not to poke that particular hornet’s nest and asked his question instead.
Chris’s aim was clear: derail Rakuichi’s plan and leave nothing intact. The reason was painfully obvious— jealousy. Rakuichi was getting close to other women, and it ate at her. It was childish, unjustified, and she had no right to interfere in his love life. But no amount of logic would ever make her back down.
When Chris couldn’t handle something with reason, she handled it with emotion. Her excessive hostility toward Rakuichi was proof enough. At its core, it was affection—twisted, uncontrolled, and utterly unacknowledged. Unable to accept it and unable to let it go, she chose the simplest solution: eliminate the source of her stress.
Now stripped of her weapon, what kind of trouble was she planning to stir up? Yuri stood with her. He always had. He could excuse her warped expressions of love as the confusion of first love.
But if she crossed the line—if it went too far—he would stop her, even if it meant sacrificing himself. That was his role: the stopper, the final restraint, and the guardian of his sister’s dignity.
「Hah. Come on, isn’t it obvious?」
Yuri asked, trying very hard to sound serious while already sensing disaster.
Chris looked up, slapped on the dodgiest grin imaginable, and went off.
「I’m gonna sneak up behind him, stalk him all quiet-like, and scare the absolute pants off Rakuichi! And not just once! I’ll do it over and over till he’s crying, peeing himself, the whole deal! The girls will see how lame he is, get totally grossed out, and dump him! I even named it: The Super Lame Rakuichi Scare Plan! Heh. Pretty perfect, right?」
She finished with a proud nod, like she’d just solved world hunger.
「Ah, er, tha---」
The moment Yuri heard it all, his strength drained away, leaving him feeling utterly deflated.
It wasn’t that Yuri had forgotten… but now, he remembered all too clearly. Right. This was who she was. He’d mistaken her bravery in past missions for actual reliability. But when it came to facing the worst-case scenario with a cool head, Chris was… not exactly built for it.
「Alright! Let’s go! Don’t fall behind, Yuri!」
Chris raised an arm and bolted off, kicking up water like a malfunctioning fountain. She barged past people, ignored staff yelling at her, and charged straight inside. Yuri watched her go and sighed.
「This is starting to feel really pointless… She’s unarmed, so it’s not like she can do anything extreme… And honestly, she looks fine on her own. Guess I’ll just relax and enjoy the spa.」
He turned around and left the line. When he got to the poolside, he suddenly stopped and looked back at the cave.
「…Hang on. That place is a haunted house, isn’t it? Chris and ghosts… yeah, she was never great with those.」