"Ahhh..."

I gasp as I feel something stuffy and big pressing against my face.

"I... can't breathhhhh!"

The next thing I see when I open my eyes is darkness.

"Urgh, what is happening? Am I blind now?"

When I am scared about the current unknown situation, a chuckle comes from someone besides me.

"My disciple, you are so funny~ How can you turn blind by having a rabbit sitting on your face?"

"Heh???"

I reach out my hand to the space in front of me to confirm the statement. I can see the light right after I push away the fat rabbit sitting on my face.

"Hahahaha!!!"

I turn in the voice's direction and find the self-proclaimed master sitting there.

<Airi is lying on the hospital bed>

 

"Halo~ It's so nice to meet you again, my dear disciple."

"You are the one...at that time..."

"Did my dear rabbi help you much in defeating the villain?"

"Rabbi? You mean the gun you lent me?"

"Hey, don't use some vulgar word to describe my baby like that, silly disciple!"

"I'm sorry..."

The self-proclaimed master nods as she sees my reaction.

"Fuu, I forgive you since you are my new cute disciple."

The self-proclaimed master points at me and shouts out loud.

"Airi, you should feel honoured to become the disciple of this mighty Kaguya."

"Yes...?"

Well...It feels pretty weird to call her my master. Since I don't know much about this self-proclaimed master besides her childish appearance. And she knew both of my mothers since I could hear them having a casual conversation before I fainted. That means she is probably around my mother's age. Then...How could she look so young? Shall I call her an aunt, then?

Aunt Kaguya sighs as she holds her head.

"You know...many people out there want to become my disciple. But you don't even appreciate the current opportunity."

"I have never heard of your name, though..."

Aunt Kaguya pouted as she heard my answer.

"So...so ignorant! How can you never hear my name?."

I try to move to other topics by asking her about the situation of Sio, Higita and her mother.

"They are all fine now."

Aunt Kaguya showed me her proud face and tried to explain everything that happened after I passed out.

"You know~ I alone could subdue all the terrorists."

"Then, why didn't you help us in the first place?"

If she had lent us a hand in the first place, no one would have been injured.

"Hah...Dispicle, you might be a little mistaken."

"Yes?"

Aunt Kaguya replies to me with a cold voice.

"I have no responsibilities to protect anyone else aside from you."

"But..."

"It might sound pretty heartless for a young girl like you. We adults always have our priorities."

Aunt Kaguya looks away and tries to avoid my eyes.

"Airi...I'm sorry for this. I just remembered something bad."

"No, it's not your fault..."

"But Airi..."

"Yes?"

"Do you really treasure your life?"

I froze at the unexpected question from my master.

"What are you talking about?"

"If it were me, I would run away and leave those people behind."

Aunt Kaguya summons a pink grimoire right in front of me.

"Come out, Sebastian!"

With her chanting, a fluffy rabbit wearing butler clothes pops out from the grimoire.

"Shows her the video, Sebastian."

The rabbit opens its mouth and projects a screen on the wall in my front.

"Even if the boss is killed, it's not my business."

It was what Sio said when she talked about me in the video.

"You see?"

Aunt Kaguya points at the video and says out loud.

"They don't care even if you are dead. What they care most is their own safety."

I couldn't help but feel sad when I heard my master's words. Why would I want to save Sio and the others in the first place? Do I want their compliment or to become a part of the story I've always admired?

"You have only one life, Airi."

Right...This is the real world, not the game.

"You need to treasure it, Airi."

At this moment, many negative thoughts suddenly come into my mind. What if I... die? If that happened, I would never be able to meet Mama and Mother again. That thought alone scares me...

"I'm sorry. I have done a lot of reckless actions."

"Hah..."

I can hear a sigh coming from nearby.

"Idiot disciple."

Aunt Kaguya reaches out and pulls me toward her. She hugs me tightly while patting my back. At the same time, I can feel many soft things approach my side and hug me.

"Master... and bunnies?"

"They don't want to see you sad, Airi."

"I..."

"The reality is like that, Airi. You can't demand everyone to treat you like two mothers. They are counted as an exception since they are family to you."

Aunt Kaguya releases me and points at herself with a smug face.

"But now, you can count on me too."

"You let me fight the terrorist on my own, though."

"Hey! That's a difference. You weren't my disciple at that time!"

"But I remembered my mother said you were my bodyguard."

"Ugh..."

Aunt Kaguya coughs and tries to assure me with a gentle voice. I can see a mischievous smile blooming on her face.

"Would you help the little girl named Sio if you had known this little girl beforehand?"

Would I? I was disappointed at how Sio treated me. And I was a little shaken when I saw that video.

What do I truly want? As Airi, not some extra character...

I close my eyes and try to calm my mind.

"Death might be scary..."

I open my eyes and look at Aunt Kaguya.

"But what scares me more is not taking action when necessary. I will regret it to death if I don't help her."

"Hoh~"

Aunt Kaguya looks into my eyes to confirm my determination.

"..."

I try my best not to waver while looking into her eyes.

"Hoho~As expected, you are really interesting!"

Aunt Kaguya turns to the rabbit named Sebastian and gives it an order.

"Since you made up your mind, I will let you see the other video."

What does Aunt Kaguya mean by that?

This time, what appeared on the screen was unconscious me lying on the stretcher.

"Boss?"

I can see Sio walking toward me slowly on the screen. A figure stood in Sio's way and stopped her from advancing.

"What are you doing?"

"What am I doing, huh?"

Aunt Kaguya looked at Sio and told her harshly.

"I should ask it back to you, little girl. What permits you to come here?"

Sio glared back at Aunt Kaguya and grunted in an annoyed voice.

"You are barely taller than me! Then how could you allow me to stay here while I couldn't."

"Appearance may be deceiving... I am much older than you."

Aunt Kaguya took out her identity card and showed it to Sio.

"So, can you go back now, little girl?"

Sio glanced at me lying on the stretcher and shook her head.

"No, I can't."

Sio pointed at me and said in a begging voice.

"Can I meet my boss?"

"No!"

Aunt Kaguya turned away from Sio and took a white blanket from the nearby ambulance.

"That..."

Aunt Kaguya put covered my entire body with the white blanket. I

"..."

I could see a mischievous smile on her face as she did that action. Then, she told Sio with a mocking voice.

"What is your business with a deceased person?"

Sio stared blankly at Aunt's back as she heard that statement.

"Huh...? What?"

Aunt Kaguya laughed at Sio.

"Are you deaf or something? She is dead."

"No...way. Boss..."

I look at my aunt Kaguya sitting next to me. She only returns my glare with a shrug.

"Are you being too harsh on her? She is only a little girl, and she was being abused."

"Just continue watching, Airi."

After seeing the aunt doesn't want to give me the answer, I have no choice but to focus on watching the video again.

The first thing I see when I resume watching is Sio's shouting.

"Don't lie to me! There is no way my boss is dead."

"Why are you being so sure about that?

"Because..."

Aunt Kaguya looked at Sio in disdain.

"Because she is always there to help you, right?"

Sio flinched as Aunt Kaguya got the point right away.

"You always take everything for granted, little girl. Have you ever thought of repaying her?"

"I have..."

Aunt Kaguya kept saying to Sio in a provocation tone.

"Don't lie to me, little girl. If you have once thought about it, you won't say something like it's fine for your boss to die."

"..."

"Cat gets your tongue, heh?"

Aunt Kaguya looked at Sio with eyes full of provocation.

"I have met many people like you, little girl. You can realize their importance when you lose them."

"..."

Sio looked down as she didn't know how to answer Aunt Kaguya. They kept silent like that for a little while until Aunt Kaguya broke the ice.

"What if..."

Aunt Kaguya slowly walked toward Sio while staring at her.

"What if I told you I had a way to bring her back from the dead?"

"You do? How?"

"Is that important? As long as I can bring her back is fine, right?"

Aunt Kaguya took the blanket off my body and threw a knife at Sio's front.

"I need blood...not a little but a lot to revive her."

With no hesitation, Sio picked up the knife and ran toward my side.

"If it can revive her, then I..."

Sio cut her hand and let her blood run down my body.

"Hmmm..."

Aunt Kaguya kept watching Sio with interest and showed no sign of stopping her.

"Please...Wake up."

Aunt Kaguya didn't bat any eyes at Sio's depressed attempt.

"Let's see how much determination you have, little girl."

It wasn't until Sio's face turned blue because she lost so much blood that Aunt Kaguya reached out and tried to stop her.

"Stop! It's enough! Enough!"

"Is that so?"

Sio had a relieved look on her face and lost consciousness right after that. Aunt Kaguya hurriedly reached to catch Sio, and the video stopped with that footage.

"..."

I hold my head as I turn in Aunt Kaguya's direction.

"No wonder you were scolded by my mother...Why do you have to make a mess out of everything?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Auntie..."

Aunt Kaguya has a surprised face when I call her that way.

"Hey! I'm not that old!"

"Auntie! You should shut up for a moment."

Aunt Kaguya fidgeted at my strong rebuke.

"I have already forgiven you for giving me a weapon to fight instead of protecting me. But to harm an abused child like that is incredibly malicious."

"It's that..."

"You know! Sio is only 5 years old, not some grown-up like you."

"But you are also 5..."

At halfway through my lecture, Aunt Kaguya eventually gave up her resistance and kept listening to me. I keep lecturing Auntie until I see a familiar face in the window. That person is Mother Haine standing on the other side of the window and raising her thumb up at me. Mama Selene also chuckles as she stands beside my mother.

"Eh...?"

Aunt Kaguya follows my eyes and discovers Mother and Mama.

"Uwwaaaa..."

She stands up and runs toward Mama Selene.

"Selene! Your daughter is bullying me!"

Before Auntie could use this chance to hug my mama, Mother Haine intercepts and pulls her away from Mama Selene.

"Dummy! Haine! Release me!"

Mother Haine looks annoyed at Auntie's reaction.

"You are 29 this year! But how come your mentality doesn't improve as your age?"

"Selene! Haine is bullying me again!"

"Stop bothering her, Kaguya. I will take this annoying away so you can talk with Airi, Selene."

Mama smiles as she answers Mother Haine.

"Thanks a lot, Haine."

With the disappearance of Mother Haine and Auntie, the room reclaims its peace again. My mama looks at me with a kind smile and says:

"Well, at least you better now, my cute daughter. Like mother like daughter, we have the same problem."

"Ehhh...? Mama, you mean...?"

Mama pats my head while smiling at me.

"Let me ask you, Airi. Between a group of strangers and your families, who would you choose."

"I..."

Mama puts her index finger on my lip before I can answer.

"For me~ Even at the cost of innocent lives, I will always choose to save you and Haine."

"..."

Mama winks at me and says in a soft voice.

"As for you, Airi. You have to find the answer yourself."

Mama hugs me softly and pats me on my back.

"You have done very well, Airi."

"M..."

Mama must be really worried about me even though she didn't scold me at all.

"Then Mama!"

"Yes, Airi?"

"I will become strong enough to protect myself! I don't want to let you worry about me again!"

"Fufu, is that so?"

Mama doesn't seem to believe me at all. She must think that I was joking...

It took around one month for me to be discharged from the hospital. In the meantime, I received news about Sio and Higita.

Mother Haine had successfully taken away the child custody of Sio from her parent by providing abuse evidence to the police. Her dad was arrested for many crimes like tax evasion and child abuse, while her mom ran away with her lover the same night.

Sio came under police protection while waiting to be transferred to the orphanage or a children's centre. Luckily, Sio was adopted right away by Higita's family. With this incident, the future I know has changed since the original main character doesn't have a sister, and his stepmom didn't die.

I am really happy for Sio since she won't be abused from now on. Though, I am still angry about what she said. While I was hospitalized, Sio also asked to visit me many times, but my Auntie declined it. Aunt Kaguya declined Sio's patient visit because she didn't want me to meet Sio for some reason.

"Sio is currently mentally dangerous, Airi. You should wait until her becoming 'Stable'."

It is what Aunt Kaguya said about Sio, so I have no choice but to wait patiently until I can meet her again.

------

"Mama!"

I call out to Mama Selene from my room while going through my wardrobe.

"I can only find a few of my panties inside. For some reason, a few of them are missing."

"Eh, It's weird. Did you forget it somewhere, Airi?"

"No...It couldn't be."

For some reason, some of my stuff disappears magically. In two recent weeks, I lost from things like panties to some weird stuff like a used tissue.

"Ahhhh! It's so weird!"

While I was lost in thought, I heard a knock from the other side of the door. It's Mother Haine.

"Yes?"

"You have a guest, Airi."

Guest? Who can it be?

"Who is it, Mother Haine."

Mother lightly smiles and answers me.

"You should see it by yourself."

"Uguuuuu!"

I have no choice but to go and receive the surprise guest.

"Huh?"

When I arrived at the entrance door, I saw a cute little girl around my age standing there.

           <Sio's news look>

 

"Long time no see, boss."

Huh! That way of calling...Sio?

"Are you... Sio?"

How could this girl be Sio? The original Sio has short dark hair with dark eyes, while the current her has long hair with red eyes. Sio also wears a somewhat mature dress which gives off the image of a sharp beauty.

"You look different from usual, Sio."

"You also look very different from your normal appearance, boss."

Sio walks toward me while staring at me intensely. For some reason, I feel very familiar with that pair of red eyes. Where could I see that pair of red eyes before?

"I wonder why you always hide your face behind your hoods. Is it because you are too pretty?"

My face turns red at the sudden compliment from Sio.

"It's...No..."

Before I can react, Sio pounces and hugs me tightly.

"I have heard everything about how the boss helps me. And how you almost dead while protecting me. On the other hand, I only think about myself and make you suffer."

With Sio's confession, I can't bring myself to hate her. Sio is just a child, after all.

"What can I do for you, boss?"

Sio's voice suddenly becomes eerie as she keeps attacking me with the question.

"Do you need more blood, boss? Or do you need something else?"

"Sio, calm down."

"..."

"It's fine with you being my side, Sio. I don't need anything else."

"Are you satisfied with just that, boss?"

"Yes, I am fine with just that."

"Then, from now on, I will always be by your side."

Sio whispers in my ears in a soft and weirdly happy voice.

"I will always stay by your side along with Mother. We will stay together forever and ever."

Sio releases me from the hug and holds my hand.

"Should we go play in your room, boss?"

"Uhm, yeah?"

For some reason, we arrive in my room without a hitch. Though, I don't remember showing Sio the direction before. Well, it's not that important anyway.

"Let's have fun with Sio for now."