Chapter 8 Nawagami-san and the Older Sister

The seat on that living room sofa that Sayuki-san took was probably the third one I’d seen her on.

She sat with her legs apart, intertwining her fingers, staring vacantly at a single point.

In the line of her sight were the eye mask, handcuffs, ball-gag…

…Yeah, it was checkmate.

If we started another game, I’m pretty sure it would begin with a stalemate—that’s the level we were at.

At the same time, I was genuinely disgusted with my own foolishness.

No matter how much she traveled overseas, the possibility of Sayuki-san suddenly arriving here wasn't zero at all… and in fact, it was happening now!

"S-Say something already!"

"…"

"Huh?… Don’t ignore me."

Incidentally, Nawagami-san and I were both sitting on the floor in seiza—not that we were forced to, it just happened naturally for both of us. There was no way we could casually sit cross-legged in a situation like this.

"Imashino."

The verdict, at least, had been delivered. Sayuki-san finally broke the silence.

"You are fired, effective today. Additionally, I have personal matters to discuss with you. We'll be spending a lot of time together."

Figures. That's a remarkably valid conclusion.

And, fired, huh.

When faced with it, strangely, the first thing I thought about wasn't my salary.

The hardest part was the thought that I couldn’t work as her exclusive butler anymore.

"W-Wait a minute!… No, Imashino-kun isn't to blame at all!"

Unlike me, who was understandably crestfallen, Nawagami-san immediately jumped to my defense.

"Seren, be quiet."

"No, I won't be quiet! This is completely wrong, because it's all my fault!"

"Hmph. That's a funny story. Are you suggesting that even that obscenely perverse situation was your fault?"

Sayuki-san spoke, directing her stern gaze not at Nawagami-san but at me.

It was overwhelmingly uncomfortable. I felt deeply apologetic and wanted to explain myself—but.

If there was one last job I had, it was probably to smoothly end this whole situation.

"Hee, hee, ha, ha, ha!… No, no, Sayuki-san. There's no way that's the case, is there?"

I played the role of a criminal caught by a detective.

Since I had helped the Drama Club a while ago, I thought I could at least put on a performance that could stick the landing.

"It seems there’s no point in hiding it now that I’ve been exposed. The truth is, I have certain special fetishes. Therefore, I used my position as exclusive butler to 'condition' Seren-san to my liking."

"You… you bastard!"

"As you can see. A single look at those vile items is proof enough, isn't it?"

I enacted my planned strategy, adopting the mask of a deeply unsettling pervert.

I believed this was the easiest way for everything to be settled—but.

"S-Stop it! Don't tell such a lie!"

Nawagami-san, still in seiza beside me, pleaded with teary eyes.

"S-Sorry, I know this is sudden, but play along with me. If you do, I’m sure your fetish won't be exposed."

"I don't care if it is!"

"Of course you should care!… No, I mean, you shouldn't! Coming clean now would be bad!"

"Because what you’re saying is wrong! I was the one who suggested it, and Imashino-kun just… sniff!"

Nawagami-san immediately started bawling. Ah, it was hopeless now.

"…? Hey. In the end, what exactly is the situation here?"

Sayuki-san looked genuinely confused, the conversation now tangled.

Well, I guess I have no choice but to explain everything, I thought, and finally confessed.

"…I apologize, Sayuki-san. That was a terrible joke just now. But where should I start explaining?"

"It’s all my kink, Imashino-kun isn't to blame! Sob…"

The attempt to keep it hidden was instantly foiled by the subject herself.

"Actually…"

From there, Nawagami-san’s explanation continued, interspersed with sobs.

She explained that she was a D.M. That it was revealed on my very first day here, and that my subsequent scolding of her had made her see S potential in me. And that I accepted this, and we have, to satisfy her D.M. desires—sometimes strictly, sometimes sweetly—continued our secret dealings until today.

"I can't possibly believe that!"

Ah, yes, of course, that's what you’d say…

"Your explanation means Seren is a totally hopeless pervert of a girl!"

"We already did that part a long time ago!"

"And that you exploited the master-butler power dynamic to make use of Imashino as you saw fit!"

"S-Sayuki-san. I ultimately made the choice, so please don't worry about that."

"Yes, but if that were the case… Tch… then is that really the truth?!"

Sayuki-san, kneading the bridge of her nose, looked exhausted—something I’d never seen from the always strict and composed Sayuki-san before. Yeah, that makes sense. I agree, I thought, never minding who I was to agree.

"So please, Sayuki Onee-chan. Don’t fire Imashino-kun…"

She usually just spat out 'Sister.'

In any case, Nawagami-san was desperately defending me, with a fervor that made her change her form of address.

"…Alright, I understand the circumstances. Even so, Imashino."

"Y-Yes."

"I’m afraid you still… end today."

So, some things remained immutable. The verdict was not overturned even in this second judgment.

"But I explained everything! Why are you still saying that?!"

"Whether to condemn Imashino is fundamentally a different issue from whether to continue his employment. From your earlier explanation, Seren, I… Well, I accept the outline: that your, ah… your masochistic side is real, and Imashino accepted it. I don't see any sign that you are smoothly colluding."

Sayuki-san cleared her throat, perhaps questioning what she was saying herself.

"However. Even so, I cannot overlook the obscene nature of your relationship."

O-Obscene… Rephrasing it like that definitely hit hard.

"Well, you may not believe me, but we really haven't done anything serious yet."

"Yeah, exactly. I only just called him Master in reverse! What’s so bad about that?"

"It's beyond the point of discussing good or bad. Are you two out of your minds?!"

Sayuki-san’s correct points descended on us like a barrage. We’re really sorry.

"Furthermore, it seems you were living in the same room anyway? Stop messing around! Why do you think I even arranged a room for Imashino?!—Ah, damn it, I knew the water and utility bills for Imashino’s room seemed too low. So that was the scheme."

Wait, you're right… if I'd thought about it, of course, we would have been easily found out.

"Then, we'll each go back to our own rooms like before!"

"That's not the issue, not anymore! Moreover!… If you two were simply in a 'tender' relationship, it might be acceptable. I could overlook it. But this is too vile. Just look at this objectively!"

She gestured dramatically towards the spot where the handcuffs and other items once again underscored their existence.

"Tolerating you two means that your activities would be tolerated too… How can I allow that? It’s too soon! Wait at least another five years!"

"W-Wait, so in five years it’ll be okay?"

"No, it won’t!"

"So it won’t be okay either way!"

Both Nawagami-san and Sayuki-san were completely out of breath, but during the heated discussion, I gently asked Sayuki-san a question.

"If I'm fired, will someone else take my place?"

"W-What is it with you suddenly bringing up a serious topic…? No, that won't be happening."

As if saying I'm done with this conversation, she quickly declared the plan for Nawagami-san's future.

"Seren will return to the main family residence. An irreversible irregularity has occurred, so there is no other option."

…That’s not what we agreed to, her sharp glare suggested.

As soon as Nawagami-san heard those words, her eyes turned even sharper than before.

"Eh! Wait! You can't… The Head said I could be free for my three years of high school, right? That’s why living alone here was permitted!"

"That was because we held a certain degree of trust in you. Laziness or opposition stemming from an understanding of societal norms, we were willing to overlook. But the scene earlier is hard to accept. It's natural for humans to have lustful desires, but that exceeded the limit!"

Sayuki-san’s words were precise, highlighting how desensitized we had become.

However… the next topic was perhaps ill-advised.

"Re-examine your standing, Seren. You are the embodiment of the Nawagami family’s expectations, the one among us sisters with the most talent, the clan's treasure. For you to become immersed in a mere personal fetish like this is—"

"—And that's why I've been saying I hate all of that!"

Clang!

The handcuffs Nawagami-san flung hit Sayuki-san directly in the face.

"Cough…"

"S-Sayuki-san, are you alright?"

"…Ah, it's nothing."

Sayuki-san pressed her nose, cautiously holding out her free palm to me.

The one hit seemed okay. But the fury of the one who threw them was unstoppable.

"Have I ever once said I wanted this? Have you ever looked at me as anything other than a person who's 'talented' or 'not talented'?!… Despite being family, you don't understand me at all! You always restrict me with talk about family standing, constantly confining me…!"

"………………"

"And you brought Imashino-kun here yourself, didn't you? You came to rely on him, now you’re suddenly angry, selfishly forcing your way into people’s lives! You did the same thing to me. You never once helped me; you just took the family's side all the time… I don't understand it. I hate you!"

…After her scream, the living room fell suddenly silent.

This level of outright rejection from her was something even I hadn’t witnessed before. The raw emotional pressure was overwhelming.

Sayuki-san, however, merely piled on with a detached voice.

"Due to the sensitive nature of this incident, I intended to handle it internally. But if this problem escalates any further, it must be reported to the Head of the family—and in that event, the one who will suffer the most is Imashino."

"!! T-That’s…"

Hearing that, the force immediately went out of Nawagami-san’s fury. She simply grumbled a grudge under her breath instead.

"…You’re the worst."

"I am perfectly content with being the worst. If you understand, Seren, step outside right now. My car is here."

With her holding me as leverage, she had no choice but to obey.

She didn't plead for Master to somehow fix things this time.

Nawagami-san walked out of the living room slowly, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"…I will transfer your salary for this month, and since you are being dismissed due to our circumstances, I will also pay a breach of contract fee. It’s a considerable sum; it should cover expenses for your sister."

That was my goal in the beginning, yet now, I couldn't focus on her words at all.

Instead, I asked Sayuki-san what I'd been thinking about since the middle of the conversation.

"May I ask a question?"

"What is it?"

It was about one particular strange thing.

The invasion felt too perfectly timed, and I needed a convincing explanation for it.

"Sayuki-san, did you suddenly come here today… to celebrate Seren-san's birthday?"

"…………………… No. That’s incorrect."

"If that were the case, you took too long to answer."

"Don't misunderstand. It was only to confirm her attendance at an upcoming banquet. Nothing more."

Even that could have been handled with an email or a phone call, couldn’t it—I bit back those words. My certainty was strangely cemented: Sayuki-san had come here for Nawagami-san.

"I think separating Nawagami-san and me is the correct move. The situation being normalized because of the emotional impact doesn't change the fact that we blurred the lines between private and professional life. I can't really complain."

"…Is that so. In any case, thank you for your service until now. I do appreciate it, in my own way."

Just as Nawagami-san had done earlier, Sayuki-san was now turning to leave the living room.

"! Ah, Sayuki-san!"

"…What is it? Was there something you neglected to say?"

I called out to her departing back, but the words caught in my throat.

"N-No… it's nothing."

In the end, the words I’d constructed in my head remained unspoken.

The door opened and then closed, leaving me alone in the living room.

…I felt like my HP and MP, as Nawagami-san would put it, had been utterly drained.

Then—I suddenly noticed a small paper bag left in the corner of the living room.

The contents were the thing I’d planned to give Nawagami-san for her birthday.

The item she’d passionately argued was like a collar and excited her to wear. A choker.

I wanted to chase after her immediately and deliver it.

However, I still lacked the concrete solution or resolve to act yet.

The next morning. I returned to my family home with a suit-case containing my few belongings. I had to leave the mattress and things behind—I guess—because I still don't know the future.

I would have no defense if anyone said, 'Why are you being such a pathetic quitter, even at this late stage?'

"Fwaah… What, Onii, what's wrong? Is this another one of your errands?"

When I rang the doorbell, Ritsu (in pajamas) came out to greet me, just like before.

Seeing my sister’s face, which radiated the usual beauty that transcends everything, brought me a small sense of relief.

"Rittan… You don't have to if it's too much, but can I hug you?"

"Yeah, no. That's gross, Onii, especially first thing in the morning. I'd call the cops if you weren't my brother."

"Sigh… Thank you. That crisp verbal abuse is actually comforting, almost habit-forming."

"What’s that, some kind of D.M. talk?"

"! Guaaahhh!"

"W-Why are you suddenly clutching your head?"

The word D.M. is, for me, a nickname reserved for only one person.

Unexpectedly reminded of yesterday, I felt myself getting nervous again.

"Besides, showing up this suddenly is a pain. Mom and Dad are both working today, and I have a lesson starting this morning. Also, are you staying tomorrow, too? What about your live-in part-time job?"

"M-My job situation is a bit complicated right now…"

"…Whatever."

Seeing Ritsu go to get a drink, I moved to the engawa in the garden and sat there.

It felt like a spell had been broken. My two months as an exclusive butler had made me forget what it was like to spend time at home.

But I had to get used to it starting today.

Because I was no longer Nawagami-san's exclusive butler.

Not her Master either.

I had reverted to being just a nameless classmate.

In reality, that was the correct distance between us, yet now, I felt so lonely.

I wanted to see more of Nawagami-san's exposed vulnerability and her embarrassed face.

I wanted to mess her up terribly, but at the same time, or even more, I wanted to cherish her.

"I might actually be the bigger pervert now, you know…"

"Well, well."

"Huh, what is it?"

Ritsu came and sat next to me with a sliding movement, looking at me with her impossibly beautiful, deep eyes.

"Is that a problem? Is it a no-go?"

"No, not at all! I'm welcoming you forever, permanently."

"Hmph."

This time, she didn't call me gross, and Ritsu actually seemed a little happy. What? Why is she so ridiculously cute?

"Onii,"

"Mhm."

"Did you fight with that big-boobed Ojou-sama?… Just saying 'boobed' there."

That's a surprisingly astute guess, and I was shocked that my little sister was making risky jokes.

"To be accurate, we didn’t exactly fight, but yes, I do want to make up with her."

"Hmm…"

"You sound displeased."

"Am I? I don't care, it's not a big deal."

Ritsu swung her legs and acted uninterested, but as her older brother, I could feel the clear emotional conflict radiating from her. If I hadn't been me, I might have missed that, as the saying goes.

"Don't worry. My love for Rittan is one of a kind, something truly special that will never change, for all eternity."

"Heavy, daa-ru, gross."

"It's not gross! This feeling is a flowery, gorgeous good smell!"

"…Besides, why do you need to make up with her anyway? She's just a colleague from work, right, that gal Ojou-sama? Just let it go."

The topic quickly reverted back to Nawagami-san despite her attempt to argue with me.

"I don't want to just let her go. Nawagami-san is that important to me."

"…"

"C'mon, say something!"

"I won't!… Then why don't you just not let it go?"

Well, that was certainly true.

…Wait, it really is true, isn't it?

There was no need for complicated reasoning. I still wanted to be her exclusive butler.

Because she was Master to me.

And I was Master to her.

"…Hey, Ritsu. What was your impression of Nawagami-san when you first met her?"

As an attempt to affirm my thoughts, I casually asked my sister's impression of her.

"Huh? She seems like a flashy, typical gal, but when you said she was an Ojou-sama, it somehow made sense. She's seriously beautiful, tall, has a great figure, and looks really good next to Onii. And then—"

"Mhm, mhm."

"—In the end, I thought she was annoying."

"T-That was a sudden drop to a negative rating."

And a rare one at that. For better or worse, Ritsu doesn't pay much attention to others. She only cares about her family, her piano teacher, or her best friend.

"That's not it, Rittan. Nawagami-san definitely draws the wrong kind of attention and gets misunderstood a lot, but underneath it all, she’s fundamentally earnest. Things just got warped for her. She's not a bad person."

"Mhm, I know that, but what I'm talking about isn't her personality. Listen. When you two came here the other day, didn't I complain to you, Onii?"

"Yeah, mhm."

"That night, the house phone rang. I answered it, and guess who it was, and what she said."

—'I know that because of our own circumstances, we caused trouble for Imashino-kun and his sister. I truly apologize.'

'It's only natural for you to be angry with me and Nawagami, and it's okay to dislike us, but…'

'Your Older Brother is as wonderful a person as you believe he is. Please don't hate him.'

'I apologize if it sounds like I know too much about your business.'

'But… family relationships should be cherished.'

I was shocked again by what I heard.

Maybe the reason I was able to reconcile so smoothly with Ritsu was thanks to Nawagami-san's intervention.

And—yes. The nature of our relationship is clearly not just M and S.

Both Nawagami-san and I must think of each other as special people. That's why we were able to share such an ambiguous relationship, and why we climbed the staircase of perverse activities together, step by step.

It may have started by accident, but now, I don't want to let go of this connection—

"I know that someone who goes out of their way to make a call like that isn't a bad person."

"Ritsu…"

"But I still don't like her. She's annoying."

"A-Ahem, Ritsu?"

"Because her boobs are too big!"

For some reason, Rittan’s hostile stance toward Nawagami-san had become more cemented than ever. Was she envious of a large chest, too? Ritsu is perfectly adorable as she is.

"Anyway, Onii, you’re home today, right? Maybe I’ll skip my lesson…"

"…Skipping is bad, isn't it?"

"Mmmph."

"Besides, something’s come up for me as well."

"Huh?"

Rittan glowered at me. I was surprised myself that I was prioritizing something over my sister.

…The fundamental emotions I direct towards both Ritsu and Nawagami-san must be shared.

They are precious to me, enjoyable to be with, and people with whom I want to share a variety of emotions.

But for Nawagami-san, there is a slightly different feeling too.

I want to criticize her harshly, to have her vulnerable side all to myself, and to lavish her with both a carrot and a stick.

Having reaffirmed that, I can't stay gloomy anymore.

"Sorry, Rittan. I’ll make it up to you later by being a wonderful older brother."

Ritsu continued to glare at me with a judgmental stare, finally murmuring one last comment.

"…And that's why I find her annoying."

Rittan, thoroughly sulking, shifted into lying down and playing a rhythm game on her phone mode.

"Still, even if I crash the main house, I’ll probably just get turned away at the door."

As I looked at the morning glories in the garden, a sudden sequence of messages arrived on my phone's notification bar from Yuika:

‘hey’

‘seishirou’

‘where are u’

‘what are u doin’

'Home.'

'I'm not doing anything yet, but I'm about to start.'

'How about you, Yuika?'

‘oh yeah?’

‘i'm getting some kinda treatment done right now!!’

She sent a selfie from the hair salon. 'Some kinda treatment,' you say?

‘my dad told me it’s for hair damage care’

'I see.'

‘hey, get this. seren came over this morning, saying she ran away from home’

…Well, this story just took a sharp turn, didn't it?

'Ran away? Wait, really?'

'What did she say?'

I replied, and she sent back a cat sticker with a laugh. This isn't a laughing matter.

‘well’

‘she suddenly told me to put her up for a while’

‘and when i asked her if her family would get mad’

‘she said that’s why she came to me’

‘how messed up is that!’

In the background of a second selfie she sent, Nawagami-san was visible.

She was sitting in a chair with her legs crossed, looking sulky but also slightly anxious.

‘a day or two is fine, but she says she's gonna stay forever’

‘seishirou, convince her to leave!’

'Got it.'

'That’s your dad's salon, right?'

'I'm heading over there now, too.'

‘plz!’

‘oh yeah, seren told me not to tell seishirou, she said so herself’

Uh-oh… We are definitely going to be yelled at if I go. Still, I’m going.

And Yuika must have known that. The sticker that concluded the exchange was a flimsy, white bear character, loudly crying.

Yuika's dad's hair salon is the one I also frequent.

When I arrived, Yuika—whose half-twintails were smoother than usual—and Miran in her casual clothes were near the entrance.

"Oh. Did Yuika call you too, Miran?"

"Yes. I successfully secured a prize plushie from the crane game this morning when she called. Normally I'd leave it on 'read,' but since I was in a good mood today, I agreed."

Miran contentedly adjusted her fashion-focused glasses.

Yuika, sitting on the bench, looked glum, which contrasted sharply with the smooth condition of her hair.

"…So? You wanted to get Nawagami-senpai to stop running away from home. And, also, is it true that today is her birthday? I came along because you suggested celebrating, but where is she now…?"

Miran's stated reason for coming seemed subtly different from mine, but the core issue was the same.

And Yuika's reply, just like in the message, was completely outside my expectations.

"Seren was taken away by those adults in Nawagami suits just now…"

"What?!… Oh, I remember now, someone mentioned a banquet this weekend or something…"

Since the family's security system was probably heightened, forced attendance at an event wouldn't be impossible.

"At first, I was like, 'Oh, go home now,' and teased her. But Seren was acting so unlike herself, seriously angry… But in the end, Seren's older sister? came, and poof, she was gone…"

"She was dragged away, huh. I suppose she is a young lady from a prestigious family after all."

Unlike Miran, who spoke contemplatively, Yuika made a troubled face and eventually spoke.

"Hey, can't we make Seren run away from home again?"

"Wait just a minute! Why are you suggesting the complete opposite of what you wanted?!"

"Because… I thought things would be different, and Seren just looked so sad."

"That may be, but major families have complex issues—come on, Seishirou-senpai."

Miran urged me to talk sense into her, and normally I would have agreed, but—

"Running away is bad."

"Right?"

"But my feelings about wanting to help her are the same."

Hearing that, Yuika's face instantly lit up. Miran, on the other hand, let out a long sigh of exasperation.

Seeing that she was outnumbered two-to-one, Miran shrugged.

"Well, what do you suggest we do then? Charge into the Nawagami compound and kidnap Nawagami-senpai back? No, there’s no future in that. We'd just get boxed in, and it would be over."

"Mmmph… But I can't think of any other way."

"Even so, we need something that has at least a slim chance of being realistic—Plus, we have absolutely no idea what the cause of Senpai's running away from home was! How to solve it is completely unclear."

"…Help me, Seishirou. Miran is being too logical."

"I am right!… And stop saying 'yuu' instead of 'iu' (say), either orally or via text. It's annoying. And also, very slightly, it's cute."

"C-Cute? Hehe…!"

"The way you stretch the meaning of things is astounding, you idiot-senpai!"

As Miran said, merely helping her run away wouldn't solve anything.

The intervention needed to be aimed not at Nawagami-san, but at Sayuki-san—I needed to persuade her. Regardless of the final outcome, I couldn’t just leave things as they were by running from Sayuki-san.

The question then was: where would I meet them?

"Hey, hey. I barely watch anime, but I did watch a ninja one. It was really fun, and I used to imitate the moves a lot when I was little. Heheh, what do you think?"

"What do I think—are you suggesting we infiltrate? No, no, you always get caught when you try things like that!"

"I have a plan. Miran will cause a distraction at the front gate, and in that time, Seishirou and I will sneak inside."

"You're totally planning on making me a disposable decoy!"

Miran, who cleanly shot down that suggestion, then let slip in a tired, small voice:

"If we had someone on the inside to assist us, that would help immensely…"

"…! Good idea! We'll do that."

Realizing something, I took out my phone.

Using my non-butler cell phone, for the very first time—I tapped Mononobe-san’s phone number.

I realized I was a D.M. shortly after I started rebelling against the Nawagami household.

Even the encounter was an anomaly, a fluke. I was caught by an explicit manga that showed up in a phone ad. The world is coming to an end if this stuff shows up, I thought. But I suppose this is a form of rebellion, I mused.

I decided to try buying an e-book and reading it… and I became instantly hooked.

Until then, I had no idea that such a super-filthy genre even existed in the world. The delicately drawn men and women were engaging in incredible things on the screen, and the girl in particular was being mercilessly abused. Criticized, bound, her face flushed with shame—

Even after swiping through the pages, my heart wouldn’t stop racing.

'N-I'm not into it at all, but I guess I'll buy another one like it…'

In the beginning, I was too ashamed, firmly denying my kink, yelling I’m not a pervert!, all while secretly becoming a connoisseur of smut manga every night—for the record, it was only barely R-18. In that sense, both the author and I were constantly testing the boundaries of what was acceptable.

As my experience accumulated, the resolution of my fetish grew sharper.

NTR was impossible. Anything that made me too sad also hurt my heart, so that was also a no (just for me, anyway).

Above all, even when the heroine was being abused, there had to be genuine love and care present.

After finding several favorites, stepping on a few landmines, and establishing my strike zone, I became even more impressed with the first manga I'd read… and eventually, I found myself thinking: I want to be like the heroine in this manga, I want this to be me now!

I wanted to be messed up completely and then gently pampered with 'good job.'

I wanted to be given ample amounts of both a carrot and a stick.

I wanted someone whom I could trust enough to expose my entire perverse nature to—

That's why it made me so incredibly happy.

The fact that Imashino-kun indulged my selfishness. The fact that he became Master.

That he accepted everything about me by scolding and spoiling me.

…

…Maybe that is the fundamental core of my D.M. desire.

That night, above the sea off Yokohama. The grand cruise ship owned by Nawagami was the venue for the current banquet.

Conversing over drinks seems to be essential for adults. To me, it seems only like a waste of human energy and money. I've been thinking, I want to go home now, about a hundred times already.

Compared to being here, helping out with the Student Council work is infinitely more fun.

Atori-san mostly eats snacks, Hachisuka-san is secretly watching anime or a stream.

And Imashino-kun, not saying a word, even looking amused, just diligently does his work—

The memory made me sad again, and I bitterly resented my own foolishness alongside it.

…If I had just prepared for the possibility that my sister would show up, things wouldn't have come to this.

"I said that if you leave the banquet venue, you must take someone with you."

Splash. As soon as I thought about her, she spoke abruptly as I was lying by the pool with an open view.

Speak of the devil, she appeared again. The root of all evil, a demon, a heartless woman…!

"Like your running away, your capriciousness causes unnecessary manpower to be used. Try to have some self-awareness."

"Hmph. You should be grateful that I even bothered to show up!"

"…Couldn't you find a more modest swimsuit?"

"! Annoying, annoying, annoying! What, did you come here just to scold me, or to torment me? If so, I've had enough! How much more do I have to suffer until you’re satisfied?"

I was the only one lingering here, and yet she was even complaining about my exposed skin.

Genetically angered, I purposefully ran my hand over my thigh as I lashed out.

"This sister who causes so much trouble must be deeply aggravating to you, huh?… You hate me? Well, don't worry, I hate you too. I don't even want to look at your face anymore!"

It was a sultry night. Maybe because we were out on the sea, a lukewarm wind gusted strongly past me.

"…The matter with Imashino. I admit that I was wholly in the wrong."

Eh?

A voice so faint it seemed impossible it belonged to my sister. Words that seemed utterly impossible coming from my sister, in fact, were what I received in reply.

"I was originally scheduled to live with you. Without any sort of butler or attendant."

"Huh? Wait a minute, what are you talking about all of a sudden?"

"However, my ability to live permanently in Japan was nullified due to a new project. It was completely unexpected, but in that case, an agent had to be appointed—and here, another problem arose."

"…W-What problem?"

"I simply couldn't find anyone I was fully satisfied with."

I had planned to plunge into the pool and swim to release stress.

But now, I couldn't bring myself to walk away from my older sister, the one I had just yelled every curse word at.

"What if the person dispatched by the agency had malicious intent? What if a butler already on staff had evil thoughts? And most importantly… I couldn't be satisfied with merely a 'safe' person. It is unbearable for the one walking behind Seren to be dim-witted or graceless."

"Th-That's overprotective!… I don't understand that, and it's gross!"

And stop this, now. Why, at this point in time, are you finally bringing this up?

"Eventually, if the perfect person I desired didn't exist, I thought that at least someone who could benefit Seren—someone who was equally outstanding, honest, and earnest, who could walk with Seren to even greater heights—if such a person existed, it might relieve some of the constraints placed on you. Imashino, the person you suggested, was perfect from that perspective."

"………………"

"…The other two sisters and I likely had no particular dissatisfaction with this situation. But Seren, you were different. You have always hated confinement, and despite being the most gifted among us sisters, the thing you likely wanted to do most with that ability was to please Mother, Father, and those around you."

As I listened, a stinging sensation came up in my nose.

…Why didn't you say those things sooner?!

"I know your disappointment when that wasn't possible, and your subsequent aversion to the Nawagami family itself. I feel regretful for binding you. That’s why, when I found out you trusted Imashino Seishirou, I was happy. In a way, I was even moved by the fact that such a person existed at Seren's side."

"Then why… why can't he and I—"

"No."

Her immediate rejection elicited a far deeper understanding than I had about her behavior ten minutes ago.

Because she, Sayuki Onee-chan, truly cared about me—

"—Happy birthday, Nawagami-san."

Right after I heard the words 'Happy Birthday,' his face entered my line of sight.

Ah, there he is again…

I'm so glad he's my Master, I couldn't help but think.

Because he, walking purposefully towards us, was neither in a butler suit nor his school uniform.

Unlike me, who couldn't speak, Sayuki-nee's first words came quickly.

"Clothes make the man, they say. That tuxedo suits you well enough."

"Then I’m relieved. It’s my first time wearing a suit, so I wasn't entirely sure, just like with the regular butler suit."

"Hmm, I see. Now, how did you manage to get here…?"

Immediately after the brief small talk to ease the tension, the conversation transitioned into the interrogation phase.

"Naturally, I didn't send an invitation to Imashino."

"You are correct. So, I brazenly made the request myself."

"…That Mononobe."

Sayuki-nee figured it out instantly, clicking her tongue in weary frustration.

"Even though I selected you. Are you that attached to the status of exclusive butler?"

"Yes."

"Is that due to your original reason, for your sister? Or is it now… because the other party is Seren?"

Upon asking, Sayuki-nee moved to block my view of her, interposing herself between me and Seren as if to hide her.

The action was flawless, like a samurai. She was once again directing that chilling hostility at me, like yesterday.

Despite that, Imashino-kun was completely unflustered and faced her with a determined expression.

"If I were to say my decision wouldn't be overturned no matter what? Would you elope with Seren?"

"No. I will persistently convince you until you agree."

"…I suspected this before, but Imashino, are you an idiot?"

Sayuki-nee responded to his reply with a skeptical expression.

"After confirming that indecent situation, why would you possibly think I would sanction your relationship? And yet, you expect me to discuss it with you?… Look, at least be consistent with your actions. If you came to steal Seren from me, you wouldn't resort to subterfuge and you'd just—"

"Sayuki-san."

Interrupting her, I slowly shook my head.

"I won't take her away. Because you truly cherish Seren."

"!!"

Sayuki-nee’s face twisted in an emotional manner for the first time.

…If this was all a 'pretense,' I felt like I could be completely fooled and let it go.

That's how fiercely she was glaring at me, and how genuinely she was worrying about me.

"If you truly cared only for the family’s name, you would never have allowed Seren-san to move out and live alone. No, perhaps it goes back even further than that. You could have delegated your sister's care to someone else and simply forced her to comply when a problem arose."

"Be silent."

"Sayuki-san must have been caught between a rock and a hard place: the mission to train Seren to be a person worthy of the Nawagami name, and the emotional urge to prioritize your sister’s happiness. Even I don't want to fight with someone like that."

In the middle of his speech, abruptly.

Sayuki-nee grabbed him by the lapels and shoved him back to the very edge of the pool.

"What do you know about me?!"

"N-No, don't, Onee-cha—"

"Seren, be quiet!"

The blatant shout was also likely something I'd never experienced before.

"If you had just refused Seren’s invitation… If it had remained a healthy professional relationship, or even an age-appropriate normal one, I wouldn't have reached this point… Damn it, what in the world is all of this?!"

It was like a fighting match. The moment Imashino-kun relaxed his grip even slightly, he'd be pushed into the pool. But he knew that and yet still chose not to overpower her. He maintained an earnest posture, keeping to the position of supplicant.

That was one of the qualities I respected in him, or rather… one of the things I love about him.

"…Hmph."

After pinning him against the wall, my sister abruptly released her grip on his collar.

"You wouldn't have come without some confidence in your approach. Since this is our final talk, I’ll play along and listen to your absurdity."

"Gah… Th-Thank you very much…!"

Waiting for him to fully regain his breath.

After a deliberate silence, Imashino-kun said, with a very serious face:

"Sayuki-san—Would you please watch a demonstration of a role-playing session between Seren-san and me right here?"

"……………………………… Huh?!"

The two voices chimed perfectly, and then—

Nawagami-san, who had been listening intently, stalked over to me.

In one hand, she carried a giant flotation ring that was resting nearby, and for some reason—

"Y-Y-You total pervert! What the hell are you suggesting?!"

"Whoa!"

She started flailing the ring at me as if it were a massive club. And she even called me a pervert!

"C-Calm down, Nawagami-san. I'm not joking. I’m completely serious."

"The fact that you're serious is even worse!… But, I mean, demonstrate what?"

"Well, my Sadistic side, and your Masochistic side, of course."

"Oh, no, it's hopeless. Imashino-kun has completely broken! (Despair)"

Nawagami-san exuded a gloomy despair, somehow reminiscent of winter, despite being in a swimsuit.

Not only that, but Sayuki-nee looked thoroughly bored, directing an expression of disbelief at me.

"If that's your final plan, I can only assume you’ve lost your mind. What will happen if I watch? More importantly, do you really think I would stay silent through the whole thing?"

"Yes, exactly. That's why… if you find it unwatchable, please stop us."

"You would tolerate a physical blow? Are you serious about this?… Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I stand by my words. In that case, please—Now, come here."

The two of them recoiled simultaneously, but I ignored it and spoke to Nawagami-san.

"C-Come here? Are you kidding me? Are you really going to start this in front of my sister?"

"Don't worry. I had Mononobe-san arrange for people to clear out the area, so no one else will intrude."

"That's not the point! Even I have limits in this kind of situation!"

"I know, I understand how you feel, but—"

"Plus, it all depends on my sister's mood! If she just decides 'This is over,' it’ll be done. That's not a negotiation, that's just arbitrary! It makes no sense to do this, there's no reason—"

…Nawagami-san ranted, complaining vehemently. And every word she spoke was completely valid.

It would be bad enough if it were meaningless, but exposing our shameful secrets for all to see…

I fully agreed with her, but… that's exactly why there were things that could be communicated.

The true nature of Nawagami-san and me.

Whether our relationship would simply look like an lewd encounter, or something else.

"—Seren."

"*"

"My first command. Come to my side."

Switching immediately to my Master mode, I pressured Nawagami-san.

I whispered this to her in the same cold tone she loved, a voice reserved only for her.

I knew that when I did this, Nawagami-san would willingly comply.

"…I-I got it… Ugh~~///"

See? Just as I expected.

A little distance away, Sayuki-san stood with her arms crossed and a grim look.

Nawagami-san was squirming but standing right by me.

She didn't seem quite switched on yet, so I decided to start with some light banter.

"That swimsuit. Why did you choose it?"

"Eh? Wh-What are you talking about…? T-There's no specific reason. It was just an arbitrary pick."

"—That’s a lie. The truth?"

"*"…Since I'd be alone anyway, I figured I'd choose a naughty one to indulge myself…!///"

"You hate being stared at by others, but you like the way you look while wearing it, don't you?"

"I-If you know that, then please, j-just stop! Hehh…♥♥"

—Good. She seems sufficiently worked up, even with her sister watching.

And, of course, I wouldn't stop staring. I gazed at her swimsuit-clad body intently.

Despite eating so much ice cream, her waist was elegantly contoured, and the feminine, cute bikini was hugging Nawagami-san's soft curves. It was beautiful and, as she said, genuinely sexy.

"Um, hello!"

"…Do you hate being seen by me, too?"

"N-No, I don't! But, somehow…!"

As always, Nawagami-san’s face was beet red, and her replies were disjointed.

"Somehow, the swimsuit itself is actually more embarrassing…!///"

"*"

"…///"

"It suits you."

Satisfied with her reaction, I muttered that and then moved behind Nawagami-san.

At the same time, I pulled out a paper case from my inner pocket, grasping 'that' item stored inside.

"Look up."

"?"

"You wanted this, didn't you? —It's a gift, Seren."

As I slowly fastened the choker around her neck, letting her get accustomed to it, she immediately—

"~~~~!!♥♥"

Nawagami-san's face was a mixture of joy and embarrassment, like a shake-up of emotions.

"…I will treasure it."

"—…Yes, I know you will."

She was so purely honest that I slipped back into my usual self for a moment.

She seemed to love it, and above all, I was relieved to have been able to give it to her.

However—I still had something left to do.

"Now—it affects you a lot when I talk right into your ear, doesn't it?"

"Y-Yes, it affects me a lot! It feels so good! I'm getting shivers…♥♥"

She seemed to be utterly melted, her ears flushed, nodding enthusiastically.

The words appropriate for her state right now just flowed out of me, without a moment's thought.

"Being aggressively stared at in your swimsuit, given a choker. That you love getting criticized and then spoiled, completely overwhelming you, right? It makes you feel so fulfilled, doesn't it?"

"Yes! It's so comfortable! It's the best…♥"

"Is that so? That makes me happy, but—Are you truly okay with this?"

I briefly extended my hand toward Sayuki-san to indicate that she wasn't alone.

"………………………"

I felt like her expression was one of displeasure. I was hesitant to examine her closely, and what's more, the lighting around her was faint, so I couldn't clearly discern her reaction. But she hadn't stopped us yet.

I had supposedly surrendered the initiative to Sayuki-san, but she remained standing with her arms crossed.

Though it might have been presumptuous, I took advantage of the situation and focused on Nawagami-san again.

"—You are exposing your true D.M. self even though your sister is watching."

I delivered a gentle verbal prod, and Nawagami-san instantly bit her lip, looking anguished.

"Th-That's Master's order…////"

"What about the truth?"

"!"

This might only be my conjecture, so I had to ask her directly.

"Isn't it because it's Sayuki-san, and not just some stranger, that you feel you can reveal your true self?"

'—Because it's you, and not some indifferent stranger…'

That's what Nawagami-san had said when she asked me to be her Master.

She always put so much importance on who the person was, and that’s why—

"You don't hate Sayuki-san. Even though you argue verbally, you want to be understood by her, right?"

"…" This time Nawagami-san was silent, but she didn't refute me either.

"—…I’m right here with you, so come on."

Placing my hands on both her shoulders for support, I waited for her words.

The truth that can only be spoken because everything has been laid bare. Her feelings for Sayuki-san.

"Sayuki Onee-chan…I want you to approve of the relationship between Imashino-kun and me…Not only that… I want to talk to you more, Onee-chan…Because… until now, we haven't even done that!"

Even after finishing, Nawagami-san's body trembled for a while.

Honestly—the fact that I was fired as an exclusive butler, yeah, that's fine.

Even if I was stripped of my Master status, I could barely endure it.

But I realized that the conflict between the two of them was something I couldn't allow to remain.

Because conversations are often the only way for things to be conveyed.

"—…Sayuki-san, please!"

This time, I was the one who shouted. I felt like the water in the pool rippled for a moment.

If you say family relationships should be cherished… then they aren't an exception.

And then, Sayuki-san, who had heard our words, walked toward us—

"…Imashino."

She spoke with a gentle tone that had been absent until now.

"If you were simply treating Seren as a pressure valve for your desires, I would have thrown you out immediately—But that's not what happened. You faced Seren until the end as an individual. And Seren accepted that, showing a side of herself she would never reveal to me or anyone else."

As she spoke, I anxiously swallowed, waiting for the verdict.

"There were various intentions involved. To make Seren confess her true feelings, to reveal your relationship without concealment… but the common thread is your sincerity toward me."

"…"

Nawagami-san was as nervous as I was; we simply waited for her next words.

"………………………"

"U-Um, Sayuki-san?"

"Onee-chan…?"

I thought at first that she was deep in thought.

But that was wrong.

"But! H-Having witnessed this firsthand, I can't possibly nod my approval so easily!"

Sayuki-san's expression, which had been dimly visible before, was now perfectly clear.

The usual sharp look had fractured, and her cheeks were trembling and flushed deep red—

"Um, Sayuki-san, are you… blushing?"

"! That is absolutely not the case! What nonsense are you talking about? Do you want me to strike you down?!"

She snapped at me, and immediately the direction of her attention changed from me to Nawagami-san.

"…Seren! I'll make time again tomorrow. There, I will listen to your true feelings, your grievances, and everything you’ve bottled up. And of course, I will expect you to explain the details of your relationship! Do you understand?!"

"Y-Yes…"

Sayuki-san swept her bangs back, but her face remained thoroughly red.

Finally, she sent a soft glare my way and said:

"…I will just say this: If you ever make my sister cry, I will make you cry, Imashino."

"Agh—well, tears of shame are certainly possible, or rather, likely—"

"Be quiet now, you!"

With that, Sayuki-san marched away, following the path I had taken to arrive.

And that meant that Nawagami-san, still in a rather sexy swimsuit, and I were now alone.

"…Considering her last tone, do you think she’ll revoke your firing, Imashino-kun…?"

"I hope so. But for now, if she’s agreed to give you a chance to talk, then I—"

In the middle of my sentence, Nawagami-san turned back and hugged me tightly.

…This was the first time I’d ever been hugged by someone outside my family, so naturally, I was embarrassed.