◇ This chronologically comes before the kya-kya-uffu at the private beach. ◇
“Whew…… now we can finally rest for a while.”
A month had passed since the tumultuous Inter-Academy Magic Tournament.
In that time, we new-Council had been working flat-out — bone-tired every day, already a fond memory.
That’s because it had been officially announced the academy would close for an extended period.
The mass-murder case targeting magic-academy students orchestrated by [Floné the Lightning Strike]. And the slew of tragedies she committed in the past on Lamdarb Island.
The crimes don’t stop there. Her viciousness is beyond what ordinary people can fathom.
That [Floné the Lightning Strike] reigned as Headmistress of Royal Lichberg Magic Academy.
Naturally, the country launched a thorough investigation.
It’s hard to believe she’d leave traces, but not investigating wasn’t an option.
To search the academy thoroughly.
That’s reason one.
Reason two — mental care for current students.
After this incident, many leave-of-absence requests were submitted.
For sensible parents, leaving their beloved children where a mass murderer presided is naturally to be avoided.
Especially Royal Lichberg, where every student is noble-born. The impact is huge.
They can hire private tutors.
Inferior to the academy’s curriculum, but life over education is reasonable.
Floné, in hiding, could return to the academy at any time.
For those reasons, the school decided on a long break for students and a temporary closure.
We new-Council had just finished the final round of patrols.
“Going around everyone made me realize again — Lichberg is huge. From morning till noon……”
Karen laughed wryly.
If we’d split the work, it would have been faster.
But I’d requested we stay together as a group.
The reason is simple.
[Floné the Lightning Strike] recognizes me as an enemy.
From what Reina says, she considers me a dangerous factor.
On top of that, I stole one of her pieces — Reina.
So an attack could come any time.
In that case, the relatively-less combat-capable Karen is in danger. Leaving her alone would be folly.
With me, Mashiro, and Reina together, at worst, instant death wouldn’t happen.
“Sorry. But it’s the circumstances.”
“Ah, no! I didn’t mean that! And those words back then made me happy……”
”……?”
Karen’s voice trailed off; the last part I couldn’t catch.
Words back then…… meaning when I proposed acting as a group.
“Let’s all go look. I don’t want anyone taken from me.”
A boundless-cheer classmate who purifies even murky atmospheres.
A fiancée who emits I love you aura even understanding my preferences.
A teasing-skilled big sister who’s lately begun enjoying teasing me.
There’s no way I’m letting Floné take them.
For the sake of protecting the harem I’ve assembled, I’ll do anything.
I’d just said my honest feelings — nothing weird intended……
Well, fine. Before we adjourn, one thing to discuss.
I turned to Mashiro, who was leaning back in her chair——whoa, huge……
Because she was tilted fully back, her boobs jutted up making a tremendous statement.
The buttons threatening to fly off.
The uniform poor thing, bullied by big boobs…… no, that wasn’t it.
I tried not to look at her chest——impossible. They keep entering my field of view.
They say kids who eat well and sleep well grow…… is she — bigger than at enrollment?
…… Helpless. Let me just talk to the boobs.
“Mashiro. The matter — did your parents agree?”
“Yes~ I got please look after them back~”
”…… I see. Good then.”
The boobs are talking.
When Mashiro speaks, her chest moves up and down…… eh, ventriloquism?
“Fufu, Mashiro must be exhausted.”
Reina placed a teacup in front of her.
She’d brewed it while we talked.
The lovely scent as always.
“Karen’s serving…… Ouga-kun, here.”
“Thanks.”
I accepted, sat in my now-familiar Council President’s chair, and took a sip.
Whew…… Reina’s tea is delicious as ev——mn?
I felt a flavor difference. It was…… bitter? Stronger astringent……
“Fuwah~. Delicious~”
“Mn, very. Thank you, Reina.”
“You’re welcome, I wanted a break too.”
The two drinking the same thing showed no change.
Mashiro is fuzzy; Karen isn’t masking her face…… which means.
“Oh? Something the matter, Ouga-kun?”
The culprit was Reina, whose eyes weren’t smiling at all.
…… Ahh, she noticed me staring at Mashiro’s boobs. No doubt.
She’s angry about it, then.
“No, nothing.”
I downed Reina’s tea (punishment) and asked for another.
“Another, please?”
”…… Understood. I’ll brew it with proper love this time.”
So my contrition had been received.
From those words, the usual delicious Reina-tea will arrive.
The bitterness still lingered, but thanks to it, my consciousness was off boobs and back on reality.
“Then, as previously communicated — Mashiro, I’ll guide you to Veret territory. Pack your luggage on the wagon Alice has arranged.”
“Got it!”
A spirited reply, good.
There are separate circumstances — Mashiro is to stay with House Veret for a while.
It became clear Floné is targeting Mashiro.
With Reina’s testimony, no question: she wants Mashiro.
The reason — not something I’d have come up with.
[Reincarnation].
Just as my soul came to this world from another. Floné is trying to transfer her soul from her current body into a new one.
And the vessel that pleased her — Mashiro Liche.
A Dual Magic Caster, her talent had been targeted from enrollment.
Solid info from Reina’s testimony.
…… Enough of the dark talk.
The delicious tea would cool.
The Floné matter, we’ll talk through eventually.
In any case, I couldn’t let Mashiro return home easily.
If asked where to go, the safest place in this world is, without question, Veret territory.
And it’s not only Mashiro under protection.
“Everyone meeting at Ouga’s house. Like a sleepover party — I’m excited.”
Karen is to be sheltered in Veret territory as well.
Regarding her, when I visited House Lebetsenka recently to thank them for protecting Mashiro with Father, I asked directly.
“Let me protect Karen’s precious life too.”
His response — “Do as you like.” Permission granted.
Karen’s father may be changing since the Crown Prince incident.
Anyway, Karen also stays at our place, and the entire Council will share life at Veret for a while.
Of course, having Karen near for peace of mind is part of it.
But my real aim is different…… heh heh heh.
“More accurately, basically a sleepover. Just relax — enjoy it as that.”
“Yes! The previous pajama party was fun — let’s chat together with sweets again!”
“That sounds lovely. I’m looking forward to it too.”
The talk on how to spend the break was going well.
Watching the three chat cheerfully, I smirked inwardly — the plan was on track.
This world has no concept of four seasons, but lately heat’s been growing — basically what my past life called summer.
Summer opens people’s hearts and makes actions bold.
That is…… from a fun atmosphere, it isn’t unusual to enter that kind of mood.
Originally I had no intention of making moves until my harem grew further.
If I sought the ultimate, I’d want all cute girls in the world.
That’s the villain-thinking I’d had.
But having taken Reina in, I’ve already strayed from that path.
I keep the overwhelmingly talented Mashiro nearby, am engaged to the only daughter of one of the four ducal houses, and made a [Child Loved by the Gods]-tier mage my big sister.
There’s hardly anyone left who’d join the harem.
If such a person existed, she’d need either Reina-level resolve, or Alice-level fanatical devotion.
Either way, not easily found.
Lichberg, the meeting place, is closed. Boxed in.
So perhaps it’s time to step into the next phase.
Yes — my goal is…… to become an adult this summer……!