“My, my…… you have a very different personality than I’d heard, Cerecia-chan. In front of beloved Ouga-kun, you wear a cat-mask, it seems.”
Thanks, Reina! For breaking the air first!
In this air, the first to move was, as expected, the experienced Reina.
As the reliable former Council President.
“In front of Onii-sama I want to be the ideal sister.”
“And behind the scenes, you eliminate obstacles like this?”
“No.”
”……?”
Different from expected, Reina raised an eyebrow.
What does she mean? The attitude toward Ouga. The timing of the call. Her opening line. The logical conclusion is jealous-sister-overload……
“I said at the start. Things decided while I was away.”
“Right. So you don’t accept us, the ones who took Ouga-kun.”
“Wrong. I continued — the person must be able to make Onii-sama happy.”
“Ah……”
She did say that.
So we jumped to conclusions……?
“Father must have anticipated this and excluded me. Foolish — I understand Onii-sama best.”
”…… Truly?”
“I’ve watched Onii-sama’s hardships up close. The insults he received, the contempt — I saw it all. He overcame trials I couldn’t bear.”
…… I recalled Ouga’s story about Cerecia.
She’d follow him anywhere, he’d said happily.
So she felt Ouga’s treatment most keenly.
She saw his suffering closest of anyone.
That’s why she pours such love onto him, respects him, and shoulders the unenviable role behind his back.
“Onii-sama may be happy. No — he must be. I won’t let anyone I don’t approve of break that.”
Her unwavering gaze fixed on one person.
“Especially someone who betrayed him and now returns — I cannot tolerate. Whatever the circumstances.”
Aimed at Karen. She’d been engaged, but it was broken due to his magic-aptitude — past.
But that was Karen’s father; Karen always thought of Ouga.
She shouldn’t be condemned — before I could argue, Karen herself spoke first.
”…… Right. I’m the convenient woman who abandoned Ouga once and returned when he succeeded. Fair to think so.”
“If you understand, leave the room. Voluntary withdrawal is also important.”
”…… That’s the one wish I can’t grant. The past can’t be cleansed. What I did was clear betrayal. I should have stood my ground then…… I still dream of it.”
She clenched her fist regretfully.
Nails almost biting in, hard, hard. As if to crush her own regret.
…… Cerecia, Karen is no longer the meek one of old.
She’s changed for Ouga while you were gone.
“For wounds in the past, I’ll make him happy in the future. I won’t stop even after fully repaying with interest. I love Ouga more than you think, Cerecia. I won’t let go of the treasure of being told I love you by him.”
”…… Then show me. Your love for Onii-sama. Not just Lebetsenka — all of you.”
The sharp gaze pierced us.
“——Tell me. Convince me. Write your feelings for Onii-sama. Make me believe you will absolutely make him happy. Clear that, and I accept you all as his wives.”
”…………”
“From now…… a contest between me and you all over depth of love for Onii-sama. Defeat me. Then — I’ll acknowledge you as his wives.”
…… With Floné’s battle looming, to face an opponent this strong here.
Ouga, you’re too loved by your sister.
”…… But this time, you’ve picked bad targets, Cerecia.”
Here are people Ouga saved. Given hope by his kindness; dyed in him beyond rescue.
“I’ll be Ouga’s bride! Definitely!”
“Fufu, love for Ouga — my specialty. Your sister will accept me right away.”
“Sorry, ladies, but the primary wife is me; fight for second.”
"""…………"""
Sparks flew. Not between us and Cerecia, but among three of us.
…… Can’t let that pass. Now that we’ve all been proposed to, time to speak.
”…… Karen-san, you keep relegating us to second wife.”
“Just fact. I’m the official fiancée.”
“Fiancée status is light. The final decision is Ouga’s.”
”…… Ouga likes boobs bigger than thighs. Like mine.”
”…… Looks like there’s an order-of-resolution before me.”
“U-um…… everyone……?”
Sensing our murderous air, Cerecia tried to mediate.
Bodily trying to stop us — kind, like Ouga; but not the time.
I patted her head reassuringly.
“Relax, Cerecia-san. We won’t injure each other.”
“I’ll deal with you in detail later, wait a bit.”
“I’ll make her acknowledge my love for Ouga……!”
”…… These people are kinda crazy! Help! Onii-sama!!”
◇ Cerecia doesn’t know yet (how dangerous Ouga’s heroines are). ◇