Have you settled in?

Yes.

　Kotone nodded to herself as a smiling Douglas offered her a drink.
　Right now, Kotone was sitting beside Yuto, making her body smaller.
　After that, as they were talking, Kotone became more and more calm, and finally seemed to understand that what she was doing was insane, and Douglas did a good job of helping her out when she started to get upset in the middle.
　From the beginning, Douglas was jovial and light-hearted, but he's very good at communicating in this area, and he doesn't push the other person any further than necessary to have a conversation.
　Yuto also looked at Douglas with admiration beside him, and he also sensed something like an adult's composure.
　He might just be a............pedophile.

''Um........I'm sorry.

'Oh well, I don't care, I don't care. That's just your cheering brother's worry getting a little out of control, right?　That's just the way it is sometimes. And you don't care about that either, right?　Mr. Du Du.

Oh, yes. I don't mind it at all.

　Yuto also made a smile to match Douglas, but Kotone gave Yuto a stern look, but he looked forward without saying anything.

''Haha... (For some reason, I get the feeling you hate me so much.)''

　Alvaro snorted in a whisper, "You kids...." and Bagatl looked at Kotone as he licked her face.

''Well, that's good, it's a good exchange to have someone from Sanzenin's house even come to visit us. I'd like to hear about all sorts of things about your brother, too!

　Julian shouted happily and turned his body against Kotone.
　Kotone turned her eyes to Julian in alarm.

'If you're trying to get information about your brother, it's no use. There is nothing for me to tell you. Besides, there is no one who would be an enemy to your brother if I knew about it.''

"Wow, I didn't know that Sanzenin Mizushige is that strong. I've only heard about him through rumors.

　Julian responds happily, but Alvaro laughs uncomfortably.

'Keh!　What a load of crap!　I'm talking about a bunch of kids who like their people!　From what I've heard, you're not even part of an institution and you don't leave your house at all. Well, are you getting on top of it after beating those qualifying minnows?

Kukku ... your brother in-law.

　Kotone laughed quietly as he took a look at her petulant attitude towards Mizushige.

''I doubt you guys can measure up to your brother to the degree you do.

Huh?

　When Alvaro's blood climbs to his head at Kotone's gesture, Alvaro gets killed, and Julian interrupts him in a dumbfounded manner.

''Oh well, don't react to every single thing. You're not going to get anywhere. You're a very old man, you're just the same person you say you're going to beat up on the small fry.

"!　Teh, dude, I can make you re-injure yourself here.

If you can do it. But that would disqualify you from the festival, though. If you don't mind, I'll join you. I'll call it self-defense.

.....

　Julian snickers at Alvaro's flowing eyes and turns his head to Kotone.

''But you know, I've heard rumors about that amazing brother of yours, but I've never heard anything about his achievements. So.............like a tale of heroism. Well, I guess I'm with you on that one, I'm not a member of any institution, so I don't even have a rank. Anyway, I'm going to get to see how well you can do in the tournament starting tomorrow, that big brother you speak of.

Do what you want. You're not even a concern to your brother.

Huh?

Ho.....

　Alvaro also leaked out a killing spirit from Bagatl at this statement from Kotone, but Kotone felt the pressure and acted stoutly despite the pressure.

''In fact, your brother looks bored. Perhaps he thought so when he saw participants like you guys.''

　While saying that, Kotone looked at Masato next to her for a moment, feeling uncomfortable with her words.
　Yes.........Mizushige is not the kind of person who would care for others. However, only this boy is causing a reaction to this boy that has never been seen before.
　From Kotone's point of view, Yuto looks like a somewhat unreliable boy.
　He is not the kind of person that his brother would care about, I think. Of course, he's an able-bodied person who won this morning's battle royale, so he's probably not completely without ability.

(There's no way your brother would care about someone like this. I must have been paying too much attention to him.)

　At this time, Yuto remembered the time when he and Mizushige had exchanged words, though only for a moment.
　And he still remembers the unique feeling he felt from Mizushige at that time. It was like the pressure you receive when you are facing a master.
　From that instantaneous feeling, Masato knew that Mizushige was a very capable person.

You're right. I'm kind of looking forward to it!　But you know ... it's funny when your brother thinks about it too.

　Kotone reacts to Julian's mannerisms with a jerk.

''... what is it?''

'Because just when you think that such a great brother is finally coming out on the stage, he joins this festival held by Shitenji?　What?　After all, even though it's a famous family's Sanzenin, I thought you wanted the name of the Fourth Temple.

'Ha!　That's right!　You're making a big deal out of messing around, but at the end of the day, you're just like us!　You're a reclusive brother.

Kukuku...

'What?　No, no!　Your brother isn't interested in that stuff!

''Hmmm, but if you win this big festival, it means you'll be invited into Shitenji, right?　Doesn't that also mean abandoning the three thousandth house?　It's from the same famous family of spirit users, and I guess that means they thought Shitenji's was better than theirs. I do, by the way. I think that's what they're here for, more or less. Hey, isn't that what you guys are doing, too?

Of course. I wouldn't be attending this stupid festival if I didn't!　When you have the name Shitenji, most things are forgiven. And you can be the head of the family, right?　Anyone can join if they're good enough. The money is free, the women are free, and it comes with the possibility of jumping into the heart of the institution if you get it right. Really, I can't stop laughing!

What else is there?

''Money and women........ Oh, you guys.........this Grand Festival is also about having a household with Mizuho-sama's.......daughter of the Shitennji family!　Do you know what that means!

　Kotone retorts to the men's comments with such disgust that she wants to throw up.

''Hahaha!　Are you nuts?　Little girl. That's just a formality.　You can't seriously play honeymoon with a kid like that.　Shitenji just wanted to have a good offspring, so he held a festival like this, just to impregnate them anyway!　You're a member of the House of Sanzenin, aren't you?　I think you know what you're doing, don't you?　Well you're my precious wife in a way, I'll educate you to my liking.

Phew....

　Alvaro raises the corners of his mouth, and Bagatl drops his dark eyes that peek out of his ragged hair and licks his tongue.

''.........!

　Kotone stared at the men as if she was speechless with the utmost displeasure.
　Kotone, as the daughter of the Sanzenin family, has been carefully raised by them.
　And she understands that she will never have the freedom to fall in love and be with the person she wants to be with. And I understand that I will never be able to have a free love and be with the person I want.
　I just follow the form of marriage to a man who is approved by the Sanzenin family.
　That's why Kotone has decided to keep looking at the man she is most attracted to until then.
　It just happened to be her own brother, Mizushige.
　
　I understand.
　The fact that there is no such thing as an adoption based on the premise of love for me at the point of being born into the family of an ability called Sanzenin.
　But now, Kotone's insides are not only uncomfortable with these men who can so blatantly speak without an ounce of heart or compassion to the person who would be their partner if they survived this great festival, but she is also trapped in the same woman's unemotional feelings towards Mizuho, who can be said to be in the same situation.
　Perhaps it was also a deep sense of despair that she gained from overlapping her own future.

(I grew up seeing men like your brother up close and personal, which made me more unhappy... well, happy. I can live with those memories alone. But what about you, Mizuho-san........

　Kotone was covered in anger and despair, but she couldn't help but imagine how Mizuho was feeling right now.
　Because of that.......at this time, Kotone didn't notice until the mood of the boy sitting right beside her had changed. That the strength of the two hands that the boy held in front of his face had increased.
　Seeing Kotone's pained expression, which was still very young, Douglas, who was frowning, raised his voice in a curious manner.

''Hey, hey, I'm not...''

"Ha, don't be a good boy, Douglas Guns. There's no other reason for you to be at the big game except for that!　Hey!　Hey there, [Walking Fortress]!

　At the back of the lounge beyond where Alvaro, who has raised his voice, turns his head, there is Victor Bakration, who has the dual name of 【Walking Fortress】, who is crossing his legs and drinking vodka.
　Victor Bakration doesn't reply to Alvaro's question, but sits up from the sofa that looks small due to his huge body.

''........''

　

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. It's only a forceful wooden figure.

　When Alvaro clucked his tongue boringly, Julian managed to turn his head to Kotone, who was sitting tall and stout.

''So, don't tell me you really want a wife?　Your brother. Oh!　Speaking of which, I overheard, was it that Mizuho-san before?　I heard your blind date broke up. So this is revenge for that, huh?　If that's the case, it's a wake up call~

'What?　Oh, really?　So, you got dumped?　Haha!　That's a great reason to come out!　Blah, blah, blah, blah.

No.　.....

　Kotone's face changed color, but she kept her mouth shut.
　He strongly felt that he didn't even want to exchange words with these vile people anymore.
　It was no longer a waste of time to be here.
　He was supposed to have only chased after the suspicious boy next to him, Dou Dou Dou Yuhin, but he only suffered from the other participants making fun of his brother, and he was left with nothing but frustration because he couldn't talk back to them well.
　The fact that he couldn't defend his brother.......that was the only thing that made his eyes water with regret, but Kotone was about to leave the place.

(Enough........your brother is the one who will take them all down anyway. It was stupid of me to get even a little bit involved with these people. (Really.......crap)

Yeah, this is really crap.

"...and...?

　Suddenly, Kotone was surprised to see the boy next to him raise his low but core voice and turned his head. Moreover, you can even feel the strength and presence from that boy who had an unreliable appearance.
　But the content of the words that were uttered........Kotone clenched her fists.

''An?　What's going on?　And it's so obvious now...

(This ... this ... man!　It's impossible for our brother to react to a guy like this...!

Not true. You're the ones who are shitty. You don't know what you're talking about. You don't know what you're talking about. Nothing is funny.

...What?

　Kotone's clenched fists loosen.
　Julian looks at Yuto with a joyful face and grins.

''Huh!　What are you talking about?　You're....

'You still don't get it, do you?　I'm sorry, but that means you guys aren't going to survive this big festival.

"Kukkuu ... are you crazy?　Kid.

I'll let you guys know.

　

''.........!
!

　Kotone didn't miss the fact that Alvaro and Bagatl were frightened for a moment by that alone.
　Kotone turned her attention to the profile of Yuto ni. Then she felt a kind of pressure that made it hard for her to breathe to be here herself, and her hands began to sweat.
　This........Kotone didn't understand at this time that this was the same feeling as when he encountered a powerful enemy of a higher rank when exchanging lives.
　But those with abilities other than Kotone sensed it sensitively.
　Julian raised the corners of his mouth and Douglas narrowed his eyes.
　At the sign of Yuto's presence, all of them except Kotone entered a combat stance without changing their posture.
　Now, as Yuto takes in the sight of this place turning into a tense battlefield, he continues to speak without regard to the tense atmosphere of the place.

''First of all, have you guys forgotten who the organizer of this festival is?　It's that Shitenji. You'd better get that into your head again.

....

　No one responds........no, they can't.
　Even Kotone's body just froze and she could only listen to the words of Yuto beside her. The only thing that comes across is that this boy is angry right now. Kotone didn't know what in the world he was so angry about.
　All she could hear was the masked participants piling up nibbles and liquor at the counter, grumpily requesting another drink.

''And ... do you remember the requirements to participate in this grand festival and be invited into Shitenji?　After winning everything, the last person you'll have to deal with is Mizuho Shitenji. You shouldn't lick her too much. It won't be easy to beat her.

　When Yuto huffed and laughed, everyone there reacted in their own way.
　Alvaro and Bagatl just gritted their teeth as if they were choking, Julian was enjoying himself, and Douglas was staring at Yuto with his hand on his chin.
　And Kotone was puzzled by the pressure coming from Yuto, by the unearned fear and the atmosphere that was so far removed from her first impression.

(Ko, what is this guy........?)

''If you participated in this big festival, you should go and find out a little bit about this person called Shitendera Mizuho. If she approves you in any way, you'll marry her, right?　I don't deny that I want the name Shitennji, but that would be too disrespectful to her, to the woman.

(...what?)

　Kotone's eyes widened.

(This guy........just to say this, he got angry.......?

'Well, what I wanted to say is that this big festival is about finding a man that Mizuho-san approves of. You must not forget this. If you are just throwing your power around, even a gangster can do it. I think you should at least have the room to think about your opponent.

　When he finished, Yuto smiled.
　Instantly, the air eased and Alvaro and Bagatl breathed quietly and heavily.
　And Kotone even felt a sense of release.
　Then, Alvaro and Bagatl stood up to each of them.

''Tch ... the blue brat.''

　That's all Alvaro spat out in a small way and left the lounge. Following him, Bagatolu also walked out in silence.
　Yuto looked away from it and sighed.

''Huh~''

(I was trying to keep a low profile and gather information for the purpose of covert action but I did it unintentionally. (I'm surprisingly emotional, aren't I?

　Beside Yuto, Kotone is staring at Yuto, who for some reason is slumping his shoulders as if looking at a strange creature.

''Fufufu........Haha!　Wow, you're amazing, Du Du!　And scary. Oh, well, I saw a good one, so I guess I'll go home.　And just like you said, Dou Dou Dou-kun, I'll look into Shitenji Mizuho a bit more. See you tomorrow!

　Julian left, still beaming, and Douglas said he was leaving too, and patted Yuto on the shoulder.

''Dou Dou-kun!　You're good!　I'm with you on this one, Du Du!　Bye.

　He said and left.

"...and...

....

　Only Yuto and Kotone are left on the couch seat.
　Kotone sipped her drink while still looking at Masato, who was still feeling depressed, with a sideways glance. There was no scary oppressive feeling from the current Yuto earlier, and if anything, she only felt unreliable.

''........Mr. Dou Dou Dou.

"...what?　Oh, Mr. Sanzenin?　What?

I need to ask you one question.

?

''I got the feeling that Mr. Dou Dou Dou was angry. Angry at what........what was he so angry about?

'What..................... Anyone would be mad if someone said that about a girl they knew like that. And to be honest, it was incredibly offensive.

''......... Do you know each other?　With Mizuho.

Yeah, we're classmates. We've done some commissions together.

So you joined in?

Well, I guess so.

....

That means he likes you.............

"...Mr. Du Du, I'm sorry.

　Suddenly, Yuto is surprised when Kotone bows his head to him.

''I........I guess I misunderstood you. I didn't know you were a suspicious person........

"...Oh!　Don't worry about it, I don't mind it either!

　Unintentionally, Kotone couldn't help but smile when she saw Yuto showing signs of panic.

''Then........I'll leave too.

Yeah, have a good day, okay?

Okay so...

　Bailing to Yuto, Kotone stood up and headed towards the exit, feeling that the heavy feeling she had earlier had become light as if it were a lie.
　Then...............Bang!　The door to the lounge opened with a loud bang, and the loud voice of a girl in Chinese clothing rang out.

'I know you're here!　Peeping Tom!　Give up!

　Suddenly, Huang Qiu Hua appears and looks around the lounge with both eyes fished up and sniffing around the lounge.
　Both Yuto and Kotone are surprised and focus their attention on this girl.
　Right now, the only people in the lounge were Kotone and Yuto.......and a few people sitting in the back.

(Huh?　(No one was at the counter.)

What's going on?

　When Kotone speaks to Akika, Akika tells her to step on the ground.

''It's not like that!　I was just taking a shower and there was this guy with these disgusting eyes that were peeking out!　Coo!　Just look at my ballsy skin!　I won't let you go for free!

　The unexpected event makes Yuto stutter as well as an extraordinary person.

''Yeah!　Peeping Tom!　What a miscreant....................hmm?　From ... outside ... outside?

　Katt, Kotone turned back to Yuto with murderous eyes.
　Yuto huffed as he received her eyes.

''Yeah!　No!　It wasn't me!

Mr. Du Du you are a man.

'What?　...Is it him?　Hmmm ... nice nerve.

　Kotone's body trembling with wannabe wannabes and Akihana wearing an aura of death.

''That's why it's different!

　After that, Yuto was slapped and accused as hard as he could by the two of them.
　The misunderstanding was cleared up about an hour later when they found out that Yuto had already entered the mansion at the time of the peeps.......