Now that Miyuki had officially sanctioned her relationship with Tatsuya, Minami had abandoned all restraint. Whether inside the house or out in public, she took every possible opportunity to shower Tatsuya with affection.
"Master Tatsuya, please... open wide."
"Now look, Minami... I can feed myself."
"Caring for you is my sacred mission! I cannot allow you to go through the unnecessary trouble of lifting a finger when I am right here..."
"I assure you, I am not so lazy that the act of eating feels like 'trouble,'" Tatsuya replied dryly.
"She's right, Minami-chan! How envi—I mean, it's exactly as Brother says!" Miyuki interjected, her voice wavering between a reprimand and pure envy.
Minami's dependency on Tatsuya had reached the point where she wanted to handle every facet of his existence. Given her history as a Modified Magician, it was perhaps inevitable that she would crave someone to lean on, but she had taken it to the extreme. It was practically a miracle that Miyuki's magic hadn't spiraled out of control yet, considering how shamelessly Minami was doting on him.
"If that is how you feel, Master Tatsuya..." Minami murmured, her shoulders slumping.
"Don't look so dejected. It's not as if I've grown tired of you."
"I understand... and yet, I find it unforgivable that I have caused you even a moment's annoyance..."
"I wouldn't call it 'annoyance.' I simply thought you were overdoing it a bit."
Tatsuya reached out and gently stroked Minami's hair to keep her from sinking into a pit of self-loathing. Until recently, receiving a head pat from Tatsuya within the walls of this house had been Miyuki's exclusive privilege. Now, that affection was being directed solely at Minami.
"Miyuki? Is something the matter?" Tatsuya asked, sensing his sister's gaze.
"N-no... it's nothing at all, Brother."
"...Good grief. I seem to have a very spoiled sister and an equally clingy girlfriend on my hands."
Tatsuya saw right through Miyuki's desires. Even though they shared a profound mental connection, Miyuki couldn't always read Tatsuya's thoughts—but Tatsuya could almost always decipher hers.
"Hmph..." Minami pouted.
Even though she had just been the recipient of his touch, she watched with a look of dissatisfaction as Tatsuya turned to pat Miyuki's head next. She couldn't very well defy her Master or her Mistress, so she was forced to settle for a silent, envious stare.
"Don't make that face, Minami," Tatsuya noted. "It's not as if I'm 'dating' Miyuki."
"That's right, Minami-chan," Miyuki added, her voice smooth but laced with a subtle barb. "Unlike you, I don't get to share a bath with Brother, nor do I sleep in his room."
The words were polite, but the underlying hostility was unmistakable. Pure jealousy and sharp territorialism—that was the nature of the emotion Miyuki was currently projecting toward Minami.
"And yet," Minami countered, "until I was stationed here, you had Master Tatsuya all to yourself, didn't you, Lady Miyuki? Even while the Head of the Family was forced to show restraint, you indulged yourself with his affection without a second thought. I don't believe you are in any position to criticize me."
"Calm down, both of you."
The air was thick with the scent of an imminent magical duel when Tatsuya's voice cut through the tension. No matter how much they might resent each other in the moment, neither girl was foolish enough to ignore a direct order from him. They both fell silent instantly.
"Can you two not try to get along? If you're going to act like this at home, I'll have to worry about how you behave in public. I might have to rethink our current arrangement."
"And... what would 'rethinking' it entail?" Miyuki asked timidly.
Tatsuya flashed a slightly wicked, mischievous grin.
"Let's see... I could leave all the Guardian work to Minami and quietly return to the Yotsuba main estate. Of course, that would mean I'd have to say goodbye to Minami, too."
""No! Absolutely not! Please don't say that, Brother (Master Tatsuya)!!""
"It was a joke," Tatsuya said, his tone softening. "I'm not so eager to throw my life away that I'd want to live in that place."
Even knowing it was a joke, the mere suggestion of losing him was more than they could bear. Seeing them both pale and prepare to cling to him in desperation, he quickly walked back the threat.
"But, if the two of you can harmonize your voices like that, I wish you'd try to do it more often in your daily lives."
"That was only because... because I thought you were leaving us," Miyuki whispered.
"Master Tatsuya, please do not joke about parting, even in jest... We have finally reached an understanding; to lose you now would be too much to endure..."
Tatsuya patted both their heads again, that same mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Tell you what. To help build some 'sisterly rapport,' why don't the two of you take a bath together tonight? I'll be in the basement, so take your time and bond."
"Wait—what? Brother!?"
"And he's gone..." Minami sighed as Tatsuya retreated. "Lady Miyuki, what shall we do?"
"Brother's word is absolute. Therefore, Minami-chan... we shall bathe together tonight."
"As you wish."
Miyuki could not defy Tatsuya's request, and Minami had no grounds to argue with her Mistress's decision. Thus, the two of them proceeded to the bathroom together in awkward silence.
"Say, Minami-chan."
"Yes?"
"Regarding what happens after this..."
Miyuki had obeyed Tatsuya's command, but that didn't mean she wasn't planning a little "retaliation" of her own. She leaned in and whispered a proposal to Minami. The suggestion was so enticing that Minami agreed to it without a moment's hesitation.
Tatsuya had finished his own bath and retreated to his room when he heard them approaching. He had already sensed them coming—he knew exactly what they were up to, but he decided to let it play out.
"Brother, it's Miyuki. May we come in?"
『You may. Minami is with you, I assume?』
"Yes. As expected of you, Master Tatsuya."
They both knew Tatsuya's sensory abilities made secrets impossible, but being "called out" still gave them a small thrill of surprise. However, they were convinced that what they were about to ask was something even Tatsuya hadn't predicted.
"What is it? It's late for the both of you to be here."
""Brother (Master Tatsuya), we have a request.""
"...And that is?"
Seeing them standing side-by-side, pleading in perfect unison, Tatsuya actually felt a slight sense of trepidation. He truly had no idea what was coming.
""Would you let us sleep here with you tonight?""
Tatsuya blinked, his reaction being—as usual—purely practical. "...Don't you think it'll be a bit cramped?"
It was a characteristically "Tatsuya" response. But when faced with both of them looking at him with such earnest, hopeful eyes, he found he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"If you don't mind the lack of space, then I don't mind either."
""Really!?""
"Y-yeah..."
Tatsuya watched with a mix of confusion and resignation as the two girls, suddenly the best of friends, scrambled eagerly into his bed. He noted to himself that they certainly seemed to have "bonded" as he'd asked.
Whether Tatsuya liked it or not, the two girls were in a state of absolute bliss. As for Tatsuya... well, he was in for a very long, very crowded night.
(Author's Note: I suppose they're happy this way... even if Tatsuya is a bit overwhelmed!)
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"