Mob Yandere

[Part 6/6]

"Is it normal to get excited over a younger brother?"

"Stop it!"

I felt a light smack on my back. It made a good sound. Ouch.

"Ouch... I was just joking..."

"Make better jokes! I don't want to hear something that would make a girl mad! I'd rather be flattered!"

Tamaki probably puffed out her cheeks. Hmm, if she wasn't acting like a girl, this might have gone better... But then again, in the original story, she got mad for being treated like a girl, so maybe it makes sense? But being boyish is the problem.

"..."

"...By the way, do you feel someone staring at your back?"

"Hmm, well... it's not just the feeling, but when I looked at your back, Tomobe-kun..."

Then I felt Tamaki's fingers gently touch my back. That feeling sent a shiver down my spine, and I realized. Those delicate fingers were tracing a deep scar. I wondered when I got that scar.

"You've been training, huh? It's all rough and hard. And... it looks painful."

"That's just the skin. Inside, I'm fine now."

Thanks to Youbo (youkai mother), I might not even be human anymore.

"But it must have hurt when you got the scar, right?"

"To be honest, I've forgotten most of them except for the big ones. Pain is part of the job. ...What about you? Are your scars okay?"

Like Hina, but... well, Hina can reset anytime, but I wish she'd worry about her own body first. After all, a girl about to get married shouldn't have scars. It's better than having a youkai's baby or being missing a limb, though.

"I'm... fine. I only have some scrapes left. I've been using a lot of healing potions. I was surprised, even the big hole in my arm healed up. You can't even see the scar now."

Tamaki looked genuinely surprised. She was probably talking about the injuries from 'Mayoiga.' Looking back, that was when Tamaki got hurt the most. And she probably strengthened her heart too.

From what I can see, the protagonist seems fine for now. If things keep going like this, at least we can avoid a dozen problems... unless the Minister of the Left or TS Magical does something.

"I'm glad there are no aftereffects. ...You're really strong-hearted. That mission must have been terrible."

"Well... yeah."

The person she thought was an ally turned out to be a corpse and a pawn of a youkai. It wouldn't be surprising if that gave her a trauma.

...But wait? What is it? I feel like something is off. It's like something is alive, or maybe it's dead, but it feels like something is missing or needs more explanation? I can't remember.

"Honestly, I thought it was scary. When you understand what happens if you lose or fail... but you can't just run away, right? You have spiritual power and strength... Master──Sumire-san said it too. If someone capable doesn't step up, someone else will draw the short straw."

"Madam..."

I felt impressed, but also thought, "You're saying that?" I didn't say it out loud, though.

"I have power, you know. And this power... Madam and Advisor-sama said it too, but if you can't control it, you might hurt those around you. I don't want to end up hurting the people I care about instead of protecting them."

"So you fight knowing it's dangerous... right?"

"Do you think that's crazy?"

"It's definitely unusual. Not many people are willing to take risks for others."

Thinking only of yourself... it's easy to call that selfish. But when the time comes, not many can actually step up. You can't blame someone for wanting to protect themselves in a dangerous situation.

"Are you really saying that, Tomobe-kun?"

"I can say it. I'm not the kind of person Tamaki thinks I am, you know? Actually, the princess sees people in a way that's too nice."

I'm planning to make you deal with a lot of things while I enjoy my own fun... I'll support you, though.

"Don't you have a low opinion of yourself?"

"Maybe Tamaki should learn to see people better. That village head's son who was drinking a lot probably wanted to get you drunk."

"Really? No way!"

"Yeah, really."

Before we knew it, we had almost forgotten we were both n*ked and were chatting away. It felt like we were an old married couple.

"Haha. It would be funny if Iruka and Suzune were here too, right?"

"No way, that's too much..."

"Not really! If I said it beforehand, it wouldn't be a big deal... oh, speaking of which..."

"?"

Tamaki suddenly looked like she remembered something. But before she could say anything, a loud roar interrupted us.

"Whoa! Look, Tamaki!!"

Out of nowhere, a loud roar broke the silence and darkness.

""...""

I turned my gaze toward the sound. Tamaki turned with a wry smile. Then, someone appeared from the darkness.

"Hehe. This onsen is generous! Look, there's wild alcohol and snacks growing here!"

A n*ked wolf-woman appeared, not even bothering to wrap herself in cloth. She was holding the sake and snacks I had forgotten to bring. I could clearly see her curves shaking in the steam and darkness. She was huge. ...No, that's not what I meant.

"Hey, Tamaki. That's..."

As I recognized Iruka, she recognized me too...

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...You peeping tom! Die!!"

"Whoa!?"

A sake bottle was thrown at me at high speed and hit me right in the face. I fell into the hot water with a splash.

"Whaaa!? Are you okay!?"

"Tamaki! Get away from that pervert!"

"No, no, no!? ...Well, that's a normal reaction, right?"

Tamaki tried to deny Iruka's crazy action, but she started to understand it calmly. Traitor!!

"Iruka? What's going on...?"

"Peeping tom! There's a peeping tom!"

"Whaaa!?"

When Iruka shouted at the small figure rising from the steam, I saw the person quickly sink back into the water. I recognized that voice. No, no, no, this is bad...!? In many ways, this is bad!!?

"Tomobe-kun...! For now! Just run away, okay!? I'll explain later!"

"I wanted you to explain that someone else is coming first!"

"I forgot to say that!"

"That's a big deal!?"

Completely acting like a peeping tom, I dodged various things being thrown at me and ran away. I hoped Tamaki could convince her. I went to relax in the bath, but I didn't relax at all.

...The next morning, when I went to Tamaki's room to get a stamp, I got hit with a flying knee kick and ended up in pain.

This isn't going well, is it...?

...

...

...

...Looking back, it was a funny moment, at least.