After Gender Swapping, I Became the Daughter of a Yandere Mother with Animal Ears—With the Help of My Yandere Mom and Powerful Sister, I'll Live as a Fox Girl - Chapter 48: Which is More Important?

“Sigh… the futon feels so nice…”

I’m enveloped in the sensation of being wrapped up in a fluffy embrace. How blissful it would be to just sleep like this…

“Onee-chan, you’re in the way. I haven’t finished laying them all out yet.”

“Sorry, I’ll move now…”

Struggling against the magnetic pull of the futon, I roll over to the edge of the room, making space for Kohaku to lay out more futons.

“There are only four futons…”

“It’s fine. Just put the bird in a cage or something.”

“Mu~”

Even Hibari, usually unfazed by being treated like grilled chicken, frowned at Kohaku’s sharp tongue.

“A cage? No way. I’d be more excited about a doghouse.”

“Ha…? What are you saying? That’s creepy.”

“Ehehe”

Hibari, seemingly proud despite not being complimented, scratches her head shyly.

“There’s no problem with the number of futons! We can just share. I’ll sleep next to Mashiro!”

“Ha?! What are you saying? If we’re sharing, it should be me! We’re sisters!”

Chizuru’s suggestion incites a fiery response from Kohaku.

Her face contorts with anger, almost comically so.

“I always sleep here, so I should be the one to give in.”

“Huh? So, Chizuru wants to sleep with Onee-chan? Wow, that means you like her, right?”

“He?! N-No, that’s not what I meant…!”

Chizuru’s face turns beet red, flustered by Kohaku’s probing.

“I mean… I don’t dislike her, but…”

“So, it’s fine if I sleep with Onee-chan, right?”

“But… Ugh…”

Chizuru looks overwhelmed, her eyes brimming with tears.

“She thinks crying will make Onee-chan help her?”

“Kohaku-sama, please calm down! How about a compromise where I sleep with Mashiro-sama?”

Yorikoma interjects frantically, but her suggestion makes no sense in this context.

“Where’s the compromise in that? Are you joking?”

Kohaku’s stern voice and sharp glare make Yorikoma shrink back.

“I’m sorry… But fighting isn’t good…”

“Fine. I’ll let it go this time. Now go to sleep before I change my mind.”

“Really…?”

Chizuru, wiping her tears, looks at Kohaku with relief.

“Okay, then hurry up and sleep.”

“Thank you…”

Chizuru, smiling happily, rushes towards me.

“Mashiro~!”

“Wait…! Be careful…”

“Ehehe~ I knew Mashiro would catch me.”

She nestles her forehead against my chest, the sweet scent of her shampoo tickling my nose. It’s so comforting… and soft.

Petting her head, she purrs contently, like a cute cat.

“Wait for me… I’ll just sort out my luggage.”

“Okay. I’ll wait for you forever, Mashiro.”

“Ahaha… I’ll be quick.”

After placing Chizuru’s head gently on the pillow, I open my bag.

“I have underwear and kimonos… And this…”

The Soul Exchange Mirror is also there. Since that day, I haven’t heard any voices from it. Maybe it only works at the shrine… Well, I can try it when I get back…

“What are you looking at?”

“!?”

Startled, I turn to see Hibari, her silhouette backlit, staring down at me.

Her yellow eyes, which seemed so beautiful in the forest, now appear somewhat eerie.

“Ah, it’s just a mirror. Look.”

Trying to keep my composure, I show her the Soul Exchange Mirror.

“…What’s this?”

“It’s… like a sacred object…”

“Hmm… Can I hold it?”

“Sure, but be careful…”

Hibari takes the mirror and examines it closely.

“This is…”

She seems deeply intrigued, adjusting the mirror’s angle…

“Thud…”

The mirror slips from Hibari’s grip and falls onto the tatami.

“Ah…!”

I quickly pick it up, relieved to find it unharmed.

“Be careful… You need to hold it properly…”

“I’m sorry. My feathers slipped.”

Oddly, she could handle chopsticks so well but drop a hand mirror…

“Okay, that’s enough. I’ll put it away.”

“Okay.”

I wrap the mirror carefully in cloth and place it back in the bag.

“Mashiro, which is more important to you, this mirror or your life?”

“Eh…? Why ask that…”

I pause, realizing she’s serious.

“I saw how carefully you handled it and wondered which you valued more.”

“That’s… I can’t choose between them… Sorry for the vague answer.”

“That’s fine…”

Hibari smiles sadly… I’m unsure why she asked, but I feel guilty.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight…”

Watching her return to her futon, I get into mine.

Why do I feel a bit cold…?

“Mashiro, are you okay? You look pale.”

“It’s just a bit cold…”

“Do you have a cold? I’ll warm you up…”

Chizuru opens her arms in the futon and hugs me tightly. Her warmth slowly spreads to me.

“Turning off the lights~”

After Kohaku’s voice, darkness engulfs my sight. Lost in thought, the unease in my mind grows.

I can’t stop thinking about Hibari’s question…

“It’s okay…”

Chizuru’s soft voice strengthens her embrace. I’m trembling, and she must sense my anxiety.

“Just sleep and everything will melt into the dream world, and you won’t be scared anymore…”

I hear Chizuru’s heartbeat, a gentle rhythm soothing my senses.

With each beat, my eyelids grow heavier… and soon, I drift off into the world of dreams…