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 50: The Ruins

“We’ve arrived…”

Chizuru mutters, looking at the scene before us. The sea breeze strokes our hair. The water’s surface, reflecting the sun’s rays, sparkles, making my heart leap just by looking at it.

“It’s the sea!”

“The sea~”

Beside me, Yorikoma and Hibari are mesmerized by the sea, their eyes shining. Kohaku, standing next to them, is also smiling happily.

…

Despite living in Japan, an island nation, the sea was always out of my reach…

It was full of glittering memories where everyone went with friends… But as a loner, I was never allowed near it…

Who would have thought life would bring me here in such a way… It’s unpredictable. Now, with gratitude, I’ll shout with all my might…

“Uuuuuuumiiiiiiii!!!!”

“Wow… Onee-chan, you’re loud…”

“Sorry…”

My cheeks feel hot. Chizuru’s right; I must have seemed a bit childish. But today… just for today, it’s okay to be a child, right? After all, it’s not often my heart feels this excited!

“We’re not here just to play, you know? You do understand, right, Onee-chan?”

“I get it! I get it!”

“Haah… It’s hard to believe you with that look…”

Only when Kohaku says this exasperatedly do I realize my tail is wagging wildly, and I can’t stop tapping my feet. It’s as if my body is expressing the excitement in my heart, constantly bouncing off the ground.

“It’s okay. We arrived earlier than expected. We have time to play.”

Hibari places a hand on Kohaku’s shoulder, speaking in a calming tone.

“But…”

“Don’t be silly. It’s stupid to head straight to the sea. First, we should find a place to stay. In Shioi, they sell swimsuits for those who play in the sea. We should buy them before going to the sea.”

“That makes sense…”

His rational point douses the fire in my heart, and I regain some composure.

Maybe swimsuits are only sold in Shioi in this world. If so, that explains Yorikoma’s excitement.

“I’m fine even in just a fundoshi!”

“Shut up, stupid dog. No one asked about you.”

“Whimper…”

Hibari glares at Yorikoma, who droops her ears in dejection.

“Let’s quickly find a place to stay. And don’t even think about going to the sea alone.”

“Okay!”

☆★☆

“This is…”

Clank… Clank…

What stands before us is a true ruin… The wooden walls are riddled with countless holes, looking like they could crumble at any moment.

The roof, repeatedly reinforced, is on the verge of peeling off in places, flapping with each sea breeze.

The window frames are rotting, and the interior is dimly visible.

“The door won’t open easily.”

Chizuru tugs at the rusty door handle, but it won’t budge.

“Um… are we sure this is the place?”

“What? You have a problem?”

“No, it’s just… this place seems a bit… suspicious…”

“Ha? There’s an ‘Open’ sign right there.”

Chizuru points to a sign beside the entrance. It does say ‘Open,’ but the writing is messy and strangely red.

“It looked like there were better inns on the way here… Maybe one of those would be better…”

Yorikoma looks anxiously at Chizuru.

“Can’t help it. This is the cheapest.”

“But still…”

“I’m paying, aren’t I? You should be grateful, not complaining.”

“Sorry…”

Sighing, Chizuru finally opens the door with a creak.

“Where’s the reception?”

Chizuru looks around. I follow suit but detect no sign of people.

“Is no one here?”

“Strange…”

“Hello… Anyone?”

Yorikoma calls out tentatively, but there’s no response.

“I’m scared…”

The floor creaks ominously under our steps.

“Here it is…”

After walking a bit, we see something resembling a counter. Still, no one’s behind it.

“This has to be a ruin…”

Yorikoma whispers. Suddenly, a loud noise comes from behind.

“Kyaa!”

Yorikoma screams and collapses on the spot.

“A ghost…?”

Kohaku’s trembling voice echoes. Hearing her, I swallow hard.

“That’s ridiculous!”

Chizuru forces a smile, but we all share Yorikoma’s fear. Our hearts race, cold sweat runs down our backs…

“Let’s leave this inn… It seems abandoned…”

She steps back to run away, but…

Thud…

“Ouch… Sorry, I wasn’t looking behind me…”

She bumped into someone. But I can see Yorikoma, Kohaku, and Hibari so that it couldn’t be any of them…

“Hiie…”

“Welcome.”

“Gyyaaaahhhhh!!!!”