【Future Sight】Saving Tragic Beautiful Girls and Making Them Obsessively Fall for Me 〜I Selfishly “Helped” the Witches Who Were Gonna Destroy the World Just to Train My Martial Arts, and Now They’re All Dripping with Obsession and Worshipping Me〜

Chapter 12

And so.

On the way back from the hill where the Zigo crew had been sprawled out.

“—Anyway, once those Zigo guys had their eyes on us, we figured at least Fuka still hadn’t been put to work and she had magic talent, so we kicked her out of the house without telling her the reason.”

“Makes sense. But is it okay to tell me that? If I snitch to Fuka, your whole plan falls apart.”

“…You won’t, right? You’re not the kind of person who would trample on what we prostitutes did with full resolve, just to save our family from their fate.”

Hm. Yeah, she’s right about that.

Still, so that’s how it was. Fuka thought she’d been thrown away, but it wasn’t like that at all.

Now I get the whole picture. How the Karakuri Clock Pavilion caught the attention of those men, and what kind of situation they’re in right now.

Even so, what I’m gonna do doesn’t change—

“So the reason you decided to talk to me… is because you realized I’m not gonna run away?”

“Yes. And also, since you turned out to be way stronger than we expected, I wanted to be as honest as possible so you’d keep helping us from now on. …And one more thing.”

Hm? She hesitated for a second, and then… the witch’s miasma around her got a little thicker—

“—I guess I just wanted everything to go completely to hell. …Maybe.”

Sakurako said that with a face I’d seen on plenty of people in the future of world destruction—the face of someone burning with a self-destructive wish.

Hmm. There’s clearly a lot going on in her head, but in the end the only thing I can do is swing this fist of mine.

Still, it lines up with what Sakurako wants, so I’ll keep working as the bodyguard for the Karakuri Clock Pavilion.

And then… yeah.

“—So, since I’ve told you this much… would you mind telling me your goal already? Why is the heir of a big trading company so hung up on a brothel in the slums?”

…

I’ve been warned by Fuka never to tell anyone, but since she showed me sincerity, I guess it’s only fair to return it.

Alright. Then—

“—Sometimes I can see the future. And what I saw is that in the near future, Sakurako, you’re going to become the very embodiment of the disaster known as ‘witches.’”

“…Huh?”

“And then you’ll destroy this city… and the whole world.”

I told her the truth straight out and watched for her reaction.

But what she did was… she let out a small “heh,” smiled with dark eyes, and said,

“That sounds wonderful. I’m sure the future me will feel so… refreshed.”

Hm. If Sakurako really was the kind of person who would just force everyone around her to submit with raw power and call it a day,

I probably wouldn’t have bothered taking it slow like this.

I would’ve roughed her up, forced her to awaken as a witch right away, and killed her on the spot.

But the real her is thinking about her fellow prostitutes, risking herself, trying to keep that path from opening.

Hm. As someone who wants to walk the same path all the way, that’s an action worthy of respect.

“A martial artist doesn’t just master the arts; they must master their will above all.” Those are the words of the person I look up to. If that’s true, then—

“—If you’re lamenting that you don’t have enough power, just leave it to me this time. And from now on, if you keep polishing yourself… both you and the people around you will naturally gain the strength to push through your own way.”

Right? When I looked at her like that,

Sakurako just stared at me with her mouth hanging open, an expression that didn’t match her beautiful face at all.

What? Did I say something weird?

“You…”

“What?”

“—…Pfft, fufu, ahahaha!” She burst out laughing with her mouth wide open. “Are you seriously trying to comfort me right now? It’s so clumsy…”

Why is she laughing?

Sakurako, who had always carried that world-weary air, was now laughing out loud with her mouth open wide. Even the miasma around her seemed a bit thinner?

While I was staring at her intently—

“You really are a good person, aren’t you… Faust. That’s why you’re special. As thanks for today and for continuing to be our bodyguard from now on… anytime, just once… I’ll keep you company for free.”

“Normally I’m really expensive, you know?” she added.

Just for this moment, Sakurako looked her age as she smiled and said that.

—

Chapter 13

More than a week had passed since that day I spent with Sakurako.

I kept showing up at the brothel every single day without fail, and by now I had pretty much settled in with the girls there.

“—Faust! Grab that one, that one!”

“Which?”

“The long duster for the high spots, right there!”

Hm, this one?

The waiting area on the second floor of the brothel was empty of customers right now. Instead, cleaning supplies and piles of trash were lined up everywhere.

I reached for the long-handled thing that looked like a broom with a duster on it, when—

“—Taylor-kun! I’ll get it!”

A small pink shadow darted in ahead of me.

Weren’t you just cleaning somewhere else, Fuka?

“Here! This is the one, right, big sis!”

“Oh, Fuka… Hey, Faust! No slacking off!”

“I’m not slacking. Fuka just jumped in.”

“That’s an excuse! Geez, using our tiny Fuka like that…!”

“N-no, big sis! Fuka really wanted to do it herself…! Taylor-kun is already working as our bodyguard for free, so…”

“Don’t worry about it. Actually, cleaning is great training too. Spotting even the tiniest speck of dirt, instantly picking the right tool and method, then handling it quickly… It sharpens all kinds of skills you need in a fight.”

“! S-so that’s what you meant…! Sorry, I didn’t realize… But wow, that’s so like you, Taylor-kun!”

Fuka’s eyes sparkled as she praised me.

Around us, several of the prostitutes bustled back and forth. Every now and then they glanced our way with what looked like… fondness mixed with exasperation?

“Man, you training-obsessed dummy. You’ve got our Fuka completely wrapped around your finger. You better take responsibility, okay?”

“I’ve hired Fuka at our trading company, and I’ll make sure her future is taken care of.”

“Hmm, well… guess that works for now. Fuka, if he does anything to you, tell us right away. We’ll squeeze Faust dry!”

“Ahaha, you worry too much, big sis! Taylor-kun would never do anything bad, not even if the sky and earth flipped upside down. And even if he did… Fuka would accept all of it? Because if Taylor-kun decided it, then it must be the right thing…”

“…Nope, she’s terminal. Well, I’m not seriously doubting Faust or anything, though?”

That was good to hear. Lately, with the random attacks from punks and scouts still popping up, it felt like the girls at the brothel had started trusting me a lot more.

Still, there was one small problem. Building trust with everyone was super important so I could stay close to Sakurako, but going too far with it—

“—Ah, there you are, Faust.”

Hm. That voice…

“Leen?”

“Mhm. You finally called me by name…!”

The one who came trotting over with a smile was the prostitute I’d saved from a customer a while back. Her name was Leen—I’d only learned it recently.

She was probably the one I talked to the most when I was at the brothel.

“Inviting me out to play again today? I’ve got bodyguard duty, then training, and after that I have to head back to the family house, so no.”

“Hey, I haven’t even said anything yet… Well, I was about to ask, though.”

Yeah, figured. She asked every time we met, so I just got it out of the way first.

…Hm? What’s up, Fuka? You’re pushing me aside.

“Big sis. Leen big sis.”

“Oh, Fuka. Today’s… right, it’s your day off from the academy. So you came to help with cleaning?”

“Yeah! It feels kinda weird when someone says ‘help,’ though. Until just recently that was Fuka’s main job.”

“Well… that’s true.”

Leen looked a little awkward.

Fuka was still officially kicked out of here and hadn’t been allowed to come back, so she only visited under the excuse of being under my care. On days with no classes she basically just showed up whenever she wanted now.

Even in that situation, the fact they could still chat so warmly was probably thanks to Fuka’s personality. She adapted flexibly to the current reality… Yeah, there’s something almost martial about that kind of mindset… I was thinking, when—

Oh? The light in Fuka’s eyes…

“So, Leen big sis. Did you need something from Taylor-kun… maybe?”

Whoa. Pressure.

“F-Fuka? No, it’s not really ‘need,’ more like just saying hi…”

“Hmm, that’s weird. Then what’s that ticket you’re hiding behind your back?”

“! N-no, this is…”

Leen got all flustered. Fuka’s pressure grew even stronger.

Whether she noticed or not, Leen let her gaze wander for a moment, then fixed me with a determined stare.

Nice spirit.

“I feel like I’m being praised in a kinda sideways way…”

“Huh?”

“W-well, never mind. …More importantly—look at this, Faust!”

What she held out were two slips of paper. Written on them—

“—Kingdom Acrobatic Troupe viewing tickets?”

“Exactly! They’re not performing in the slums, but apparently they’re in town right now. So after we finish cleaning… um, well… would you maybe… want to go together?!”

So it was the usual invitation to hang out after all.

“Leen big sis… Taylor-kun has to guard this place today, and after that he has training! So there’s no time for stuff like that—”

“I already got permission from Makina to slip away for a bit from guard duty! And training… look! The acrobatic troupe does all kinds of amazing stunts, right? Wouldn’t that be useful for the martial arts Faust always talks about?!”

“Mmm… b-but only if Taylor-kun says it’s okay…”

Hm. Acrobatics… actually? Techniques and body movements that could apply to martial arts… Yeah, that works…!

“A-and besides! Faust, you went out with Sakurako the other day, right? After that she was in an unusually good mood…! So I thought maybe I could too—”

“—Alright. Got it. Sounds good.”

“I could too— Eh? It’s okay? Really?!”

“Yeah. A martial artist doesn’t go back on his word.”

“…! Y-yay!”

“Ehh?! Is that really okay, Taylor-kun?!”

She went out of her way to get the tickets and all. Plus acrobatics… I’m actually starting to look forward to it.

“F-Fuka wanted to go with you too, but I held back because I didn’t want to get in the way… Is it really okay…?”

“Hehe. Fuka, you can spin things however you like. Just invite him in a way that makes Faust happy. You’re his little-sister type, so this time don’t hold back, okay?”

“Muuu…!”

Fuka puffed up her cheeks and stared at me like she had something to say.

Well, whatever. What mattered right now was that we’d just finished cleaning and were heading out to watch the acrobatic troupe.

Surely there would be fierce warriors there, just like me, people aiming to push their bodies and skills to the limit. I’d use that as fuel and—alright, let’s aim even higher on the path of martial arts…!

And so.

Full of motivation, I threw myself into the work even harder and managed to finish all the morning cleaning without a problem.

While I was carrying a big load of gathered trash around to the back of the building—

“—Still, Sakurako. Won’t you at least think about it?”

“I already told you. It depends on the conditions.”

“Hm. That thing you mentioned the other day?”

Oh. That was Sakurako talking with some middle-aged man I didn’t know—well-dressed and stout. …That vibe screamed noble, didn’t it?

“A woman of your caliber is worth considering, but… it’s a big scheme. I can’t just decide on the spot.”

“In that case, my answer remains the same…”

“Hahaha. You really are a cold one. A clever woman who doesn’t belong in a slum like this. That part of you is adorable.”

The man flashed a lecherous smile and stroked Sakurako’s cheek as they faced each other. Sakurako’s eyes were ice-cold, and the usual decadent air around her grew even thicker.

But wait, was this… some kind of shady plot? Could this be the moment Sakurako’s true nature as a witch started showing…?

Hm. I’d thought her words about not knowing about witches and caring for the Karakuri Clock Pavilion like family were sincere.

Lately she’d even been the one to call out to me, saying stuff like “Please take care of us on your next day off too,” and I’d started to feel like I understood her.

If all of that had been my misunderstanding, I’d need to raise my guard a bit. Prepare for fighting a witch.

That’s what I was thinking when—

“—Well then. I’ll take my leave for today. Last night was another wonderful experience. Let’s do this again sometime…”

“…!”

The man smoothly pulled Sakurako closer. With a sticky smile on his face, he reached out with his other hand and started groping her chest—squeezing and kneading so hard you could see the shape changing through her clothes.

…………

Ugh, Sakurako looked really unhappy. Was this… just a regular customer of hers?

I was still wondering about that when—

“—Taylor-kun! I figured you might not know where the trash spot is just from words! So, it’s over here—”

Fuka’s loud voice from behind made both Sakurako and the man flinch. Damn it, Fuka.

“…Looks like we’ve got eyes on us. I’m not exactly someone who wants to be seen either. I’ll head out for today.”

The man quickly walked away and joined what looked like a bodyguard a short distance off, then left the area.

Meanwhile, Sakurako turned toward us, eyes wide—

“—Wh… a… Faust? D-did you just see… that…?”

“That? Nah, I’m not jumping to any weird conclusions anymore. That guy’s just your customer, right? Otherwise there’s no way he’d act like that… I’d have slapped him myself if he wasn’t.”

I told her I wasn’t thinking she was up to anything bad anymore, trying to keep her from worrying, but—

—When I saw Sakurako’s face twist like she was about to cry, I realized I’d messed up.

“I guess that’s just the kind of woman I am. …I never should’ve hoped for something normal…”

She forced the words out, then ran off without even looking at me.

All that was left in the spot was a single droplet trail on the dry ground.