Volume 3 Chapter 5 – Thanksgiving Festival 5 – The Goal

“……”

“……”

“……”

“……”

What should I do? Yuma, Kyouko, and Miwa are all in a standoff over me. If they were fully clothed, it would be like a scene where they’re fighting for my attention.

All three of their faces and ears are bright red, their gazes intensely focused on one point. Yes, they’re all focused on my “son,” who’s still shyly hidden under a towel.

I remember a similar scene from the other world. So, is this the battleground for my “son”? Wait, doesn’t that mean I should be fighting, too?

No, that’s not it.

It’s unbearable.

It’s really unbearable.

Fortunately, Miwa probably doesn’t have that kind of knowledge yet. She only wrapped around me gently with a delighted expression, which eased my mind a bit.

Miwa, 15 years old. —Just like you—
…That label somehow doesn’t sit quite right.

Even if she’s my stepsister, it’s still strange for her to gently embrace her brother’s “son.”

“!!”

But that relief was short-lived. The right and left hands of Yuma and Kyouko, which weren’t busy washing, had snuck under the towel.

What are they doing!?

Both were in perfect sync, split into two teams. Yes, they’d formed two coordinated groups. Their teamwork was like that of twins. I once knew twin sister assassins among the adventurers.

Their coordination was also impeccable at night.

But that’s not the point.

“Huff, huff, huff.”

“Hah, hah, hah.”

“……aha.”

“……”

Looking up at the ceiling, I ponder.

Since returning from that other world, I’ve wondered if it was really a parallel world. When I managed to come home, was it really the place I originally belonged?

It’s reality, but a world that doesn’t feel quite like mine.

For instance, the reversal of notions of chastity between genders, the altered gender ratio, or the reversed customs surrounding gender.

The root of these eroge-like scenarios traces back to Artlily, the shrine maiden in the party that defeated the Demon Lord. She was a yuri lover, a reader who adored fantasy and stories, and often engaged in thought experiments.

She told me she read a lot because she came from a cold, isolated borderland, blushing as she mentioned it.

I remember hearing she had some heated discussions at the sage’s place, though she never shared the details.

The priest of the Savior Grand Church, who summoned me, advised against getting too close to my party members. So, I was monitored closely during our journey, but we secretly exchanged letters in books we borrowed, sharing stories from my world.

I studied the letters just in case I couldn’t return. I taught Lilly about our characters too, since she wanted to learn them.

One day, she tucked a poem in between. “I’ll send this to you if we defeat the Demon Lord,” she had said.

She never explained what it meant. Well, considering how it all ended, maybe she never intended to tell me…

But that’s not the point.

That’s not what I’m trying to say.

At this rate, like ancient Mount Vesuvius, Mount Kyosuke is about to erupt!

“I’m turning everyone into Pompeii!”

“Ah!”

I gasp unexpectedly.

Damn, I’d forgotten this body is still that of a young 15-year-old. It’s getting difficult to keep this up.

My mind is starting to spin…

I resent being stuck in this 15-year-old body… I, who have experiences numbering in the hundreds, even if only with professionals.

What a disgrace…

Sigh… Time to make a decision.

Their eyes say yes. Their attitudes say yes. Even to this improbable situation, they say yes.

The goal of this Thanksgiving Festival, as these three seem to have planned, might be a bit too intense.

Yes, this could easily turn into an entirely different kind of festival.

And then there’s the matter with my stepsister. Though, since I came back here, she doesn’t quite feel like a stepsister anymore.

…Well, if it feels good, why not just go along with it?

If they end up hating me, so be it. I’m a hero. I only know how to act.

I’ve always responded when asked!

I stand up without a word. The hands of the three girls fall away, and they look up at me, eyes wide with surprise. They really are sweet and adorable girls.

I hope I can stay close with Miwa for a long time.

…A wet towel snags on my privates, hanging down like a noren curtain, and Yuma and Kyouko’s faces vanish from view…

…I didn’t plan this.

…In fact, I couldn’t have planned this.

…It’s incredibly embarrassing.

I hate accidents like this.

I must look completely foolish.

I’ve never even been in a situation like this before.

Ahem.

None of them has experienced anything like this, I assume. That’s why they can’t see the endpoint. They’re still running blindly, fueled by gratitude, goodwill, embarrassment, and desire.

Then behold!

I will decide this outcome!

With a flourish, I remove the towel, and with a poised expression, I say,

“Everyone’s so cute it’s tough; could someone help me out here?”

Yes, let’s make it Pompeii.