The Carnivorous Maidens Living with Me - Chapter 40 & 41

Chapter 40: My Heart’s Brother, Bran-san

Do you have someone you can truly trust?

Look around—some people have tons of friends, are great at socializing, and have their long holidays fully booked.

Don’t you always hear those kinds of conversations?

These days, having tons of followers or online friends is becoming the default.

Who do you need to one-up?

Who are you even fighting?

Isn’t one truly trustworthy person enough?

Like my heart’s brother, Bran-san!

※

With only a few days left in the holiday, Sofia and Hazuki are still fussing over my injury.

But I feel bad making them worry, so I told them to go home and spend time with their parents.

“I’ve gotta figure out how to manage on my own with this injury, or it’ll cause all sorts of problems.”

They reluctantly agreed.

So, for the next few days, I’m solo.

I’m heading to the gym for some rehab and to see Bran-san!

By the way, Shiratama and the others came back home a few days ago.

I told my parents about Hazuki beforehand.

As expected, they gave me their usual dumb response, and explaining felt like too much hassle.

Hazuki’s reaction to seeing Shiratama was wild.

“Hey, hey, hey, kitties!!”

Her usual flustered vibe was nowhere to be seen—her excited voice and energy were totally new.

Shiratama seemed thrilled to have a playmate, meowing happily.

Zenzai, as always, had that big-boss energy, just plopped down like a kingpin.

That’s how things have been, leading up to now.

I’m at the “White King Gym” where Bran-san works.

“Hey~ Is Bran-san around?”

“Hi~! Oh, Kamizuki-kun, long time! How’s your injury?”

The cheerful receptionist lady checks on my condition.

“I’m managing. I’m here to get some light training rehab guidance from Bran-san.”

“Got it. Hold on a sec.”

She heads to the office to grab Bran-san.

“Hey, Shoma-kun, been a while! How’s the injury?”

“Yo, Bran-san! It’s so-so. But sitting around too much will make me rusty, so I came to learn some strength exercises I can do on my own!”

“Cool! I promised you before, right? Luckily, the holiday means mostly walk-in customers, so I’m not booked. Perfect timing.”

I change into workout gear and start rehab, focusing on lower body and core training.

“Hm… your body’s tilting a lot. Your pelvis is way off. You’ve been favoring your right leg, haven’t you?”

“Yup, nailed it. My right leg hurts, so I’ve been leaning on my left.”

“This’ll be a long haul. Let’s not overdo it and start with loosening you up.”

“Thanks!”

I knew asking Bran-san was the right call!

With his help, I keep at the rehab.

“Hey, Bran-san, I’ve got another thing to talk about.”

“I figured. I can tell from your face, Shoma-kun. Last time, we got interrupted, but today, I’m all ears!”

Bran-san’s the guy to count on!

“You know how I said I got a girlfriend before?”

“Yeah! You finally hit your goal, right? Sorry for freaking out back then.”

Bran-san flashes a bright smile, showing off his white teeth.

“Well, I actually got another girlfriend!”

“Hahha… Ha… what? Shoma-kun, you’re a riot! Got a knack for comedy!”

“No, seriously, it’s not a joke.”

Guess he wouldn’t believe me.

“For real?”

“Dead serious.”

We lock eyes for a few seconds.

“Phew. Those eyes don’t lie. Man, I knew it! I knew you’d be a ladies’ man!”

“Bran-san? What’s with the sudden vibe shift?”

He starts talking super fast, more casual than usual, and it throws me off.

“It’s, like, your approach to training, how you carry yourself at school—I’ve seen and heard it all. I knew you’d be popular eventually!”

How I carry myself at school? I’ve only told him bits, mostly my screw-ups.

“I can’t do much now, but it’s about accepting their feelings, right? That’s your role as a man.”

“I haven’t even explained yet…”

Bran-san’s already jumping to answers.

“It’s about how to face both their feelings, yeah?”

“Yup… exactly.”

“You’ve gotta meet ‘em head-on! Plus, I bet there are others eyeing you. No, that’s a sure thing.”

“I’ve got a few people in mind, but what am I supposed to do with more?”

“Like I said, go all in. By accepting those two, others will ride that wave and come at you hard.”

I’m already swamped with these two, and now more?

Then Bran-san speaks in an even kinder tone.

“And, you know… this is the fruit of your efforts, Shoma-kun. You thought, acted, guided them, and became their strength. Whatever the details, they genuinely care for you—no, love you.”

I chew on Bran-san’s words, thinking hard.

“And get this—they both fell for you at the same time, and still chose to love you together. Aren’t they amazing women? I think it’s fine to love them both at once!”

Man, I’m so glad I talked to Bran-san.

My heart probably made its choice right then.

“Thanks, Bran-san! I’m lucky to have a heart’s brother like you!”

I stick out my uninjured left hand, looking him straight in the eye.

Bran-san grabs it firmly, grinning back!

“Keep at it, Shoma-kun! And soon, you’ll have to invite me over, so we’ll talk more then!”

“Yeah!”

I was so moved, I barely registered what he said.

Chapter 41: Holiday’s End and the Naked General

The long holiday’s over, and the daily grind kicks back in.

Why does the end of a holiday always feel so damn depressing?

Is it because the past days were so fun, or because the boring routine ahead feels like a drag?

Emotions shift with your mood, sometimes swayed by the people you’re with.

※

Sofia and Hazuki have come a long way from their initial bad blood.

Now they’re like real sisters, getting along great.

Yeah, that’s a good thing!

They’re cooking breakfast together right now, and it’s seriously delicious.

Hazuki’s cooking skills, honed by Tsukimi-san, are top-notch, and Sofia’s catching up fast.

While eating, I blurt out something on my mind.

“You two… uh… thanks for everything.”

I’m starting to take Bran-san’s advice to heart, bit by bit.

““—!””

My words catch them off guard—Sofia drops a tomato from her chopsticks, and Hazuki’s hand freezes mid-sip.

“Shoma’s getting all mushy…”

“U-Um, please say it again!”

“Nope.”

I turn away, my face burning with embarrassment.

I didn’t expect it to feel this awkward.

These two, always hitting me head-on with their feelings—they’re something else.

“Hazuki, the day we take Shoma’s first is coming soon!”

“Yup, yup! Since the first time’s scary, let’s do it together!”

Correction: my chastity’s in danger!

“So you are after my body, you vultures!”

I was an idiot for feeling touched, even for a second…

““Teehee!””

Dear Mom and Dad… carnivorous girls are terrifying.

※

The post-holiday blues hit hard, but thanks to these two, I won’t be bored.

We head to school together, parting with Hazuki at the stairs and entering the classroom.

“Morning~”

“Been a while~”

“You good?”

I chat with classmates about random stuff—what we did over the break, new girlfriends, concerts we hit up.

There’s no shortage of topics.

The slow-paced classes are a nice bonus.

After school, as I’m about to leave with Sofia and the others, a school announcement blares.

“Ahem, Ahum… Shoma Kamizuki, second-year, class one! Come to the student council room immediately! No refusing! If you’re not here in five minutes, I’ll scatter your embarrassing photos. And come alone!”

Trouble’s brewing.

“Haa~”

I let out a deep sigh and glance at Sofia.

“Shoma… that broadcast, it’s the president, right?”

“No doubt. Only she’d pull that kind of threat. Well, maybe you and Hazuki too.”

“How rude! I’d go for videos, not photos.”

“Same difference! Alright, I’ll go. You and Hazuki head home. Here’s the key. I’ll make you both spares soon.”

“Also, it’s the first day back, so no club today. If you’ve got time, could you swing by the park and hang with Aoi and Kanade? It’d help me out.”

I ask them to look after the two brats.

I hand Sofia my wallet, adding to buy some snacks for them.

“Wow! Spare keys, I’m pumped. Just if Aoi-chan and Kanade-chan are there, right?”

Sofia takes the wallet, hyped about the “spare keys” part.

“And if Tokiko-san’s around, chat with her. She loves talking. If you two get into tea ceremony, I’ll take you to her class sometime.”

“Thanks, got it! Be careful, okay? Oh, and what’s for dinner?”

Sofia’s gotten so honest…

“Hamburgers.”

“I’ll feed them to you mouth-to-mouth! Fufu, can’t wait!♡”

I take that back.

“Shut up! Just get home!”

“Fufu! Later~!”

I drag myself to the student council room, radiating “I don’t wanna go” vibes.

The student council room’s on the top floor of the staff building, tucked away at the end.

(…Probably getting roped into culture festival prep or something.)

Konkon

“President, I’m here!”

“Great! Come in!”

I open the door and step inside.

By the way, this room’s basically the president’s private lair.

There’s a proper student council room on the first floor of the same building.

She only calls me to this one when she’s singling me out.

Talk about abusing her power.

The room’s dimly lit, hard to see inside.

Then I hear a gachari—the door locks behind me.

Taraa, a cold sweat creeps down my neck…

“Well done, Shoma! Sit down!”

The president’s right in front of me, but the light filtering through lace curtains makes her just a silhouette.

She points to the sofa in front of me, telling me to sit.

“What’s wrong, Shoma? No need to be shy!”

“President.”

“What?”

“Put some clothes on…”

On the sofa in front of me is a pile of discarded uniform and underwear.

“What’re you talking about? I always wait naked for our talks, it’s tradition!”

“No, that’s not what I meant! Why are you stripping at school? Are you an idiot? Oh, right, you are an idiot!”

My head’s starting to hurt.

Every time we meet, she’s got this urge to strip.

I vaguely recall she’s basically a nudist.

“Relax, I’m wearing panties!”

“That’s not the point!”

Why am I surrounded by perverts?!

My scream echoes through the room.