Read Novel Full Chapter 536
Chapter 536
Author’s Note: I’m a bit late! Sorry!
*Shan shan shan shan* A bell’s sound reverberated.
Through the night sky where powdery snow fell down.
The source of the sound was a large sled being pulled by six magnificent deers.
「Fuwaa~」
Beautiful ripple of light spread out each time the deers stepped firmly on the air to prance forward. Particles of light scattered from the pulled sled, drawing a beautiful track behind.
It was wonderfully beautiful. A sight that made the heart danced. The miracle who anyone would have during their childhood could be found there.
「Fuwaa, fuwaa~~」
「Hoooo-ho-ho-ho♪」
The one holding the reign at the front was of course, an old man wearing red and white outfit, a hat with pompom attached, and thick white beard on his face.
「U-umm!! Do you mind if we take a photo together!?」
There were multiple people on that large flying sled who originally shouldn’t be riding there.
One of them──a girl whose cheeks were blushing red and eyes sparkling brightly asked a request with a pleading bow.
The old man looked over his shoulder at that request and winked playfully in respond. He also gestured with his hand so she came his way.
The girl’s expressions lighted up brightly and she broke into a run. She happily got to the old man’s side and put on a wide smile. Both leaned close to each other, a smartphone was brought out and set to selfie mode……and *click*.
「Thank you very much!! I will treasure this photo!」
The girl courteously bowed her head and spoke her gratitude. The affable old man smiled and gave her a thumb up.
The girl──Fujiwara Hinata put back the smartphone into her pocket like it was a treasure and returned to the middle of the huge flying sled in a small run. It was unimaginable that this was the person who caused a rain of blood not long ago by gouging an oni’s heart to make a cursed tool. She whispered with a dreamy smile like any girl that could be found anywhere.
「So Santa Claus, really exist……」
Yes, it was Santa Claus.
This was the fairy world. A world where passed down feeling gathered and born into a single existence.
In that case, there was no way that famous personage with world class fame wouldn’t exist here.
Then why, they were in this situation where they were riding on Santa Claus’s sled and flew through the night sky……
It was after they safely, no, it might be difficult to describe that event as safely but, anyway after plucking out various materials from Ibaraki Douji for the magical tool.
Ibaraki Douji’s body didn’t move at all, not even a twitch. His eyes were rolled back that only the white of his eyes were visible. He looked like a corpse but, Hidzuki said that it wouldn’t take long for him to return back to normal so they could just leave him alone, and so everyone followed along even while feeling sympathy.
Hinata smiled cheerfully with a bit of blood trickling down her cheeks while saying 「Manami-neesama is good with drawing and the like, so let’s make the magical tool to look like calligraphy pen. It will take a bit of time to create the tool in order to make the binding airtight too, so please look forward to it」. It went without saying that Manami could only say 「Ah, yes」 facing that.
Of course, it also went without saying that Kousuke and co went 「Hinata-chan……what a terrifying child–」 while shuddering.
Then, after pulling themselves together, seeing that they had gotten into loud duel and then a wild banquet that was like brawling right from the start even though they came here only for sightseeing, seeing that they were already in the oldest village of the fairy, they decided they might as well tour the place.
But, if asked whether the buddhas and gods and apparitions who had strong egos could accept the absence of the leading actor of the banquet until the banquet finished, then the answer would be no way.
Naturally they came rushing at the fairy village Mag Mell. Of course, the fairies got extremely nervous.
It was extremely chaotic. To the degree where the angered Blau spontaneously roared Bruaaaaaaaaah and kicked them all out.
Of course, she got a storm of booing from the buddhas and gods and apparitions.
They badly wanted to interact with the abyss lord, as well as the people with him who were connected with that demon god no matter what. And also, the concept of patience wasn’t something that they possessed.
After all they had the mentality of If you want something fight! Everything is yours if you win! If you lose……let’s fight again at the next life! Like that.
Kousuke unconsciously whispered, Are you all kids?
Although, that was just how gods and apparitions were. Or perhaps, it was exactly because they were hotblooded beings that they gathered when they heard about the duel against onis……he reached that conclusion with a wry smile, decided to postpone the sightseeing of the Divine Tree for later and prioritized interacting with them.
Then, what started after that was the “fight to invite them to their own territory”.
So it still ended in a fight-, it went without saying that Kousuke and co all wanted to tsukkomi like that.
Blau went Bruaaaaaaaah again and forcefully decided the turn. If she didn’t do that, then surely the “battle to decide the sightseeing destination of abyss lord and co” would still continue even now. It would be a war at the level that would make one wonder whether it was a Ragnarok-class evemt.
Considering that.
「Regardless of all that you said, Blau has gotten really used to be the goddess huh. Even though you were that timid when we first met……」
「Ufun♪ I’m honored by your compliment pyon♪」
*Pachin* An intense wink was returned to Kousuke. Blau came along with their sightseeing this time just in case.
「When everyone started quarreling even for the role of transporting everyone, I was truly at my wits’ end that I unconsciously pumped up my muscles but……thankfully he came through for us pyon♪」
Blau looked at Santa Claus-san once more.
Beings that wanted to interact with Kousuke and co weren’t just limited to gods and great apparitions that had their own territory. Beings that were famous but didn’t have territory, and beings that had their own residence but not one that was that suitable for sightseeing also intended the same.
And so, there were a lot of people who offered to at least take the role to transport them to everywhere.
Then, when Blau started radiating fighting spirit like a last boss and looked like she was going to start the Armageddon, *shan shan shan* he descended down.
While changing the sky of the fairy world that was still noon into snowy holy night.
It seemed that even the average gods and apparitions acknowledged his status over them.
「As expected from Santa-san. Not only he settled down the argument in the blink of eye, he even made people that egoistic to yield the honor of being the first company to him……」
「Fufu, surely he came to help us out because Doctor Emily has been a good kid.」
「What’s with that, Vanessa. Are you saying that I’m still a kid?」
Emily glared with an offended look. Vanessa patted her head smilingly.
It must be because she recalled how Emily got as excited as Hinata when Santa Claus appeared. Or perhaps, it was because she noticed how she was looking enviously at Hinata taking picture with Santa Claus, and yet she wouldn’t ask for the same in order to act mature.
Emily’s cheeks reddened slightly by the big sisterly behavior that Vanessa sometimes showed.
「Endou-sama! Endou-sama! Look it’s Santa-san! I had just taken a photo together with Santa-san!」
Hinata-chan woke up from her dreamy state and her happiness exploded. Cute. She was hopping around *pyon pyon* with her cheeks turning rosy. Cute.
Kousuke too smiled cheerfully seeing that.
「Yep yep good for you Hinata-chan cute」
Unconsciously the voice in his heart also leaked out to the open. Of course Rana and others were also looking at her affectionately. Even Zhu who was always rigid toward Hinata muttered 「Kuh, cute……」 and then she pinched her cheeks that almost loosened up with all her strength.
Normally Hinata always acted mature in opposition to her age. That was exactly why the destructive power of the innocent behavior she sometimes showed was great. It directly pierced the heart of not only Kousuke, but also the Onee-san group.
Just, Claudia and Aziz were the only two whose expressions contained tension in them somewhere even while feeling their hearts warmed by the sight. Or rather, they had looked like that this whole time since Santa Claus made his appearance.
It was only natural. After all, Santa Claus was,
「The origin of that being is St. Nicholas-sama. ……No, but, in the end he’s a being born from thought into this fairy world, not the actual person. In the first place the story of Santa Claus himself are mostly fictional stories……aah but-」
「Aziz, calm down. I understand how you feel though……」
Yes, the person who was considered as the origin of Santa Claus was an outstanding saint that was no different like someone who lived in the clouds for Claudia and others.
For comparison, it would be like his holiness the pope suddenly appeared in front of ordinary believers and telling them 「Are you guys going somewhere? Then get in and let’s go!」. Perhaps it would be easier to sympathize with how the two felt using that description. Furthermore the driver was the pope himself. Of course they would be shaken up.
「Even though he isn’t the actual person, he is a being born from the feeling of the people toward the legends that originated from St Nicholas-sama. He’s definitely a great saint that we ought to offer our love and respect toward……that’s what I think.」
Claudia said that, with her hand held over her cross since some time ago with a complicated expression.
Perhaps that was just to be expected from a saintess. Even when in the presence of a legendary saint, she was still keeping a composure and radiating mysterious atmosphere befitting her title as saintess.
「Umm, Claire-oneesan. It’ll be better if you treat the wound on your forehead soon……」
Manami held a handkerchief across Aziz with a flustered look.
It couldn’t be helped. Because, the mysterious, solemn, and saintly looking Claudia was dripping with a little bit of blood from her forehead even now. Naturally around the forehead, her cheeks also had some dust attached.
「Manami-san, that’s too brutal-. Please stop doing anything merciless that can remind her of that event-」
「Eh!?」
Aziz-kun reflexively yelled. Manami was surprised by that 「I’m just worrying for her though!?」, but Aziz clenched his fist and shook his head with a strong feeling of shame.
「You know that Nee-san’s feeling of shame is already over the limit right? To show that kind of artistic PhythagoraSwitch just from getting on this sled……kuh, if only I was more attentive, that kind of sad incident would be averted-」
Yes, it was the usual that. For it to happen at that timing of all times, no, perhaps it happened exactly because she was in the presence of a legendary saint.
Claudia-san, messed up.
She stumbled when getting on the sled and dove forward face first. It might be still fine if that was all that happened. But, from there her curse (?), no, her special skill (?) activated.
She twisted seven times and slammed eight times with hard to describe movements, and in the end she dragged the small apparitions around into her accident like they were bowling pins.
Then it also spread to the medium class who were watching in surprise. And then it spread from medium class to high class apparitions. And from there to the god class……it Phythagorassed like that.
Well, the chaos could be easily imagined from the fact that Saintess Claudia who usually was unharmed at the end no matter how much she Phythagorassed was successfully!……errr, unusually harmed even though it was just a little bit of bleeding from her forehead.
Santa Claus-san was frozen in astonishment. He had an expression like he had just witnessed a miracle. His face was saying, Something like this is possible?
As for Kousuke and others, they couldn’t even move to give Claudia a hand from how embarrassing it was just to keep staying there. They were covering their faces with their hands from secondhand embarrassment.
That was the incident that happened that could be said as hellish in a sense.
「Aziz? What kind of strange thing are you saying? ──Nothing happened. We departed without any trouble whatsoever. Isn’t that right? That’s right isn’t it? Say that it’s like that──say it」
「Y-yes, Nee-san! Nothing happened at all! We all departed free from accident!」
It was a “pressure” worthy of a saintess. Young Aziz reflexively stood up and saluted due to the commanding tone that usually Claudia absolutely wouldn’t use.
No wonder that nobody was looking Claudia’s way ever since their departure, and nobody even mentioned anything about treating the wound.
Nothing happened.
It was just as Claudia said, treating it like that was the greatest consideration they could give her!
「I, I want to show off this to Myuu-chan and Koone-chan! Show them that I had taken a photo together with Santa Claus-san!」
「Yeah! That’ll be a nice story to tell them later!」
「I, will ask whether it is alright if I take photo with all the mister raindeers too!」
Hinata’s eyes wandered around when she looked Claudia’s way but, her happiness of being able to meet Santa Claus must be genuine.
She immediately pulled herself together and returned to where Santa Claus was.
Seeing her back made Rana unconsciously chuckled 「Fufufu」 with fondness overflowing from her voice.
「Hinata-chan is so cute……her serious face when gouging out heart is also lovely and filled with aura that I wanted Hauria’s children to learn from her too but, it’s also nice being able to see act her age like this.」
「I think the part of learning from her is unnecessary.」
Kou-kun’s tsukkomi was ignored.
「Hey, Kou-kun. Boss’s place is now making preparation to welcome new family from next year isn’t it?」
Rana’s shoulder leaned on him. She sent him a sidelong glance from point-blank range. Kousuke’s shoulder twitched.
「Looking at that innocent figure……it makes me want one too don’t you think?」
「……」
The voice was whispered into his ear with a heated sigh mixed in. Kousuke spontaneously felt a shiver running through his body. At the same time, he also felt shaken from understanding what Rana tried to say.
「Other people are other people, while us are ourselves……don’t you think so?」
Kousuke’s gaze darted around everywhere but to Rana, while thinking that was a shitty roundabout reply even if he said so himself.
He had heard about it from Hajime but, he thought that it was amazing they could make such decision. At that time Kousuke thought, T-that’s manly yeah, Nagumo……
Himself who had just began his college life couldn’t form such readiness, and there wasn’t any sign that he would be able to do so anytime soon.
In the first place he couldn’t imagine it at all of him being the father of someone. He also had no confidence.
And so every time, his answer became vague but……
「Fufu, well of course that’s the case! Let us keep going with our own pace. We also still haven’t found the seventh wife after all!」
「Can you stop getting fixated at getting seven?」
Rana easily stepped back every time which must be her consideration toward him. That too made him thought of how pathetic he was acting, but he also couldn’t hold back the relieved sigh that he let out from his undisguised feeling.
Suddenly, Kousuke looked forward.
Hinata-chan made a “Shiki” in the shape of Karasu Tengu that she created to carry her smartphone so it could take her picture from the front. She was in high spirits. Beside her, Santa Claus-san looked back over his shoulder.
「I’m looking forward to the day I can send present to your children at Christmas Eve. Blessing to the children of the future! Ho~ho-ho-ho!!」
Santa Claus-san’s gaze smoo~thly moved. From one person to the next.
Yes, his gaze moved not only to Rana, but also Emily and others around her. Emily and Claudia’s face puffed red, and also Zhu for some reason. And then, there was Vanessa and Hidzuki who puffed out their chests while proclaiming But of course!
「To be bestowed the blessing of the sender of blessing even before they art born, what luck. Mine beloved? I wish to hath a child quickly.」
An intense sidelong glance came from the hell wife who wasn’t as merciful as Rana. If necessary, I’ll just assault you sometime during this trip to receive your seed……her gaze seemed to say to him. Who knew if it was just his imagination or not.
Also Hinata-chan, there was no need to look that shocked just because you didn’t get included among Santa-san’s gaze. 「I still can’t get pregnant……」 Muttering such thing with a sad look was completely out in various senses so stop thaaaaatt!!
「Let’s have that kind of talk again later one day! Putting that aside, there was something Nagumo told me to ask hereeee-」
His voice was really monotone. But, it was a desperate monotone that was true to life.
Hidzuki laughed Kakah lightheartedly due to that desperate topic change. Apparently she was just teasing.
T-that’s right! I also think it’s still too early! It’s just a joke isn’t it! Emily-chan also looked relieved. If everyone is going to do it then……I can only resolve myself! Her eyes looked like they changed like a carnivore for a moment there, it must be just his imagination.
「Oh my? From demon god-san? That means, it’s a question for moi?」
「Yep yep. About that matter──when he asked you to notify him if there’s a being born from the thought toward Ehito.」
Ehito was a god who even now was believed by one of the worlds, Tortus. But, the actual god himself was already gone.
In short, it was a being that could be born in the fairy world anytime.
「What the people of Tortus believed in is the “virtuous god Ehito”, so even Nagumo said that there isn’t that much need for worry but……」
「As the side who had tasted bitter experiences the whole time, that is something concerning for us.」
Rana instantly became expressionless. The discrimination and persecution toward demihuman──people who were now called beastman were also for that guy’s pleasure. It wasn’t strange for Rana to still feel murderous intent toward him.
「Let’s see. Moi too am paying attention for it but, for now there is still no child like that being born. There’s also no sign of it.」
「Hm~m, that so. Based on the fairy world’s peculiarity, I don’t think that he won’t be born here though.」
「True thaat. ……Perhaps it’s just not that long yet for that to happen.」
The amount of thought for it to happen should already be enough though……Blau thought and cocked her head in puzzlement. Although it was only as placeholder she was still a goddess. If there was a new life born in this world, there was no way she wouldn’t notice it.
And so, it was definitely the case that Ehito hadn’t been born.
「He’s a shared being that people believe in but, there’re also several beings born with different natures despite coming from a single source due to the existences of several interpretations or schools of thought toward the target of worship. Or maybe, it can also happen that they reside in other divinity with similar source. But right now even such case doesn’t seem to have happened pyon……」
Either way, apparently she didn’t feel anything even though she had been paying attention to Ehito’s existence.
Right now the flow of thought from Tortus was coming in without any obstruction, so Blau cocked her head with even more puzzlement.
「The fairy world is really a peculiar world isn’t it……」
Claudia looked a bit conflicted.
Actually before, she once asked Aularodde whether “the god we believed in” also existed, even knowing that the being would only be a resident of the fairy world and not the actual “Lord” but……
The answer at that time was exactly the same like Blau.
And then, as though to prove that the being was just resident of the fairy world, it was the pattern of “there were multiple of them”.
Although their existences were a complete opposition of the teaching of “the one and only God”, there was no denying that they were existences born from the thought of many people on earth. It thoroughly convinced Claudia and others that, Aa, they are really just residents of the fairy world……
「Aa, come to think of it Claire-chan.」
Blau turned her gaze to her. Perhaps she had heard Claudia’s whisper. Claudia tilted her head 「What is it?」.
「Jesus-san said that he want to meet with the modern era’s saintess though.」
「EH!?」
Of course, it wasn’t the actual “Father” who Claudia and others devoted their love to. However, still. Would there be believer who wouldn’t get shaken when that name got mentioned, not to mention that the person asked to meet with them! NO, there was no way anyone like that existed!!
「Don’t be that tense okies? He’s a reaa~~lly amiable fella you know? He’s a close friend with Buddha-san and reaally kind even to us fairies. Fufufu. Even the neighborhood called him “Saint Bro Jesus” intimately you know?」
「E, ee……?」
Claudia’s expression was veery conflicted! Aziz-kun too was looking worried muttering 「Kuh, it’s a honor to be able to meet but……but, my instinct is whispering. You’ll get a lot of damage in various senses-」.
Meanwhile, Kousuke, Manami, and Vanessa thought while glancing at such two.
I know that ploo~t, I have read it in mangaa~
To think that the plot of Saint Young Men would unfold for real here. The three nodded to each other in the same beat. Because, they loved that manga!
「「「You two must go!!」」」
「「EEH!?」」
Of course, Claudia and Aziz were bothered by the high spirited trio.
After that, they got welcomed by Saint Bro Jesus. They also interacted with the neighbors (mostly eminent figures or gods) while having a very plebeian home party in bro’s home. It went without saying that the brain of the clergy siblings got wrecked in various senses.
But at the same time, it also went without saying that they got more emotional the more they talked with him.
Of course, Kousuke and others hit it off with the people there. They even had their arms around the shoulders of legendary figures like Buddha-sama at the end.
And last, perhaps it was the recent fashion. For some reason Jesus and Buddha wore T-shirt and short pant, and the other gods also matched their fashion. They also interacted with those gods, took commemorative photo at the extremely plebeian yard of the house, and also created a lot of memories that would definitely drive earth’s religious leaders and mythologists crazy.
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After that.
After Santa Claus at the start, Kousuke and others received welcoming and transportation that were too extravagant in various senses like mythological giant bird or legendary dragon god, legendary vehicles like Ama no Iwafune (giant rock boat) or treasured ship, and even the legendary ghost ship and the like. With those they went around various places for several days.
The north small Divine Tree that Hajime once went to reinforce. The fairy capital Reefree.
The completely ravaged place now had giant trees standing all over the place in great number. Greeneries and flowers covered the ground and the mystical forest was regaining its true form. The welcoming party also consisted of the revived husband and wife, the fairy king and fairy queen.
The trees didn’t get processed at the least. The trees themselves changed form in accordance to the fairies’ wishes and they all formed the capital. The place shined faintly, perhaps from phosphorescence, making a world with exceptional beauty.
Though it was truly painful for everyone to stay there when the fairy queen asked questions like 「When will that person visit here I wonder?」 with an expression like a dreaming maiden, and how the fairy king’s expression dropped dejectedly each time.
Also the west small Divine Tree was the territory of the dragon king but, the capital above the cloud was truly a magnificent spectacle. Everyone’s tension rapidly went up from the rare experience of walking on the cloud.
Though it was truly painful for everyone to stay there with how the dragon king frequently asked 「When will that vampire princess take a visit here I wonder?」 while the eye pupils of his wives kept widening and burning the hole into him.
Other than those places, they were also going around places like a city located at the bottom of ocean and a town made from a gigantic pit, an underground capital that was like hell due to the magma river flowing ahead of it, deep mountain valleys where the concept of color was lost and ghost type beings were strutting around, a sky city inside super gigantic cumulonimbus cloud filled with gale and lightning, etc……
And then yesterday, they went to Hidzuki’s territory──the capital at the foot of the east small Divine Tree that had gone through a complete transformation into something like hot-spring village where a certain girl whose extravagant name was taken away was working. Kousuke and co received ardent welcoming from the Hyahha onis. And now the next day after that,
「……I, got this thought. The fairy world is the number one world where there’s anything. And also the number one most fantastical.」
They were flying out of the planet. Riding on train.
Perhaps you didn’t understand what does that mean but, the meaning was exactly like that.
「We keep going no way no way! To think there’s something like an actual galaxy railroad here, there should be a limit even in being unexpected!」
Manami was clinging closely on the window while speaking out for the first time after they departed.
It couldn’t be helped. After all outside the window she could see countless shining stars amidst the pitch black space.
Yes, this place was the space. *Gatan gatan* They felt the pleasant vibration with their body while the one giving them transportation today was the train running on space that was just too famous especially for Japanese people.
「To think, that the day I’m going to space would arrive……」
「Certainly it’s a famous work among all famous works but……for the rail to be born in the fairy world along with the train……should our fear be directed to the strength of thought toward Japanese people’s creative work?」
Emily and Vanessa were also still dumbfounded. It was only natural. After all something like going to space was something big that anyone would have dreamed at least once.
But, to realize that dream would require a lot of studying and training, efforts. Even then there was no guarantee that they would get chosen for it.
Recently the possibility of even ordinary people also being able to go there was also increasing but, even that would require vast amount of money. As expected it was something that was still a far off dream for commoner.
To think, that wish would easily come true like this.
「The scale is too different. As expected from a world containing only supernatural beings……」
Zhu too was holding her head while looking like she had a headache. She was sitting in the box one box behind where Kousuke and others were sitting.
Perhaps for the gods, sharing territory inside a single planet was about the same like becoming the mayor of town or village in human term.
For those egoistic beings, that must feel very stifling. It was understandable that they would then fly out of the planet. Beings that had the authority to make that possible could be found everywhere in the fairy world after all.
Blau nodded while smiling wryly.
「That’s riight. For gods, as expected it looks like it’ll feel awkward if they don’t rule over at least one planet……sometimes they aren’t only quarreling over planet, but even quarreling over galaxy.」
Especially right now, when the territories they controlled had greatly changed due to them losing their sanity, so those who had regained their sanity and also divinity owners who were resurrected were trying to take back the territories they previously ruled. Or perhaps they wanted to obtain new controlled territories. Apparently the situation right now was a bit like warring states period.
Blau-tan said¸ It’s troubling isn’t iit? with a smiling expression that didn’t look troubled, but looking like she had gotten completely used to it. This person really had gotten gutsy.
「Oi, Endou Kousuke. What do you mean by the most fantasy world. Right now this place is the most dangerous world!」
Zhu-san yelled We’re really going to be alright right!? while spontaneously standing up, and then she peered over the seating box. She then slapped Kousuke’s head *peshi peshi* over the divider.
「I-it’s fine, it’s fine. Various things like the reconstruction and the like have progressed far more than we expected, and these several days the surprises just kept coming but, no matter what happen we have Blau with us here.」
「Leave it to moi!」
「Besides in case the worst happen, we can also evacuate to earth anytime with Fairy Key.」
「……That’s, well, that’s true.」
Kousuke looked back over his shoulder at Zhu who was leaning on the divider’s rim with her jaw rested on it and her hands curled like a cat.
She was a cool beauty, looking at the way she was kneeling on her seat while peering over the divider made him felt a bit tickled. He did his best to hold himself back from laughing.
Because if she found out what he was thinking, she absolutely would scratch him, exactly like a cat even. Her face would turn red.
「That’s right Zhu-chan. This kind of experience isn’t something you can get that easily so have fun rather than worrying like that. You’re being a bit of scaredy cat you know?」
「Who’re you calling a coward! Rana Hauria! I’m just not as brash as you!」
「But look, Hinata-chan is having fun without any reservation at all.」
Rana who was sitting diagonally in front of Kousuke gently patted the head of Hinata who was sitting near the window beside her while clinging closely to the window. Seeing that, Zhu gritted her teeth like she had gotten poked at where it hurt.
「That’s……kuh, this cursed Fujiwara Hinata-」
Was Fujiwara Hinata becoming the synonym of cursing for her?
There was not a single thing to be worried about. Hinata was absorbed with staring out of the window while her legs were also unusually swinging back and forth in great mood as though to say that. Zhu glared at Hinata resentfully, then pulled back her head *pyu-* also like a cat.
「Eh? What is it? Rana-oneesama, did you call out at me just now?」
「It’s nothing. We’re just talking how cute Hinata-chan is.」
Rana patted her hair with an affectionate expression. Hinata’s eyes blinked.
Who are you having such talk with……she thought while quickly turning her gaze to in front of her. Naturally, she found Kousuke there.
*Puff* Her cheeks reddened.
「Endo──no I mean……umm, that, Ko, Ko-ko-ko, Ko, Kou-sama?」
It seemed that the conversation between Zhu and Rana didn’t enter her ears at all.
Right in front of Rana was Hidzuki. Emily and Vanessa, and also Claudia were sitting in the neighboring box seat. And then the box seat behind them had Aziz and Manami, and also Blau sitting in, but Emily and others looked absorbed into the sight of space.
For some reason Hidzuki looked exasperated, and she had a slightly irritated expression so she removed her from the list. And then she seemed to guess that in that case, the one talking with Rana was Kousuke?
She shyly asked for confirmation with an upward gaze while her words stuttered. Although, rather than because of the content of Kousuke and Rana’s conversation, her shyness came from……
「Ah, yeah. Err……well, certainly I think you’re cute seeing how you still get completely shy just from calling my name.」
「Heu……」
Now it wasn’t just her cheeks, but her whole face turned red. Hinata reflexively covered her face with both her hands.
Yes, it was the way she called him.
This whole time, Hinata wanted to call Kousuke with his given name. Furthermore, she wanted to use a unique way of calling that was only used by her.
This was none other than one of the important goals that Hinata set for herself during this trip.
It was a mere nickname. However, for Hinata it was something that greatly worried her. Personality-wise.
She felt really lonely being the only one not calling Kousuke with his given name, but the way she called him “Endou-sama” had gotten completely fixed in place that it felt excessively embarrassing to change it out of nowhere. She convinced herself that she should wait to change it until they formally went out with each other, even so as expected she felt jealous seeing Rana and others calling Kousuke with his given name.
That was why, she also consulted with Hidzuki with the resolve of getting teased by her, Rana and others also gave her a push on the back that it would be nice if this trip became an impetus for her.
Even so she just couldn’t grasp the timing……
Her wish came true only last night.
It was when Kousuke enjoyed a time alone in an open-air bath. Rana and others charged in without even hiding their body like it was only natural (Emily and Claudia were bright red and shrinking into themselves though).
Hinata was the only one who at first refused the invitation for mixed bathing from Rana and co 「That is improper for man and woman outside marriage!」 due to her common sense and boiling feeling of embarrassment, although,
──There shouldst be a limit even in being frustrating. Don’t argue back just come along!
Hidzuki said that and forcefully carried her on her shoulder. She barely made it in time to wrap multiple towels around her body and succeeded in hiding her skin, but once she got tossed into the bath, 「There is nothing more embarrassing than this situation right now!」 she made her resolve.
Her chains snapped, no, perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a desperation, in any case, she was finally able to speak out her own wish.
Of course, there was no reason for Kousuke to refuse.
Rather, for Kousuke whose consciousness had gotten walloped hard by the suddenly manifesting Shangri-la until he became heavily shaken, that adorable request from Hinata sounded truly warming, so it also helped him out in regaining his composure.
Getting back on topic.
「Aah geez! You’re really super cute!」
「Nmuu!?」
Hinata fidgeted and Rana reflexively hugged her tightly. Hinata whose face got snugly enveloped by Rana’s large chests struggled in distress.
「Good grief, for the extraordinary onmyouji who is feared even by onis to be in this state just because of a matter of name. Art not you acting a bit too innocent?」
「Ahaha, I think that’s a good aspect of Hinata-chan though. Isn’t this what they called being modest and reserved?」
「Mine beloved too, for you to not attack our naked bodies despite being right before your eyes. You art also very modest and reserved art not you?」
「Stop suddenly sending sparks at me too okay? Also, it would be bad for Hinata-chan’s cultivation of aesthetic sensibility, so don’t bring her to the bath while I’m inside ever again.」
Kousuke looked very serious. Because, if he got careless it could become a court case. His true feeling was seventy percent self-protection.
「In other words, you art going to welcome us anytime if it’s just us. Fufufuh」
「Nnn, nn~~h, no comment.」
His little sister looked at him with eyes that seemed to say 「Uwaa, what a wuss~」 from the box seat diagonally at the other side, but Onii-chan naturally ignored it.
「K-Kou-sama!」
「Ah, yes. What’s up?」
Hinata energetically escaped from between Rana’s chests and called out to him with a face that still had some redness remaining.
「I have managed to turn quite a lot of prominent apparitions to be my shikigami until today. My Hyakki Yagyou are forming up nicely.」
「Seems like it. Especially the onis, there’re so many of them applying that we got to set up interview to screen them.」
This too was one of the goals Hinata set up for herself. Forming shikigami contract with various apparitions at various places. The final goal of it was the formation of Hyakki Yagyou which was progressing smoothly.
「Not only that I was also able to meet with many famous gods, and even gratefully received their divine protection or stipulation of cooperation.」
「Y-yep, I guess. Eh? Isn’t Hinata-chan getting too strong in this trip?」
Hinata was a lot liked by the gods. Not only her goal to strengthen her organization’s fighting power with the formation of Hyakki Yagyou was realized, it seemed Hinata herself had also gotten strengthened by a lot.
Zhu-san’s face peeked out *Suuu-* again from over the divider. It’s always you……unforgivable! She was making such expression. But, this talented woman had also successfully received a lot of blessing, so in Kousuke’s opinion there wasn’t much change.
「And on top of that, my dearest wish to be able to call Kou-sama with his given name has also been granted……」
Hinata fixed her sitting posture properly and stared straight at Kousuke.
「I, am really glad to be able to come in this trip-. It is a really fun trip!!」
She said with an extremely delighted wide smile on her face.
Seeing that, Kousuke and also Rana and others smiled brightly. There was also the sound of stomping the floor 「Dammit, so cute-」 from the person in the box seat behind Kousuke who drew back *Nyuu-* her face.
「That’s great to hear. Yep, I also have fun. The fairy world is incredible, yep. It surpassed my imagination. And most of all……it’s the best that I can go around such world together with everyone!」
Kousuke said that with a gentle expression. Rana and others looked the happiest so far when they heard that. Some laughed in enjoyment and words of agreement came back from each and every one of them.
「Geez! As the proxy goddess, being told that just make moi want to entertain everyone more and mooo~~~re pyon!!」
Blau also reflexively stood up and pumped up her muscles.
Like that,
「Good timing, we’re about to arrive at our destination planet pyon!」
The first destination of the interstellar trip using train was approaching──
It was at that timing.
*Purururu* There was the sound that notified of incoming call. It came from Kousuke’s inter-world communicator.
「Whoops, sorry for the interruption. I wonder who’ calling. To go out of their way to call at the inter-world communicator……」
There were his clones at earth. Usually it would be sufficient for most things if anyone contacted those clones.
In the first place, the number of people who had inter-world communicator that was connected to Kousuke was also limited.
Was it Hajime, or the headquarters of the response division, or perhaps……
「Eh? Kiyotake-san? And it comes from the terminal at Tsuchimikado residence instead of the communicator installed in the headquarters?」
The call came from next in line to be the head of Tsuchimikado (Recently his father Takehiko had inherited the seat of head). Rana and others also widened their eyes by that unexpected name.
「Kou-sama. If my memory serves me right, right now Kiyotake-san and others should be in the middle of business trip in US isn’t it?」
「Yeah. he should be going there ahead together with his father Takehiko-san to the investigation agency over there. They said that they’ll make preparation so princess can freely do her activity there without any obstruction.」
「Kou-kun, won’t it be better if you pick up the call quickly for now?」
Urged by Rana, Kousuke nodded agreeing with her reasoning.
Emily and Aziz and others also leaned forward while wondering what could it be about. Zhu’s face also popped up curiously. Meanwhile Kousuke pressed the accept button in speaker mode.
Right after that.
『Thank god! It’s connected! Kousuke-kun! Please, lend us your strength! It’s an emergency!』
「Kiyotake-san? What happened?」
The situation was apparently a pressing one. Kiyotake’s voice sounded anxious.
Not only Kousuke, the expressions of Rana and others also became serious when they heard that……
Kiyotake yelled in that moment.
『My father got one hand taken away!』
「Eh, agaiin!?」
Kousuke also reflexively yelled.
Because, Takehiko-san already lost his arm three times during the “Dragon Incident”. Each time he got “regeneration” applied on him, so that was why Kousuke reflexively yelled.
From the other side of the phone, 『What the heeeeeeeeellll, this agaiiiiiiinnn』 such yell of lamentation that was oozing out fed up feeling could be heard.
……Apparently Takehiko-san himself also felt the same like Kousuke.
Why is my arm often get taken away like this? He protested.
In any case.
「Eerr, for now we’ll temporarily halt our trip, is that okay?」
Kousuke said that with a troubled expression even while unable to feel as serious as the situation deserved due to Takehiko’s voice. As expected Rana and others also had the same expression while nodding to him.
.
AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
Recently I saw a Christmas movie called [Red One] so this chapter started with Santa Claus. It was quite novel and amusing.
※Material introduction
– Saint Bro Jesus
From [Saint Young Men]. I still haven’t watched the live action so I want to watch it already.
– Galaxy railroad
From [Milky Way Railroad] and also [Galaxy Express 999].
– What the heelllll, this agaiiiin
From Zeke of [Attack on Titan].
– Buruaaaaaah
From Cell (Wakamoto-san) of [Dragon Ball].
– The hotspring village where a girl with extravagant name worked
From [Spirited Away].