ODL – Chapter 86 – Intruder of the Dark Night

“…I’m seriously exhausted…” (Souma)

As I soak in the bathtub, complaints spill out naturally. Not so much complaints, more like expressions of weakness. Anyways, today has been a day filled with various mental burdens.

“Hiyorin and Shizuka, neither of them seem to understand their own charm. They really should try to see things from my perspective as well.” (Souma)

Even now, the softness of Hiyorin and the sensation of Shizuka’s lips are vividly etched into my mind. No matter how hard I try to forget, they won’t fade away. In fact, I’m not even sure if I want to forget it.

“…I might go crazy one of these days.” (Souma)

Their unintentional body touches were slowly chipping away at my life points. If my life points were to run out… I wonder what would happen. In the end, I felt like I couldn’t do anything but be scared, but every day, bizarre incidents caused by people controlled by their instincts were making the headlines on talk shows. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t become like that.

The two unconsciously attacking my body with their touches were undoubtedly and steadily chipping away at my life points. If my life points were to run out… What would actually happen? I had a feeling I’d end up chickening out and not being able to do anything, but humans driven by instinct tend to cause bizarre incidents on the news every day. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t become one of them.

“Haaa…” (Souma)

I rested my chin on the bath’s edge and stared at the ceiling absentmindedly.

The plain white ceiling wasn’t interesting to look at, but strangely, it felt comforting to me right now. My eyes, which had taken in an excessive amount of flesh-colored images, were gradually being soothed. 

“…I’ve probably caused trouble for Mafuyu-chan too, haven’t I?” (Souma)

I was usually the one being dragged around, but today, Mafuyu-chan’s presence had been a considerable help. Taking care of the two drunken women on my own would have been impossible.

I knew very well how dull it could be for her to join a drinking session. She said it was fun, but I don’t really know the truth. Mafuyu-chan was a kind girl, so it felt like she might have said that out of consideration.

“I should probably make it up to her somehow.” (Souma)

When Mafuyu-chan first moved in, she seemed like quite the problematic girl, but now she seemed to be the most normal one in Souma-kai. She occasionally climbed into my bed, but she had more self-awareness than the other two, so things weren’t as tough.

◆

Or so I would like to say.

Conscious physical contact and unconscious physical contact. When it came to which one was more troublesome, it was undoubtedly the former.

“Well, then, how about making up for it now?” (Mafuyu)

“Huh!?” (Souma)

An unsettling presence disrupted the peaceful atmosphere.

A catchphrase reminiscent of a villain from a superhero show floated in my head. I hurriedly leaped out of the bath and firmly held down the bathroom door.

“Mafuyu-chan! Why are you here!?” (Souma)

There was a literal unsettling presence right in front of the bathroom door. As far as I knew, it bore a striking resemblance to Mafuyu-chan’s silhouette. Since Mafuyu-chan sometimes crawled into bed in her underwear, I couldn’t help but remember the outlines of her body.

“I used the spare key, of course.” (Mafuyu)

“I didn’t ask ‘HOW‘! I asked ‘WHY‘!¹” (Souma)

“Is there a reason needed for your little sister (imouto) to be with you?” (Mafuyu)

The door is suddenly pushed from the other side with great force, and I desperately resist.

…I have no idea what’s going on. Why on earth is Mafuyu-chan resorting to such actions!?

“Gah, I need a reason! SAY!” (Souma)

I panicked and somehow mixed English into my speech. But that was the least of my concerns. Right now, I had to stop Mafuyu-chan’s invasion at all costs.

“Will you let me in if I have a reason?” (Mafuyu)

“I won’t let you in, but I’ll at least hear the reason.” (Souma)

“What’s up with that? I don’t care, I’ll just force my way in.” (Mafuyu)

The pressure on the door increased, and for a moment, I thought I was going to be pushed inside. I pressed my heels against the outside of the bathtub and resisted with all my strength.

“W-Wait, wait! I seriously don’t understand! Why are you trying to come into the bath!?” (Souma)

On the other side of the door, Mafuyu-chan was pushing with all her might. She was in a forward-leaning position, like a prisoner carrying a big rock, with only the palms of her hands firmly pressed against the door.

…I think feel like the situation is normally the other way around. Well, it’s not normal to forcibly intrude into the bath in the first place.

Furthermore…

“Mafuyu-chan… are you naked, by any chance…?” (Souma)

Come to think of it, there was no clothing in that silhouette. Her familiar body lines were clearly visible.

“Onii-chan, you ask some strange things. Of course I’m naked because I’m going to take a bath.” (Mafuyu)

“Well, that’s true… but, no! If you want to use the bath, you should do it in your own home! …Oh, maybe it’s broken…?” (Souma)

“? I don’t think it’s broken… Why?” (Mafuyu)

“Hm?” (Souma)

Our conversation didn’t make any sense at all, and I found myself at a loss for words.

Wait, am I saying something weird…?

Is it normal for siblings to take a bath together…?

“…No no no.” (Souma)

To begin with, Mafuyu-chan isn’t even my real sister.

Certainly, in the past, there were times when we took a bath together, but now we’re both adults. There’s no way it’s okay for us to take a bath together.

“Anyway, no matter what, we’re not taking a bath together! If you want to use the bath, you can do it after I’m done, so please stop trying to get in for now!” (Souma)

“No matter what?” (Mafuyu)

“No matter what.” (Souma)

“Even if I told you I won’t move from here forever?” (Mafuyu)

“Then I’ll just have to stay here forever too.” (Souma)

“…Fine. I don’t want you to catch a cold, so I’ll stay in the living room for now.” (Mafuyu)

“Make sure to wear clothes!” (Souma)

“…Okay.” (Mafuyu)

It seems that Mafuyu-chan has given up, and the door suddenly feels lighter. After a slight sound of clothing rustling, Mafuyu-chan’s silhouette disappears from behind the door.

“…Today is probably the most tiring it has ever been.” (Souma)

I collapse weakly in the bathroom. My body had long gone cold.

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Thanks for reading!

I thought it was weird that she just quietly left MC to do his thing with the other two girls, but alas that was not the case. Mafuyu being forced to take care of Shizuka probably didn’t help matters.

In other news I managed to get Topaz and Numby within first 30 pulls without guarentee earlier today yay!

P.S. Progress for my other series will slow down a bit, cause I need to catch up on my VTubers xd

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1. The HOW and WHY are said in English. From now on, I’ll just bold the english text.