Dual System in Daily World

"My original plan was to sneak Hitori into my room one night after you guys have all fallen asleep… Hey hey hey, Seika-neesan, what's with that look in your eyes?"

"The hell, how can you say that so shamelessly?"

Seika's face was full of contempt.

"You're the one who asked me first,"

Chisato said, feeling quite wronged.

"That still doesn't change your scummy nature. I've sensed your true colors a long time ago, but even so… I just can't get used to it."

"…It's not like I planned to do anything with her. I just thought we'd hang out in my room, watch a movie or something."

"And then while watching, things start to feel off, and next thing you know—those classic scenes unfold, right? 

'I'll just hug you and not move,' 'I'll move but not go in,' 'I'll just go in for a second and pull out quick'… that sort of thing."

Seika's voice grew quieter and quieter, and by the end, she simply turned her head away.

Chisato looked at her with a dumbfounded expression. What was even going on?

If he hadn't heard from Nijika in private that her older sister had been single for her entire life, had never had a boyfriend, and—according to her knowledge—hadn't even held hands with any male outside of relatives, Chisato might have thought someone had misled her. The way she described it was far too realistic.

"I really didn't mean anything. I just wanted to make up for how I've been neglecting Hitori recently, nothing more."

"When did you neglect her? I didn't notice anything."

"Well… it's a long story."

"Forget it, I shouldn't pry. It's your personal matter anyway. But one thing…"

Seika lowered her voice again and leaned closer.

"Kesshoku Band's reputation isn't what it used to be. 

Whatever you do now, be cautious. Don't get caught by some reporter in a compromising photo or cause some unnecessary trouble."

"Don't worry. I'm aware of that. I won't do anything reckless that would cause problems or unnecessary harm to them."

"It's not just them. You're now the president behind the sudden success of Kesshoku Band.

There are probably quite a few eyes watching your every move. Don't do anything out of line in public either."

"…Yeah."

Chisato took a light breath and nodded.

"As long as you understand."

Having said what needed to be said, Seika didn't add anything more.

She pulled out her earphones and plugged them into her phone, getting ready to listen to music—only for Chisato to casually take one of the earbuds and stick it in his ear, shrinking the distance between them even more.

Seika gave him a glance but didn't say anything about his familiar and presumptuous behavior.

The two said nothing more as they traveled. Before long, they arrived at their destination: a hotel near the Sapporo ski resort nestled in the mountains.

Chisato had pre-booked four rooms online. 

His original plan was to have the four members of Kesshoku Band split into two rooms, and then he and Seika would each take one room—perfectly balanced.

But now, with Eriri and Utaha tagging along, and considering Seika's earlier warning, he felt it was absolutely necessary to book an extra room for the two of them.

After being welcomed by hotel staff, Chisato went alone to the front desk to handle check-in.

Meanwhile, Kesshoku Band and Seika were guided to their respective rooms in good spirits.

"Phew—"

Seika casually tossed her shoulder bag onto the sofa and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window. 

She stretched while admiring the breathtaking snowy scenery outside, letting out a long, excited breath.

She took out her phone to snap a few photos for memory's sake.

She hadn't even rested for long when there was a knock at the door. She opened it, unsurprised to find the four members of Kesshoku Band standing outside.

The night before departure, Seika had repeatedly reminded them to wear masks since, by now, they were semi-famous and being recognized or secretly photographed could be a hassle.

Since this was supposed to be a fun trip, it was best to prevent such problems in advance.

However, now that they were in the hotel room, there was no need for masks anymore. One by one, they took theirs off and eagerly explored Seika's room.

"So unfair! Your room is way bigger than ours, Onee-chan! You've got a private balcony, a projector, and such a huge bed!"

Nijika flopped onto the central bed, hugging the pillows and rolling around like a silly deer in the snow.

"A bed's just for sleeping, big or small, what's the difference? And take your shoes off!"

"Don't worry, I stretched my legs out. I won't dirty it."

Ryo opened the mini fridge next to the projector screen and let out a surprised gasp.

"There's so many snacks and cakes in here!"

She reached for one.

Seika, just having pulled her reluctant little sister off the bed, rushed over to Ryo and gave her a firm rub on the head, stopping her from opening the snacks.

"Suzumiya will be back soon and we'll go to the restaurant for lunch. Hold on a bit longer."

"…Okay."

As she finished with Ryo, a voice came from the bathroom—Ikuyo's.

"Seika-san, your room even has such a huge bathtub! It feels like several people could soak in it together!"

The others came over upon hearing that and indeed saw the bathroom dominated by a massive bathtub that could comfortably fit three or four people at once.

And that wasn't even all—

Ryo leaned in to pull open the curtains.

"Whoa!"

The three members of Kesshoku Band exclaimed in genuine awe at the incredible view outside the transparent glass window behind the curtain.

They could already imagine it: sinking into steaming water at night, a fruit platter nearby, enjoying a luxurious soak while admiring the view outside—it sounded heavenly.

"I have an idea—let's all come over and take a bath here tonight!"

Nijika raised her hand.

"Yes!"

"I second that!"

Ikuyo and Ryo chimed in their approval.

"Second what? The plan for tonight is to have dinner at the hotel's buffet, then soak in the hot springs, and finally get massages. Your president arranged all of it."

"Oh… then let's bathe together tomorrow night instead."

"That's not gonna work. Your rooms don't even have bathtubs, do they?"

"Ours do, but they're not this big—and the view isn't as nice."

"And they don't have as many extra features either."

Ryo stared at the control panel beside the bathtub, the dense array of buttons piquing her curiosity.

Seika looked at the eager faces of the others and let out a helpless sigh.

"Do what you want, but once you're done soaking, go straight back. Don't think about hanging around here too long."

"Got it, got it. Then it's settled... huh? Where's Bocchi-chan?"

It was only then that Nijika noticed someone was missing from the bathroom.

The others, realizing it too, poked their heads out of the bathroom and saw Hitori squatting silently in front of the bedside cabinet with her back to them.

"Hey, Bocchi-chan?"

Nijika called out in confusion, only to get an extremely flustered reaction from Hitori.

She visibly shuddered, then hurriedly shoved something into the drawer of the cabinet. She turned around in a panic, breathing heavily as she looked at them.

"Y-Yes!"

"Hmm~ So suspicious~"

The other three members of Kesshoku Band, including Seika, were all intensely curious about what Hitori had just been hiding that had shaken her so much.

They slowly walked over.

"U-Um… Why don't we just go eat instead?"

Hitori tried to stop them awkwardly, but her efforts were in vain.

Nijika gently took her hand and moved her aside.

Ryo and Ikuyo grinned mischievously as they opened the drawer she had just closed.

Seika also leaned in curiously to take a look inside.

With just one glance, her pupils dilated instantly, and then—smack!—she quickly slammed the drawer shut.

"Eh? What happened?"

Nijika watched as Hitori and Ikuyo covered their faces, Ryo had a cheeky grin, and her sister was panting slightly. Her curiosity only burned brighter.

"What was in there?"

"That's not important!"

Seika snapped back harshly.

"Come on, how can it be fair that I'm the only one who doesn't know…"

Nijika puffed out her cheeks in protest.

Seeing this, Ikuyo leaned over and whispered something very quietly in her ear.

Immediately, Nijika's whole face flushed red, and she lowered her head in silence.

An awkward atmosphere hung in the room between the five girls.

It wasn't until Chisato, who had just finished checking in, entered the room that the mood lightened somewhat.

However, as he looked at the five blushing girls, he couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was off.

Why did it feel like their eyes kept glancing—albeit subtly—toward his crotch...?

Must be his imagination.

___

So it was a drawer full of 'sword sheath'.

_______

50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

_______

If any of you noticed an error, please point it out in comments!