Chapter 225 What'S Up, Maya-Chan?
"Um, Maya-chan, what do you mean?"
"So, it's okay if they become Maya's mom, dad, grandpa, or grandma, right?"
Um, I don't really get what she's saying.
But I guess it's fine.
"Yeah, I think it's okay."
"Got it, so you've agreed, huh?"
"Huh?"
"By this, am I on par with Rosalier-oneesan and Mylavirna-oneesan?"
What does that mean? Huh? What are you talking about, Maya-chan?
"Oh, maybe I took a few steps ahead by greeting the mothers. But oh, Rosalier-oneesan had done that."
"What 'that'?"
"You see, I heard it from Rosalier-oneesan. What happened at Lake Swiglefen."
Maya-chan looks up at me and smiles. It's kinda like the smile I often see on the bus...
"Ar-ti-fi-ci-al... Ven-ti-la-ti-on."
Maya-chan points to my lower lip with her index finger.
Seriously, I'm surprised.
"Oh, that's because, you know, she was trying to help me, and then, there was an accident. Rosalier-san said it was like an accident too."
"Big brother, did you wake up and watch the first one, the second one, and then many more times?"
"Well, about that..."
It's not a kiss, it's for emergencies. Oh, now I remember it.
Maya-chan squats in front of me and buries her face in my chest. Is she smelling me?
"Big brother."
"Yeah?"
"Being kidnapped by Bergalide was one thing."
"Yeah."
"You have some really careless moments, huh?"
"I won't deny that――"
"Eyaa!"
Huh? Maya-chan's face is right next to mine. Her lips are touching my cheek.
"See? You're being careless again."
"No, that's just because it's you, Maya-chan."
"Do you know? The skin here and here are connected, right?"
"Huh?"
Maya-chan gently touches my cheek and lips with her fingertips.
"Well, of course. They're right next to each other."
"It's like they're the same thing, right? Here we go!"
Maya-chan's face comes close again. I instinctively try to avoid, causing her lips to land beside mine. That was close, I almost missed avoiding it.
"Hey, why are you trying to avoid it?"
"Well, I have to avoid it, right?"
"Give back Maya's determination!"
Maya-chan holds the back of my head with both hands. It feels like a headlock from kickboxing ――Stop, I can't escape. Oh...wait, it's not a headbutt, it's Maya's lips and mine. They're touching. It feels very soft...
"Haha. I received the unsatisfactory birthday present, so I made sure to get it. Oh, one more time."
Once again, it's a soft sensation. Even though it's just a touch, more time has passed than before.
"Mm. Maybe now I'm on par with Rosalier-oneesan. I'm not sure exactly how many times, but whatever."
"W-What are you doing?"
"Huh? Isn't this like declaring war on Rosalier-oneesan and Mylavirna-oneesan?"
"Huh?"
I don't get it. Why would she do something like this?
"Don't you get it?"
"No, I don't."
"Why do you think Maya is with you instead of Mothers at Swiglefen?"
"Well, you know, you became friend with Rosalier-san, and Mahiru-chan and Asaya-kun are being too lovey-dovey..."
"Ugh, you're so clueless. Anyway, bring out that photo and put it up like this, in the front."
Maya-chan has just placed the photo of my mom and the others from earlier on the family altar.
"Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma."
"W-What do you mean?"
"Maya is still Tatsuma's stepsister, but eventually, she wants to be Brother Tatsuma's wife. Please continue to support us. Can you watch over us from there?"
"Huh?"
I don't understand the situation at all. How did things escalate like this?
"Don't you get it yet? Maya, you know, Maya is not into younger guys like Mahiru-chan. Remember Maya said I likes older guys, like uncles?"
"Yeah, I heard that before."
"When we went from Swiglefen to Watterhill, Maya heard that story from Rosalier-oneesan, and I was jealous. Of course, I've also talked to Mothers about it. She said it's okay since we're just step-siblings."
"Huh?"
"Yeah, so when we went to Watterhill and Swiglefen, just the two of us."
"Yeah."
"I thought it was my chance. I wanted to get confirmation while I had the chance. Otherwise, wouldn't you go missing, big brother?"
"Oh, um, sorry."
"It might not be the best time when Ber-san and Dorchune-san are waiting, but I thought it was now or never."
"Why now?"
"Because, Maya likes you, big brother. Not like a sibling, but Maya likes you as a man, as a romantic interest."
"Huh?"
What? I've never been told something like that before, so I don't get it.
"Rosalier-san and Myla-san mentioned something like that too. It's like, the atmosphere or the custom in Ensgard, that's all I've heard. Actually, it's the first time anyone's said something like that to me..."
"Huh? No way... Ugh, seriously, big brother, you're so clueless."
"Huh?"
"Maya talked to Mothers, and also to Rosalier-oneesan and Mylavirna-oneesan about the same thing."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Rosalier-oneesan said, 'I'd be happy if it eventually turned out that way.' And Mylavirna-oneesan said, 'Same here.' They both, you know, they're demons, so they're like high schoolers like Maya. In reality..."
"Yeah, I've kinda figured that out age-wise."
"So, I thought, depending on the timing, Maya needed to make you aware, big brother. I mean, I knew you were this clueless."
"Well, I've been single forever, so my age equals my girlfriend-less history. I mean, I've never had one."
"Yeah, I knew that."
"Huh? Did you figure it out with the Appraisal Skill, by any chance?"
"You can't really see that, can you? It's just a feeling. I mean, big brother, you always avoided eye contact on the bus, right?"
"Y-yeah."
"I talked to Mahiru-chan about it too. She was like, 'Isn't it fine if Maya-chan does what she likes?' and brushed it off... And Mii-cchan was like, 'Capturing Tatsuma-sama isn't easy,' and laughed."
"Whoa, seriously?"
"So, I asked Mothers and them just now. I'll say it again, so listen carefully, okay?"
"O-okay."
"It's okay if things settle down first, not right away, but when Maya becomes an adult, okay? Make Maya your bride."
"Yeah, I still don't really get it, but is that okay?"
"Yeah. It's a promise, okay? Like an engagement kind of thing? Maya will slowly 'let you know,' okay? ――Uh, oh yeah."
"What now?"
I felt a bit creeped out for a moment.
"Don't freak out that much. Listen, it's not just about Maya, but also about thinking about Rosalier-oneesan and Mylavirna-oneesan properly. Got it?"
"Yeah. I'll think about it properly eventually. Is that okay then?"
"Thank you, big brother. I'll have Mahiru-chan pass on that you've made a promise ――oh, I forgot."
"What now?"
"Congratulations, big brother. With this, you're also joining the ranks of 'riajuu,' you know?"
"What in the world—"
And then, mwah... Whoa, calm down. It's not your turn yet...
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