Chapter 373: Shion's Sigh, and the Obedient Hiyama Shunka
In the end, Courage looked utterly dejected. With Lucifer, Fuji Yumiko, and even Jinx—who usually filled the air with her constant, chaotic chatter—all absent, the lively restaurant suddenly felt far too quiet.
Ren watched her with an amused smile. "Courage, you're a completely different person without your usual partners in crime. You might give Lady Nakiri Mana and the others a bit of a shock if they saw you like this."
Courage was slumped over the table, her chin propped up by her hands as she spoke in a weak, listless voice. "I just feel like something's missing, that's all. I'm fine... But Ren, do you think Lady Mana should head straight to Totsuki? Or should she go directly to the resort?"
Ren paused, a little surprised by the question. "Is there a difference? Isn't it all work?"
Courage shook her head, a flicker of her usual energy returning. "There's a huge difference. Going to Totsuki is about handling family matters, which gives her a lot more freedom. Going to the resort is official WGO business. That's going to be exhausting."
"Uh... surely it wouldn't be that exhausting, would it?"
Her comment was the spark the fire needed. Courage slammed her hands on the table and shot to her feet, her voice ringing with indignation. "You have no idea! When an Executive Officer takes on a major project, none of them are simple. Just reviewing the preliminary data and combing through all the related contracts for loopholes takes forever! My eyes always ache by the end of it!"
Ren chuckled, finding her sudden outburst endearing. "That does sound unexpectedly tiring. But for you all to go through that without becoming nearsighted is seriously impressive."
"Of course! You could never guess what an Executive Officer keeps in her little handbag!" she declared proudly.
"Oh? What's in it?"
"You guess," she challenged, a playful glint in her eyes.
Ren tilted his head, genuinely considering it. "Hmm. You said your eyes hurt, so I'd imagine there are eye drops for fatigue, maybe some soothing eye patches. Then the essentials: cosmetics, a wallet, phone, a set of keys, a USB drive with important documents... I don't know if there's room, but maybe oral hygiene items like mouthwash? And various sprays, like perfume..."
Courage stared at him, her expression completely blank. "Ren, don't you think if you stuffed all that into a small bag, the clasp wouldn't even close?"
He shook his head with the decisive air of a man who had seen too much. "Think about it. When I used to go shopping with Yumiko and the others, who do you think was carrying all the bags?"
A soft giggle escaped Courage's lips as she covered her mouth. "Hmm, if you put it that way, I guess it can't be helped. You really are experienced, Ren. Your guess was pretty close, actually. There are oral sprays, antiperspirant sprays, hydrating mists, and sometimes even sunscreen."
"How do you fit all of that? The antiperspirant and oral sprays are small enough, but hydrating mists don't usually come in travel sizes, do they?"
"That's why we prepare our own little decanting bottles," she said, before letting out a long, weary sigh. "I have to leave again soon... Just thinking about it makes me tired..."
"Indeed," Ren mused, "a girl's stomach and her handbag are two things that must contain their own alternate dimensions."
"Pfft! It's not that exaggerated," Courage laughed, her mood finally lifting. She began to swing her small feet back and forth as she ate.
Ren's gaze drifted to Cerberus, who was happily devouring his own meal on the side, completely unbothered by the absence of Lucifer, Yumiko, and Jinx. As he watched the creature, however, he realized he'd overlooked something important.
"Cerberus."
The creature looked up, mouth full.
"Go call Sora down for breakfast. She has school today, and she can't be late for her first day at a new academy. Akemi probably overslept too, otherwise she would have been here by now, looking for her."
Cerberus gave a decisive nod, snatched one last piece of tempura from a plate, and bolted upstairs. A moment later, a startled shriek echoed from the second floor. It was clear that Kasugano Sora had been woken up before she was ready, and it was equally clear that Cerberus's methods had not been gentle.
A short while later, Ren and Courage watched as a pouting Kasugano Sora, already dressed in her Koyo Academy uniform and carrying her school bag, was practically dragged downstairs by Cerberus. She rubbed at her sleepy eyes, her face still beaded with droplets of water from a hastily performed morning wash.
"Ren-nii... Sister Courage... good morning..." she mumbled, stifling a wide yawn.
Courage looked at her, puzzled. "Eh? Sora, why are you so sleepy?"
After slumping into a chair, Sora rubbed her face, trying to wake herself up. "Hmm... I don't know... I went to bed pretty early last night, before midnight. But I just feel like I need so much sleep, and it's still not enough... Is it because I have to go to school?"
Courage blinked, then nodded in understanding. "It's been a long time since I graduated high school, but I think I remember that feeling. Every time a holiday ended, I always felt more tired than before."
"Hmm... Ren-nii, can I..."
"No," Ren cut her off gently but firmly. "Go to school obediently."
Kasugano Sora's cheeks puffed out in a silent protest. She had wanted to ask if she could rest for just one more day, but he had seen right through her. Though she knew it was a long shot, the instant rejection still annoyed her. Grumbling under her breath, she buried her face in her breakfast and began to eat.
Despite her irritation, she finished her meal, then reluctantly shouldered her bag and headed towards the school.
At the same time, across the way, Sōryūin Akemi burst out of her own house, running past a bemused Sōryūin Shion who was standing by the door.
'They're so full of youthful energy,'Shion thought with a soft smile.'I'll find some time today to tell Mom about... Hmm? Akemi, why are you back again?'
Sōryūin Akemi was leaning against the doorframe, a wide, mischievous grin on her face. "Sister! Mom said to tell her the news as soon as possible!"
"Eh? How did Mom know I went to ask him? Did you tell her?"
"Of course not! Sister, you're always very decisive about these things," Akemi chirped. "Mom asked me last night, 'Did your sister go talk to Ren about getting married? You tell that girl to give me an answer quickly!' or something like that."
A deep blush crept up Sōryūin Shion's neck. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "I know, Akemi. You should get to school."
"Oh! Right! And last night, you were rolling around hugging your pillow, just like when you and Ren-nii first got together!"
"Akemi!"
"Goodbye, Sister!" Akemi shouted, already sprinting away.
Watching her younger sister's retreating figure, Sōryūin Shion let out a long, helpless sigh. "How does that girl always manage to see me whenever I'm feeling even a little bit happy... Is she really my sister? But... since Mom is just trying to scare me... I'll tell her in a couple of days." A secret, happy smile bloomed on her face.
---
Elsewhere, in an opulent room bathed in morning light, a beautiful woman slowly opened her eyes. She stretched languidly, her movements as graceful as a cat's, before sitting up in a bed of fine silk. She rubbed her eyes, her gaze sweeping across the unfamiliar luxury of the room. Her eyes paused, then a charming smile graced her lips as she turned to the short-haired girl sitting quietly beside the bed.
"My dear Shunka," she purred. "Good morning."
Hiyama Shunka looked up at Kurayoshi Rino, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she gave a small, shy nod. "Rino... Good morning."
In one fluid motion, Kurayoshi Rino leaned over and hooked an arm around Hiyama Shunka's neck, pulling her close. With her free hand, she extended a single, elegant finger and gently traced the delicate line of Shunka's jaw.
"Hmm, my Shunka is such a good girl," she whispered, her voice a low, pleasant hum. "Come now. Let's go eat breakfast. Then... we'll go find Ren."
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