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Published at 2nd of January 2016 01:29:36 PM


Chapter 2

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Chapter 2: Output

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World ● ≒ ○ CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World  ● ≒ ○  CtG  OK

Player  ■ → □ Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ● ≒ ○  CtG  OK

Player ■ → □  Avatar OK!

Human ◆ ← ◇  Avatar OK!! ←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井 春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

 

 

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

*SLAM!*

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”


“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.


Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea[1].

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”


Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah. ……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health. Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.


What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just a change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it was beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, of a visor that covers the upper half of the user's face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts, it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it was finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulders were drenched from their sweat.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting was now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of the virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”

“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”

“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of night-light.[2]

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he has used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were silently conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in another way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distance between them, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they move.

As it was early summer, they’re using a towel blanket instead of a Futon[3], so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing a bed”. But, besides Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school students of the opposite sex to be in.

Even though they carefully made sure not to see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were the same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and the others left, Yuu was planning to sleep in the living room after taking a bath. As the only usable bed in the Kasugai household at the time was just the one in Yuu’s room. There is also one in his mother’s room, but it’s in the same state before her death ── which was buried under tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spent the whole day cleaning it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order a bed or a futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as a storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep in Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best to delicately do the bedding for them.

On the other hand, Miharu was regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such a subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was none other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajamas she received from Hajime, and now she was rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was unduly cat-like.

Haruha who was puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listened to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha wants to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tried to answer[4], but their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s face, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that a normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But…… 『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?

Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also an anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as a normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understood that, there was no option to refuse.

Thus, on the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river[5]

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right besides Haruha who was letting out a proper sleeping voice, but he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired, he still hasn’t reached the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he could do anything about it, because his heart beats fast as he felt their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why a tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of running away, thus she doesn’t own any bulkier pajamas but…… seeing how low her guard is sure is worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envious. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and clung onto him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whether she’s awake or not, maybe she’s having a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she buried her face tightly into Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there was a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, was once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a difference now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if getting tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt getting wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickleed her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiling warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such a thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composure for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowning Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was at a loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he was able to see her hesitatingly rubbing her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being a Net Benkei[6]”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have a bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of a person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』. Unlike me who is just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad at facing boys. And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably as to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant between them, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ houses. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother started to manage my life. I entered an all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit the chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time in『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with an all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do an all-nighter and overslept though. But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is a corresponding line in my friend's house, and even if there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such a strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacted with Haruha.

And because of that, Miharu is grieving over her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who have been taking care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of a useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it is just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything about whether her mother knows that she’s here or not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He was relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems that they have talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly closed her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely, his consciousness sank smoothly into slumber. Was he finally used to this situation? Did his body use up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest? Or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness was slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in the morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A while after waking up, her memories before sleeping were jumbled together and she forgets what she did. Today is exactly like that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in a fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In the past few days, she has been living in her close friends’ houses, so she wasn't surprised when waking up in an unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house was I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just a few stuff in the room, but most of it was placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic models lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Besides the bed Miharu is sitting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest, most beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy was wearing a T-shirt and knee-lenght half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to a woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daughter” Haruha came out from the game and they started to live together in “the daughter’s father's” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them slept together…… She recalled that she had an embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly remember what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off on a Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she ever touched a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed over things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian[7]) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly placed her hand on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to use more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it was always through a thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to think of it again, his physique is not that block-like but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls the drawing lesson she had during art class in junior high where she was told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the calm and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who woke up while letting out a tired voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, however you look at it, this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu stroking his head while looking at his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is an entirely different case.

Miharu panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gathered all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!” 

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all the commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and opened her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorable moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like she was about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they started the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I tried to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu was preparing a simple breakfast, Miharu was dressing up Haruha on the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became, it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this was a fresh new sensation for Haruha.


While having her hair straightened, Haruha was happily humming the Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly spoke.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after that incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with a boy is just too much for me)

Sorry Haruha, but from today onwards, she will convince her to sleep with only just the two of them.

But right before she started her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~. Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact, it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu was the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~. When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grabbed Haruha”

Haruha placed her small fist on her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laughed. After that, she loosened her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she was able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot on the bed, in the room there was Haruha who was in a great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who lost her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

 

 

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of the Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

it could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu passed through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that certainly looks like it” said Yuu while staggering over a good tackle by Haruha, who had changed into cute children's clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments on Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out in the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuff. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by the Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and she is counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be easier if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit that much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how bad it would be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hands with Miharu, the three of them passed through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of a typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro[8].

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they would have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving groceries for last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they should have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make a order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re saying we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should buy a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused over various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting as a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost consciousness in a room in the Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems that her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today's news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incidents also have been occurring at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country has reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he took his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through it’s window[9] Yuu saw the doll inside, and inside of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale!? Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely for him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems to be a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employees there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it's just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip a weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu's and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPGs, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly examine it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who is literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned to the topic at hand.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how pushy Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem of a item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer her question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu who is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has a distinct appearance of a dopey person or of someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passing the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings? …… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was thecomplete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what a playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and carried their shopping. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unhappy. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) no longer takes off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fall.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly became both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.


The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to bring them there with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu was shopping with his uncle whom she was acquainted with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was pushing the cart and right beside him was that girl, who was talking about a shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

*Crack*… As her body was about to fall, along with the floating mark inside her heart started to rotate, her friend swiftly took hold of her. As expected of the table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi[10] is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that is able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panicked sound which was very unsightly. He was like an adulter that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made something deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people with him.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers on her face, as she started making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances as if in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that, even though he went as far saying he won’t butt into anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off in an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out a grunt right from his stomach, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while smiling awkwardly:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying at Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.

 ・ ・ ・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to regain her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems that she lost her consciousness while standing. Her friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Where are Yuu and the others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said "I’ll explain this later! Though…… wonder what was that about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they really might be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in in, to make him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room[11] while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting next to her pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly started living together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was was Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she can remember. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend was made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but at the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy showed up, appearing to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken,she was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said it's name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu? 

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

At the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

 

 

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to come back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving at the Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing relaxing light clothes while sitting cross-legged, appearing to be typing something on the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be good timing. The setup will be over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy sorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has a special body, a special device is required. We will perform tests from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and at the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are sorting out each of the things they bought. Yuu is sorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu was sorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite a nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognized it as a fight.

“Well, this is surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opened his mouth.

“If you have something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

A few minutes after their encounter with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in the Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intends to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might also be about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whether to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it into action.

That said, even if he went out of his way to ask, it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stayed silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I am finished sorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remained standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faced him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have a fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroked Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

 

 

──That’s right, it’s not even worth calling it a fight.

“I think”

Several tens of minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it's just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well, as if venting all the anger Miharu had been building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all that you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyways, you still brought up the name from another girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who was gradually sitting lower and lower on the floor, but the distance between them prevents her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If you went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track of Haruha-chan’s body. How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clear. And moving becomes so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the difference of the outside world is just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air every few days it will feels like your breathing is being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she was told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet with her daddy and mommy.

As she thought about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with a tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leaning on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems that Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will be bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and she opened her mouth, but suddenly she became afraid. Her throat stiffened and she fell silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will expire soon so I’ll have to go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone for a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in a conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flow down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down on his knees in a hurry and held Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry. ……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed like he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special That’s why; keep this a secret from your mother”

 

 

A while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at the Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of a deserted town, is a place with no characteristics other than being the capture point of a nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest in that humble place. The mirror was placed at the spot where a cross or an object of worship would usually be in a real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he had finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of things to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why did I end up being one?)

Just remembering what he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having a quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worried. Realizing how thin their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than anyone, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upset her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re adults as well.

The definition of adult and child is connected, for example when there are person at the age of 10 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly like a “child and child elevator”.

But he acts firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back in the real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that yet)

“……And I didn’t think Kugimiya-san would be so angry”

He sighed maddeningly. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still had something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』at first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child developed a personality and arrived in the real world. If only they knew that in advance ,they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning in talking about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu, that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in the game world and the second in Kanji is referring to Haruha in the real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly criticized it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess a special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in the real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is the complete opposite in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distance with the grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there is undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even after considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly takes form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with a familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dug through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. That scene of the day which Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add on, her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it become restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is a high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and a sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial features are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distance towards reality is just like her. If Haruha was a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers makes you believe that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smiled and sat down on the seat right next to Clamp's. And then, she once again introduced herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia[12]. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduced himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must have changed her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thoughts pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have, time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for a change of pace.

Memento then touched her lips with her finger and started the story.

“Does Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he had heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who was angry that humans discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then opened the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived came to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” that was left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answered what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always thought about this. There is 『Hope』 left inside the box right? Could it be that there was only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happened when the box was opened won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment humans who obtained the wisdom to use fire, the god blessed another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity at that time didn't know what hope is and spent each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opened the box and the people came to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born. If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』. For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope is will just think of it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』 So the disaster that came from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exists inside a human’s head. Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them. That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was a pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you are supposed to understand a lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world is to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile things” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of humans resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by the unique insight that girl had. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to the human’s hatred. The world that was nothing, became the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain a better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lowered her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolored air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smiled seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed at herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

*Woosh*

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife getting stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t even let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats was penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned to the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. An unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still the form of a game, all sensations of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage took place, the pain will be converted to a slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly harder to move as a handicap…… or it was supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his neck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared at Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s feeling, but it seems that the girl was misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she gave afterwards further confuses Clamp.

“Why is Meme doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to be reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that was born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about it before. Within his consciousness that was dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continued, but at that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness was already drowned into the turbid water. The heat from his wounds turned cold form the air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tides of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water. A mute spark was scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked out a substance that was stuck to the back of his throat ── it was something very cold ── and he violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with a glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhed inside his brain.

Don’t know. I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything. My heart. My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head was dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intend to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body was saved by that voice. It slowly returned. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of the living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her merry self, even though the air-conditioning is on, she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is, was some syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression was hidden by her hair. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? H couldn’t help but be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of him, Miharu was still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wiped her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then she shows a smile.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like it is about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next words coming from the girl’s beautiful smile were hardly pleasant.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”





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