Chapter 120

Episode 118: Yearning

For Jinguji Sogo, it was a day he would never forget.

“―Long time no see, Sougo.”

She smiled gently, her silver hair swaying in the wind. It was slightly shorter than usual for a woman, and she wore the male student uniform, but Sogo knew her true identity.

“You’ve kept your promise to me, haven’t you?”

“…Yeah. I didn’t tell anyone. About you, and… about Solciera.”

At his words, Solciera’s expression softened from one of mild surprise into a warm smile.

“Fufu, you even know my name, Solciera.”

“I saw it online. I immediately recognized you. You looked just like you did at the amusement park…!”

Sogo desperately tried to explain.

That he knew Solciera, that he had known her before the world ever saw her image.

Driven by childish possessiveness, Sogo eagerly asserted that he knew more about her than anyone else. Solciera watched him with an amused smile.

“Everyone wanted to know who you really were, but I kept quiet.”

“That’s very kind of you. I do appreciate those who keep their promises.”

Even his pathetic attempts to impress her were received with gentle understanding from Solciera. Yet, it felt to Sogo as if she were treating him like a child, leaving him with an indescribable feeling.

(If only I were older… Would she then truly see me?)

A pure manifestation of ego, wanting to be seen.

It was the moment when the innocent boy was slightly tainted by something new.

“…? Is something wrong?”

Solciera noticed Sogo’s odd behavior and tilted her head. Then, unexpectedly, she leaned in close.

“S-Solciera-san!?”

“Hmm, could you have caught a cold?”

Solciera’s face was right there in front of him. He could feel something pressed against his forehead.

Realizing that it was Solciera’s own forehead touching his, Sogo’s mind went blank.

The sound of rustling trees and chirping birds echoed around them for a while.

After a moment, Solciera pulled away.

“You seem fine. …Though your face is redder than before. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“N-No…! It’s nothing!”

“Then that’s good. And remember, you mustn’t call me Solciera-san. Someone might overhear and find out my secret.”

Sogo suddenly realized his mistake. There was no reason to call out Solciera’s name when she was trying to remain hidden.

If he were the cause of her being discovered, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, I’m not angry. From now on… how about calling me Kei-oneesan? That would make me happy.”

With a gentle smile, Solciera suggested this. Sogo called out the name hesitantly, his mouth dry with tension.

“Kei-oneesan.”

“Yes, well done. Shall we go?”

And with that, Solciera took Sogo’s hand.

“Ah!”

“Is something wrong?”

“No…! Nothing at all…!”

He’d been held by his parents and sisters countless times, yet this moment felt different. Each detail—the warmth, the softness, the delicate fingers—etched itself deeply into Sogo’s mind.

His heartbeat quickened with every sensation.

Meanwhile, Solciera seemed blissfully unaware, humming a cheerful tune as they strolled along.

Sogo walked beside her, entranced by her profile. Observing her masculine guise, he couldn’t help but comment.

“…Your hair”

“Is there something wrong with my hair?”

Realizing she had muttered aloud, Solciera questioned him, prompting Sogo to hastily defend himself. His actions mirrored those of his sister.

“Well, the last time I saw you, it was longer, so… Kei-oneesan’s hair now is… uh…”

“…Which version of me do you prefer, Sogo-kun?”

“Eh… Ehh!?”

At age ten, Sogo faced the most significant choice of his life. Choosing both options might have marked his first step toward adulthood, but he was still a child. Without hesitation, he voiced his preference.

“I like it long. Like how you looked at the amusement park…”

Watching Sogo earnestly convey this, Solciera gently stroked her hair.

Suddenly, her short locks elongated, gracefully dancing in the wind.

“I hide it at school, like earlier. How do you like it now?”

“Y-Yes! It’s… incredibly beautiful!”

“Fufu, thank you.”

Smiling, Solciera tucked her hair behind her ear and patted Sogo’s head. She then took his hand again and continued walking.

■

This is practically sexual content already.

We’re playing with the innocent affection of a young boy.

‘If you think so, then stop.’

No way! Having a young boy stretch beyond his limits in front of a Mysterious Beautiful Girl is too valuable content-wise; we’re continuing!

‘This person…’

Ignoring the exasperated Star Reader’s Staff, I explore the abandoned school building with Sougo.

There’s nothing special about Factom General Academy anyway, and situations like these can be problematic.

Hey, Sougo.

Your face is bright red, Sougo.

You’re going to develop some twisted tendencies and grow up just fine…

‘I must say, I cannot agree with this. This isn’t my specialty; I prefer lilies.’

Apparently, Star Reader’s Staff prefers百合 (lily). But occasionally indulging in mysterious girls in front of men is good for health.

Don’t just eat meat; eat your vegetables too.

Since this is a rare male other than Tourak and Rokuhara, let’s make the most of it.

“Ara, what’s wrong?”

Sougo stopped walking, so I stopped too. His gaze wasn’t on me anymore but directed towards the classroom.

The doorless classroom contained a few desks and chairs that had once belonged to someone.

Approaching Sougo who was staring at them, I whispered mischievously near his ear.

“If you’re curious, why don’t we go inside?”

“!!? U-Um… okay…”

Look at Star Reader’s Staff over there; though his expression is hidden as he looks down, his ears are bright red.

He clearly has feelings for me.

‘Why does such a thing exist without any law to judge it?’

With a Mysterious Beautiful Girl Smile, I lead Sougo into the classroom.

The dilapidated room held only a blackboard, chairs, and desks, creating an eerie silence.

And places like this suit Solciera perfectly.

Especially since I am currently in male student attire, with long hair and a beautiful girl figure—a bundle of fetishes.

Exploring an abandoned schoolhouse with a mysteriously cross-dressed girl.

I’ll imprint this scene onto the retina of the young boy forever!

“In the past, many people attended classes here. Unbelievable, isn’t it?”

Tracing the edge of a desk with her finger, she lowered her eyes.

Ugh, dust got on my finger.

“Nowadays, there are barely enough students left. Nevertheless, I quite enjoy this everyday life.”

“Will this academy… disappear?”

I smiled and negated her worry.

“No. This academy won’t disappear. We are here to ensure that.”

Second still coming, Star Reader’s Staff!

“Okay…”

He lacks enthusiasm.

A strong gust of wind entered the classroom through a broken window.

Holding my hair back, I gave Sougo today’s best Mysterious Smile.

Speechless and stunned, Sougo just stood there.

Look, he’s completely smitten!

Kids who have only dealt with peers of their age will find this stimulating!

First love is like this! This is how it’s done!

‘Pushing first love is intense.’

Sougo, who had been entranced for a while, eventually moved.

By the time holding my hair became uncomfortable, Sougo restarted and decisively said to me,

“…Then, I’ll also enter Factom General Academy! I’ll invite lots of friends! If I do that… Kei-oneesan, will you… be happy?”

“Yes, very much so.”

Caught.

Captured the first love of a rich boy.

‘Might as well reveal myself now and make you wet right in front of you immediately. That way, first love ends right away…’

More distortion, right?

Why accelerate in that direction?

What if Sougo becomes a sex-monster excited only by百合 NTR? Even I have my limits.

I’m sticking to the Mysterious First Love Route.

It’s the world of a full-age galgame!

‘Full-age? You’re saying something too sweet. Haha, where’s the charm in such blandness? True pure love ascends through the inclusion of eroticism, the essence of human love. Turning away from that is foolish.’

Huh?

‘Huh?’

Behind my smile aimed at Sougo, I’m in the midst of a grand battle of sexuality that I can’t lose.

Had Sougo not been there, I would undoubtedly have fought Star Reader’s Staff right here.

“Then, let’s make a promise. I will definitely enter here!”

“Fufu, you can’t enter Factom General Academy unless you become an explorer.”

I only want to capture first love; what happens afterward doesn’t matter much.

By the time this kid enters, I’ll probably be gone.

Besides, what’s the point of a rich boy becoming an explorer?

He should be on the corporate executive track, right?

“Then I’ll become an explorer. And I’ll go to the dungeon with Kei-oneesan!”

“Hmm, shall we see?”

Isn’t that a cute determination?

Alright, if you’re this determined, I’ll lend you a little hand.

Not recommended, but…

Since Sougo insists on becoming an explorer despite my advice, let’s proceed.

‘You’re being too irresponsible.’

But isn’t it cool for a rich boy to compete solely based on his own strength rather than family background?

A wealthy boy encountering a mysterious silver-haired beauty in the past.

Moreover, his surname is Jinguji.

Let’s groom this guy to be the future protagonist!

Regardless of the subsequent chaos handled by Tourak,

Let’s give him a peaceful world and plenty of blank pages in a light novel!

I’ll take the path of beautiful girls, and you’ll walk the path of harem protagonists…

“To become an explorer, you need to be able to perceive magical power. At your age―”

I approached Sougo.

As he instinctively stepped back from the advanced face of a Mysterious Beautiful Girl, I grabbed his hand and gently pulled him closer, softly embracing him from behind.

Surprised by the sudden move, Sougo fidgeted, but I whispered near his ear.

“Stay still.”

Sougo froze. Good boy.

I placed my hand over Sougo’s and guided his fingertips toward the blackboard.

Gathering a faint amount of magical power at my fingertips and channeling it into Sougo’s body,

‘Someone who wants to pour magical power like this into cute girls…’

Star Reader’s Staff lamented, but his work was flawless.

Sougo’s body absorbed my magical power, and the meaningless magic circle beneath our feet emitted a soft glow.

“Can you sense my magical power?”

“Yeah… it’s warm.”

“This is magical power. If you want to become an explorer, this is necessary.”

I continued whispering near his ear.

Listen carefully, Sougo.

When you face a strong enemy and are about to lose, recall this memory and power up.

‘I’ve never seen someone designate a past memory recall.’

“Shall we aim for that target?”

On the blackboard, Star Reader’s Staff created a simple target made of magical crystal. I directed Sougo’s palm toward it.

And deployed a convergence artillery array adjusted to a kid’s level on his palm.

“Trust me and try.”

I hugged the anxious Sougo tighter and released the artillery.

The attack was launched with water pistol-like force, drawing a gentle parabola before accurately hitting the target.

The crystal shattered with a ringing sound, scattering particles of light around.

This is the third still…!?

‘Well, it’s not exactly like that…’

“Good job. Don’t forget this sensation.”

“…Okay!”

I stroked his head and smiled lightly.

Because it’s your first love person, extra gentle expressions allowed!

Now, Star Reader’s Staff!

Interfere! Interfere with him!

Make Sougo’s talent bloom nicely!

“Eh… Not necessarily making him the main character so seriously… But, alright. ―Whoa, what is this talent!?”

Through Star Reader’s Staff’s interference, Sougo’s latent talent awakens irresponsibly.

Perhaps due to the aftereffect, magical power surged like wind centered around Sougo.

A mere few seconds.

However, Sougo undoubtedly awakened to the talent required to become an explorer!

Good job!

“Still raw power. From here on, his abilities will evolve according to his choices. Honestly, his overflowing talent makes me dizzy.”

To make Star Reader’s Staff say that, impressive indeed. You’re heartwarming, toy of mine… No, future harem protagonist.

Amazing♥ You successfully blossomed with talent♥

“Kei-oneesan, what just happened…”

“You’ve been a good boy. Since it’s your first time, let’s stop here for today. Come on, let’s head back?”

I stood up and stroked Sougo’s head once more.

Come again, Sougo.

Solciera’s first love route is an appendix disk with six chapters…

“Save separately before the choice points, dear.”

■

“Thank you today. The detailed schedule and equipment will follow later.”

“Yes, please look forward to working together from now on.”

While his older sister and the Student Council President of Factom General Academy were exchanging pleasantries, Sogo was looking elsewhere.

Kei stood ceremoniously accompanying the Student Council President as a male student.

“Alright, let’s go, Sogo.”

“Okay.”

Led by his sister, Sogo began walking but glanced back wistfully.

Noticing that he was watching her, Kei smiled discreetly and waved at the two without them noticing.

“!”

Feeling his face turn red, Sogo shyly waved back and firmly gripped his sister’s hand.

“Sister, can I become like those people too?”

To which Hinami, surprised for a moment, replied kindly.

“Yeah, surely you can.”

Hinami must have realized that this event would significantly impact the young boy’s future, given his admiration for those who saved his life.

“Let’s come here again together next time. Maybe I’ll learn a few things then?”

“…Okay!”

Tucking away the knowledge he had already gained deep in his heart, Sogo nodded with a bright smile.

First love and yearning.

That was his starting point.

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