Chapter 211

Episode 207: Heart-Pounding Habit-breaking Sierra

For Jinguji Sogo, it was the biggest crisis of his life.

Later, he would be involved in various incidents, but he always said that this moment was the most critical.

That is, being seen by his admired older sister while purchasing doujinshi.

For a man, it could be an emergency situation that might even lead to death.

If he were a seasoned warrior, he might have been able to think quickly here, but he was just a ten-year-old child.

No matter how much potential he might have hidden within him, there was nothing he could do.

“Hey, what’s wrong? You’re all alone here.”

“Uh, th-this… uh…”

The moisture in his mouth was disappearing at an alarming rate.

His mind was spinning, trying to come up with excuses, but he couldn’t do anything.

Seeing his flustered state, Kei smiled kindly and took Sogo’s hand.

“Eh?”

“You’re going to buy books, right? I’ll come with you since I’m worried.”

“Wha, wow! I’m so happy!”

He had longed for her so much and looked forward to the next time they’d meet, but now was definitely not the time.

The store was incredibly lively, unlike any ordinary bookstore, and many students were present.

With the Cultural Festival approaching, enthusiasts from various academies, both domestic and international, were sending in their books.

It was like a prelude to the battlefield for the warriors who couldn’t wait for the main event.

“Uwah, there are so many people…”

“Even I’m surprised. Sogo, stay closer so you don’t get lost.”

Without giving him a choice, Sogo was pulled close.

The pleasant scent that wafted over unmistakably belonged to Solciera.

(Fwa, this smell…!?)

Though the composed fragrance should undoubtedly belong to Solciera, the appearance was that of male student Na Takikai.

Being pulled close and pressed against him, the sensation felt more like a sister’s softness rather than a father’s.

Sogo’s thought process, forcefully reminded of the fact that Na Takikai was female, was rapidly declining.

In other words, he was becoming foolish.

“What book did you come to buy?”

“Eh, umm…?”

Sogo looked around.

Then, he immediately spotted his target.

It wasn’t just “finding” it.

What Sogo found was an entire section of the bookstore dedicated to Solciera’s doujinshi.

(I’ve brought 5 million yen for now, but will it be enough?)

It would be.

The young master with enough money to even place commissions was unconsciously gripping Kei’s hand tightly.

Kei tilted her head upon sensing this and followed Sogo’s gaze.

Upon seeing what lay ahead, she let out a vague smile as if troubled and said, “Ah.”

“That one is kind of embarrassing, isn’t it?”

“Wh-what?! No, that’s not it!? I’m not interested in that! Ehh!? Don’t misunderstand me!”

It was the maximum level of cover-up possible for an elementary school student.

Hearing that, all the male students nearby simultaneously understood.

And they sent him strong encouragement in their hearts.

“Hahaha, okay. That makes sense. Sorry, I was teasing you. So, what did you really come to buy?”

“Eh, ummm…?”

Sogo looked around.

Something, something more appropriate for a child without any oddities.

Thinking about it desperately, he searched—and found it.

“Oh, that’s it. That one!”

Saying that, Sogo grabbed Kei’s hand and ran.

Then, he picked up a book.

“This, this one. This is what I wanted!”

It wasn’t a lie.

This was a single volume he had planned to buy as a dummy, anticipating the possibility of being caught by his sister.

It was a fairly thick doujinshi titled ‘Super Combined Intelligent King Jilnias,’ with a robot on the cover that appealed to children.

“Wow, I’m glad you found the book you wanted~ (not very enthusiastically).”

“I see. So that’s what you wanted. A book from Jilnias Academy… Hmm, supervised by the Student Council, huh?”

“Yeah. They’re also releasing robots starting tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it!”

This was half sincere.

Apart from his ruined preferences due to Solciera, he was an ordinary boy.

“What kind of manga is it?”

“Well, it’s about the Student Council of Jilnias Academy fighting the evil organization Waruiyes. They occasionally release self-made videos online too.”

Started purely as a hobby by the Student Council President, these videos had become a major content source for children.

With real-life heroes existing, it was only natural for children to be captivated.

“The robots are cool before and after combining. It’s called the GM series…—”

Trying to regain his composure, Sogo flipped through the doujinshi, searching for pages with robot illustrations.

And coincidentally, fatefully, he stopped at a certain page.

It was the scene where Warshiera, the female executive of the evil organization, made her entrance.

Beautiful features, cold gaze.

Most notably, the outfit depicted in a lewd upward angle clung to her skin like a second layer.

Rather, it might be better described as a swimsuit.

A very thin swimsuit designed to fulfill peculiar preferences.

Warshiera, wearing clothing that highlighted her body lines in ways inappropriate for public display, bore a striking resemblance to a certain girl.

“HYUUU~”

A small breath escaped Sogo’s lips.

Unbeknownst to him, the comic version of Super Combined Intelligent Jilnias prominently featured the creator’s quirks.

Starting with the tight suits, beams designed solely to make opponents feel good, liquids that only turned clothes transparent—none of it was suitable for all ages.

Incidentally, the members of the Student Council opposing Warshiera also wore tight suits, which was official.

Thus, some gentleman students were fervent fans.

“Co-co-co, this is…”

The blood drained from Sogo’s face rapidly.

(What should I do!? I don’t want her to dislike me!)

On the verge of tears, Sogo hesitantly turned around.

“Hmm?”

Contrary to Sogo’s expectations, Kei—no, Solciera—was smirking.

Showing a provocative smile she’d never shown before, Kei leaned closer to Sogo and whispered in his ear.

“You like that sort of thing, huh…”

“Huh? No, no, it’s not—‘Will you wear it for me?’… Wha-?”

Sogo instinctively looked at Kei’s face.

Kei smiled brightly and said,

“Fufu, just kidding. It was a joke. …Hmm, did you actually expect it?”

“Ma-maybe not!”

Sogo shook his head frantically.

Kei laughed amusedly and stood up.

“Alright, let’s buy it then. Your big brother will buy it for you.”

“Eh, but…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Come on.”

With that, Kei took the book from Sogo and headed toward the register.

Instantly, Sogo realized the opportunity.

(Now’s my chance!)

While Kei was distracted, Sogo would take Solciera’s book to another register.

That would complete the mission.

(My goal is Star Yomi-sensei’s book! He explained that it’s essentially a prequel to tomorrow’s new release. I must get it here.)

For Sogo, an apprentice Explorer, moving across the bookstore in less than a second was effortless.

(Here, I’ll exceed my limits!)

Just as Sogo was about to take his first step as an Explorer…

“I bought it already~ ^^”

“How fast!?”

Impossible speed.

Before Sogo could resolve himself and take a step, Kei had already returned with the book tucked into a shopping bag.

“What’s wrong? ^^ You’re trembling ^^”

“N-nothing.”

This was Sogo’s moment of defeat.

“—Actually, you wanted that book over there, didn’t you?”

“….”

A voice sounded again near Sogo’s ear as he hung his head.

Somewhere between mockery and amusement.

Sogo couldn’t turn around; he could only tremble.

“Could it be…you wanted my doujinshi? …You wouldn’t say something like that, would you? Sogo isn’t such a bad kid, right?”

“….”

Sogo understood.

(She noticed…from the start… No, she knew from the beginning!)

Given Solciera’s insight, deciphering Sogo’s actions was effortless.

From the start, he had been under Solciera’s control.

(From the beginning, I was exposed… What is this feeling…)

An indescribable spiral of shame and pleasure.

Beyond that lay an abnormal preference.

“Ooh, what’s wrong? Could it be you really wanted that?”

“That, that’s…?”

Just as Sogo reached out towards that calling, something akin to an unyielding profession—something not everyone has an aptitude for—

“Ah, just joking. Fufu, shall we go?”

She said, taking Sogo’s hand.

Looking up, Kei had returned to being the older brother.

“A, uhh, yeah.”

The whisper from moments ago seemed like a hallucination as Sogo was led out of the store with a smile.

“Mizuki-senpai and others are also here. Would you like to meet them?”

“O-okay, thank you.”

Responding ambiguously to Kei’s usual words, Sogo nodded.

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