……Alright, I’ve decided.
Having never really been confident with my motor reflexes or the will-power to back them up, I would normally be a good girl and cry myself to sleep.
Even if they had been normal girls as they appear, with even fifteen centimeters of height below mine.
But, as I am now…
Right now, I’m really pissed off.
And, if it’s just touching them, I think even I can at least manage that.
I’ll do it. I will. Let’s sock it to ’em, why don’t we?
At the end of one, deep breath…
Kei: Eigh!
With both hands outstretched, I charge in Nozomi-chan’s direction. I guess you could call it a big sumo’s tsuki-dashi. (TN: Tsuki-dashi: technique of shoving the opponent out of the ring by thrusting at their chest.)
It would be nice if I could give her a thrusting slap, but I just can’t go that far.
Yumei: Kei-chan, watch out—!
Kei: Eh!
I guess it’s because I couldn’t lift my feet high enough with the long yukata hem…
Though since it’s basic for sumo not to lift their feet off the ground, it might be best that I can’t, but…
Or maybe it was bad of me to shut my eyes just now…
…in the end, it’s probably my fault for making this decision when I really have no guts to speak of.
My foot is ensnared by the futon spread above the ground, and I take a magnificent tumble.
Thankfully, the site of my fall is the top of the futon, and considering my momentum, there is little pain involved.
Nozomi: Ahahahahahaha!
Uuu, now she’s really making fun of me. It shouldn’t have happened this way…
Mikage: Nee-sama, take a look.
Nozomi: Oh my……
Mikage: What shall we do?
Nozomi: I really do want the Nie no Chi, after all.
Kei: Eh!? Eh!? Ehhh!?
I spring my head from the futon and hastily check my hands.
I can’t see the life lines very well— no, not that!
Until the light scales disappeared from my hands just a moment ago, I was able to see the details of my hands from the palm lines to the fingerprints…
Before I know it, the light that Yumei-san had given shape begins hazing around the edges, and making its return to the original blue darkness of the room.
Kei: Time up……
Nozomi: Ahahahahaha! Isn’t it just a dreadful burden to protect this stupid girl?
Nozomi-chan releases a cackle as she speaks.
Nozomi: Even if you protect her, I’m sure you’ll get sick of your role before long…
Mikage: Would you give her to us?
Nozomi: Although I hate you such much that I could tear you to pieces without feeling satisfied, I can see fit to let you go, if you would.
Yumei: …………
With her mouth shut, Yumei-san extends her hand, calling back the light that was fading into the air of the room.
The light playing upon the palm of her hand regains its original strength.
In exchange, for one moment, her appearance wavers softly and appears transpa—
Kei: —Eh!?
I blink my eyes. Nothing has changed. Did I mistake what I saw just now?
—and, despite her opponent’s preparations for battle, Nozomi-chan smiles.
Nozomi: Right… so that’s your answer?
Mikage: That you intend not to abandon her to the very end?
Yumei: I’ll say it once again. Disappear.
Nozomi: The two of you truly do make an stubborn pair, don’t you? Fufu! Just who will disappear first, I wonder?
The one who disappears first—
Kei: Yumei-san!?
So it wasn’t a mistake, after all. If she uses too much of her power, Yumei-san will surely—
Yumei: I’m okay, Kei-chan. Don’t be afraid.
Kei: But!
Yumei: Even if I disappear, that doesn’t mean that I’m dead.
Nozomi: Ufufu! That goes the same for us.
Mikage: Even if we disappear, it is only a momentary release.
Nozomi: Making us truly disappear is beyond your means, I’ll wager. In your case—
Mikage: …you cannot exhaust the extent of your power.
Nozomi: If you weaken… remember?
Yumei-san stiffens her expression, and tightly bites down on her lips.
That probably means that it’s exactly as the twins say.
Mikage: But, Nee-sama.
Nozomi: I suppose so— we’ll withdraw for today.
Leaking out a giggling laugh, Nozomi-chan makes a right half-turn.
Mikage: Good evening to you both…
And in a left turn, Mikage-chan turns her back this way.