Mob Yandere
Chapter 207

The Tachibana family, now recognized as one of Fusō's foremost merchant houses, originally hailed from the nobility. Yet, with the passage of time, that aristocratic origin faded from public awareness.

In truth, "Tachibana" was not their original name. Long ago, an emperor, moved by the deeds of the family's first head, gifted him a fragrant tree from the imperial palace. Deeply honored, the man changed the family name in tribute. Two hundred years later, during the founding years of Fusō-kuni, the Tachibana clan reached its golden age.

But the rise of the great is often followed by decline. In the days of a brilliant emperor, after a storm swept through the imperial court, the Tachibanas fell from grace. Even so, their legacy did not vanish. Ties they had forged overseas became their lifeline. In a distant port town near the border, they turned to trade and salt-making. Using their noble connections and sharp insight, they slowly rebuilt their fortune—this time as merchants with noble roots. Their reputation held fast.

"Still... those who grow proud will fall. That much, I hope they haven't forgotten," Kagesue murmured, exhaling a sigh.

He sat in a sun-drenched room of the grand Tachibana estate in the capital, a porcelain teacup in hand. His gaze wandered toward the garden, where light spilled across the moss-covered stones. His thoughts, however, were not on the scenery—but on his daughter.

She was everything to him. Sweet, radiant, and so precious it felt she wouldn't hurt even if placed in his eye. Born of deep love between him and his beloved wife, their daughter was a treasure—more valuable than any gem, more cherished than gold. She was worth more than a million ryō.

He had no sons. So when his young daughter declared that she would inherit the family business, his heart was swept with surprise, anxiety, and pride. And once he saw her natural sense for trade, that pride only deepened.

Her talent was real. Her results were proof. The profits she generated were astonishing. Yet, not all welcomed her success. Not all were kind.

"Vacation estates, rare furnishings, purchasing daughters at auction, strange hobbies... well, even that much might've been forgivable, but..."

Tachibana Kayo, his daughter, had grown into a bold and flamboyant figure—her name constantly whispered among commoners. Her actions weren't truly scandalous. Wealthy merchants often flaunted their riches—some rented out entire brothels, others scattered coins in the streets, or built golden halls, even layered tofu over their mansion floors. Outrageous behavior was part of the game. It brought attention. Fame.

But misunderstanding turned whispers into daggers. Some resented her youth and brilliance. Others couldn't look past her foreign blood. Her obsession with efficiency, her refusal to tolerate laziness—these became fuel for envy, even among her own kind.

Let me say it again, Kagesue thought. My daughter is capable. She knows neither defeat nor hesitation. A girl who pursues results, who moves with purpose. And that, perhaps, is why I worry. If she were to truly stumble... if she were to lose control after inheriting everything...

"Why don't you just admit it?" his wife said from behind. "You're lonely because she doesn't need you anymore."

"Hmph..." he muttered, unable to deny it.

The woman who spoke so gently, yet so sharply, was none other than Tachibana Ai—his wife of many years. With honey-gold hair and eyes like polished jade, she moved with elegance and warmth. Even now, well into her thirties, her youthful glow hadn't faded. In the rear room, she busied herself inspecting a series of mid-year gifts sent to their house.

"...Silk cloth for warding spirits?" she asked, holding one up.

"Yes. Highest quality. The color's beautiful, too," Kagesue replied, his brow softening. "That young green shade would suit her perfectly."

"If that's the case, then why not pair it with some good wine while you're at it?" she said with a teasing smirk.

The fabric was exceptional—woven with dyes that repelled malevolent spirits. Something fit for a noble lady's robe. Years ago, he would've happily prepared an outfit for Kayo using it. But knowing the sender's intent now...

"These days, it's always the same," Kagesue grumbled. "Men trying to woo my daughter with fancy gifts... it's disgraceful."

"She is growing up. If she doesn't choose soon, there might be problems," Ai said, lifting an eyebrow. "Isn't that why you're reviewing marriage proposals?"

"There are plenty of invitations, sure. But Kayo just tosses them aside. She charms them, plays coy, then cuts them off before they get close. She's practically stirring up a contest."

Thanks to that, gossip bloomed among noble daughters and ladies-in-waiting. They called her a Nanban demon—one who bewitches noble sons and breaks their hearts. It was nonsense, of course. But the rumors never stopped.

"Heh. Brings back memories. I used to hear the same about myself," Ai said with a chuckle.

"That's..." Kagesue trailed off.

"Don't worry," she said softly. "It's not a bad memory. I knew exactly how much you cared for me back then."

Her quiet confidence left him speechless. Even now, he couldn't win against her. Not in words. Not in heart. That, at least, had never changed.

"Silk cloth is such a dainty thing. Remember? I got that from that specimen too."

"Tch... Don't remind me of that man."

Kagesue's expression darkened. He hadn't forgotten. That gift, years ago—the first offering from the late Tachibana Kurayoshi—still lingered in his mind. A strange item from abroad, said to possess dark properties. A frame of butterflies. Spirits sealed in glass. Garish, foreign, and offensive. It was an insult only those of their household could truly understand.

He had swallowed that insult once. But if that man had planned something deeper... No. That's long past. The man's dead now. There's no use getting worked up.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Ai murmured. "No matter how much she grow, we never stop worrying."

"But maybe," Kagesue said, watching her, "that worry means she's really becoming an adult."

His wife nodded, her thoughts drifting. A mother often notices the smallest changes—the little things that slip past a father's eyes. The daughter who once sulked over chores now held meetings with nobles. She stood taller. Spoke firmer. And sometimes, her spending... her whims... almost hinted at the presence of a man behind them.

(Not necessarily a bad man... I hope.)

If that were true, then as a mother, and as the lady of the house, Ai would have no choice but to step in. But for now, Kayo didn't seem to be used by anyone. On the contrary—she looked like she was investing in something with purpose. Following a passion too large for her age.

(If only demand meets supply...)

Pushing products too hard only drives buyers away. Research matters. Hobby projects often end in ruin. If this is one of those cases, then...

"Come to think of it... was it after that?" Ai whispered.

"Huh? What's wrong, Ai?" Kagesue asked, his voice gentle.

Yes, she remembered now. It was around that time—after one of those little romantic misadventures. And the trouble caused by their relatives. That was when Kayo began to change. The girl who once laughed off hard work... began taking things seriously.

But even now, she wondered. What does Kayo want from love?

"Ai...? You're making a strange face again. Did something happen?" Kagesue asked, stepping closer.

"No... I was just thinking what kind of dress I could make with this fabric," Ai said with a smile like spring sunlight.

Her husband had no idea. The sales skills she honed in her younger years could still fool even him.

(She's not quite a child anymore... But love makes people blind. If I say anything now, she probably won't listen.)

She's not foolish. But if she truly carries their blood... her love might burn brighter than anyone expects. That, in itself, might be a kind of happiness.

...Of course, this was all speculation. A passing thought. It could be nothing at all. Jumping to conclusions would only bring unnecessary chaos. And when it came to love, the last thing a woman wanted was interference from a man of her own family.

"Now that I think of it..." Ai began.

She suddenly recalled something. Yes, it was from long ago—about her uncle-in-law. A man who had once played a large role in her life.

That magnificent specimen... what ever happened to it?

* * *

"Master, if you're feeling thirsty, I shall fetch some water..." Meguru said, bowing slightly.

"Sit in the chair," I ordered.

"Yes," she answered—then immediately transformed into a chair.

"Master, if you're going to the restroom... may I assist you..." Kuroe asked softly.

"Make yourself a desk," I said.

"Understood," she replied, shifting quickly into the shape of a desk.

"Master, tonight's dinner will be a whole roasted black pig..." Nagi announced with a formal tone.

"Recite aloud," I told her.

"Yes," she answered, and her form changed again—this time into something like a recitation machine.

"Master..."

"Use the armrest. There's no place for my elbow."

"Master..."

"Use the high stand. Don't drop it, alright?"

"Master..."

"Set down a tray. And don't look down at it."

They turned one by one—into an armrest, a high stand, a tray, a bottle, a go board, a fan, a bug repellent, a shelf on the second floor. Each followed my command without hesitation, with peaceful, almost joyful expressions. Not a hint of resistance in their faces. Their only purpose, it seemed, was to serve me.

Right now, I'm inside a room of the yashiki estate, surrounded by what can only be described as furniture made of flesh. They weren't human anymore, yet not exactly objects either. They moved, they breathed, but they existed to be used. A living room filled with living tools. That was my current reality.

(So this is considered better treatment...?)

I leaned into a chair that twisted slightly beneath me, almost like it was groaning in pleasure. Honestly, I wanted to get up—but I knew if I did, I'd only hesitate. Better to stay seated, and leave the choice to them. When I shifted my weight, I heard a faint jingle, followed by a small moan of delight. Not just one voice. Several.

This rough treatment, as strange as it was, still felt kinder than what they'd been through before. I don't even want to imagine what the three maids—Meguru, Kuroe, and Nagi—had endured in the original timeline. What we were seeing now bordered on fetish territory, sure, but compared to that, it was still... barely acceptable.

...Hey, you all need to stop getting drunk on being treated like tools. Some of you aren't even treated like objects—you throw yourselves into roles even worse. Especially at mealtime, this has crossed into territory where a human platter would somehow be considered the safer option. Isn't this system totally broken?

(Recorded defeats: 27 total. 2 since recovering memory.)

"Master, how about your utmost?" one of them asked, voice dripping with anticipation.

"Hmm. On top... If you've got time to talk, move your hands. Stop flapping your mouth. Seriously," I said flatly.

She placed her extended legs onto my lap and pressed her mouth down against the maid below, who was rubbing her completely, trying to dislodge her. My words were cold and sharp, but her response was more of a tremble than resistance. My chin rested on the maid's shoulder, and I stepped on her gently, gaze full of quiet scorn.

"Kuhh...hi...haha. ...I'm sorry, '──Don't talk'!" she cried out, her voice cracking.

She need a flash of discipline for speaking without permission. My behavior didn't just ignore their personhood—it crushed it. A level of treatment far beyond harsh. It was domination dressed as affection. No—maybe not even dressed.

"Heh, heh...? Hehh♪"

But she noticed my eyes on her and looked up, tilting her head like a curious animal before smiling in pure bliss. Though her body trembled with obvious pain, her breath was shallow, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled with joy. This wasn't the expression of a woman—it was something more... primal.

(She has probably taken one of those drugs that turn pain into pleasure... 3,000% sensitivity boost or something...)

In the original eroge, the fall from dignity into pleasure was an expected pattern—whether the character was a heroine, a background extra, or even the protagonist. The youkai that produced overwhelming euphoria substances were countless, and the medicines crafted from them were too.

Who could say for sure these maids, faced with nothing but despair no matter how they acted, hadn't chosen to take those drugs as a form of escape? Honestly, it made far more sense than assuming they all awakened into willing masochists.

(So all of Mari's girls are addicts? But... Kaya and Hana didn't seem affected. Maybe they're clean?)

The two of them said they only used such medicine when absolutely necessary. If that's true, and someone like Aoi were involved... then getting these drugs would be no trouble at all.

(They even used this stuff in the original to keep the protagonist under control. Not shocking, really... If they stop now, would they have withdrawal symptoms? Maybe they've got no choice but to obey, in exchange for the drugs...)

"Guh!?" she suddenly cried out. "That hurts...!"

Maybe distracted by anxiety, I misjudged her strength and drove my leg down too hard. Her pained cry was sharp—no longer blurred with pleasure. I tried to pull away in panic, but me legs tangled, trapping myself in place. Her limbs wrapped around me like vines, clinging tightly.

"Haa...haa... Master, thank you...♪ Ah, such strong, thick legs..." she gasped, resting her cheek against my knee, rubbing her body as though sinking into me.

Her brightly colored maid uniform rustled and clung as she squirmed. Her smooth skin shivered and clashed with the chaos of the scene. And yet, that imbalance only made the sight more intense.

Even if I wanted to push her away now, I'd probably have to kick. And if I did that, she might actually get hurt. From all around, I could feel eyes on me—watching silently, waiting. The furniture of flesh had turned into an audience. Their gazes said, "We see everything."

If I let this continue, I'd be swallowed. I needed to act before that happened.

"Annoying," I muttered and pressed my leg into her stomach.

"Ah...♪"

She spasmed gently, her eyes still clouded like she was floating in a dream. I reached out my hand.

"Trying to catch me with just a little cling?" I asked.

"Ahaha... I've been caught," she whispered.

I grabbed her short hair, lifting her head like plucking a flower. Her body trembled as she instinctively dropped to her knees, her eyes watching mine with a silent plea. Whether it was a reward or punishment she wanted—I couldn't tell.

She looked beautiful. Dangerous. Like a devil wearing a human face.

"Tch... Don't flatter yourself, you white pig!" I snapped.

"Kyaa♪"

I pushed her down, out of my line of sight, and turned away. If I kept looking, I might've done something I'd regret. I cast my eyes elsewhere, only to find the other maids tangled together from the aftermath. Bells jingled softly—those cursed bells tied to their bodies, tools used by the youkai to lure others.

"Ugh...!!"

Their gazes stabbed into me. I dropped to the floor, overwhelmed. That heat in their eyes wasn't affection. It was obsession. Obsession mixed with addiction. I couldn't accept it—not with pride, and definitely not with guilt.

(That one especially... She's too dangerous. I need to find someone less... tempting.)

I couldn't risk another foot rub from someone like her. Even now, the surrounding maids were creeping in again. I needed a distraction—something smaller.

"Hey. You two. Work both sides. You can at least copy what the others do, right?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!" the twins answered instantly.

Shii and Fuumi came running, their bells chiming. Wearing matching Nanban-style nightclothes, they sat proudly and lifted my legs onto their laps. Their small hands began massaging my calves and thighs with determination.

"Heave-ho... heave-ho!"

"Rub-rub... good job!"

Compared to the chaotic maids around me, the twins' efforts felt pure. Like a breath of fresh air. When I patted their heads, they smiled brightly, eyes shining. But I knew—they were part of this place too. They were still bound by this distorted world.

"...You two must be thirsty. Ran, give them something to drink," I said.

"...Yes. Shii, Fuumi. Here, drink this," Ran replied gently.

The older maid stepped in from behind. Without a word, she pressed the twins together and gave them water from her own... resources. A mother's gesture, soothing and calm.

I knew from past loops—Ran had the most abundant curves in the entire estate. And this wasn't the first time she'd used them to nourish others.

(Was she a big sister? A mother figure?)

She always gave people a place to lean. She'd done the same for me too. Though, sometimes, she'd go too far. If someone had to be sacrificed, she'd volunteer. If someone misbehaved, she'd "adjust" them herself—with their consent.

"...Hehehe?" she giggled.

"Huh?" I grunted, staring without realizing.

She smiled softly. I snorted and turned away.

...Enough. I needed to leave this space before it swallowed me again.

"Ran, that's enough. You can go."

"But Master still—"

"Out. Now."

"Yes..."

She looked up, something shining on her lips, and met my eyes for a moment. But I said nothing more. Ran bowed and left, a little slower than usual. I watched her back disappear... then turned to the twins again.

"Are you ready?"

"? Gulp... Yes! I'm fine!" Shii said cheerfully.

"Slurp... Fuumi's stomach feels okay too!" Fuumi added.

Though unsure of what I meant, they both gave honest, eager replies, like kids finishing a snack.

"...Shall we play together?" I asked, letting the words slip out before thinking.

The air tensed instantly. In this strange place, everyone knew I didn't mean it literally—but even so, their reactions weren't normal. The tension wasn't aimed at me. No... it was her. The girls around her... were jealous.

"Wow!!"

"I'll play! I'll give it my all!"

The twins lit up, their expressions innocent and age-appropriate. That cheerfulness... that fake ignorance... I could tell it wasn't real. Both of them had been raised under strict discipline. And even more than that, after all these loops, they weren't just outsiders anymore. They had seen things—felt things.

"...Yeah. So, what do you want to do?" I asked, forcing down the unease in my chest. My voice came out firmer than I intended, but maybe that was the only way to keep steady.

"Then, then! Let's do 'Squish, Stab, Pop'!"

"F-Fuumi, wait—uhm, is that... okay?"

"No jokes allowed!"

"Eeehh!?"

Fuumi shouted out the game first, but Shii tried to stop her. Still, she got dragged into it. It was innocent on the surface, just a game. But even the way they said it, so excited, so pure... didn't sit right.

(What kind of game is that...? Don't call it that in front of them...!)

There's no way I would've agreed if I was in my right mind. No sane person would. Just thinking about it made my stomach turn. I only ever went along with it back when I hadn't remembered everything.

What was I even thinking? Wasn't that game... too much? Do they even understand what those words mean? It was like some messed-up skit from a doujin book. A joke? No way I could recreate that moment again. Honestly, I wish I'd never seen it. Like those strange candy toys where disturbing extras pop out unexpectedly... I want to erase the memory.

"Your face..."

"You look kinda scary. Are you okay?"

I was the one who brought it up, but now I couldn't walk it back. I didn't have the right. And worse—I couldn't let them realize I remembered anything. If they found out, it would be all over. I had to keep the mask on. Hide it.

"...Sorry, but this isn't some kind of kiddie game. It's more like... something for grown-ups. Got it?" I said, barely managing a smile.

"Hehe..."

"♪"

I stroked Shii's head gently and lifted Fuumi's chin lightly. They reacted like puppies craving affection. It might've looked harmless from the outside... but the moment they said "Squish, Stab, Pop," the innocence was already gone. Way too late. Way too far gone. When this is over, I need to ask my sisters-in-law to make them forget.

...Still, I'll go along with it for now. Let's just call it a joke.

"Oh, here we go!" I said.

"Whoa!?" they both gasped.

"Kyaa! So high up!!" they laughed as I picked them up, one on each shoulder. Both wiped their hands on their clothes like it was nothing, still giggling. Now I had two squirming kids draped over me like prizes. Their energy didn't change—they were still bright and playful. The soft jingle of a bell echoed in the distance.

"Alright, it's time for the fun medicine, okay? And no following us, got it? I don't need anyone yelling at me while I work."

"Medicine...?" Fuumi asked.

"I don't want the bitter kind!" Shii protested.

"Quiet. You gonna eat it or not?" I tossed the words casually to stop anyone from chasing us. The twins replied like it was all a game. Their words were childish, innocent. But there was more behind them—if you knew what to look for.

...No, I swear, I'll make sure this doesn't drift into R-18 territory. Not this loop.

"If you want meat, should I call Mother?" Fuumi asked.

"She gives out lots, like Ran-oneesama!" Shii said.

"No need. Just you two are enough. I'll spoil you lots, so be ready to brag later."

We left the room filled with plush cushions and heavy silence, stepped out onto the veranda where the sound of water and birdsong filled the air, then passed down the long hallway. Even if it looked normal from the outside—an adult carrying two cheerful children—it wasn't. Something about it was clearly off. Twisted. Sweetly rotten.

Before I got my memories back, we talked like this all the time...

"Hehehe... I'm excited," Fuumi said.

"You know, you know! If it's Master's bitter medicine, I'll try hard! Kyaahaha! ♪" Shii laughed, squirming in my arms.

She leaned over and whispered to Fuumi, who squealed in reply. She was loud again somewhere in the back.

"That depends on your performance. I'm counting on you," I said.

"Ehehe, yeah! I'll do my best!" Fuumi smiled.

"Master... me too, I'll do my best!" Shii added.

As she spoke, Fuumi reached out and gently brushed Shii's back over her clothes. Shii gave a proud wiggle in response. From an outside view, their gestures might've seemed foolish or exaggerated... but to them, they were serious. Desperate, even.

A sweet, feminine scent drifted in the air. The gentle jingle of a bell echoed like a charm, wrapping around my senses, threatening to slip past reason. I held on tightly to logic, trying not to be swayed.

"Hey," I called out.

"Yes-yes! I'm coming now~♪" she replied with a bright hum.

Wearing a calm expression, I wrestled with them, who stubbornly clung to me like dead weight. Enduring it all, we finally arrived in front of the room. As the paper shōji door slid open, the voice I had longed to hear came like a warm breeze.

"Nn."

With that small sound, she stepped back to welcome us. Silence fell. The sounds outside disappeared as if cut off, leaving behind an unnatural stillness.

"Huh? Master...?"

"Master? These older sisters, they— Waa!?"

The twins had been waiting, their suspicions confirmed. They tackled us, pushing us down onto the futon already spread out. Both landed awkwardly, tangled up and flushed. They stared down at me—expectation in their eyes, but a trace of unease as well. And I, with the little sister beside me, looked up at them in return.

"U-Um, Master... If I... If I take off my clothes, will I...?"

Shii was pinned beneath me. Her slender limbs were gently held down, making escape impossible. Like a bird caught in a cage, her freedom was taken from her. She had no choice but to stay—quiet, compliant.

She looked into my eyes. Her breath hitched. Something in her gaze changed—like she had finally realized what was happening.

"Master...? Do you... want me to...?"

"You're slow to figure it out," I said quietly.

"Ugh...!?"

I tapped her cheek, just enough to make her flinch. It wasn't to hurt her—but to shake her resolve. To scare her, to stop her from fighting. If she panicked, she might hurt herself instead.

"Medicine," I said.

"Yes! Right here!" Kaya answered quickly.

She handed me a small round pill. It wasn't something pleasant. Not a candy or a treat—but a medicine with a purpose. Beside us, Hana was quietly holding Fumi down. We were all in the same position—completely overpowered.

"It's not poison. But you still have to drink it. If you resist, I'll have to force it down. You might choke. Do you understand?"

"It's true! No poison, I promise!" Kaya chimed in with a nervous grin, holding the bitter-smelling pill close to Shii's nose.

It wasn't meant to kill. But it was still something no child should take. Half-forbidden, it could take control of someone's heart and pull out the truth. A blend of the user's essence gave it strength, and the taste was so foul, it couldn't be hidden in food. Still—it had a purpose. Just like now.

"Master..."

"No one's coming to save you," I said. "Struggling will only make it worse. You know what you should do, right?"

If she wouldn't take it on her own, I'd have to do it by force. That was the last thing I wanted. But I was already holding her down. Her small body trembled beneath me.

"Master... Master..."

Her voice shook as she looked up at me. Her lips quivered as she whispered.

"Master, I'll listen. I'll do anything. I want to help. So please..."

"It doesn't change anything," I replied firmly.

Her head shook from side to side, eyes wide and wet. She looked up at me, pouting, trying to appear sweet—pleading in her own way.

"Master... If I drink it, will you love me more? If I try hard... will you treat me like a grown-up?"

"Hurry up and drink," I said, swallowing down the emotions threatening to rise.

I didn't expect to hear words like that. They caught me off guard. But I crushed that feeling, pushing it aside. I couldn't waver now.

"...Hmph."

Without another word, Shii opened her mouth and bit into the pill. Her face twisted as the taste spread, but she didn't spit it out. She endured it—desperately. Her lips turned brown, her tongue curled, but she looked up at me with moist eyes, as if seeking warmth.

"Eat. Go on, eat," I urged softly, patting the child's head.

The little girl gave a slow nod, then bit into the drug with trembling lips. Her face twisted from the bitterness, but she forced herself to swallow. Each time she did, she opened her small mouth wide, as if showing proof of her obedience—like a courtesan playing up to a customer with practiced charm.

Once Shii had finished the last bite, I left her in Kaya's care and headed for Fuumi. She was with one of the twins—the one restrained from behind.

"You're a girl too, but you're not getting out of it. Drink it," I said flatly.

"...That's not even a question," Fuumi muttered, pressing the hard pill against her lips.

Honestly, sugar water would've had more effect, but I still hoped for something better than this... even just a sliver of a better result.

...Thinking back on all the times I forced Fuumi to drink this stuff in past loops, all I could feel now was a deep disgust with myself.

"U-uh... listen, okay?" Fuumi stammered, her voice shaking.

"What is it?" I asked quietly.

"Mom's still... not, right?"

"So?"

"Hehe... I'm just... happy..."

"...!"

Her smile bloomed so purely it melted the air—and yet, it held something more. There was an innocence in her expression, mixed with something far more knowing. Like someone who had seen too much. Her face spoke of a girl who had accepted men without losing her purity, a girl who had received all the cruelty of the world, and still kept smiling. That face... it was all woman now.

"Please... give my mother a little kindness too?" she whispered.

"You don't need to say it," I replied flatly.

It was unlikely the mother would notice the changes in her daughters. Twins made the perfect bait. That was why their mother had become the next target. Of course, it wasn't something you'd ever say aloud in front of children. Especially not children born from a blood-soaked family division like theirs.

"...I did it," she said, smiling faintly.

What does it mean to be happy? Fuumi looked completely content as she bit into the bitter dango pressed into her hands. Her face twisted, eyes filled with tears—but she ate without hesitation. Nobody forced her. It was her own will. Like she wanted to prove her loyalty, her devotion. She smiled through the pain and kept eating.

"Mom, singing, everyone... together... I'm scared, meow..."

She began to drift, her mind growing foggy. Eat, eat, eat—slowly sinking deeper and deeper. Her eyes glazed over. Quiet drool slipped from the corner of her mouth. Losing herself.

"Master... everyone, everyone... so many, all together..."

...This was their escape from reality. Through brainwashing, they no longer needed to worry. For them, those pills were a forbidden fruit—bitter, yet sweet. They had to believe that.

Otherwise, this reaction... it just wouldn't make sense.

And maybe... I didn't want it to.

* * *

"...You did well," she said.

"No, nooo!" I protested.

"It's the duty of a stepsister to support her stepbrother," she added casually.

"I've never heard of such a duty!"

Still, I gave a light nod to the two Juuyaku sisters. After gathering the needed info from the dazed twins and making them into a cover story, I couldn't help but treat these two as true sisters-in-law.

...But, getting a little girl hooked on drugs and having my stepsister help? It's beyond extreme.

"There won't be any bad side effects, right?" I asked.

"At least in the short term, there shouldn't be major problems," Kaya replied. "There's a record of someone living another twenty years after taking it for twenty."

"What kind of record is that...?"

"It's from the family logs of our household."

"You tested this on people?!"

Well, of course they did. These two were from the Juuyaku family. It all fit. ...Still, I thought the Black Oni Tsuki Corporation was supposed to be one of the more 'white' ones. Was that just a cover?

"...Ahem. Either way, looks like we'll have to expand our forces this way."

To keep myself from becoming the next sacrifice, this operation was a gamble. If they realized I was sober and my memories were back, they'd adapt next loop—and then, I wouldn't know how they'd treat the sisters-in-law. I could only use this move once.

This is my 98th loop. Just two more till the 100th.

Since regaining my memories, I've failed a few times—got eaten alive, rampaged, faked my death. But if I die, the world resets. That's my only card left. Like a maid hiding the recipe, I kept searching for a way to make it work without being found out.

"But even that's got limits..."

Including this round, I've only got three more tries. When there's no other path, it always ends up like this. Kaya and Hana were getting impatient to finish things...

"Look, look at them! They're completely gone, aren't they? Just dreaming away!" Hanah said with a giggle. "These kids are puppets now! They'll do anything I tell them. Total obedience!"

"...Let me say this again—I'm doing this to stop them from cooking themselves, alright?" I muttered.

Normally, you'd use drugs to turn desperate people into sacrifices. But these ones? They want to become pillars. So it's poison for poison. Monster against monster. Drug against drug.

...Still, how many doses have they taken? Are they even okay?

"The matter with the girl is handled. ...But more importantly, stepbrother, do you have a plan?" Kaya asked.

"Haha, there it is..." I sighed.

Her sharp words hit right where I'd been trying not to think.

"...My body right now is temporary. That's why I need to finish the ritual. On the night of the full moon... I have to feast, and rebuild it. If I don't, it'll rot away."

If I fail, I'll collapse into a disgusting mass of flesh. It's happened before. I've had to reset again and again.

...Yeah. I know. I'm ready. I'll do it. No hesitation. No regrets.

"..."

"Stepbrother?" Kaya called gently.

"What is it? I'll make it work," I replied, patting her head softly.

Even if I have to break myself, I'll end this loop. I'll break free of this cursed world—no matter what it takes.

* * *

"...You're still going through with it, aren't you? Even though it's all meaningless."

After arranging the orange flowers in the vase with delicate grace, the young lady let out a quiet sigh. A sorrowful one. Her fingers gently brushed the petals, as if comforting them, her thoughts drifting to the one she loved. She pitied him. Pitied his struggle.

Yes... everything was already beyond reach. Nothing could be undone. It was all too late. And yet—he still didn't see that.

"Well... I suppose that's just like him, isn't it?" she murmured, smiling faintly.

Watching him fight so desperately, clinging to the tiniest sliver of hope—there was something endearing about it. He had lost everything. He had nothing left. And still, he could hurt himself for the sake of others, still end up with the shortest straw, and smile anyway. That kind of selfless light... it was blinding. Beautiful. It was something she, with all her selfishness, could never become.

"...I understand," she whispered, her voice steady. "Yes... I understand now."

And that was why she had made up her mind.

She would save him—selfishly. She would stain him with her own colors, without hesitation. She would change his heart, reshape his path. For him. For his peace. For his happiness.

After all... who could truly call it happiness, to live only for others? To bleed for someone else. To starve, endure pain, carry grief, fall into despair... to struggle endlessly just to be useful to someone else. How could that be joy?

Is that happiness? Can something so cruel really be called contentment? Does it matter, as long as the person believes they're fine? No. That's just self-deception. Just another excuse to ignore the truth. That kind of sacrifice is not noble—it's simply convenient. They're being used. They've never known true joy. And because they don't know, they let this twisted world go on.

...Yes. The one who saved her was that same kind him. The one she fell in love with. But that kindness... it hurt.

Because she loved him, his way of living was unbearable. It made her jealous. Angry. And most of all—heartbroken.

"That's why..." she whispered, her fingertips lingering on the trembling petals, "I'll change you... for your sake. Even if it means changing your soul. Even if it means rewriting the way you are."

As if he could live just for himself. As if he could cast everyone else aside and chase after his own happiness. Even if it cost him everything. Even if it consumed him.

Ah... her stomach throbbed where he had once trampled her heart. The ache was deep, unrelenting.

"Hee hee... it's alright," she said softly, her smile faint and eerie. "I've prepared everything... so you can believe it, okay?"

No matter how much he sacrificed, the ending wouldn't change anymore. The path to save everyone had already been set in stone.

She had prepared the reasons for his fall. Prepared the temptations that would swallow him whole. Prepared every thread that would keep him from returning to his old life.

If he wanted to remain human—if he wanted to avoid becoming something else—then these were the only choices left to him. A cruel, impossible dual path. The best and smallest path crafted just for him. A false choice, shaped so he could trick himself. So he could be saved.

"That's why... please keep spinning forever inside this world," she said, the name falling from her lips like a curse or a wish.

With me and with us, always together—forever. Just like the dream butterfly had.

"I'll be waiting... for your answer."

While decorating the wings of fate with blooming orange blossoms, the honey-colored madness whispered sweetly... and wept.

Notes:

• Meguru - A maid who cleans the Master's mouth; calm and attentive.

• Nagi - Southern maid who wears minimal clothing like underwear or swimsuits. Her attire reflects the norms of her homeland.

• Mari - Energetic and affectionate girl who leads the younger group. Bold during play, but shows a tender, bashful side in emotional moments.

• Fuumi - One of the playful twin girls; energetic and sweet. Often paired with Shii in mischievous antics, she's reflective and emotionally tuned in, sharing a deep concern for their mother, Amatsuru.

• Shii - White-haired, energetic twin. Lively, affectionate, and always trying to cheer up the Master. Deeply attached to her mother, Amatsuru.

• Ran - Seductive southern-born maid with wheat-colored skin and a beauty mark near her lips. Confident, teasing, and warm—mixes mature affection with sultry playfulness.