Chapter 267: Can’t They Give My Little Hime a Break?!

After that whole commotion ended and they stayed just a bit longer, the classmates finally said their goodbyes and left under Hiratsuka-sensei’s lead.

After all, their visiting purpose was fulfilled.

Besides, staying overnight was out of the question.

Tobe, who initially did consider the “overnight” idea, got pulled away by Hayama — the latter looking absolutely livid and annoyed.

The hospital room instantly held only four people left.

Himekoji, Akiko, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama.

……

“Um… aren’t you all heading back?”

Himekoji spoke up, sounding a little concerned as he asked this.

This was just a standard two-person room; it definitely couldn’t sleep four people, right?

“Onii-chan, what do you want to eat?”

Yet, no one paid his question any mind at all.

Only Akiko spoke, though what she said had nothing to do with what Himekoji asked.

“What to eat, huh…”

Now that he thought about it, he really felt pretty hungry.

“An omelette rice.”

Himekoji was loyal to his stomach’s demands.

“I’ll have Ise Ebi lobster sashimi, thank you.”

Yukinoshita, also without dinner, instinctively added her order.

And just where did this big shot princess come from?

In a hospital, shouldn’t meals be simple?

“Yukino-chan, the thing you ordered… might be hard to get in a hospital…”

Yuigahama softly reminded her.

Using the word “might” was being super polite.

“Hmm, in that case, I’m fine with anything. Sorry to trouble you, Akiko.”

“It’s hard to buy? Then I’ll also just have whatever.”

Yukinoshita quickly changed her mind, accepting the advice easily.

Only Akiko looked utterly speechless.

She never actually offered to get takeout for those two!

She’d only been asking her brother alone!

“Alright, alright.”

But at this point, refusing felt impossible.

Being the woman destined to marry her brother, gentleness and competence were skills she must possess.

“Onii-chan, I’ll go now then? Be careful while I’m away.”

“Careful?”

Careful of what?

Himekoji didn’t catch on right away.

“Since you’re blind right now, Onii-chan, it’d be really easy for someone to… take advantage of you?”

Huh?

What in the world was she talking about…?

Himekoji felt imaginary dark lines drop down his forehead.

Inside, he couldn’t help complaining—

“The only person likely to try anything like that with me… it’s definitely just you! So stop projecting your own bad habits onto everyone else!”

Also, not to brag, but really… most of the time he was the pervert doing the taking advantage around here.

That was a well-known fact.

……

After Akiko left, only Himekoji, Yukinoshita, and Yuigahama remained in the room.

Though it was already evening and the sun had set, the air felt heavy and sticky hot.

Just sitting in the hospital room without moving, a layer of sweat gathered.

On top of the cold sweat shock induced by worrying about Himekoji earlier that afternoon.

All this made her feel uncomfortably sticky, and Yuigahama shifted uneasily.

She liked being clean, and luckily the room had a bathroom.

After some hesitation, she finally decided.

“Akito, can I borrow the bathroom please?”

A quick shower would fix everything.

She’d feel refreshed and comfortable again.

Before Himekoji could respond, Yukinoshita frowned first,

“Here? That doesn’t seem good.”

“Huh? But Yukino-chan, you must feel it too right? Between squeezing onto the bus today, visiting all those spots, and then everything after… Honestly, not washing up soon feels like it might kill me.”

Hearing this, Yukinoshita visibly wavered.

But after a glance at Himekoji sprawled lazily on the bed, she firmly buried that thought.

Though she wouldn’t shower here herself, she had no good reason to stop Yuigahama.

In the past, she might have worried – Himekoji’s reputation as a pervert wasn’t baseless after all.

But now? The guy couldn’t even see! What was there to fret about?

Peeping?

Impossible.

“Do you need clean clothes?”

Yukinoshita asked, thinking of something practical.

“I do! I do need them~~”

Yuigahama was planning to put her old clothes back on post-shower, but getting fresh ones was way better. She thanked her with clasped hands,

“Thank you Yukino-chan!”

……

Huh?!

W-Wait a minute!

How’d you decide something like that so casually?!

Showering?

Showering right in front of him?!

Are you not taking this pervert seriously at all?!

Don’t think my temporary blindness makes me less dangerous!

Let me get this super clear right now—

The System absolutely WON’T behave itself in this situation!

Seriously… can’t they just give my little Hime a day off?

Honestly, Himekoji was pretty tired today.

“Mount Akina Drift King” racing skills, “Voice Mimicry”, “Extreme Clothing Explosion” – any skill caused some physical strain, varying only in how intense it was.

……

While Himekoji was busy fretting over the System and its dangers…

Over in the bathroom, it sounded like Yuigahama had already started washing up.

He couldn’t see, but he could hear.

The distinct splatter of flowing water.

[Ding!]

[—— Collecting: Yuigahama’s Scent!]

[The moment is NOW! Execute immediately!]

Who said now? I haven’t decided!

[Starting countdown—]

Countdown again?!

Can you STOP rushing?!

At least wait until Yukinoshita leaves!

[Yukinoshita already left.]

“Really? That fast?”

That genuinely surprised Himekoji.

He hadn’t heard her leave at all!

[Really.]

Okay, fine.

Make it quick! Finish before Akiko and Yukinoshita get back!

Himekoji wasn’t one to hesitate much either. Decision made.

Of course, what Himekoji didn’t realize as he made this choice—

That day, everyone lied.

……

Wait… though, does the System even count as a person?

……