NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 42
Chapter 42. Lap Pillow and Unusual Circumstances
“What are you thinking about?”
While pondering today’s inexplicable events, soft hands cup my cheeks.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, you had a deep frown, so I wondered if something was troubling you…”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”
It seems I’ve caused some concern. Not good—I must have let my expression show too much. A bad habit of mine. This kind of thing can affect team morale. I’ll need to be more careful.
“By the way, senpai, aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
I try to change the subject.
“A lap pillow! The lap pillow! Don’t tell me you forgot?”
“Oh, the lap pillow. Of course, I remember. Wait, are we doing that now?”
“Of course! I need some comfort right now. Come on, hurry up!”
“Fine, fine, I get it.”
With a small sigh, Hattori-san takes off her shoes, climbs onto the bed, and kneels near the headrest.
“Here you go.”
She lightly pats her thighs, signaling her readiness.
… I got caught up in the momentum, but now I’m nervous. For someone who’s never had a girlfriend, this feels like a major leap.
“Uh, um…”
“Stop dithering already!”
Seeing my hesitation, she grabs my head and places it firmly on her lap.
Caught off guard, I initially freeze, but soon the warmth and softness start to ease my tension.
… So soft. It’s like heaven. Not that I’ve been there.
“How is it?”
Hattori-san asks, her cheeks slightly flushed, clearly embarrassed.
“It’s perfect.”
What other answer could there be? I get it now. I’ve been fighting all this time for moments like this, not for some lustful succubus. That’s it—I’ll forget about that succubus entirely! It was all just a dream.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She smiles warmly and gently strokes my head.
… Is she a saint?
Right now, we could be a painting in a chapel. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind staying like this forever. Maybe I’ll take a nap. Or… should I touch her thigh just a little? I’ve earned this, haven’t I?
As my hand inches closer to her enticing thigh—
Bang!
The hospital room door swings open.
(Read the room, dammit!)
Anger boils inside me as I glare at the intruder. My body freezes.
A chilling silence fills the room. Cold sweat trickles down my forehead.
The newcomer gives me a frosty stare before pulling out a smartphone.
Beep beep beep
“Hello, police?”
“Wait, hold on!”
“Don’t come any closer! A pervert who made Hattori-san cosplay and give him a lap pillow is now trying to grope her thighs! Please help! I’m being harassed by a creep!”
“That’s not it! Hattori-san, say something!”
“Oh, I just remembered I have something to do. Take care, Yanagi-kun!”
“Wait, Hattori-san?!”
Her face flushed red with embarrassment, she bolts out of the room at lightning speed.
Damn, I wanted to savor that a little longer, but it can’t be helped.
Grudgingly, I shift my gaze to the meddler—not a stranger, but a young girl.
“… What’s with that look?”
“You’re a pervert, onii-chan.”
“?!?!”
Gah! To think the day would come when Ao would call me a pervert. I’ve taken great care to keep my naughty stash secure, and now it’s all for nothing!
“So, uh… what do you want?”
I ask, trying my best to keep a composed expression.
Time to change the subject. My dignity as a brother is on the line.
“Sigh. I came to check on you. It’s only natural for family to be worried, right? Though honestly, I thought your injuries were more self-inflicted than from a monster. So, was the monster that strong?”
Sharp as ever. She’s definitely my sister.
“Yeah, it was a tough one. An S-level, I’d say.”
“Hmm.”
She doesn’t seem too interested.
Well, she wouldn’t understand what S-level means. With her abilities, the difference between S and F probably seems trivial.
“Oh, by the way, you should call Mom soon. Your readings are getting pretty high.”
“… Let me see your phone.”
I take her phone and check the ability readings.
[95080]
That’s quite a number. For a middle schooler, it’s downright alarming.
“Yeah, you’re right. I should call her. Has the school noticed anything?”
“Nope, it’s fine.”
If anyone found out about these readings, it’d cause a massive uproar.
More importantly, I’m worried about Ao’s health. While she seems fine for now, prolonged exposure to such high levels could be dangerous.
“Are you feeling okay? No issues?”
“Totally fine! I even practiced boxing and made straw dolls at home today!”
“That’s… alarming. Clearly, your mind isn’t okay. Don’t worry, I’ll call Mom right away!”
“What?! That’s normal!”
“No, normal middle schoolers don’t do things like that. They’re more refined, less violent.”
To think her condition has deteriorated this much without me noticing…
I’d better contact Mom immediately.
Mom’s abilities are unique—not manipulation or creation, but something devastatingly effective against malevolent entities. With her help, we can suppress Ao’s powers.
I dial Mom’s number.
[Hello? Hayato?]
“Hi, Mom. I’ll get straight to the point: can you come back as soon as possible? Ao’s acting strange—like, mentally off—Grk!”
A fierce right hook lands in my ribs.
Of course, the culprit is Ao. Her boxing training seems to be paying off; it really hurts.
“I’m not strange!”
[You two really are close. It makes me so happy as a parent~ By the way, what’s so strange about Ao?]
“Well, for some reason, she’s practicing boxing and making straw dolls at home. It’s not normal…”
[Oh? That sounds perfectly fine to me.]
Fine? Did she just say it’s fine?
No, I must’ve misheard. There’s no way that’s normal…
[Hayato?! Are you there? Help me, please! Gwahhh!!]
Wait… was that Dad’s voice just now?
[Oh my, dear, you still have so much energy. That means I can punish you even more~]
[Please! I’m sorry! Have mercy!]
[I’ll make sure you never ogle other women again.]
[Eek!!]
Right… I’d forgotten something important.
Mom is a hardcore yandere.
Maybe Ao’s eccentricities are her doing.
[HAYATOOOO!!]
Tears streaming down my face, I hang up.
Sorry, Dad. I can’t save you… but I’ll collect your remains.
A few seconds later, I receive a text from Mom.
[I’m done here, so I’ll be returning to Japan with your father. Being around those big-breasted women makes him act up, so I’m cutting our trip short. Oh, and send me your new address. I heard you moved.]
… Big-breasted?
Mom’s chest is modest compared to the average. That’s probably why she harbors such animosity toward women with larger chests.
“Sigh.”
A deep sigh escapes me.
Perhaps I made a mistake in my choice of allies.