Chapter 100

Today marks the hundredth installment! I've been able to get this far thanks to everyone! Thank you so much.

Kuna and I were standing backstage, looking at the stage.

Kuna's face was flushed, and she held my hand shyly, in a lover's grip.

It felt a bit ticklish.

Already, as the opening act, Cyril and the others were performing a song to celebrate us.

Cyril played an instrument called an ofar, a kind of flute, while Lucie, one of Cyril's elven wives, danced, and Kuu, Cyril's other wife and Kuna's mother, sang.

Everyone in the audience was captivated by the three of them.

Cyril's ofar played with a free and flowing melody, and Kuu's voice added to it. Her voice was full of emotion, a wonderful sound. It blended with the ofar, creating an overwhelming and soul-stirring performance.

Furthermore, Lucie's dance enhanced this perfect sound.

She was like a fairy, mysterious and alluring, yet full of joyful energy.

Each of them performed at the highest quality, complementing and elevating each other in a perfect harmony.

It was an overwhelmingly beautiful scene.

According to Kuna, these three often worked together to entertain everyone at festivals.

"Hey, Kuna, I want us to be like them someday."

"Yes, Father can be unfaithful and sometimes make Mother cry, but he truly loves her and makes her happy. I acknowledge that."

Kuna's eyes followed her mother, Kuu, with admiration.

One could only sing like that if they truly loved Cyril and were happy.

I could understand that much.

Then, the first song ended, and there was a pause before the second one began.

"Hey, Soji, Kuna."

Anne, who had been enjoying Cyril's performance with us, asked us.

Her silver hair was blowing in the wind.

"What is it, Anne?"

I turned to face her and asked.

"I have a question I want you to answer honestly. I can tell from watching you, but I want to hear it from your mouths. ...Are you two together?"

Anne looked at me seriously, asking the question.

Kuna and I exchanged glances.

Kuna had asked me to keep it a secret from Anne.

But I thought it would be disrespectful to dodge the question here.

As I was hesitating, Kuna spoke first.

"Anne, I'm sorry. When Soji saved me, wounded and covered in scars, as a nine-tailed fire fox, I realized my true feelings. I really like Soji. I love him. So, I decided to respond to his feelings. Soji and I love each other."

Kuna whispered, looking apologetic.

Originally, Anne had always said she liked me, while Kuna had denied her feelings for me, so she probably felt guilty.

"...I'm glad I could hear Kuna's feelings. Honestly, I know I should give up on Soji. But I can't. What I said in the carriage, that if Soji allows it, I want to love you both, wasn't a joke. I was serious."

Anne paused, composing herself.

Then, with a determined look, she continued.

"Kuna, please. I like Soji too. If Soji allows it, I want you to let me love him too."

Anne bowed her head.

Despite her strong demeanor, her shoulders were shaking.

Watching her, Kuna spoke.

"I grew up seeing my mother, who was married to a man who also loved other women. I know how hard it was for her."

Cyril has other wives besides Kuna's mother, Kuu.

"She looked lonely. She was jealous of the other women. I always wished that Father would love only Mother. Not just Mother, but I was also lonely. I often wondered why I was the only one who couldn't see Father every day. If I allow you, Anne, I will surely feel lonely and jealous, and our children will feel the same."

Kuna's words were filled with sadness and frustration. Coming from her own experiences, they carried a lot of weight.

"...I'm sorry, Kuna. I'm so sorry."

Anne said this with a sad, resigned voice.

Kuna continued.

"But, Mother was still happy. Look at her singing now. She couldn't sing like that if she wasn't happy and in love. Also, even though I didn't see Father much, the other mothers loved me, and I love my sister. I think, compared to a normal family, we had a different kind of happiness, despite the unhappiness."

Kuna smiled.

"So, Anne, I've decided to allow it. Actually, I've always said that I would allow it if it was Anne. It's up to Soji now. Even if I allow it, I don't know how Soji feels about you. And even if Soji likes you, I won't give up my place as his number one."

With that, Kuna hugged me and casually rubbed her tail against me, a clear sign of possession.

"Thank you, Kuna. ...And I'm sorry."

Anne, with tears in her eyes, managed to say these words.

"Will you tell us, Soji? Do you like Anne?"

The answer to this question had been something I had been searching for a long time.

Anne, who I had been with for so long. I knew everything about her, her strengths, her weaknesses, everything.

We had laughed and cried together. Her smile and tears came to mind when I closed my eyes.

The answer had been there from the beginning. I was just afraid to admit it.

"I like Anne. She's such a hardworking, strong, noble, yet fragile and lonely girl. It's impossible not to like her."

Yes, I like Anne.

Hearing my words, Anne's cheeks turned red, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"Soji, I'm... I'm happy."

"I'm happy too that you feel this way about me. So, even though I'm not the best, I want you to stay with me."

Anne's tears flowed even more.

Kuna, still hugging me, waved at Anne.

Anne, tilting her head, walked over.

As Anne approached, Kuna released her embrace and then hugged both Anne and me.

"From now on, we'll be together as three. Let's all be happy together!"

Kuna's bright and cheerful voice shattered the solemn atmosphere.

That's why I probably fell in love with her.

"Right, let's be happy together."

"Yes, I'll make both Soji and Kuna happy."

We all laughed together.

"That's settled then. And, Anne, there's something I've told Soji."

"What is it?"

"In a moment of weakness, I told him that I would allow him to have an affair with you. But I'll only allow it with you. If he touches any other women, I'll cut it off."

A cold sweat ran down my spine.

Was that not a joke after all?

"Anne, if he touches other women while being with us, let's work together to do it. Soji, I'm serious. I really will do it."

Kuna often shows me this smile, where her eyes don't smile, as she looks at me.

"That's a good idea. But let's wait until after we have children. I want to have Soji's children."

"Hey, Anne."

Anne gave a slightly off-the-mark answer.

Ignoring me, the two of them giggled.

As we were talking, Cyril's performance ended, and the audience erupted in applause.

Next was our turn.

Well, to be doing this right before announcing our engagement... But I thought it was just like us.