Chapter 71

"What on earth happened?"

After finishing my battle with Cyril, I returned to the inn. I went to Kuna's room to talk to her, who had fled back to the inn, and for some reason, the door was unlocked.

When I opened the door and went in, I was speechless. Kuna was floating in the air. Of course, it wasn't because she suddenly developed superpowers.

"Ouch, it hurts! Give! Yuki-nee, give! Please, stop it!"

"Kuna should reflect more. Do you know how much worry you caused Yuki and the others?"

A cool, silver-haired, fox-eared beauty was using the Iron Claw on Kuna. Terrifyingly, she was holding Kuna up with one hand. It was unmistakable; she was the girl who had been sitting next to Cyril in the carriage. According to Kuna, she was Kuna's niece.

"Because Father is being so harsh, suddenly telling me to go marry someone across the sea. Of course, I would run away."

"I agree that it's harsh, but running away without telling Yuki and the others is not acceptable."

I could almost hear the sound of Kuna's skull creaking.

"Hey, shouldn't you let her go now?"

Kuna looked so pitiful that I decided to intervene. She seemed to be in a very tight spot, her whole body twitching and her tail hanging limply.

"Are you Kuna's boyfriend?"

The moment Yuki said that, Kuna, who had been looking like a rag doll, rebooted.

"No! Soji-kun is just a friend! Not a boyfriend!"

"Really... This is the first time I've seen Kuna deny something so desperately. You must be special. It might be rude to show such a harsh punishment in front of others."

"Yuki-nee! So, is this the end?"

"Hmm, let's finish with the usual."

"Wh-What!? No, stop, please, not in front of Soji-kun, please!"

Kuna pleaded with teary eyes.

"No, bad kids need to be punished."

However, Yuki picked Kuna up under her arm and, with a swift motion, pulled off her skirt and panties. Kuna's white bottom was exposed. Yuki raised her hand and slapped it hard. It made a satisfying sound. Kuna's tail trembled from root to tip.

"Ah, ouch, it hurts!"

Kuna screamed. Her bottom turned red and swollen.

"Nine more times."

"Please, Soji-kun, don't look!"

"Don't worry, I'm looking away."

I wasn't lying. I was looking away, but using magic to refract light to see clearly. Kuna let out a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived. Yuki slapped Kuna's bottom again and again.

"Ah, Yuki-nee, please stop!"

Each slap echoed through the room.

"That's the last one."

Yuki raised her hand and delivered the tenth slap to Kuna's bottom. She then released Kuna, who fell to the floor, pressing her red bottom and crying.

"Yuki-nee, that was so harsh. Treating me like a child."

"Kuna, to me, you're still a child."

"But I'm sixteen! I'm old enough to get married. I'm an adult!"

"Adults don't run away from home without a word and worry their family."

Kuna was speechless. Yuki smiled at her.

"But I'm really glad Kuna is safe. You're so trusting and easily deceived, which worries me."

Then, Yuki hugged Kuna tightly.

"Yuki-nee!"

Kuna, overwhelmed by the reunion with her family, hugged Yuki back and started crying. It was a beautiful scene... if Kuna's bottom wasn't exposed.

◇

Kuna and Yuki hugged until Kuna stopped crying. When she finally let go, she realized her bottom was exposed and quickly pulled up her skirt and panties.

"Did you see, Soji-kun?"

"Of course not. I turned away when I saw you trying to pull down your skirt. I didn't look once."

"Really, really?"

"I can swear on my life."

This time, I was telling the truth, so I answered confidently.

"Kuna, this person definitely turned away."

"Thank you, Yuki-nee. If Soji-kun is acting like a gentleman, it must be snowing tomorrow."

Kuna gently patted her chest. I wanted her to feel at ease; it wouldn't snow, and I was just being normal.

"But, you were using some strange magic, right?"

Ignoring Kuna, Yuki whispered in my ear, making me break out in a cold sweat.

"Yuki-nee, are you and Soji-kun having a secret conversation!"

"Nothing. I just thought you were a boy."

Yuki smiled meaningfully. She was definitely Kuna's sister; I couldn't let my guard down around her. Yuki cleared her throat.

"My name is Yuki Elsie. I manage the winery in Elsie. What's your name?"

She looked me straight in the eye and asked.

"I'm Soji. I attend the knight school. Kuna and I are in a party called 'Swordtail.'"

"Is that all?"

Yuki asked both of us. I smiled and replied.

"For now. I want a deeper relationship, but Kuna keeps rejecting me."

"Someone like Soji-kun, who flirts so much, can't be trusted with my tail."

Kuna, blushing, denied it more emphatically than usual. Yuki nodded a few times before speaking.

"I see. I understand. Kuna isn't very honest, so you'll have to put up with her. But she's a good person, so I hope you won't abandon her."

"Wh-What are you saying, Yuki-nee! It sounds like you're saying I like Soji-kun!"

"Kuna, I suggest you be honest before you regret it. Men choose women who are easy to get over unattainable beauties."

Kuna's face turned red, and her ears perked up. She was still cute.

"Hmph, I don't need dating advice from a late bloomer like you."

"Yuki is married to the winery. She has no interest in men."

Yuki brushed off Kuna's comment. She was clearly used to handling Kuna.

"Soji."

Yuki's tone changed, slightly harder but with a hint of respect.

"Thank you for protecting Kuna. Seeing her so happy must be thanks to you. As her sister, I'm truly grateful."

She then gave a very graceful thank you, every movement elegant.

"No, I just care for Kuna because I like her. I haven't done anything to deserve thanks."

"…Kuna might not deserve someone like you. Please, don't abandon her. You're the first man Kuna has liked, and the first man her father, Cyril Elsie, has approved of. If you abandon her, she might never find another suitor."

I almost laughed at that.

"Yuki-nee, please, no more embarrassing things. And how do you know Father approved of me?"

Kuna, breathing heavily, interrupted.

"Kuna, don't you see? Soji has your grandfather's magic. It's a hostile magic. Your grandfather has a bad habit. If you can talk to Kuna normally, it means you've passed his test."

"Really!? Soji-kun, did you meet Father!? What did you talk about!?"

Kuna came closer and sniffed me.

"Really, I can smell Father's scent! Soji-kun, did you meet Father!? What did you talk about!?"

Kuna pressed me urgently.

"We didn't talk about anything special. He asked if Kuna was doing well. I said she was, and then I asked for his daughter. He said to beat him if I wanted Kuna, so I did. …He gave me a handicap, though."

Thinking about it now, I still felt a surge of frustration. I wanted to surpass that man without any handicaps soon.

"Challenging Father to a fight is crazy! Are you trying to die! He's ruthless when it comes to his daughters!"

"But I won and got his approval. He said he would entrust his daughter to me."

At that, Kuna's face turned blank, and her cheeks flushed. Yuki looked impressed.

"Not many people can do that with your grandfather. You should keep this one. He's a catch."

"Soji-kun, you told Father you wanted me, and you faced the demon-like Father when it came to his daughter… The same Father who incapacitated many men when it came to Lucie-nee…"

Kuna looked at me with teary eyes. I had never seen her like this, and it made me feel strange. Yuki watched us with a satisfied look.

"I'm relieved Kuna has such a good friend. Here, this is a token of my appreciation. Enjoy it with your party. It's Yuki's masterpiece."

Yuki took a bottle from her bag. The label indicated it was Elsie Wine from Elsie, but it was more than just that. The text on the label was platinum. This was…

"Vallis Elsie Wine. Really!? You're giving me this?"

Vallis Elsie Wine was the highest rank of Elsie Wine, produced in small quantities despite its overwhelming popularity. It was made by the best craftsmen in Elsie, who ignored production costs and focused solely on making the best wine. The method was a closely guarded secret, involving magical elements to create a heavenly drink. It was so prized that some would trade a castle for a bottle.

"Sure. It's my wine. I can give it to whoever I want. I want Kuna's benefactor to enjoy it."

"I'll accept it gratefully. We'll enjoy it with our party."

I respectfully took the Vallis Elsie Wine from Yuki.

"And Kuna."

"Huh, what is it, Yuki-nee?"

Yuki spoke to Kuna, who was still in a daze.

"At the sword ceremony, Elsie was preparing to send the Fire Fox Song. Father was going to play, and I was going to sing. But… Kuna, you should sing. It's a song to bless your important friend. I brought your dress. At the ceremony, act as Princess Kuna Elsie."

"But, I…"

"I won't force you to come back until you've sorted out your feelings. You don't have to forgive Grandfather yet. I understand if you want to go out as just Kuna. But, should you miss the chance to give your friend the best gift?"

Kuna was confused by Yuki's words and looked at me.

"Stop overthinking and be honest with your feelings. If there are any problems, I'll handle them."

Kuna nodded and smiled.

"I'll sing for Anne!"

That's a good answer. Kuna really is a great girl.