Chapter 14

After giving it some thought, I realized that both ginger ale and fresh ginger sticks have ginger in them!

"Nice fight, want to have some pickled ginger to cleanse your palate?"

"If you're serious, I'll punch you with a fist..."

Lemon, ginger, wasabi, and mustard creating a quad vortex leading to a big bang... Wait, that's weird, the yakitori tastes bland now?

"Well, it's a joke, but if you hit Amane Eien, I might spread the word, you know."

"Hey, stop it, you'll get killed by my sister."

Amane Eien is an evil deity, and her followers are cult members, which means, sadly, my sister is a cult member who worships an evil deity.

"Sister? Oh, so Sanraku-kun's sister is one of my followers. That's nice to hear."

"Photos don't talk, so it's inevitable that my sister would be deceived."

"Whoa, you gave me a sharp retort, didn't you?"

Standing like a peony, sitting like a peony, and speaking like a heretic. Oh, right, I almost forgot.

"Well, she's a model and probably admires me... Oh, I forgot to ask, can you sign something for my sister?"

"I'm in private mode... What's her name?"

"I like your easy-going attitude... Her name is Rumi, which means 'beautiful king'."

"So, her name is Hizume Rumi, huh... I see, this is the girl, huh?"

This guy is already trying to identify her! And he shouldn't be casually checking someone's name like that!

"Hmm... I remember using this accessory in a photo shoot... Impressive, she's a dedicated follower."

Pencilgon was writing the signature with a practiced hand, but then he suddenly had a mischievous smile and turned to me.

"No."

"But I haven't said anything yet!?"

Well, I thought something bad might happen, so I just said it.

"No, I was thinking of talking to her directly."

"My sister?"

"Yeah, so I'll call her."

"Uh-huh..."

But even if I just give her the signature, she'll probably ask where I got it from, so it might not make much difference.

"Alright, I'll give her a call."

While I was dealing with the bitterness and intense battle of raw konjac yam, Pencilgon, with his smooth talk, made Natsuki perform the simple act of "feeding him a potato" with the tension of a Western duel. Meanwhile, I tried calling my sister.

"Hello, it's me, your brother."

"Rumi, do you have time now?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I just finished my shift and was about to take off my makeup."

"That's good. Don't take off your makeup yet, just sit down and open a video call."

"...? What's with that pumpkin-like mask? Are you getting a head start on Halloween?"

"I'm two months ahead of the game... No, wait, um... Are you sitting down?"

"Huh? What's going on, brother? You're saying weird things..."

Suddenly, my hand holding the phone was grabbed and slid over, and the camera lens showed the new presence in high definition on Rumi's screen.

"Hello, Rumi-chan, it's Amane Eien."

"!!?!!?!!?"

There was a loud crash from the phone's speaker, apparently she had fallen off her chair.

"Wow... Even without aiming, you have the same flair for drama as Sanraku-kun."

"She's my step-sister."

"What?"

"Just kidding, you idiot."

Psh

"Raimu!!?"

Hey, you bastard! You squirted lemon juice through the helmet's gap into my nose! And why do you have a lemon slice with you?

"Kaaaaa...!?"

The refreshing scent of citrus hit my brain like an uppercut, but while I was reeling, Pencilgon was talking to my sister, who was hit by a prank straight out of an American variety show.

"Are you okay? You fell pretty dramatically."

"What... Huh...!? I, I'm fine! I could probably knock out the Prime Minister right now!"

Why are you challenging the Prime Minister to a fight to prove your health, sister? Wow, the world smells like lemons...

"That's good. Your brother told me you're one of my followers, right?"

"Y-Yes! I follow your official account, buy magazines, and... I always support you!"

"Hehe, that's nice to hear. Oh, Rumi-chan, do you want to exchange email addresses?"

"B-Ba..."

Another loud crash. She must have fallen pretty hard, as I could hear my mother's voice from a distance.

"W-Why me! E-E-E-Mail exchange...!"

"Well, it's not usually a good idea... But..."

Hey, heretic, why are you looking at me and smiling? Hey, why are you moving away from me?

"What are you going to say?"

"San... I mean, your brother and I are very, very close... you know."

"..."

"Wait..."

No, that's not a mistake. You said that on purpose in this situation! Enough, I can't let him talk any more!

Smack

"..."

"Damn, you..."

"You don't have to say anything. I understand... This is more fun, you know!!"

Why are you smiling so nihilistically, you bastard! Let go! Let go of me!

"Ah, what kind of relationship do you have with your brother..."

"What do you think... Hehehe, what kind of relationship do you think we have?"

"Let go! That's the type of enemy that causes a game over if left alone!"

"Hey, collecting bad endings is a gamer's hobby, you know?"

"Life doesn't have save data, you know!?"

When you reach a bad ending, it's over!!

"Anyway, see you later."

"Y-Yes!"

Click, the call ended.

Pencilgon returned the device with a very clear and refreshing smile. I ran a few scenarios in my head about how to punch him, but all of them ended with me getting beaten up by my sister, so I gave up.

"You, remember this..."

"Hehehe, I'll let you off with this much."

Damn, I'll never forgive you, Cthulhu... I'll turn this frustration into motivation and make you pay...

"Anyway, about the Shangfuru area, I'll think about it later... Here, this is the signature."

"Thanks."

I don't want to go home... Our family is the type that 'does it when it's time,' so I'll definitely be interrogated when I get home...

"In this case, the only option is to eat and drink until I deal a fatal blow to Katsu's wallet...!"

"That's a good idea, I've been eyeing this 'Super Crab Hot Pot.'"

"Then I'll go for the 'Karaage Giga Platter'..."

"Can we at least order something we can finish?"

"Then I'll go for the 'Titan Potatoes'..."

The tablet showing the menu had a photo of a ridiculously large serving of fries. It seemed like Natsuki was serious about the order, as the fries were gone, and someone must have eaten them with him.

Shaking their heads, the two heretics seemed to understand what I was thinking. Then, Natsuki, realizing what we were thinking, blushed and started to explain.

"N-No, it's not like that. It's... It's for everyone to share."

"I don't think that's a four-person serving..."

"I'll do my best..."

Pencilgon's hand gently patted Natsuki's shoulder.

"Natsuki-chan, it's okay to say you want more potatoes..."

"It's not that, but... I just really love potatoes!"

"Wait, what?"

We all said it in unison because Natsuki's excuse was so bad.

"Um, I don't really love potatoes that much... It's just... Potatoes are like a staple food!"

"Fried potatoes as a staple food..."

"You'll die from cholesterol overload."

"Meg, you should aim for a healthier diet..."

Natsuki's claim was as dangerous as drinking three energy drinks a day, and even we were a bit taken aback.

"N-No, that's not it!!"

Time flies when you're having fun, and before I knew it, I was back in front of my house.

It was 11 PM, not a time for a high school student to be out, but that's life.

In reality, I had returned around 10 PM but spent an hour at a convenience store to kill time.

"It's okay, he's probably tired from work and already asleep... I'll just prepare myself and explain in the morning..."

Click

"!?"

I haven't even opened the door yet.

The lights are... off. At least, no one should be up with the lights on in the living room.

"Wait, horror scenarios in real life don't happen that often..."

Creak...

Oh, this is bad. I'd rather get scolded for coming home late than face the danger here. I'll go to an internet cafe for the night!

"───Welcome back."

"Ah!"

I'm being ambushed from behind!? No way, my sister can't have assassin-like skills... Could it be that our family has a tradition of ninja skills...?

"There's a lot to talk about, so let's... take our time... and talk... brother?"

A cold hand crept up my neck. This is weird, when did I dive into a horror game?

"Really, we're just talking, right?"

"Don't worry... I bought a lot of Riot bars."

"Wait, really wait, Rumi, three or more a day is pretty dangerous... Ah, let go! You're so strong!? Being dragged...!"

"I'll get you to confess everything about your relationship with Touwa-sama, okay?"

Help, Natsuki!

My cries for help didn't reach the capital, and I was dragged into the darkness...

Somehow, I managed to survive with the key item "autograph."

I want to write a side story, but it's conflicting with the main story, and I want to be Kai Riki.

The next side story will be "GGC Day 2 Live Commentary," but I also want to write the Book of Truth... I want to reveal world-setting spoilers... Like how Cthulhu is actually a senior... and who Alice is...