"My sister does know my apartment location, and she has visited before."
"Mhm."
The mother didn't sound particularly surprised. However, she then asked, "Then, is Haruno presently at your apartment?"
Yukino raised her brows, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and doubt.
"Mother, why are you asking that?"
" "
It seemed her mother was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Haruno has no work arrangements today, yet she still hasn't come home."
"Huh?"
Yukino glanced at the clock. It was already eleven at night. She knew their family had very strict rulesby nine in the evening, they were supposed to be resting. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't fail to return by nine. But from Mother's words, her sister had no official business tonight and still hadn't come back?
Yukino: "Why not just call Sister directly?"
"I can't get through to Haruno's phone. I'm guessing maybe she went to you. Is that right?"
" "
"No, Mother. My sister isn't here."
" "
Silence from the other end.
"I'm not lying," Yukino emphasized again, as if her mother might not believe her.
"I know you wouldn't lie to me, Yukino. I raised you. I trust you."
" "
Yukino's heart skipped a beat. Her usually icy mother just said she trusted her?
"I was only thinking, if Haruno isn't at your place, and she's not coming home, and her phone's unreachable, then where would she go? Haruno has always been excellent and self-disciplined. I don't believe she'd be doing anything reckless. Could it be something happened?"
"!!!"
Her mother's speculation made Yukino's heart lurch. Vanished without a trace! That reminded her of the monstrous threats from other worlds. If her sister had encountered some monster or demon
"Yukino, you try contacting Haruno. If she's still unreachable, I may need to consider reporting this to the police."
Her mother's voice turned solemn. "Understood!"
When the call ended, Yukino immediately tried calling and texting Haruno.
" "
But after a while, no successcalls wouldn't connect, texts remained unread. Yukino's face grew steadily more grim. She knew better than anyone how perfect her sister was. Under normal circumstances, Haruno wouldn't suddenly be unreachable unless she was in a meeting or handling urgent business. But Mother said she had nothing scheduled today.
"Could it be"
Yukino's heartbeat sped up. The suspicion that came to mind might be reality. She couldn't be faulted for overthinking. Having witnessed the fearsome presence of beasts and demons from another world, Yukino herself was terrified. Let alone if her missing sister had been targeted. If it was real, they couldn't delaythe longer it took, the greater the danger.
Decisively, she sent a message to Rei Ao in the chat group.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Rei Ao! Are you there? I need your help with something."
Stella: "Oh? Yukino actually needs help for once? Incredible."
Shiba Miyuki: "No need to phrase it like that. No one is omnipotent."
She too had never imagined she would need help, until her mother's health crisis. Now she profoundly realized having someone to rely on was a comfort.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote For More Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 200 Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 417: Yukino's Trade!
Yukino had no time to pay attention to anyone else.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Rei Ao, are you there?"
Still no response, and Yukino was growing anxious.
Mikoto Misaka: "Ehhh, are you in a hurry? I get the feeling Rei Ao might be purposely keeping you waiting so you'll trade with him~?"
Miko Yotsuya: "You're saying Rei Ao-nii is lurking in the chat without responding? I don't believe it."
Mikoto Misaka: "Hmph, that perverted wolf might enjoy watching others panic, waiting for a trade."
Bibi Dong: "No, I believe Rei Ao has always been straightforward about trades."
Yukino: ""
Some spoke without malicious intent, but for Yukino, it struck a chord. She, too, believed Rei Ao might be doing it on purpose. If he really didn't want to respond, she had no way to make him. Her lips tightened, thinking that her sister might be experiencing the same monster encounters that many in the chat had dealt with. Gritting her teeth, she sent Rei Ao a trade request for the first time.
Right before she did so, though, Rei Ao spoke up in the chat:
Rei Ao: "Sorry, I was refining something just now. @Yukinoshita Yukino, what do you need from me?"
But his timing was slightly off. Immediately following his words, the chat room prompt appeared:
[Ding! Yukinoshita has initiated a trade request!]
[Trade Content: Find her older sister!]
[Ding! Please choose your trade conditions!]
"Oh?"
Rei Ao, holding three "Awakening Stones," showed surprise.
He had just used the Soul Bones he got in Bibi Dong's world, as well as Curse Gear, Shikama Dji, plus the Void Genome, refining them into the Awakening Stones. That's why he replied to Yukino a few seconds lateright when she sent a trade request.
Rei Ao: "@Yukinoshita Yukino, I see your trade request. Finding someone isn't difficult. Are you sure you want to do a trade for this?"
This was a rare moment of conscience for him.
""
At that moment, Yukino's mind seemed to freeze. Not only had she misunderstood Rei Ao, but now the situation had escalated. From Rei Ao's words, it sounded like he was going to help. But Yukino, who'd been strong-willed all her life and hated owing anyone favors, clenched her fists.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Trade. My older sister, Haruno, is missing, and she might have run into some monster or demon. Rei Ao-kun, please help me find her."
Rei Ao: "Well, since you put it that way, anything else I say would seem prudish, so I'll just accept your 'first time.'"
Megumi Kato: "First time?"
Kasuga Hijiri: "Probably means it's her first collaboration, but Rei Ao, how do you know Yukino is a virgin?"
Rei Ao: "Huh? I don't. I meant the first trade."
Kasuga Hijiri: "This is"
Mikoto Misaka: "I'm pretty sure you did that on purpose!!!"
Megumi Kato: "Even though I do trust Rei Ao-kun, he does sometimes have a mischievous sense of humor."
Rei Ao: "Hey now, Megumi, you're framing me."
Megumi Kato: "Nope~ For instance, the other day, you kept 'casually' sending strong glances at my 'other hole,' which can be kind of scary."
Shiba Miyuki: "Eh???"
Frieren: "As expected from you."
Stella: "??? That's not possible, right? That can't be allowed, can it?"
Stella felt she was hearing something bizarrehow could that be okay?
Tohru: "Hmph, what's not possible? Next time, I want Rei Ao to try it with me. I'm not scared!"
Miko Yotsuya: "Um, guysyou're all so bold"
Miko hid behind something, face bright red, feeling a strange, burning illusion.
Izawa Shizue: "Seems the topic's veered off course. The real issue is Yukino's trade."
Frieren: "Well, it's just a trade. We're used to it by now, and Rei Ao can definitely handle it."
Yes, everyone was used to these trades, even if the new client was the normally earnest Yukino.
"I'm here."
Rei Ao appeared beside Yukino in a flash, seeing her complicated expression. Rubbing his chin, he asked, "Yukino, are you sure you want to use your 'first trade' on this?"
""
A simple question, but hearing him say 'first time' made Yukino feel uncomfortable. As though they weren't talking about a trade but something far more personal. Indeed, the trade's content was precisely that. Eyes wavering with annoyance and embarrassment, Yukino didn't dare meet Rei Ao's eyes. Looking aside, she answered in a low voice,
"Yes. It's my choice. I don't want to owe you anything."
That was the principle she insisted on.
"All right, then I'll accept itYukino's first time."
Rei Ao's tone was layered with meaning, and this time he wasn't talking about the trade.
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade Conditions]: "Body Usage Rights x1"
[Ding! Confirm trade?]
""
Even though Yukino had already decided, seeing the trade conditions left her still hesitant. Just then, Rei Ao reminded her from one side, "I don't think you need to rush. Maybe your sister just got home late."
He doubted it was so coincidental that Haruno had been attacked by demons or such.
""
If he hadn't said that, it might've been fine. But hearing his remark only made Yukino more serious.
"You also said it's just a possibility. But if my sister did run into some monster, then what? She'd be killed? Or eaten? I can't accept either of those outcomes."
So she agreed to the trade.
[Ding! Trade has begun!]
[Trade Partner: Yukinoshita Yukino]
[Trade Content: Find her older sister!]
[Trade Conditions]: "Body Usage Rights" (One Time)
[Duration: Unlimited]
Yukino watched Rei Ao go to the sofa, placing his hand on the big stuffed "Mr. Panda" that her sister had given her.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm using the stuffed toy your sister touched to track her," he said.
A magic circle flashed. Through the aura of Haruno still lingering on the plush, Rei Ao located her. He sensed something, his expression going light.
Seeing that, Yukino asked urgently, "What is it?"
"Honestly, Yukino, I suspect you might regret making this trade."
"Whatdo you mean?"
Inwardly, Yukino had a faint guess, clenching her fists.
"Yukino, do you need my help?!"
At that moment, Mabel ran out of her room.
"No need. You go back to sleep."
Rei Ao answered for Yukino, then eyed her a moment before remarking with a slight smirk, "Mabel so you like sleeping naked?"
"Eh? Ah!!!"
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for More Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 200 Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 418: The Trade Request was... easy (Bonus Chapter)
""
"Big Sis"
Yukino had found her sister at last.
It was Rei Ao who brought her here to see her sister.
But the scene before her was completely different from the perilous scenario she had feared. In fact, it had nothing to do with danger at all!
The place was in total disarray. Empty liquor bottles lay scattered everywhere, and the air reeked of alcohol.
And there was her sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, slumped fast asleep over the table.
Seated across from Haruno was none other than Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Taking in the sight, Yukino had a good guess at what had happened.
The two of them were stone drunk!
Earlier that evening
"Tsk!"
Back home, Hiratsuka Shizuka sat on her sofa, sucking in a sharp breath.
"Rei Ao, you really don't show an ounce of pity toward us ladies, do you?!"
Hiratsuka let out a wry laugh. Even now, there was a faint ache in her lower body. Still it had felt incredible. If it came down to it again, she doubted she would refuse. And if anything did go wrong, Rei Ao could just fix her up. She was keeping the ache on purpose so she could deeply remember this new "first time," having refused Rei Ao's offer to heal her.
Strangely enough, she rather liked the idea.
Ding-dong!!!
She hadn't even settled in properly before the doorbell rang.
"At this hourwho'd come looking for me?"
Puzzled, Hiratsuka headed to the entryway. Looking through the peephole, she saw who was outside.
"Haruno?"
Recognizing someone she knew, she opened the door.
"Hi, Shizuka! I came over for a drink!"
Stylish as ever, Haruno carried multiple bags, her smile bright.
" "
Hiratsuka remembered that the two of them had planned to drink together previously, but had kept putting it off till now.
"All that booze Hard liquor?"
Seeing it wasn't just beer, Hiratsuka's eyelids twitched.
"Haha, well, tomorrow's the weekend. Let's have ourselves a great time!"
Without further ado, Haruno entered the apartment, starting to unpack.
"You sure are Sigh"
Shizuka pressed her hand to her forehead helplessly.
Moments later, they started drinking.
"Sssha! Feels great!"
Downing a glass in one go, Haruno indulged in a long-missed release. At home, or in front of others, she always wore a mask. Probably only when drinking with Shizuka could she reveal a bit of her true self.
"Take it easy, why don't you."
Seeing her going at it so fiercely, Hiratsuka felt some concern.
"Haha, this counts as slow for me! Enough fusslet's just enjoy ourselves!"
Having poured another glass, Haruno then frowned at Shizuka.
"Shizuka, why are you fidgeting so much in your seat? Is it uncomfortable?"
"Uh"
Shizuka's face flushed.
"Nothing I just fell earlier."
"Heh, and you're a teacherthis is too careless. If you always act like that, what guy would be interested in you? Not like me"
At that, Haruno's expression briefly darkened.
The reason she was acting so wildly tonight was that she'd encountered something painful, something she couldn't resist. Coming here was simply a way to escape.
" "
Hiratsuka noticed Haruno seemed to have a heavy heart, so she didn't pry further. She raised her cup.
"Don't talk about it. Let's keep drinking."
"Right, drink!"
They drank several rounds, both now quite tipsy but still somewhat aware.
Finally Shizuka proposed, "Haruno, I think that's enough. Why not call a driver or something to pick you up?"
"Call someone?"
Haruno snickered. "I took out my phone batteryno calls, keep drinking!"
"???"
Hiratsuka was shocked. She never expected Haruno to be so irrational.
Looks like she's really troubled, Shizuka thought. Probably something about the Yukinoshita family again. But Haruno wasn't telling her, so there was no way to console her. All she could do as a friend was drink with her.
"Then let's keep drinking! Worst case, you can crash here!"
Back to the present
The plates, dishes, leftovers, and liquor scattered in a mess were all due to these two getting themselves thoroughly drunk. Now they were both asleep, breathing evenly, obviously not dead. The strong smell of alcohol assailed Yukino's nose so intensely that she covered her face.
[Ding! Trade Completed!]
"Sister Shizuka-sensei they"
"It's pretty clearyour sister and Shizuka just got wasted," Rei Ao said with a shrug, heading over to Hiratsuka's side. "They really overdid it."
Making a single remark, he hoisted the unconscious Hiratsuka Shizuka up and carried her into her bedroom. A minute later, he came back out. Noticing Yukino still staring at Haruno in disbelief, he reminded her:
