Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 180, Section 21: "A Glimpse of My Miyako Island Trip: Gazing at the Stars"

Back at the guesthouse, the sticky, tense air clung tightly to Masumi's skin.

"Masumi-kun, you're so slow. If you're going to touch me, hurry up and do it."

Asami urged him on with words, her heart pounding. Her snow-white skin flushed red after the bath, and sweat gathered and dripped from the tip of her nose.

"understood."

"Don't just say you understand, which one do you want to choose, left or right?"

"Left."

As Masumi slowly reached out her hand, Mami swallowed hard, her slender white Adam's apple bobbing noticeably.

"babble!"

A mournful cry escaped from between her teeth.

"Four of Hearts! Masumi has won."

Masumi won, but Kurokawa Mio acted like the winner even more.

"It's Asami-nee in last place again," Chiai sighed.

"Ugh... How could this be? This is already the fourth inning."

Mami, with a long face, threw the Joker card in her hand aside.

“Mami-nee is too easily swayed by her emotions,” Chiai said with a smile.

"Haiyue is really amazing, she always comes in first place."

"Playing with a Joker card with a strong luck attribute is just too unfair," Mami sighed.

She was wearing a bathrobe provided by the guesthouse, not pajamas.

The style is somewhat like a penguin, but it looks very provocative on Asami. Her buttocks are deeply sunk into the sofa, and her posture of sitting with her knees drawn up makes her fleshy thighs appear and disappear.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly a voice came from the right. Masumi turned her head to the right and saw Rinne, who had just come out of the bath. Her slightly damp black hair was tied up at the back of her head, and she was only wrapped in a bath towel to cover her hot body.

Her snow-white skin was tinged with cherry blossom color, leaving wet footprints on the ground.

Seeing her like this, Masumi suddenly became a little worried that she might slip on the floor.

“We’re playing Joker, Rinne, come join us,” Chiai enthusiastically invited.

"I'll pass, it's about time I went back to my room to rest." She gently shook her head. "Everyone should go to sleep early too."

"Huh? Isn't it too early!"

Rinne's reminder made Mami raise her eyebrows in annoyance, glancing at the clock on the living room wall: "It's only eight o'clock."

"Mami-nee, even when you're on vacation, you shouldn't stay up all night. It's better to save your energy for the daytime," Rinne advised.

"Well, that's true."

Mami nodded, "Then let's stop playing here for today. I'm sure I'll win tomorrow!"

"Shall we play again tomorrow?"

"Of course, that's called making the best use of resources."

Masumi gave her a look that was both admiring and dumbfounded, then bent down to tidy up the playing cards scattered on the coffee table and sofa.

One of the cards was stepped on by Haiyue, her fair toes curling gently.

"Haiyue?"

He looked at the jellyfish-like girl sitting on the sofa with her knees bent.

Haiyue lowered her head and hid her face, her flaxen hair falling to either side of her face, her body trembling slightly.

"what happened to you?"

"My stomach...it hurts so much..." she said, biting her lip.

"I guess she ate too much ice cream." Masumi sighed.

"Wait here, I'll go get you a hot towel."

"Ah."

After tidying up the playing cards and putting them back in the box, Masumi headed towards the restroom.

◇

The clock hands point to the number "9".

Returning to the quiet room from the noisy living room, Masumi lay back on the bed, listening to the wind blowing in through the window and the sound of the waves, and slowly closed her eyes.

He placed his hand on his stomach through the sheet, took a deep breath, and felt his lungs expand and contract.

After repeating this deep breathing several times, my consciousness became clearer. For some reason, I just couldn't fall asleep.

This is the second time Masumi has traveled with these five girls. It's only been a little over a month since their last trip to Kyoto, but it feels like ages ago now.

Is it because a lot happened in between?

Since returning to Kobe in late April, six months have passed. To outsiders, it may seem like just an ordinary life, but only those involved can truly understand the emotional ups and downs involved.

Masumi thought about it indifferently, slowly raising her eyelids, only to see the ceiling staring silently at her.

"Once a relationship is formed, it is difficult to take a new step."

The promised answer to Mio, the fortune teller's mysterious prophecy, and the shadows hidden beneath the calm surface of daily life—these things erode Masumi's heart. Her delicate emotions are powerless against them, and her rationality vanishes like water.

Head towards Libra after sunset.

...Masumi murmured.

Is it a fortune teller's prophecy?

He sat up abruptly; he wouldn't be able to sleep if he kept going like this. He decided to get himself a glass of water.

As Masumi passed the rooms on the second floor, she subconsciously slowed her steps to avoid making noise and tiptoed down to the first floor. Suddenly, she noticed a figure on the sofa in the living room.

Masumi was startled, probably not expecting anyone to be awake, but she relaxed after making out the person's outline by the starlight.

"...Qian'ai, are you still awake?"

The childhood sweetheart sat on the sofa, wearing yellow pajamas and holding a mobile phone.

"Ah."

Nodding, Chiai moved closer to the sofa, patted the seat next to her, and gestured for Masumi to sit down.

"It's Masumi-nii, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd go out and get a glass of water."

"Huh? Insomnia?"

"more or less."

As Masumi answered Chiai's question, she wanted to say that there were plenty of seats and no need to crowd together, but she swallowed the words back. The conversation was too loud; it would disturb the people who were sleeping.

I'm not really honest with myself.

"That's strange, Masumi-nii can't sleep."

Chiai opened her eyes wide in slight surprise. She had known Masumi for so long and had never heard him mention being troubled by insomnia.

"Don't look so incredulous, this kind of thing is quite common."

Masumi sat down next to her, with an unnatural gap between them, and the scent of the girl's shower gel wafted over.

"If you have things on your mind, it will be difficult to clear your mind and fall asleep."

"Hey, then we're the same."

The warm, humid air of the island flowed between the two.

Qian'ai, who was standing to the side, did not seem inclined to speak. She just stared blankly at the leftover sea grapes on the plate on the coffee table.

The silence was unbearable, so Masumi finally spoke up and asked, "Are you perhaps thinking about what the fortune teller said?"

“That’s true.” Qian’ai nodded and then shook her head, “But it’s not quite like that.”

"Uh, what exactly is it?" Masumi was dumbfounded.

Qian Ai smiled.

"Masumi-nii is too serious."

She was being teased, but her mood seemed to have improved a little, and that was enough.

"What are you looking at?" Masumi asked.

"A video on YouTube, showing the evolution of fashion trends over the past century." Qian'ai showed him her phone screen.

"When I'm feeling upset, I watch videos like these to calm myself down."

Have you calmed down yet?

"It wasn't there a moment ago, but it's fine now."

Qian Ai said this intriguingly, then immediately broke into a big smile.

"Alright, that's enough of my topic. Now it's my turn to ask Masumi-nii a question."

"Eh?" The smile that Qingmei gave him was so innocent and romantic. With that kind of expression, it would be impossible to refuse her no matter what.

Masumi nodded helplessly, half-giving up: "Okay, what do you want to ask?"

"Brother Masumi, why did you want to take us on this trip?"

The unexpected question startled Masumi slightly.

He originally thought Chiai would ask something like, "What's sensu-nii worrying about?", but upon closer inspection, it didn't seem to make much difference.

After hesitating for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.

"This matter is a long story."

Faced with this opening remark that seemed like the prelude to a long speech, Qian Ai did not show the slightest impatience. Instead, she squinted and nodded.

"Then please don't rush me, Masumi-nii, tell me slowly."

◇

"..."

"Oh, so that's what happened."

Qian'ai's voice sounded somewhat sentimental, but there seemed to be something else mixed in with it.

"So, was this trip originally planned for just the two of you, Mio-neechan and Masumi-nii?"

That's what she thought.

Why did Masumi-nii refuse?

"Not suitable."

Masumi took out the answer she had given to Kurokawa Mio that day.

Upon hearing this, Qian Ai fell silent, slid her fingertips across the lock screen, clicked on an app without any purpose, and then quickly exited, a glint of light flickering in her emerald eyes.

"Because of Rinne, Asami, and Umi?"

"Yes, that includes Qian'ai too."

These words made the young girl's eyes flicker. Her fair skin, illuminated by the screen, took on a bluish tinge. She pressed the side button to lock the screen, and the short, clear words resonated in the night air.

"Excuse."

"Ok?"

"Isn't this just an excuse from Masumi-nii?"

She stared intently at Masumi.

"Masumi-nii, you're actually afraid to face Mio-nee-nee-san alone, right?"

"..."

"Perhaps that's true."

Masumi nodded, placing her hand on the sofa, causing the brown sofa cushions to wrinkle.

Chiai continued, "I think Masumi-nii owes Mio-nee an apology."

"Apologize?"

"Yes, but... not like usual."

"What's this?"

“After returning from Tokyo, Masumi-san often said sorry, and would subconsciously apologize. The feeling of guilt has become so cheap. The Masumi-san I remember is not like this.”

"I think it's because Masumi-nii has been apologying me for a long time but hasn't been able to say it properly, that's why this happened."

"At first I thought it was for Uncle Ken, but now that I think about it, there should also be a line for Sister Mio."

After rambling on for a while, she stopped.

"..."

Seeing the shadow over Masumi's expression, Chiai stood up with a quiet sigh.

"I'm a little sleepy, I'm going back to my room first. Masumi-nii, want to come along?"

"I'll sit here a little longer."

"That's it, then..."

As if she was suppressing some kind of heartache, she frowned, but a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Unlike her innocent expression just now, Qian'ai's smile now is one of feigned maturity, concealing her true feelings.

Goodnight, Masumi-nii.

"Good night."

After Chiai left, Masumi was left alone in the large living room.

He sat on the sofa for a long time, lost in thought, only belatedly realizing that the dry mouth and throat were sending nerve signals to his brain.

Masumi then suddenly remembered her original purpose.

Remembering there were energy drinks in the refrigerator, he went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and took out a bottle.

"Can't sleep?"

The sudden sound startled Masumi. Was the night on Miyako Island a little too eerie?

The pajamas made a rustling sound. He turned his head, and Rinne's bright purple eyes looked in his direction.

Masumi leaned back against the refrigerator door.

"Is it necessary to be this scared?" Rinne frowned slightly.

"Hug... uh, because Qian'ai just went back to her room, I thought no one was awake."

As Masumi spoke, she kept her gaze fixed on Rinne, who was slowly approaching.

Her black hair, probably disheveled from being rubbed against the sheets, was draped down to cover her face, and her skin appeared even whiter in the darkness. She was wearing a white nightgown.

Compared to female ghosts or spirits that inspire fear, the heiress before me is clearly more like a captivating monster.

"...Snow Woman".

Upon closer inspection, her pajamas were also a style more suitable for the climate of Miyako Island. They looked very thin and clearly outlined the girl's slender figure, like a pure white silk robe.

Although there was no nudity, the completely unguarded attire clearly indicated that it was the type of outfit only suitable for family or a boyfriend to see.

Just now, after taking a bath, I just casually wrapped myself in a bath towel and came out.

"Yuki-onna?"

Linyin tilted her head slightly to express her confusion.

"It's nothing." Masumi composed herself and asked seriously, "When did you arrive?"

"This matter is a long story."

She mimicked Masumi's intonation as she spoke.

"That's been quite a long time. Did our conversation wake you up?"

"No, I just have some trouble sleeping."

"Huh? There seem to be a lot of people having insomnia tonight," Masumi remarked unconsciously. "What's wrong with Rinne?"

"When I came back from the market, I saw that you and Qian'an looked worried, and I was a little uneasy."

Rinne explained calmly.

"Shall we go outside and chat?" she said.

"Okay, where to go?"

"Right on the beach in front of the yard, you don't have to worry about disturbing anyone and having to whisper to each other."

"oh oh."

Her slender legs were visible beneath her pajamas. She walked barefoot ahead and opened the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Masumi followed, clutching her energy drink.

This resort island is far from populated areas and free from light pollution. The entire sky above and between the water and the sky is studded with starlight, so there's no need to worry about the darkness.

The two walked straight ahead, the sand beneath their feet was fine and soft, and they could walk on it with peace of mind.

The flowing, tranquil atmosphere is as comforting as warm water.

After a moment, Masumi couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything you want to ask me?"

"Qian'ai already asked for me."

"so."

“However…” she changed the subject, “if we’re talking about a problem, there is one.”

"what?"

Do you think humans are creatures dominated by the past?

Upon hearing Rinne's question, Masumi looked dumbfounded.

"It's a very profound and philosophical question."

"Really? I think it's pretty ordinary," Rinne said casually.

To put it simply, "Can a person's present outcome be determined by what happened in the past?"

This explanation is clearly more complicated, but it's much easier to understand.

Masumi began to realize what the heir was trying to say to her.

"So, what does Rinne think?" he asked.

"I don't think so."

Rinne answered directly.

“I used to think that way, but I don’t think that way anymore.”

"In my view, past experiences are just that—experiences."

She spoke with unwavering conviction, and her powerful words were very pleasant to hear.

Seeing the girl's dignified figure, Masumi felt her heart leap.

“I used to think that the connections between people were not solid. Now I think that it was just an obstacle I deliberately created for myself because I was afraid of losing my relationships with others.”

"Humans are not products of the past, and my future is much longer than the past, so I will no longer be controlled by the past, but will instead strive to achieve happiness by moving forward."

Rinne paused here.

Seeing Masumi's thoughtful expression, the black-haired girl gazed at the starry sky, wondering how she interpreted this brief silence.

"The moonlight was quite beautiful just now, but unfortunately it has now sunk below the horizon."

The clear autumn night sky was filled only with countless stars.

"The starry sky is so beautiful."

She let out a sigh of regret.

Seeing the girl's dignified profile, Masumi thought to herself, "That's what makes her beautiful."

It's not just her appearance; she's strong and beautiful inside as well.

Unaffected by past sorrows, she moves towards her goals, making her more beautiful than the starry sky.

"It's getting late, shall we go back to our rooms to rest?"

Rinne turned her head and stared directly into the pupils in this direction, reminiscent of the sea under starlight.

"Hmm... I'd like to stay a little longer."

Even if she still couldn't figure out the answer after a while, Masumi just wanted to look at the starry sky in front of her a little longer.

"so."

Rinne nodded quietly, as if to fill the silence. Her breathing rose like waves in my ears and then gradually receded.

Masumi knew nothing about astronomy. Surrounded by an island far from his daily life, looking up at the completely unfamiliar sky, he suddenly felt as if he were the only person left in the world.

...I don't know how much time passed.

It wasn't until her neck was stiff from looking up and her eyes were sore that Masumi felt her eyelids drooping, that she tried to move her feet, which were almost rooted to the spot.

It's about time to head back; I have plans for tomorrow.

Rinne should have gone back by now.

Masumi gazed at the night sky in deep thought, then turned to look in the direction of the guesthouse.

Her long black hair fluttered in the wind, and the heiress wore her usual indifferent expression.

"Have you decided to go back? Then let's go together."

After she finished speaking, she yawned slightly without any suspicion.

Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her pale cheeks before being wiped away by Rinne with the back of her hand.

Seeing the water droplets streak across the night sky like shooting stars, my breath caught in my throat for a moment, and my heart felt as if something was pressing down on it.

Masumi nodded, suppressing the same thing within her own body.

"Ah."

(End of this chapter)