Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 293, Section 10: "How outrageous! I'm the only one putting up with this!"

After thoroughly exploring the zoo twice, the three of them stepped into the souvenir shop.

The shelves were piled high with animal-related merchandise: dolls, calendars, planners, pencils...

"Hmm, red pandas are cute, but I also really like the capybara's peaceful and unassuming attitude. With so many options, I'm so confused about which one to choose..."

Qian'ai hesitated and lingered in the store.

I can't possibly buy them all. After all, my room is already quite cramped with all the fabrics, clothes, and sewing machines I have.

Moreover, as a college student, her financial situation is far from being able to afford to squander money freely.

How about this clip?

Masumi pointed to the clips on the shelf that were attached to notebooks and said that the illustration was of a clumsy-looking shoebill stork.

"Wow, this is so cute."

Chiai, holding the shoebill stork clip, wore a bright, excited smile.

"What's so cute about it?"

Mio, standing next to him, tilted her head in surprise.

"Don't you think it looks a lot like Masumi-san?"

"This bird with such a big head doesn't resemble Masumi at all."

"It's a feeling~ Mio-neechan, observe it more carefully."

Chiai handed the clip to Mio, but the latter stared at it carefully for a long time without figuring out what it was.

"Where's Masumi-nii? What do you want to buy?"

"I'll buy the turtle mug."

Masumi, who was standing nearby, took the turtle's cup.

"Hey~ I want the matching set."

Seeing this, Mio immediately spoke up.

"Then I want it too!"

"Chiai is always a step behind."

Mio glanced at her with a meaningful look, and Chiai immediately puffed out her cheeks in protest.

"It's because Mio-neechan is always too fast."

"I think it's because Qian'ai's feelings aren't clear enough."

"That's not the case."

Seeing that the two girls were arguing again because of her, Masumi quickly interrupted.

"Calm down, you two! Stop arguing. Give me the things, I'll go pay the bill. It's crowded here, you should go out first."

Mio and Chiai exchanged a glance, temporarily pausing their argument, their voices overlapping in the air.

""good.""

Masumi put the shoebill stork clip, along with three mugs printed with tortoises, into her shopping basket and went to the end of the line at the checkout counter.

After paying and leaving the souvenir shop, they didn't see the two people at the entrance.

Masumi glanced around and saw Mio standing alone about ten meters away, next to a bench for tourists to rest.

She stood by the bench but didn't sit down; instead, she looked around as if waiting for someone.

It feels like a loyal dog waiting for its owner.

"Huh? Where's Chiai?"

Masumi approached and asked.

"there."

The beautiful woman with long, honey-gold hair extended her finger expressionlessly.

The direction she was pointing was...

lawn?

Upon closer inspection, the lawn appears to have recently undergone some maintenance; the turf looks slightly unnatural, with some soil showing through.

Could it be that--

"Huh? Mio buried Chiai... underneath?"

Words that slip out of Masumi's mouth without her thinking.

"What does Masumi imagine me to be? A murderer who will stop at nothing for love?"

Mio pouted in dissatisfaction.

"I meant across the lawn. Chiai just went to the food truck there to buy some light snacks and drinks!"

"Sorry, I was just kidding."

Masumi sat down on the bench with an awkward smile.

It's lunchtime now, and most tourists have already walked around the park. They're tired, so they're sitting on benches to rest and have some snacks.

Not far away, a mother let her tired child rest his head on her lap, while young men and women and sprightly elderly people walked along the path.

The world is terrifyingly peaceful.

Mio's gaze lingered on the mother who was giving her child a lap pillow, and she spoke in a seemingly casual tone.

"I'm so tired after walking for so long! I really want a lap pillow!"

"..."

"so tired!"

"..."

"I really want a lap pillow!"

"..."

Seeing that Masumi was always playing the coward, Mio frowned in dissatisfaction, sat down on the bench without any warning, and then leaned towards Masumi.

"Mio isn't a child anymore, is she?"

Feeling the soft weight and touch on her legs, Masumi couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"Yes, so when does Masumi plan to make me a woman?"

Mio rolled over on his lap, lying on her back, just like a dog asking its owner for affection—with its arms outstretched.

"It feels really strange to say these things in this kind of setting."

"What does it matter! We're already lovers!"

Mio puffed out her cheeks as if she were being difficult.

"I want Masumi, right now!"

Masumi sincerely hopes that Mio will not act like a "little girl throwing a tantrum because she can't get a toy" and say such unsatisfied things.

"Mio."

Masumi wanted to reach out and gently stroke her disheveled hair, but Mio placed her hand on top of it and said in a slightly lowered voice:
"...Although I didn't tell Masumi, I...have been practicing all along."

"Eh? What does this mean?"

Faced with the bewildered Masumi, Mio's eyes gleamed with an eerie light.

"My performance at the hot springs the first time and at Mount Rokko the second time wasn't perfect, so I've been using Coca-Cola glass bottles lately..."

"……Um?"

Masumi gradually began to understand, while Mio, her face flushed, continued speaking.

"At first, I often bumped my teeth and made a clanging sound... but after practicing, I have now completely mastered the trick."

As Mio spoke, a bold and fearless smile appeared on her face, and she parted her lips seductively, as if tempting someone.

"...So, I'm confident I can make Masumi happy~"

The moment her red lips parted slightly, her moist pink tongue could be faintly seen, its surface glistening with a sticky sheen.

"Let's talk about this when we get back."

In that instant, a warm current spread and rippled through Masumi's body, almost making her unable to even hide like a turtle.

"Okay, I'll wait. I'm definitely going to be the first girl in this coffee shop to win Masumi's heart!"

She said it with absolute certainty.

Masumi's gaze was slightly unnatural; if she were the first one, it would probably already be...

"Masumi is very unwilling?"

"No such thing."

Masumi rejected the idea without hesitation, subconsciously staring at Mio's face right in front of her.

"...Sometimes I think it's really incredible that we've gotten to this point."

"Eh, so that's what Masumi has always thought?"

"Hmm, I've thought about how many coincidences it would take to reach this outcome countless times."

"I think our fate was already sealed the day Masumi started talking to me."

Mio said confidently, her obsidian-like eyes filled with determination, which surprised Masumi.

Is it fate?

The word rolled on her tongue, and Mio nodded on Masumi's leg.

"That's right, even if the fate is created by oneself, it is still fate."

She suddenly propped herself up, shifting from a lap pillow position to sitting next to Masumi, and took Masumi's hand that was resting on the bench.

"Hey, Masumi."

Her hands were burning hot.

“...I’ve always been the one to take the initiative before, and I also hope that Masumi can ask me for something once.”

She whispered in Masumi's ear in a tone that sounded almost like she was being coquettish.

"After all, we're dating now. It's weird that I'm the only one holding back, isn't it? It always feels like I'm the one pushing you... As a girl, I sometimes feel embarrassed too~"

She squeezed out the thoughts hidden deep in her heart from the back of her throat.

Looking at Mio's gentle smile, Masumi felt that what she was doing was extremely shameless.

True happiness is not something that one person creates through their own efforts, but rather something that arises naturally through mutual understanding and compromise.

"I see."

Masumi nodded as if she had come to a realization.

"I will meet Mio's expectations."

"Masumi..."

This murmur seemed to be an overflowing outpouring of uncontrollable emotion.

"I'm so happy..."

Mio covered her mouth, her eyes slightly shimmering, and as she spoke, she released her hands and suddenly hugged Masumi tightly.

Her hot breath brushed against my neck.

"Oh dear, Mio, we're still outside."

“I know, then let’s wait until tonight.”

"Wow! That's incredibly fast!"

"I'm referring to the previous incident~"

Mio released her embrace, a bewitching smile appearing on her lips, and murmured:

"Tonight, let me show Masumi the results of my training!"

"Well, I don't object to that, but if it's just Mio making sacrifices for me on one hand, but I can't reciprocate on the other..."

"It's okay."

Mio shook her head indifferently.

"Girls, just seeing the comfortable expression on the face of someone they like makes them feel comfortable too."

As Mio spoke, she gripped Masumi's hand tightly, their interlocking fingers feeling so hot they seemed to be burning.

"...At least, that's how I feel."

"Mio..."

"I've had the image of Masumi looking comfortable etched in my mind ever since I first saw it. It's because of that expression that I'm determined to work hard."

The sweet voice that melted deep into her eardrums made Masumi feel all the heat in her body concentrate on her face.

Suddenly, the faces of the heiress and the jellyfish girl flashed before my eyes, along with lips that were passionate in stark contrast to the cold atmosphere.

Is Rinne like that too?

But Haiyue's problem is probably just that she's greedy!
"Masumi, what are you thinking about?"

"fine."

Masumi shook her head slightly, subconsciously picked up her phone to check the time, then frowned slightly. "It's been so long, and Chiai still hasn't come back. I'll go take a look."

“Then I’ll go with Masumi too.”

"Mio should stay here. That way, if she comes back later, we won't have to worry about her not being able to find her."

After saying that, Masumi got up and walked towards the long line of food trucks across the lawn.

Mio stared blankly at his retreating figure, muttering to herself with a strange expression.

"...why not just contact them by phone?"

Masumi's words hit the nail on the head. After a while, not seeing Masumi, Chiai returned alone with a three-person serving of light snacks and drinks.

"Huh? Where's Masumi-nii?"

"He went to look for you, didn't you run into him?"

"No, there are a lot of people over at the dining car."

Mio shrugged dismissively.

"It's just like a classic, clichéd scene from a romantic movie."

"Mio-neechan is saying weird things again."

Qian'ai placed the light snacks and drinks on the bench and said anxiously:

"What should we do then? Shall we go find Masumi-nii together?"

"Don't Peruvians know how to use cell phones? Why don't they just call Masumi or send her a LINE message?"

"Yes."

Qian Aicai realized what was happening and nodded blankly.

Ai-chan: "Masumi-nii, where are you?"

Ai-chan: "I'm back with Mio-neechan now."

Masumi: "Ah, I found something that looks delicious at another food truck. I'll buy it and head back."

Masumi: "Sorry, you guys can eat there and wait for me to come back."

Ai-chan: "Seriously, when did Masumi-nii become such a glutton?"

Ai-chan: "Then I'll have the capybara burger from the restaurant, the one with a capybara design on the bun."

Masumi: "Huh? These two places aren't even in the same area, are they? It's a long way to get to the restaurant."

Ai-chan: "I don't care, I was planning to have lunch with Masumi-nii, and the light meals you bought will be cold by the time you get back."

After Masumi read the message, which was a message of her own tantrum, she didn't reply.

Huh?
Is Masumi-nii angry?
No way, he's not that petty.

Just as Chiai was feeling uneasy and hesitating about whether to send another apology, Mio suddenly looked over.

“...I said, Qian’ai sister.”

"Huh? What's wrong?"

The sudden sound startled Chiai. Seeing Mio abruptly shorten the distance between them, she couldn't help but ask in a trembling voice.

"No, I just wanted you to hand me that glass of lemonade."

"Oh, here."

"Thank you."

Mio inserted a straw and took a small sip. The trees blocked the sunlight, with only a few scattered beams of light filtering through the leaves and casting shadows on her snow-white skin.

The stunning beauty of her long, honey-gold hair swaying in the breeze made Qian Ai waver.

Mio-neechan... is really beautiful.

Just like Rinne, she's so good that any ordinary girl standing next to her would feel ashamed of herself.

Although Chia is often praised as a cute and beautiful girl, compared to someone like Mio, she's definitely...

"Why do you suddenly seem so down? Do you really hate eating with me?"

"No, that's not true!"

Qian Ai quickly denied it.

"I just……"

The sight of the girl's eyes half-closed made Mio's eyes flicker. She put down her drink and looked straight ahead at the children running in the distance.

"Masumi, this is pretty reckless, isn't it?"

"Eh."

The sudden question left Qian'ai stunned.

"What does 'Mio-neechan' mean?"

“To all of us to express this.”

Mio turned her head and looked directly at Chiai.

"What is Qian'ai thinking?"

"Well... when I first heard it, I was completely stunned and didn't react at all. After he explained it further, I felt very angry! It was so outrageous! How could there be such a person! The thought that he was my childhood friend made me even angrier!"

Chiai's eyes widened as she spoke with righteous indignation. Mio simply listened quietly. After Chiai finished venting her emotions and let out a long breath with a much more relieved expression, she gently parted her red lips.

"and then?"

"Then?"

"Chiai has decided to accept that all five of them... no! It should also include that Miss Miyakojima, Ruko, to become his lovers?"

"Hey, that kind of thing...it's impossible, isn't it!"

As Qian'ai said this, she showed a troubled expression.

"As expected, Chiai doesn't want to share Masumi with anyone else either."

Mio nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"After all, girls all want to receive a boy's exclusive love and want to be a special person in his eyes."

"That's right...that's correct."

Qian Ai's face tensed instantly, and the warmth faded from her eyes.

No girl doesn't want to be a unique and special person in her partner, but...

She exhaled, as if trying to calm the emotions that had arisen inexplicably within her.

"So, what does Mio-neechan think?"

"me."

When asked about herself, Mio flashed a confident smile that seemed to look down on everything.

"I was merely playing along with Masumi's harem plan."

"Huh? What's going on?"

"I understand now. Masumi has probably had this idea for a long time, and the reason she's been dragging her feet on replying is probably to deepen our relationship. 'Once a relationship is established, it's easy to take a new step,' and that's probably what Masumi wants to take advantage of."

"Masumi-nii, that's scary."

Qian Ai was dumbfounded.

"I'd say cunning, but I won't just let Masumi have her way."

Mio made no attempt to hide her true feelings and poured out her heart.

"I plan to use this against him, to get Masumi used to my company, and then when he can no longer leave me, I'll force him to make a choice, or I'll leave him without hesitation!"

Mio's face lit up with delight as she spoke, like a gambler enjoying the ups and downs of the game.

"Mio-neechan, this is scary."

Qian Ai sighed a second time, but secretly grumbled to herself.

When that time comes, will Mio really be able to harden her heart and leave Masumi?

Perhaps they'll have no choice but to accept reality because they've grown accustomed to that comfortable life.

It turned out to be the case.

Masumi-nii is so cunning!

He used to be such an honest and upright person...

but.

Previously, Masumi-san, who had always been honest and serious in his eyes, suddenly decided to play the guitar and join a band, even at the cost of arguing with Uncle Ken.

From this perspective...

Although we're childhood sweethearts, I feel like I don't understand him at all.

Suddenly, my chest felt like it was being squeezed, and I felt a dull pain.

Could someone like me really have the ability to monopolize Masumi's love...?

"What are Chiai's plans? Will she accept Masumi's plan, or fight to the end?"

Mio's voice abruptly pulled her thoughts back to reality.

"Well……"

Qian Aiqing unconsciously clenched her fist, then slowly relaxed it the next moment.

"I have not decided yet."

"Really? He spoke so eloquently when we were arguing at the checkpoint."

Mio adopted a slightly provocative tone, but Chiai, with her head down and her cheeks shrouded in shadow, did not react to her words.

"..."

Mio didn't say anything, but just gave the girl a meaningful look, then picked up the lemonade and took a sip.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

A panting male voice came from above.

"Masumi, you're finally back."

"Yeah, I bought a pizza that looks delicious, let's eat together."

Masumi slightly adjusted her disordered breathing, indicating that she had jogged all the way back.

He put down the bag and handed the brown paper bag he was holding to Qian Ai.

"And here you go, Chiai, this is the capybara burger you ordered."

"Eh?"

Qian Ai looked up in astonishment.

"Masumi-nii, you really went and bought it?"

"After all, Qian'ai said she wanted to eat it, and I felt bad making you wait, so I went and bought it."

Masumi explained it this way.

"Alright, eat it while it's hot. Even though we ran back, the food will get cold quickly because it's winter."

"Oh, thank you."

Chiai sat on the bench and accepted the hamburger.

……So this is ah.

Because Masumi thought he was very angry.

It's because I felt really sorry that I...

"...I'm sorry, Masumi-nii."

Qian Ai spoke without any preamble.

"Huh? Why the sudden apology?"

"..."

Seeing Masumi's confusion, Chiai simply took the hamburger out of the brown paper bag, unwrapped it, and took a small bite.

"Masumi, this pizza is really delicious! You should try some, ah~"

Hearing Mio say that, Masumi gave up her question and opened her mouth.

The wind blows across the grass, children run happily past, and the peaceful time slowly passes by.

A sense of unease welled up from within Qian'ai's body.

In that instant, the noise and everything else seemed to drift away from me.

Her mood was as heavy as clothes soaked with black water.

Could someone like me really have the ability to monopolize Masumi's love...?

Could I really stand beside Masumi-nii on an equal footing with everyone else...?

A bitter smile appeared on Qian Ai's lips.

After eating a few bites of the hamburger, which was a bit dry, her gaze fell on the plastic bottle in the plastic bag. Her fingertip unconsciously pressed against the cap, admiring its uneven, serrated surface.

(End of this chapter)