The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"I'm back--"

"Really, Enka-senpai, where on earth did you go? You were gone when I (Hina) returned with the tools."

"But you guys are having fun playing in the snow... I've already taken care of the cat."

"Ah, welcome back... What happened?" Asakura Toru, who was squatting on the ground making snowballs, turned around and greeted him, and then he noticed that there were several scratches on Higuchi Enka's pantyhose.

"Ah, Enka-chan, welcome back... What happened to you? Did you fall?!" Fukumaru Koito, who had just finished piling up snow and was warming her hands with a "ha~ha~" sound, happily turned around and greeted her, then immediately started asking about Enka. After all, it seemed like something had happened to her on the road from her current appearance.

"Koito, I'm fine... Look, even my hands are warm... Maybe your hands are too cold. You have to pay attention to your body when playing with them." Enka grabbed Koito's hand and used her body temperature to help her keep warm. What a happy mother and sister!

"Hehehe, I froze up while making a snowman just now—we made a snowman of Enka-chan together!"

This...how is it similar?

"Ah ha?~, they don't look alike at all~~ Enka-senpai, the one I made was Yuakuma, doesn't it look alike?"

*YoAhBear is a personal translation. The original name is ユアクマ. I'll call it that until I come up with a better translation.

"Yeah, very similar."

"Ah ha?~, Toru-senpai likes it the most~"

Really, it turned out like this in the end...

I don't know how he is doing, Mr.Cat

......

...

..

"I'm back—" Ping Xin opened the door. There was no special welcome nor was there a deserted atmosphere. There were only pretty faces filled with surprise and joy. Everyone was very cute today.

"Welcome back--!" Asuna, who was originally lying on the sofa with her head resting on the brown-skinned girl's legs, immediately jumped up, then ran over, rushed over, bumped into him, and gave Pingxin a big, warm, and loving hug.

"Golden-haired armor-piercing bullet, what are you doing... well, I'm back, and... I love you." He usually holds the girl named Ichinose Asuna tightly but carefully in his arms, feels her skin with his face, grasps her outline with his hands, and appreciates her fragrance with his nose.

"I'm back... and, everyone, I love you—!" Ping Xin suddenly shouted loudly, pouring out words filled with love and affection. This was something he had never done before. Until now, others could only sense kindness, love, friendship, and affection from his actions, but he had never spoken them out loud.

Not once, until he met Asuna, Karin, Akane, and Nel, he began to express his love more often. But today, for the first time, he openly expressed his love, revealing the feelings he had always been afraid to face and had always avoided.

"Yeah...I love you too, Pingxin."

"A maid will always respect and love her master, but she can still get angry."

"Where on earth have you been? I've been looking for you for a long time!"

"Ahaha, sorry, sorry..." Ping Xin hugged his girlfriends who arrived one after another, feeling the love and warmth with them.

Ahhhh, I actually felt something so wonderful for the first time today... Why on earth have I been avoiding such behavior all this time?

Shyness? Self-esteem? Social anxiety?

No, neither, I guess I just...

I'm just afraid of being pushed away by you, I'm just afraid of being rejected by the one I love——

"I love you all......"

"Well, we've always known this... Hey, Ping Xin, I'm really scared—"

Asuna didn't say more, but Pingxin could understand what she meant. Even without any superpowers, he could still feel the wetness on his clothes, the trembling body of the blonde girl in front of him, and his heart that had been uneasy for a long time and was finally at ease.

It turns out that everyone is the same, afraid of being abandoned by the one they love.

"Well, but I told you, we will be together forever - so I have to punish Asuna for not believing me."

Ping Xin kissed her so seriously, attentively and selflessly, filled with sticky love and unbreakable bonds, turning into a real "bridge" connecting their lips and tongues together.

"But at the same time... it's a reward. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for staying, thank you for helping me protect this family." Then came Karin, Akane, and Nel, who were also hugged and kissed. But how many levels of indirect kissing does this count?

Never mind, we've kissed each other before when we were at a party, so it's okay.

"Come to think of it, aren't there exams these days...ah, and Roselia's preliminaries and stuff...but they'll definitely be able to handle it even if I'm not here."

"Really? He's holding us but still thinking about other girls. Master is really a playboy~"

"If you dare to act recklessly, you'll have to get past me first. Got it?!"

Yeah, but leaving aside the situation in the mock battle, Nel has never defeated me in actual combat. Does that mean it’s completely OK?

"..."

Ping Xin also touched the silent Hua Lin, and the two smiled at each other.

"I've already spoken to Principal Kirikiri about the exam and it's all settled. Roselia also passed the preliminaries yesterday. I've also sent you a congratulatory text message, brother."

Although he was surprised by his sister's sudden appearance, Ping Xin felt more guilty.

Stir, stir what! ?

This feeling is like being caught by my mom after making a mistake... This relationship is definitely wrong, right?!

"When did you come, Xiaoshi? ...Yes, I love you too——"

"...Welcome back, brother."

Xiaoshi hugged him from behind because she knew that "acting on her own" would make him feel embarrassed, so she would rather put herself in a difficult position to think about Pingxin. She is really the best sister in the world...

So for a sister like this, of course we should reward her, right?

Pingxin let go of the four girlfriends in his arms, then turned around and hugged Asuka Mato, his sister who was not related by blood but was like a family member to him.

"I love you too, Xiao... You've really worked hard over the years - thank you."

Then there was a kiss on the forehead. Even though it wasn't the place she wanted most, it was fine now. It was enough...

Holding his sobbing sister in his arms, Ping Xin once again realized his past immaturity and the mistakes he had made.

Seriously...I am the dumbest person in the world.

Chapter 95 Happy New Year

What do people do during the New Year's Eve (New Year's Day) in Dongguo? If there are any customs, they are probably the same as the Spring Festival in Yanguo. They clean the house, put up New Year decorations, eat reunion dinner, and watch the Red and White Song Festival which is similar to the Spring Festival Gala. The whole family will stay up together to celebrate the New Year.

Speaking of the Red and White Song Festival, someone had originally planned to invite Afterglow and Roselia to participate this year, but his representative declined. Firstly, even though they have potential, they're still a bit underqualified for a program of this caliber in the East, where backup, experience, and achievements are prioritized. Secondly...it was also to stop those people from making random plans. When looking for a way out, they didn't dare to turn to his "close friends," but they ended up finding that place. He laughed.

"Pingxin Pingxin, why are you laughing suddenly?"

"Because I thought of something funny—By the way, let me clean the roof and stuff. It just so happens that I wasn't in good health and couldn't participate in previous years, and now I have new 'skills' that make cleaning very convenient~"

Unlike previous years, the Heike mansion was very lively on December 12st this year. In addition to the increase in the number of people, the main reason was that everyone was mobilized to go out and look for a big cat child who ran away from home a few days ago. As a result, this year's preparations were a bit hasty.

Fortunately, someone realized his mistake and came to his senses in time, and even offered to help clean up. Seeing this, several people were about to shed tears. For example, Alpha, who was pretending to wipe her eyes, had regarded herself as half a sister and half a mother since a certain opportunity. If there was anyone in the family who was most touched by Ping Xin's change, it was undoubtedly her.

Just looking at the boy swinging from the ceiling on a grappling hook developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the dust falling from the sky, still gave her a headache. Sometimes humans are so contradictory. Before, she hoped he would become sunny and mature, but when he truly became an "adult" who controlled the fate of countless people, she hoped he would throw himself into her arms and act like a normal child.

It's the same now. I kind of hope he stops messing around and grows up quickly, but I also want to stay in this moment, forever...

"Hey there, don't be lazy!... And 'newcomer', don't always stand there and watch! There's no place for you to watch!" But no matter what, as long as he thinks it's good, that's enough.

They are shadows, always with you. They cannot speak but will act according to their master's will. All they need to do is follow and obey, forever... forever——

"This BBA (old lady) with glasses...!" The people whose names were called hurriedly continued to work, but someone who was always called was very dissatisfied.

I thought I'd be able to connect with the Master a few days ago, but after staying up all night for several days and my skin getting worse, it was all for nothing! Well, I'm glad Master Heishin is back... but I'm not happy that he's not at the party!!!

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Instead of stopping, I'm actually getting more and more excited. Just thinking about this as a joint project between husband and wife fills me with motivation, doesn't it?

As expected, sometimes I can’t go on without comforting myself——

......

...

..

"Here, New Year's money."

"It's a red envelope, great!" After receiving New Year's money personally given by her loved one again after many years, Asuna excitedly hugged it——

If you think about it carefully, isn't this exactly the same as usual?!

"Okay, don't get too excited. There are still shares for other people." Pingxin rubbed Asuna's head, and the latter jumped onto the sofa obediently and rolled around on it... Uh, Miss Shadow, who was in charge of cleaning, looked at her for help, but Pingxin ignored her.

After all, at least today, he didn't want to lecture or order anyone, because today was a day spent with the people closest to him and whom he loved the most. It was a good day worth remembering.

"Ah, thank you...thank you dear?~"

Seeing Hana Rin in front of him, who was extremely shy but still tried hard to say such cute words in front of so many people, Heishin was very excited in every sense, but it was not time for rewards yet, so he just kissed her lightly on the cheek and continued to give out red envelopes.

"Thank you, Master... But what should I buy next... Ah, how about buying those items I mentioned before—"

Before Akane could finish her words, Hirayuma covered her mouth and interrupted her. If she continued, she might say something awful and attract the attention of the River Crab Divine Beast. No, no, no. Though she appeared the most refined, Akane was the most perverse of the four, more inclined to play dirty than the others, full of immorality.

But when he found that the maid was licking his palm like a kitten, he knew that he had been teased again.

Really, there's nothing I can do about you...

If it were you, I'd be fine with being deceived, but it would be best if you could deceive me for the rest of my life.

"Okay, finally it's Nilu's turn. You must save your New Year's money and don't spend it carelessly~" Pingxin half-knelt down and said while touching Nilu's head.

"Okay, thank you, big brother~...Did you think I would say that, asshole!?"

Because I was crouching down, I could grab his collar without jumping up, which was really great~

"How many times are you going to play this lame joke again? Really... I also want you to treat me like an adult like them (whispering)" Nilu turned her head and stammered, the temperature on her face rising and there might be a few tears in her eyes. She gets upset so easily and still says she's not a child?

But it is true that Nilu has always been very concerned about her figure... But it doesn’t matter, with the help of super powers, such a body can also give birth to a healthy baby. Although I haven’t tried it, it is possible!

"You're not right, Nero—" Ping Xin put his head in front of her and said, "Because everyone is different, I treat everyone differently. It's because Nero is special to me that I say this~... Although it's a bit too much, hug—"

It was a pity that she was interrupted before she could finish her words, interrupted by Nilu with her pink and rosy lips.

"No apologies allowed during the New Year... You don't even know that, what an idiot!~"

"...Well, you're right, I still have a lot to learn."

The two exchanged a smile, and then Nero felt a bit shy again, which was one of Nero's unique features. Although she was very smart, her body moved faster than her brain. Every night was basically an endless cycle of giving in and not learning from her mistakes.

"Everyone has a share this year, so put down what you are doing and line up to get yours—"

"Lord Pingxin, how can this be...!"

"Although we're nominally master and servant, I've always considered you family. You've all worked so hard over the past three years... After you get your money today, you'll all be free for the next few days. It's time for a little vacation, right?"

"But—I understand."

"Well, that's good. Finally... I wish everyone a Happy New Year in advance!"

Chapter 96 New Year's Eve

With Ping Xin's participation, this year's preparations were completed on time. Although he was not interested in some customs, this is his mother's country after all, and most of the shadows are from the East. It would be too pitiful to abandon these customs now that he is away from home. Besides, even the Spring Festival overseas is almost becoming a legal holiday, isn't it?

The shadows are setting up the three auspicious treasures to welcome the "God of the Year" everywhere. In the East, the three auspicious treasures to welcome the God of the Year are Kadomatsu (かどまつ), Kagamimochi (かがみもち), and Shimeji (しめ饰り).

Kadomatsu (kadomatsu) are decorative ornaments made of pine branches and bamboo, placed on either side of the front door during the New Year (Eastern New Year). They are said to welcome the arrival of the year-end rite and prevent the Nian God from wandering into the wrong place, similar to the Yan Kingdom's fortune-attracting deity. The pine tree itself also carries a profound symbolic meaning, and its evergreen nature symbolizes the pursuit of longevity and prosperity.

Kagami mochi is a traditional Dongguk delicacy. It typically consists of two white, flat, round rice cakes, one large and one small. Families often place them on display, topped with dried persimmons and mandarin oranges, symbolizing family harmony and happiness. Traditionally eaten on January 1th of each year, the cakes are crushed with a mallet before being eaten. They're often cooked with red bean soup to create a sweet and delicious rice cake soup. Alternatively, they can be cut into small pieces and deep-fried before being dipped in salt and soy sauce. Honestly, the actual experience is more important than any meaningful meaning.

The shiren ornaments are a combination of new rice straw and oranges. The new rice straw symbolizes longevity and a prosperous family, while the orange symbolizes a long and prosperous family. Longevity is perfectly fine now, but isn't prosperity a bit of a problem?

Originally, the dates for placing these things should have been a little more particular, but time was limited, so we just finished them all today.

......

...

..

"Ping Xin~Ah——"

"...How does it taste?"

"Hmm... delicious!"

Right now, Hiranobu is feeding Asuna. To be more precise... it's probably a group of people gathered around the kotatsu in the living room, eating New Year's buckwheat (年越しそば) while watching the Red and White Songs Contest, which is equivalent to the Spring Festival Gala.