I can feel my head spinning and my chest thumping so loud. I can feel the whole world stopping at this very moment as Higan and I stare at each other. I cannot cast my eyes away from hot, passionate and tantalizing eyes which invite me to go further.
However, between us, I myself knows that we are actually crossing a forbidden boundary.
“Higan…I have to tell you something…”
“……”
“Your father, Astlan Lionheart…is also my father and Casablanca and Hibiscus’ father too. Biologically, it should have been my previous body who is your older brother but…due circumstances, I ended up in this body. But that doesn’t change the fact that we are technically siblings…and on top of that…both…girls…”
“That’s…you think…it is too immoral?”
“Yeah…”
I nodded weakly at her words. What she said is true as we are going to violate two degrees of immoralities here. Having a relationship between girls can still be accepted in this world and it is greatly practiced, however, siblings doing it would be too much…
That’s what I thought. Also, taking in account that I still have someone else bothering my heart, I cannot answer to her feelings right away.
However, contrary to what I expected, her reaction isn’t that of disappointed, sad, or even dispirited. Her face is more flushed and her eyes seems to be more livelier like love struck her too much…
“Higan…?”
“That’s…too forbidden! It’s…It’s like a forbidden fruit! It…makes me more excited…it made my love for you burn ever stronger!”
“You…! Do you understand what I just said earlier?!”
“I do. I understand it so well that my head is swirling with so much more immoral thoughts. I’m sorry that I am not a normal person, Asagao. You are aware of that, right?”
“But! But…! Even so…you’re feelings…I…I can’t…”
Higan parted from me and break our embrace, however, her hand firmly grasps mine like it is her most beloved treasure as she stares at me. She smiles at me faintly tinge with happiness and at the same time, sadness.
“You don’t have to answer to my feelings right now. I’m sure your heart is confused. I will respect whatever you decide on. My love for you will never waver even if you choose me or not. Even if you choose that man over me, I will always be here for you.”
“Higan…”
“However, Asagao, my patience has its limits too…”
“What do you mean?”
“Asagao…I am planning to become the next beast king.”
“Really?! That’s amazing!”
“Yeah. I’ll strengthen the bond between the humans and beasts. Remember this, when that happens, I will forcibly take you if you haven’t chosen anyone yet at that time!”
“Eh?!”
“In accordance with our tradition, Asagao, once I become the beast king and you haven’t chosen anyone yet, I will challenge you to a duel and if I win, you will be bound to me…forever!”
“That’s…really funny of you…”
“You think I am joking? Asagao, I am willing to wait until I am in the acceptable age and body physique for you, you know. You like it big, right?”
“Wha--?!”
“Don’t worry since my mother is stacked, in not time, I will be too.”
“I can’t believe…I guess I don’t have any other choice then. Do what you want…”
“You really know how to spoil me, Asagao. Thank you.”
Before I knew it, Higan already set her eyes on a goal, she became matured enough to make decisions and become straightforward with her feelings. Only within a few months since we’ve met and got separated, Higan developed all of these feelings, values, and attitudes.
I am happy for what she feels for me despite our relations as siblings. She wants to pursue such forbidden love without even batting an eye for what others will say.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“By the way, Asagao, I know I keep repeating myself but, I really missed you. I want you to spend time with me, only with me, especially at this very moment.”
“Higan…”
“Let’s go for a swim.”
“Eh?”
SPLASH
“A time with me alone like this. Asagao, still the loneliness in my heart…just hug is enough for now.”
“Higan…okay…”
Higan drags to the river and got ourselves wet. The river is shallow so I am not scared of drowning. She and I float together with the lazy river as we hold hands while our body touches. Even though the water is cold, I felt warm in my chest.
Maybe because that I became aware of Higan’s feelings that I became more sensitive to her presence. She does some really weird and odd shenanigans most of the time but she is resolute and absolutely loyal to me.
She easily brushes off the fact that we are actually siblings. But I feel sorry for her right now as I cannot answer her and she knows it. I am currently confused about my own self but I was able to clear my head with Higan’s confession. I became more aware of my feelings for that man and I will resolute myself to confess to him.
If I don’t, it is like I am mocking Higan’s today’s confession. However, I will find the right time to tell it to him. I have to muster more courage for that very moment.
Higan and I float in the river together with its flow as we savor our time together like what she wanted to.
.
.
.
“Hi, hi! Miss Asagao, Miss Higanbana, how was the dip?!”
“Mimi…you again…”
Standing by the mansion’s gate early in the morning where the sun just started rising, Mimi holds two white body towel with her and as usual, she is wearing her maid uniform and playfully curtsied to us.
It makes me want to think that Mimi is actually spying every single move that I make and think of it as something fun. She smiles at the sight of drenched Higan and me.
We nonchalantly grab the towel off from her…
“Asagao, Lady Senya said that at noon, we are going to meet up with everyone in the wooden shack, by that time we have free time.”
“I see…then I want to take a warm bath, what about you Higan?”
Higan glance with a dispirited eye at me and gently shakes her head. I tilted my head in puzzlement as she rejected such invitation.
“Asagao, sadly, I take a lot of effort to dry my tail so taking a bath again would be a hassle. Have you forgotten? Even yesterday, I came out later than everyone else.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry. Well, you better yourself warmed up too or you’ll catch a cold.”
“Of course.”
Higan and I parted ways as we enter the mansion. It seems a maid is personally assigned to her and Mimi followed me.
“Why are you following me?!”
“I will be taking care of your hot bath, you know.”
“I can do that myself.”
“No, no, no. I insist!”
“…Do what you want.”
Again, I can only breathe a sigh of relief from the Mimi. It’s obvious that she have another small plot for me. Whatever it is, it can wait as I need to get myself warmed up.
I can’t believe that Higan that stun because she said she can smell so many people from me and wanted to wash me.
.
.
.
I make my way to my own given room and there, I tread towards my own bath. However, Mimi also enters the bath with me without any indication.
“Hey, why did you entered too?!”
“I insist! I want to wash Asagao’s back!”
“What are you plotting!? Don’t strip too!”
“No one enters the bath fully clothed!”
“I know that!!”
No good, I cannot stop Mimi from pestering me anymore. How in the hell did she become this attached to me?!
Mimi goes inside the small bath and heated the readily poured water on it. Because of the amplified functionality of the runes here, the bath warms up quickly making the whole bathroom teeming with mist already.
Mimi is already sitting in one of the ceramic stool and beckons me. Since I don’t have any more choice, I sat in front of her. This damn girl…this behemoth in a cloth of a girl!
Come to think of it…
“Hey…”
“What is it, Asagao?”
“Why were you called Behemoth?”
“Ah, I actually don’t look like one, right?”
“Yeah…”
“Turn away for a moment, please.”
“Fine…”
I turn my head away from Mimi. I was a little curious but I won’t peek even though I know I won’t get caught with all these mists. However, as a dozen of second passes…
PLOP
I weird sound came…
At the same time, Mimi grabs one of my hands.
“Here, Asagao, try to feel it.”
“What is it…?!!”
Mimi pulls my hand towards her nether region and at that moment, a sensation I thought I would never feel again washes over me. It was…a rod…meaty think…with a head…
GAH?!
I immediately pull my hand away!
“That’s a…a…a…p-p-p-p-p-p-eni--!”
“Niyahahaha! I did tell you, right? I can actually make male genitals with my body.”
“You really don’t have to make me touch it now, do you!?”
“Ahh…but I wanted to see your interesting reaction! After all, young hearted fellows are the most vulnerable to emotions.”
After my panic, I tried to take another peek at Mimi’s crotch and there I saw nothing of that thing anymore, instead, the usual slit. That actually got my heart racing for weird reasons.
“Is it really that interesting for you…?”
“Yeah…”
“I see…”
“…You asked earlier about me being a behemoth, right? To be honest, I really don’t know that about myself.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am more like a mix of a dragon, a beast, and a devil. If you think carefully, I am more like a chimera, right?”
“That would actually make more sense…but how did you get that name?”
“Ahh…It was…Lady Izuna, Lady Higanbana’s mother who gave it to me. She referred to me as the legendary behemoth.”
“Izuna, huh…”
“Yes. We, the guardians, saw how Lady Izuna grew up. We were her playmates and acted like her friends when she was here. She has…a lot of emotion since she was so young that time…it was fun…”
“Mimi…”
“I bet she won’t even recognize me in this form.”
Mimi looks off towards the distance with nostalgia in her eyes. I know that I kind of hated this girl but if she dons a look like that, even I will give her sympathy.
“It’s nice to be young. Expressive and joyful, just like you, Asagao…”
Her smile is genuine. She just wanted to have fun all the time. Maybe because Izuna, Hinoki, and even Astlan left that she became this lonely. I kind of get how loneliness will sadden someone.
“Hey…Mimi…”
“What’s wrong?”
“If…when…everything is over, I am going to invite you to an adventure. To see the outside world, to have fun and…to feel young! It’s not too late for you to have fun like a young girl.”
“Ah…”
“…Mimi…?”
Because of the fog, I cannot make out of her expression. She certainly freezes there like a doll with her eyes opened wide. Her face color seems a little feverish too…
“If…if you say something that cool…I can’t help it! Niyahahaha! You’re so interesting! What did you do to me?! My face is all hot and my head is floaty.”
“Mimi…?!”
“Oh my god! Asagao…maybe that’s the reason why you got so many friends…and suitors.”
“What do you mean?!”
“You’re hitting it off with me pretty good too. I think I like you even more now…w-what should I do!? You’re such a player!~”
As the fog clears up a bit, I saw Mimi’s countenance in ablaze…