In the midst of the bustling hustle and bustle, there was a loud sound of a steam whistle.
The sound, which shook one’s core, echoed far and wide, as if to further heat up the bustling crowd.
So no wonder I’m so excited!
“‘Whoooaaa… awesome!”
“N-nii-chan it’s embarrassing, so please stop.”
What are you talking about, Shouhei?
Manarails aren’t even deployed in Japan yet!
“We’re just going to take a picture, so just take one really quick.”
“I don’t understand why you have to carry me on your shoulders.”
All he does is whine!
It can’t be helped.
I can’t even see the tracks at my height in this crowd!
Just one picture, just one picture, Shouhei!
We, who only have cell phones and digital cameras.
That moment when the manarail slows down to enter the platform.
That’s the only opportunity to capture the ‘face’ of the train without blurring it!
The people in the line in front of us seemed to be thinking the same thing, and they were waiting with bated breath for that moment to arrive as they caught a glimpse of the other side of the fenced-off railroad tracks in their viewfinders.
Damn, these guys are hardcore.
They are the so-called railway enthusiasts.
We were in the last row, far from the fence, about 10 meters from the front row.
In the front row were professional-looking people with tripods, reflector boards, exposure meters, and so on.
The worst ones brought a stepladder and got complaints from the people around them.
I’ll admit that I still have the guts to never back down, but it’s honestly annoying.
I can’t see, you idiot.
Because of that, families like ours, who were forced to the back rows, were doing their best to carry their children on their shoulders like this.
Ah, the deer tribe father next to us.
It’s hard work, isn’t it?
Eh?
Your son is only five years old?
At that size?
No way.
“Ugh, everyone’s looking at me.”
“It’s okay. They’re watching the railway more than you.”
“I don’t think so. I’m the only one. I’m the only one who’s this big and is being carried on the shoulders. I stand out.”
It’s all in your mind.
“Kunpei, I want to carry Shouhei on my shoulders too.”
Rouge who was wearing a tank top and jeans as if saying that summer was in full swing tugged at the hem of my T-shirt.
“Oh? You wanna change?”
“I don’t want to! I would hate it even more having a woman carry me on her shoulders!”
Shouhei protested by banging my head.
Haha, don’t be shy, Shouhei.
I get it, I get it.
I won’t hand you over to Rouge.
I won’t, so it’s time to stop. Don’t hit me.
You’re really hurting me.
We’re at the high-speed magic railroad station in the middle of the city center of Dailan.
The station was crowded with tourists, office workers on their way to work, people in vestments and other unique Dailan attire, and all sorts of other people.
Entering the station were ordinary trains and railroads, as well as the streetcars seen in Inteira, with a wide variety of passenger groups and destinations.
Our goal was the manarail that Mikuma should be on.
We are meeting in front of the statue of the golden sea dragon in front of this station.
By the way, the twins and Aoi are staying at home.
Because the twins were napping.
The manarail starts from here in Dailan and runs to Francion, a large country in the center of the sphere continent.
It seems that it is still under test operation, and only this one line has been laid.
The number of passengers is also limited, and if I may say so, it is only for the wealthy.
The ticket price is eye-poppingly expensive, and we ordinary people can’t afford it.
Mikuma’s father seems to work for a world-famous trading company, and the tickets are paid for by the company.
How nice.
I wish I could ride it too.
I’m jealous.
“Nii-chan, it’s coming.”
“Oh! Shouhei, I’m counting on you!”
It’s about that time already!
I’m trembling with excitement.
“Oh, my. You really are a child in this way.”
Letting out a gasp of exasperation over my head, Shouhei held up his digital camera.
Alright, me too…
“Whoa!”
What the hell? I’m being pushed!
“Kunpei, more people are coming from behind.”
Oh, my God, this soft feeling and that scent! Is that Rouge sticking to my back?
There’s going to be big trouble if you stick your chest out like that!
I mean not, are there still people behind you!?
“Whoa, whoa, don’t push me!”
“Whoa, brother, stop shaking!”
Well, even if you say that, I’m being pushed too!
“Nn, it hurts. I can carry Kunpei and Shouhei and jump. Should I?”
No, no, no!
If we do that in the current crowd, there will be an avalanche of people who will come in as soon as we’re out of the way, and it will be a disaster!
“Nii-chan, it’s scary!”
“Hold on tight!”
“Nn, it hurts.”
Ggh!
Rouge, you’re hugging my stomach so hard!
I can’t breathe! I can’t!
“Whoa!”
Shouhei! Don’t cover your brother’s face!
I can’t see anything!
“Gaaaah!”
Rouge-san, stop! Please, more gently!
My ribs are starting to make some weird noises!
Help me!
◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆
“So, Kunepi, are you that disappointed?”
“Ahh…”
After frantically wading through that chaos, I managed to meet up with Mikuma in front of the golden statue of the sea dragon, which stood in front of the station.
“Phew, that was great.”
“Mn, I’m a little dizzy.”
Shouhei and Rouge were resting on the curbs laid out around the sea dragon statue.
Hey you guys.
You two strangled me at the end.
Shouhei with his thighs and Rouge with her arms. I thought I was going to die!
“Nngh! Ahem!”
Behind Mikuma, there was a man in a suit who coughed in a posturing manner.
“… Yunno. Your mom and I are going to a hotel. Are you okay by yourself?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, dad.”
The man with the Japanese businessman style is Mikuma’s father.
Although he was wearing the same suit, he looked completely different from our father.
My father looks rough and rugged.
He is older than my father, but he looks strangely young.
I would believe him if he says he is in his thirties.
Mikuma’s father looks like an… elite.
“Ah, father. It’s okay. We’ll take care of Yunno…”
“There’s no reason for you to call me father-in-law, is there!”
Hii!
So threatening!
I, who can lightly handle fifteen members of a biker gang, can be pressured like this by just one person!
“If it was the camping trip the other day, I’d still be… but even meeting you overseas.”
Oooh…
He hates me.
“Listen up! I’ll never let you make a move on my daughter as long as I’m alive! Just try to touch her, even a little bit! I’ll tie you up and kick you off the top of Mt. Fuji!”
“Y-yes!”
“I can’t hear you!”
“I’ll take that to heart, sir!”
Seriously scary!
This fear is on par with the pressure from Aoi’s mother, Yule!
Another trauma for me!
“Dad, that’s enough! Rouge-san and Aoi-chan are here too, so don’t worry!”
“But Yunno! I’m worried about having my daughter stay two nights in a foreign country! I’m already on edge thinking about if something were to happen…”
Umm, yes.
I understand that feeling.
I’d be worried too if Jaja and Nana went away in a strange land.
“Mom! Stop laughing and do something about dad!”
Mikuma asked for help from a woman who was giggling happily behind her father.
She looks exactly like Mikuma grew up right, a calm and beautiful woman with long black hair.
That, including the rate of growth of her breasts.
“Ufufu, it’s fine isn’t it Yunno. It’s not often you get to see your father like this, is it?”
She was also very young-looking and standing side by side with Mikuma, no one would think that they were parent and child.
They look like sisters.
“Um, Kazamachi-kun?”
“Yes!”
The mother suddenly calls my name, and I hurried to straighten my posture.
Actually, I’m even worse with her.
Mikuma’s mother stealthily walked up to me, got close to my ear, and whispered, “…As long as you use proper contraception, you can do whatever you want, okay?”
Hoy!
What is she talking about?
“Y-yyes!”
Catching me as I tried to run away, Mikuma’s mother took something out of her shoulder bag.
“Ufu, use this. I’m sorry it’s our hand-me-down.”
Saying this, Mikuma’s mother stuffed something into the back pocket of my jeans.
I wonder what it is.
Is it something Mikuma’s father is not supposed to see if you put it in there out of sight?
I took it out of my pocket so that he wouldn’t find it.
What’s this?
The vinyl feels like it fits in the palm of my hand.
Is it a package?
There is a raised ring in the center of the wrapping…?
“…!”
You idiot!
I don’t want to speak too badly of women, but you are a true idiot!
I mean, did you just say hand-me-downs!
“You don’t have one because you’re so shy, do you, Kazamachi-kun? No, you can’t, okay? It’s etiquette.”
No, I don’t plan on using it!
I mean, I have Aoi! Jaja! Nana!
And I haven’t even given Mikuma a clear answer back yet!
Oh no!
I had already explained to Mikuma’s parents that Aoi and I are related!
“Keep it, whether you use it or not, okay?”
“Nah! Ha! Eh?”
“Promise me, okay?”
“Y-yes.”
He was supposed to be smiling, but I feel a mysterious pressure from her father.
I’m no good with her after all…
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