Let’s go, my dear bride… Our Miko-sama!!

Ahhh!!

Tsubaki-sensei! This is bad… They’re outside!

Oh, it’s the groom. So he pretended to run off, but he was really waiting by the window for a chance to take Tsubaki away.

Good grief… How tactless can this fiú be?

Kafka, can you take care of the chief?

Of course. I’ll protect our chief no matter what happens.

I knew I could count on you, my little brother. Then I’ll⁠—

Are you going to rescue Tsubaki-sensei? Take this with you!

Don’t get hurt out there, Yuki-nii!

Alright. This umbrella is filled with your thoughts and wishes. It’s more reassuring than anything else.

Okay, let’s go, Kuguri.

What?

(He ran off before I had a chance to respond… I don’t remember agreeing to come with him…)

…Well, I suppose I can use him as a shield, at least.

Chief, can you call the cops while we have the chance? I’m starting to think they lied earlier when they said they called them.

Alright, I’ll get to it!

Toi, look after the birdlime guy so he doesn’t pull any weird stunts.

O-Okay! Leave it to me!

And Netaro⁠— Where’d he go?

Ow, ouch…! Don’t pull on my arm so hard…!

Please stop resisting and get in the car, Miko-sama!

You must marry into our village in order to become our most perfect Miko-sama!

Tsubaki-sensei!!

Shit, they came after us! Guess I have no choice!

! A knife?!

They probably had it stowed away in the car. It seems they already expected a fight scene to break out.

Stay back unless you wanna get cut! All we want to do is bring Miko-sama back to our village…!

No! Help me…!

Tsubaki.

Even if you do get married off, you’ll still fall into ruin, just as you wanted.

So I’ll let you choose. Either be broken by my hands, or theirs.

…?! I-I…

……

Tsubaki-sensei!

I’m so sorry for not realizing what you were going through, even though we worked so closely together.

Yukikaze-kun…

I just wanted to see you happy. I didn’t want you to be in pain.

You can run away, you can fall into ruin. If your happiness lies on either of those paths…then I’ll support you, no matter which one you choose…!

…!

(Ohh…? His foolish honesty is the same as always, but I never expected to hear Yukikaze accept someone’s desire to be broken.)

(Not a bad reaction at all.)

I… I…

I…!

I don’t want to become the Miko! I want to be ruined as myself, for myself…!

Miko-sama!!

Then I’ll offer you a push forward so the beautiful despair of ruin will call upon you, lány.

Netaro, you may take her away.

Okay, here I gooooo!!

(Netaro?! How long has he been behind the car…?!)

Once again I present one of my creations: the Breakneck Speed Shoes. Now turning them on!!

WAHOOHHHHH!!

Ahh!

Miko-sama…!!

She just disappeared?! They moved so fast I only caught an afterimage!

Good. Nice job, Netaro!

Oh, Yuki! You have one of my inventions on you!

If you push the button on the handle, there’s a random chance a net used for capture will pop out! Only if you get lucky, though!

It’ll pop out with a whoosh, like in an action movie!

Alright, got it. Thanks!

Okaaay, now to turn the shoes off⁠—

Ah! I can’t reach for the switch while I’m carrying the bride!

HYAHOHHHHH!! I CAN’T STOOOOOOOOP!!!!

……

…Shit! We have to take Miko-sama back!!

Move!!

I don’t think so!

(Since he has a knife, I need to keep my distance while attacking… I got it!)

This must be the button… Fire!

?! W-What?! A bunch of paper?!

Oh. What a beautiful array of confetti.

So that’s how it works…! It’s pretty, but I guess I do need a bit of luck here.

Scared the fuck outta me…! Rahhh!

Don’t play with sharp objects… It’s dangerous! *kick*

Gah!!

Ooh. Leave it to a skater to have great leg strength.

…! Kuguri, behind you!

Tch, he noticed me…! But I should be able to get him at this dista⁠—

I don’t like it when people are rough with me, you know.

Agh, there’s mud in my eyes…!

Kuguri! I’m using the umbrella, move out of the way!

Fire!

Chains?! They’re so heavy… Fuck, let me go!

You got a hit this time. He can’t move an inch with those chains wrapped around him.

Kuguri, that move with the mud was excellent. You were quick on your feet and fought back perfectly.

…You’re still acting like that? Didn’t I show you how I’m not the “little brother” you believe me to be?

No, that’s not true. While my perspective might have been a bit narrow before, the fact that I recognized that means…

There are still things I have yet to realize. Like just now, I learned that you use underhanded tricks when you fight, Kuguri. I’m happy to make that discovery.

…Is that so?

Say what you want, but if you’re my big brother, then you should be protecting me. I’m not the biggest fan of getting mud on my clothes.

Yeah, you’re right. Stand back for now, Kuguri, I’ll⁠—

DIIIIEEEEEE!!!!

(?! He threw the⁠—)

(It’s close… Can I dodge it?!)

Keep your eyes forward, Yukikaze.

(?! The knife suddenly changed direction?)

(No, this isn’t the time to be thinking about that!)

You… If only you weren’t here…! Stop getting in our way!!

Fire!!

Wha… I got caught in a net…! Fuck!!

Woah… I’m glad I got lucky this time.

Haha, the more you struggle, the more tangled you get with no chance of escape. You look pathetic.

Looks like the case is closed.

Yuki-nii, are you okay?!

Yeah, I’m fine. What about you?

We’re alright. Kafka was protecting me.

That’s good. Thanks for looking after the chief, Kafka. You make me proud to be your brother.

I just did what was obvious. But…I guess it’s good that you’re not hurt.

…! Yeah. Thanks for caring for me.

Oh, the police are here…! Thank god…!

(…Hm?)

……

……

(Kuguri’s whispering something to him…)

…I won’t…… …Know.

…!

I see…