Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Ah! My Sponsor!
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Rubelt had given Aika three joys just from speaking to him.
The first was that he didn't seem particularly annoyed even when she talked to him.
Aika was delighted to realize that all her previous worries had been for nothing.
The second was that she had managed to talk to Rubelt before Anastasia did.
For Aika, getting ahead of Anastasia was a huge thrill.
'Heh heh! Just sit back and watch, you scaredy-cat Asha!'
And finally, Rubelt had called her by her name.
For Aika, who wanted to get even closer to him, being on a first-name basis—even if just formally—clearly signaled that their relationship had warmed up.
She clenched her fist tight!
Proud of her achievement for the day, Aika savored the moment.
At the same time, feeling her slightly trembling hand as she gripped it, she recalled today's sparring match.
'Lord Rubelt was really strong...'
No matter how hard she attacked, she couldn't land a solid hit.
Instead, his precarious pressure on her felt more like guidance than a real duel.
'And so cool!'
Rubelt pressing in with a refreshing smile.
To Aika, that sight was a feast for the eyes.
She might have felt frustrated that none of her attacks worked, but her opponent was none other than her sponsor, Rubelt.
His smile was like a divine blessing to her.
'If Lord Rubelt had gone into idols, he'd have been the top star for sure.'
"Aika."
Lost in thoughts of Rubelt as she walked, Aika stopped at the familiar voice calling her name.
It was none other than Anastasia.
'Hah, she came over after all. Asha's so predictable.'
"Yeah~? What's up~? Miss Anastasia~?"
Aika turned to her with a beaming smile.
"What was that today?"
"Huh? What do you mean? No idea~ what you're talking about~?"
"Grr...! Talking to Lord Rubelt! What were you thinking?"
"Thinking? Just wanted to get closer to Lord Rubelt, that's all~ Unlike you, the scaredy-cat Miss Anastasia!"
"Wh-who're you calling a scaredy-cat!"
"Who else~? The Miss Anastasia too scared to upset him and couldn't even say a word~."
Aika conveniently forgot her own past self, trembling in fear and anxiety.
"You've been too scared to talk to him until now too!"
"Yeah~ But Aika already did~? We even sparred~? Not like some scaredy-cat cool-sexy idol wannabe, pfft!"
"You little...! Keep it up, and if you tick Lord Rubelt off, don't say I didn't warn you!"
"Hah, as if cute~ Aika would mess up! Besides, it was Lord Rubelt who picked Aika as an idol!"
"Same here!"
"Then the one who talked first wins! Miss Anastasia can just sit there sucking her thumb while cute Aika charms her way closer to Lord Rubelt!"
Anastasia trembled with rage at Aika's taunting smirk.
"What cute concept! You're the ultimate Hunter Fight fanatic who plastered her walls with fighter photos!"
"Ugh...! Shut up! And you, what cool~ sexy! You can't even sleep without your bear plushie!"
"Why bring up Bearshy!"
"You started picking on my hobbies first!"
Aika and Anastasia growled at each other, glared, then turned away in unison.
"Hmph!"
"Do your best on your own, Asha~. I'm gonna soak up all of Lord Rubelt's affection!"
"Think I'm just gonna sit still, idiot?"
"What?"
"If he treats you that nice... imagine how much nicer he'll be if I appeal to him. A mature woman like me beats a kid like you, right?"
"Ma~ture~?"
"At least physically, I'm more mature?"
"Ugh... You...!"
What Aika hated was how, even back in their old group, Anastasia always got compared favorably in the body department.
But Aika swallowed her anger and put on a relaxed act.
"Keep flailing. I'll be the first to get close."
"We'll see~."
Aika and Anastasia bickered for a few more minutes before splitting up to avoid drawing more passersby.
As they parted, both ignited a flame in their hearts with a vow.
'I absolutely won't lose to Aika (Asha)!!!'
'Tch, a get-together... N-nervous...!'
Yume was frozen stiff with tension.
The reason? At lunchtime, Rize had informed her about Rubelt's harem members' get-together.
"Yume. There's a get-together today, so please join us."
"Get-together? What kind?"
"It's for Young Master's harem members."
"Wha...!?"
"Since you and Chisaki have joined Young Master's harem, this is to celebrate."
"Wha!? Ch-Chisaki too!?"
Sudden news of Chisaki joining the harem ranks.
And a get-together meant meeting Eli face-to-face.
They were in the same class, ate together sometimes, but meeting separately without Rubelt still made her nervous.
"Yes. I need to inform Chisaki now, so I'll be going. Oh, tell the club you can't make it today."
Rize delivered the news and left.
"Ah..."
Stunned by the sudden bombshell, Yume could only stand there blankly.
And after school.
"Ohohoho! Everyone, hop on!"
"U-uh, okay."
"Got it!"
"Sure..."
'I should've bailed...'
After lunch, Yume hurriedly asked a swimming club friend to cover for her absence, then left the academy with Rize, Chisaki, and Kagura, following Eli.
They boarded the Glassner family limousine.
"Um... where are we headed?"
"Ohohoho! You'll find out soon enough. We have one more to pick up first!"
"One more...?"
"What? Another of the priest's women?"
Chisaki voiced Yume's question bluntly.
"Yes, one more."
"..."
Eli answered promptly, while Kagura sweated silently.
The limousine stopped in front of Yagitsune Shrine.
"Um, Lady Eli? This get-together out of nowhere—what's... Hmph!"
Ayame, waiting at the bottom of the steps, opened her mouth to ask about it as the window rolled down and revealed Eli.
But seeing Chisaki and Yume inside shut her up instantly.
'N-no way, those girls too for Lord Husband...? And that uniform's the same academy as Kagura!'
Ayame broke out in cold sweat.
Last get-together had only been Eli (Rubelt's fiancée with prior ties), maid Rize, and her daughter Kagura—no real awkwardness despite the nerves.
But these new ones were clearly academy students like her daughter.
Maybe even Kagura's friends.
The embarrassment of them learning a widow like her was in Rubelt's harem tormented Ayame.
"Ayame, hop in."
"Ah... yes."
But she couldn't refuse Rubelt's fiancée, Eli.
Beyond the fiancée status, Eli had been so kind last time, drawing closer—and Ayame knew her intent.
She was fostering bonds with the new harem members, making things comfortable. No way embarrassment justified refusal.
Once Ayame boarded, Eli smiled brightly and pointed at her.
"Yume, Chisaki—this is Yagitsune Ayame, another of Lord Rubelt's harem like us."
"Yagitsune...? Kagura's relative? Sister?"
"...Mom."
"Mom!?"
Yume jolted at Kagura's unexpected reply.
"Ooh~ Conquering mother and daughter? Priest's a real perv."
Chisaki, beside Yume, wasn't fazed—just whistled and grinned.
"M-Mom!? Wh-what about your husband!?"
'No way it's like Anna's case!?'
"My husband... passed away young."
"Mom raised me all alone."
"Ah, I-I see..."
Yume sighed in relief—at least Rubelt hadn't added a married woman like some Anna scenario.
But she wasn't fully settled.
"Ohoho, no surprise you're shocked. But that's what this get-together's for—sharing everything and bonding!"
Eli laughed confidently.
Yume, Ayame, and Kagura all felt uneasy about truly meshing.
Moments later.
The limousine stopped at their destination.
"Today's get-together is right here!"
"H-Here...!"
It was a barbecue restaurant.
"Barbecue...?"
"Last time was just chatting and a light meal! With more people now, we'll open up over food and drinks!"
"Ooh! Can we order tons of booze?"
"Of course! Part of the goal is loosening up with drinks!"
"Yesss!"
"Uh, Eli? D-Drinking at a get-together...?"
"Ohohoho! Picked Kagura's favorite barbecue spot this time! Order all the cuts you crave—no holding back!"
"All the cuts I want...!"
"Um... I haven't really drunk much before..."
"It's fine, Yume! Just enough to get a pleasant buzz—no pressure!"
"Um, Lady Eli? With all of us, a public spot might be awkward for..."
"Ohohoho! We chartered the whole place—no worries!"
"Chartered...!?"
Eli's laughter swept away Kagura, Yume, and Ayame's concerns.
"Let's drink up!"
Clatter!
Chisaki, thrilled at the booze prospect, dashed inside first.
"Shall we go too, Lady Eli?"
"Yes, Rize!"
Rize and Eli followed.
The remaining three exchanged glances, resigned, and entered the shop.