Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo

2017-02-07T15:02:44Z

YuudachiPoi: /* Updates */

[[Image:CtG v01 img001.jpg|240px|thumb]]

'''CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-''' (CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─) is a light novel series written by [[:Category:Gangudou|Gangudou]]. The illustrations are done by [[:Category:bun150|bun150]]. The series is currently ongoing, and published by Kadokawa Shoten under their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadokawa_Sneaker_Bunko Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko] label.

The CtG series is also available in the following languages:
*[[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo Tiếng Việt|Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)]]

==Story Synopsis==
In VRMMO -CtG- (Cradle to the Glaive), Kasugai Yuu has <married> Mifa, a girl he just met. After that, their daughter Haruha was born and grown!? Moreover...

<blockquote>"I've come, daddy!"</blockquote>

<blockquote>"K-Kugimiya!"</blockquote>

In the real world, the real Haruha, along with the real Mifa – Kugimiya Miharu - suddenly appeared! The truth is, Haruha is a <new human> created in secret!! Living under the same roof, Yuu and Miharu are stuck with caring for Haruha both in game and in life, the one who controls the fate of humanity!?

==Updates==
* February 02, 2017 - '''Volume 2, Completed'''
* June 23, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Epilogue completed'''
* June 21, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 3 completed'''
* May 12, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 2 completed'''
* April 01, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 1 completed'''
* February 04, 2015 - '''Page created & Volume 1, Prologue completed'''

== Translation ==

===[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|Registration]]===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

:*'''Translators are asked to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

Every Chapter (after editing) must confirm to '''[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Names_and_Terminology_Guidelines|Names and Terminology Guidelines]] & [[Format_guideline|The General Format/Style Guidelines]]'''.

'''If you want to discuss this series, do so in the thread on the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10856 Forum]'''

==CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo- series by Gangudou==

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v01_Cover.jpg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 1 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 1 ([[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1|Full Text]])===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/novel-illustrations/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Prologue|'''Prologue''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/prologue/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|'''Chapter 1: Input''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/chapter-1/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output|'''Chapter 2: Output''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/chapter-2/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|'''Chapter 3: Interaction''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/chapter-3/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake|'''Epilogue''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/epilogue/　Terminus]
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v02_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 2 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |

===Volume 2===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Prologue|'''Prologue''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/prologue/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil|'''Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/chapter-1/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 2: Santa Sangre|'''Chapter 2: Santa Sangre''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/chapter-2/　Terminus] 
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly|'''Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/chapter-3/　Terminus] 
*Epilogue Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/epilogue/ Terminus] 
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v03_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 3 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |

===Volume 3===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume3 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-3/novel-illustrations/　Terminus]
*Prologue
*1 - Form of the DEAD
*2 - Illness of the DEAD
*3 - Game of the DEAD
*Epilogue
|}
 

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:

*Project Manager:

===Translators===
:*[[User:Daniman1|Daniman1]]
:*[[User:Demina|Demina]]

===Editors===
:*[[User:Bowguyz|Bowguyz]]
:*[[User:Nighris|Nighris]]
:*[[User:Crossbeats|Crossbeats]]
:*[[User:Kilroy|Kilroy]]
:*[[User:YuudachiPoi|YuudachiPoi]]
:*[[User:RiseThyYongers|RiseThyYongers]]
:*[[User:Extremeracer19|Extremeracer19]]
:*[[User:Remji|Remji]]

==Series Overview==
*Volume 1 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 1 (September 30, 2014, ISBN 978-4041022009)
*Volume 2 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 2 (February 01, 2015, ISBN 978-4041022016)

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Linked Project]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Shoten]]
[[Category:Sneaker Bunko]]

CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo

2017-02-07T15:01:18Z

YuudachiPoi: Added links to new updates, will update rest at later date

[[Image:CtG v01 img001.jpg|240px|thumb]]

'''CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-''' (CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─) is a light novel series written by [[:Category:Gangudou|Gangudou]]. The illustrations are done by [[:Category:bun150|bun150]]. The series is currently ongoing, and published by Kadokawa Shoten under their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadokawa_Sneaker_Bunko Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko] label.

The CtG series is also available in the following languages:
*[[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo Tiếng Việt|Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)]]

==Story Synopsis==
In VRMMO -CtG- (Cradle to the Glaive), Kasugai Yuu has <married> Mifa, a girl he just met. After that, their daughter Haruha was born and grown!? Moreover...

<blockquote>"I've come, daddy!"</blockquote>

<blockquote>"K-Kugimiya!"</blockquote>

In the real world, the real Haruha, along with the real Mifa – Kugimiya Miharu - suddenly appeared! The truth is, Haruha is a <new human> created in secret!! Living under the same roof, Yuu and Miharu are stuck with caring for Haruha both in game and in life, the one who controls the fate of humanity!?

==Updates==

* June 23, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Epilogue completed'''
* June 21, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 3 completed'''
* May 12, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 2 completed'''
* April 01, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 1 completed'''
* February 04, 2015 - '''Page created & Volume 1, Prologue completed'''

== Translation ==

===[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|Registration]]===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

:*'''Translators are asked to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

Every Chapter (after editing) must confirm to '''[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Names_and_Terminology_Guidelines|Names and Terminology Guidelines]] & [[Format_guideline|The General Format/Style Guidelines]]'''.

'''If you want to discuss this series, do so in the thread on the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10856 Forum]'''

==CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo- series by Gangudou==

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v01_Cover.jpg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 1 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 1 ([[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1|Full Text]])===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/novel-illustrations/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Prologue|'''Prologue''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/prologue/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|'''Chapter 1: Input''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/chapter-1/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output|'''Chapter 2: Output''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/chapter-2/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|'''Chapter 3: Interaction''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/chapter-3/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake|'''Epilogue''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-1/epilogue/　Terminus]
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v02_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 2 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |

===Volume 2===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Prologue|'''Prologue''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/prologue/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil|'''Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/chapter-1/　Terminus]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 2: Santa Sangre|'''Chapter 2: Santa Sangre''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/chapter-2/　Terminus] 
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly|'''Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/chapter-3/　Terminus] 
*Epilogue Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-2/epilogue/ Terminus] 
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v03_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 3 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |

===Volume 3===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume3 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']] Also on [https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com/ctg-zero-kara-sodateru-dennou-shoujo/volume-3/novel-illustrations/　Terminus]
*Prologue
*1 - Form of the DEAD
*2 - Illness of the DEAD
*3 - Game of the DEAD
*Epilogue
|}
 

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:

*Project Manager:

===Translators===
:*[[User:Daniman1|Daniman1]]
:*[[User:Demina|Demina]]

===Editors===
:*[[User:Bowguyz|Bowguyz]]
:*[[User:Nighris|Nighris]]
:*[[User:Crossbeats|Crossbeats]]
:*[[User:Kilroy|Kilroy]]
:*[[User:YuudachiPoi|YuudachiPoi]]
:*[[User:RiseThyYongers|RiseThyYongers]]
:*[[User:Extremeracer19|Extremeracer19]]
:*[[User:Remji|Remji]]

==Series Overview==
*Volume 1 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 1 (September 30, 2014, ISBN 978-4041022009)
*Volume 2 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 2 (February 01, 2015, ISBN 978-4041022016)

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Linked Project]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Shoten]]
[[Category:Sneaker Bunko]]

Kantai Collection - KanColle - Kakuyoku no Kizuna:Volume1 Chapter 2: The Trial Seas

2015-09-14T11:19:58Z

YuudachiPoi: Ok, so under the instructions of Knight Emon (whatever hes called now), I'll be editing this. for now I'll only do 10%. I added a ref for "rickshaw drivers" because that's what they were doing in the Guadalcanal campaign besides patrolling.

==The Trial Seas==
===Part 1===
5 days after Zuikaku and Kaga's face-off, the gate of the Naval District was shrouded in the morning mist.

The outside air was chilly, as would be expected of the early winter. Embracing their winter baldness, the trees covered the ground underfoot with their cast-off crimson leaf toupees. The sun had not yet risen, and the last fingers of the previous night gamely struggled on.

"Uuuu~as cold as always....!"

No sooner had Zuikaku left the main gate had she found herself incapable of resisting a shiver, her breath forming a white cloud in front of her. Her combat uniform left much to be desired when it came to warming her legs.

"It's not that big a deal, but I could really do with Kaga-senpai's stockings right now..."

"We can't show weaknesses, Zuikaku."

Shoukaku, following behind her, seemed the same as always.

"Acclimatizing to the cold is a type of training as well....who knows, one day we may have to fight on battlefields even colder than this."

"Even colder? The Aleutians were bad enough..."

After Midway, Zuikaku and the Light Carriers Ryuujou and Zuihou had went together to the North to support the Aleutian Islands operation.

Hearing Zuikaku's complaints, Shoukaku laughed lightly before continuing.

"Plus, you wouldn't want to embarrass yourself in front of those children, right?"

"Good morning! Shoukaku-nee, Zuikaku-nee!"

With a bit of effort, the main gate was pulled upon, and from inside came several little shipgirls.

Fubuki, Isonami, Miyuki--all Destroyer-type shipgirls of the Fubuki class. All three wore their combat uniforms in the winter wind, just like Shoukaku and Zuikaku. It seemed that they had free time today--expedition duty and breakfast duty had both been assigned to others.

The Fubuki-class was the first of the so-called "special-type" destroyers, carrying armament and having range unparalleled by other ships of their class and generation. There were many shipgirls of this class and its derivatives in the Naval District--it was almost as if they were the District's Mascots.

The one who had greeted the two was Fubuki. Well-suited to the role of name-ship, she served as the leader to the other shipgirls of her class.

"Seems like some great weather, huh? Let's train early and hard today as well!"

"Eh? Uh, yeah......"

Zuikaku forced a grin. In spite of their thin clothing, the destroyers were full of vigor, and Fubuki was no exception.

From the day after the face-off with Kaga, Zuikaku had taken up daily jogs as morning training like what Shoukaku had suggested.

Though Zuikaku was not quite sure whether there would be any effect, it had been her sister Shoukaku's suggestion, thus, she had taken up that suggestion without much thought.

For the destroyers, the morning jog appeared to be a morning routine, and so Zuikaku and Shoukaku regularly bumped into them.

Under Shoukaku's past five days of tutelage (a combination of indoor tutoring and outdoor training) Zuikaku's skills had improved dramatically, such that she could now do long-distance cruises. Today's schedule was a morning jog and breakfast, followed by standard training.

According to Shoukaku, the order for Zuikaku to join the front lines would come within a few days.

As per the agreement with the Admiral, this order originally constituted the final stretch of the two-week trial period in which Zuikaku decided whether she wanted to serve as a shipgirl. However, Zuikaku's training had long since outpaced the plans for the original trial period, and so the test had been moved up.

After some stretches, Fubuki spoke to Zuikaku and Shoukaku excitedly

"Well, we're off! Earnest training brings an empty stomach and a tastier breakfast!"

With that, Fubuki charged off without waiting for a response. Picking up their equipment, the other shipgirls followed

"They sure are lively for such cold weather...."

Zuikaku's dumbfounded whisper was met with another tinkling laugh from Shoukaku and a rather admiring response.

"Those children may not fight at the very front like we do, but they more than make up for it serving as escorts, transporting supplies, and rescuing civilians. In a certain sense, their battles are even rougher than ours..."

"Ah, so it's like that here to...."

Zuikaku nodded in understanding.

In "That War", the diminutive destroyers were known as the "rickshaw drivers".<ref name ="First"> Probably a reference to the Tokyo Express. Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon islands. </ref> And yet once the tides of war had changed for the worse, they became the main characters in a war of attrition, working with a diligence and vigor that rivaled the main force.

The shipgirls, too, had inherited this kind of soul--

"Well then let's go, Zuikaku."

"mm!"

They couldn't embarrass themselves in front of those children--feeling the weight of Shoukaku's words, Zuikaku also launched into a run.

The jogging route passed through the small port town that neighbored the Naval District. Under the morning sun, the shipgirls run along the town's protective seawall.

Various scenes and objects flew past--the town, dyed in the morning sun; the seagulls, dancing in the sky; the countless fishing boats squeaking, whistling and jostling as they went out to work; the tide, advancing and then retreating from the beaches. In Zuikaku's warship days, these scenes had existed as well.

"Now that I think about it, why does everyone wear their equipment?"

Zuikaku inquired, slightly out of breath. After all, if it was jogging, why not change into something more fitting?

Running alongside her, Fubuki responded with a serious face.

"Morning exercise is a type of combat training too! If we're dressed like we are on the battlefield we can get a little more hype! Also..."

"Also?"

Fubuki's smile looked a little awkward this time around.

"The Commander said that 'this is cuter! All you cute girls running shoulder to shoulder like that makes the perfect kodak moment'...."

(T-that man......!)

Zuikaku put a hand to her forehead. The "Commander" Fubuki mentioned, of course, was the Admiral. Quite a few shipgirls preferred to refer to him that way.

Zuikaku had already heard tales of the Admiral's sexual harassment exploits many times already.

Given the chance, the man would readily and brazenly peek under skirts, rub heads and touch equipment without a second thought.

Luckily, Zuikaku had not yet been a target of these things--perhaps a legacy of their first meeting.

"Ah, but it does have its perks. Look!"

Fubuki hurriedly pointed in front of her.

Countless shoppers, commuters and students walked on the road along the seawall. Almost all of them waved to the shipgirls, their eyes glowing with familiarity. Among them were elementary schoolers and preschoolers, raucously cheering the shipgirls on with shouts of "Shipgirl Onee-sans, good luck!", "Don't lose to the Abyssals" and the like.

The Destroyers, in turn, eagerly returned their waves. Laughing gently, Shoukaku followed in elegant fashion--as did Zuikaku, albeit with some hesitation.

Once the greetings hard largely ended, Fubuki spoke.

"We can't live the same way as the civilians. The Naval District hasn't had many visitors since opening day either, so being able to meet and talk to everyone like this is really precious."

"Sometimes they even give us snacks or drinks~!"

Catching up from behind, Miyuki joined into the conversation with a grin. At her side, an embarrassed Isonami spoke up:

"We normally go out without our equipment in order to avoid attracting attention, so we don't often get the chance to show everyone that we're shipgirls..."

With a satisfied expression, she continued.

"Plus, thanks to our convoys, supplies have been able to come in from the Continent. Now the convenience stores and supermarkets have stuff are packed again, and the smiles are back on everyone's faces.....seeing everyone happy makes me happy as well."

During indoor studies, Zuikaku had heard that the appearance of the abyssals had occurred a decade ago; the world before that had been largely at peace for some time, interrupted by a few disputes at best. It was in this time that the convenience store, supermarket, the cell phone and other aspects of modern culture had developed.

While this culture had been momentarily threatened by the abyssals, the arrival and battles of the shipgirls had returned some semblance of the prewar status quo to this nation, at least--

"I see...."

Zuikaku nodded, feeling that she now understood why the Admiral had wanted everyone to keep their equipment on.

(At least this way these kids can get praised.)

These efforts perhaps allowed the destroyers, used to fighting in thankless silence, to witness the results of their hard work .

This was especially true for the Fubuki-class and their predecessors, whose glories in combat were often stolen by the newer and more advanced Kagerou-class, among others.

(As expected of the admiral.....on the other hand, is it that hard for him just to praise them honestly?)

Zuikaku smiled wryly. Regardless of the real reason, the saying that "the Admiral is a hard guy to understand" remained as true as always.

"Eh, but beautiful girls like us could catch everyone's attention, even without our equipment...."

"Murakumo, that's a little...."

Hearing the Fubuki-class' only futuristic-looking shipgirl Murakumo's statement, Shirayuki smiled awkwardly. The other members of the Fubuki-class seemed to share their sentiment.

"....speaking of which, why were we all born with the appearance of girls?"

Murakumo's musings had aroused a question from Zuikaku, who spoke before she could restrain herself. Smiling lightly, Shoukaku responded,

"Those who live on the seas pray to a deity 'Spirit of the Ships' for safety, and apparently it takes the form of a girl. Perhaps that is why we appear with this appearance, or perhaps that is simply one of many reasons. Of course, this is all just speculation...."

"Eh, that might not be that bad a way of thinking about it."

Zuikaku muttered, satisfied. Shoukaku, however, closed her mouth with a complicated expression.

By the time they had finished their jog and returned to the naval district, the sun had already risen, dispelling the last vestiges of the morning mist.

"Whew....it really isn't that bad once you do it every morning..."

Burning all over, Zuikaku fanned herself with her hand. Shoukaku came over, carrying several towels.

Several tiny fairies surrounded them, seemingly having helped Shoukaku out.

Zuikaku had no clue where these fairies came from--all she knew was that quite a few of these inhabited the Naval District. They helped the shipgirls with daily chores and manned some of the equipment in battle.

"Here, Shoukaku, a towel. Shipgirls can apparently get sick too, so make sure you wipe yourself dry."

"Ah, thank you, Shoukaku-nee!"

"Same goes for everyone. And don't forget to finish your stretches."

"Yeah~!" The destroyers responded loudly as they took towels from Shoukaku's hand. Shoukaku smiled, a caring mother surrounded by her children.

Zuikaku secretly admired her sister's thoughtfulness as well.

(As expected, Shoukaku-nee is nothing like me...)

Speaking of which, she had heard that Shoukaku had come half a year ago to the Naval District.

While it was unclear when the shipgirl's part of the war had began, the respect shown by the destroyers to Shoukaku suggested that she was one of the first to heed the call.

(sure is impressive....)

Thinking this, Zuikaku walked to the main gate--

".....!"

A breath behind her--shocked, Zuikaku turned--to see several carrier planes charging at her. Zuikaku subconsciously turned aside--it might not be a crash, but better safe than sorry..

Hearing Shoukaku's "are you alright, Zuikaku!", Zuikaku scanned her surroundings.

"Who goes there? To just attack someone out of the blue like that....out with you!"

"Not bad. As expected of the carrier recognized by Kaga-senpai--but that's no reason to get overconfident!"

From the Naval District's rooftop rang a resounding voice, and Zuikaku immediately looked up.

In her vision loomed a shipgirl, standing on the rooftop with arms crossed. Several carrier planes lay on her head--but not a type Zuikaku had seen before. Rather than Zuikaku and Shoukaku's archery uniforms, hers resembled that of an Onmyoji. The hooked jewel on her breast was especially eyecatching.

Her flight deck, meanwhile, was not a shoulder guard such as Zuikaku's, but a roll-out scroll. Additionally, several vaguely plane-shaped pieces of paper lay on the scroll. Given the onmyoji getup, those carrier planes were probably shikigami.

"You are....?"
[[File:Zuikaku 009.jpg|230px|thumbnail]]

"From here on out, I, Izum--rather, I, Hiyou, will instruct you in the place of the Senpai of the 1stCarDiv. Prepare yourself! I'm quite good!"

"'Hiyou' was that light carrier, right....? And anyway, don't fuck up your own name if you're going to make an entrance like that!"

Zuikaku could not help a snarky retort. From behind Hiyou, another carrier shipgirl interjected with a wry laugh.

"I try to remind you every time, but you keep on forgetting. 's it because you're still that lil' Ojou-sama from back then?"

"S-shut up, Junyou! Anyway, the Admiral has instructed me to teach you.....so you'd better prepare yourself!"

"Ahh, what she's trying to say is that 'even though I haven't been at the Naval District long either, I, too, was also a part of the main force after Midway, so let's get along', or something like that~"

"Really now, Junyou! I pull off this stylish introduction and then you go and mess it up!"

Unimpressed, Junyou chuckled mockingly as Hiyou retorted. As for Shoukaku and Zuikaku, they could only watch wordlessly, reduced to spectators in this heated exchange.

===Part 2===

"Today we're going to wrap up training with a Fleet Exercise."

Shoukaku traversed the surface of the waters around the Naval District as she explained to Zuikaku.

Having finished their afternoon indoor lessons and lunch, the two headed towards the Practice Waters.

Under a barren and cloudless sky, the seas murmured with a tranquility that was a little unusual for the winter. In the distance one could see the shoreline surrounding the Naval District and the woody mountains that lay behind it.

"These so-called fleet exercises are basically just a battle between shipgirls, right? Like my battle with Kaga-senpai earlier?"

"That's right. However, this battle will be a battle between fleets. After all, we carriers can only reach our true potential with other ships."

Zuikaku nodded in understanding.

Aircraft carriers formed an impressive attack force, capable of using their planes to strike far beyond the reach of Battleships and Heavy Cruisers. Defensively, however, carrier armor could not even match that of the Heavy Cruisers--a single hit could well spell disaster.

Shoukaku, Zuikaku and the other carriers had inherited these strengths and weaknesses. As such, working with the fleet escorts was a matter of life and death for a carrier.

"Firstly, gun fire is absolutely indispensable when it comes to defending against air attacks. Secondly, battles with the abyssals usually lead to us closing to shelling distance by the time we launch our second wave. As a result, we often find ourselves under fire in the thick of battle."

"That's why it's important to work with the other shipgirls..."

"Mmm. The maximum size of a fleet here is six ships. You could say that teamwork has become even more important than it was in 'That War.'"

Only six shipgirls could engage in a battle at once--it seemed that the abyssals were capable of detecting larger fleets by some yet-unknown method, savaging it with constant ambushes. Perhaps of this, however, the abyssal fleets also never exceeded six ships in size.

"Moreover, the abyssals also integrate carriers into their striking forces, forming carrier task forces and using formations just like us. As such, Exercises between carrier forces is the best training for the real battle."

"That's really kind of unpleasant..."

Zuikaku voiced her feelings frankly. The Admiral's words on her first day, and those days studying the various abyssal types during indoor lessons had burned themselves into her mind.

"The same ship classes, the tactics, the same mode of warfare--it's as if...."

"As if they were vengeful spirits made in our image?"

Shoukaku's probing inquiry was met with a nod from the stiff-faced Zuikaku.

If the abyssals were theoretically a similar type of existence to the shipgirls, then they must be all the rage, regret, despair and negativity from 'That War,' incarnated in human form in this world...

"As the Admiral said, we have virtually no understanding of the shipgirls. For all we know, they may simply be a case of convergent evolution, completely inhuman organisms whose development has given them a coincidental resemblance to the weapons of man.

In other words, Shoukaku was saying that there was no point in dwelling on the unknown.

"Regardless, what is true is that we cannot communicate with them, and so we must fight. Each Abyssal is quite strong, and their numbers are virtually unlimited--only a fool would drop their guard around them."

Zuikaku felt herself stiffen.

A battle against an unending enemy. This was not like "That War"--there was no negotiation or arbitration, but a war whose end could only via complete annihilation of one side.

(Against an enemy such as this, there was no option but to train for endless war.)

The battle with Kaga from several days past floated into her mind. Perhaps it was Kaga's awareness of the cruelty of this war that she had fought so hard to point out Zuikaku's carelessness.

(If that's the case, then what was that thing with Hiyou about....?)

As Junyou had said, the two carriers of the Hiyou-class had accolades and achievements that compared with those of the Shoukaku-class.

Although they had been a second-line unit at Midway, they had been forced to fill the shoes of the four carriers in its aftermath, serving in various carrier battles.

According to Zuikaku's own memories and a few statements from Shoukaku, Hiyou had sunk in the Marianas, while Junyou had survived "THat War."

(Given, the two of them were also part of the Post-Midway striking force just like me, so maybe they're in a similar position...)

Regardless of Hiyou's claims of "orders from the Admiral," it seemed that she had acted of her own volition, perceiving Zuikaku as a rival.

Hiyou's attitude was probably because of her past as a former luxury liner. But even so....

(I'm glad that she's willing to guide me, but that tacky senpai act.....)

"Zuikaku, there's our escorts."

From the direction SHoukaku indicated came the outlines of four shipgirls. They met in no time.

"We'll be in each other's care today, Sisters of the 5thCarDiv."

Heavy cruiser Tone regarded the two. Next to her was Chikuma of the same class as well as the destroyers Yukikaze and Makigumo.

"We've covered the 1stCarDiv and the 2ndCarDiv a few times, but this'll be our first time protecting the 5thCarDiv. But now that I'm here, you won't have to worry about finding the enemy y'know <ref>I'm using this in place of Tone's "-da zo." I don't know how to approximate "Wagahai," however</ref>!"

"Very well, we look forwards to your exploits."

Shoukaku smiled gently. Zuikaku, too, felt a little reassured.

Tone and Chikuma had been the most advanced Heavy Cruiser of "That War." Mounting multiple scout planes on their backs, they had distinguished themselves on multiple battlefields as the fleet's eyes. For the purposes of carrier task force battles, they were the perfect match for the 5thCarDiv.

"Carrier Battles are all about getting the first strike and restraining the enemy carrier's movements. As such, I'll make sure to look extra careful. The attacking's going to be up to you, though, y'know."

"Alright. Chikuma, Yukikaze, Makigumo, we'll be in your care as well."

"Of course. I ask that you all take care of my elder sister and I."

"U-understood! Yukikaze will give it her best!"

"Me too, uh, I'll do my best!"

The three shipgirls each responded differently in turn. A thought suddenly intruded into Zuikaku's mind.

(During the battle with Kaga-senpai, Yukikaze had been with Akagi-senpai....was she watching?)

"It's asking a little much of everyone when we've just met, but the Fleet Exercise is about to begin."

Shoukaku spoke with a hint of worry.

"I don't know the enemy's makeup--but since their goal is to train us, it's most likely a carrier task force...we can't let our guard down!"

"Understood!"

"I, Shoukaku, will serve as the flagship. Please act by my orders--if we are to win over the overwhelming numbers of the abyssals, we will need to trust each other and fight as one. Don't act on your own! Tone and Chikuma, please launch your recon seaplanes and search for the enemy!"

"Understood! Let's go, Chikuma!"

"Yes, Tone nee-san!"

Tone and Chikuma pointed the catapults on their right arms towards the heavens, launching their seaplanes into the sky in series.

"Yukikaze, Makigumo, you guys will be vanguard, with Tone and Chikuma taking the flanks. Form up in wheel formation and keep your eyes out for the enemy. Zuikaku, stay by my side. The carriers are the core of the fleet--regardless of your vigor or enthusiasm, avoid waiting in the front."

"Understood!"

Zuikaku watched by Shoukaku's side. The other shipgirls followed Shoukaku's orders, forming up quickly into the wheel formation a doughnut of escorts surrounding the center ships in an anti-air formation as they advanced.

(As expected of Shoukaku-nee....!)

Zuikaku watched Shoukaku as she shot out her orders. That practice confidence was exceptional, as was the way the other shipgirls obeyed wordlessly and perfectly with complete trust.

"....! Enemy detected, shoukaku! 20 degrees to starboard, distance 500, coming from behind that island! Two carriers, four other ships!"

"Shoukaku-san, attack force, coming from the starboard side! Over a hundred of them!"

All this came from the scout planes.

"An ambush from behind the island? Not a bad plan--all ships, adjust course twenty degrees to starboard! Zuikaku, let's get in there!"

"Yes, Shoukaku-nee! 1st Wave, away!"

Shoukaku and Zuikaku loosed their arrows into the sky. The arrows instantly burst into carrier planes, multiple for each arrow as they began to form up. It was fortunate that they had detected the enemy before they had struck--with this forewarning, there would probably enough time to form up and charge the enemy fleet. Zuikaku and Shoukaku's planes were all Type 21 Zeroes, Type 99 Dive Bombers and Type 97 Torpedo Bombers--all early war fighters.

"Fleet Exercise opponent--Enemy detected!"

From the front, vanguard Makigumo shouted her warning. Zuikaku and Shoukaku looked at the direction in which she pointed--

"Hiyou, Junyou?"

WIthin the enemy fleet were the two light carriers responsible for the morning's ruckus, Junyou and Hiyou. With them were the heavy cruisers Kinugasa and Aoba, as well as the destroyers Akebono and Oboro.

That aside, the enemy was not advancing in wheel formation, but in line ahead--a straight battleline, suited for shelling. And, at the front of their formation, were Hiyou and Junyou.

"Carriers leading the charge?! Are you craz--"

"As promised, I have come to teach you!"

Hiyou's bellow drowned out Zuikaku's incredulous shout. She and Junyou surged forwards, sea foam blasting in their wake.

"The essentials of carrier warfare are repeated attacks! To charge into the heart of the enemy and bring the fight to them! This is how New 2ndCarDiv commander Kakuda won his victories in the South Pacific!"

The battle of the South Pacific had been a portion of the Battle of Guadalcanal--in the latter half of the decisive battle, the New 2ndCarDiv and Junyou, serving under Admiral Kakuda, had struck in place of the damaged New 1stCarDiv, closing in on the enemy carriers and devastating the paralyzed enemy with seven waves of attacks.

Admiral Kakuda had been an excellent commander who had the love and trust of his subordinates--Zuikaku could understand why Hiyou, flagship of the 2ndCarDiv, would worship him so.

"But if I remember correctly, at that time you--"

"Ahyahyahya~ Hiyou warn't there, not in the Battle of the South Pacific!"

Junyou chuckled, as if trying to complete Zuikaku's sentence.

Indeed, Hiyou had been forced to hand over the flagship position to Junyou, unable to take part in the battle due to a malfunction in her turbine.

"S-shut up! I was flagship of the 2ndCarDiv longer than you were, so I have more right to talk about this!"

"Maybe, you light carrier's speed, armor and capacity are all inferior to us....you're getting too carried away!"

"It's because we're light carriers that we have to get into the thick of things! Remodeled aircraft carriers aren't anything to scoff at, as I'm sure you know! A bit less armor doesn't make a difference!"

"But....!"

Well then, what will you do if you face an abyssal stronger than you?!"

".....!"

"Well then, let me avenge midwa--rather, let me show you my strength! Attack team, let's get in there!"

"Eh, guess Hiyou's got a point too! Let's go!"

After the initial clash between the Eagles and the Cranes' carrier teams, planes from both sides began to escape the fray. Below them, the other four surface vessels also began to open fire.

"What are we going to do, Shoukaku! We're getting into a brawl, and we're not quite ready for shelling battle yet!"

Shoukaku gaped for a few seconds before setting out new orders.

"All ships maintain formation and engage! Even if this becomes a slugfest, we have a chance to turn this around as long as Zuikaku and I are around! Is that alright?"

Keeping the carriers in the back and deploying the escorts as a shield--it was a cruel decision in a certain sense. Under concentrated fire, the escorts would likely take heavy damage. And yet, Tone and Chikuma both acknowledged the order with a nod.

"This is our 5thCarDiv's Shoukaku! I'll show you my shelling prowess! Right, Chikuma?"

"That's right! It's just like Samar again!"

"Focus on bringing down the enemy planes! All ships, clear the skies!"

The four shipgirls dodged, weaved and fired, evading enemy shells as they aimed their AA guns at the skies. Zuikaku, too, joined the fray as the enemy planes closed in...

===Part 3===

The Naval District's largest dining hall, the Toyokawa, faced the shoreline in one direction.

For the shipgirls of the naval district, this was their main cafeteria. A few chose the Naval District's sweets shop or bar instead, but the portions there were too small for developing shipgirls.

The dining hall today was a packed house as well. Shipgirls in free time sat at their favorite seats to eat, chat or simply watch what appeared to be anime on the TV.

"Owowow....that Hiyou..."

Zuikaku lowered her tray of food onto the table, wincing from the dozen aches and pains that wracked her whole body.

Today was Thursday and thus curry day, and the spicy aroma of the Naval District's special curry wafted through the cafeteria. Quite a few shipgirls were returning to the kitchen for seconds--mainly destroyers, but also a few standard carriers.

"Even if they're practice rounds, those blast shockwaves are nothing to laugh at. Geez."

"Are you alright, Zuikaku?"

Zuikaku grimaced in response to Shoukaku's concerned inquiry.

"Yeah, I can deal with just this. What about Shoukaku-nee?"

"I'm fine. I've been through that level of evasive exercise more than enough in real battle."

"Wow, as expected of Shoukaku-nee! Speaking of which, how about Hiyou's attack style? It was literally just straight up once, twice, thrice..."

They scene from the day's exercises hovered in front of Zuikaku.

In the end, the exercise with Hiyou, Junyou and the New 2ndCarDiv ended with a brawl and then a draw.

While the New 2ndCarDiv had gotten as up close and personal as promised, they failed to penetrate Shoukaku and company's blanket of AA fire. Both side's carrier complement had been exhausted, while the surface combat failed to produce a definite victor; both sides retired, nursing numerous wounds.

The affair, however, was not over. Saying "just a single contest isn't training," Hiyou had proposed the continuation of the Exercises. After some negotiation, Shoukaku and the other shipgirls had acquiesced under the pretext of "training Zuikaku."

And so, Zuikaku found herself in her current state.

Veterans Hiyou and Junyou had quickly identified Zuikaku as the easier opponent and focused their attacks on her. Zuikaku in response had evaded furiously, ending the battle without a single direct hit, combat ability intact. Unfortunately, the shockwaves of countless near misses had taken their toll on Zuikaku, leaving Zuikaku covered in bruises and the battle inconclusive.

"For light carriers and their paper armor to opt for danger-close, all-in attacks...didn't they end up covered in wounds?"

"I can hear you, Zuikaku."

Zuikaku jumped in response to the voice behind her, turning to see Hiyou and Junyou walking up, each carrying their own trays.

Feeling a chill run down her back, Zuikaku remained silent. Hiyou, however, didn't appear to push the issue. She chose a seat near Zuikaku instead, wincing like Zuikaku as she sat down.

"Ouch...! Still, this is normal for light carriers. We must endure...."

"No need to push yourself so hard..."

"I don't like being hit either. But it can't be helped."

As if to suppress the pain, Hiyou took a deep breath before speaking in a prideful voice.

"Well then, what do you think of our fighting style?"

"'how' as in...."

"Given, constraining the enemy carrier's movement is theoretically the nominal goal in carrier combat. But that's all it is, a 'what should be' when the reality's nowhere as simple; a hail mary line drive straight for the goal brings the greatest chance of success."

Hiyou's logic did make some sense to Zuikaku. Indeed, Hiyou and Junyou had fought her to a standstill through their close engagement attacks.

"I'd say it'd a little to early to make doctrinal conclusions."

Shoukaku responded, unconvinced.

"We are a fighting an enemy both overwhelming and overpowering. Charging blindly at the Abyssals will bring victory only at great cost. In the long run we will be the ones driven into the corner by costly engagements."

"That is why we must be the Forlorn Hope--to secure those decisive victories."

"Your logic is becoming circular."

Hiyou glared at Shoukaku, who ate another spoonful of curry with an unconcerned expression.

"....whatever, it is not important. After all, we'll find out sooner or later who is correct on the battlefield....no need for haste."

Hiyou sighed. The corner of her mouth turned up as she turned to Zuikaku with a wink.

"By the way, Zuikaku, you really are quite something. To get away from such an overwhelming attack with only minor wounds....the goddess of fortune definitely stands beside you."

"M-me...?"

Surprised at becoming the topic of conversation, Zuikaku responded with a touch of confusion.

"I just did what I could...but speaking of which, you don't actually dislike me, Hiyou, right?"

"Of course I don't hate you. As your more seasoned senpai, however, I feel like I needed to tell you that. But to say I do not see you as a rival would be a lie."

"Ah, so that's how it is."

"Ahhhh~I wish they'd upgrade our carrier planes already. Stronger planes means harder strikes and more chances to make them count."

Zuikaku had learned from indoor classes that the 2nd generation Suisei, Tenzan, and Type 52 Zeroes were currently in development, with priority set on upgrading the 1st and 2ndCarDiv.

"In 'that war' Junyou and I never got a chance to use those new planes, all the way until the end...I guess it's just my dream."

Hiyou mumbled wistfully around the spoon in her mouth.

Zuikaku said nothing. Standard carriers like Zuikaku, Shoukaku and the still-absent Taihou had been fortunate enough to mount some of these second-generation machines.

"...I'm going to get seconds."

Hiyou picked up her empty tray and left, having seemingly cleared it out of nowhere. As she disappeared, the previously silent Junyou approached the two.

"Ara~sorry 'bout that, my sis keeps on bringing you problems."

Ever-cheerful Junyou scratched her head.

"I figured that Zuikaku'd be a little freaked out by this kind of first meeting, so I wanted to help clear some stuff up."

"You're saying that she has a reason....?"

"Everything Hiyou went through in 'That War,' her history and her feelings...I'm sure Zuikaku, who survived up until Cape Engano, would understand, right?"

Zuikaku blinked with instant understanding.

The aircraft carrier Hiyou had not been a fortunate carrier. Her unfortunate and premature exit from the Battle of the South Pacific set the tone for the rest of her career. Up until the battle of the Marianas, Hiyou had been unable to take part in the carrier war; when she finally joined the Battle of the Marianas, she lost most of her carrier complement in combat against enemy carriers before ultimately succumbing to air attack.

If Zuikaku had gone through a life like that--a chill traveled down Zuikaku's spine. Compared to herself, who had taken part in every carrier battle since Midway, Hiyou could well be her direct antithesis.

If she had been thrown into battle with such memories--

"Plus, Hiyou and I used to be civilian luxury liners."

Junyou raised a spoonful of curry.

"Denied a life as luxury liners and then denied the right to fight as a real carrier...Hiyou's feelings are...complicated."

(So that's why she said things like that...)

Hiyou's narrow doctrine probably reflected her obsession with truly performing her role as an aircraft carrier.

(That may be, but if she continues to fight like this, Shoukaku-nee's prediction will eventually come true.)

"That's why I'm hoping you guys can bear with her a little. Not gonna lie, I wanna have a real battle like the South Pacific again! That battle was great!"

Junyou puffed up her chest with pride. That victory in the South Pacific appeared to be Junyou's pride.

Suddenly Junyou stood up.

"Well, imma off to get another plateful too. Oy, Hiyou, let's race to see who can finish their second portion fastest! Drinks at Houshou's are on the loser~!"

With that, Junyou departed with a wave. In the distance Hiyou yelled "I don't want to! I'm not a child!" "Why's it matter," Junyou returned, "if you don't wanna bet on drinks at Houshou's, we can bet on dessert pudding~!"

"Hiyou and Junyou sure get along well."

Given their completely disparate personalities--hearing Zuikaku's remark, Shoukaku laughed gently.

"After all, they both are both carrier conversions of luxury liners..."

Shoukaku looked into the distance.

"Perhaps it's because of that they're bound together so tightly."

"So that's why Junyou's like that..."

Perhaps Junyou's carefree appearance was a way to cheer on Hiyou, Zuikaku thought.

===Part 4===

The next day, the mood in the Naval District Office was tense.

"I will now begin the Mission Report,"

the Admiral announced to the shipgirls in the office, a sheaf of documents in hand.

Six shipgirls had been assembled--Secretary Ship Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Light Carrier Hiyou, Heavy Cruisers Myoukou and Haguro, and destroyer Hibiki--evidently a carrier task force.

Today would be Zuikaku's last trial--the front lines.

"In other words, deploying with this formation in mind...was why he sent Hiyou to find me?"

In retrospect, the situation made somewhat more sense. Although the Admiral was a pervert, he also paid attention to the mental and physical wellbeing of the shipgirls--that could be seen from the daily affairs of the Naval District.

(....also, Hibiki was watching with Yukikaze during that battle with Kaga-senpai....)

Hibiki stood listening to the Admiral next to Myoukou, expression empty as ice. It seemed she was the cold type.

(Does she get along with Yukikaze?)

"First we will explain the current situation. Shoukaku, if you would."

"Yes."

Standing next to the Admiral, Shoukaku stood next to a whiteboard covered in reports, both combat and noncombat.

"Since we have begun our counteroffensive against the abyssals, our Naval District's objective has been to capture the resource-rich sectors of the western seas, and we have launched several offensives to that effect."

Shoukaku directed attention with a pointer to a map centered around the current location.

On the routes between the Continent and the Naval District were pinned three red thumbtacks, each representing the expedition fleets. Each was currently on escort duty.

The Southwest Island Waters's Okinoshima, Curry Sea and Jam Island bore blue tacks representing the abyssals, along with the Northern Sector's Moray Sea.

"We have already suppressed the 'gate' to the Western Seas, the Southwestern Island Waters, with some initial success."

"Initially...?"

Zuikaku voiced her surprise. Shoukaku responded with a stern expression.

"Yes. Recently we have been forced to suspend our offensive. Our problem lies here."

Shoukaku pointed to Okinoshima at the edge of the Southwest Islands Waters.

"We have found that the waters around Okinoshima serve as a large-scale enemy Anchorage. If we assault the Western Seas without dealing with them first, we may find ourselves attacked by their garrison fleets."

Zuikaku nodded. The safety of the supply line was integral to the success of an offensive. If a strong enemy awaited on the flanks, the fleet ran the risk of having their supply line cut.

"As such, the Naval District has temporarily suspended the offensive in the Western Seas and has launched several major offensives against the enemy harbor at Okinoshima. We will be committing our main force this time around in the largest offensive to date."

From the indoor classes, Zuikaku had learned that the abyssals would construct harbors within various sectors, acting as staging points from which further invasions could be launched. As the harbors expanded with time, it was advantageous to quickly remove them.

"In order to ensure the success of this operation, we have decided to keep our main force at home and stockpile resources. The initial plan had been to launch an all-out attack, but recent battles have sapped our strategic reserve, reducing our main force's range."

(So supply levels can constrain fleet movements, even in this world....)

In "That War", her side lacked both the power and the resources to continue the battle.

"Moreover, we have yet another problem--several days ago, a large force of enemy supply raiders have surfaced in the eastern Orel Sea."

Shoukaku pointed to a corner of the Southwest Island Waters.

"Our side already controls the eastern part of the Orel Sea, but the enemy fleets have been threatening our supply routes from the west. Given the possibility that they may also move up to reinforce Okinoshima, it is imperative for the Naval District that they be destroyed with all due haste."

"And you are the force assembled to deal with that problem."

Picking up from Shoukaku's explanation, the admiral stepped forwards.

"We cannot send the Naval District's main force. However, to leave the enemy fleet in Orel would bring problems. As such, your duty is to wipe them out."

"In other words..."

Hiyou sounded less than thrilled. The Admiral nodded apologetically.

"Apologies. We cannot dispatch the main force, so we had to send someone else--essentially, we are relegating you all to the role of second-line troops. Even so...are you willing to sortie?"

The Admiral gazed straight at Zuikaku and Hiyou.

(To think that the last test before enlistment would be a real battle....)

A prick of unease. Would she be able to do a carrier's job in this unknown battlefield--

(Even so, to decline now would be an insult to the Shoukaku class...! Shoukaku-nee's going anyways, so....!)

Zuikaku and Hiyou's eyes met, and they both nodded before Zuikaku spoke:

"Please allow us to deploy. Since the enemy consists simply of commerce raiders, even we should have good odds."

"Is that so."

The Admiral spoke, as if a burden had been released from his shoulders. Zuikaku quickly followed up.

"Does the enemy have carriers?"

"They do. They may be commerce raiders, but we believe that they are simply a picket force, and that a main force waits behind them. Once you dispatch the vanguard, you will likely encounter the enemy main force."

From indoor classes, Zuikaku knew that abyssal harbors were generally protected by a dense web of advance forces and pickets that constantly patrolled.

When approaching the main force, shipgirls either worked to avoid these forces via early detection or destroyed them altogether. As such, attack routes often remained fluid up until the moment of contact. Sometimes the fleet would be forced to retreat without meeting the main force at all.

"The small details of the operation will be explained by Shoukaku. Apart from when to retreat, I intend to leave all decision on the ground to your judgement."

Each shipgirl's eyes were now on the Admiral.

"I wish you all the best of luck."

Briefing over, Zuikaku left alone, plodding down the corridor. From behind her, came suddenly a voice.

"Zuikaku! Don't go yet!"

"Junyou...?"

She turned around to see Junyou catching up with quick steps.

"What's up? Hiyou went the other way...."

"I have something to ask of you."

Zuikaku blinked in surprise. Zuikaku nodded, speaking with a previously unseen solemnity.

"That briefing was about the next sortie, right? And Hiyou will be deploying with you..."

"Mm. But if you want the details, you could just as Hiyou..."

"Could I ask you to watch over hiyou?"

There was only sincerity in Junyou's eyes.

"Being serious is that girl's specialty--but when it becomes a carrier battle, she begins to tunnel vision on her own battle. Although I, too, think it's strange to ask a favor of a greenhorn like yourself, there are some things about carriers only another carrier could understand. As flagship, Shoukaku is busy as well. I won't force you or ask you to go beyond your means...but do what you can, alright?"

Zuikaku remembered what Junyou had said the day before.

("To be honest, I, too, do not approve of Hiyou's gung-ho tactics. I'm a rookie too, so I have to consider her pride...")

As Junyou's gaze lingered for several seconds, Zuikaku chuckled and nodded.

"I got it. Though I'm not too confident, I'll do what I can."

Junyou's expression instantly brightened.

"As expected of Zuikaku! So reliable! I hope to see the 'Lucky Carrier's' true power someday, yo!"

"That 'true power' came from coincidences!"

"There you go again~no need to be modest!"

Junyou cheerily slapped Zuikaku in the back. While she certainly felt uncomfortable, Zuikaku found that she didn't hate this feeling.

===Part 5===

In front of Zuikaku's gaze was the wide expanse of the Bashi Island Waters.

Zuikaku and the other members of the six-shipgirl fleet had entered abyssal's area of control, cruising through at high speed.

Until now, no enemies had been detected. However, it would be no surprise if the two heavy cruisers' reconnaissance seaplanes reported the enemy then and there.

It was a clear day, but the seas were a little more treacherous than they were around the Naval District--occasionally some of the shipgirls would be obscured altogether from view.

"SO quiet..."

The shipgirls were currently cruising in wheel/diamond formation to deter enemy ambushes. As they went, Zuikaku spoke quietly to Shoukaku.

"Are there really abyssal fleets here?"

"That's what previous records indicate. Plus, the scouts should be making their report soon."

Zuikaku nodded with unease. The gravity of real battle--and the life and death struggle that would ensue--weighed heavily on her mind.

(Even if the enemy consists merely of supply raiders, one mistake could lead to sinking...)

Sure, she had felt her life in danger during the battle with Kaga--but at that time Zuikaku had other things on her mind and had never quite felt terror. She felt it now, a constant undercurrent of fear.

The memory of her sinking at Engano remained fuzzy, she was unable to recollect the pain she must have felt then. And yet that uncertainty only served to strengthen the terror stirring in her heart.

(....! Damn it, I can't keep on going like this.)

Zuikaku shook her head.

(I'm a standard carrier. I've trained hard so that I could save this world, just like Shoukaku-nee and Kaga-senpai...)

"Zuikaku, are you alright?"

"Aaah!"

Shoukaku's sudden interjection caused Zuikaku to let out a shriek--mortified, she looked at Shoukaku and the others as they laughed.

"Fufu, you're a little too uptight, Zuikaku. It can't be helped--it's your first time, after all--but loosen up."

Shoukaku softened her smile, speaking gently.

"Don't worry. You've already accumulated more than enough experience in training. During that first battle with Kaga-senpai, didn't you escape sinking then too? Even if the enemy is a carrier task force, you'll be able to deal with it. I promise."

"Shoukaku-nee..."

Even in these circumstances, Shoukaku continued to cheer on her sister as always. In response to this kindness, Zuikaku could not stop her eyes from watering.

"Plus Zuikaku is my lovely sister, you know? I'll keep you safe. So don't worry and fight.

"mmm, yes....! I'll do my best!"

"Hold on, Shoukaku, are you just talking about your sister? Are the rest of us just cannon fodder here?"

Hiyou interrupted from behind.

"Nonsense. Since the Admiral has been kind enough to entrust me with the role of flagship, would I betray everyone's trust like that?"

With eyes full of confidence, Shoukaku met the question with a bold smile.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't let anyone sink. Not on my watch."

She spoke softly, gazing into the distance, as if it were a mere matter of fate. Next to her, Zuikaku felt both reassured and moved.

(Shoukaku-nee is reliable, as expected.)

Seeing Shoukaku standing with silver hair flowing, Zuikaku felt herself calm. And then--

"....! Shoukaku-san! Seaplanes reporting!"

Heavy Cruiser Haguro called out her report with a tense fear.

"Enemy fleet, straight ahead! One Torpedo Cruiser, Three Light Cruisers, Two Destroyers! It's most likely the enemy picket force!"

(A picket force--no carriers? We can hit them hard from the air then!)

Zuikaku's combativeness quickly surged. If the enemy had no carriers, she would have the initiative.

"Understood. Shoukaku to all ships, we're going to take out that fleet and open up the way towards the enemy's main force."

Shoukaku promptly handed out orders to the rest of hte unit.

"All carriers, launch the first wave. All other ships prepare for surface engagement! Move in as soon as the first wave has completed its attack run!"

"Understood!"

Zuikaku and Shokaku both let fly their arrows into the skies. Hiyou unfurled her scroll with a sweep of her left hand, revealing her carrier deck. With her right, she drew out a bundle of paper carrier planes, forming them into Shikigami and launching them from her deck.

"Go--!"

As she waited for her carrier planes to form up above her, Zuikaku felt her terror subside. It was just like that battle with Kaga--once the battle started, there was no time for fear--

Having consolidated into their formations, the carrier planes flew towards the enemy fleet.

Several moments later, Haguro's shout indicated the beginning of the battle.

"I have visual of the enemy fleet on the horizon! Enemy is coming around to engage us!"

"All carriers, begin your first wave attacks! Surface fleet, commence shelling!"

"Understood!"

Looking to the enemy silhouettes on the distant horizon, Zuikaku focused on the targets.

When a carrier shipgirl knew the enemy's position, heading and formation, air attack accuracy increased dramatically. Shipgirls generally only launched a relatively inaccurate long-distance attack in the opening phase, in order to gain the initiative.

(What's the situation....?)

The carrier planes began to fade out of Zuikaku's vision. Not long after, the enemy fleet was wracked with explosions and pillars of water.

(Great...! This way the rest of the battle will be a walk!)

Zuikaku wanted to cheer. If this continued all campaign, victory was virtually assured.

"Enemy fleet is either badly damaged or sinking! They've stopped moving!"

Haguro spoke with relief. The abyssals on the horizon waited immobile, black smoke gushing from their wounds as if to confirm the report. Shoukaku immediately set down the next order.

"Initiate surface combat! All carriers, prepare your second wave! Let's finish the enemy in one go!"

"Understood!"

===Part 6===

It did not take long for Zuikaku and company to mop up the remnants of the first fleet encountered.

These abyssals appeared to have been a cruiser fleet--Myoukou, Haguro and Hibiki's gunfire quickly sank the survivors before Zuikaku and company needed to launch a second wave. No damage had been sustained in the encounter--a true total victory.

The six shipgirls pressed on through the rough seas. The enemy main force and its carriers were closing in, and so they put up a CAP of a few dozen fighters as protection.

And yet, Zuikaku's spirits had never been higher.

(My first battle...I survived...and won!"

She unconsciously balled her hands into fists. This victory proved that she could fight as a shipgirl against the abyssals.

(Plus, Shoukaku-nee's at my side....)

The post-battle report showed that Shoukaku had done the most damage to the Abyssals, her first wave having sunk two light carriers and crippled a destroyer. Hiyou and Zuikaku had been responsible for the remaining three ships.

As flagship, Shoukaku had both shown herself as an experienced commander and as a force to be reckoned with--Zuikaku had trouble restraining her praise.

(As long as SHoukaku-nee is here, our enemies count for nothing...!)

Though the enemy main force was a carrier task force, they had three carriers with them. That was no reason to let down their guard, of course, but as long as they fought hard, victory should be well within their grasp.

Zuikaku looked once more to the horizon.

All that could be seen was the wide expanse of the open sea. A few clouds dotted the sky, but otherwise all was clear.

"By the way--that was an impressive showing, Zuikaku, Shoukaku."

Hiyou spoke up from the back.

"Deciding the battle within the opening attack...the Shoukaku-class lives up to its name."

"Didn't Hiyou also work very hard?"

Shoukaku turned in response.

"The Hiyou class may be light carriers, but their carrier capacity is close to that of the Hiryuu class <ref> at the time this was published, the dragon Kai II had yet to be released. At this time Souryuu and Hiryuu kai had only 7 more planes than Hiyou and Junyou, though their slots were superior</ref>. Admiral Ozawa, our commanding officer in the Marianas, often said that 'the most important thing about planes are numbers <ref>yeah because that worked so well at the Turkey Shoot right?</ref>; I believe you and Junyou are proof of that."

"No need for the praise. Once we run into stronger abyssals, after all, you standard carriers are far more likely to be in the thick of it than we light carriers."

Hiyou spoke with a hint of wistfulness. Perhaps witnessing Shoukaku's crushing attack power had made her aware of her own limits.

"Hiyou, I feel that you underestimate yourself far too often."

Zuikaku cut in from the side as Junyou's words flashed in her mind.

"If you look at the hard stats, that might be the case, but what about everything else, like fuel consumption? I heard that in 'That War', you and Junyou served diligently and efficiently as supply and plane transports due to your fuel efficiency."

"I understand that, and I am quite proud of it. However, this is not a world where you and I can avoid confronting the abyssals directly. When the time comes we must always do our best in the battle."

"That's why, this way of thinking..."

"This is my way of life. Nobody can change that....not even Junyou."

The curt resolve in Hiyou's voice was far too firm for Zuikaku and Shoukaku to challenge with further words.

"...but...thank you."

Several seconds later, Hiyou said with some difficulty.

"These words are far kinder than jabs about my low speed or thin armor. It gives me some comfort....and I am grateful."

Her words seemed to have warmed up all within the six-ship fleet.

Of course, it was at this time that a sharp noise pierced Zuikaku's ear.

Shortly after came a chorus of low howls.

(That sound...it can't be!)

"All ships, evasive action! That sound is--!"

Shoukaku shouted, her face drawn"

"That's the sound of a battleship's...!"

A second later, explosions and pillars of water surrounded the six shipgirls.

===Part 7===

In one of the Naval District's many auxiliary buildings was a kyudo/archery range <ref> the chinese translator goes into great lengths using the japanese kyudo terminology, but I'm going to avoid doing that, as it adds no real purpose to the text</ref>. While the range was not particularly large, its target area, shooting area and shooting field were all well furnished and maintained.

The main users of this archery range were the standard carriers.

Of course, the Standard Carriers simply need to shoot into the sky for their arrows to transmute into autonomous carrier planes, and in that respect anything more than a basic grasp of archery was unnecessary. Even so, guiding the carrier planes required mental focus, and kyudo was one of the best ways to develop that focus.

Today, Akagi and Kaga were up early to practice, dressed in normal uniform.

To focus their minds, both of them maintained total silence. There were virtually no misses. On the field, several fairies helped to scurry away with the loosed arrows and replace the targets.

At this moment, Kaga fired yet again--and missed completely.

"....."

Kaga silently nocked a second arrow, her expression a little incredulous--yet her result was the same once again, her second arrow going even further off the mark.

"Why..."

Next to her, Akagi lightly giggled.

"You must have some kind of unease in your heart."

"Unease?"

"Are you worried about Zuikaku?"

Kaga's eyes widened, as if she herself had not noticed. Unfazed, Akagi continued:

"That child who's caught your eye has gone to battle for the first time. Will she complete her mission? Even if you're fairly confident, the reality is often not that simple...that's what's written on your face."

"I don't see how that's possible."

"Regardless, it is the truth, no?"

In response to Akagi's inquiries, Kaga looked looked away, her face slightly red--it seemed Akagi was right.

"The 1stCarDiv has the 1stCarDiv's way of fighting, the 5thCarDiv has the 5thCarDiv's way of fighting...wasn't the one who taught them that you, Kaga? Those children will definitely come back safely."

Akagi gazed straight into Kaga's eyes. Sighing as if to admit defeat, Kaga raised her bow once more.

"Yes. However, it is also because of that..."

Kaga sighted the target.

"That we cannot fail. If we fail..."

Draw, loose--this time the arrow stabbed straight into the center of the target, the thud resounding through the range.

Akagi hastily suppressed the bitter smile that had almost reached her face. To be able to allay her own worries and strengthen her resolve with a single phrase--that was just like Kaga.

Akagi was one of the oldest shipgirls in the naval district. She had taken up her duties when the Naval District was first formed, and from then on had fought vigorously on the front lines as one of the main force. There was a time when Akagi sortied so often that the naval district's food and supply reserve had been whittled down to nothing--these days, those affairs were simply pleasant memories.

Because of this, many shipgirls worshiped her as "the reliable carrier onee-san," and because of that Akagi frequently cared for the other shipgirl's mental and physical health.

And for Akagi, Kaga, as her closest friend, was the one she cared for the most.

(Kaga may not honest, but she is truthful...)

As she wiped her sweat off with a towel, Akagi suppressed another sad smile. As she walked towards the hallway for some water, Kaga continued to draw and shoot without a second glance.

(But, as Kaga said...)

As she stepped into the hallway, a shipgirl approached Akagi.

"Yukikaze?"

"Thanks for your work, Akagi onee-san!"

Yukikaze's greeting was full of energy. From the way she had shown up, it appeared that she had been waiting for Akagi to leave the archery range. Akagi stopped, realizing why Yukikaze had been waiting for her.

"It's related to that, right? Could you tell me?"

"Yes. Although you could probably hear it from Hibiki nee-san once she gets back..."

Having voiced her hesitation, Yukikaze took a deep breath and whispered:

"As predicted by the commander, Zuikaku onee-san--"

===Part 8===

The chaos following the preemptive strike was limited in scope.

As the enemy had targeted the carriers, the other three shipgirls were unharmed. They immediately retaliated, turning to engage the enemy abyssals--the long-awaited main fleet. Hard on the heels of the battleship shelling, the enemy's first attack flight had followed clashing with Shoukaku's hastily-launched first wave before disengaging.

And yet, on the water's surface--

"Get a hold together! Hiyou!"

Panicked, Zuikaku turned to where Hiyou lay on the water, knocked over by repeated hits.

"Hiyou, the Abyssals are here! You can't just lay there!"

"Ugh, oh...."

Hiyou groaned in pain. The Hiyou-class' trademark onmyouji uniform had been charred black, and only about half of the flight deck scroll had survived the flames.

The wounds on her body, too, were quite severe; even movement was difficult.

The enemy battleship's shells and their carrier's planes had both targeted Hiyou in succession. Whether out of fortune or misfortune, the nearby Zuikaku had unscathed, while the lightly wounded Shoukaku fought on as if unaffected.

"Hiyou!"

Zuikaku shouted again. The frantic terror in her heart was tinged by a powerful regret.

(What was I thinking...?!)

There's no way we could lose against an enemy carrier task force with three carriers--that was what she had thought.

And yet in reality it was they who had been caught with their pants down, allowing Hiyou to be heavily damaged. Shoukaku's CAP, which had been forced to fight off the enemy's first wave unassisted, had also taken heavy losses.

Moreover, in this period of time Zuikaku herself had done nothing, gaping at Hiyou's wounds instead of acting to mitigate the enemy air attack as Shoukaku had.

"EUrgh...Zui...kaku...?"

"Hiyou!"

Hiyou forced her eyes open as she spoke with a tiny voice.

Having driven off the enemy planes, Shoukaku rushed to Hiyou's side. Evaluating Hiyou's wounds with a sweep of her eyes, Shoukaku gave her diagnosis calmly.

"...don't worry, this level of damage won't sink you. As long as we safely return to the Naval District, we can fix this much...."

"Shoukaku-nee, now isn't the time for this--"

"It'll be up to us to realize our objective from here no out, Zuikaku."

Though Shoukaku's smile was as gentle as always, there was a steely tone in her response.

Zuikaku blinked, as if dunked with cold water. While she was busy panicking, Shoukaku had chosen to face the current situation and act to mitigate the situation. Zuikaku felt as if she could die from shame.

Perhaps discerning what her sister was feeling, Shoukaku lightly stroked one of Zuikaku's twintails.

"Don't worry. It's not your fault that we are in this situation."

"Shoukaku-nee..."

Most likely, the enemy fleet hid underneath that cloud to evade our scouts, just like what happened quite a few times in 'That War.' Combined with the fact that the abyssals are somewhat smaller than warships, it's not your fault."

"But...!"

"You do lose a few points for not sending out your planes posthaste...but to be panicked by an attack out of nowhere is natural. Don't worry about it."

Zuikaku bit her lower lip. Although she understood that Shoukaku's words were correct, she could not honestly accept it.

Shoukaku regarded Myoukou and company, engaged in the surface action. Though the exact situation was unclear, the enemy had battleships and carriers--a disadvantageous situation without a doubt.

(What should we do...?)

From the recent battleship shelling and the carrier attack, the enemy's fleet probably consisted of one battleship, two carriers and three escorts. Not a losing hand, as long as they played their cards right.

And yet, the enemy's preemptive attack has crippled Hiyou, while the ensuing action had whittled down Shoukaku's complement. The only carrier at full strength was Zuikaku.

(But if I join the battle with Shoukaku-nee, we'd have to leave behind Hiyou...! And if we fail, we'll be wiped out...)

Shoukaku also remained silent. Perhaps she was also wracking her mind for a tactic to escape this situation.

"....Don't worry about me..."

"Hiyou...?"

Hiyou spoke with a hoarse voice.

"Don't talk too much, Hiyou," Zuikaku shouted, "and there's no way we're leaving you in this situation...!"

"I have to talk because this is the situation...if we divide our force to protect me, our chances are even worse...."

Though she was nearly bent over with pain, Hiyou continued to speak.

"In order to regain the initiative, you have to go all in and rush the enemy like Junyou and I did in the fleet exercises. If it's you guys with your speed, there's no way you'll fail..."

"What are you..."

Zuikaku took a deep breath. Moving danger close to engage as Hiyou proposed would increase the risk of damage. If it succeeded, however, it would likely turn the situation on its head.

But if Shoukaku and Zuikaku failed, the fleet would lose the entirety of their carrier force. Additionally, only one person still had the planes to execute this counter attack--herself.

(How can I pull all that of...?!)

"...I understand."

Shoukaku nodded honestly as she spoke for the soundless Zuikaku.

"Shoukaku-nee?"

"It is as Hiyou said--this gamble is our only chance. And if we don't counterattack soon, Myoukou, Haguro and Hibiki will be in danger."

"But it's way too dangerous! Shoukaku-nee, you told me in the past that this tactic was illogical...!"

"If there were another option I would have taken it. We, whose only weapons are our carrier planes <ref>technically Kaga has only a slightly weaker broadside than the Aoba-class, since she mounts 5 20cm on each side</ref>, should optimally spend the whole battle outside of the enemy's attack range--engagement from beyond the horizon.

"Well then...!"

"But if we are to reverse this situation, it's the only option."

"....!"

"Furthermore, Zuikaku."

Shoukaku smiled, gentle as always.

We do not fight simply to defeat the abyssals, but also to rescue our comrades. We all bear traumas from 'That War' that we must confront in battle--if we do not let these mental scars heal, they will fester and sap our will to fight.

Dumbstruck, Zuikaku was reminded of what Shoukaku had told her when she had first joined.

"Losing the means to fight is more than losing the means to rescue these innocents--it means losing the means to save ourselves. This war may well outlast 'That War;' if we allow our hearts to be strangled under the constraints of tactical theory we may well end up in a nonredeemable situation."

Zuikaku recalled the people who had cheered her and her comrades on during their jogs, the destroyer shipgirls who had broken into smiles as a result, and what Junyou had told her.

(Hiyou is our valuable friend and ally...we have to value her heart, her hopes and her determination...in order to save the world, and in order to save ourselves...)

Zuikaku felt herself calm. The fear remained, but it was encased in a hardening resolve.

(If it's to reach our goal, I...!)

Zuikaku gulped, as if to force her previous feelings down her throat. The bitter taste of coal clung to her throat--and yet, somehow, that taste seemed to help her think more clearly than ever.

"Hiyou, Shoukaku, I'm in."

Restraining the tremors in her clenched fist, Zuikaku stood up.

"I'll take those two carriers down on my own...just you guys watch me!"

◇◇◇

As Shoukaku had expected, the surface engagement between Myoukou, Haguro, Hibiki and the enemy ships was taking a turn for the worse.

The enemy fleet let fly yet again with another volley at the three shipgirls, enveloping them in seaspray and waterspouts.

"Uwaahhh--!"

Struck by a direct hit, Myoukou was sent flying, steadying herself only with great difficulty.

"Are you alright, Onee-san?!"

Soaked with water from near-misses, Haguro nevertheless looked to her elder sister with concern.

"I'm fine! Continue shelling!"

Myoukou responded promptly--she could not allow Haguro to worry.

Myoukou and Haguro were the 1st and 4th ships of the Myoukou-class, rather standard cruisers of the Naval District. While Myoukou was the nurturing older-sister type, Haguro was very much a youngest sister, weak-hearted and prone to tears. As such, Myoukou constantly worried over Haguro. Haguro was always willing to do her best, but low morale could still impact the course of the battle."

"B-but, at this rate!"

"I know! Hibiki, keep it up as well!"

"Acknowledged."

Engaging three enemy destroyers at Myoukou and Haguro's side, Hibiki responded consisely. Though she continued to cleverly evade the attacks of the three enemy vessels, she had yet to inflict a decisive blow on any of them.

From the start of the battle, Myoukou, Haguro and Hibiki had repeatedly attacked the enemy fleet, only to be forced by enemy gunfire to change course. Though the enemy was only a single battleship, the two heavy cruisers were having trouble.

(Plus, behind that fucker...!"

Myoukou regarded the distant horizon, where two enemy carriers hovered.

?To complete the mission, both the battleship and the two carriers behind her would also need to be destroyed.

The carriers had done little for a while, busy organizing their carrier planes for the next attack. But sooner or later they would be done, and the attack flight would come.

(Our carrier strength has already been halved due to the shelling. At this rate, not only will we be able to respond, but...!)

And yet in spite of that, she still hoped for her allies to respond.

(If we can deal with the enemy carrier, we can clear the skies and have a chance to finish the carrier...)

"Myoukou! Please hold on a little more! Once the enemy carriers launch their second wave, we'll start our counterattack!"

Shoukaku's shout echoed. Doubting her own ears, Myoukou shouted back.

"Counterattack...? What are you going to do in this situation? Shouldn't you focus on air defense to protecti Hiyou?"

"Zuikaku will deal with the counterattack!"

With that, Myoukou understood.

At the same time, both enemy carriers launched their attack flight.

◇◇◇

Zuikaku and Shoukaku dashed straight for the enemy carriers. Moving at their maximum combat speed of over 34 knots, they threw up a cloud of seaspray in their wake.

"Zuikaku, listen to me! We'll only get one chance--as soon as the enemy carriers launch their second attack!"

Cruising shoulder to shoulder with Zuikaku, Shoukaku elaborated.

"The enemy's second wave will most likely prioritize me as the greatest threat--but as a result, the fighter cover above them will be severely reduced, giving us a good chance of getting a hit in. That will be our only chance to take down those two carriers. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Zuikaku eyed the two carriers on the horizon. A cloud of carrier planes surrounded them--they had completed their formation.

Behind her, Hiyou lay on her own, unprotected--they could not let a single enemy touch her.

"I'm dispatching my fighters to protect Hiyou, so we're not going to have any cover. We're going to need to dodge the enemy's air attacks. We can do it!"

"I know that!"

(Dodging the enemy air attacks on one hand and guiding the carrier planes towards the enemy carriers...)

Zuikaku went over her role in her head. This did not require saying, but it would not be an easy task.

(But if we don't do it, we'll lose this battle...in order to turn the tables, this is what we must do!)

"Enemy second wave inbound...Zuikaku!"

"Damn it---!"

Zuikaku's arm shot downwards. Instantly, her consolidated carrier planes buzzed towards the two enemy carriers.

As the two formations impacted, the enemy's bombers began to break through. Though a few fighters broke off to engage Zuikaku's attack flight, the intensity of their original charge and the ensuing clash meant that only a few managed to successfully come about in pursuit.

Roughly seventy enemy planes were now charging in Zuikaku's direction--roughly half of the second wave. Each plane had a passing resemblance to Zuikaku's own planes.

The enemy planes appeared to have figured defenseless Zuikaku would be easier to bully, and came from all directions.

(...Tch! But, compared to the battle with Kaga-senpai, this isn't much!"

"Naahhhh--!"

Eyeing the enemy carrier planes' movements, Zuikaku began to break into high-speed evasive maneuvers. As the enemy bombers closed in, she jinked left and right before backing away, reading the enemy's attack paths, moving erratically to prevent the enemy from finding a pattern in her evasive movements.

Carrier planes had to move in a straight path once they began their attack run--as such, it was possible to avoid their attack by a hairsbreadth by moving the moment they began their run.

To the enemy planes, Zuikaku's response appeared to have taken them by surprise.

Although every plane could close in on Zuikaku, she moved aside at the last second, leaving them to waste their torpedos and dive bombs in empty space. A few of the cleverer ones attempted to figure out Zuikaku's movements and lead with a bomb or torpedo--but thanks to Zuikaku's high-speed evasive action, they, too, could only return to their carriers empty-handed.

Zuikaku continued dodging as she assessed the situation. At the corner of her eye, she spotted Shoukaku dodging between pillars--her own situation, however, did not leave much time to worry about others.

(I have Hiyou, Shoukaku-nee and everyone's expectations on my back! How can I fail here...!)

Presently, the previously released attack teams were now above the enemy ships. Eyeing her target, Zuikaku shouted as loudly as possible.

"Carrier planes! Go!"

The bombers began their attack runs. As predicted, only a few fighters protected the carriers--the attack squadrons easily began launching their attacks.

(All that's left now is to hit!)

Zuikaku focused on the two enemy carriers, tracking the remaining enemy planes out of the corner of her eye.

A few seconds later, the two enemy carriers crumpled with explosions, collapsing into the water. Though it was not clear whether they had sunk, what was clear was that the enemy was not immobilized. Perhaps the goddess of fortune stood at her side after all.

"...! Got 'em!"

And yet just as Zuikaku raised a shout of jubilation, one last enemy plane, eyeing Zuikaku's movements, began its attack run, its path crossing with Zuikaku's.

Though she spotted the problem, ZUikaku's momentum prevented her from turning in time, not completely--this was going to be a direct hit.

"....aw, shit...!"

Just as all hope was lost, the enemy carrier exploded in a ball of flame. Seconds later, a Zero fighter flew by.

"A Zero Fighter...? Could it be Shoukaku-nee?!"

The girl turned--Shoukaku, only a moment dodging a furiously, stopped on the water to wave at Zuikaku. She appeared to have recalled the fighters waiting above Hiyou.

"Nicely done...Zuikaku..."

Shoukaku smiled softly as she spoke to Zuikaku. She seemed to have taken medium damage, but the enemy planes had already broken off.
[[File:Zuikaku 010.jpg|230px|thumbnail]]

"As expected of the sister that is my pride..."

Zuikaku could not respond--although she had faced the same amount of planes as Shoukaku, she had escaped without harm. She didn't know whether this was due to luck or her efforts.

Shoukaku closed her eyes, reassured, before looking once more at the enemy fleet.

"Alright, let's start the counteroffensive! Deal with that battleship troubling Myoukou and company. Pull back the carrier planes and launch your second wave!"

"U-understood!"

Now that air supremacy had been obtained, they now had the initiative--putting the newfound confidence bought by her victory in her heart, Zuikaku began to recall the attack teams.

===Part 9===

The first thing Hiyou saw on waking up was Zuikaku watching her with a worried expression.

"This is..."

Hiyou strained her ears--all she heard were the lapping of waves. The sound of gunfire, the whistle of shells, the drone of the carrier planes, all of it had vanished. The sky was dyed red under the sunset. It would not be long before nighttime would fall on these waters.

"...Same waters as before. The battle's over, Shoukaku-nee and company are confirming the results."

Zuikaku looked at her as she responded. It seemed like she was currently resting her head on Zuikaku's legs.

Although she ached all over, she hadn't sank--

"What about..."

"We won, of course. Shoukaku-nee and I got the enemy's two carriers with a close range attack--afterwards it was just cleanup."

Zuikaku spoke with a reassuring voice.

"Hiyou, your tactic worked. On the other hand, Shoukaku-nee took medium damage, and I've lost enough planes such that continuing battle would no longer be a real option."

"Is that so..."

Hiyou mumbled in satisfaction. Although it wasn't the optimal result, she had been able to convey her feelings.

She suddenly broke into laughter--Shoukaku and Zuikaku were truly superior standard carriers. But for reasons she didn't herself know, she felt proud over this situation.

(Because they're my precious comrades...)

At the very least, Shoukaku and Zuikaku must have seen her that way to take on this high-risk tactic.

(Maybe I should trust my comrades a little more as well...)

As a light carrier, the only way to defeat stronger allies was close-range attack. This belief had not changed.

But apart from that, maybe she could try to play it out a little safer.

(Looks like I might have to listen to Junyou a little more.)

Hiyou smiled bitterly. Hiyou had always thought that Junyou's self-confidence came from never having been sunk--but perhaps Junyou acted that way so as not to worry her, burdened by the past as is.

(I ought to thank her when I get back...)

"Hiyou, you alright...?"

Zuikaku regarded Hiyou's face with worry.

Hiyou flushed with sudden embarrassment.

"N-nothing, of course! I am Izumo--rather, Hiyou! Once my wounds are healed, I will go out to battle as before!"

Zuikaku couldn't resist laughing in response to the girl's attempt at a dignified response.

"Ahaha! I thought you were going to say something, but there you go messing your name up again...Hiyou, you're really are quite the scatterbrain!"

"S-scatterbrain?! Isn't it a little rude to say that at this time?"

"No wonder Junyou worries, ahaha!"

"This has nothing to do with Junyou! Speaking of which, that way you said that...did Junyou tell you something?!"

"Eh? N-no, of course not~"

"Then why are you looking away and speaking with such a guilty tone? I won't let you get away with this next exercise, you know--!"

Hiyou wildly gesticulated in annoyance. Zuikaku, on the other hand (who had until now served as her pillow) continued laughing with joy.

===Part 10===

The setting sun colored the Admiral's office a crimson. The blue-themed classical desk, the carpet, the western-style fireplace and the ship model above it, the "Desu!" hanging wall scroll--there were no exceptions.

"In other words..."

Watching the similarly red-painted streets outside the window, the Admiral asked,

"My...no, our predictions were correct, no?"

"Yes."

Akagi responded, her face emotionless.

"The exercise against Kaga on the second day; the exercises with Junyou and Hiyou's New 2ndCarDiv; the report on the Orel Sea battle submitted by destroyer Hibiki--in all these situations, she was only hit once, and only in the first battle. Even so, this..."

"Given Kaga's strength, it's surprising she was only hit that much."

"Indeed. In comparison, the one known during 'That War' as 'The Unlucky Ship..."

The Admiral raised a hand to stop Akagi. Without eye contact, he inquired:

"Then, it seems like that is this is the case. She--'Lucky Carrier' Zuikaku is has chosen to be like some of the other shipgirls."

The admiral's expression seemed dignified, and Akagi nodded with a similar expression.

"Perhaps she can use that luck to grasp the best possible future."
<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Kantai Collection - KanColle - Kakuyoku no Kizuna:Volume1 Chapter 1: The Sea God's Maiden|'''Chapter 1''']]
| Return to [[Kantai Collection - KanColle - Kakuyoku no Kizuna|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kantai Collection - KanColle - Kakuyoku no Kizuna:Volume1 Chapter 3: The Meaning of Luck (Part 1)|'''Chapter 3''']]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo

2015-06-24T05:07:06Z

YuudachiPoi: /* Editors */

{{Warning:TPA}}

[[Image:CtG v01 img001.jpg|240px|thumb]]

'''CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-''' (CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─) is a light novel series written by [[:Category:Gangudou|Gangudou]]. The illustrations are done by [[:Category:bun150|bun150]]. The series is currently ongoing, and published by Kadokawa Shoten under their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadokawa_Sneaker_Bunko Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko] label.

The CtG series is also available in the following languages:
*[[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo Tiếng Việt|Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)]]

==Story Synopsis==
In VRMMO -CtG- (Cradle to the Glaive), Kasugai Yuu has <married> Mifa, a girl he just met. After that, their daughter Haruha was born and grown!? Moreover...

<blockquote>"I've come, daddy!"</blockquote>

<blockquote>"K-Kugimiya!"</blockquote>

In the real world, the real Haruha, along with the real Mifa – Kugimiya Miharu - suddenly appeared! The truth is, Haruha is a <new human> created in secret!! Living under the same roof, Yuu and Miharu are stuck with caring for Haruha both in game and in life, the one who controls the fate of humanity!?

==Updates==

* June 23, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Epilogue completed'''
* June 21, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 3 completed'''
* May 12, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 2 completed'''
* April 01, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 1 completed'''
* February 04, 2015 - '''Page created & Volume 1, Prologue completed'''

== Translation ==

===[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|Registration]]===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

:*'''Translators are asked to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

Every Chapter (after editing) must confirm to '''[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Names_and_Terminology_Guidelines|Names and Terminology Guidelines]] & [[Format_guideline|The General Format/Style Guidelines]]'''.

'''If you want to discuss this series, do so in the thread on the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10856 Forum]'''

==CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo- series by Gangudou==

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v01_Cover.jpg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 1 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 1===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Prologue|'''Prologue''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|'''Chapter 1: Input''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output|'''Chapter 2: Output''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|'''Chapter 3: Interaction''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake|'''Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake''']]
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v02_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 2 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 2===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Prologue|'''Prologue''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil|'''Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 2: Santa Sangre|'''Chapter 2: Santa Sangre''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly|'''Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly''']]
*Epilogue
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v03_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 3 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 3===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume3 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*Prologue
*Chapter 1
*Chapter 2
*Chapter 3
*Epilogue
|}
 

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:
*Project Manager: [[User:Ninja Emon|Ninja Emon]]

===Translators===
:*[[User:Daniman1|Daniman1]]
:*[[User:Demina|Demina]]

===Editors===
:*[[User:Bowguyz|Bowguyz]]
:*[[User:Nighris|Nighris]]
:*[[User:Crossbeats|Crossbeats]]
:*[[User:Kilroy|Kilroy]]
:*[[User:YuudachiPoi|YuudachiPoi]] ([https://terminustranslations.wordpress.com blog])
:*[[User:RiseThyYongers|RiseThyYongers]]

==Series Overview==
*Volume 1 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 1 (September 30, 2014, ISBN 978-4041022009)
*Volume 2 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 2 (February 01, 2015, ISBN 978-4041022016)

[[Category:Hosted Projects]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Shoten]]
[[Category:Sneaker Bunko]]
[[Category:Gangudou]]
[[Category:bun150]]
[[Category:Pending Authorisation]]

CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo

2015-06-21T10:45:28Z

YuudachiPoi: /* Story Synopsis */

{{Teaser|English}}

[[Image:CtG v01 img001.jpg|240px|thumb]]

'''CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-''' (CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─) is a light novel series written by [[:Category:Gangudou|Gangudou]]. The illustrations are done by [[:Category:bun150|bun150]]. The series is currently ongoing, and published by Kadokawa Shoten under their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadokawa_Sneaker_Bunko Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko] label.

The CtG series is also available in the following languages:
*[[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo Tiếng Việt|Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)]]

==Story Synopsis==
In VRMMO -CtG- (Cradle to the Glaive), Kasugai Yuu has <married> Mifa, a girl he just met. After that, their daughter Haruha was born and grown!? Moreover...

<blockquote>"I've come, daddy!"</blockquote>

<blockquote>"K-Kugimiya!"</blockquote>

In the real world, the real Haruha, along with the real Mifa – Kugimiya Miharu - suddenly appeared! The truth is, Haruha is a <new human> created in secret!! Living under the same roof, Yuu and Miharu are stuck with caring for Haruha both in game and in life, the one who controls the fate of humanity!?

==Updates==

* June 21, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 3 completed'''
* May 12, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 2 completed'''
* April 01, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 1 completed'''
* February 04, 2015 - '''Page created & Volume 1, Prologue completed'''

== Translation ==

===[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|Registration]]===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

:*'''Translators are asked to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

Every Chapter (after editing) must confirm to '''[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Names_and_Terminology_Guidelines|Names and Terminology Guidelines]] & [[Format_guideline|The General Format/Style Guidelines]]'''.

'''If you want to discuss this series, do so in the thread on the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10856 Forum]'''

==CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo- series by Gangudou==

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v01_Cover.jpg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 1 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 1===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Prologue|'''Prologue''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|'''Chapter 1: Input''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output|'''Chapter 2: Output''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|'''Chapter 3: Interaction''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake|'''Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake''']]
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v02_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 2 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 2===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Prologue|'''Prologue''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil|'''Chapter 1: The boy who attracts Evil''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 2: Santa Sangre|'''Chapter 2: Santa Sangre''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly|'''Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly''']]
*Epilogue
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v03_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 3 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 3===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume3 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*Prologue
*Chapter 1
*Chapter 2
*Chapter 3
*Epilogue
|}
 

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:
*Project Manager: [[User:Ninja Emon|Ninja Emon]]

===Translators===
:*[[User:Daniman1|Daniman1]]
:*[[User:Demina|Demina]]

===Editors===
:*[[User:Bowguyz|Bowguyz]]
:*[[User:Nighris|Nighris]]
:*[[User:Crossbeats|Crossbeats]]
:*[[User:Kilroy|Kilroy]]
:*[[User:YuudachiPoi|YuudachiPoi]]
:*[[User:RiseThyYongers|RiseThyYongers]]

==Series Overview==
*Volume 1 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 1 (September 30, 2014, ISBN 978-4041022009)
*Volume 2 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 2 (February 01, 2015, ISBN 978-4041022016)

[[Category:Hosted Projects]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Shoten]]
[[Category:Sneaker Bunko]]
[[Category:Gangudou]]
[[Category:bun150]]

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction

2015-06-14T14:41:50Z

YuudachiPoi: Added title here to poi

==Chapter 3: Interaction==
The sudden separation Kugimiya Miharu had with her father happened close to her 10th birthday <ref> Somewhere between her 10-19th birthday.</ref> .

It was not a separation by death like that of Kasugai Yuu and his mother however. It was just a common case of divorce. Her mother had not told her the reason why though and. It was not a rare occurrence in Miharu’s household at the time. If it was something her parents didn’t want to tell her then that was that.

As a result, Miharu lost her father without knowing anything, and. like a “good kid” Miharu was at that time, she didn’t even have the courage to inquire about it.

After that she didn’t meet her father even once. Even though she thought she would meet him immediately after the divorce. Miharu was very fond of her mild father, more than her overly strict mother, that feeling of for her was certainly strong.

However, after hearing the truth from her cousin in a family gathering, that feelings of hers withered. Her cousin had whispered “Because Haru-chan will be sad hearing it” with sympathy.

──In reality the reason for the divorce was because her father had fallen in love with another woman and was unable to break his relationship with her.

It was because of that, Miharu was unable to trust any man no more.

To be exact, she had been already afraid of people in general, but her fear towards men was now more than that. It was because the man who used to treat Miharu so kindly had ended up loving another woman more than his own wife or daughter.

From what she had heard, her father and mother met during high school and married after dating for 1〇 years <ref>Again, did not specified.</ref>. She didn’t know whether it was true or not, but from what her father had secretly told her, that was only when her mother had told him that she wanted to marry her first love. So wonderful── thought Miharu, who knew nothing about romantic relationships at the time,. it was her luck and fortune to be born under the love of her parents.

Yet,… such a wonderful man like him ended up breaking his own family.

It was wrong.

Miharu thought. She was a person who wanted to always be with the person she loves. To fall in love with a person who will always stay by her side, was something everyone, like her, wished for.

It will just be painful if it’s not.

Since then, Miharu committed to her mother. Her cousin was wrong. It was her mother who was sad and that was why she would always listen to whatever her mother said. Thus, Miharu obediently went to an all-girls school. It was not like her mother thought that it would keep her away from men, but at least it was a place that would be completely unrelated to her father’s wrongdoing.

It was right after she passed the entrance exam, Miharu was shocked as she heard her mother said that she would be marrying a man she met at work. Miharu was in dismay, so great was her dismay that she found it strange herself. She couldn’t understand her mother. She knew that her mother broke up with her father. Her father was the bad one. But, why was it then that her mother tried to tie up with someone else after breaking up with her father? She kept asking herself but in the end, Miharu couldn't even understand her own mother.

In the end, Miharu was all alone. She was able to make some friends at school, but at home she was all alone, while her mother was with another person. It was not balanced and she was afraid. Miharu didn’t have the courage to go out, and instead she started playing 『CtG』 where she could interact with various kinds of people while inside the house.

Miharu, who became “Mifa” in the virtual world tried to be someone different from her original self. Someone who could express the emotions that she was unable to show in the real world. “It was just a game after all” she had told herself, and under that spell, “she” became bolder than she ever was. The girl who was timid in the real world found herself making a lot of acquaintances quickly. She felt comfortable to be able to be surrounded by a lot of people in this workd.

When she was helping the guild 【Labyrinth Troupe】, where a girl she knew belonged to, she first met Clamp. Her first impression of him was actually less than favorable. Even though he was the same age as her, he was quiet and barely said any words. It was as if he was mocking her. However it was more than just that, the way he silently reject people and created distance felt like Miharu herself.

But, if she befriended with such person, Miharu felt that she won’t be alone anymore. The moment when she spoke to Clamp with that feeling in her chest── finally, Mifa, Miharu, was no longer alone.

She had a treasure she shared with him-Haruha- and knowing that the person liked the same thing as her, she was able to believe that person even if he’s a man. They grew closer little by little. Calmly yet also impatiently. He was very skillful when playing game, but on the other hand, was very clumsy when dealing Haruha or her.

Clamp.

She had met the Clamp in real life and for all his pretentious like figure, he was actually dull looking. But, he was very kind, and more so he was sincere when facing Haruha and Miharu. The “hunch” she had since the day he gave the name Haruha to that girl in 『CtG』pretty much hit the mark.

Kasugai Yuu.

I’m not like my mother. I won’t be sad. She thought.

But, he, already──

　　　　◇

An hour had passed since Clamp went off and Mifa, who complained about Yuu to Payakino, received a request to log-out from Hajime through Haruha.

Miharu and Haruha, who didn’t know why they were called back into the real world couldn’t believe the scene they immediately saw after removing their Ramiel.

It was the scene of Hajime piercing Yuu, who was lying on the floor, with a large pistol-shaped syringe on his chest.

“Eh……what did you do Haru──”

“Quiet. I can’t concentrate”

Hajime’s expression was unrecognizably serious. The greasy sweat on her forehead was shining like red scales under the sunset.

After she carefully finishes the injection, she pulled out the syringe with terrifying precision and appropriately threw it away. Then, she took out a pad-shaped electrode from her bag and pressed it against Yuu’s chest.

“Errm…… what……?”

“It stopped.”

Hajime answered frankly as she began to operate what appears to be the controller of the electrode.

*Zap!* It made a twitching sound and Yuu’s body faintly bounced. It was like seeing a filature doll. But even after being shocked by the electricity, Yuu’s thin eyes remained closed and did not react at all.

Before she realized it, Miharu’s legs began shaking.

“Eh? Kasugai-kun? Eh? Why?”

Just a little while ago he was reprimanded about the case with Kodzuchi-something inside the game. Miharu’s anger was real but frankly saying, it was just as simple as that. Even so── even so, why did it become like this?

Within these past two months, the face that looked like Clamp’s which she met in『CtG』 every day.... that sleeping face that made her heart beat just this morning... is different. *This face is completely different. This is…… this is like---

“He got killed inside *『CtG』”

In contrast to Miharu who was in the pinnacle of a hypnotic state, Hajime’s voice was very businesslike. Miharu couldn’t understand the meaning of that answer, but that voice convinced her that it’s “the truth”.

“I’m sorry……. I didn’t expect that not just Haruha but also Yuu-kun to be targeted”

Miharu nearly shouts.

(WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!?)

──is what she wanted to say, but she desperately held it in. No. There’s something more important to say.

“Just hurry up and save him!”

“That’s what I’m doing.”

Hajime’s voice remained calm. She sounded reliable but at the same time, it made Miharu want to let her outburst explode and slap her. She was in verge of panicking.

It was all too sudden. A Ramiel should’ve met safety standards and would not emit any strong signals, as a matter of fact, over a year had passed since 『CtG』 start running and there has been no health issue reported other than light dizziness. At least that was the case when Miharu checked it on the net before she started playing.

Yet, Yuu is dying in front of her eyes. All of the sudden her new everyday life that had just begun is leading towards its end.

Again…… again, she will be separated from someone without knowing anything. And this time, it’s in a place where she can’t go even if she wanted to. What came into her mind was a simple rejection.

No.

No no no!

It had only been a while since we first met but.

In the beginning we met as Mifa and Clamp, instantly got married, started raising a child as if playing house, we pushed our love onto Haruha as if she was our child, also he said that he loves my song.. when I first met him here, he was unreliable but also very kind…… and seeing him die while we’re still fighting is just unbearable.

First of all, Miharu still had a lot of things to say to Yuu. Wasn’t it Yuu who said “Just say all that you want to say”. It will be troublesome if he died now.

“Kasugai-kun, you don’t know right…… you don’t know why I was angry right!?”

The words which she couldn’t say while being Mifa, they fell like flakes of snow. They fell along with her tears.

“When we were giving a name to Haruha, I was really surprised when Clamp said 『Haruha』. I was shocked thinking that you might know my name── Miharu. But soon I realized that it was just a coincidence…… but, then, I started to think that coincidences might be 『Fate』.
We met in 『CtG』 and held a strange marriage, then give birth to our very own child…… all of those special things were fated, then the person inside Clamp might be my destined… that”

But after saying all that, she got mad all of the sudden.

“And then…… why? In the end, YOU JUST GIVE HER THE NAME YOU GOT FROM THE GIRL YOU LIKE! WHERE IS MY FATE!? COME ON AND SAY SOMETHING!”

Hajime activated the device once again. Yuu’s body began coughing violently like a caught fish.

As if gushing out all of her feelings, Miharu called Yuu.

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output|Chapter 2]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake|Epilogue]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-06-14T14:38:10Z

YuudachiPoi: Just added title poi

==Chapter 2: Output==
A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00014.jpeg|thumbnail|These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.]]

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

'''*SLAM!*'''

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just a change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it was beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, of a visor that covers the upper half of the user's face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts, it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it was finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulders were drenched from their sweat.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting was now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of the virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”

“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”

“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of night-light.<ref>In case of confusion, it refer to the dim light from a lamp.</ref>

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he has used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were silently conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in another way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distance between them, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they move.

As it was early summer, they’re using a towel blanket instead of a Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing a bed”. But, besides Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school students of the opposite sex to be in.

Even though they carefully made sure not to see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were the same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and the others left, Yuu was planning to sleep in the living room after taking a bath. As the only usable bed in the Kasugai household at the time was just the one in Yuu’s room. There is also one in his mother’s room, but it’s in the same state before her death ── which was buried under tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spent the whole day cleaning it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order a bed or a futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as a storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep in Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best to delicately do the bedding for them.

On the other hand, Miharu was regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such a subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was none other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajamas she received from Hajime, and now she was rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was unduly cat-like.

Haruha who was puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listened to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha wants to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tried to answer<ref>The original line　"あわてて履行不能の因果を含めようとする二人だったが," roughly means that the two were trying to explain that they aren't a couple. In which case, for Haruha, that can't be the case since in her understanding the two are married and gave birth to her. 履行不能の因果 basically mean "an established fact that impossible to happen" which referring to their circumstances (Yuu and Miharu aren't a couple, but give birth to Haruha). I can't find a way to translate this line properly, so I omitted part of it. - daniman1</ref>, but their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s face, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that a normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But…… 『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?

Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also an anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as a normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understood that, there was no option to refuse.

Thus, on the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right besides Haruha who was letting out a proper sleeping voice, but he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired, he still hasn’t reached the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he could do anything about it, because his heart beats fast as he felt their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why a tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of running away, thus she doesn’t own any bulkier pajamas but…… seeing how low her guard is sure is worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envious. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and clung onto him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whether she’s awake or not, maybe she’s having a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she buried her face tightly into Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there was a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, was once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a difference now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if getting tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt getting wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickleed her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiling warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such a thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composure for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowning Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was at a loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he was able to see her hesitatingly rubbing her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being a Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have a bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of a person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who is just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad at facing boys.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably as to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant between them, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ houses. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother started to manage my life. I entered an all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit the chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time in『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with an all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do an all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is a corresponding line in my friend's house, and even if there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such a strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacted with Haruha.

And because of that, Miharu is grieving over her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who have been taking care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of a useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it is just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything about whether her mother knows that she’s here or not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He was relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems that they have talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly closed her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely, his consciousness sank smoothly into slumber. Was he finally used to this situation? Did his body use up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest? Or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness was slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in the morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A while after waking up, her memories before sleeping were jumbled together and she forgets what she did. Today is exactly like that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in a fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In the past few days, she has been living in her close friends’ houses, so she wasn't surprised when waking up in an unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house was I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just a few stuff in the room, but most of it was placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic models lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Besides the bed Miharu is sitting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest, most beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy was wearing a T-shirt and knee-lenght half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to a woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daughter” Haruha came out from the game and they started to live together in “the daughter’s father's” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them slept together…… She recalled that she had an embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly remember what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off on a Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she ever touched a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed over things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly placed her hand on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to use more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it was always through a thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to think of it again, his physique is not that block-like but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls the drawing lesson she had during art class in junior high where she was told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the calm and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who woke up while letting out a tired voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, however you look at it, this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu stroking his head while looking at his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is an entirely different case.

Miharu panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gathered all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all the commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and opened her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorable moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like she was about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they started the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I tried to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu was preparing a simple breakfast, Miharu was dressing up Haruha on the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became, it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this was a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair straightened, Haruha was happily humming the Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly spoke.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after that incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with a boy is just too much for me)

Sorry Haruha, but from today onwards, she will convince her to sleep with only just the two of them.

But right before she started her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact, it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu was the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grabbed Haruha”

Haruha placed her small fist on her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laughed. After that, she loosened her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she was able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot on the bed, in the room there was Haruha who was in a great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who lost her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

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After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of the Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

it could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu passed through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that certainly looks like it” said Yuu while staggering over a good tackle by Haruha, who had changed into cute children's clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments on Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out in the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuff. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by the Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and she is counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be easier if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit that much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how bad it would be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hands with Miharu, the three of them passed through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of a typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they would have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving groceries for last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they should have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make a order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re saying we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should buy a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused over various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting as a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost consciousness in a room in the Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems that her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today's news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incidents also have been occurring at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country has reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he took his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through it’s window<ref>The window here probably refers to the clear plastic you see on one side of toy boxes</ref> Yuu saw the doll inside, and inside of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale!? Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely for him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems to be a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employees there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it's just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip a weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu's and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPGs, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly examine it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who is literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned to the topic at hand.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how pushy Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem of a item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer her question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu who is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has a distinct appearance of a dopey person or of someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passing the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was thecomplete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what a playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and carried their shopping. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unhappy. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) no longer takes off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fall.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly became both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to bring them there with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu was shopping with his uncle whom she was acquainted with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was pushing the cart and right beside him was that girl, who was talking about a shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

'''*Crack*'''… As her body was about to fall, along with the floating mark inside her heart started to rotate, her friend swiftly took hold of her. As expected of the table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that is able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panicked sound which was very unsightly. He was like an adulter that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made something deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people with him.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers on her face, as she started making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances as if in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that, even though he went as far saying he won’t butt into anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off in an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out a grunt right from his stomach, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while smiling awkwardly:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying at Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to regain her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems that she lost her consciousness while standing. Her friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Where are Yuu and the others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said "I’ll explain this later! Though…… wonder what was that about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they really might be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in in, to make him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room<ref> Apparently it's another name for toilet</ref> while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting next to her pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly started living together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was was Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she can remember. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend was made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but at the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy showed up, appearing to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken,she was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said it's name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

At the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

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”Well, I’m sorry for having you to come back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving at the Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing relaxing light clothes while sitting cross-legged, appearing to be typing something on the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be good timing. The setup will be over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy sorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has a special body, a special device is required.
We will perform tests from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and at the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are sorting out each of the things they bought. Yuu is sorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu was sorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite a nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognized it as a fight.

“Well, this is surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opened his mouth.

“If you have something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

A few minutes after their encounter with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in the Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intends to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might also be about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whether to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it into action.

That said, even if he went out of his way to ask, it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stayed silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I am finished sorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remained standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faced him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have a fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroked Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

<center><big><big>◇</big></big></center>

──That’s right, it’s not even worth calling it a fight.

“I think”

Several tens of minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it's just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well, as if venting all the anger Miharu had been building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all that you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyways, you still brought up the name from another girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who was gradually sitting lower and lower on the floor, but the distance between them prevents her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If you went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track of Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clear. And moving becomes so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the difference of the outside world is just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air every few days it will feels like your breathing is being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she was told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet with her daddy and mommy.

As she thought about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with a tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leaning on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems that Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will be bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and she opened her mouth, but suddenly she became afraid. Her throat stiffened and she fell silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will expire soon so I’ll have to go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone for a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in a conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flow down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down on his knees in a hurry and held Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed like he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this a secret from your mother”

<center><big><big>◇</big></big></center>

A while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at the Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of a deserted town, is a place with no characteristics other than being the capture point of a nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest in that humble place. The mirror was placed at the spot where a cross or an object of worship would usually be in a real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he had finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of things to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why did I end up being one?)

Just remembering what he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having a quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worried. Realizing how thin their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than anyone, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upset her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re adults as well.

The definition of adult and child is connected, for example when there are person at the age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly like a “child and child elevator”.

But he acts firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back in the real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that yet)

“……And I didn’t think Kugimiya-san would be so angry”

He sighed maddeningly. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still had something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』at first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child developed a personality and arrived in the real world. If only they knew that in advance ,they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning in talking about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu, that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in the game world and the second in Kanji is referring to Haruha in the real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly criticized it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess a special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in the real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is the complete opposite in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distance with the grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there is undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even after considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly takes form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with a familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dug through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. That scene of the day which Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add on, her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it become restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is a high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and a sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial features are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distance towards reality is just like her. If Haruha was a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers makes you believe that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smiled and sat down on the seat right next to Clamp's. And then, she once again introduced herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia<ref>I guess it's a reference to this -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copp%C3%A9lia</ref>. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduced himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must have changed her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thoughts pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have, time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for a change of pace.

Memento then touched her lips with her finger and started the story.

“Does Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he had heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who was angry that humans discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then opened the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived came to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” that was left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answered what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always thought about this.
There is 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there was only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happened when the box was opened won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment humans who obtained the wisdom to use fire, the god blessed another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity at that time didn't know what hope is and spent each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opened the box and the people came to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope is will just think of it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that came from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exists inside a human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was a pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you are supposed to understand a lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world is to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile things” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of humans resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by the unique insight that girl had. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to the human’s hatred. The world that was nothing, became the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain a better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lowered her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolored air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smiled seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed at herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

'''*Woosh*'''

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife getting stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t even let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats was penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned to the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. An unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still the form of a game, all sensations of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage took place, the pain will be converted to a slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly harder to move as a handicap…… or it was supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his neck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared at Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s feeling, but it seems that the girl was misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she gave afterwards further confuses Clamp.

“Why is Meme doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to be reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that was born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about it before. Within his consciousness that was dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continued, but at that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness was already drowned into the turbid water. The heat from his wounds turned cold form the air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tides of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark was scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked out a substance that was stuck to the back of his throat ── it was something very cold ── and he violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with a glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhed inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head was dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intend to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body was saved by that voice. It slowly returned. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of the living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her merry self, even though the air-conditioning is on, she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is, was some syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression was hidden by her hair. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? H couldn’t help but be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of him, Miharu was still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wiped her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then she shows a smile.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like it is about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next words coming from the girl’s beautiful smile were hardly pleasant.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:YuudachiPoi

2015-06-10T13:06:25Z

YuudachiPoi:

こんにちは。白露型駆逐艦、夕立よ！よろしくね！
Konchiwa poi~
Shiratsuyu class destroyer Yuudachi des~

Like to sink abyssals into the abyss of the ocean poi

Why is iron bottom sound so scarrryyy poi~?

Also like to edit, not good at translating poi~?

== Current Projects==
'''
Editing CTG currently poi~
Might Do random editing here and there poi~??

CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo

2015-06-10T08:06:08Z

YuudachiPoi: /* Editors */

{{Teaser|English}}

[[Image:CtG v01 img001.jpg|240px|thumb]]

'''CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-''' (CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─) is a light novel series written by [[:Category:Gangudou|Gangudou]]. The illustrations are done by [[:Category:bun150|bun150]]. The series is currently ongoing, and published by Kadokawa Shoten under their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadokawa_Sneaker_Bunko Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko] label.

The CtG series is also available in the following languages:
*[[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo Tiếng Việt|Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)]]

==Story Synopsis==
In VRMMO -CtG- (Cradle to the Glaive), Kasugai Yuu has <married> Mifa, a girl he has just met. After that, their daughter Haruha is born and grown!? Moreover...

<blockquote>"I've come, daddy!"</blockquote>

<blockquote>"K-Kugimiya!"</blockquote>

In the real world, the real Haruha, along with the real Mifa – Kugimiya Miharu - suddenly appeared! The truth is, Haruha is a <new human> created in secret!! Living under the same roof, Yuu and Miharu are stuck with caring for Haruha both in game and in life, the one who controls the fate of humanity!?

==Updates==

* May 12, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 2 completed'''
* April 01, 2015 - '''Volume 1, Chapter 1 completed'''
* February 04, 2015 - '''Page created & Volume 1, Prologue completed'''

== Translation ==

===[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|Registration]]===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

:*'''Translators are asked to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Registration_Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

Every Chapter (after editing) must confirm to '''[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Names_and_Terminology_Guidelines|Names and Terminology Guidelines]] & [[Format_guideline|The General Format/Style Guidelines]]'''.

'''If you want to discuss this series, do so in the thread on the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10856 Forum]'''

==CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo- series by Gangudou==

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v01_Cover.jpg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 1 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 1===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Prologue|'''Prologue''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|'''Chapter 1: Input''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output|'''Chapter 2: Output''']]
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|'''Chapter 3: Interaction''']] (6/50)
*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake|'''Epilogue: I'll play till the end for your sake''']]
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v02_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 2 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 2===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume2 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*Prologue
*Chapter 1: The boy who attract Evil
*Chapter 2: Santa Sangre
*Chapter 3: Scanner Friendly
*Epilogue
|}
 

{| class="wikitable" width="70%"
|-
| valign="top" width="20%" | [[Image:CtG_v03_Cover.jpeg|230px|left|frameless|text-top|Volume 3 Cover]]
| valign="top" width="80%" |
===Volume 3===

*[[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume3 Illustrations|'''Novel Illustrations''']]
*Prologue
*Chapter 1
*Chapter 2
*Chapter 3
*Epilogue
|}
 

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:
*Project Manager: [[User:Ninja Emon|Ninja Emon]]

===Translators===
:*[[User:Daniman1|Daniman1]]
:*[[User:Demina|Demina]]

===Editors===
:*[[User:Bowguyz|Bowguyz]]
:*[[User:Nighris|Nighris]]
:*[[User:Crossbeats|Crossbeats]]
:*[[User:Kilroy|Kilroy]]
:*[[User:YuudachiPoi|YuudachiPoi]]

==Series Overview==
*Volume 1 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 1 (September 30, 2014, ISBN 978-4041022009)
*Volume 2 - CtG ─ゼロから育てる電脳少女─ 2 (February 01, 2015, ISBN 978-4041022016)

[[Category:Hosted Projects]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Shoten]]
[[Category:Sneaker Bunko]]
[[Category:Gangudou]]
[[Category:bun150]]

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-06-07T06:53:32Z

YuudachiPoi:

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00014.jpeg|thumbnail|These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.]]

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

'''*SLAM!*'''

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just a change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it was beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, of a visor that covers the upper half of the user's face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts, it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it was finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulders were drenched from their sweat.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting was now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of the virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”

“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”

“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of night-light.<ref>In case of confusion, it refer to the dim light from a lamp.</ref>

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he has used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were silently conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in another way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distance between them, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they move.

As it was early summer, they’re using a towel blanket instead of a Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing a bed”. But, besides Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school students of the opposite sex to be in.

Even though they carefully made sure not to see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were the same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and the others left, Yuu was planning to sleep in the living room after taking a bath. As the only usable bed in the Kasugai household at the time was just the one in Yuu’s room. There is also one in his mother’s room, but it’s in the same state before her death ── which was buried under tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spent the whole day cleaning it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order a bed or a futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as a storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep in Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best to delicately do the bedding for them.

On the other hand, Miharu was regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such a subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was none other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajamas she received from Hajime, and now she was rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was unduly cat-like.

Haruha who was puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listened to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha wants to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tried to answer<ref>The original line　"あわてて履行不能の因果を含めようとする二人だったが," roughly means that the two were trying to explain that they aren't a couple. In which case, for Haruha, that can't be the case since in her understanding the two are married and gave birth to her. 履行不能の因果 basically mean "an established fact that impossible to happen" which referring to their circumstances (Yuu and Miharu aren't a couple, but give birth to Haruha). I can't find a way to translate this line properly, so I omitted part of it. - daniman1</ref>, but their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s face, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that a normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But…… 『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?

Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also an anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as a normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understood that, there was no option to refuse.

Thus, on the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right besides Haruha who was letting out a proper sleeping voice, but he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired, he still hasn’t reached the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he could do anything about it, because his heart beats fast as he felt their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why a tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of running away, thus she doesn’t own any bulkier pajamas but…… seeing how low her guard is sure is worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envious. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and clung onto him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whether she’s awake or not, maybe she’s having a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she buried her face tightly into Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there was a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, was once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a difference now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if getting tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt getting wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickleed her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiling warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such a thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composure for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowning Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was at a loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he was able to see her hesitatingly rubbing her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being a Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have a bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of a person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who is just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad at facing boys.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably as to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant between them, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ houses. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother started to manage my life. I entered an all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit the chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time in『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with an all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do an all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is a corresponding line in my friend's house, and even if there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such a strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacted with Haruha.

And because of that, Miharu is grieving over her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who have been taking care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of a useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it is just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything about whether her mother knows that she’s here or not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He was relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems that they have talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly closed her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely, his consciousness sank smoothly into slumber. Was he finally used to this situation? Did his body use up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest? Or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness was slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in the morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A while after waking up, her memories before sleeping were jumbled together and she forgets what she did. Today is exactly like that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in a fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In the past few days, she has been living in her close friends’ houses, so she wasn't surprised when waking up in an unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house was I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just a few stuff in the room, but most of it was placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic models lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Besides the bed Miharu is sitting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest, most beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy was wearing a T-shirt and knee-lenght half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to a woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daughter” Haruha came out from the game and they started to live together in “the daughter’s father's” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them slept together…… She recalled that she had an embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly remember what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off on a Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she ever touched a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed over things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly placed her hand on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to use more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it was always through a thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to think of it again, his physique is not that block-like but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls the drawing lesson she had during art class in junior high where she was told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the calm and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who woke up while letting out a tired voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, however you look at it, this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu stroking his head while looking at his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is an entirely different case.

Miharu panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gathered all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all the commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and opened her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorable moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like she was about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they started the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I tried to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu was preparing a simple breakfast, Miharu was dressing up Haruha on the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became, it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this was a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair straightened, Haruha was happily humming the Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly spoke.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after that incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with a boy is just too much for me)

Sorry Haruha, but from today onwards, she will convince her to sleep with only just the two of them.

But right before she started her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact, it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu was the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grabbed Haruha”

Haruha placed her small fist on her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laughed. After that, she loosened her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she was able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot on the bed, in the room there was Haruha who was in a great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who lost her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of the Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

it could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu passed through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that certainly looks like it” said Yuu while staggering over a good tackle by Haruha, who had changed into cute children's clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments on Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out in the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuff. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by the Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and she is counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be easier if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit that much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how bad it would be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hands with Miharu, the three of them passed through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of a typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they would have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving groceries for last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they should have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make a order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re saying we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should buy a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused over various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting as a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost consciousness in a room in the Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems that her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today's news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incidents also have been occurring at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country has reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he took his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through it’s window<ref>The window here probably refers to the clear plastic you see on one side of toy boxes</ref> Yuu saw the doll inside, and inside of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale!? Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely for him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems to be a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employees there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it's just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip a weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu's and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPGs, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly examine it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who is literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned to the topic at hand.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how pushy Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem of a item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer her question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu who is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has a distinct appearance of a dopey person or of someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passing the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was thecomplete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what a playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and carried their shopping. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unhappy. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) no longer takes off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fall.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly became both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to bring them there with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu was shopping with his uncle whom she was acquainted with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was pushing the cart and right beside him was that girl, who was talking about a shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

'''*Crack*'''… As her body was about to fall, along with the floating mark inside her heart started to rotate, her friend swiftly took hold of her. As expected of the table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that is able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panicked sound which was very unsightly. He was like an adulter that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made something deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people with him.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers on her face, as she started making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances as if in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that, even though he went as far saying he won’t butt into anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off in an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out a grunt right from his stomach, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while smiling awkwardly:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying at Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to regain her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems that she lost her consciousness while standing. Her friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Where are Yuu and the others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said "I’ll explain this later! Though…… wonder what was that about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they really might be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in in, to make him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room<ref> Apparently it's another name for toilet</ref> while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting next to her pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly started living together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was was Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she can remember. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend was made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but at the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy showed up, appearing to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken,she was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said it's name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

At the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to come back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving at the Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing relaxing light clothes while sitting cross-legged, appearing to be typing something on the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be good timing. The setup will be over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy sorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has a special body, a special device is required.
We will perform tests from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and at the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are sorting out each of the things they bought. Yuu is sorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu was sorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite a nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognized it as a fight.

“Well, this is surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opened his mouth.

“If you have something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

A few minutes after their encounter with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in the Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intends to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might also be about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whether to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it into action.

That said, even if he went out of his way to ask, it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stayed silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I am finished sorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remained standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faced him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have a fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroked Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

<center><big><big>◇</big></big></center>

──That’s right, it’s not even worth calling it a fight.

“I think”

Several tens of minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it's just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well, as if venting all the anger Miharu had been building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all that you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyways, you still brought up the name from another girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who was gradually sitting lower and lower on the floor, but the distance between them prevents her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If you went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track of Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clear. And moving becomes so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the difference of the outside world is just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air every few days it will feels like your breathing is being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she was told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet with her daddy and mommy.

As she thought about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with a tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leaning on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems that Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will be bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and she opened her mouth, but suddenly she became afraid. Her throat stiffened and she fell silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will expire soon so I’ll have to go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone for a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in a conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flow down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down on his knees in a hurry and held Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed like he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this a secret from your mother”

<center><big><big>◇</big></big></center>

A while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at the Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of a deserted town, is a place with no characteristics other than being the capture point of a nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest in that humble place. The mirror was placed at the spot where a cross or an object of worship would usually be in a real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he had finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of things to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why did I end up being one?)

Just remembering what he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having a quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worried. Realizing how thin their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than anyone, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upset her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re adults as well.

The definition of adult and child is connected, for example when there are person at the age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly like a “child and child elevator”.

But he acts firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back in the real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that yet)

“……And I didn’t think Kugimiya-san would be so angry”

He sighed maddeningly. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still had something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』at first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child developed a personality and arrived in the real world. If only they knew that in advance ,they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning in talking about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu, that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in the game world and the second in Kanji is referring to Haruha in the real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly criticized it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess a special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in the real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is the complete opposite in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distance with the grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there is undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even after considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly takes form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with a familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dug through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. That scene of the day which Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add on, her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it become restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is a high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and a sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial features are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distance towards reality is just like her. If Haruha was a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers makes you believe that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smiled and sat down on the seat right next to Clamp's. And then, she once again introduced herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia<ref>I guess it's a reference to this -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copp%C3%A9lia</ref>. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduced himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must have changed her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thoughts pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have, time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for a change of pace.

Memento then touched her lips with her finger and started the story.

“Does Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he had heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who was angry that humans discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then opened the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived came to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” that was left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answered what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always thought about this.
There is 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there was only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happened when the box was opened won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment humans who obtained the wisdom to use fire, the god blessed another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity at that time didn't know what hope is and spent each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opened the box and the people came to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope is will just think of it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that came from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exists inside a human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was a pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you are supposed to understand a lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world is to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile things” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of humans resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by the unique insight that girl had. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to the human’s hatred. The world that was nothing, became the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain a better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lowered her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolored air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smiled seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed at herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

'''*Woosh*'''

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife getting stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t even let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats was penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned to the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. An unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still the form of a game, all sensations of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage took place, the pain will be converted to a slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly harder to move as a handicap…… or it was supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his neck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared at Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s feeling, but it seems that the girl was misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she gave afterwards further confuses Clamp.

“Why is Meme doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to be reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that was born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about it before. Within his consciousness that was dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continued, but at that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness was already drowned into the turbid water. The heat from his wounds turned cold form the air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tides of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark was scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked out a substance that was stuck to the back of his throat ── it was something very cold ── and he violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with a glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhed inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head was dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intend to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body was saved by that voice. It slowly returned. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of the living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her merry self, even though the air-conditioning is on, she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is, was some syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression was hidden by her hair. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? H couldn’t help but be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of him, Miharu was still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wiped her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then she shows a smile.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like it is about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next words coming from the girl’s beautiful smile were hardly pleasant.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-06-07T06:51:42Z

YuudachiPoi: Welp I am done with this chapter Poi?. Might want to have someone else check it poi? will start editing the next chapter by next week poi?

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

-----------------------------

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00014.jpeg|thumbnail|These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.]]

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

'''*SLAM!*'''

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just a change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it was beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, of a visor that covers the upper half of the user's face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts, it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it was finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulders were drenched from their sweat.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting was now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of the virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”

“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”

“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of night-light.<ref>In case of confusion, it refer to the dim light from a lamp.</ref>

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he has used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were silently conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in another way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distance between them, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they move.

As it was early summer, they’re using a towel blanket instead of a Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing a bed”. But, besides Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school students of the opposite sex to be in.

Even though they carefully made sure not to see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were the same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and the others left, Yuu was planning to sleep in the living room after taking a bath. As the only usable bed in the Kasugai household at the time was just the one in Yuu’s room. There is also one in his mother’s room, but it’s in the same state before her death ── which was buried under tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spent the whole day cleaning it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order a bed or a futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as a storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep in Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best to delicately do the bedding for them.

On the other hand, Miharu was regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such a subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was none other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajamas she received from Hajime, and now she was rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was unduly cat-like.

Haruha who was puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listened to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha wants to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tried to answer<ref>The original line　"あわてて履行不能の因果を含めようとする二人だったが," roughly means that the two were trying to explain that they aren't a couple. In which case, for Haruha, that can't be the case since in her understanding the two are married and gave birth to her. 履行不能の因果 basically mean "an established fact that impossible to happen" which referring to their circumstances (Yuu and Miharu aren't a couple, but give birth to Haruha). I can't find a way to translate this line properly, so I omitted part of it. - daniman1</ref>, but their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s face, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that a normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But…… 『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?

Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also an anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as a normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understood that, there was no option to refuse.

Thus, on the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right besides Haruha who was letting out a proper sleeping voice, but he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired, he still hasn’t reached the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he could do anything about it, because his heart beats fast as he felt their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why a tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of running away, thus she doesn’t own any bulkier pajamas but…… seeing how low her guard is sure is worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envious. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and clung onto him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whether she’s awake or not, maybe she’s having a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she buried her face tightly into Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there was a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, was once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a difference now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if getting tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt getting wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickleed her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiling warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such a thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composure for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowning Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was at a loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he was able to see her hesitatingly rubbing her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being a Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have a bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of a person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who is just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad at facing boys.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably as to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant between them, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ houses. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother started to manage my life. I entered an all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit the chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time in『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with an all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do an all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is a corresponding line in my friend's house, and even if there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such a strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacted with Haruha.

And because of that, Miharu is grieving over her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who have been taking care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of a useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it is just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything about whether her mother knows that she’s here or not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He was relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems that they have talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly closed her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely, his consciousness sank smoothly into slumber. Was he finally used to this situation? Did his body use up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest? Or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness was slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in the morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A while after waking up, her memories before sleeping were jumbled together and she forgets what she did. Today is exactly like that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in a fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In the past few days, she has been living in her close friends’ houses, so she wasn't surprised when waking up in an unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house was I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just a few stuff in the room, but most of it was placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic models lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Besides the bed Miharu is sitting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest, most beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy was wearing a T-shirt and knee-lenght half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to a woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daughter” Haruha came out from the game and they started to live together in “the daughter’s father's” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them slept together…… She recalled that she had an embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly remember what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off on a Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she ever touched a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed over things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly placed her hand on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to use more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it was always through a thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to think of it again, his physique is not that block-like but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls the drawing lesson she had during art class in junior high where she was told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the calm and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who woke up while letting out a tired voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, however you look at it, this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu stroking his head while looking at his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is an entirely different case.

Miharu panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gathered all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all the commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and opened her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorable moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like she was about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they started the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I tried to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu was preparing a simple breakfast, Miharu was dressing up Haruha on the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became, it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this was a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair straightened, Haruha was happily humming the Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly spoke.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after that incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with a boy is just too much for me)

Sorry Haruha, but from today onwards, she will convince her to sleep with only just the two of them.

But right before she started her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact, it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu was the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grabbed Haruha”

Haruha placed her small fist on her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laughed. After that, she loosened her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she was able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot on the bed, in the room there was Haruha who was in a great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who lost her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of the Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

it could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu passed through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that certainly looks like it” said Yuu while staggering over a good tackle by Haruha, who had changed into cute children's clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments on Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out in the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuff. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by the Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and she is counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be easier if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit that much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how bad it would be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hands with Miharu, the three of them passed through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of a typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they would have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving groceries for last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they should have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make a order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re saying we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should buy a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused over various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting as a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost consciousness in a room in the Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems that her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today's news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incidents also have been occurring at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country has reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he took his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through it’s window<ref>The window here probably refers to the clear plastic you see on one side of toy boxes</ref> Yuu saw the doll inside, and inside of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale!? Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely for him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems to be a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employees there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it's just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip a weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu's and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPGs, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly examine it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who is literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned to the topic at hand.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how pushy Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem of a item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer her question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu who is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has a distinct appearance of a dopey person or of someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passing the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was thecomplete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what a playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and carried their shopping. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unhappy. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) no longer takes off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fall.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly became both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to bring them there with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu was shopping with his uncle whom she was acquainted with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was pushing the cart and right beside him was that girl, who was talking about a shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

'''*Crack*'''… As her body was about to fall, along with the floating mark inside her heart started to rotate, her friend swiftly took hold of her. As expected of the table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that is able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panicked sound which was very unsightly. He was like an adulter that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made something deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people with him.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers on her face, as she started making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances as if in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that, even though he went as far saying he won’t butt into anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off in an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out a grunt right from his stomach, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while smiling awkwardly:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying at Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to regain her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems that she lost her consciousness while standing. Her friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Where are Yuu and the others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said "I’ll explain this later! Though…… wonder what was that about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they really might be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in in, to make him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room<ref> Apparently it's another name for toilet</ref> while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting next to her pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly started living together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was was Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she can remember. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend was made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but at the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy showed up, appearing to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken,she was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said it's name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

At the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

<center><big><big>◆</big></big></center>

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to come back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving at the Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing relaxing light clothes while sitting cross-legged, appearing to be typing something on the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be good timing. The setup will be over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy sorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has a special body, a special device is required.
We will perform tests from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and at the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are sorting out each of the things they bought. Yuu is sorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu was sorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite a nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognized it as a fight.

“Well, this is surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opened his mouth.

“If you have something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

A few minutes after their encounter with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in the Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intends to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might also be about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whether to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it into action.

That said, even if he went out of his way to ask, it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stayed silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I am finished sorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remained standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faced him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have a fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroked Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

<center><big><big>◇</big></big></center>

──That’s right, it’s not even worth calling it a fight.

“I think”

Several tens of minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it's just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well, as if venting all the anger Miharu had been building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all that you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyways, you still brought up the name from another girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who was gradually sitting lower and lower on the floor, but the distance between them prevents her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If you went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track of Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clear. And moving becomes so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the difference of the outside world is just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air every few days it will feels like your breathing is being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she was told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet with her daddy and mommy.

As she thought about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with a tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leaning on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems that Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will be bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and she opened her mouth, but suddenly she became afraid. Her throat stiffened and she fell silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will expire soon so I’ll have to go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone for a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in a conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flow down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down on his knees in a hurry and held Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed like he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this a secret from your mother”

<center><big><big>◇</big></big></center>

A while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at the Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of a deserted town, is a place with no characteristics other than being the capture point of a nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest in that humble place. The mirror was placed at the spot where a cross or an object of worship would usually be in a real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he had finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of things to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why did I end up being one?)

Just remembering what he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having a quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worried. Realizing how thin their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than anyone, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upset her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re adults as well.

The definition of adult and child is connected, for example when there are person at the age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly like a “child and child elevator”.

But he acts firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back in the real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that yet)

“……And I didn’t think Kugimiya-san would be so angry”

He sighed maddeningly. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still had something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』at first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child developed a personality and arrived in the real world. If only they knew that in advance ,they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning in talking about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu, that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in the game world and the second in Kanji is referring to Haruha in the real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly criticized it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess a special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in the real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is the complete opposite in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distance with the grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there is undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even after considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly takes form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with a familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dug through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. That scene of the day which Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add on, her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it become restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is a high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and a sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial features are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distance towards reality is just like her. If Haruha was a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers makes you believe that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smiled and sat down on the seat right next to Clamp's. And then, she once again introduced herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia<ref>I guess it's a reference to this -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copp%C3%A9lia</ref>. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduced himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must have changed her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thoughts pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have, time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for a change of pace.

Memento then touched her lips with her finger and started the story.

“Does Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he had heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who was angry that humans discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then opened the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived came to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” that was left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answered what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always thought about this.
There is 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there was only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happened when the box was opened won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment humans who obtained the wisdom to use fire, the god blessed another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity at that time didn't know what hope is and spent each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opened the box and the people came to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope is will just think of it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that came from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exists inside a human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was a pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you are supposed to understand a lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world is to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile things” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of humans resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by the unique insight that girl had. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to the human’s hatred. The world that was nothing, became the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain a better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lowered her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolored air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smiled seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed at herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

'''*Woosh*'''

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife getting stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t even let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats was penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned to the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. An unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still the form of a game, all sensations of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage took place, the pain will be converted to a slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly harder to move as a handicap…… or it was supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his neck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared at Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s feeling, but it seems that the girl was misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she gave afterwards further confuses Clamp.

“Why is Meme doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to be reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that was born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about it before. Within his consciousness that was dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continued, but at that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness was already drowned into the turbid water. The heat from his wounds turned cold form the air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tides of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark was scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked out a substance that was stuck to the back of his throat ── it was something very cold ── and he violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with a glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhed inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head was dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intend to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body was saved by that voice. It slowly returned. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of the living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her merry self, even though the air-conditioning is on, she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is, was some syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression was hidden by her hair. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? H couldn’t help but be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of him, Miharu was still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wiped her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then she shows a smile.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like it is about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next words coming from the girl’s beautiful smile were hardly pleasant.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:YuudachiPoi

2015-06-07T05:21:14Z

YuudachiPoi:

こんにちは。白露型駆逐艦、夕立よ！よろしくね！
Konchiwa poi~
Shiratsuyu class destroyer Yuudachi des~

Like to sink abyssals into the abyss of the ocean poi

Why is iron bottom sound so scarrryyy poi~?

Also like to edit, not good at translating poi~?

== Current Projects==
'''
Just about none poi~
Doing random editing here and there poi~??

User talk:Ninja Emon

2015-06-07T04:59:26Z

YuudachiPoi: Created page with "YuudachiPoi here- My Facebook account is yuudachiPoiNi@hotmail.com or other wise Yuudachi Poi Erm I still would like to sign up as an editor for the project CtG So yeah... Th..."

YuudachiPoi here-
My Facebook account is yuudachiPoiNi@hotmail.com or other wise Yuudachi Poi
Erm I still would like to sign up as an editor for the project CtG
So yeah...
Thanks

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-05-29T14:58:44Z

YuudachiPoi: YuudachiPoi here. Now we are at 65% done poi? Will try and get up to 80% tmr Poi?

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

-----------------------------

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00014.jpeg|thumbnail|These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.]]

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

　　　　◆

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

'''*SLAM!*'''

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just a change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it was beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, of a visor that covers the upper half of the user's face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts, it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it was finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulders were drenched from their sweat.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting was now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of the virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”
“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”
“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of nightlight. <ref> Moonlight? </ref>)

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he has used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were silently conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in another way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distance between them, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they move.

As it was early summer, they’re using a towel blanket instead of a Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing a bed”. But, besides Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school students of the opposite sex to be in.

Even though they carefully made sure not to see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were the same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and the others left, Yuu was planning to sleep in the living room after taking a bath. As the only usable bed in the Kasugai household at the time was just the one in Yuu’s room. There is also one in his mother’s room, but it’s in the same state before her death ── which was buried under tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spent the whole day cleaning it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order a bed or a futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as a storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep in Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best to delicately do the bedding for them.

On the other hand, Miharu was regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such a subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was none other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajamas she received from Hajime, and now she was rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was blindly cat-like. <ref>I am not really sure this is correct, so Translator/Editor check please? -YuudachiPoi</ref>

Haruha who was puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listened to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha wants to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tried to explain the unenforceability <ref>Unenforcability is not a word, as far as I know.... Editor check please -YuudachiPoi</ref> but, their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s face, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that a normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But……『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?
Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also an anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as a normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understood that, there was no option to refuse.

Thus, on the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right besides Haruha who was letting out a proper sleeping voice, but he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired, he still hasn’t reached the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he could do anything about it, because his heart beats fast as he felt their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why a tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of running away, thus she doesn’t own any bulkier pajamas but…… seeing how low her guard is sure is worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envious. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and clung onto him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whether she’s awake or not, maybe she’s having a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she buried her face tightly into Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there was a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, was once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a difference now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if getting tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt getting wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickleed her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiling warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such a thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composure for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and Miharu frowned (?). In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was at a loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he was able to see her hesitatingly rubbing her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being a Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have a bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of a person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who is just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad at facing boys.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably as to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant between them, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ houses. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother started to manage my life. I entered an all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit the chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time in『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with an all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do an all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is a corresponding line in my friend's house, and even if there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such a strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacted with Haruha.

And because that, Miharu is grieving her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who has been taken care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything whether her mother knows that she’s here not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems they talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly close her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely his consciousness sinking smoothly into slumber. He finally used to this situation, did his body used up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest, or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A bit while after waking up her memories before sleeping is jumbled together and she forgot what she did. That day is exactly that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In past few days she has been living around her close friends’ houses, so she didn’t surprised when waking up in unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house am I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just few stuff in the room, but most of it are placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic model lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Above the bed Miharu is setting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy is wearing T-shirt and knee-light half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daugther” Haruha came out from game and they start to live together in “the daughter’s father” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them sleeps together…… She recalled that she had embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off in Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to wake brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she never touch a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed for things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly place her hair on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to pour more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it always through the thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to look at it again, his physique is not that blocky but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls back the drawing lesson she had during at class in junior high where she told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the clam and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who wake up while letting out tired out voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, whatever you look at it this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu is stroking his head while looking his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is entirely different case.

Miharu went panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gather all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and open her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorial moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they start the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I try to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu is preparing simple breakfast, Miharu is dressing up Haruha above the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this is a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair trimmed Haruha happily humming Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly speak.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after the incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with boy is just too much for me)

Sorry for Haruha, but from starting today she will convince her to sleep just the two of them.

But right before she starts her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu is the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grab Haruha”

Haruha hit her small fist to her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laugh. After that, what a problem what a problem she loosed her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot above the bed, on the room there was Haruha who in great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who losing her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

　　　　◆

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

Could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu pass through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that’s certainly looks like it” said Yuu while being staggered in a good tackle by Haruha, who’ve changed into cute children clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments for Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out for the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuffs. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and they are counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be nice if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how it will be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hand with Miharu, the three of them pass through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they will have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving grocery for the last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make an order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re telling we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused with various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting like a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost her consciousness in a room at Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incident also occur at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country had reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact with other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he takes his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through the it’s window Yuu saw the doll inside, and at the bottom of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale! Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely of him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems it was a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employee there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPG, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly exanimate it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned the topic.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how push Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer the question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has adistinct appearance of a dopey person or someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passed the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was a complete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and lifted all the luggage of the three of them. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unpleased. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) does no longer take off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s a very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fell.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly got both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to aid them with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu is shopping with his uncle whom she was acquaintanced with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was holding down the cart and right beside him was that girl, who talks about shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

'''*Crack*'''… As her body was about to fall, alongside the floating mark inside her heart start rotating, her friends swiftly take hold of her. As expected from table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panic which was very unsightly. He was like an untrustworthy that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made somewhere deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people he is with.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers as she starts making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that even though he went as far saying he won’t butt in anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off on an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out grunt right from his stomatch, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while awkwardly smiling:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying in Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to gain back her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems she lost her consciousness while standing. He friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Wher are Yuu and others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said『I’ll explain this later!though…… wonder what was about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they might really be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in made him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting right next to her, pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly lived together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was were Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she remembers. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend were made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but in the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy that showed up appears to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken, was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said the name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

On the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

　　　　◆

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to go back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving to Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing a relaxing light clothes while sit crossing her legs, appears to be typing something to the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be a good timing. The setup will over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy shorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has special body a special devices is required.
We will perform test from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and on the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are shorting out each thing they brought. Yuu is shorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu is shorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognize as a fight.

“Well, this surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opens his mouth.

“If you had something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

Few minutes after their meeting with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intend to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might be also about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whatever to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it in action.

That said, even if he went out his way to ask it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stay silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I finish shorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remain standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faces him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroke Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

　　　　◇

──That’s right, it’s not even worth called as a fight.

“I think”

Several ten minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well as if venting up all the anger Miharu’s building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all what you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyway, you still bring up the name from other girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who gradually sitting lower and lower to the floor, but the distant between them prevent her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track on Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clearly. And moving become so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the different in outside world just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air in few days it will feels like your breathing are being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet her daddy and mommy.

As she think about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leading on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will get bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s both hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and open her mouth, but suddenly she becomes afraid. Her throat turned stiff and she went silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will get expired soon so I’ll have go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flows down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down his knee in a hurry and hold Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this secret from your mother”

　　　　◇

A bit while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of deserted town is a place with not characteristic other than being the capture point of nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest on that humble place. The mirror was placed on the spot where a cross or worshipping object usually at in real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of thing to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why I ended up being one?)

Just remembering that he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worry. Realizing how thin of their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than enough, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upsets her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re an adult as well.

The definition of adult and child are connected, for example when there are person at age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly a “child and child elevator”.

But he act firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I have to explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back to real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that)

“……And I didn’t thought Kugimiya-san would be angry that much”

He maddeningly sighs. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still have something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』 first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child develop personality and arrive to real world. If only they know that in advance they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning to talk about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in game world and second in Kanji referring to Haruha in real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly critic about it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is complete opposites in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distant with grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there are undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly taking form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dig through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. The scene of the day where Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it goes restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distant towards reality is just like her. If Haruha is a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers that makes you believes that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smile and sat down on the seat right next to Clampe. And then, she once again introduces herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduces himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must’ve change her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thought pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for change of pace.

Memento then touched her lip with her finger and start the story.

“Do Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who angry that human discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then open the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived come to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answering what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always think about this.
There are 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there are only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happens when the box is open won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment human who obtained the wisdome to use fire, the god bless another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity that time doesn’t know what hope is and spends each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opens the box and the people come to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope are will just think it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that coming from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exist inside human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you suppose to find lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile effort” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of human’s resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by unique insight the girl has. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to human’s hatred. The world was nothing become the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lower her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolor air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smile seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

'''*Woosh*'''

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of a Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife got stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats are penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned on the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. Unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still form of game, all sensation of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage take place, the pain will be converted to slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly hard to move as handicap…… or supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his heck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s having, but it seems the girl is misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she give afterwards furthers confuses Clamp.

“Why Meme is doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that were born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about before. Within his consciousness that dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continue, but that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness were already drowned into the turbid. The heat from his wounds turned into cold air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tide of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark were scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked a substance that was stuck at the back of his throat ── it was something tremblingly cold ── and violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhing inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head were dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intent to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body were saved by that voice. It slowly returns. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her marry self, even though the cooling is on she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is some were syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression were hidden by he hear. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? Couldn’t help but to be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of her, Miharu is still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wipe her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then shows a laugh.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next word coming from the girl’s beautiful smile was hardly a pleasant one.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User talk:YuudachiPoi

2015-05-28T09:41:25Z

YuudachiPoi: /* About editing CtG */

== About editing CtG ==

Please give me your facebook if you want to join the translating team, thanks.

And I made an account for no reason other then this.
Email is Yuudachipoini@hotmail.com
I think u can find it there Facebook name is Yuudachi poi

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-05-25T05:41:19Z

YuudachiPoi:

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

-----------------------------

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00014.jpeg|thumbnail|These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.]]

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

　　　　◆

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

*SLAM!*

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just a change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it was beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, of a visor that covers the upper half of the user's face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it’s finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulder were drenched wet with sweats.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting is now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”
“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”
“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of nightlight.

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were sleeplessly conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in other way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distant they had, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they moves.

At early summer, they’re using towel blanket instead of Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing bed”. But, aside of Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school student of opposite sex to be.

Even though they carefully making sure to not see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and others left, Yuu was planning to sleep on the living room after taking a bath. But the only usable bed in Kasugai household at the time is just the one at Yuu’s room. There is also one at his mother’s room, but it’s on the same state before her death ── which buried with tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spend the whole day to clean it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room just as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order bed or futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep on Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best delicacy and do the bedding for them.

In other hand, Miharu was being regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was no other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajama she received from Hajime, and now she’s rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was blindly cat-like.

Haruha who got puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listen to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha want to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tries to explain the unenforceability but, their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s facial expression, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But……『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?
Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understand that, there are no option to refuse.

Thus, above the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right beside Haruha who letting out proper sleeping voice, and he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired he still hasn’t reach the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he can do anything about it, because his heart beat fast as he feel their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is so lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, sure it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of runaway that she doesn’t own any bulkier pajama but…… seeing how low her guard is sure worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envy. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and cling on him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whatever she’s awake or not, maybe she’s seeing a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she burry her face tightly onto Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls back Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there were a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, were once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a different now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroke Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if got tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt got wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickles her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiled warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composer for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowned Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

*TL NOTE: This question mark is from the original text*

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he able to see her hesitatingly rubbed her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad facing boy.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant they have, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ house. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother starts to manage my life. I entered all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is corresponding line in my friend house, and even though there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacts with Haruha.

And because that, Miharu is grieving her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who has been taken care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything whether her mother knows that she’s here not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems they talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly close her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely his consciousness sinking smoothly into slumber. He finally used to this situation, did his body used up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest, or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A bit while after waking up her memories before sleeping is jumbled together and she forgot what she did. That day is exactly that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In past few days she has been living around her close friends’ houses, so she didn’t surprised when waking up in unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house am I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just few stuff in the room, but most of it are placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic model lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Above the bed Miharu is setting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy is wearing T-shirt and knee-light half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daugther” Haruha came out from game and they start to live together in “the daughter’s father” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them sleeps together…… She recalled that she had embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off in Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to wake brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she never touch a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed for things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly place her hair on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to pour more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it always through the thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to look at it again, his physique is not that blocky but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls back the drawing lesson she had during at class in junior high where she told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the clam and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who wake up while letting out tired out voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, whatever you look at it this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu is stroking his head while looking his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is entirely different case.

Miharu went panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gather all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and open her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorial moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they start the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I try to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu is preparing simple breakfast, Miharu is dressing up Haruha above the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this is a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair trimmed Haruha happily humming Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly speak.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after the incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with boy is just too much for me)

Sorry for Haruha, but from starting today she will convince her to sleep just the two of them.

But right before she starts her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu is the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grab Haruha”

Haruha hit her small fist to her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laugh. After that, what a problem what a problem she loosed her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot above the bed, on the room there was Haruha who in great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who losing her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

　　　　◆

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

Could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu pass through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that’s certainly looks like it” said Yuu while being staggered in a good tackle by Haruha, who’ve changed into cute children clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments for Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out for the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuffs. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and they are counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be nice if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how it will be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hand with Miharu, the three of them pass through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they will have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving grocery for the last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make an order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re telling we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused with various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting like a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost her consciousness in a room at Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incident also occur at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country had reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact with other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he takes his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through the it’s window Yuu saw the doll inside, and at the bottom of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale! Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely of him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems it was a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employee there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPG, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly exanimate it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned the topic.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how push Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer the question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has adistinct appearance of a dopey person or someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passed the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was a complete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and lifted all the luggage of the three of them. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unpleased. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) does no longer take off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s a very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fell.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly got both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to aid them with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu is shopping with his uncle whom she was acquaintanced with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was holding down the cart and right beside him was that girl, who talks about shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

'''*Crack*'''… As her body was about to fall, alongside the floating mark inside her heart start rotating, her friends swiftly take hold of her. As expected from table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panic which was very unsightly. He was like an untrustworthy that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made somewhere deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people he is with.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers as she starts making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that even though he went as far saying he won’t butt in anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off on an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out grunt right from his stomatch, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while awkwardly smiling:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying in Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to gain back her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems she lost her consciousness while standing. He friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Wher are Yuu and others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said『I’ll explain this later!though…… wonder what was about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they might really be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in made him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting right next to her, pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly lived together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was were Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she remembers. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend were made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but in the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy that showed up appears to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken, was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said the name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

On the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

　　　　◆

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to go back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving to Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing a relaxing light clothes while sit crossing her legs, appears to be typing something to the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be a good timing. The setup will over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy shorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has special body a special devices is required.
We will perform test from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and on the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are shorting out each thing they brought. Yuu is shorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu is shorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognize as a fight.

“Well, this surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opens his mouth.

“If you had something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

Few minutes after their meeting with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intend to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might be also about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whatever to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it in action.

That said, even if he went out his way to ask it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stay silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I finish shorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remain standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faces him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroke Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

　　　　◇

──That’s right, it’s not even worth called as a fight.

“I think”

Several ten minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well as if venting up all the anger Miharu’s building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all what you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyway, you still bring up the name from other girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who gradually sitting lower and lower to the floor, but the distant between them prevent her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track on Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clearly. And moving become so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the different in outside world just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air in few days it will feels like your breathing are being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet her daddy and mommy.

As she think about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leading on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will get bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s both hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and open her mouth, but suddenly she becomes afraid. Her throat turned stiff and she went silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will get expired soon so I’ll have go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flows down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down his knee in a hurry and hold Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this secret from your mother”

　　　　◇

A bit while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of deserted town is a place with not characteristic other than being the capture point of nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest on that humble place. The mirror was placed on the spot where a cross or worshipping object usually at in real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of thing to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why I ended up being one?)

Just remembering that he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worry. Realizing how thin of their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than enough, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upsets her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re an adult as well.

The definition of adult and child are connected, for example when there are person at age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly a “child and child elevator”.

But he act firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I have to explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back to real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that)

“……And I didn’t thought Kugimiya-san would be angry that much”

He maddeningly sighs. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still have something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』 first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child develop personality and arrive to real world. If only they know that in advance they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning to talk about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in game world and second in Kanji referring to Haruha in real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly critic about it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is complete opposites in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distant with grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there are undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly taking form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dig through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. The scene of the day where Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it goes restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distant towards reality is just like her. If Haruha is a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers that makes you believes that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smile and sat down on the seat right next to Clampe. And then, she once again introduces herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduces himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must’ve change her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thought pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for change of pace.

Memento then touched her lip with her finger and start the story.

“Do Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who angry that human discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then open the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived come to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answering what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always think about this.
There are 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there are only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happens when the box is open won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment human who obtained the wisdome to use fire, the god bless another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity that time doesn’t know what hope is and spends each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opens the box and the people come to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope are will just think it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that coming from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exist inside human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you suppose to find lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile effort” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of human’s resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by unique insight the girl has. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to human’s hatred. The world was nothing become the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lower her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolor air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smile seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

'''*Woosh*'''

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of a Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife got stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats are penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned on the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. Unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still form of game, all sensation of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage take place, the pain will be converted to slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly hard to move as handicap…… or supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his heck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s having, but it seems the girl is misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she give afterwards furthers confuses Clamp.

“Why Meme is doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that were born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about before. Within his consciousness that dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continue, but that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness were already drowned into the turbid. The heat from his wounds turned into cold air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tide of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark were scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked a substance that was stuck at the back of his throat ── it was something tremblingly cold ── and violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhing inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head were dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intent to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body were saved by that voice. It slowly returns. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her marry self, even though the cooling is on she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is some were syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression were hidden by he hear. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? Couldn’t help but to be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of her, Miharu is still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wipe her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then shows a laugh.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next word coming from the girl’s beautiful smile was hardly a pleasant one.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-05-24T09:20:02Z

YuudachiPoi: roughly 45% done i suppose poi~? will continue sometime next week... poi~?

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

-----------------------------

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00014.jpeg|thumbnail|These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』 for the past few months, were somehow present in front of his home in real life.]]

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own."

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』 is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game, appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, Haruha and Miharu's living expenses will be covered by Niiro and his people, to the extent of them not having any inconvenience. It counts as part reward and payment for participating in the program, so they don't need to hold back on anything.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimiya-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

　　　　◆

“……Now you are finally able to go to the toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hands”

A training session is being held in the Kasugai household's absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wear her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For the next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly well taken care of and she was able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be that he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go of her hand from Haruha’s and opened the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck in his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his feet.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special features on him. It might be because he is wearing a school uniform, but he’s not the type of person who wears any accessories or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak with was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out a troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha has mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocence when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realized.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying that they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of an emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friends who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrels when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably the same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to an all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had the opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversations she had were mostly for business and formal matters.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems that she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from now on.”

The scene where Miharu gently pats the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grown accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervousness lessens. Even though it's just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, the round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing that showed up was a broadcast of a news program of street interviews in a major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenagers, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is a classic girl anime that has aired for over 15 years, when she was little, Miharu also often watched the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there was that moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then he was stolen by a love rival and then they had a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset by the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking at the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed in nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little, I was as innocently passionate with this, just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan kept came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pulled out a painful face. That was supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out a worried voice, and Yuu quickly denied it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wondered if your parents will get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparations right? Like a change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exits to the hallway and returns to the room along with the luggage that she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It has a quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn-out and the fibers are exposed.

“The insides do not contain a guitar. I put my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Although she wasn't being suspected, she still opened the lid to show the insides.

Inside contains a mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and a toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and a towel as replacement of the cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folded randomly are put on plain sight.

*SLAM!*

The lid was closed at near lightning speed, and instantly blew wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time, Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feelings of shame and self-loathing made her go silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly changed the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I could not get a proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that could be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he sees her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secrets from the resident of the house she will be living in. As a matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they didn't have time and energy to prepare food, they got dinner through the neighboring family restaurant's delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha was okay in eating anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating manner doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle a fork and spoon well and would often spill her food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stains.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appeared to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, the same could not be said in here. Compared to a normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, looks at Miharu who was standing next to her and spreading the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes are soaked”

She’s all wet from her shirt down to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha was trying to cheer her up by telling her about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respose Miharu let out a troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raising her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows an expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he saw, Miharu looked at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

While both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up at Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feelings and just let it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu while Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconsciously took care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards males in general. He begins to think of her as a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it is just another case of a quiet person suddenly becoming bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why is such a kid, running away from home? Even though she went as far as to tell that she’s running away from home she still hasn't told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rests his chin with his hand. And then, he throws the fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of a bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in a mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in cases like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they closed the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the sharpest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha away and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu returned to the living room after he annoyingly replied so ── His heart became hard to control.

Just now he realized that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking a bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness of each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watches TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was the cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Haruha after all; she probably tried to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubled her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he had any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is an entirely different case. Even Yuu, who was always playing 『CtG』 outside school, still has interest in the opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room on the second floor until they finish taking their bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything were to happen in the bathroom and he could not deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already went to the bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived in the living room, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at the afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gestures and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman's sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar genes to ours and was composed of a similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whether it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did say that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means that her tastes are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in another way, just like a human, if her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or taking a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still hasn't gotten used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves are still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

The smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changed from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a facade”

Hajime mischievously smiled and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with a straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sat down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely having no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to commit suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it’s beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, a visor that covers the upper half of the user face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it’s finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulder were drenched wet with sweats.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting is now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”
“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”
“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of nightlight.

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were sleeplessly conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in other way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distant they had, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they moves.

At early summer, they’re using towel blanket instead of Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing bed”. But, aside of Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school student of opposite sex to be.

Even though they carefully making sure to not see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and others left, Yuu was planning to sleep on the living room after taking a bath. But the only usable bed in Kasugai household at the time is just the one at Yuu’s room. There is also one at his mother’s room, but it’s on the same state before her death ── which buried with tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spend the whole day to clean it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room just as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order bed or futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep on Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best delicacy and do the bedding for them.

In other hand, Miharu was being regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was no other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajama she received from Hajime, and now she’s rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was blindly cat-like.

Haruha who got puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listen to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha want to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tries to explain the unenforceability but, their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s facial expression, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But……『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?
Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understand that, there are no option to refuse.

Thus, above the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right beside Haruha who letting out proper sleeping voice, and he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired he still hasn’t reach the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he can do anything about it, because his heart beat fast as he feel their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is so lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, sure it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of runaway that she doesn’t own any bulkier pajama but…… seeing how low her guard is sure worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envy. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and cling on him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whatever she’s awake or not, maybe she’s seeing a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she burry her face tightly onto Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls back Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there were a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, were once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a different now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroke Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if got tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt got wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickles her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiled warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composer for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowned Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

*TL NOTE: This question mark is from the original text*

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he able to see her hesitatingly rubbed her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad facing boy.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant they have, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ house. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother starts to manage my life. I entered all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is corresponding line in my friend house, and even though there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacts with Haruha.

And because that, Miharu is grieving her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who has been taken care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything whether her mother knows that she’s here not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems they talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly close her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely his consciousness sinking smoothly into slumber. He finally used to this situation, did his body used up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest, or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A bit while after waking up her memories before sleeping is jumbled together and she forgot what she did. That day is exactly that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In past few days she has been living around her close friends’ houses, so she didn’t surprised when waking up in unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house am I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just few stuff in the room, but most of it are placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic model lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Above the bed Miharu is setting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy is wearing T-shirt and knee-light half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daugther” Haruha came out from game and they start to live together in “the daughter’s father” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them sleeps together…… She recalled that she had embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off in Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to wake brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she never touch a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed for things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly place her hair on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to pour more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it always through the thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to look at it again, his physique is not that blocky but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls back the drawing lesson she had during at class in junior high where she told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the clam and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who wake up while letting out tired out voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, whatever you look at it this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu is stroking his head while looking his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is entirely different case.

Miharu went panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gather all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and open her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorial moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they start the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I try to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu is preparing simple breakfast, Miharu is dressing up Haruha above the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this is a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair trimmed Haruha happily humming Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly speak.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after the incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with boy is just too much for me)

Sorry for Haruha, but from starting today she will convince her to sleep just the two of them.

But right before she starts her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu is the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grab Haruha”

Haruha hit her small fist to her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laugh. After that, what a problem what a problem she loosed her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot above the bed, on the room there was Haruha who in great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who losing her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

　　　　◆

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

Could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu pass through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that’s certainly looks like it” said Yuu while being staggered in a good tackle by Haruha, who’ve changed into cute children clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments for Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out for the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuffs. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and they are counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be nice if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how it will be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hand with Miharu, the three of them pass through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they will have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving grocery for the last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make an order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re telling we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused with various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting like a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost her consciousness in a room at Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incident also occur at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country had reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact with other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he takes his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through the it’s window Yuu saw the doll inside, and at the bottom of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale! Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely of him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems it was a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employee there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPG, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly exanimate it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned the topic.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how push Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer the question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has adistinct appearance of a dopey person or someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passed the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was a complete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and lifted all the luggage of the three of them. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unpleased. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) does no longer take off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s a very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fell.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly got both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to aid them with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu is shopping with his uncle whom she was acquaintanced with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was holding down the cart and right beside him was that girl, who talks about shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

'''*Crack*'''… As her body was about to fall, alongside the floating mark inside her heart start rotating, her friends swiftly take hold of her. As expected from table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panic which was very unsightly. He was like an untrustworthy that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made somewhere deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu.

(……….The heck was that?) she thought.

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people he is with.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers as she starts making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that even though he went as far saying he won’t butt in anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off on an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out grunt right from his stomatch, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while awkwardly smiling:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying in Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to gain back her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems she lost her consciousness while standing. He friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Wher are Yuu and others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said『I’ll explain this later!though…… wonder what was about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they might really be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in made him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting right next to her, pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly lived together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was were Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she remembers. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend were made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but in the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy that showed up appears to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken, was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said the name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

On the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

　　　　◆

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to go back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving to Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing a relaxing light clothes while sit crossing her legs, appears to be typing something to the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be a good timing. The setup will over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy shorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has special body a special devices is required.
We will perform test from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and on the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are shorting out each thing they brought. Yuu is shorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu is shorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognize as a fight.

“Well, this surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opens his mouth.

“If you had something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

Few minutes after their meeting with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intend to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might be also about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whatever to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it in action.

That said, even if he went out his way to ask it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stay silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I finish shorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remain standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faces him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroke Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

　　　　◇

──That’s right, it’s not even worth called as a fight.

“I think”

Several ten minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well as if venting up all the anger Miharu’s building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all what you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyway, you still bring up the name from other girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “Aim chorry”, come on”

“Ai, Aim…… chorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who gradually sitting lower and lower to the floor, but the distant between them prevent her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track on Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clearly. And moving become so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you Hadzar are optimized in that world, the different in outside world just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air in few days it will feels like your breathing are being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet her daddy and mommy.

As she think about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leading on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will get bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s both hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and open her mouth, but suddenly she becomes afraid. Her throat turned stiff and she went silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will get expired soon so I’ll have go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flows down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down his knee in a hurry and hold Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this secret from your mother”

　　　　◇

A bit while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of deserted town is a place with not characteristic other than being the capture point of nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest on that humble place. The mirror was placed on the spot where a cross or worshipping object usually at in real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of thing to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why I ended up being one?)

Just remembering that he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worry. Realizing how thin of their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than enough, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upsets her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re an adult as well.

The definition of adult and child are connected, for example when there are person at age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly a “child and child elevator”.

But he act firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I have to explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back to real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that)

“……And I didn’t thought Kugimiya-san would be angry that much”

He maddeningly sighs. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still have something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said 『This is a game after all』 first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child develop personality and arrive to real world. If only they know that in advance they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning to talk about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha<-- Daniman1: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in game world and second in Kanji referring to Haruha in real world -->, there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly critic about it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is complete opposites in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distant with grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there are undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly taking form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dig through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. The scene of the day where Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it goes restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distant towards reality is just like her. If Haruha is a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers that makes you believes that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smile and sat down on the seat right next to Clampe. And then, she once again introduces herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduces himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must’ve change her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thought pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for change of pace.

Memento then touched her lip with her finger and start the story.

“Do Onii-san know about 『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who angry that human discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then open the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived come to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answering what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always think about this.
There are 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there are only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happens when the box is open won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment human who obtained the wisdome to use fire, the god bless another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity that time doesn’t know what hope is and spends each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opens the box and the people come to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope are will just think it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that coming from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exist inside human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you suppose to find lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile effort” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of human’s resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by unique insight the girl has. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to human’s hatred. The world was nothing become the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lower her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolor air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smile seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

'''*Woosh*'''

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of a Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife got stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats are penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned on the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. Unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still form of game, all sensation of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage take place, the pain will be converted to slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly hard to move as handicap…… or supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his heck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s having, but it seems the girl is misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she give afterwards furthers confuses Clamp.

“Why Meme is doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is a Hadzar who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to reborn. But Meme still worries”

Hadzar── it’s the name of the new humanity that were born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about before. Within his consciousness that dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continue, but that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness were already drowned into the turbid. The heat from his wounds turned into cold air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tide of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark were scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked a substance that was stuck at the back of his throat ── it was something tremblingly cold ── and violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhing inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head were dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intent to──

“KASUGAI-KUN!!”

His confused mind and body were saved by that voice. It slowly returns. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her marry self, even though the cooling is on she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is some were syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression were hidden by he hear. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? Couldn’t help but to be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of her, Miharu is still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wipe her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then shows a laugh.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next word coming from the girl’s beautiful smile was hardly a pleasant one.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User talk:KnightEmon

2015-05-24T07:40:26Z

YuudachiPoi: /* Registering for editor position */ new section

===CtG image names===
Just a note, it's generally good practice to clearly include the series abbreviation and volume in the file name so that it's easier to understand changes/uploads when looking at the logs. I renamed your recent CtG v2 uploads accordingly. It's not that big of an issue, just letting you know for future reference (though it looks like you did do that in volume 1). --[[User:Cthaeh|Cthaeh]] ([[User talk:Cthaeh|talk]]) 22:15, 19 February 2015 (CST)

== Missing words ==

I see that sometimes when you don't know how to translate a word, you leave a placeholder with asterisks. That way, only people with access to the original source can help you complete those sentences (and since they most probably won't be reading the chapter, those chances become almost nil). I would suggest you using [http://classic.jisho.org/kanji/radicals/ this page] to find the kanji by clicking on its radicals (different parts of the kanji) and selecting it from among the list that shows at the bottom (said list thins out as you keep selecting radicals), and then adding the kanji (or kanjis) bracketed or as a note besides the placeholder. That way, people without access to the source but some knowledge can give you suggestions of translation.--[[User:Kemm|Kemm]] ([[User talk:Kemm|talk]])

== Registering for editor position ==

I'd like to register to be an editor for the project {CTG}
I have already started on editing chapter 2 and i am currently about 35%-40% done?
Sorry if I edited without permission...
or accidentally made bad changes to the language structure
So erm... Yeah..
Thanks.....

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-05-20T11:24:43Z

YuudachiPoi: Ok.... this is probably 30-35% done... poi? will continue to edit finish... eventually... unless someone else does that first poi? Mostly correcting just the sentence structure, grammar, spelling and erm that's about it.

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

-----------------------------

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』for the past few months were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn't take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervous? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from his class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own.

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which on our end, will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn't mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn't have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalled the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of being unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remained but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have just been a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the conversation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said that this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing, and at the same time it wasn't. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn't come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn't understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable, unable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happened if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which were as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw that her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was in his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn't it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child is still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He couldn't say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning for Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn't have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish for all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowered her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of the opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of you, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering him──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn't understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn't see her face, but he could easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn't seemed as if his eyes were fooling him or whatever, but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creating an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters, he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn't let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides in the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only did she appear to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all that she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they've discussed were as follows.

First, while Yuu and Miharu were at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked at the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimi-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if, she was going to say something like “I don’t like it! using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a while ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn't understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn't have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffened.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drink but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn't exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That's maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

　　　　◆

“……Now you finally able to go to toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hand”

A training session is being held in Kasugai household absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wearing her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly taken care well and she able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go her hand from Haruha’s and open the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck on his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his foot.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special feature on him. It might be because he is wearing school uniform, but he’s not type of person who wears any accessory or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha have mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocent when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realize.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friend who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrel when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversation she had were mostly for business and formal matter.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from how on”

That scene where Miharu gently patted the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grew accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervous lessen. Even though just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, that round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing showed up was a broadcast of news program of street interview in major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenager, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is classic girl anime that start airing for over 15 years, when she was little Miharu also often watch the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there the moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then stolen by a love rival and then they have a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset at the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed under nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little I innocently passionate with this just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan keep came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pull out a painful face. That supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out worried voice, and Yuu quickly deny it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wonder if your parents get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparation right? Like change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exit to the hallway and return to the room along with her luggage she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It’s quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn up and the fiber is exposed.

“The insides are not guitar. I bring my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Not being suspected though but she then opens the lid to show the insides.

Inside there are mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and towel as replacement of cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folds randomly are put on plain sight.

*SLAM!*

The lid was close in near lightning seed, and instantly blows wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feeling shame and self-loathing makes her goes silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly change the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I cannot get proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that can be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he see her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secret to the resident of the house she will be living in. In matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they don’t have time and energy to prepare food they get dinner through the neighbor family restaurant delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha okay in eat anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating matter doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle fork and spoon well and would often spilled the food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stain.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appear to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, same cannot be said in here. Compared to normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, look at Miharu who were standing next to her and spreading out the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes is soaked”

She’s all wet up from her shirt to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha were trying to cheer her up telling about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respond Miharu let out troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raise her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he sees, Miharu look at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

When both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feeling and just leave it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu when Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconditionally taking care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards male in general. He begins to think her as she’s a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it just another case of a quiet person become suddenly bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why such kid, is running away from home? Even though she went as far to tell that she’s running away from home she still haven’t told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rest his chin with his hand. And then, he throw fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in case like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they close the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the strongest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu return to the living room after annoyingly replied so ── His heart becomes hard to control.

Just now he realizes that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness against each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watch TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was a cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Harua after all; she probably tries to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubles her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he have any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is entirely different case. Even Yuu, who always playing『CtG』outside school, still have interest to opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room at second floor until they finish taking a bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything to happen in the bathroom and he cannot deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already goes to bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived to the living, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gesture and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar gene to ours and was composed of similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whatever it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did said that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means her taste are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in other way, just like human, her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but, for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or on a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still haven’t used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

That smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changes from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a façade”

Hajime mischievously smile and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sits down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely had no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it’s beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, a visor that covers the upper half of the user face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it’s finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulder were drenched wet with sweats.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting is now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”
“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”
“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of nightlight.

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were sleeplessly conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in other way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distant they had, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they moves.

At early summer, they’re using towel blanket instead of Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing bed”. But, aside of Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school student of opposite sex to be.

Even though they carefully making sure to not see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and others left, Yuu was planning to sleep on the living room after taking a bath. But the only usable bed in Kasugai household at the time is just the one at Yuu’s room. There is also one at his mother’s room, but it’s on the same state before her death ── which buried with tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spend the whole day to clean it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room just as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order bed or futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep on Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best delicacy and do the bedding for them.

In other hand, Miharu was being regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was no other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajama she received from Hajime, and now she’s rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was blindly cat-like.

Haruha who got puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listen to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha want to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tries to explain the unenforceability but, their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s facial expression, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But……『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?
Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understand that, there are no option to refuse.

Thus, above the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right beside Haruha who letting out proper sleeping voice, and he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired he still hasn’t reach the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he can do anything about it, because his heart beat fast as he feel their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is so lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, sure it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of runaway that she doesn’t own any bulkier pajama but…… seeing how low her guard is sure worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envy. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and cling on him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whatever she’s awake or not, maybe she’s seeing a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she burry her face tightly onto Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls back Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there were a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, were once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a different now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroke Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if got tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt got wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickles her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiled warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composer for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowned Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

*TL NOTE: This question mark is from the original text*

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he able to see her hesitatingly rubbed her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad facing boy.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant they have, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ house. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother starts to manage my life. I entered all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is corresponding line in my friend house, and even though there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacts with Haruha.

And because that, Miharu is grieving her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who has been taken care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything whether her mother knows that she’s here not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems they talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly close her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely his consciousness sinking smoothly into slumber. He finally used to this situation, did his body used up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest, or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A bit while after waking up her memories before sleeping is jumbled together and she forgot what she did. That day is exactly that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In past few days she has been living around her close friends’ houses, so she didn’t surprised when waking up in unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house am I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just few stuff in the room, but most of it are placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic model lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Above the bed Miharu is setting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy is wearing T-shirt and knee-light half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daugther” Haruha came out from game and they start to live together in “the daughter’s father” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them sleeps together…… She recalled that she had embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off in Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to wake brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she never touch a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed for things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly place her hair on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to pour more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it always through the thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to look at it again, his physique is not that blocky but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls back the drawing lesson she had during at class in junior high where she told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the clam and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who wake up while letting out tired out voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, whatever you look at it this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu is stroking his head while looking his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is entirely different case.

Miharu went panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gather all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and open her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorial moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they start the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I try to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu is preparing simple breakfast, Miharu is dressing up Haruha above the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this is a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair trimmed Haruha happily humming Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly speak.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after the incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with boy is just too much for me)

Sorry for Haruha, but from starting today she will convince her to sleep just the two of them.

But right before she starts her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu is the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grab Haruha”

Haruha hit her small fist to her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laugh. After that, what a problem what a problem she loosed her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot above the bed, on the room there was Haruha who in great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who losing her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

　　　　◆

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

Could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu pass through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that’s certainly looks like it” said Yuu while being staggered in a good tackle by Haruha, who’ve changed into cute children clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments for Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out for the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuffs. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and they are counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be nice if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how it will be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hand with Miharu, the three of them pass through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they will have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving grocery for the last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make an order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re telling we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused with various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting like a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost her consciousness in a room at Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incident also occur at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country had reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact with other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he takes his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through the it’s window Yuu saw the doll inside, and at the bottom of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale! Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely of him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems it was a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employee there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPG, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly exanimate it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned the topic.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how push Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer the question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has adistinct appearance of a dopey person or someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passed the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was a complete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and lifted all the luggage of the three of them. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unpleased. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) does no longer take off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s a very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fell.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly got both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to aid them with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu is shopping with his uncle whom she was acquaintanced with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was holding down the cart and right beside him was that girl, who talks about shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

*Crack*… As her body was about to fall, alongside the floating mark inside her heart start rotating, her friends swiftly take hold of her. As expected from table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panic which was very unsightly. He was like an untrustworthy that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made somewhere deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu. But in the back of his mind he was thinking “……….The heck was that?”

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people he is with.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers as she starts making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that even though he went as far saying he won’t butt in anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off on an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out grunt right from his stomatch, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while awkwardly smiling:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying in Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to gain back her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems she lost her consciousness while standing. He friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Wher are Yuu and others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said『I’ll explain this later!though…… wonder what was about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they might really be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in made him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting right next to her, pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly lived together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was were Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she remembers. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend were made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but in the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy that showed up appears to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken, was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said the name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

On the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

　　　　◆

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to go back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving to Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing a relaxing light clothes while sit crossing her legs, appears to be typing something to the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be a good timing. The setup will over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy shorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has special body a special devices is required.
We will perform test from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and on the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are shorting out each thing they brought. Yuu is shorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu is shorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognize as a fight.

“Well, this surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opens his mouth.

“If you had something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

Few minutes after their meeting with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intend to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might be also about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whatever to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it in action.

That said, even if he went out his way to ask it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stay silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I finish shorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remain standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faces him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroke Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

　　　　◇

──That’s right, it’s not even worth called as a fight.

“I think”

Several ten minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well as if venting up all the anger Miharu’s building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all what you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyway, you still bring up the name from other girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “I’m sorry”, come on”

“I, I’m…… sorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who gradually sitting lower and lower to the floor, but the distant between them prevent her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track on Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clearly. And moving become so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you ハダリーズ are optimized in that world, the different in outside world just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air in few days it will feels like your breathing are being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet her daddy and mommy.

As she think about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leading on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will get bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s both hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and open her mouth, but suddenly she becomes afraid. Her throat turned stiff and she went silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will get expired soon so I’ll have go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flows down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down his knee in a hurry and hold Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this secret from your mother”

　　　　◇

A bit while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of deserted town is a place with not characteristic other than being the capture point of nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest on that humble place. The mirror was placed on the spot where a cross or worshipping object usually at in real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of thing to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why I ended up being one?)

Just remembering that he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worry. Realizing how thin of their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than enough, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upsets her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re an adult as well.

The definition of adult and child are connected, for example when there are person at age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly a “child and child elevator”.

But he act firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I have to explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back to real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that)

“……And I didn’t thought Kugimiya-san would be angry that much”

He maddeningly sighs. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still have something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said『This is a game after all』 first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child develop personality and arrive to real world. If only they know that in advance they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning to talk about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha (TL note: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in game world and second in Kanji referring to Haruha in real world), there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly critic about it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is complete opposites in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distant with grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there are undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly taking form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dig through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. The scene of the day where Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it goes restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distant towards reality is just like her. If Haruha is a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers that makes you believes that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smile and sat down on the seat right next to Clampe. And then, she once again introduces herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduces himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must’ve change her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thought pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for change of pace.

Memento then touched her lip with her finger and start the story.

“Do Onii-san know about『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who angry that human discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then open the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived come to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answering what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always think about this.
There are 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there are only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happens when the box is open won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment human who obtained the wisdome to use fire, the god bless another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity that time doesn’t know what hope is and spends each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opens the box and the people come to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope are will just think it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that coming from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exist inside human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you suppose to find lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile effort” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of human’s resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by unique insight the girl has. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to human’s hatred. The world was nothing become the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lower her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolor air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smile seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

*Woosh*

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of a Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife got stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats are penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned on the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. Unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still form of game, all sensation of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage take place, the pain will be converted to slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly hard to move as handicap…… or supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his heck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s having, but it seems the girl is misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she give afterwards furthers confuses Clamp.

“Why Meme is doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is ハダリーズ who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to reborn. But Meme still worries”

ハダリーズ── it’s the name of the new humanity that were born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about before. Within his consciousness that dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continue, but that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness were already drowned into the turbid. The heat from his wounds turned into cold air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tide of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark were scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked a substance that was stuck at the back of his throat ── it was something tremblingly cold ── and violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhing inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head were dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intent to──

“Kasugai-kun!!”

His confused mind and body were saved by that voice. It slowly returns. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her marry self, even though the cooling is on she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is some were syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression were hidden by he hear. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? Couldn’t help but to be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of her, Miharu is still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wipe her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then shows a laugh.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next word coming from the girl’s beautiful smile was hardly a pleasant one.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
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CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-05-19T10:14:14Z

YuudachiPoi: 20% edited I think poi~? hope my English is good enough?

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

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A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was undergoing maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted like her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn't seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu reaches home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter and the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung onto Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was slightly more awkward as compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age as Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform with a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension could be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could it be that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』for the past few months were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly had left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn’t take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes meet, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervious? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from the class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own.

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which in our end we will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn’t mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn’t have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalls the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remains but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have been just a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the converstation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing at the same time it wasn’t. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn’t come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn’t understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happen if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which was as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was on his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn’t it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child was still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He can say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning or Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn’t have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowers her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of an opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of yours, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn’t understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn’t see her face, but he can easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn’t seemed as if that his eyes were fooling him or whatever but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creting an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn’t let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides on the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only she appeared to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all what she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they’ve discussed were as follows.

First, while Yuu and Miharu was at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked on the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimi-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if she was saying something like “I don’t like it using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a bit ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn’t understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn’t have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffens.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drinks but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn’t exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

　　　　◆

“……Now you finally able to go to toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hand”

A training session is being held in Kasugai household absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wearing her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly taken care well and she able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go her hand from Haruha’s and open the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck on his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his foot.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special feature on him. It might be because he is wearing school uniform, but he’s not type of person who wears any accessory or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha have mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocent when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realize.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friend who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrel when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversation she had were mostly for business and formal matter.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from how on”

That scene where Miharu gently patted the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grew accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervous lessen. Even though just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, that round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing showed up was a broadcast of news program of street interview in major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenager, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is classic girl anime that start airing for over 15 years, when she was little Miharu also often watch the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there the moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then stolen by a love rival and then they have a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset at the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed under nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little I innocently passionate with this just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan keep came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pull out a painful face. That supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out worried voice, and Yuu quickly deny it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wonder if your parents get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparation right? Like change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exit to the hallway and return to the room along with her luggage she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It’s quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn up and the fiber is exposed.

“The insides are not guitar. I bring my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Not being suspected though but she then opens the lid to show the insides.

Inside there are mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and towel as replacement of cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folds randomly are put on plain sight.

*SLAM!*

The lid was close in near lightning seed, and instantly blows wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feeling shame and self-loathing makes her goes silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly change the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I cannot get proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that can be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he see her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secret to the resident of the house she will be living in. In matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they don’t have time and energy to prepare food they get dinner through the neighbor family restaurant delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha okay in eat anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating matter doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle fork and spoon well and would often spilled the food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stain.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appear to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, same cannot be said in here. Compared to normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, look at Miharu who were standing next to her and spreading out the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes is soaked”

She’s all wet up from her shirt to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha were trying to cheer her up telling about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respond Miharu let out troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raise her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he sees, Miharu look at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

When both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feeling and just leave it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu when Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconditionally taking care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards male in general. He begins to think her as she’s a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it just another case of a quiet person become suddenly bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why such kid, is running away from home? Even though she went as far to tell that she’s running away from home she still haven’t told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rest his chin with his hand. And then, he throw fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in case like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they close the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the strongest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu return to the living room after annoyingly replied so ── His heart becomes hard to control.

Just now he realizes that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness against each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watch TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was a cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Harua after all; she probably tries to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubles her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he have any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is entirely different case. Even Yuu, who always playing『CtG』outside school, still have interest to opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room at second floor until they finish taking a bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything to happen in the bathroom and he cannot deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already goes to bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived to the living, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gesture and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar gene to ours and was composed of similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whatever it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did said that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means her taste are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in other way, just like human, her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but, for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or on a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still haven’t used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

That smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changes from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a façade”

Hajime mischievously smile and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sits down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely had no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it’s beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, a visor that covers the upper half of the user face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it’s finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulder were drenched wet with sweats.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting is now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”
“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”
“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of nightlight.

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were sleeplessly conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in other way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distant they had, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they moves.

At early summer, they’re using towel blanket instead of Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing bed”. But, aside of Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school student of opposite sex to be.

Even though they carefully making sure to not see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and others left, Yuu was planning to sleep on the living room after taking a bath. But the only usable bed in Kasugai household at the time is just the one at Yuu’s room. There is also one at his mother’s room, but it’s on the same state before her death ── which buried with tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spend the whole day to clean it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room just as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order bed or futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep on Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best delicacy and do the bedding for them.

In other hand, Miharu was being regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was no other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajama she received from Hajime, and now she’s rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was blindly cat-like.

Haruha who got puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listen to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha want to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tries to explain the unenforceability but, their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s facial expression, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But……『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?
Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understand that, there are no option to refuse.

Thus, above the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right beside Haruha who letting out proper sleeping voice, and he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired he still hasn’t reach the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he can do anything about it, because his heart beat fast as he feel their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is so lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, sure it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of runaway that she doesn’t own any bulkier pajama but…… seeing how low her guard is sure worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envy. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and cling on him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whatever she’s awake or not, maybe she’s seeing a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she burry her face tightly onto Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls back Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there were a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, were once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a different now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroke Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if got tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt got wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickles her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiled warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composer for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowned Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

*TL NOTE: This question mark is from the original text*

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he able to see her hesitatingly rubbed her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad facing boy.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant they have, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ house. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother starts to manage my life. I entered all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is corresponding line in my friend house, and even though there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacts with Haruha.

And because that, Miharu is grieving her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who has been taken care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything whether her mother knows that she’s here not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems they talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly close her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely his consciousness sinking smoothly into slumber. He finally used to this situation, did his body used up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest, or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A bit while after waking up her memories before sleeping is jumbled together and she forgot what she did. That day is exactly that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In past few days she has been living around her close friends’ houses, so she didn’t surprised when waking up in unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house am I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just few stuff in the room, but most of it are placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic model lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Above the bed Miharu is setting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy is wearing T-shirt and knee-light half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daugther” Haruha came out from game and they start to live together in “the daughter’s father” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them sleeps together…… She recalled that she had embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off in Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to wake brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she never touch a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed for things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly place her hair on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to pour more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it always through the thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to look at it again, his physique is not that blocky but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls back the drawing lesson she had during at class in junior high where she told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the clam and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who wake up while letting out tired out voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, whatever you look at it this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu is stroking his head while looking his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is entirely different case.

Miharu went panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gather all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and open her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorial moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they start the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I try to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu is preparing simple breakfast, Miharu is dressing up Haruha above the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this is a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair trimmed Haruha happily humming Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly speak.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after the incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with boy is just too much for me)

Sorry for Haruha, but from starting today she will convince her to sleep just the two of them.

But right before she starts her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu is the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grab Haruha”

Haruha hit her small fist to her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laugh. After that, what a problem what a problem she loosed her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot above the bed, on the room there was Haruha who in great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who losing her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

　　　　◆

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

Could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu pass through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that’s certainly looks like it” said Yuu while being staggered in a good tackle by Haruha, who’ve changed into cute children clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments for Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out for the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuffs. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and they are counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be nice if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how it will be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hand with Miharu, the three of them pass through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they will have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving grocery for the last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make an order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re telling we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused with various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting like a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost her consciousness in a room at Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incident also occur at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country had reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact with other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he takes his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through the it’s window Yuu saw the doll inside, and at the bottom of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale! Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely of him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems it was a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employee there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPG, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly exanimate it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned the topic.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how push Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer the question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has adistinct appearance of a dopey person or someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passed the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was a complete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and lifted all the luggage of the three of them. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unpleased. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) does no longer take off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s a very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fell.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly got both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to aid them with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu is shopping with his uncle whom she was acquaintanced with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was holding down the cart and right beside him was that girl, who talks about shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

*Crack*… As her body was about to fall, alongside the floating mark inside her heart start rotating, her friends swiftly take hold of her. As expected from table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panic which was very unsightly. He was like an untrustworthy that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made somewhere deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu. But in the back of his mind he was thinking “……….The heck was that?”

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people he is with.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers as she starts making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that even though he went as far saying he won’t butt in anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off on an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out grunt right from his stomatch, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while awkwardly smiling:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying in Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to gain back her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems she lost her consciousness while standing. He friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Wher are Yuu and others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said『I’ll explain this later!though…… wonder what was about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they might really be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in made him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting right next to her, pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly lived together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was were Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she remembers. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend were made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but in the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy that showed up appears to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken, was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said the name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

On the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

　　　　◆

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to go back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving to Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing a relaxing light clothes while sit crossing her legs, appears to be typing something to the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be a good timing. The setup will over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy shorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has special body a special devices is required.
We will perform test from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and on the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are shorting out each thing they brought. Yuu is shorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu is shorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognize as a fight.

“Well, this surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opens his mouth.

“If you had something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

Few minutes after their meeting with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intend to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might be also about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whatever to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it in action.

That said, even if he went out his way to ask it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stay silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I finish shorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remain standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faces him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroke Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

　　　　◇

──That’s right, it’s not even worth called as a fight.

“I think”

Several ten minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well as if venting up all the anger Miharu’s building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all what you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyway, you still bring up the name from other girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “I’m sorry”, come on”

“I, I’m…… sorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who gradually sitting lower and lower to the floor, but the distant between them prevent her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track on Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clearly. And moving become so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you ハダリーズ are optimized in that world, the different in outside world just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air in few days it will feels like your breathing are being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet her daddy and mommy.

As she think about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leading on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will get bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s both hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and open her mouth, but suddenly she becomes afraid. Her throat turned stiff and she went silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will get expired soon so I’ll have go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flows down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down his knee in a hurry and hold Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this secret from your mother”

　　　　◇

A bit while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of deserted town is a place with not characteristic other than being the capture point of nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest on that humble place. The mirror was placed on the spot where a cross or worshipping object usually at in real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of thing to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why I ended up being one?)

Just remembering that he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worry. Realizing how thin of their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than enough, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upsets her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re an adult as well.

The definition of adult and child are connected, for example when there are person at age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly a “child and child elevator”.

But he act firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I have to explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back to real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that)

“……And I didn’t thought Kugimiya-san would be angry that much”

He maddeningly sighs. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still have something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said『This is a game after all』 first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child develop personality and arrive to real world. If only they know that in advance they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning to talk about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha (TL note: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in game world and second in Kanji referring to Haruha in real world), there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly critic about it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is complete opposites in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distant with grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there are undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly taking form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dig through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. The scene of the day where Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it goes restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distant towards reality is just like her. If Haruha is a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers that makes you believes that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smile and sat down on the seat right next to Clampe. And then, she once again introduces herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduces himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must’ve change her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thought pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for change of pace.

Memento then touched her lip with her finger and start the story.

“Do Onii-san know about『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who angry that human discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then open the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived come to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answering what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always think about this.
There are 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there are only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happens when the box is open won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment human who obtained the wisdome to use fire, the god bless another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity that time doesn’t know what hope is and spends each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opens the box and the people come to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope are will just think it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that coming from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exist inside human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you suppose to find lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile effort” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of human’s resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by unique insight the girl has. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to human’s hatred. The world was nothing become the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lower her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolor air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smile seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

*Woosh*

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of a Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife got stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats are penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned on the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. Unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still form of game, all sensation of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage take place, the pain will be converted to slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly hard to move as handicap…… or supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his heck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s having, but it seems the girl is misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she give afterwards furthers confuses Clamp.

“Why Meme is doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is ハダリーズ who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to reborn. But Meme still worries”

ハダリーズ── it’s the name of the new humanity that were born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about before. Within his consciousness that dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continue, but that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness were already drowned into the turbid. The heat from his wounds turned into cold air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tide of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark were scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked a substance that was stuck at the back of his throat ── it was something tremblingly cold ── and violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhing inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head were dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intent to──

“Kasugai-kun!!”

His confused mind and body were saved by that voice. It slowly returns. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her marry self, even though the cooling is on she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is some were syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression were hidden by he hear. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? Couldn’t help but to be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of her, Miharu is still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wipe her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then shows a laugh.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next word coming from the girl’s beautiful smile was hardly a pleasant one.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[CtG—Zero Kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:YuudachiPoi

2015-05-19T08:23:18Z

YuudachiPoi:

こんにちは。白露型駆逐艦、夕立よ！よろしくね！
Konchiwa poi~
Yuudachi des~

Like to sink abyssals into the abyss of the ocean poi

Why is iron bottom sound so scarrryyy poi~?

Also like to edit, not good at translating poi~?

== Current Projects==
'''
Just about none poi~
Doing random editing here and there poi~??

User:YuudachiPoi

2015-05-17T10:17:50Z

YuudachiPoi:

User:YuudachiPoi

2015-05-16T13:29:36Z

YuudachiPoi:

こんにちは。白露型駆逐艦、夕立よ！よろしくね！
Konchiwa poi~
Yuudachi des~

Like to sink abyssals into the abyss of the ocean poi

Why is iron bottom sound so scarrryyy poi~?

CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 2: Output

2015-05-16T13:27:54Z

YuudachiPoi: Made some minor changes to the grammar....hope my English doesn't fail me here :c

IMPORTANT WARNING:
This chapter is servery unedited, further reading is (VERY) not advised.

-----------------------------

A week after Haruha got caught up in the robbery and kidnapping incident by Paya the Kid.

Kasugai Yuu lacked sleep.

Surviving school while half asleep, he was finally returning home. Walking through the residential area under the early summer sunset, he lets out a yawn with his throat trembling resulting in tears coming out of his eyes.

“That game again? I’m amazed that you can continue without getting tired of it”

The one who said that in an amazed voice was Fuyufu, who walked by his side. Since their houses are in the same residential area and she didn’t have any club, they occasionally return home together like this.

“It’s a good game”

Yuu answered with a downcast face. Although Fuyufu was no longer watching his face, he did that to hide his facial expression.

“Well… of course, since it’s “your game”. But, just be careful. News about people fainting in their houses due to unknown reasons are spreading.”

Once she said that, he remembered Kouta saying the same thing as well. He said, “This is happening throughout Japan, which is bad. Actually I have low blood pressure, I hope I’m okay.” But Yuu doesn't remember much because of his drowsiness at the time.

But, the parting words left by Fuyufu, under the sunset sounded strangely sharp── which like always── unearths pain to Yuu.

“You’re Yuubocchi, a loner after all, you will die”

(Don’t say stuff like die….)

Fuyufu making him depressed through her words is a usual occurrence, but more so with today’s emphasis on the word die. This is due to the fact that the word reminded him why he lacked sleep and how his anxiety began.

The reason he lacked sleep was Mifa.

Since five days ago, Mifa did not appear in『CtG』for some reason. Every day was then spent to comfort the lonely Haruha.

(What happened…?)

If it was only a day or two, it just might have been that the net-café she frequented was having maintenance, however it passed a timeframe which made him worry. The last time she was seen, she acted in her usual self and played with Haruha like any other day, and it didn’t seem like she got tired of the game or anything.

The only logical conclusion was that something must have happened in her private life.

(Could it be that she’s sick…? Maybe bedridden right now?)

It could be something worse than a cold or it could be related to the fainting incidents Fuyufu was talking about… and with that thought in mind, his worries worsened which led to even more negative thoughts. Thinking about it won’t help.

It is a common case in the online community. A person disappears without saying anything and there is no method of learning about their circumstances. The problem was that Mifa, whom he plays with, was just not a simple acquaintance. But if he were to describe their relationship── it was far too complicated to say.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been meeting with her nearly every day ever since I met her…”

It was about time he arrives home. More often than not, once Yuu’s home, he usually greets Haruha and then.

“Will Mifa show up today?”

“I’m here daddy!”

He felt something strange when he saw a light grey van parked nearby.

People who come to Yuu’s house are usually those from the postal delivery or courier service, or someone from his father’s side of the family. But their family car is red, and they would normally give an advance notice before coming. There was no new message or whatsoever on his mobile terminal when he checked.

The sliding door of the van opens, and a little girl jumps out from it── “I’m here daddy!”

Without even the need to hear her words, he already knew the girl’s name.

“Haru…ha…?

It was Haruha. Even though her hair color was a bit lighter, the clothes she’s wearing was similar to those worn by elementary school children, and she was undoubtedly Clamp’s daughter.

Her dazzling smile overflowed his whole body. The little girl nodded with all her might.

“Yes, I’m Haruha”

…. …. …

Aaah, a dream.

Well who can blame him for thinking that? This happened right in front of Yuu’s house, not inside the hotel in『CtG』which Clamp frequently visits. Even more, Haruha who is a resident of 『CtG』, a virtual world, is here in the real world.

Speechless, Yuu was about to place his hand on his forehead, when suddenly Haruha inquired.

“Daddy is daddy right?”

“Errrr. Yeah. That’s right”

“As I thought. You look a bit different, but Haruha knew immediately!”

Nodding with a triumphant look on her face, Haruha clung on Yuu’s pants. The sensation felt was more slightly awkward compared to when she did it in 『CtG』.

But it was undoubtedly done by the spoiled hugging mole Haruha.

“…Haruha. Emm, how… did you come here?”

He curiously asked while subconsciously stroking Haruha’s head. Haruha innocently enjoyed the sensation and narrowed her eyes while letting out the sound “nfufufu” with her throat.

“Nn? Haruha doesn’t really know”

“…Is that so. That… is quite troublesome”

“Let us explain about that matter.”

The voice came from the car from which Haruha appeared from. Looking into the car, there were three unfamiliar faces. They exited from the car in order and lined up in front of Yuu.

Two of them wore suits, a man and a woman.

The man was around his thirties. He wore round elongated sunglasses. Combined with a dry all-black attire, he was emitting an aura that didn’t match a person with a respectable occupation.

Meanwhile the woman looked young. She appeared to be around her twenties but also had an air of someone resembling her teens. With long casually tied hair and a smile that reflected her intelligence, she can be classified as the “woman secretary” type.

And the last among the three was a girl. Unlike Haruha, she was not a child. She appeared to be of around the same age with Yuu, wearing a sailor uniform and had a face of a diligent girl. In contrast with the composed pair of adults in suits, her tension can be clearly seen with the way she was standing.

Looking further, she undoubtedly was a stranger. But there was a feeling of familiarity, which unlike with Haruha, came about due to déjà vu. A feeling which he could not shake off easily.

“Could it be…”

He stared at the girl consciously. Even as the girl’s pupils were shaking like a punching bag, she returned his gaze with upturned eyes. While Yuu felt that doing so was indecent, he continued to stare at the girl.

“The person…is Mifa?”

Unlike Haruha, her face was not exactly the same as in the game. Although she has an appearance of a respectable and diligent individual, however unlike the Mifa in-game, she had too much of a plain and mature image. But what convinced Yuu was that her age and height appeared to be the same and above all, Haruha appeared here. It was those two reasons.

The girl looked away without answering.

Eh, I was wrong? If so, then could that my question was upsetting? Thinking like that, Yuu got depressed, however an answer came from the person below.

“That’s right! She’s mommy!”

Haruha answered, which then prompted Yuu to switch his gaze back towards the girl. With her clumsy steps, Haruha, who was about to tumble, was caught by the girl. Gently but surely.

──It’s Mifa. No doubt about it.

Even with confidence of their identities, it actually left Yuu even more confused. These two girls, whom he met almost every day in 『CtG』for the past few months were somehow present in front of his home in real life. Furthermore, one of them is his virtual daughter, which of course shouldn’t exist outside of the game.

Naturally everyone’s gaze turned towards the man in sunglasses who opted to explain the situation.

The man let out a grin which certainly had left a terrible impression.

“Well talking while standing is tiring. May we continue this talk inside your house?”

Yuu then led everyone to the living room which was often his sanctuary to connect to『CtG』

Feel free to sit wherever you like, he said, and the three of them sat in front of the table. Excluding the sofa, the number of cushions were barely enough for everyone so they had to line up in an orderly manner.

Along with Haruha who was clinging to him, he brought out iced tea from the refrigerator. Bringing out enough cups for everyone, he then returned to the living room.

“I’m sorry, this is all that I have here.”

With the nuances and formalities of “You don’t have to bother drinking it.” Yuu then placed the tray on the table. The woman in-black then raised her waist and poured the tea into the cups and handed them out to everyone. Meanwhile, Haruha rested herself on Mifa’s knees.

First, let us settle the main matter── the guy with the sunglasses stood up.

“Well then, we will introduce ourselves. My name is Niiro Mansei. I am part of the Yashiko Ministry Subsidiary Organization… well, as an underling, to set things straight.”

As he introduced himself, he presented his business card. On the upper left corner of the card, beside the organization name, it was written there “Human Equilibrium Institute” along with “The seventh senior researcher Niiro Mansei” which undoubtedly was suspicious. And there was also the fact that he didn’t take off his sunglasses even inside the room. Was that a new trend?

“Next is… this woman, she’s your mother’s acquaintance.”

While she was being stared at, the woman in-black let out a smile.

“Pleasant to meet you, Kasugai Yuu-kun. My name is Haijme Hidari”

“What do you mean by my mom’s… mother’s acquaintance?”

“I am involved with the Imagine Ekphrasis『Cradle to the Glaive』development. But I was just temporarily transferred from the institute so I am not exactly a full-time employee. And I’ve been indebted a lot by chief Kasugai.”

What was then the relationship between this human-something institute and the game company? Although the urge to ask such question was undoubtedly strong, he wasn’t able to ask it directly.

For now, he wanted to hear an explanation about a certain “problem” he had always thought of all this time.

Yuu’s gaze turned to this girl. She’s “Mifa”, the girl who has Haruha on her knees.

Once again their eyes met. She seemed to have been watching him for quite a while. But the moment their eyes meet, she quickly averted them as well.

Unable to speak for herself, she had Hajime introduce her.

“Her name is Kugimiya Miharu-san. She’s in her first year of high school just like you. And, just as you expected, she’s the girl who played the character named “Mifa in『CtG』.”

“a… nice to meet you, I’m Kugimiya”

When she finally spoke, Miharu quickly covered her face under Haruha’s hair. Looking at her, one can quickly note that she’s pretty shy, especially in front of strangers. It boggles the mind to think that she’s the same person as that Mifa, who talked to Yuu so bluntly when they first met.

“My name is K-Kasugai Yuu…!”

But it was not just her. Yuu stiffened up due to the tension.

Why was he so nervious? To put it simply and of course with Fuyufu’s interpretation, he’s a loner. Honestly speaking, he was sociable enough for a normal high school student. He could crack some light jokes with girls from the class, at the very least.

The reason why he was so nervous might have been due to the fact that Mifa, whom he 《Married》, was on the other side or maybe because Miharu’s appearance was breath-taking, or just maybe because the thought of Fuyufu staring deeply at him was floating on his mind.

But before Yuu was able to pinpoint the source of his nervousness, another “problem” raised her hand cheerfully.

“Haruha is… Haruha?”

“Why are you not convinced?”

This time, he was able to answer back normally. Straightforwardly, Haruha let out an “ehehe” laugh like she usually does. She had to politely speak because of the pair of adults present and due to her wanting imitate Miharu’s manner of speaking.

After a feeling of relief, Yuu directed his gaze towards Niiro so could ask questions.

“Stuff about Kugimiya-san and Haruha… you will explain it right? And also the reason why you all came here.”

Niiro smiled and laughed. As serious as he was, only his mouth was smiling.

“That’s for certain. Well then, I will talk first about Kasugai-kun’s cute little girl Haruha. We still haven’t talked about the details to Kugimiya-san as well.”

Miharu nodded seriously.

“To sum it up, Haruha-san is a person born in the world of 『Cradle to the Glaive』and came to this world.

…What the heck was the old man saying? He thought, however Yuu was not a Yuubocchi so he understood the roundabout explanation.

“…No, no. No way, that…”

“Hmm, I wonder how to explain this.”

Responding to Niiro’s gaze, Hajime took out a notebook from her breast pocket. She then ripped off a page to write something quickly on it.

“Listen, Yuu-kun. Imagine it first.

The build engine used to make the world of 『CtG』creates an endless realistic virtual world. It is arranged as a game under the system’s control but once that “control” is taken off, it would be able to perfectly produce the authenticity of the real world.”

Real World　●　≒　○　CtG

“Did you keep up at this stage?”

It was a well-known fact, he nodded. Hajime smiled and wrote “OK” on the paper.

“Well then, in order to go into 『CtG』, players would have to create an elaborate avatar. An avatar that has an equal or greater bodily function compared to their own.

Real World 　●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player 　■　→　□　Avatar

“That’s right. There is a function to cut off pain and appetite, but there is an option to have it matched to your real body as well… my Mother once said”

“Yes, exactly. Then, this is OK as well.”

Hajime nodded in satisfaction and wrote the third line on the paper.

“As you can see──naturally this situation can also occur.”

Real World ●　≒　○　 CtG　　OK

Player ■　→　□　 Avatar　OK!

Human ◆　←　◇　 Avatar　OK!!　←It’s here now!

………………?

……Nnn? Eh?

Does it really work… like that?

If human and player characters were considered as equals then an NPC (Non-Player Character) would have the possibility of becoming a human in the real world. Yeah. It’s logical in a way…

………………

Nononononono.

Because the logical was so simple, he was almost convinced by it however it was such a long stretch. And to begin with,

“Then what about the body? In any case when a human goes into their avatar, their body is prepared on the other side, but not the other way around. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not that hard to create actual human flesh you know.”

He said so easily. Taken aback, Yuu glanced at Niiro. He was not even smiling, it was that terrifying. It seemed that it was common sense for them.

It was true that news about how medically creating cells has been advancing and spreading in recent years which might have implications in the future that allows people in the future to breed by reproducing and splitting somatic cells. Emphasizing “in the future”, Yuu never heard of stories or even gossip about people succeeding in creating an artificial human body before.

“……It’s news to me.”

“Yeah, of course, revealing this to the public will incite critics and harsh inquiries. Well, what is important now is that “we can at least prepare a human body” as you can see.”

It was of course an unbelievable tale, but the very presence of Haruha confirms this. No matter what… no matter what, he couldn’t see that the little girl present was fake.

Before he was able to sort out his thoughts, Hajime resumed the talk.

“But, even if we are able to create a body, the “heart” would not be present. And eventually, we formed a partnership with Imagine Ekphrasis, which led to the current project.”

“Project?”

“Yes. The government will be the funder and investor for the new Imagine Ekphrasis generation game development, which in our end we will also lend stuff like computing infrastructures as well. In exchange, we can use their game world to study 『the way to create a new human』── so far that’s our plan.”

And then── Hajime and Niiro’s gaze turned to Haruha. Haruha, on Miharu’s lap, received their stares and somehow still managed to wave at them. She probably didn’t mean anything by that.

“And the first success sample is Haruha. An Artificial Child created in 『CtG』whose mind was transferred to a human body and now is here with us in the real world. That’s her.”

“But I heard that computers didn’t have the capability to create human consciousness…”

Yuu rebutted as he recalls the conversation he had with Fuyufu in the past. The mixed feelings of unable to believe and not wanting to reject Haruha’s existence stole the strength from his throat.

In response, Hajime answers with a smile. At the corner of her eyes, there was an uplifting expression which she showed for the very first time.

“The Nephilim type computer used in 『CtG』is completely different as compared to any existing ones. It is one of those machines that has the capability to create infinite possibilities and to create a human from within.”

“I don’t really understand, but… why are you entrusting such amazing stuff to a game company?”

“In order to have this system operate with utmost secrecy, we had no choice but to have Imagine Ekphrasis, which is the largest national net game manufacturer, possess it. Under what circumstance that led to this, unfortunately we cannot answer it now.”

A computer that can only be operated by a game company…what?

There were still lots of questions that remains but before he was able to spit it out, he understood that it would have been just a waste of time. There was no other choice but to believe what they said for the time being and continue on with the converstation.

“Then why do you want us… Clamp and Mifa, to take care of Haruha?”

With all the facts that were presented, in a way it can be said this was the most absurd doubt he had, and Niiro answered it instantly.

“We tried various ways to create a Hadzar… a new mankind as you can call it, and as one of our attempts, a plan was proposed to create the mind of a baby on its fresh state, pick up the best-fit and suitable couple with the computer, and entrust the baby to them and have them raise it. Technically we could have created her in the adult form right away but the artificially synthesized personality she has is… a bit poor.”

His explanation was subtly convincing at the same time it wasn’t. The issue itself was just too vague and Yuu couldn’t come up with anything to respond to it. Finally, the last question was asked.

“Then…… what do you want us to do with Haruha?”

“Anyhow, the same as before.”

Niiro easily answered back but Yuu couldn’t understand what he meant.

“Same as before, you mean… Haruha will return back inside the game?”

“No. Based on the various databases we had, it’s believed that the personality created in 『CtG』in the state of a teen is still relatively unstable to fully adapt to the real world. Hence from now on we will have Haruha live in the real world as a human here alongside the two of you.”

……………………

It took a while

For him to understand.

Haruha would live as a normal human from now on. This left an unsettling feeling but he had no reason to object.

In here──he meant in the Kasugai household.

You──he meant with Yuu, naturally that would have happen if she stays in the Kasugai household.

And the two of you──that would mean, probably……

“W-W-What do you mean!?”

Miharu shouted as soon as she understood the scenario. Her voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the house, and at the same time it was a refined rick voice. Just a little while ago, she only uttered faint sounds which was as quiet as a mosquito. Niiro and Hajime were unsurprisingly shocked as well.

“I-I-I was surprised…… seeing Haruha here in the real world, and then you people suddenly show up saying that you will provide her a place to stay so that’s why I came along the way here……”

Yuu then saw her mouth was trembling. Her face vividly red.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIVE WITH A GUY!”

It was subtly shocking, being said so frankly.

“Please wait a second. Even I’m troubled being asked to do so suddenly”

Yuu was on his impressionable age. Simply put, it was just too absurd of a request.

To suddenly live together with a girl of his age an also…… with Haruha who was born from a game, just how the heck was he supposed to live with them?

“First of all, how did it become like this?”

Niiro answered the question frankly.

His answer, in contrary to the oddities of topic, was very sensible.

“Isn’t it normal for family members to live together? Especially when the child was still so young.”

“Kugh…………”

It was the final blow for Yuu. He had no right to object.

Yuu turned his gaze towards Haruha. The child, who was born from the game appeared to be completely clueless, returned his gaze with a blank look. Her pupils’ were── like a mirror.

“After countless number of failures, Haruha is a child who finally obtained a human body. Her personality, information or data, is impossible to reproduce. We wish to cherish her as well. And for that, we think that it’s best to provide her with the most familiar environment from the game. And the most important factor of her life is the two of you, her 『Parents』”

He can say anything against that argument. Not to brag, but Haruha was yearning or Clamp and Mifa wholeheartedly. Was it really okay to betray her feelings?

“Fortunately, we didn’t have to provide a new house since the Kasugai household has a lot of vacant rooms and it’s quite far from the neighborhood. And since it’s the house of a developer, it has all equipment required to use 『CtG』.

That’s why we wish all of you to live here together. Can you understand that?”

“But that……”

Miharu who let out a loud voice earlier lowers her head. No wonder. She appears to be an extremely shy girl, to live together with a person of an opposite sex she just met today, was out of the question.

But.

“……I got it. I, don’t mind”

Yuu voiced his acceptance. Niiro probably examined what relationship Yuu had with his mother and used that to his favor. If you had to call it despicable, it’s despicable indeed, but more than that, his pride of not wanting to run away worn him out.

“That part of yours, you must have inherited that from your mother”

“Because of that I ended up playing a game filled with bugs though”

Hajime was just flattering──he simply thought──and he coldly replied. In fact, the game his mother made so far had large amounts of bugs in exchange for an abnormal degree of freedom it provides. There were also some internet urban legends that said that several debuggers were sent to the hospital because of it, but as a matter of fact, Yuu knows that many of the staffs collapsed in the middle of debugging the previous installments of 『CtG』.

Ultimately, there were also some that collapsed and never woke up…… with that in mind, he turned and faced Miharu.

“……But Kugimiya-san, you don’t have to force yourself. Your family won’t allow that right?”

He tried his best to be as gentle as possible, but Miharu’s shoulders trembled in shock.

And then everyone’s gaze faced Miharu. Since Yuu, the master of the house──but to be exact, it is managed by his uncle──had accepted, everything depended entirely on her answer.

Haruha, who didn’t understand the conversation at all, turned her body happily on Miharu’s lap. Yuu didn’t see her face, but he can easily guess the expression she made. It was that. That clingy upturned eyes she shows when Miharu was about to log out from 『CtG』.

“Won’t Mommy want to be with us?”

Miharu abruptly turned her head away, after Haruha hugged her chest tightly.

…………

……Looking at it now he noticed that Miharu’s breasts are bigger than “Mifa’s” and it didn’t seemed as if that his eyes were fooling him or whatever but normally won’t girls usually enhance part of their bodies when creting an Avatar (provisional figure) but it might just be his selfish assumption.

“Eh? Mommy, your boobs are bigger than the usual.”

……Yup, it was just a false assumption. Thanks to Haruha’s chattering, he was able to break free from the infinite chain of delusion based on pre-notions. Once again, thanks Haruha.

Attaining new wisdom, Yuu’s eyes started to sparkle──which had warmth── and that gaze was quickly spotted by Miharu.

It was enough to have her almost crying face flushed even more, but her lips started to tremble as well.

“a…………”

If this was a manga, this would be the scene where cold sweat starts to flow out, but for starters he would be able to recognize that he felt a chill on his spine.

“No, that, I mean, this is just a misunderstanding──”

It turned bad at this rate. As Haruha’s beloved daddy, he couldn’t let Miharu scorn him……well, it’d be awkward. As a normal high school boy, Yuu has something that resides on the center of his body, known as a beast shouting the word “love”, and it would do various things regardless of his will, which he needed Miharu to understand……no, impossible. Yup, impossible indeed.

Yuu was frustrated, unable to express anything, not even an unsightly excuse, but the words Miharu said next, was beyond his expectations.

“I-I will live with Haruha too!”

“Ee? Are… are you sure?”

Not only she appeared to be forcing herself, she also said that right after Yuu’s disgraceful behavior, her action was unmistakably a strange one.

However, with Miharu’s next words, the wall of misunderstanding was taken down in one fell swoop.

“Because I cannot let Haruha live together with Kasugai-kun! Friends from my school said that men are lascivious beasts screaming “love” from the center of their body all year long! It will surely be a bad influence to this girl!”

Saying all what she wanted, she held Haruha tightly, then glared fiercely at Yuu. That stare of her was honed as sharp as an owl, letting out an aggressive aura of distrust.

“Well~, it seems you have made up your mind.”

“I’m glad it was solved quicker than I thought.”

“Haruha……Mommy will protect you, alright?”

“Mommy, it’s a little painful……”

In the lively living room, the visitors started commenting what they had in mind.

Yuu felt like crying a little.

After that, they began talking in detail about the “life” they will have after this. What they’ve discussed were as follows.

First, while Yuu and Miharu was at school, Hajime will be present in the Kasugai household to care for Haruha.

Next, Yuu is Haruha’s father and Miharu is Haruha’s mother, but even so both of them are mere strangers, so please discern to what is known as “moderation.” (Miharu’s demand)

And lastly.

“Lastly, for the sake of having Haruha to live in the house, we must give her a Japanese name.”

“How about this?”

Hajime took the memo sheet from before and wrote the name on the other side of it.

『Kasugai Haruha (春日井　春羽) 』

Yuu and Miharu, and then Haruha peeked on the paper and looked at each other.

“I think it’s good. It matches her image……What do you think, Kugimi-san?”

Yuu wondered a bit if she was saying something like “I don’t like it using Yuu’s last name!” however,

“I think it’s good too, it sounds cute and nice.”

She liked it. He felt relieved, especially because there was a foul atmosphere a bit ago.

“This is Haruha? Is it cute?”

Meanwhile Haruha herself didn’t understand it. Much less the word “Wing”, Haruha who didn’t have an idea of what seasons are, was unable to see the word “Spring” as anything other than a symbol.

Yuu was wondering how to explain it to her, but without thinking so hard, Miharu talked to the “daughter” while embracing her.

“This “Spring” you see, is something warm, soft and pink colored, just like Haruha. I will teach you about it eventually.”

……When talking to Yuu, her attitude was so cold and hard which shook his beliefs, but Miharu’s expression when talking to Haruha was unmistakably Mifa’s.

Yuu somehow became a little happy.

It was the status quo filled with anxiety and embarrassment, but somehow he felt that this will turn out well──

“Nee, Mommy.”

While holding her stomach, Haruha looked at Miharu. Miharu’s face stiffens.

“W-what is it? Is your stomach in pain or something?”

“No. It feels cold.”

“Aa, that must be because she drank the tea earlier.”

Come to think about it, Haruha was still not accustomed to eating and drinking in her human body. There were senses in 『CtG』but not the sense of digestion──It was possible to eat food and drinks but it will instantly disappear once it enters the stomach──,that’s why the sensation of “having something in the stomach” didn’t exist.

“In here, when eating or drinking something will directly accumulate in your stomach. That’s why drinking something cold will make your stomach cold.”

“Hmmm…… but somehow my legs are tingling.”

“Legs?”

Behind Miharu was showing a blank look, Hajime started to shout in a hurry.

“This is bad! That maybe because, she wants to go to the toilet!”

It appears as if an angel passed.

Yuu and Miharu held Haruha on both sides and rushed to the toilet.

And so, the girl named Kasugai Haruha arrived in the real world.

At the same time, Kasugai Yuu’s carefree and lonely single life came to an end.

And Kugimiya Miharu’s gloomy daily life was noisily blown away as well.

The story of the most bizarre family in this world finally started.

　　　　◆

“……Now you finally able to go to toilet alone”

”Yes, I’ve mastered it!”

“Excellent. Then lastly wash your hand”

A training session is being held in Kasugai household absolutely normal toilet. After helping Haruha wearing her skirt, Kugimiya Miharu praised her.

”For next time and after, go in by yourself okay”

After she said that, she once again looked around the toilet. She was a bit worried about the place where a boy lives by himself, but it’s surprisingly taken care well and she able to use it without hesitating.

(In game he’s a person of logic, could it be he is a meticulous person?)

While thinking that, she let go her hand from Haruha’s and open the toilet door. And── right outside, Kasugai Yuu is waiting. *Gulp* as if something is stuck on his throat.

Involuntarily, she observed him from the head to the tip of his foot.

He doesn’t appear to be a boy with any special feature on him. It might be because he is wearing school uniform, but he’s not type of person who wears any accessory or anything to begin with. His form (Clamp) in 『CtG』 where you can easily change appearances, excluding gender and height, he doesn’t have that much differences compared to his real self.

“……What?”

It can’t be helped, but the voice she tried so hard to speak was really stiff.

“Well, I was wondering do you know how to you it … you see…”

In contrary, Yuu let out troubled voice. This part of him is different from when in the game. He’s shaking from waist down, something completely unthinkable coming from the always calm and composed ‘Clamp of Scarabaeus’.

“It’s fine. It appears to be from the same maker used in my house”

“Haruha have mastered it too! Since its embarrassing if Haruha still don’t know 『Pee』 and 『Toilet』 after all!”

Haruha’s innocent when she happily reported to her “daddy” makes Miharu’s head hurts. She knows that it can’t be helped, but should she teach her to be embarrassed first……?

And her eyes met Yuu’s who was thinking the same thing. He is Haruha’s “father”, and also the man she first met.

“…………Kuh……”

Diverting her eyes, she looks towards the living room. Then she realize.

“Eh? Where is Niiro-san and Hajime-san?”

“Saying they have some paper work to do they hurriedly left. Hajime said she will return at night though”

“They left us with Haruha that soon!? What will happen if she got sick and──”

“Well. The thing on Haruha’s neck….. a choker? They said they monitor her health condition through it. And they have other people from the institute on standby in case of emergency as well”

“I-Is that so. Well if that is the case……”

The conversation stops there.

They don’t know what to talk about. Even though in game they are close friend who often talk about stuff like how to raise Haruha and often had light quarrel when deciding the destination they are going to.

Even so, the person in front of her is undoubtedly a stranger. And probably same goes for him.

Furthermore, this stranger is a man.

Since she was originally a shy person, under her mother’s policy, Miharu was enrolled to all-girls school and for this several months Miharu hardly interacts with men of his age in real life. In middle school she had opportunity to talk with men, but recalling back the conversation she had were mostly for business and formal matter.

Just, how to deal with this somewhat hard and stiff creature? She agreed to live here under the momentum she had a little while ago, but it seems she should’ve been a little more cautious about it.

“? What is it, mommy daddy?”

“Ah, I was just thinking what we should do from how on”

That scene where Miharu gently patted the confused Haruha looks familiar. It was the scene he has grew accustomed to within the past two months. Just a little his nervous lessen. Even though just a little.

“……Aa, that’s right. Haruha, do you want to watch TV?”

“Teevee?”

Haruha’s eyes turned round.

After that, that round eyes of hers, became captivated by the TV.

The first thing showed up was a broadcast of news program of street interview in major city. Surprisingly or not, it did not impress Haruha much. In 『CtG』, that kind of scenery is not nil after all.

But then, the anime that shows up after that instantly caught her attention.

The proud and hugely popular show for girls from kindergarten to teenager, a magical girl anime 『Revive! Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』. The original『Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan』 is classic girl anime that start airing for over 15 years, when she was little Miharu also often watch the series.

The setting for each characters changes every year, but the important established atmosphere never changes. Ah that’s right, there the moment where Resupu-chan seduced a handsome male guest character with Shiberia Magic, but then stolen by a love rival and then they have a magic battle to fight for him, and after that they reconciled under the sunset at the riverside…… even though Rasupu-chan already has a boyfriend.

Like that, while looking the screen over Haruha’s shoulder, Miharu was immersed under nostalgic feelings.

“When I was little I innocently passionate with this just like Haruha right now”

“Eh……? This is innocent? Lastly the boyfriend Rasupu-chan keep came to pick her up at the riverside saying 『L-Let’s go home. I-I made delicious borsht. Okay? 』it was somewhat swelling my heart, it made me cry a bit……”

Yuu, who also watching somehow pull out a painful face. That supposedly the sweet part, but he doesn’t understand girls’ subtleties at all.

“By the way…… is it fine if you don’t go home, Kugimiya-san?”

“Am I a bother?”

She unintentionally let out worried voice, and Yuu quickly deny it in a hurry.

“N-No! I don’t mean that. I just wonder if your parents get worried. Even though you said okay, you will still need preparation right? Like change of clothes…… and such”

“Then no problem”

Miharu then exit to the hallway and return to the room along with her luggage she left at the corner.

“Guitar case?”

She placed the oversized guitar case in front of the confused Yuu. It’s quite old dull brownish-yellow color, the metal part of it still seems to be fine, but the corners are already worn up and the fiber is exposed.

“The insides are not guitar. I bring my clothes and personal belongings in here”

Not being suspected though but she then opens the lid to show the insides.

Inside there are mobile terminal, charger, Ramiel (『CtG』 terminal), dairies, laptop, detective novels, and toothpaste set wrapped with clothes and towel as replacement of cushion.

And somehow inside, her underwear that she folds randomly are put on plain sight.

*SLAM!*

The lid was close in near lightning seed, and instantly blows wind to his face.

“Ee, errmm….”

“Please…… don’t, say anything……!”

Yuu was probably trying to give some kind of follow up but he was stopped by Miharu. Naturally this time Yuu isn’t the one at fault, but being comforted by him will just makes her feel miserable.

(……I was planning to show him my good side, but I made a mistake instead…… as I thought, living together with a boy might be impossible)

The feeling shame and self-loathing makes her goes silent.

“Well…… but, why do you put your stuff inside a guitar case?”

Luckily she still has energy to respond to Yuu who kindly change the topic for her.

“……Because it was sudden, I cannot get proper bag when leaving the house. Then I found this in the storeroom”

“I see. So Kugimiya-san got taken by Niiro and his man too”

“No──”

Miharu hesitated. It’s not something that can be easily said to a stranger. It might change the way he see her right now.

However, she cannot afford to keep secret to the resident of the house she will be living in. In matter of fact, it’s related to the situation they’re having right now.

That’s why Miharu honestly told her current situation.

“Actually, I ran away from home not long ago”

Because they don’t have time and energy to prepare food they get dinner through the neighbor family restaurant delivery service.

Unexpectedly, Haruha okay in eat anything. She’s fine with most vegetables. But somehow she ended up leaving the asparagus, well that part might just be her preference. At least they won’t have to worry about food from now on.

However, her eating matter doesn’t go so well, she cannot handle fork and spoon well and would often spilled the food. Her clothes ended up having sauce stain.

Miharu who take care of Haruha from the side appear to be a little troubled.

Although she was very skillful in game, same cannot be said in here. Compared to normal elementary school student, her movement is like that of a robot. Because of that,

“Ouh!” ──*Crash*

Somehow along with a shout, with the fork she was holding, she hit an iced tea cup and spilled it. Although Haruha herself was safe, along with Miharu both of them were soaked wet. Yuu quickly went to the washroom in a hurry. He was probably looking for a towel or something.

Haruha, with blank eyes, look at Miharu who were standing next to her and spreading out the light sweet smell of straight tea<ref>Alternative term for black tea, a tea that doesn’t include lemon, milk, sugar, or any other additions. Just a plain tea.</ref>.

“Eh? Mommy is under 《Wet Status》. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine but…… my clothes is soaked”

She’s all wet up from her shirt to her skirt, the muddy feeling on her lower chest feels disgusting. Fortunately or not, she didn’t take off her water-repellent sailor uniform.

“It will get pretty in three minutes”

Haruha were trying to cheer her up telling about the rule of 《Wet Status》 in 『CtG』, in respond Miharu let out troubled laugh and stands up.

“Ahaha…… In here (reality), we must wash this before it becomes a stain”

She spreads the folds of her skirt, took out a paper napkin and let it absorb the tea. I wonder does this goes under normal laundry…… while thinking that and raise her head, her eyes met with Yuu who just returned from the washroom.

While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable. Wondering what he sees, Miharu look at her own appearance── her hand that was holding the hem of her skirt quickly stops. She stopped. And froze like a stone.

[[File CtG_vol_1_00015.jpeg|thumbnail| While holding a brand new towel, he shows expression of being taken aback as if seeing something unbelievable.]]

Realizing that the part of her Y-shirt that got stained by the tea became transparent she stiffly stopped moving, her body convulsed into spasms, and her face turned red as if stained by blood.

When both Miharu and Yuu were unsure of the next following behavior each other will make, the culprit of the entire thing Haruha stood up. She looked up Miharu’s body from below, and then stretched out her small hands, and *puff, puff* hit Miharu’s breast with it and excitedly reports.

“Mommy, as expected, Mommy’s boobs are bigger in here compared to there (game)!”

Yuu just silently saw off Miharu take the change of clothes and went to the washroom. Later he hears a wallow scream from the other side of the door, but Yuu understands her feeling and just leave it be.

Shortly after, the figure of Miharu wearing a gym uniform ── because it appears to be “a clothes that is fine dirty” ── returned to the table. She didn’t try to look at Yuu’s face directly, but with a very quiet voice she said “Thank you very much for the towel”.

Haruha was eating right beside Yuu when Miharu was not present, but when she returned Haruha instantly went to her side. It felt a bit lonely, but in game Mifa was more actively taking care of Haruha so it can’t be helped.

And Miharu herself, even though being ashamed like that, she unconditionally taking care of Haruha’s sticky mouth that was busy munching on the food.

──Kugimiya Miharu. Without any ulterior motive, she’s a good kid, maybe.

She was a bit harsh towards Yuu, but rather than because of Yuu himself, it’s more like her vigilance towards male in general. He begins to think her as she’s a kind and diligent girl. The gap between her personality and Mifa (Avatar)’s was quite confusing, but it just another case of a quiet person become suddenly bold on the net, such a typical story.

By why such kid, is running away from home? Even though she went as far to tell that she’s running away from home she still haven’t told Yuu anything in detail.

──A “daughter” who came from inside a game and her “mother” a diligent-looking girl who ran away from home.

(Two women with various circumstances, both are harboring in my house. Quite hard-boiled…… I would like to say but it feels something is missing)

Leaving that worthless delusion inside his head, Yuu rest his chin with his hand. And then, he throw fried egg hamburger into his mouth. It was soft-boiled.

“May I use the bath? And if possible, the washing machine too”

“Eh…… yeah, of course”

After than exchange, Miharu and Haruha entered the bathroom prepared by Yuu.

Haruha who doesn’t understand the concept of bath ── After all, inside the game, no matter how dirty you become it will get clean in mere three minutes ── raised a question “By bath you mean that? The thing with Goemon-san?” eagerly with her eyes, in case like this it’s better to let her experience it head first so Miharu went in with her.

Right before they close the sliding door in the dressing room, Miharu said with the strongest eyes she ever showed.

“……If you dare to peek, I’ll drag Haruha and leave this house immediately”

“Really I won’t”

The moment Yuu return to the living room after annoyingly replied so ── His heart becomes hard to control.

Just now he realizes that he’s too late to notice this peculiar situation, of which a girl whom he first met is taking bath in his house. By no other than Miharu herself, their consciousness against each other is rapidly emerging.

While he sits on the sofa in the living room and randomly watch TV, he heard the sounds of “running water” from the bathroom. And mixed along with it was a cheerful voice of Haruha who’s having fun, and occasionally the sound of Miharu raising her voice.

It’s that hugging mole Harua after all; she probably tries to hug Miharu in the bathroom and troubles her.

……………… Yeah.
……………………This is awkward.

It’s not like he have any desire to do anything blameworthy that would make Miharu worry, but even so to be composed in this situation, is entirely different case. Even Yuu, who always playing『CtG』outside school, still have interest to opposite sex like a normal guy would.

He thought he might as well wait in his room at second floor until they finish taking a bath, but it will be inconvenient if anything to happen in the bathroom and he cannot deal with it as fast as possible.

While worrying endlessly on the sofa, Hajime Hidari returned.

“Hee, Haruha-chan already goes to bath huh. I should’ve bring her a change of clothes”

What Hajime, who just arrived to the living, was wearing wasn’t a suit from the afternoon, but a summer sweater and a skirt under a lab coat; it was questionable to say the least. Moreover she’s wearing glasses she didn’t wear back at afternoon. Not only that, the atmosphere around her had completely changed judging from her gesture and way of speaking.

Being anxious by the older woman sudden frank changes, Yuu decided to ask.

“I’m sorry……. could it be, it’s bad to put her in water?”

Hajime lightly laugh and shook her hand.

“Of course not. I said it right? Haruha-chan is a human. She’s made from very similar gene to ours and was composed of similar composition, that’s why her color, voice, taste, and smell are very familiar right?”

Certainly, whatever it’s eating or watching TV, Haruha was able to properly react to it. She did said that it feels tingling when eating pepper, it means her taste are pretty much that of a human.

“To put it in other way, just like human, her body is dirty and not washed it will be bad for her health.
Ah, but, for now don’t leave her alone for most of the time, especially when walking on stairs or on a bath.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Haruha’s mind still haven’t used to that body. No matter how great a gamer is, it’s normal to be confused when playing a new game for the first time. For that kid, her body here (reality) is her avatar (incarnation). Her awareness to her own muscles and nerves still not linked well yet.”

Indeed. So that was the reason why Haruha’s movement here felt so awkward compared when she’s in game. It might be close to the feeling of having to walk after spending long time bedridden at hospital.

“Well, she should be able to adjust after several months. She’s human after all”

That smile Hajime made after feeing assured was── very charming.

He averted his eyes for some reason as if to hide his embarrassment and to relieve his sense of discomfort he asked.

“…… Somehow Hajime-san’s personality changes from before”

“Well of course, I’ll have to put on a mask in front my boss. To put in other word, it’s a façade”

Hajime mischievously smile and suddenly pressed her face close.

“If you have any request, I’ll put on any face you like”

“Eee…. eh….!? No, err──”

He unconsciously lost his balance and his breathing becomes rigid. It was suffocating.

But then, Hajime easily pulled back, and raises one finger with straight face.

“Well a reaction from a high school student might be like that, but Yuu-kun is a papa, so I expect you to be more firm”

“I, I will keep that in mind……”

Exhausted, he sits down on the sofa, and muttered weakly.

That’s right…… at any rate he is Haruha’s guardian, he should behave as one, both physically and mentally. While putting that determination he directs his gaze towards the bathroom.

And, there was…

Miharu who appears to be watching that conversation midway, and in contrary of her soft warm skin that just came out of the bath her eyes were very cold.

And then, next to her was Haruha wearing Miharu’s one-piece shirt, delivering an innocent gaze and completely had no idea of the situation.

In that very moment, for the first time of his life, Kasugai Yuu felt a sudden impulse to suicide.

What Hajime brought for Haruha wasn’t just change of clothes.

It was Haruha’s personal Ramiel (『CtG』 Terminal).

That was completely different from Yuu’s. Miharu’s was also different but it’s beyond that.

When talking about normal Ramiel, regardless of its version, the specification is always that, a visor that covers the upper half of the user face. But this thing is a capsule about the size of a small bed. Unlike normal Ramiel you do not wear it to use it, but rather go inside the device, lie down, and close the top cover, it’s reminiscent of some kind of medical equipment.

The word “Yotsura Artifactual Laboratory” and “Anthropic Code Transfer System” were printed on top of the eyeball-like red lens front cover. The “for HAL/Ha” at the end might be referring to Haruha’s name.

In contrast to its appearance that seemed to be packed with lots of metal parts it was quite light, but even so, it took the combined strength of Hajime, two researchers (maybe) she brought, and Yuu to lift it all the way to the corner of the living room. When it’s finally over, Yuu and Hajime’s shoulder were drenched wet with sweats.

“Actually I must teach you how to use this by today but…… I’m tired so let’s do it tomorrow”

Is it okay to be so loose, he thought but,

“And, the important Haruha-chan herself seems to be sleepy”

Come to think of it, Haruha who got bored waiting is now resting her small head above Miharu’s lap.

Yuu and Miharu looked at each other.

It seems Haruha, who came out of virtual world, can sleep too.

......Well, like that Haruha happily started her first time sleeping, but…

This is problematic.

“……………………………………”
“……Zzzz~……Nnyaa~……”
“………………………………”

Within the dark room illuminated by the pale light of nightlight.

Above Yuu’s not so poor or gorgeous bed that he used ever since elementary school.

Along with Haruha who lets out cat-like voices while sleeping in the middle, Yuu and Miharu were sleeplessly conscious about each other’s presences.

To put it in other way, they cannot concentrate on sleeping because of the other person’s breathing, motion, the close distant they had, and the rustling sound their clothes made when they moves.

At early summer, they’re using towel blanket instead of Futon<ref>Futon is traditional Japanese bedding, yeah, you people know it already. I’m sure.</ref>, so even though they “sleep on the same bed” it’s ultimately not “sharing bed”. But, aside of Haruha who’s a child, it’s surely not a normal situation for two high school student of opposite sex to be.

Even though they carefully making sure to not see each other’s eyes, the desire to see Haruha’s sleeping face won, thus repeating the circle of accidentally seeing each other, averting their eyes in a hurry, and repeat. And to make it worse, the desire to do it again gets stronger each time.

Even their thoughts to peek through their half-open eyes were same.

((Just why this happens……!?))

After Hajime and others left, Yuu was planning to sleep on the living room after taking a bath. But the only usable bed in Kasugai household at the time is just the one at Yuu’s room. There is also one at his mother’s room, but it’s on the same state before her death ── which buried with tons of books and documents ── so it cannot be used unless they spend the whole day to clean it.

……Although, he planned to keep his mother’s room just as it is, so tomorrow maybe they will just order bed or futon, and clean up the spare room that’s currently used as storage room and use it.

Anyway, there’s no way he would have Haruha and of course Miharu as well to sleep on the sofa. For today the two girls shall sleep on Yuu’s room instead, and he will do his best delicacy and do the bedding for them.

In other hand, Miharu was being regretful.

“I’m sorry. To have Kasugai-kun to sleep on the sofa and all……”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we can have Haruha to sleep by herself”

“But then Kasugai-kun will……”

But she cut her own words, because saying that would mean to show her distrust towards Yuu himself. And within such subtle atmosphere.

“Neee, nee……”

The one who raised her voice while tightly hugging Yuu’s leg was no other than their beloved princess Haruha. She’s wearing the summer pajama she received from Hajime, and now she’s rubbing her own sleepy face. Her appearance was blindly cat-like.

Haruha who got puzzled by the sensation of being sleepy for the first time obediently listen to Miharu’s explanation “It’s okay. To sleep is a very good thing” and loosened her mouth. Suddenly wanting to, Yuu stroke Haruha’s head.

“Sorry to make you wait Haruha. The bed is ready, you can sleep now”

“Let’s sleep together daddy”

Miharu tried to talk to her out of it, but unexpectedly Haruha shook her head.

“Haruha want to sleep with daddy too!”

The place.

Is frozen.

“N-No, no, that is a bit…”

“Tha, that’s right Haruha. We are, not like that, so things like that──”

In a hurry the two of them tries to explain the unenforceability but, their words were unexpectedly broken.

On Haruha’s facial expression, a certain emotion was shown within her drowsiness. Right below the shades of her eyes was the color of despair, the kind of feeling that normal child shouldn’t have known.

“But……『Sleep』 is the thing where Haruha can’t see, feel, or understand anything right?
Daddy and mommy might…… disappears when sleeping”

──That’s right. Yuu and Miharu faced each other. For Haruha, to experience sleep is both fun but also anxious thing. It’s different from Yuu and Miharu who accept it as normal occurrence. Everything is the first time for her, the only thing she can unconditionally trust are just her daddy and mommy.

Once they’ve understand that, there are no option to refuse.

Thus, above the absolutely not wide bed they formed the word river<ref>The posture of a family sleeping together are believed to resemblance the Kanji for river (川) where the child is in the middle.</ref>

………………

An hour had passed since they turned off the light. There was Yuu lying right beside Haruha who letting out proper sleeping voice, and he couldn’t sleep at all. Even though he was so tired he still hasn’t reach the entrance of sleep.

The reason was simple. Because he knew that Miharu is awake. Every one minute she would move slightly, and every thirty seconds she would let out a sigh. But even so it’s not like he can do anything about it, because his heart beat fast as he feel their body heat transmitted through the mat.

First of all, Miharu who appear to distrust man that much is so lightly dressed. Since this is early summer, sure it can’t be helped that she gets hot, but why tank top and short pants. Just by moving a little, that plump exposed legs of her would enter his field of vision.

Maybe because she was in the middle of runaway that she doesn’t own any bulkier pajama but…… seeing how low her guard is sure worrisome.

(This is bad…… the more I think about sleeping the sleepier I get)

Like this, Haruha who had fallen asleep so peacefully sure is envy. The moment he glanced at her, Haruha rolled over and cling on him.

“……Nyuu……”

Not sure whatever she’s awake or not, maybe she’s seeing a dream, while repeatedly moved her mouth she burry her face tightly onto Yuu’s chest.

The presumptuous petite angel who knocked his belly was just like a doll, but, the certain warmth she has was pretty hot. She’s a human after all, recalls back Hajime’s words.

It’s such a weird story. Even though they’re all human, there were a man like Yuu, a woman like Miharu, and a kid like Haruha. Furthermore, even Yuu himself who had become like this, were once just like Haruha who’s small, doll-like, and very dependent of her beloved parents.

……It might be not much of a different now. Yuu let out a bitter smile and stroke Haruha’s hair. Haruha pulled her lips as if got tickled.

“……daddy……”

Unconsciously, he hugged her back with all his might.

But, she will undoubtedly wake up from it so he put up with it. Although he cannot deny that he almost lost his composure seeing the skirt got wet by Haruha’s droll.

“……Really, Haruha is really a hugging mole”

He tickles her ear with a whisper. Turning his eyes, there was Miharu smiled warmly at them,

Very naturally, he was able to return with a smile and low voice.

“Her first “sleeping together” partner is me”

Within the darkness, Miharu’s feelings were transmitted clearly.

“………But, she called 『mommy』 first so it’s me”

“That’s right. Within the bygone days maybe such thing did happened”

Yuu who’s showing his composer for grasping tonight hegemony (?) in hand, and frowned Miharu. In such scene, Yuu felt a bit more assured.

*TL NOTE: This question mark is from the original text*

“At first I thought your personality is completely different, but you’re like Mifa from times to times”

“Aa……”

Suddenly Miharu was loss of words. It feels like she is regretting something.

It’s dark so it’s hard to see her expression. But, he able to see her hesitatingly rubbed her legs together at the corner of his eyes.

“……. It’s really weird right. Being Net Benkei<ref>Netto Benkei (ネット弁慶) is Japanese slang referring to a person who has strong personality in internet. Altered version of Uchibenkei (内弁慶).</ref>”

“No. 『CtG』is an RPG after all, it’s normal to act”

“It’s a bit different from acting. I’m usually like this…… so I adore those who have bright personality like Mifa. I can’t change even if I want to in front of person in flesh, but I can when being Mifa in『CtG』.
Unlike me who just all talk, who is bad at talking and shy, who is bad facing boy.
And unlike me…… who can only listen to her parents”

Her voice was very small and vague, probably to not wake Haruha up. Even so, thanks to the quietness of the room, and the close distant they have, he was able to clearly hear her voice.

He was able to hear what he failed to from before.

“And even so, you ran away from home?”

“………I did say runaway but, all I do is just walking around staying at friends’ house. Depending on which house they might’ve contacted my mother. My revolt is only that far”

“Is your house strict……?”

“There are some special circumstances so my mother starts to manage my life. I entered all-girl school because my mother said so, and just a while ago, she made me quit chorus club in that high school because I came home late.”

……So that’s why her time『CtG』 increased. He feels pathetic to feel happy without knowing that. But setting that aside, the reason why her guard was so low was probably due to her being accustomed with all-girl living style, he thought.

“And then, this time she told me to stop playing 『CtG』…… Well, it’s my fault to do all-nighter and overslept though.
But, at least just this, I don’t want to stop doing just because she told me so”

“……Because Haruha is there right”

Miharu, even in this darkness, clearly and strongly nodded.

“That’s why I ran away taking a Ramiel with me…… but it’s not certain that there is corresponding line in my friend house, and even though there is one I would feel bad to borrow it. In the end, I couldn’t log-in in these few days”

This is just Yuu’s imagination but there is no way the reason “I have a child in game so there is no way I can stop!” would pass through with such strict mother. And even if she says it there is no way her mother would understand. Even Yuu himself wouldn’t understand anything until he actually interacts with Haruha.

And because that, Miharu is grieving her actions.

Objectively speaking, it’s about a child who rebelled against her parent who has been taken care of her for all her life and selfishly running away from home just because of useless online game. Talk about being ungrateful.

Even so. No, exactly so.

Even if it just Yuu alone he wanted to be her ally. He thought.

He still hasn’t heard anything whether her mother knows that she’s here not at the moment, and then Haruha shook her body.

“……nn……uuh……”

He relieved that she didn’t wake up, but it seems they talked too much.

While he’s looking at Haruha’s hair, he whispered to Miharu.

“Let’s just sleep shall we”

After replying with “Yes” Miharu slowly close her eyes while stroking Haruha’s head.

Yuu closed his eyes shortly after and strangely his consciousness sinking smoothly into slumber. He finally used to this situation, did his body used up oxygen from that conversation and his brain requests a rest, or……

As he thinks about that, his consciousness slowly sucked into the night and bed by the gravity.

But it was interrupted as he realized he hasn’t entered 『CtG』 at all today.

──Kugimiya Miharu is weak in morning.

Maybe because she has low blood pressure or something. A bit while after waking up her memories before sleeping is jumbled together and she forgot what she did. That day is exactly that.

“Nnnn………nnuu……”

Waking up in fragile state, she stretched out while ringing her throat.

In past few days she has been living around her close friends’ houses, so she didn’t surprised when waking up in unfamiliar room. But,

(……Whose house am I staying at yesterday? Ton-chan? Koro-chan?)

She couldn’t remember. What enters her blurry vision were “I’m not sure which color should I pick, for now I will just buy black or gray colored stuff”-like furniture, it was a boring dark room.

(It’s like a boys’ room……)

It was a tidy room. It’s not like there is just few stuff in the room, but most of it are placed neatly on the shelf or above the desk. And on the shelf there are plastic model lined up.

“As I thought, really boy-like──”

As she sloppily ruminate the room through her eyes── she got interrupted by a murmur.

Above the bed Miharu is setting on, a girl is sleeping. She has fluffy hair and cuteness that undoubtedly will convince you that she’s the world cutest beautiful girl.

And, right beside that gem-like girl there was a very mediocre-looking boy sleeping. And that boy is wearing T-shirt and knee-light half-pants which is known to be the rudest display to show to woman.

Her head boiled up── and she remembers everything in that moment.

That’s right…… yesterday, “daugther” Haruha came out from game and they start to live together in “the daughter’s father” house. And then, due to Haruha’s request the three of them sleeps together…… She recalled that she had embarrassing talk before sleeping but couldn’t exactly what it was.

After this, just what kind of face should I wear when facing Kasugai-kun…..? It feels like they had a pretty chaotic distance against each other from the beginning.

And speaking of Kasugai Yuu, he’s hugging Haruha with a very loose face; it doesn’t seem he will wake up any soon.

Looking around, there was a digital clock displaying “Sat 0908” on the bedside. Yuu’s school should be off in Saturday──In Saturday Clamp appears in『CtG』 right in the morning── so maybe it’s time for them to wake up. Since it will be bad for Haruha’s education.

Even so, to wake brutally wake up an Angel from her peaceful first sleep in her life is just too much for Miharu to bear. First of she should just wake Yuu up.

If she raised her voice she would wake Haruha up too── she hesitates. Probably it has been over six years since the last time she never touch a sleeping guy. But, it will be problematic for their life in the future if she gets embarrassed for things like this.

(That’s right. Compared to Russhy (Super-scary even though it’s a Pomeranian<ref>A small dog of a breed with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and pricked ears</ref>) from the neighbor, a boy or two is nothing……!)

While encourage herself, she gingerly place her hair on Yuu’s shoulder. No reaction.

It can’t be helped so she tried to pour more strength but it doesn’t seem to do anything. ……and even so,

“Somehow this is scary……”

When touching Clamp in『CtG』 it always through the thick layer of clothes. But to directly touch it like this sure gives an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to look at it again, his physique is not that blocky but his arms and legs are way more masculine that hers, it looks kind of heavy. His toe looks like gravel. She recalls back the drawing lesson she had during at class in junior high where she told to imagine girls as plants and boys as mineral.

(Were boys all like this……?)

She tries to recall back when she hit her father’s back when she was young, but it was so long ago that her memory went foggy.

As if trying to look beyond his shadowy face, she looks directly at the boy’s face. It’s different from Clamp’s the clam and firm imprisoned face or his unreliable troubled-like face. Kasugai Yuu’s sleeping face looks slightly like Haruha’s, it was very defenseless.

Unable to escape her drowsiness she unconsciously moved her finger and touched the hair on Yuu’s cheek.

“Nnn……”

Her eyes met Yuu’s eyes who wake up while letting out tired out voice.

“……eeh? Ku….. Kugimiya-san……?”

It seems Yuu is quite a morning person and immediately recognized Miharu’s existence. But, even so, whatever you look at it this situation appears like ── nothing but ── Miharu is stroking his head while looking his sleeping face, and to swallow this situation is entirely different case.

Miharu went panicked in various ways. Her face turned red, and the advanced language skill action to explain will indefinitely fail her. But to stay silent in this situation would just nominate her as a strange person. That’s why, she gather all her courage into her throat, and let out a word of excuse as if pouring it all out,

“A, aim chorry!”　

She bit her tongue.

“……? Eh?”

Because of all commotion they made, Haruha finally woke up and open her eyes.

And then, the sight in front of her during her first memorial moment was.

The figure of her father with a question mark floating above his head, and the figure of her mother who looks like about to cry

“……nnniya?”

After that they start the discussion over the alarmed zone, for now the misunderstanding between Miharu and Yuu has been cleared. (To sum it up the truth “It turned out like that when I try to gently wake you up” has been recognized as sounding strangely like a lie)

While Yuu is preparing simple breakfast, Miharu is dressing up Haruha above the bed.

Accompanied by the morning sun that dimly entered the room, she combs Haruha’s hair. No matter how disordered your hair became it can be set straight in an instant in 『CtG』, so this is a fresh new sensation for Haruha.

While having her hair trimmed Haruha happily humming Rasupu-chan theme song, Miharu modestly speak.

“W-Well Haruha…… It’s about the sleeping together with Kasugai-kun you see”

As expected, her voice was stiff. She was able to sleep yesterday, but it was right after the incident this morning, she can’t do it anymore.

(As a boy Kasugai-kun is not that scary…… but, sleeping with boy is just too much for me)

Sorry for Haruha, but from starting today she will convince her to sleep just the two of them.

But right before she starts her persuasion, Haruha stopped humming and said.

“Hear~, Haruha you see~.
Today~, when waking up~, in the morning~──”

Her lisp voice over her shoulder was melting like butter.

“Haruha was hugged, by daddy!”

To be exact it was Haruha who first hugged Yuu, but from her perspective Yuu is the one who couldn’t let her go.

“Haruha sure~, daddy is~.
When waking up, if Haruha is not there, will be sad, and scared…… so *squeeze*, he grab Haruha”

Haruha hit her small fist to her mouth, and “Kufufufu……” happily laugh. After that, what a problem what a problem she loosed her face.

“Really, daddy sure is childish”

………………This is bad. To show such a good smile, like hell she able to say that it was the last time to sleep with daddy.

The morning sunlight that passed through the window created a small sunny spot above the bed, on the room there was Haruha who in great mood for awakening in the best morning, and Miharu who losing her strength and dropped her shoulder.

It was the morning of a certain mother and daughter.

　　　　◆

After Yuu and others finished their breakfast, Hajime Hidari showed up in front of Kasugai household entrance.

“Yaayaa! Good morning! How are you guys?”

Could be because there was no Niiro today, she’s in ‘glasses onee-san’ mode right in the morning. While feeling something like heartburn, Yuu pass through the living room.

”Somewhat fine. At least Haruha is energetic as always”

“Right. Haruha sleeps and wakes up properly”

“Gufugh!? ……t, that’s certainly looks like it” said Yuu while being staggered in a good tackle by Haruha, who’ve changed into cute children clothes. Hajime looked at Yuu and Miharu sequentially.

“Well then…… I will have to make some adjustments for Haruha’s end. I think it will take around half a day. You guys may go out for the meantime”

“Go out…… You mean with Haruha?”

“Yes! Like a date.”

“NO WAY!” answered Yuu and Miharu in unison -- causing them to look at each other.

“Do you hate it that much?” they both thought.

While smiling, Hajime offered a proposal as she looked at the two.

“Then go run some errands. You need to buy various necessities whether if it’s for Haruha or not. Yuu-kun has school on weekdays, and Haruha is busy with school transfer among other stuffs. It will be a problem if you don’t do it while you can”

She was certainly right. But,

“Is it okay to take Haruha out here and there? Because…… it has only been a while since she came out”

“That’s why we will have you use the car to move around. The driver is from the institute, so he can carry out various errands to some extent, and besides──”

Hajime paused and mischievously closed one of her eyes.

“Both of you are the best couple chosen by Nephilim Computer which created that 『CtG.』. Both of you are her parents, and they are counting on you so be proud of yourselves”

Several minutes and meters from the national highway later, Yuu and the group walked to the supermarket chain stores.

It would be nice if they went to the general supermarket near the station, but it will be very problematic and awkward if they happen to meet an acquaintance from the neighborhood. That’s why they went all the way to a place where students don’t visit much. It’s indeed an unfamiliar shop but…… just thinking how it will be if they meet Fuyufu, this is not a problem at all.

The person from the institute who drove them all the way here ──who, by the way, was a very kind-looking man── said that he will wait in the parking lot. Along with Haruha who was holding hand with Miharu, the three of them pass through the entrance.

The store lets out the atmosphere of typical suburb. It’s a two-story building but it’s profusely wide. There is a foreign cinema at the back probably because the management materials are from Tebiro<ref> Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0036, Japan</ref>.

Miharu, who curiously surveyed inside, asked casually.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. It has been two years since the last time I came here”

Yuu wanted to say that he used to come here with his mom in their car. But he didn’t.

“It didn’t seem like it changed that much. They should have most household goods provided here”

The first thing they will have to get would be clothing and bedding leaving grocery for the last. Food, clothing and shelter they say after all. As for the funds, they have the card Hajime gave them so they have quite a bit of excess money.

“Well then…… first let’s find a bed and make an order. We might forget about it later” Yuu proposed.

Miharu’s face turned red.

“Eh? You’re telling we should change to a double bed?”

“No. It’s not like we can sleep in the same room forever, so I think we should a bed for Kugimiya-san too”

“………………of course”

Since this morning, Miharu has been confused with various things. She squatted down, groaning, while being hugged by Haruha who’s acting like a tranquilizer.

“Ohh~, what is this place?” said Haruha as she restlessly walked through the store with her sparkling big eyes.

『At nine o’clock yesterday evening, a woman who lost her consciousness in a room at Tokyo residential area was discovered by a family member. The woman was immediately taken to the hospital, and it seems her life is not in danger, but the cause of the syncope is unknown. According to the doctor there is no problem in the woman’s health condition……』

The large TV on display was showing today news. Yuu didn’t stop walking, but somehow it caught his attention. It’s the incident that Fuyufu mentioned before.

『This kind of fainting incident also occur at various other places in the past few weeks, the cause of this unexplained fainting is unknown and the number of victims within the country had reached over thirteen people. Although it still hasn’t reached a serious level yet, those who are living alone are advised to frequently contact with other people as an effort to minimize the damages that might occur from these incidents』

“……Maybe it’s time to call uncle after a long time.” Yuu thought.

“What a scary story” said Miharu anxiously. And then Yuu suddenly remembered “That’s right……. I’m no longer alone now.”

“Daddy! Haruha found something cool!” reported Haruha to Yuu who was taking a break on a nearby bench. Miharu was looking for clothes to buy while Yuu, being a guy, became inevitably bored.

He was sitting beside Haruha, but the moment he takes his eyes off her, Haruha took off and went somewhere. She came back holding a colorful box about the size of a concrete block.

“Fufufu”, she giggled as she looked inside the box. Through the it’s window Yuu saw the doll inside, and at the bottom of the box 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan 5』was written. It appears to be one of the good characters from the anime Haruha watched last night.

“Isn’t this for sale! Don’t take it without permission!”

“Aww~……” said Haruha as she frowned.

It was very unlikely of him to get mad at Haruha who was showing a dissatisfied face like a spoiled kid. He held her hand and had her guide him back to where she found the box. Fortunately, it was from the nearby toy store and they were able to promptly return it to the shelf. Since there were piles of similar box lined out, it seems it was a popular product.

“Haruha. In stores like this, you must pay with money”

“Stores goods are bought from a product list, right? And dropped items are free to take, right?”

“……That is only inside the game. Here you must put item you like inside the basket, and then buy it by hand from the employee there. If you don’t do that and take it outside, you will become a thief. Thieves are bad people”

“I must use a harsh tone when saying this” thought Yuu. Haruha pouted as she looked at the Resupu-chan figure regretfully.

“But daddy, you often steal stuff, right?”

“Don’t say things like that….. and it just inside the game, like taking a weapon from a monster, or dealing with the robbery incident that time”

“Come to think of it Kasugai-kun, when fighting Humanoid (Artificial Human) you often beat them by 《Snatch (steal)》 their weapon, right?” said Miharu as she showed up from behind. She’s holding stuffed paper bags on both her hands. It seems she finished purchasing clothes.

“Why do you keep on doing such bothersome things?”

It was the first time Yuu realized that Miharu’s mouth would smoothly work when the topic is about the game. The same goes for Yuu as well.

“Well, even though it seems like a bothersome thing, it’s still a technique. Stealing the enemy’s weapon while empty handed, and then, in perfect timing, activate a semi-auto attack; it’s a style that relies heavily on preliminary actions. It’s a distinct specification of『CtG』I say”

Yuu used the word “specification”, but it was not mentioned in any official announcement so it fell under the vague line of either is it a bug or not. In other words: a hidden trick. The requirement of this is that the opponent must equip weapon and you must go empty-handed. If you fail to steal their weapon you will be in a huge pinch, and first of all it’s a technique most player don’t know about.

“Huh? But Kasugai-kun, even though the opponent uses ranged weapons you still forcefully try to steal it, isn’t that just a hobby of yours?”

“Daddy is just trying to show-off”

Yuu averted his eyes as he was unable to say anything against Miharu and Haruha’s continuous attacks.

“To be able to beat down the opponent instantly is cool” Yuu thought. That’s why he relies so much on it. The players who would level up their 《Snatch》skill for such reasons would be most likely just Yuu.

“A-anyway…… unlike in game, you mustn’t take stuff from shelves and pots. Understand?”

“Ehh? From pots is bad too?”

Somehow, that was the part Haruha was shocked about.

“Yeah, you mustn’t break things either”

“Just what……”

Ever since RPG, especially the middle-age fantasy ones, reached the 3D era, pots at roadsides and indoors were objects that were free to inspect and break. People may selfishly exanimate it without permission and freely take miscellaneous items from it although these are not just the only items you can get. It is a daily routine and an important factor that prevents players from losing their willingness in investigating towns and villages.

In this world where rummaging and breaking pots is forbidden, for Haruha who literally a brainchild of the game, this is a paradigm crisis.

“The… then, what can Haruha break?”

“I’ll buy her a bubble warp later” thought Yuu at that moment.

Right after that, Miharu returned the topic.

“……By the way, what were you looking at?”

“It’s Rasupu-chan”

Haruha, who surprisingly got over her depression fast, pointed at the 『Figurine Mystical Priest Girl Rasupu-chan (5)』.

“It’s amazing, you know? She’s doing her deathblow pose”

Because of how push Haruha is, Yuu once again took the item and looked at the description.

Just like what Haruha said, despite being palm-sized, the position of her body perfectly replicates the Shiberia super deadly poison pose. Truly a gem item. But, after realizing something he returned it to the shelf.

“Haruha…… I’m sorry but it’s written here 『For fifteen years old and above』. In this world, Haruha is around eight, so you must be older to buy it”

In response to Yuu’s explanation, Haruha, as if dying, asked a question with her pure eyes.

”Why can’t Haruha buy anime toys for little girls?”

“Yeah... Really, I wonder why……”

Why would a figurine of a currently airing anime aimed for little girls be a merchandise for fifteen-year-olds? Yuu, feeling helpless, was unable to answer the question.

How can they cheer up Haruha? She already had her shoulders lowered, feeling down from the pot incident and more? At times like this it’s best to leave it to Miharu is also a young girl at heart.

“H-here Haruha. This one is okay for three-year-olds and older”

What she found from the shelf was a soft Rasupu-chan vinyl doll. It’s a set along with a rival character called Fu-Nyanchu which is cheap, but very unrefined, and the only thing moveable was its shoulder which can only rotate in a circular motion. Moreover, its face doesn’t look like the real one at all. It’s reminiscent of a voodoo doll used by ancient people as an object of worship, it has adistinct appearance of a dopey person or someone spacing out.

Yuu made a bitter smile.

“Well, Kugimiya-san. I don’t think that……”

“Uwaa────! A battle set────!!”

“E-e-eh she’s overjoyed!?”

After saying “I’ll get this for you” and passed the doll to Haruha who let out cheers with her sparkling round eyes, Miharu whispered to Yuu in a pleasant voice.

“Still, quantity over quality”

“…... was I this simple when I was young……?”

As he thought, Haruha’s personality is way younger compared to her physique. From what he remembered, Fuyufu and his cousins were more impertinent when they were at the same age as Haruha right now.

Moreover Yuu himself was a child who would say harsh and heartless words to others──

『It’s okay that you did not visit me one the day you promised me a month ago. …… but mom, do you understand the meaning of the words “promise” and “lie”? Could it be that you remembered it wrong and mixed up their meanings?
…… learn Japanese right already』

…………Just remembering it makes him loathe himself.

Compared to Haruha who was cheerfully looking at the toys on the shops with Miharu, Yuu was a complete opposite. Maybe the reason why Yuu accepted Haruha easily was because he hoped she would become a child who would love her mother in exchange of himself.

And to that thought── he shook his head.

“No…… isn’t that exactly what playing doll is?” thought Yuu

He let out a small sigh, and lifted all the luggage of the three of them. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Well then……. Maybe it’s time for us to go back. It feels kind of bad to keep people waiting”

It took around two hours for them to finish buying the needed household goods and groceries, including having lunch at a random store at the food court.

“Aww~…… we’re going home now?”

Haruha who was happily helping Yuu by pushing the shopping cart appears to be unpleased. She expressed her dissatisfaction by hitting the cat paw-pattern cushion she picked herself earlier. But, Miharu then said “Well, hmm……” with a weary voice out of fatigue and nodded.

Unexpectedly, Haruha (excluding the case in the toy store) does no longer take off anymore as soon as you take your eyes off her.

However, every time something catches her interest she would grab either Yuu or Miharu’s arm and drag them here and there. As her guardian, it’s a very exhausting. Even so, they have to keep an eye on her no matter how often they tripped and fell.

Even though they were just shopping, Yuu is still not used to handling a child and quickly got both physically and mentally tired. In the end he went outside through the parking lot and walked through the busy passageway.

The girl who was walking right in front him recognized his awfully familiar face.

The reason for their meeting with Kodzuchi Fuyufu on that day was a very simple one.

She got invited by her friend from the Table Tennis club to watch a mania-aimed B-rate movie which didn’t screen in major cinemas. They had that friend’s older sister, who was at that time searching for a job, to aid them with a car. Thanks to that, Fuyufu, her friend, and her friend’s sister ended up giggling from the depths of their lungs after watching the action splatter movie 『The Goblins’ Pipeline Grand Strategy』.

After that, they parted with the friend’s sister who wanted to take a nap in the car. The two then walked to a clothes store at the super market to spend time. It was then when the encounter took place.

Why is Yuu, who always caged himself inside the house playing 『CtG』 when not attending school and shopping, is here in such a suburb super market? If that was the case, Fuyufu would think that Yuu is shopping with his uncle whom she was acquaintanced with. But...

Yuu was, walking alongside a girl.

The girl, who appears to be bashful, is around the same age as Fuyufu and Yuu.

Yuu was holding down the cart and right beside him was that girl, who talks about shampoo brand or something. They’re undoubtedly acquainted with each other, and they’re shopping together. …………Shampoo? What? Eh???

“No…… way……”

*Crack*… As her body was about to fall, alongside the floating mark inside her heart start rotating, her friends swiftly take hold of her. As expected from table tennis club, her legs are very agile and reliable.

“Fuyu-cchi! Keep yourself together!”

“To think that Yuu-bocchi<ref>Yuu’s nickname given by Fuyufu, refer back to chapter 1.</ref> is walking alongside a person other than me……”

“That’s what you were so shocked about!?”

“Kugh…… could it be, that woman also possess the devil eye that able to see ghosts?”

“What’s up with that setting!?”

Hearing the loud voice of her friend, Yuu turned his body to their direction.

“F-Fuyu!? Eh? Aa…… wha, why are you here......!?”

He let out an unusual panic which was very unsightly. He was like an untrustworthy that was caught cheating.

And the girl in question was hiding behind Yuu as if frightened.

Seeing that figure of her hiding behind Yuu’s shadow made somewhere deep inside Fuyufu’s body go “ciiiiing” as if it was letting out a metallic sound──

“Well, well! Isn’t that Yuu-kun from Kasugai household I’m seeing here?”

With that clearly out-of-character way of speaking and hardened-like smile, she made a big pause. “Uuugh…” Yuu cried out through his throat, but then he produced a fake smile clearly knowing that running away was not an option.

“Y-yo, yoo. What a coincidence” said Yuu. But in the back of his mind he was thinking “……….The heck was that?”

He’s acting different from normal. Usually he would be stubborn like a child and boorishly try to run away from Fuyufu. But, strangely today he is a bit different…… as if he does not want to show his bad side to the people he is with.

“I see. As I have guessed, that woman is that kind of person to Yuu” she thought while keeping that creepy smile of hers as she starts making a restless sound.

Fuyufu had stopped scolding Yuu about playing too much CtG since his mother died. Who would have thought he would dare get a woman without her knowing…

“Yeah... what a coincidence.. Who would have thought that the prefecture-level ranked loner Yuu would be walking around with such a lovely girl in this faraway place as if he’s trying to escape the eyes of his acquaintances in the middle of pulling an affair?”

“……Don’t expect me to butt in anything about the loner-whatsoever-thing that you said”

It’s so typical of Yuu to say that even though he went as far saying he won’t butt in anything. It’s hard to think that this guy whose previous life was most likely a sandbag would be popular.

── I see. So this is what people say as that kind of thing.

“『Dating Site Regulation Law』as its cover-up name would be too fancy”

“What did you just say!?”

“Then tell me, just from where did you get acquainted with that woman? Weren’t you always locked up in your house──”

“Well… from the game!”

“Game……? Could it be you pick up girls in 『CtG』 and hook off on an offline meeting or something?”

“Offline mee..? N-n-no! Mommy and daddy… you see… are《married》 inside the game!”

“Married… Married you said──”

After repeating the word carefully── she noticed that the person she was talking to switched from Yuu to the one with a more youthful voice.

And as she looked down, she saw her skirt was being grabbed by a small hand.

It’s a girl. A girl around the age of eight with a fluffy hair and very innocent pure eyes……

“D-Don’t, Haruha!”

For the first time, that woman raised her voice. She quickly grabbed and embraced the girl called “Haruha” and kept her from saying anything more.

“E-Erm…… I’m sorry. She says weird stuff; she’s a child you see……”

The child protested, “It’s not weird!” while flopping her feet, but she was silenced with the woman’s puffed breasts.

But it doesn’t matter. If the child won’t talk, she can just get the answer directly from the woman who sealed the girl’s mouth.

“So, who are you?”

“Aa…… u, I, I”

The woman suddenly went silent. Even though she moved quite vigorously when she stopped that child, when it’s about herself she becomes completely weak.

“W-Well, you see, I’ll explain this later, so──”

“Shut up, Loner. Sandawara star has no relation with lightning magic attack you know”

“At least make it understandable!”

Yuu let out grunt right from his stomatch, but she ignored that. Fuyufu felt something. “This woman must reveal her own identity. Something. Right! A premonition!” she thought.

That’s why, she introduced herself.

“I’m Kudzuchi Fuyufu. I’m… a neighbor of Kasugai Yuu”

And then her introduction── this forced the woman in front of her to react in a way beyond her imagination.

“Ee…………Fuyu, fu…… -san?”

The woman showed a stunned expression, then her pupils slowly dilated, and then dulled hollow. In the same manner, Yuu’s face turned pale.

And then, the woman smiled as she stood up. It was the kind of smile that forces a tingle on her cheek. That somehow reminded her of the nitroglycerin smile faced Yuu at first. She switched back to Fuyufu and then politely lowered her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Kugimiya Miharu.”

And then, the final blow.

The little girl ── Kugimiya Miharu, said while awkwardly smiling:

“Due to some complicated situation, I’m currently staying in Kasugai-kun’s house. It was nice meeting you, Fuyufu-san”

[[File:CtG_vol_1_00017.jpeg|thumbnail|The woman── Kugimiya Miharu, awkwardly, and while smiling, reported.]]

　・　・　・

It took around three minutes for Fuyufu to gain back her consciousness.

“Haa!?”

“Fuyu-cchi! It seems you’ve finally regained consciousness!”

It seems she lost her consciousness while standing. He friend wiped her sweat as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Wher are Yuu and others?”

“Someone was waiting for them that’s why they left earlier. He said『I’ll explain this later!though…… wonder what was about?”

She somehow remembered Yuu saying that in a very serious tone. Seeing how desperate he was, they might really be in a circumstance where he can’t say anything yet.

But still… just what kind of situation is that shut-in made him take an unfamiliar girl into his house. Moreover……

In order to calm down her confusion, both of them sat down on a bench near the nearby comfort room while drinking canned coffee. Her friend, who’s sitting right next to her, pouted.

“But still, Kasugai-san sure is cruel. Even though he has Fuyu-cchi already…”

“……Yuu is not that kind of person”

“That again. It’s not about that, didn’t they say that they suddenly lived together? Or more like, I thought Kasugai-san is the one who has feelings for Fuyu-cchi──”

“Really, it’s not that”

After she let out a little grunt, they went silent for a moment.

It’s really not that. All she was were Yuu’s friend since childhood, and also her first friend as far as she remembers. Every time they see each other, Yuu’s mother would say “Please get along with Yuu”. Their relationship is just that. Their inseparable bond gives birth to a small flower. It’s really just that.

But, whether it is a misunderstanding or not, the fact that her friend were made for her sake is the truth, it was embarrassing but in the same time, it made her glad.

“Haa!!” exclaimed Fuyufu

“Eh?” responded her friend in surprise.

“I wanted to eat a large serving of parfait at the food court but I can’t eat it all. I’ll treat you so help me”

“If you give me all the pudding I’m in”

Her grin turned into a smile and they stood up. And in front of Fuyufu, a small boy that showed up appears to be rushing to the toilet. Seeing that,

She remembered. The child, who was with Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu, if she’s not mistaken, was called…

Haruha.

That name meant “small flower” and it was from her memories with Yuu.

Before they entered elementary school, the two of them often played house. It was the name of the doll Fuyufu was always carrying around. That’s right. Fuyufu said the name proudly.

“Haruha.”

The doll is now kept in her closet, and the memory of “Haruha” was driven to the corner of her memories. And now, she showed up here and was able to grab her skirt.

──Moreover, that Haruha, what did she say when she called Yuu and Kugimiya Miharu?　

Something is wrong.

“……Just what is happening around that idiot?”

On the corner of Fuyufu’s view, at the electronics department, the words “Merchandise advertisement! 『CtG』 -use terminal bargain starts this week!” were displayed.

　　　　◆

”Well, I’m sorry for having you to go back here in a hurry. That car will be used by the institute you see”

What awaits them when arriving to Kasugai household was, Hajime Hidari wearing a relaxing light clothes while sit crossing her legs, appears to be typing something to the large-type Ramiel from before with her laptop.

“But still, it might be a good timing. The setup will over soon”

“We can finally, go inside the game?”

While her parents were busy shorting out their luggage, Haruha who was empty-handed went to hug Hajime’s back.

“Guuuuh~…… that’s right. Because Haruha-chan has special body a special devices is required.
We will perform test from now, both of you heads on and prepare──”

Hajime turned around, and on the other side of her sight was── a heavy atmosphere, that makes you picture the *rumble rumble rumble* onomatopoeia in the air, has been fostered.

Yuu and Miharu are shorting out each thing they brought. Yuu is shorting out groceries and electrical products, while Miharu is shorting out clothing, both of them were silent, not just words, they won’t even glance at each other.

“……Eh? What? Did something happen?”

Even though they had quite nice atmosphere before they went out…… she asked Haruha, the girl who’s their daughter, and she turned her gaze upwards.

“Somehow, on our way home daddy met a neighbor or something, and then mommy got mad”

It was somewhat hard to tell, but for now she recognize as a fight.

“Well, this surely a rocky start”

For these kids and for this project (humankind). Hajime made a bitter smile and stroked Haruha’s head.

“Well…..”

While tossing several foods into the refrigerator, Yuu opens his mouth.

“If you had something to say, please say it”

Although his words are requesting, somewhere within it the nuances of yielding is blurred in.

However, after removing the tag for the clothes she’s going to wear Miharu,

“Nothing. There is nothing”

She flat out said.

Few minutes after their meeting with Fuyufu, since the moment she declared that she’s living in Kasugai household, Miharu has been silent the whole time. Even though she would smile and talk normally with Haruha, each time her eyes met Yuu’s she would avert her eyes. It was just like the first time they met.

Yuu intend to understand the reason why she’s so mad though. It might be also about Haruha’s name. But, regardless whatever to apologize or stay silent, he’s too anxious to check with words and unable to put it in action.

That said, even if he went out his way to ask it feels like she won’t answer anyway, in the end he stay silent.

“Daddy……”

While thinking that, Haruha who’s holding the newly brought cat paw-pattern cushion shows out of nowhere right beside him.

“Nn? What is it Haruha”

“Hidari-chan said, the preparation is finished so go ahead and go inside the game”

“Roger. I’ll go as soon as I finish shorting this out”

Even though he already said yes, Haruha remain standing there. She’s tightly embracing the cat paw cushion while standing. While thinking of something, Haruha faces him with upturned eyes.

“Nee…… did daddy have fight with mommy?”

It was rare for her to whisper. Back when they were inside the car he was too busy watching the outside views to care, but clearly she would be suspicious that things are getting weird.

Yuu softly stroke Haruha’s head, and made a smile in a hurry.

“It’s not a fight”

　　　　◇

──That’s right, it’s not even worth called as a fight.

“I think”

Several ten minutes after that, within a hotel room at Terminus Cradle.

There was the figure of Clamp sitting on the floor, and the figure of Mifa staring down at him.

“To think that you named your own daughter after the name from the girl you like…… it just sick isn’t it?”

Mifa’s eyes were as heavy as an iron ball. And that mouth of hers, speaks so well as if venting up all the anger Miharu’s building up till now. Just like the sleeping story ── although calling it that is a bit misleading ── Miharu told herself, Mifa (she) is the figure who can straightforwardly speak the words Miharu couldn’t say by herself.

In contrary, today Clamp is exactly that of a frog being stared down by a snake. But “Just say all what you want to say” was Kasugai Yuu’s wishes from the start so it can’t be helped.

“Ee, errr…… it seems you’re misunderstanding something, Fuyufu is not like that──”

“But anyway, you still bring up the name from other girl right?”

“Uuuh…..”

“It’s not good you know”

“Yes……”

“You’re a hopeless man you know”

“Certainly……”

“Say “I’m sorry”, come on”

“I, I’m…… sorry……”

It was Clamp who lowers his head each time Mifa speaks.

“Daddy and Mommy are doing something right?”

There was Haruha who was quietly listening to her parents’ conversation from outside the room. She was able to take a peek at Clamp who gradually sitting lower and lower to the floor, but the distant between them prevent her from hearing much.

『It’s something that frequently happens in every household in this world』

Naturally Haruha restlessly looked around as she suddenly hears a voice ringing inside her head.

“? I can hear Hidari-chan’s voice?”

『Ehehe, this is the function of this special Ramiel. While I’m outside, I can see everything Haruha is seeing』

“If went that far, Hadari-chan should just go inside the game too”

『I wanted to, but I also have to keep track on Haruha-chan’s body.
How is it? To “return to your hometown”? 』

Haruha tilted her neck.

“Nnn…… somehow, everything feels so clearly. And moving become so easy”

『Certainly. The body of you ハダリーズ are optimized in that world, the different in outside world just too big to cover. 』

“You mean?”

『All information within “CtG” is purely made of Anthropic Code (Human Space Notation)…… Well, you can just think that the air in that world is clear. And because of that, if Haruha-chan did not breathe that clear air in few days it will feels like your breathing are being jammed by something. Be sure to remember that. 』

“Like being mad because Haruha can’t break pots?”

『……It has nothing to do with pots though, but the nuance is close maybe』

She didn’t get it, but she decides to do what she told to. After all, Hidari is a good person (benefactor) who allows her to meet her daddy and mommy.

As she think about that, Clamp, who finally finished his conversation with Mifa, returns with tired out face. Peeking inside, Mifa is still inside the room puffing her cheek. It seems she’s complaining while leading on Payakino.

Haruha then rushed to Clamp. But, she stopped before hugging him like she normally would.

“Haruha. What did Hajime-san said?”

It seems Yuu had been told about the communication function.

“She said, if Haruha don’t go inside the game, it will get hard to breathe”

“? You mean it will get bad if you don’t regularly go inside『CtG』?”

“It seems so”

It seems I will have to hear about this in detail later…… while thinking that Clamp stretched his hand, intent to stroke Haruha’s head, but that hand was caught by Haruha’s both hands.

“Daddy”

“Nn?”

“If Daddy and Mommy are fighting, Haruha will……”

She had something to ask and open her mouth, but suddenly she becomes afraid. Her throat turned stiff and she went silent.

“Haruha?”

“Uunn, nothing. Errm, are you going somewhere?”

“Aa. It’s a currently-ongoing quest, and it will get expired soon so I’ll have go”

“Haruha will go too!”

“I’m sorry Haruha. I want to be alone a bit. Play with Mifa today”

While looking troubled, Clamp peeped at Mifa who remained in the room. Haruha then clenched her small fist tightly.

“Is it really, a fight……?”

Her voice was trembling. Her two most important people are in conflict with each other. She doesn’t know what to do.

The anxiety feels like having cold water flows down her spine. Wonder how much of that showed up through her face, Clamp went down his knee in a hurry and hold Haruha’s shoulder.

“Like I said, it’s not. Really, I’m just in a hurry.
……Actually I, have to play through this entire game, no matter what”

“Play through… entire game?”

Clamp nodded deeply, and it seemed he came out with something.

“That’s right. I’ll say this to Haruha, the reason why I’m so fixated with this game. The thing, that I never told Mifa or anyone.”

“Mommy doesn’t know?”

“Aa. Because it’s not something I want to talk about. But, Haruha is special
That’s why; keep this secret from your mother”

　　　　◇

A bit while after.

The figure of Clamp of Scarabaeus was at Gunmans’ Glaive frontier town church.

At the end of the wilderness of deserted town is a place with not characteristic other than being the capture point of nearby armed bandits’ fort.

Still the reincarnation mirror that leads to Terminus Cradle was stationed inside the church, and Clamp was taking a rest on that humble place. The mirror was placed on the spot where a cross or worshipping object usually at in real church, and he rest his back on top of one of the facing settee there.

Just now he finally finished his quest and was just about to go back, but now he wanted to be alone.

There are lots of thing to think about. First off, a reflection.

(……I don’t even know what a proper 『Parent』 is and why I ended up being one?)

Just remembering that he did to Haruha would upset his stomach. That’s right── when a child seeing adults having quarrel that he/she can’t interfere, he/she won’t be mad or sad, but be worry. Realizing how thin of their existence is.

And there Yuu, who should know that more than enough, showed an ungraceful behavior towards Haruha and upsets her. From her perspective, the two of them are lacking awareness to the fact that they’re an adult as well.

The definition of adult and child are connected, for example when there are person at age of 10-19 together with a five year old inside an elevator, that person will be the “adult”. The current Kasugai household is exactly a “child and child elevator”.

But he act firmly inside the house “House”…… he thought at least.

(But still…… how will I have to explain it to Fuyufu when I’m back to real world? Niiro-san said that he will make a fake scenario about Haruha and Kugimiya’s circumstances but I haven’t hear anything about that)

“……And I didn’t thought Kugimiya-san would be angry that much”

He maddeningly sighs. He wasn’t able say anything against Fuyufu’s stuns or about Haruha’s naming, but Yuu himself still have something to say.

“Wasn’t she (Mifa) who said『This is a game after all』 first?”

Moreover there’s no way to expect that the child develop personality and arrive to real world. If only they know that in advance they would think about that more seriously.

However, there is no meaning to talk about it now.

For Yuu and Miharu that little girl is Haruha and just Haruha (TL note: These two “Haruha” are written differently, first in Katakana referring to Haruha in game world and second in Kanji referring to Haruha in real world), there is no way they can come out with any other name now. Even Miharu who strongly critic about it didn’t say anything about changing her name.

That name, that symbol, that word possess special meaning inside their hearts.

It’s such a strange story. A child who was born from inside a game suddenly shows up in real world and a day had already passed since then. Normally it would be impossible, an event that looks like fantasy by common sense. But even so, somehow they managed to start their life, with Haruha who don’t know anything about real life, and with Miharu whose personality is complete opposites in game.

Speaking of troubles, he will have to think of an excuse for the grumpy childhood friend, and a way to shorten his distant with grumpy “daughter’s mother”. Of course after that he will have to think about taking Haruha to school and about Miharu’s house circumstances, there are undoubtedly a lot of trouble to take care of.

But even considering Haruha’s origin and circumstances, this is still too idyllic.

As he thinks about that, the small door of the small church opens.

Looking at the direction of the door, a black shadow slowly taking form and a familiar figure is seen. The familiar figure then approaches him with familiar voice.

“Yaa, what a coincidence”

Coincidence sure is coincidence, but it’s also somewhat given. A sister (nun) showed up. But she’s just wearing sister-like equipment, it’s not like she’s an actual sister. She shouldn’t be that far from Clamp, she’s a common player.

Clamp answers as he dig through his memories.

“You’re from the robbery incident──”

“Yes. I’m glad you remember me”

Of course he remembers. The scene of the day where Haruha did during that robbery wasn’t something he can simply forget. And to add her color edited clothes were all RGB zero── she’s wearing all black.

And── somehow she has unforgettable eyes. A dark golden like a melted tiger’s fur, a pupil that makes people who sees it goes restless.

“I’m really grateful when you saved me that time, thank you very much”

It was a sweet voice that sounds like a slight lisp despite her polite tone of speech.

“But I’m didn’t……”

As he gets troubled replying ── since there is high probability that the topic will lead to Haruha ── the girl arrived in front of Yuu.

She’s a distinctive girl with silver long hair peeking out from her veil and sharp face contrary to her easygoing expression.

“Is something wrong?”

The girl who tilted her head looks very similar to Haruha. No, it’s not like her facial are alike….. but, softly, her otherworldly atmosphere and her distant towards reality is just like her. If Haruha is a little bit older she might look like this. That trait of hers that makes you believes that…

“Well…… a bit, you remind me of someone I know”

The girl faintly smile and sat down on the seat right next to Clampe. And then, she once again introduces herself.

“My name is Memento Copellia. Please call me Meme if possible”

Clamp introduces himself back. Mement said “Clamp of Scarabaeus huh” curiously. She must’ve change her sight to AR (Extended) mode and read Clamp’s tag. It reminds him of the time when he first met Mifa.

It really feels like long ago……as his thought pulled back to its original direction, Memento speaks out a noise-like sweet voice.

“Hei, Onii-san. If you happen to have time would like to have a little talk with me?”

“A talk?”

“Just a small talk”

Clamp nodded without hesitation. It does sound a bit too sudden, but it might be good for change of pace.

Memento then touched her lip with her finger and start the story.

“Do Onii-san know about『Pandora Box』?”

He doesn’t know much but he heard of it before. It’s one of those Greek mythologies.

The god who angry that human discovered the technology to control fire gives a box to a girl named Pandora in order to torment humankind, the god told her “You mustn’t open this box no matter what” but the girl then open the box out of curiosity. And then all kind of disasters from inside the box pops out and humankind who peacefully lived come to an era of suffering. But inside the box there is one single “Hope” left──

It’s more or less like that. There is also some heresy but Yuu don’t know more than that.

After Clamp answering what he knows, the girl nodded and continues.

“You know, Meme always think about this.
There are 『Hope』 left inside the box right?
Could it be that there are only 『Hope』 inside the box from the very beginning?”

“Eh? But, since catastrophe happens when the box is open won’t it be logical to think that there is disaster inside it too?”

“That is the god’s trap. In order to torment human who obtained the wisdome to use fire, the god bless another wisdom for them”

“Knowledge…… you mean?”

“It’s hope. Surely humanity that time doesn’t know what hope is and spends each day aimlessly. And then the foolish Pandora opens the box and the people come to understand the concept of hope”

“Sounds pretty good I think”

“That’s right; hope itself is a great thing. But, as the concept of hope is born, at the same time, a 『not a hope』 twin is born.
If people don’t know what hope is they won’t know the evil of the calamity. People who know hope can see it. Feel it. Aaah, this is 『not a hope』.
For example when there is a victim of a natural disaster, those who know what hope are will just think it as『Aaaa, it’s just a normal work of nature』. But, those who know hope will think『Why am I having such misfortune?』
So the disaster that coming from the box is in fact just the awareness of misfortune of people who were drowned in luxury. The world does not have defects from the very beginning, all harm and mischief only exist inside human’s head.
Ignorance is bliss. If people remained insensitive they won’t know the concept of hardship and pain, but with his power god took it from them.
That’s right, this world is polluted with 『Hope』”

“Huuuh…… that was pretty interesting interpretation”

It was his honest impression. If you suppose to find lesson from this myth it will be, “No matter how hard this world to live in, hope is always there (that’s why don’t give up)” or maybe “Because there is hope people do futile effort” he thought. But, based on her exegesis, having wisdom has both merit and demerit.

“But from that way of thinking, it’s such a disaster that the world becomes a place of human’s resentment”

Clamp was genuinely impressed by unique insight the girl has. Memento then smiled and nodded, and then shook her head.

“That’s right. But Onii-san, Meme thought. Thankfully because Pandora opened the box, the plain world is now exposed to human’s hatred. The world was nothing become the『Enemy』that humanity must overcome in order to obtain better life. If the world has feelings, won’t it be happy?”

“Will it be happy…… being directed with hatred?”

To Clamp’s doubtful question, Memento lower her head a little. Her veil sways by the discolor air of the wilderness town.

“Onii-san thinks like that because you know what yourself is. Meme felt really happy when knowing what Meme is”

The girl laughed as she said that. Yuu unconsciously smile seeing her, it was a smile filled with happiness.

But, as expected he doesn’t get what she meant. Clamp shrugged.

“To know oneself, even I don’t know such philosophical stuff. Then what are you, Memento?”

“Meme?”

The girl pointed herself with blank eyes. That simplicity of hers really reminds him of Haruha.

“Meme is…”

And then, with a pure innocent face like Haruha’s, the conversation comes to an end.

“This kind of thing”

*Woosh*

A sound of wind was heard from the back of his right ear.

Softly, without any herald, it was the sound of a Memento’s terrifyingly smooth knife got stuck on the couch.

But Clamp had no idea what just happened. More than that, he can’t let out a groan. To be exact, he can’t move at all.

It was because his throats are penetrated by the slender knife and got pinned on the chair.

“Kg…… agh…… uh……!”

Clamp was confused.

He can’t understand. Unbelievable thing just happened. Of course, he just received a sudden attack, but more than that, more than anything.

It hurts── it hurts!?

Even though they’re inside 『CtC』 where all six senses are reproduced very closely as if it was real, since this is still form of game, all sensation of pain are fully cut. Since there is no way the player would able to withstand the pain of being cut by swords or burned by magic.

That’s why immediately after the damage take place, the pain will be converted to slight sense of discomfort and making their limbs slightly hard to move as handicap…… or supposed to.

The sensation of pain is rushing through his entire pulse and his heck feels like its melting. Even if he tries to budge, the intermittent pain would kill the brain’s command to move. Along with the wet liquid spilling out from his wound and the edge of his mouth his body slowly losing its strength──

He glared Memento Copellia with his eyes. That gaze of him was to ask about the unnatural pain he’s having, but it seems the girl is misunderstanding something. And then, the answer she give afterwards furthers confuses Clamp.

“Why Meme is doing this? It’s The Palimpsest…… no, to think that you’re not informed of anything even though you’re Haruha’s guardian”

Memento knew Haruha. And judging from her words she knows more than Yuu.

“Meme is ハダリーズ who couldn’t become anything. And thanks to Haruha Meme was able to reborn. But Meme still worries”

ハダリーズ── it’s the name of the new humanity that were born from the world of『CtG』 Niiro talked about before. Within his consciousness that dominated by pain and confusion, Niiro’s vacuous smile and Memento’s innocent voice overlaps.

“Why Meme became Meme. In order to make sure of it, Meme will, that’s why──”

Memento’s words still continue, but that time Clamp ── Kasugai Yuu’s consciousness were already drowned into the turbid. The heat from his wounds turned into cold air, and the back of his eyes were dyed in tide of darkness as his vision darkens──

Within the pitch black water.
A mute spark were scattered.

“Artgh──Gahkgh!”

Kasugai Yuu awoke.

He puked a substance that was stuck at the back of his throat ── it was something tremblingly cold ── and violently cough. His wide open eyes were overflowing with glistering light and his consciousness wildly writhing inside his brain.

Don’t know.
I don’t know anything. I can’t think of anything.
My heart.
My heart, my heart just.

His entire body beats. It’s twirling. Inside his head were dominated by the beats and he can’t think of anything.

Who is it? What? What, what, what happened? What happened to me? What should I say to Fuyufu? No, I was stabbed. It hurts, it shouldn’t be like that! That’s right mom! It’s not I didn’t intent to──

“Kasugai-kun!!”

His confused mind and body were saved by that voice. It slowly returns. Focus.

The information reflected through his retina matches his senses; he’s lying in the middle of living room, he recognizes Miharu, Hajime, and Haruha who were looking at him.

Hajime’s face slowly turn from pale back to her marry self, even though the cooling is on she’s drenched in sweat. On the carpet where his hand is some were syringe lying ── it seems they took it all off ──

Haruha’s facial expression were hidden by he hear. But, the small hand on Yuu’s leg appears to be trembling.

And then, Miharu who pulled back Yuu’s consciousness── is pouring out tears.

Eeh……? Couldn’t help but to be surprised by the unbelievable reality in front of her, Miharu is still crying. The drop of her tears falls, and Yuu’s mind finally reaches his mouth.

“Kugimiya, -san……?

In front of Yuu’s dry voice Miharu wipe her tears with her hand and sniffled. And then shows a laugh.

It’s clear that she’s forcing it, and that smile of hers looks like about to break down any moment, but it looks very appealing in front of Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m glad…… ah”

But the next word coming from the girl’s beautiful smile was hardly a pleasant one.

“Kasugai-kun, you just died”

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references />

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| Back to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 1: Input|Chapter 1]]
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| Forward to [[CtG -Zero kara Sodateru Dennou Shoujo-:Volume1 Chapter 3: Interaction|Chapter 3]]
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User:YuudachiPoi

2015-04-09T12:03:19Z

YuudachiPoi: Created page with "こんにちは。白露型駆逐艦、夕立よ！よろしくね！ Hi poi~ Yuudachi des~ Like to sink abyssals into the abyss of the ocean poi Why is iron bottom sound s..."

こんにちは。白露型駆逐艦、夕立よ！よろしくね！
Hi poi~
Yuudachi des~

Like to sink abyssals into the abyss of the ocean poi

Why is iron bottom sound so scarrryyy poi~?