Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 9 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 5===

"—This room looks like it was used for storage."

I, Iris, Jeanne and Shion on her back entered the room on the right assigned to us and checked the interior.

In the living room, Mitsuki and the rest of the girls were playing rock-paper-scissors to determine their order but it was probably going to take a while due to their numbers. Seizing this chance, we checked our room first.

"There are so many boxes of alcoholic beverages and food to go with them."

Seeing the haphazard piles of boxes, Iris remarked.

Realzing how Charlotte spent her time here, I smiled wryly.

"There are also empty audio equipment boxes and video software."

"Captain, there is some mysterious and antiquidated furniture over here."

Jeanne pointed at a dressing table, wardrobe and bookshelves surrounded by cardboard boxes. They looked like expensive items dating back to a bygone era no matter what.

"This probably belongs to the principal too?"

Iris looked at the dressing table with interest. Clean and tidy, it looked like it was properly maintained. The mirror reflected Iris' face clearly.

"Probably. Anyway, let's prepare where we're going to sleep but don't move the furniture."

Since this was pretty much Charlotte's secret base, this furniture might be quite important. Although I wanted know why they were kept this deep underground, had they been kept in her private bedroom in the clock tower, this furniture would have been totally wrecked during when Hekatonkheir destroyed the clock tower last time.

"Yes, got it! Then let's move the boxes to the side of the wall."

Iris began to move the randomly placed boxes to the wall, one by one.

"Then I'll do this side. Oh Jeanne, you don't have to help."

I pointed at Jeanne who was carrying Shion on her back. She bowed her head apologetically.

"Captain, sorry..."

To avoid in our way, she moved towards the door.

Iris and I moved the boxes swiftly, opening up a space in the center of the room.

"—This should be enough for four people to sleep."

We got the job done rapidly because many of the boxes were empty.

"Mononobe! Come over here!"

Iris called to me. What happened? I looked back to see Iris staring at a dressing table drawer.

"Hey, it's not right to open without permission."

I warned her and walked over. Iris shook her head frantically.

"I-I didn't do it on purpose! My clothing got caught so I opened it by accident. Then I saw this inside—"

I followed Iris' gaze to see the drawer glittering with dazzling light from gemstones and jewelry.

"T-This is amazing."

I held my breath in surprise.

"Captain, what's the matter?"

Seeing how we were reacting, Jeanne came over in interest and looked at the drawer.

"—These look like jewelry for formal dresses. The gems are all real... The precious metals also show exquisite craftsmanship. Undoubtedly, they must be very expensive."

In possession of excellent eyes, Jeanne was very confident in appraisals. Impressed with the goods, she asserted.

If Charlotte owned this stuff, it was possible that she used to dress herself up glamorously in front of this dressing table. I had only seen her in a lab coat. Wearing a dress, she probably would look as adorable as a real fairy.

"Hmm...?"

Then I noticed something inside a photo frame in the drawer. I opened the drawer slightly more, exposing the black and white photograph in the frame.

"Wow, so cute! This must be the principal in the past! And this one's probably her father!"

Looking at the photo, Iris showed excitement in her voice.

On the photo was a young Charlotte sitting in a chair with a prim countenance with a man in his prime standing on the side. Just as Iris described, it looked a commemorative photo of father and daughter.

"What!?"

However, I was more concerned about the man's face in the photo than Charlotte in her younger days.

"No way..."

Jeanne stared at the photo in shock too.

If Jeanne thought so in addition to me, then there must be no mistake.

The man in the photo looked older and displayed a different expression and vibe, but his face was extremely similar to Major Loki's.

"Mononobe? Jeanne-chan? What's wrong?"

Iris asked in puzzlement.

"Nothing... He just looks so similar to someone we know, so it's a bit surprising."

Pointing at the man in the photo, I replied in a stiff voice.

"Eh, probably a coincidence. But that's quite surprising. That person must be the principal's relative, I guess?"

Iris cheerfully brought up her ideas but Jeanne and I simply exchanged looks.

"Jeanne, what's your view?"

"...I do not know. However—I personally feel disinclined to treat this as coincidence."

Jeanne shook her head with a troubled look.

Indeed, it was impossible to reach a conclusion through this photo alone. I could only make a direct inquirty with the parties in question—Charlotte and Major Loki.

Having spent a week together with Charlotte, I now regretted not asking her more about herself. Back when she brought up her abilities as the "Gray" Vampire, she did not reveal that her father was the previous dragon until I asked. She probably did not want others to broach the subject of her family and upbringing.

Knock knock.

While Jeanne and I remained silent and Iris was inclining her head in puzzlement, knocking came at the door.

"Oh, I'll get it."

Stopping me who was moving on reflex, Iris walked to the door. She was probably thinking of the fact that I should not touch the other girls carelessly.

Iris turned the handle with a creak and opened the door. Standing at the doorway was a slightly apprehensive Mitsuki.

"According to the results of rock-paper-scissors, the sequence of individual discussions with Nii-san has been decided. I am first."

"I see! You're so good at rock-paper-scissors, Mitsuki-chan!"

Iris' non sequitur of a reaction caused Mitsuki to smile wryly.

"No, the sequence was not based on the ranking of winners. Instead, the winners got to select their spot in the sequence and I simply ended up first. Many of them wished for a later spot because they wanted more time to think."

Hearing this, I felt a bit worried so I asked Mitsuki.

"Is that okay, Mitsuki? You just heard the risks in transformation, right? Don't force yourself if you still haven't organized your thoughts—"

"Please do not worry. I have prepared myself properly since a very long time ago. If possible, I would like to talk to you immediately, Nii-san. Is that alright with you?"

However, Mitsuki interrupted me and smiled with conviction. Seeing her expression, I realized that I was the probably the one who needed resolve.

"...Sure. But where should we talk? Here or in your room, Mitsuki?"

There were limited places where we could be alone. It was not possible to have a private conversation in the living room. On the other hand, the outside of the cottage was like a steam cooker and not really a place to have an unhurried conversation.

Nevertheless, Mitsuki suggested an option I had ruled out.

"Well then, let us go outside."

"Huh? But—"

Seeing me look lost, Mitsuki seemed to read my mind. She nodded and said:

"Standing around normally to talk would not work, of course, but it will be fine if we remove our clothing."

"By removing our clothing, you mean..."

Realizing what Mitsuki wanted to say, I felt my heart pounding nonstop.

Mitsuki blushed with scarlet cheeks and looked suggestively at Iris.

"...Nii-san, did you not take a bath together with Iris-san? Then is there any reason why you cannot do the same with me?"

Mitsuki lowered her voice and whispered to me with a sulking expression.

It looked like Iris had told Mitsuki about taking a bath with me in the principal's room. Just as I was feeling anxious that she was surely angry, Mitsuki did not pursue the matter any further. Instead. she stared at me, blushing intensely.

"Nii-san... Please bathe together, with me."

A wish requested by my younger sister in a shy and feeble voice—Unable to refuse, I nodded.