Chapter 241 Body Double

Part 1

“Neeeh, Cry-san.
Weeell…… How long do you think it will be before it happens?” (Sytry)

“Eh? About what?” (Cry)

　When I felt that all the burden I have had been lifted and I was in a relaxed mood, Sytry, who seemed to have largely finished her business, *mojimoji* fidgeted with her hands and looked up at me.

　Apparently, she made a lot of money from trading potions and conducting business with Touka and her group.
She seems to be in a very good mood.
　And when Sytry is in a good mood, I am also in a very good mood.

　I immediately opened the box of high-quality chocolate that Sytry bought for me and as I was picking up the jewel-looking chocolates, she quickly went behind me and leaned on me.

“Oh, come on, Cry-san…… The Ki-Tsu-Ne, you know.
The Ki-Tsu-Ne.
Actually, I have…… A lot of things I would like to do when I obtain the Kitsune.” (Sytry)

“………… Aaaah, about that……” (Cry)

　I have no recollection of any of this at all, but I nodded understandably for now.
　I have been associated with foxes lately, but when she says fox here, I guess she is referring to the (Temporary) Fox Mask Fan Club.
Come to think of it, I don’t know what the official name of that fan club is…… Well, whatever.

　I put the chocolate in my mouth and said to Sytry.

’

“I won’t give it to you, you know.” (Cry)

“!?” (Sytry)

“In the first place, it isn’t like it was originally mine……” (Cry)

“Eh……Don’t, tell, me…… It was a lie! You lied to me!? Cry-san!?” (Sytry)

　I heard a gasp and a sound as if she had her breath away taken away.
Rather than lying, I don’t remember saying I would give it to you.

“Because, after I have done all those things……” (Cry)

　I count on my fingers.
　I pushed Touka, Liz, and Luke to them, right? I pushed the Imouto Kitsune to them, right? I made Sora fry Aburaage, right?
　Even though it was done spontaneously, it was overkill.
I hope they would forgive me by giving them one mask, tho’…… Why is all this happening? Such a mystery.

“Me too! Me too… I wanted to do a lot of things too!” (Sytry)

　I brought the chocolate I picked up to Sytry’s mouth, when she was pressing her chest against my neck and *guragura* shaking her shoulders.
　Sytry was *iyaiya* shaking her head left and right.
She is regressing to being a child……

　I wanted to do a lot of things too, you say, but I never intended to do those things to them, you know! …… By the way what is the “Things” you are talking about?

’

“Cry-san, you are so horrible! Even though you owe me money! I bought a kitchen in order to make Aburaage, you know!?” (Sytry)

“Hahahaha…… Sytry is so generous.” (Cry)

“What is so funny in making me cry!” (Sytry)

“Sytry is so good at faking her tears……” (Cry)

　No, really.
Since a long time ago, I have been tricked by Sytry fake tears.
　Maybe it was because she was the youngest in the three siblings, Sytry was quite the spoiled kid even if she is very well-behaved.
But you won’t get anything even if you hit me.

　Of course, as for the debt, I hope to pay it back someday, but purchasing a kitchen is like a consumption tax compared to a ten-figure debt.
　As she is leaning over, it was like she was hugging me, but I don’t feel any pain at all as Sytry is lightweight, has a good style, and she even takes it easy on me.

“Uuuuh……… The “Fox (Kitsune)”.
My “Fox (Kitsune)”………… Moooh! ………… I know! Cry-san…… Can you, still say the same things, after seeing this?” (Sytry)

“Hm?” (Cry)

　There, Sytry released my body and *panpan* clapped her hands twice.
　Kilkill-kun, who may have been waiting nearby, comes inside the room.
But his outfit was different from his usual boomerang pants.

’

　Even though it was still hot, it was wearing a bright red jacket and a bright red hat over his paper bag.
And most importantly, it was carrying a large bag over its shoulder.

　If I were a child, I would have cry out at the sight of this scene.
But I unintentionally *pachin* snapped my fingers at its distinctive figure.

“I got that! It’s Santa Claus from the 【White Oasis】.” (Cry)

　It is the name of the most famous Phantom in this world.

　The Santa Claus Phantom that appears in the Level 2 Treasure Shrine, 【White Oasis】is a mysterious Phantom that will leave a present if you spend the night with a child on a specific date and time.
　It seems to be a Treasure Shrine that had manifested because of the memory of ancient customs, and now similar events are held in various countries to commemorate its distinctive appearance.
Unfortunately, I have never been to that Treasure Shrine because it is not located in Zebrudia, but when I was a child, I dreamed of visiting there at least once.

　By the way, it is said that there is a certain probability that the children will be kidnapped, so it is dangerous to go there without Hunters.
It is a Phantom after all.

　However, I heard that Santa Claus is an elderly Phantom with a big belly.
He is definitely not a macho with such long arms.
　As my eyes light up, Sytry says the same thing again in a sulky voice.

“Can you still say the same things…… After seeing this? Neeeh, can you still, say the same thing, after seeing this? Neeeh?” (Sytry)

　Kilkill-kun flipped the bag over.
The contents *gorori* rolled onto the carpet, and my thoughts froze at the sight of that unexpected item.

　What was in the bag was――Something humanoid.
Rather than humanoid――It was a child.
A human, girl.

’
　The child that was tossed crudely squirmed and looked up.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like puking.

　I looked away and looked at Sytry, and for some reason, my beloved childhood friend was looking proud of herself.
　I looked at the child again.
I saw her standing up, and my heart stopped once again.

　The child――Was just not any child.
No matter how empty my brain is I can at least remember the faces I have seen recently.

　She has silky, well-groomed hair and smart eyes.
She has a somewhat ephemeral atmosphere.

 

 

　The child was――Her Highness.
The daughter of the Emperor of Zebrudia, her Imperial Highness, Princess Murina.
Oh god, I want to run away.

 

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
Hahaha Cry, Santa just brought you a gift! A cute little Princess!
Now, how is he gonna turn the situation around so it will be in his favor!
Tchao à plus!