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“So what are the three of you doing in my house?!”

“Between the debt Estashion owns Berano after everything that happened and the fact that Finerita agreed to help with the planet’s reconstruction, planet Berano is in a much better position now. But we’re still not ready to come into the age of the Galactic Federation.” Rain’s voice was smooth and unfaltering. “And so instead of having me, the future queen, stay on Berano, it was decided—or rather, I decided—that I should go see other worlds and experience new things. My coming to school on Earth is a part of that.”

“R-Right...”

Weren’t there better places she could go? Iris said that Earth was basically in the middle of nowhere, so why come here?

“Wh-What about you then, Fam?”

“I’m helping the boss. He wants to build a school on Berano.”

The merfolk either taught their own children or hired tutors, so the children of poorer families tended to be less educated than those who were better off. Squallow had already been trying to build a school for the children of the Seageists, so now he had moved his plans to Berano.

“Earth has a school-based education system or something. And since Big Sis Rain was going, I decided I should go, too, and learn everything I can so I can tell it to the boss.”

“I see...”

So Fam had a goal of her own, too, huh? Since she’d been eating snacks this whole time, I thought she was just here to have fun. Lastly, I turned towards Shirley, who gave me a mischievous smile.

“Well, I guess I’m just here because the king and queen asked me to come with these two. If I stayed on Berano, I was at risk of the Estashionians finding me, which wouldn’t be good for the planet. Garnet’s here, too, by the way. She’s just watching the house.”

So now I had figured out why each of them was here. Fam and Rain would be starting school next week. Shirley was busy doing research to help Berano, so she would be spending most of her time at home with Garnet.

“So, you’re living together? Where’s your house, anyway?”

“Diagonally opposite yours.”

“It’s close?!”

Come to think of it, that place was on the market, wasn’t it?

“So, anyway, nice to meet you, neighbor!”

“Uh... Yeah. Nice to meet you.”

Rain and Shirley both bowed deeply, while Fam finished her snacks and gave me a very casual bow.

“It’s, uh... good to have you here.”

“I’m glad to have you here as well!”

Harissa and I both bowed.

As shocked as I was, in the end, it was great to be able to see them again. And like they said, we were neighbors now, so...

“By the way, Rekka...”

“Hm?”

Suddenly Rain leaned forward and softly grabbed both of my hands.

“Are you at all interested in running an inn?”

“...Huh?”

“Or perhaps becoming a king?”

What in the world?

“Actually... there’s another reason I came to Earth.”

“Is... that so?”

“As part of the royal family, it’s my duty to give birth to a strong heir. And for that, I need an ideal husband. Someone I can spend my life with.”

Oh, yeah. I’ve heard of this kind of thing. You see it in manga a lot.

It was a big responsibility for her, but talking about things like “a husband you can spend your life with” and “giving birth to an heir” to a teenage boy was probably something she should’ve put a little more thought into... especially while she was holding my hands. I could feel the heat in my cheeks.

“Rain, don’t surprise Rekka by saying things like that.”

Whew. Thanks, Shirley.

“But why? Mother gave me permission.”

“And she told you to be dignified about it, didn’t she? Watching over you is part of my job here. By the way, Rekka, I have no such restrictions and will be ready at any time.”

“Hmph. Shirley, what are you talking about?”

“Nothing at all. I just wanted to make sure that he knew I was still pure since I haven’t had any friends for so long.”

“And why does he need to know that?”

And on they went. Rain would ask a question, and Shirley would dodge it. Rinse. Repeat.

Harissa, however, was starting to look extremely upset for some reason. What was going on here? Didn’t they just come over to say hello?

“Oh, right.”

Fam, who’d been too busy eating candy until now, finally spoke up. Her childish attitude seemed like it might be the thing to save me here.

“Wh-What is it, Fam?”

“Well, um, listen...”

She fidgeted a little, and then walked over to me...

Huh? Did I just feel something soft and wet against my cheek?

“F-F-F-Fam?! Wh-Whaddareyadoin?”

Harissa, who saw it up close, screamed in astonishment. Rain and Shirley immediately ceased their argument and stared at me.

“Listen... I’ve felt this weirdness in my chest ever since all that stuff happened, and when I asked the boss, he said to do this.”

SQUALLOW! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TEACHING THIS KID?!

No, wait. I just felt something soft and wet against my cheek. That’s all. I didn’t actually see that it was a kiss. Maybe it wasn’t. And wait, didn’t this just happen to me not that long ago?

“You know, I’m really grateful to you for saving the boss. I won’t call you a wimp anymore. From now on, you’re Big Brother Rekka.”

Well, that didn’t sound so bad...

Wait, no! Somebody do something about this! And do something about all the daggers the other girls are glaring at me!

“Rekka, I actually developed a new type of drug that lets you breathe underwater in order to decrease the number of accidents on planet Berano. Would you let me test it on you? I’ll just inject it and then hold your head underwater for ten minutes.”

“What a wonderful idea! You always have the best inventions, Shirley. Let’s try it right now.”

“Huh? Hey, wait, guys...”

They both grabbed my arms and legs, and then Shirley put her medical gun to my neck.

“I’ll go get the bathtub filled, okay?”

“Wait, Harissa?!”

Why was she playing along with this?! Fam was just sitting there looking confused. Shirley was cackling like a mad scientist! And Rain’s smile was really scary!

“It really is the same as ever.”

R, stop watching and help... Wait, are they actually serious? That new drug looks pretty dangerous... I don’t know what I did wrong, but I’m sorr—GYAAH!