Chapter 21: Madozono Tomoe's Perspective: ~My Onee-sama~

This is from Tomoe's perspective.

A beautiful, bewitching little girl drives another little girl mad... (^ω^;)

Chapter 21: Madozono Tomoe's Perspective: ~My Onee-sama~

("Please, I want this girl to be happy. I don't care what happens to me.")

Madozono Tomoe vowed never to forget the voice of that wish that flowed into her heart.

Madozono Maria, a cousin who suddenly appeared before Tomoe.

A princess-like girl with long ruby-colored hair and eyes.

On the day they first met, at that moment, that girl paid a price that might have endangered her life, and erased Tomoe's suffering.

Even her mother, who had been harsh towards Tomoe, seemed to regain her former kindness from that day forward.

(Onee-sama must be an angel who came to save me...!)

Beautiful despite her young age, Maria possessed a calm demeanor beyond her years, and her words and actions exuded grace.

She also displayed extraordinary talent in her studies and extracurricular activities.

Maria was truly the epitome of a "Noble Young Lady."

It's understandable that Tomoe, being a young girl, believed Maria to be an "Angel."

After Maria appeared, Tomoe's world began to change rapidly.

Her mother and the people in the Madozono mansion smiled more often, and the heavy, oppressive atmosphere that had previously permeated the house was gone.

Thanks to Maria, Tomoe herself gained the ability to use magic.

The mental burden and stress of her days, when she had to live timidly and fearfully, hiding in the shadow of her personal maid and older sister figure, Kanaya, had completely vanished.

Studying and extracurricular activities, which she used to find depressing and painful, weren't difficult at all when she was with Maria.

Even when something was tough, just having Maria by her side gave Tomoe the strength to keep going.

Maria was truly outstanding in everything.

Studying, extracurricular activities, magic manipulation training.

She consistently achieved better results than Tomoe in everything.

Tomoe didn't harbor any negative emotions towards Maria, such as jealousy or resentment.

On the contrary, her admiration and respect for Maria only grew stronger.

However, she felt ashamed and sorry towards Maria and her mother for only achieving unsatisfactory results while studying alongside Maria.

"It's okay, Tomoe-chan. It's tough when you keep failing, but that suffering is what will make you a better person. If you think of it that way, having lots of things you can't do is actually very fun and something to be happy about."

Maria had once said these words of encouragement to a dejected Tomo.

"Having lots of things you can't do is fun and something to be happy about."

This is a difficult idea for a young child to understand.

However, Maria's words deeply moved Tomo.

"Onee-sama is amazing...!"

Suffering makes a person better.

Not being able to do something is fun and rewarding.

This was a thought that Tomoe had never even considered.

Maria understands the essence of "effort."

Tomoe couldn't articulate it in words or grasp it in her mind, but she understood it intuitively.

Tomoe, too, began to face everything with more utmost effort and dedication, striving to approach Maria's spirituality.

But even then, she couldn't achieve the same outstanding results as Maria.

However, Tomoe's eyes and heart never hung low.

Because Tomoe had found a goal.

The goal of staying by Maria's side for the rest of her life.

Even if she couldn't do it like Maria now, she was sure she would be able to someday.

Not being able to do something is fun and rewarding.

Suffering makes a person better.

Just as Maria had said, Tomoe no longer found effort burdensome.

In just six months, she had realized that she was becoming capable of more and more things.

To Tomoe's eyes, the whole world seemed to shine.

Then, one day...

★

"It's such a waste. Tomoe-chan has such lovely eyes. If you lift your bangs up like this, so that your forehead is visible, you can see more clearly, and you'll look even cuter."

After breakfast, as they were chatting in the living room as usual, Maria suddenly approached and peered into Tomoe's face.

Without regard for Tomoe's surprise and frozen state, Maria pushed Tomoe's bangs back with both hands and peered even closer.

"I knew it! Tomoe-chan is so cute! Don't you think so too, Kanaho and Kanaya?"

"Yes. I think you're right, Maria-ojou-sama."

"Yes, Tomoe-ojou-sama's very cute."

The maid sisters, Kanaho and Kanaya, who were standing nearby, smiled fondly at Maria's words, and expressed their agreement.

However, Tomoe didn't hear their voices.

(Onee-sama said that I'm cute....!?)

"If you wear a headband like this, it'll definitely suit you."

Maria smiled, holding back Tomoe's bangs, and Tomoe could only nod repeatedly, feeling flushed.

"In that case, let's all go shopping together!"

"Okaa-sama?!"

Hearing the conversation from somewhere, her mother, Mima, came into the living room with a cheerful smile.

Tomoe tensed slightly at her mother's sudden appearance.

Although the mother-daughter relationship had dramatically improved since Maria's arrival, the memories of the long period of neglect hadn't disappeared.

"Tomoe. You want a headband, don't you?"

"Uh... ah, yes. I... want one."

Tomoe hastily nodded in response to Mima's confirmation.

"Alright. Then, we'll skip today training and go shopping. Outside, all of us."

After her mother said that, things progressed smoothly, like a dream.

★

With the head maid, Sougi, and Maria and Tomoe's respective attendant, Kanaho and Kanaya, they set off to a high-end department store to shop.

"Please choose the headband for me, Onee-sama!"

Tomoe wanted to always wear something Maria had chosen for her.

With that thought in mind, Tomoe pleaded with Maria.

The headband Maria chose was a simple, unadorned piece, the color of yellow topaz.

Her mother, Mima, combed Tomoe's hair by hand and placed the headband on Tomo's head.

"....Cute. Yes, it suits you very well... You're cute, Tomoe."

"It suits you, Tomoe-chan. You're really cute."

Praised by her mother and Maria, Tomoe was overjoyed.

And suddenly, a strong desire welled up inside Tomoe.

This time, she wanted Maria to wear the headband she had chosen.

"Aren't you going to buy a headband too, Onee-sama?"

Hiding her own childish desire, Tomoe asked.

"Well... which one would suit me? Tomoe-chan, will you choose one for me?"

Tomoe's eyes lit up at those words, and she scanned every item on display.

Then, she quickly picked up one item that she felt was perfect.

"I think this would suit you, Onee-sama!"

It was a golden, intricately designed headband.

Maria, who is like an angel and like a princess, deserves this crown-like tiara headband.

Tomoe genuinely thought so.

"What do you think? Does it suit me, Tomoe-chan?"

Just like with Tomoe, Maria, whose hair was combed by Mima and who was wearing the headband, turned her face towards Tomoe.

For a moment, Tomoe held her breath.

Maria looked exactly as Tomoe had imagined, like a princess who had stepped out of a fairy tale.

"Yes! It suits you! You look beautiful! Onee-sama!"

Tomoe immediately replied to Maria.

These were her heartfelt words.

"Yes. You look very beautiful, Maria."

"It suits you very well, Maria-ojou-sama."

Mima and Kanaho also praised Maria in unison.

These weren't just childish jokes or silly remarks; they were genuinely praising Maria's beauty.

In response to their words, Maria smiled, a little shy, but with a smile full of joy.

Thinking that the headband she had chosen was what brought out that smile,
Tomoe felt a sense of pride.

(Ahhh~, Onee-sama, I love you! I want to be with you forever...!)

★

To Tomoe, Maria was becoming more than just a real sister.

This feeling was so intense that it could be described as worship, and it was a dangerous thing that could easily turn into dependence on Maria.

Kanaya, Tomoe's personal maid, was quick to notice the strength of Tomoe's affection for Maria, but she hesitated to point it out to Mima, the head of the family.

She knew better than anyone Tomoe's state of mind before Maria's arrival: closed off and terrified of everything outside the world.

Tomoe smiled genuinely happily when she was with Maria.

This was a perfectly healthy state for a young child, and Kanaya hesitated to make any suggestions that might dampen the mood between Maria and Tomoe.

"Onee-sama, Tomoe wants to take a bath with you!

And also, tonight, I want to sleep in your bed with you!"

A few days after the family went shopping, after dinner.

Despite Kanaya's hesitation, Tomoe clung tightly to Maria, and began to act affectionately.

Kanaya, the personal maid, found the scene endearing, but also troubled.

Tomoe's affection for Maria seemed excessive.

(Should I gently reprimand her?)

Just as Kanaya was pondering this,

"Oh, that's nice. In that case, perhaps I'll take a bath with you two tonight too."

It seemed Mima, having overheard the conversation, had joined in on Tomoe's request with a smile.

Kanaya tried her best not to show her surprise on her face.

Given Mima's personality, she would surely scold Tomoe mercilessly for her spoiled behavior.

But Kanaya's prediction was completely wrong.

Furthermore, the situation took an unexpected turn.

Not only everyone bearing the 'Madozono' name, but also everyone in the Igodome family from Sougi, Kanaya, and Kanaho ended up bathing together.

Bathing with her mother and her beloved cousin.

Just being with her cousin was enough to make Tomoe happy, but her mother joining in was enough to make her heart flutter.

Usually, she and Kanaya would bathe alone, but tonight it felt like a party.

As they soaked together in the large bathtub, her cousin, her Onee-sama, anxiously asked if her breasts would grow as big as her mother and her aunt.

Tomoe mother's reply was, "As you grow, your breasts will naturally grow bigger."

Listening to their exchange, Tomoe wondered.

(Could Onee-sama perhaps like girls with big breasts?)

"Onee-sama! Tomoe will definitely grow up to be a girl with big breasts!"

Unbeknownst to her, Tomoe blurted this out, breathing heavily.

Maria's eyes widened slightly, then a smile played on her lips.

"That's right. Let's grow up together, Tomoe-chan."

"Yes!"

The bathhouse was filled with a warm, peaceful laughter as the two little girls exchanged pleasantries.

★

After finishing their bath, Maria hesitantly broached the subject with Mima.

"I would like to sleep with Mima-nee-sama and Tomoe-chan tonight..."

Hearing Maria's wish, Mima seemed overjoyed.

"Then let's all sleep together, shall we?"

With a smile, she readily agreed, and Tomoe was led along with Maria to her mother's bedroom.

Taking a bath together as a family and then sleeping together—

For an ordinary mother and daughter, this is nothing out of the ordinary.

But for Tomoe, it was a happy event that she couldn't have imagined six months ago.

Tomoe's heart was filled with pure joy at being able to end the day in such a happy way.

As Tomoe settled into the middle of the bed, Maria lay down to her right, and Mima lay down to her left.

Sleeping between her beloved Onee-sama and her mother, who had now regained her kindness, was a truly happy experience.

Tomoe felt so happy that she thought she might even dream wonderful dreams.

However....

"…! Maria? What's wrong?"

It was her mother, Mima, who first noticed something was wrong with Maria.

After sensing an ominous tone in her mother's voice, Tomoe finally realized.

Tears were streaming down Maria's face…!

"....I'm so sorry. Now that I'm in bed with you two, I can't help but remember about Okaa-sama..."

Maria's words hit Tomoe like a blow to the head.

What a shock.

Maria had come to this mansion because she had lost her real mother.

Tomoe had almost forgotten that fact.

That fact, filled with guilt, deeply shook young Tomoe's heart.

Her Onee-sama, always diligently studying, working hard at her lessons and training.

Her Onee-sama, always smiling and caring for her.

For the past six months, she had always been by her Onee-sama's side.

She hadn't noticed at all that her Onee-sama was still carrying such grief.

"Onee-sama, don't cry..."

Little Tomoe couldn't think of anything else to say to Maria.

She simply clung to Maria, desperate to lessen her sadness.

"It's okay. We'll always be here for you from now on."

Mima hugged Maria gently, along with Tomoe.

"Thank you, Onee-sama..."

After returning Mima's words of gratitude, Maria began to breathe peacefully in her sleep.

(Thank goodness, Onee-sama had stopped crying.)

Tomoe, clinging to Maria, felt relieved and began to drift off to sleep herself.

However, even in her fading consciousness, Tomoe clearly heard the words that escaped Maria's lips.

"Even if I'm facing destruction... Mima-nee-sama... Tomoe-chan... All those girls ...

I must.... protect them all...."

AN:

The innocent little girl's heart becomes clouded...

It hurts my heart... (←feigning innocence)