Chapter 24: Misunderstandings in Space! Sisterly Love Full of Mistakes!

"Space" is pronounced as "Sky".

This is based on the theatrical version III

 (・∀・)

Chapter 24: Misunderstandings in Space! Sisterly Love Full of Mistakes!

October has arrived.

Maria, as always, is carefree, enjoying a moderate workload with her studies and training.

She is thoroughly enjoying her masochistic lifestyle.

Objectively, despite being a young child, she appears to be nothing more than a "Saint" diligently pursuing her training.

Because of this, Maria's reputation as a "Saint" among those serving in the Madozono mansion was constantly rising.

She seems completely oblivious to such evaluations within the mansion (※in fact, she's unaware of them), Maria spends her days in high spirits, but recently, she has one concern.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Mima and Tomoe's behavior had been different since the end of last month.

During magic training, Mima continued to instruct the two of them as usual, but her reprimands of Tomoe had become terribly harsh, and it seemed like it was happening much more frequently.

Furthermore, it wasn't just during Mima's training; even the teachers in their regular studies and other lessons had started to noticeably scold and strongly reprimand Tomoe.

Tomoe continued to receive instruction, even though she was in tears, unable to bear the reprimands.

Maria is happy and welcomes being treated harshly and severely reprimanded, but she can't bear to see a little girl crying because of this strict discipline.

She would try to protect Tomoe and support her, suggesting to Mima and the teachers something along the lines of, "Could you be a little more... lenient on her, you know..."

But each time, Tomoe would earnestly plead with her; "It's fine, please let me continue."

Seeing the determination in her tear-filled eyes, Maria understood.

(Could it be... Tomoe-chan has also awakened to the "M" wave!?)

That hunch is JUST a misunderstanding!

Maria felt a strong sense of guilt for her wildly inaccurate assessment.

(Could it be that my own sexual preferences had unknowingly influenced Tomoe-chan...?)

To think that she had twisted the sexual preferences of her introverted, yet proper, younger cousin...

No, no, no!

The moral and ethical part of Maria's brain, which usually doesn't do its job, shouted:

You must stop that, you idiot!

"I'm the only one with abnormal sexual preferences and fetishes (※she seems to be aware of it)."

Maria thought, and in order to stop Tomoe from going astray, she would try to talk to her whenever she had the chance.

Isn't it my fault that she's forcing herself to keep going even though it's so painful and difficult that it makes her cry?

Maria decided to question her directly, but without using any specific words.

Maria decided to question her directly, but without using any specific words.

"Tomoe-chan, Is it my fault that you've been pushing yourself so hard lately, even to the point of overexertion...?"

"No! It's not Onee-sama's fault!"

"But, Tomoe-chan, you've been working so hard at your studies and training, even to the point of crying..."

"I... I! I want to do my best!"

In Tomoe's eyes, Maria sensed an extraordinary strength of will that almost made her flinch.

Tomoe lowered her eyes slightly and spoke in a strained voice.

"I've learned about the secret Onee-sama is hiding (about your destiny as Saint)..."

"What?! You know what I've been hiding (about my fetish as an M)...?!"

(Oh my god, was it that obvious?!

But then again, I'd been with Tomoe-chan every single day for the past six months...)

That's how Maria easily misunderstood.

In truth, for better or for worse, Maria's true nature had remained hidden from everyone thanks to her beauty, her seemingly diligent attitude towards studying, and her "Elegance Cheat," which transformed any of her words and actions into those of a noble lady.

The same was true for Mima, Tomoe, the head maid Sougi, and the twin sisters who were their personal maids.

However, Maria herself had no way of realizing this fact, so she had no choice but to accept that Tomoe had seen through her true nature.

Tomoe looked up and gazed straight at Maria.

Then, she clearly declared her feelings.

"That's why I want to be like Onee-sama (someone strong)!"

"You want to be like me (a masochist)!?!?"

Maria was naturally utterly astonished, having completely misunderstood Tomoe's subsequent declaration.

(Oh no, no, my dear customer!

This path is only suitable for professionals!

We absolutely do not recommend it for amateurs!)

Tomoe's unexpected reply (※a misunderstanding) caused Maria's mind to momentarily fall into such a state of confusion.

But she quickly regained her composure and reflected deeply, as deep as the ocean.

(I can't believe I'd unknowingly dragged my cousin down the path of masochism.

This is going to create a crack in the heroine selection criteria for the protagonist!)

Maria was unnecessarily worried that this might negatively impact the protagonist's choice of lover in the original story, which she hadn't even seen yet.

She tried to persuade Tomoe, thinking, "We really need to get her back on track."

"No, Tomoe-chan—you can't become like me (a masochist). That would derail the normal course of your life... I can't bear that..."

"No! I absolutely must become like Onee-sama (someone strong)! If I don't, I won't be worthy of being by Onee-sama's side!"

"You think you won't be worthy of being by my side unless you become like me (a masochist).....

That's not true! Your feelings alone are enough. Tomoe-chan is fine just being the usual Tomoe-chan, you know?"

So, Maria was subtly telling Tomoe to give up on that masochistic heroine persona, gently urging her to return to her original lady-like character.

However, Tomoe had no way of reading those unspoken intentions, and instead, she became even more agitated.

As if to say, "Fight on, go on, I'll give it my all, no matter how many times," she clung to Maria and pleaded.

"That won't do! I have no choice but to become like Onee-sama (someone strong)! Otherwise, there's no point in me living with Onee-sama!"

"You're saying there's no point in living unless you become like me (a masochist)?

Tomoe-chan, why would you go that far...?"

(Well, I wonder if I've ever enjoyed being tormented so much in front of Tomoe-chan that it would make her think like that?)

As Tomoe hugged her, Maria tilted her head inwardly, thinking "Hmm..."

(Ah, maybe it's that time, when I fainted the very first time during magic light manipulation training. Maybe it's because of that. I was in agony and my tension was at its maximum back then.)

Maria thought to herself, and nodding to herself.

"I may not have the talent to become like Onee-sama (someone strong). But I'll do my best! I'll become good enough to stand beside Onee-sama.

So please! Let me do my best!"

Tomoe's desperate determination to become a masochist (misunderstanding #2) left even Maria speechless.

(Once you get fixated on something, you head down the path to ruin—that's the masochistic tenacity of a true masochist...

Haven't I always kept that firmly in my mind?

Then shouldn't I respect Tomoe-chan's firm resolve?)

"I understand how you feel, Tomoe-chan—but even so, I don't want you to become like me (a masochist)."

"What?! Why not?!"

Hugging Tomoe, who reflexively resisted, Maria gently stroked her head to soothe her.

"I want Tomoe-chan to be happy as a normal girl. Becoming like me (a masochist) means getting hurt, misunderstood... and ending up in a place of ruin where no one understands you, being alone forever. That's the kind of life it is....

I don't want Tomoe-chan to live like that."

(So, don't go down the eccentric route of being a masochistic heroine.)

Implicitly conveying this again, Maria gently admonished Tomoe once more.

However, those words of admonishment were a fatally critical misjudgment and mischoice.

For Tomoe, the statement of "I want you to be happy as a normal girl" was something she had already discussed thoroughly with her mother, Mima, and had moved past, so it wasn't something to worry about at all.

The problem was the latter half of the statement; this struck a chord with Tomoe.

(Someone as talented and accomplished as Onee-sama gets hurt, misunderstood by everyone, and remains all alone...?

Why?)

Tomoe wondered.

But immediately afterward, she intuitively understood.

(That's it! Onee-sama has always been so talented and capable of anything, so the people around her take it for granted...!

I, too, had mistakenly assumed that Onee-sama was amazing, that she didn't need to make any effort...

In reality, Onee-sama works very hard, and puts in a lot of effort.)

Tomoe arrived at this conclusion (misunderstanding #3) and was overcome with a feeling of tightness in her chest.

(For nobody to understand that, it's only natural that it hurts.... Of course...

Onee-sama couldn't tell anyone how she felt, she endured it all this time, she lived hiding it all this time. That's why she's "all alone"...

Even so, Onee-sama is trying to become stronger than anyone else, to protect everyone, all by herself.

She keeps trying her best!)

Young Tomoe doesn't yet know the concept of "solitude."

However, even without knowing the word, she senses the beliefs and ideals that Maria holds in her way of life (misunderstanding #4), in her very being, and is deeply moved.

At the same time, sadness overflows in Tomoe's heart.

(Onee-sama is trying to become stronger to protect us and someone we don't even know yet, and she's been "all alone" all this time...

That's just... that's just not right!

Even if it's the 'Destiny of a Saint', isn't it too much?)

Tomoe, who had been held tightly by Maria, pulled away and gazed at Maria's face with teary eyes.

She realized that she would give everything to this saintly girl.

The feelings she had sworn during her conversation with her mother swelled again in Tomoe's heart.

Tomoe's intense emotions poured out in words.

"Then Onee-sama will be all alone! That's not right! I don't want that!

I'll become strong! Even if no one understands me, I'll become strong and follow Onee-sama wherever she goes!

That way, no matter where you end up, Onee-sama won't be alone...!"

(I absolutely wouldn't let Onee-sama to be alone.)

That cry was a declaration of Tomoe's further resolve.

(So you mean we're going to be ruined together....? "A Complete Downfall for Masochistic Cousin Sisters!" Is that even a possibility?!)

Meanwhile, Maria had once again completely misunderstood Tomo's earnest wish.

Both of them are hopeless.

(Hmm, there's also the option of a sisterly love triangle with the Igodome sisters, and maybe it's safe to prepare a route with the masochistic cousin sisters just in case.)

What do you mean "MAYBE"? Don't just interpret it in a way that suits you!

Of course, no one would interject Maria's inner monologue.

"...I understand, Tomoe-chan. I respect your wishes. But, really, don't overdo it, okay? If you hurt yourself, I'll cry, you know?"

"Yes! I'll be careful not to make Onee-sama sad, and I'll do my best!"

Having received her cousin's approval, Tomoe's eyes lit up, and she hugged Maria again.

Of course, Tomoe intended to continue pushing herself beyond her limits no matter what, but having her cousin's approval was always better.

Filled with joy, Tomoe continued to hold Maria tightly.

Meanwhile, the maid sisters, Kanaya and Kanaho, who had been secretly listening to their conversation, each of them, their eyes welled up with tears at the sight of the beautiful cousins' love.

They nodded to each other without a word, reaffirming their loyalty to the young children who would carry on the legacy of the Madozono family in the next generation.

Meanwhile.....

(If Tomoe-chan grows up to be a complete masochist, I wonder if we could do an S&M threesome!?

In that case, the protagonist, Kadomatsu Hirona-chan, would have to become a sadistic devil! Heh heh.

Glup gueheheheh!)

While outwardly displaying an angelic smile, Maria's mind was filled with drooling, pink thoughts.

The situation seemed to be settling down amicably, but the cousins' perceptions had diverged at lightning speed, becoming irrevocably different.

Unaware of this fact, another day passed at Madozono's house.

No one knew what the consequences of their differing perceptions would be.

However, it seemed certain that the arrow pointing towards the future would lead to extreme confusion.

AN:

I bet young people these days don't know who "Unjash" is...

They're just a bunch of scumbags who are currently embroiled in controversy, but they weren't always like that... (current events reference)