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Chapter 37: Family Royal Rumble 3 P.M. Now that our so-called "esports team" is gathered in my house, it’s time to get serious about our upcoming training camp. Or at least, that’s what I thought until Aunt Marika immediately hijacked the meeting. "No need to plan! As the leader of this guild, I have already decided our training camp location!" she declared, standing dramatically like some kind of anime protagonist. "Huh?! That’s unfair! We should decide as a team!" Shino shot back, crossing her arms. "Oh? And who’s paying for this trip?" Marika smirked, flipping her hair. Damn. She pulled the money card. Classic rich person move. While they bickered like two rival comedians, Mom just sat there smiling, looking way too relaxed about this. Meanwhile, Shiori-san sat next to me, casually scrolling through her phone, probably ignoring everything like a true pro. "Okay, okay, what’s your plan then?" Shino finally asked, defeated. Aunt Marika grinned. "Our training camp will be at... Kyoto Hot Springs Inn!" (A/N: Yes, everyone. This is it. The long-awaited hot springs arc.) "Hot springs? Are you stupid?! You just want to relax, don’t you?!" Shino pointed an accusing finger. "Oi, Shino, shut up! I can’t believe you’re still such a crybaby!" Marika fired back. Ah, yes. A true intellectual debate. But wait... hot springs? That means... "Uhmm, Marika-nee-san... isn’t this a little unfair to me?" I asked hesitantly. "I mean... I’m the only guy here." "Oh, don’t worry, Haru~" Marika grinned mischievously. "Your mom and I will take the mixed bath with you, while Shino and Shiori will take a bath together." Wait. WHAT. — **Shiori’s POV** Hot springs, huh? To be honest, I didn’t care much about where this so-called training camp was going to be. But when I heard the words "Kyoto Hot Springs," my mind started racing. A trip with Haru-kun... maybe we’d share a room... Or even... take a bath together?! My imagination ran wild for a solid five seconds before reality crashed down on me. "Don’t worry, Haru~" Marika said. "Your mom and I will take the mixed bath with you, while Shino and Shiori will take a bath together." ... NOOOOO! MY DREAMS! "U-Uh, Aunt Marika?" I forced a smile, trying to salvage the situation. "Don’t you think Haru-kun is, uh, a little too old to be taking a bath with his mom and aunt?" I glanced at Haru-kun, who looked like his soul had left his body. Yeah, he definitely wasn’t thrilled about this either. Seeing your mom and aunt naked is really disgusting. "Eh? You’re misunderstanding, Shiori." Marika waved me off. "We’ll all wear towels, of course." Oh. Still, not good enough. "M-mom, say something!" I turned to Haru’s mom for help. Mom, bless her, nodded. "Hmm, it’s true. Shiori has a point. A boy his age shouldn’t be bathing with his mom and aunt anymore." YES! Finally, some common sense! "But," Miyako continued with a smile, "that means Shiori should bathe with Haru instead, right?" WHAT?! "NO, MIYAKO! WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU?!" Marika shouted, slamming the table. Tsk. This woman always ruins my golden opportunities! — **Mom’s POV** Hehehe. I see. Shiori wants to monopolize my cute son, huh? Well, well, well. As his mother, shouldn’t I support young love? After all, Haru is turning 18 soon. He’s no longer a child. I bet he even fantasizes about doing ’that’ with Shiori. Wait... "Hm. Marika-chan, we forgot someone." "Eh? Forgot what?" Marika blinked in confusion. "My dear Nishi. We should take her along too." (A/N: Nishi isn’t here right now. She’s still at school.) So now, we’re six in the group. Which means... my plan can begin. "Marika-chan, I have a suggestion." "What is it?" "For the rooms, let’s do two people per room." Marika gave me a blank stare. "Miyako-nee, I can just book individual rooms, you know?" Ah, I forgot. She’s rich. But just because she’s rich doesn’t mean she gets to decide everything! I should use my *older sister* authority. "Marika-chan, we should spend wisely! If we can save money, we should!" "...Fine, I guess. But who’s sleeping with who?" Ara~ Finally, my trap has been set. "Well, it’s obvious that I’ll sleep with Nishi. Marika-chan, who will you sleep with?" Marika pointed at Haru. "I’ll sleep with Ha—" "Nope. Not happening." I cut her off immediately. "Even if you’re his aunt, I can’t allow my son to share a room with another woman when he has a girlfriend." "B-But Miyako-nee—" "Nope. You’ll sleep with Shino. Shiori will sleep with Haru~" "NO! I WON’T LET THIS HORNY WOMAN SLEEP WITH HARU!" — **Marika’s POV** This is bad. I can’t let this predator get her hands on my innocent nephew! If they share a room, she’ll suck Haru dry! "Miyako-nee, I have a counter-proposal! I’ll book Haru his own room!" Miyako pouted. "Aw. That’s disappointing." Damn it, I knew it! She was trying to help Shiori! What kind of mother does this?! Meanwhile, Shiori was oddly quiet. Then, suddenly, she raised her hand like a student in class. "Uhm... I can book my own room and... sleep with Haru-kun." W-What?! AH! I FORGOT! SHE’S A WORKING ADULT! She has money! She can actually do it! I need to use my *guild master* authority! "No! As the guild master, I DECIDE WHO PAYS FOR WHAT!" Everyone stared at me coldly. Especially Shino, who looked disgusted. "...Marika, I didn’t think you were this childish," she said bluntly. "Who cares if you’re the guild master?" My pride... my dignity... shattered. "Fine! You win, Shiori! But if I hear ANY strange noises, I’m calling the police!" I WILL book the room next to them. I *will* monitor this woman’s every move. — **Shino’s POV** Uh... are we even still planning a training camp? Aunt Miyako is clearly trying to set up Haru and Shiori. Shiori is definitely thinking about doing questionable things with Haru. Marika is hell-bent on protecting Haru’s chastity. And Haru... what the hell is HE thinking? Seriously, this whole group is messed up. Maybe I should be the wildcard and stir up more chaos. Just to make things fun~ "Uh... can I say something?" Haru suddenly spoke up. "Oh? What is it?" "I think... we won’t be able to join the Yokohama esports tournament." "...WHAT?! EXPLAIN!" Haru sighed. "Because... the tournament is happening here. In Yokohama. And if we join... my identity—and Shiori-san’s—might be exposed." Ah. ...Shit.