Have Mercy, ■■■■, on Me 15

A recollection. Just after running into the suspicious person

???: ......

Hiyori: I mean, it’s not like you were able to achieve your goals when you raided the manor last time, right?

I knew it was only a matter of time before you launched another attack.

I could have waited for you to try and sneak into the manor; then I would have caught you in the act.

But I just hate waiting around. And so, I did all of this to create an opportunity for you to attack us.

???: ......

Hiyori: Ahaha! What are you glaring at me for? Angry that you haven’t found what you’re looking for yet?

But not to worry. Look, I have what you want right here, safe and sound.

???: ......

Hiyori: (...Just like we planned, I managed to lure out the suspicious person.)

(Since we knew what he was after, the quickest way to get to him out was to use it as bait.)

(Brother was fully against the plan when I suggested it to him, but I got him to come around.)

(The suspicious person waits for moments when Nagisa-kun and I are alone.)

(He won’t make a move if he knows other adults are present. He’s very cautious.)

(So to draw someone like that out, there was no choice but to create a situation where it was just us two.)

(Just like I thought, he fell right into our trap...)

(The problem is, though, that he made his move faster than we expected.)

(Because of that, he was able to catch us when it really was just the two of us.)

(We were originally supposed to pull him toward a designated spot where Brother had several guards on standby.)

(But it’ll take a bit for them to get to us here. I’ll have to buy them some time.)

Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun. Hold safe, why?

Hiyori: Because it’s something that’s important to you, Nagisa-kun. You’d hate for someone to try and snatch it away like before, wouldn’t you?

Nagisa: ...Hate.

Hiyori: You heard what Nagisa-kun said. Now, since we already caught you stalking us, why don’t you just give up and go on home?

???: ......

Hiyori: Well, if you were going to back off that easily, you probably wouldn’t have broken into the manor in the first place, would you?

Hey, since we’re on the topic: do you know what’s in this safe?

It looks like you can’t even open it without a special key.

And since it’s so small, you’d probably break whatever’s inside if you tried to pry it open.

So since you’re trying to steal the safe from me, that must mean you have the key, right?

???: ...Give it to me.

Hiyori: ......

(Something’s strange. He’s the one most at risk if anyone sees what’s going on, so why is he acting so bold...?)

(Now that I think about it... the sun may have already set, but it’s still weird how few people are around at this time.)

(I see now. He was also making plans of his own to ambush us here.)

(He must have cleared the area beforehand. That’s why he can attack us without hesitation...)

(This is bad. I thought we were setting a trap for him, but I ended up falling into his.)

(...I have to do something. I need to protect Nagisa-kun no matter the cost!)

(Because right now I’m Nagisa-kun’s big brother—)

...Okay. I’ll give you the safe.

But only on one condition.

???: ...Do you really think you can negotiate on this?

Hiyori: You will if you want this safe back unharmed.

I don’t know what’s inside this thing, but I imagine that if you weren’t concerned about damaging it, you’d just steal it from me by force. Am I right?

So how about you try being a little bit more polite to me, hm?

???: ...What is your condition?

Hiyori: From here on out, stay out of Nagisa-kun’s life. If you can promise that, I’ll give you the safe without any trouble.

???: ......

Fine. Now put the safe down and take ten steps back.

Hiyori: Got it. Is this good?

Nagisa: ...No.

Hiyori: ...?! Nagisa-kun!

???: ......

Nagisa: ...Can’t, give.

Hiyori: Nagisa-kun, we don’t have time for this!

Nagisa: ...Important. So, can’t!

Hiyori: Nagisa-kun...

(...I underestimated how much you cared about your father, Nagisa-kun.)

(I thought that if I told you to do something, you’d obey me without question. You would even give up your treasure.)

(But that was a terrible thing for me to do. I was just interpreting your feelings to suit my own convenience.)

(That’s something you can never give away. I didn’t understand that.)

(I used the idea that I was protecting you as an excuse to treat you like a puppet, just like your father did.)

(But I shouldn’t do that. If I really want to think of myself as your big brother, then—)

I should tell you the whole truth, shouldn’t I?

Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun?

Hiyori: Sorry, Nagisa-kun. I made this decision all on my own without even talking to you first.

I don’t know the first thing about your father. So I shouldn’t give away something important from him so lightly. I really am sorry.

But my decision hasn’t changed. I have to prioritize my family over some total stranger.

In exchange, I won’t ever let you be alone.

I’m not like your father who died and left you behind. I swear I’ll be with you forever and ever, as your family.

So please. Please pick me over your dad.

Please let go of that box and take my hand instead.

Nagisa: ......

...Okay.

Hiyori: Thank you, Nagisa-kun.

???: ......

Hiyori: Just go already. The safe is yours.

Leave us alone, and never show your face around us again.

...Whew, thank goodness. He left without doing anything.

Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun, okay?

Hiyori: Oh, yeah. I’m fine, it’s just like all the tension in me released at once.

Thank you, Nagisa-kun, for choosing to take my hand...

But now it’s over. There shouldn’t be anyone threatening you anymore.

Does that mean my role as your big brother is done now...?

Nagisa: ...? Hiyori-kun. Always, rely. Brother, right?

Hiyori: You think so? I’m happy you said that ♪

Nagisa: ......

Hiyori: (Nagisa-kun. He keeps looking off in the direction the suspicious person went.)

(He really did not want to give up that safe. Sorry.)

(...Really, I’m sorry. There wasn’t any other way—)

(But I hate that I had to deceive you like this.)