Seele's Little Secret Under the Bed (Part 2)

"Seeing my brother once a week isn't too difficult."

Mei said, slightly embarrassed, "And the main thing is that I don't really know how to correct this weird impression. Sometimes, even normal conversations are treated like business..."

"Because Mei, you really do have that kind of temperament." Dark Seele seemed to have thought of something. "It's that kind of unexpectedly serious temperament, you speak logically and clearly, and you're also very poised and generous...tsk, thinking about it this way, Mei, you really are a proper young lady from a wealthy family."

Even Dark Seele had to admit that Mei's ability to make all the children willingly call her "older sister" on her first day at the orphanage wasn't due to bribes like candy, but rather her genuine older sister aura.

"So you're nothing but a nobody, a mere ordinary student."

"... Seele, you're really being ruthless with your words." Mei had no rebuttal. So this was how others perceived her?

"Um, could you untie me first? I don't know what this is, but it's quite uncomfortable to be tied up like this."

"It's for binding fox spirits." Dark Seele sneered as she obediently untied the Honkai Energy wrapped around Mei.

However, Dark Seele was stunned for a moment afterward.

Wait a minute, wasn't my job to teach Mei, that philandering cat, a lesson? Why am I chatting so amicably now?

"..."

So how do we continue now?

Tie Mei up and gag her again?

... It doesn't seem that bad.

"Anyway, let's get back to the point. It's better for Mei, the Mei cat, to stay away from Brother. Next time, it won't be as simple as just tying you up."

Dark Seele threatened, "It's too late to fix things."

"Seele, puppy love is bad," Mei lectured earnestly.

"—Who asked you to lecture me! Aren't you a minor too?"

"But according to Far Eastern law, I am already of marriageable age."

Mei dropped a bombshell with a smile.

"In other words, my behavior doesn't count as puppy love; it could even be considered normal behavior. According to the laws of the Republic of Estonia, Seele is 18 when she reaches the legal marriage age—but she can get married at 15 if her parents or the court agree."

Seele is Estonian... but Seele's only fourteen years old!

"Gulp... So what if I was born a few years earlier?"

But speaking of this, Mei suddenly remembered something.

"On another note... well..."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"... Although it's not nice to say it like this, the legal marriage age in Russia is 14."

"What does Russia have to do with me... um."

Dark Seele suddenly remembered something... Sister Bronya seems to be exactly 14 years old.

Since the nature of Anti-Entropy is not limited to one country, the Cocolia Orphanage also does not belong to any country, and it is fine for the children to use their nationality as their country.

"... So what! Orphanages don't have to follow these rules!"

"But it's a reason that can convince others."

Mei answered very calmly.

"That's it then. If there aren't any big bugs, I'll head back."

Mei didn't want to dwell on the fact that Seele had tied her up tonight.

Besides... Mei isn't blind; she can see Seele's scarlet eyes clearly.

Although this guess may be a bit bold, but... maybe this Seele is not the Seele I usually know?

"Don't leave!"

Dark Seele angrily pinned Mei.

So, after all this, I'm the most pitiful one, huh...?

"Huh? What's that?"

Mei, who had been pinned to the ground, looked at the area under Seele's bed and suddenly showed a strange expression.

"Such a crude way of changing the subject, Seele didn't need it when she was ten!" Dark Seele said with a sneer.

"Given the strength you've shown so far, even if I change the subject, I won't be able to break free from you, right? Besides, there really is something under the bed."

"Is that so?"

Mei's serious expression convinced Dark Seele.

"Mei- neechan really wouldn't take advantage of me when I'm looking down..."

(Let's... let's send Mei away.)

In her mind, Seele said with a hint of panic.

What is this guy suddenly saying?

Dark Seele curled her lip, completely ignoring Seele's words.

Then, filled with curiosity, he lay down to see what was under Seele's bed.

(Don't look!)

After Dark Seele lay down, Seele became extremely anxious and tried to stop him in her mind with a tearful voice.

However, this had no effect on Dark Seele at all; in fact, the tone of the voice only piqued Dark Seele's curiosity.

(Oh? Seele, your reaction is quite interesting. Now I'm even more curious to see what's inside.)

Dark Seele squinted and looked under the bed. Although the area under the bed was pitch black, that did not stop Dark Seele's gaze.

"Oh... a cardboard box, and a book that fell down? A minor's physiological..."

(Haha! Seele, you don't actually secretly read physiology books every night, do you?)

Dark Seele, who had mocked Seele about this before, now mocked her even more blatantly in her mind.

Then, Dark Seele condensed Honkai Energy into a scythe shape in her hand and hooked the cardboard box out from under the bed.

"Hmph... Let me see what's inside... uh, Chinese? Math?"

Dark Seele, who had just pulled the cardboard box out, felt a little dizzy when she saw the two books on top.

"Hmm... is this where Seele keeps her books?"

Mei glanced at it, but wisely refrained from flipping it.

But Dark Seele didn't have so many concerns and threw away the book that was making her a little dizzy without hesitation.

Seele must have hidden something here without my knowledge. Otherwise, why would she have seemed so guilty just now?

Dark Seele confirmed with absolute certainty—although it was the other personality, Dark Seele actually couldn't keep track of Seele's situation all the time.

After all, she had been sleeping in both of those courtyards for a while, and luring her out to read could also "paralyze" her.

Seele must have secretly done something naughty while I was sleeping!

But as Dark Seele flipped through the pages, she found only fairy tales, textbooks, and workbooks—things she recognized—could there really be nothing inside?

Dark Seele hesitated slightly, but Mei suddenly saw something in the book that Dark Seele had thrown out.

Mei silently took out the book, flipped through it, and easily found the booklet tucked inside.

If you look carefully, you can definitely find it, but unfortunately, Dark Seele has always been clumsy with books and such.

It really wasn't Seele... Mei glanced at Dark Seele, who was still rummaging through things, with absolute certainty, and then opened the booklet in her hand.

"... This is... um!?"

Mei was startled when she saw what was in the booklet.

"Huh? Mei, you found her... Waaah~! Mei, Mei- nee..."

Before Dark Seele could finish speaking, Seele interrupted her, and then Seele looked at the booklet in Mei's hand and couldn't help but let out a wail.

"... I'm so sorry, I never Seele you to watch this kind of thing..."

Mei blushed deeply, stiffly closed the booklet, and tucked it back into the book.

"You really can't judge a book by its cover."

"Waaaaah~~"

Seele covered her face, as if she could do nothing but wail.

It was seen... that person was seen...

It could have been easily covered up...

"Um... what's wrong with you two?"

"Seele, what happened?"

However, at that very moment, Liu Bai and Bronya's voices came from outside the door.

"No, no!" Upon hearing this voice, Seele, who was wailing, reacted faster than anyone else.

Absolutely, absolutely, we must not let my sister and brother find out about this!

"Mei..."

Seele looked at Mei beside her with a pleading expression.

"I'm sorry about what happened earlier... Waaah~~"

Seele was still thinking about how to ask Mei for help, but Mei reacted faster than anyone else, sweeping all the books back under the bed in a very unusual and rough manner.

"What's wrong, brother?"

Then Mei opened the door, looked at the two people outside with a smile, and asked.

"Um... I think I heard you two making quite a racket, so I came to check it out." Liu Bai's gaze passed over Mei and fell on Seele inside.

Seele's eyes were a little red, but Mei looked normal.

Hmm... did I misunderstand something?

Although it's not nice to say it like this, it's not a big deal if Seele cries in the current situation, but I'm afraid Mei cry.

Mei not crying means the situation isn't serious.

"It's because that bug was running around everywhere and scared Seele."

Mei responded very politely.

Seele was secretly reading those kinds of books...

Just thinking about it made Mei's ears turn slightly red.

I never would have guessed that Seele was so brave...

"Hmm... It's good that you're alright, yes, it's good that you're alright."

Liu Bai nodded, looking quite puzzled.

He then exchanged a glance with Bronya.

There's definitely something going on between those two!

The bug is clearly just an excuse—what bug could bypass Dark Seele?

Moreover, the two of them watched Seele switch to Dark Seele.

There's a ghost!

"Remember to go downstairs for cake later, and don't let your dad come over."

"Okay, thank you for reminding me, Alliance Leader. I understand."

Mei bowed slowly and thanked them, saying, "I'll comfort Seele for a bit and then I'll go down."

"Okay, thank you for your help."

Liu Bai and Bronya turned and went downstairs as if nothing had happened, while Mei slowly closed the door and turned to look at Seele.

"Thank you Mei..." Seele was still very well-behaved. "And I'm sorry, I'm sure I scared the other one..."