Chapter Text
Everyone had been acting so weird lately.
Ajisai and Satsuki seem more flustered lately, but there is always a soft grin on their faces that is way too adorable for me to handle. It's a sugar shot! Ajisai's angelic mode is now covered with an innocence and delicate enhancement that makes her so huggable, and Satsuki's moe-gap is now way too much, like she has suffered a cuteness sickness lately. My poor heart is not overcoming this.
Kaho-chan still being so Kaho-chan. Her little sister aura just hides a menace that every time I try to be physically affectionate with her, she accepts it with a smile, but for some reason, after that, she drags me to a place where we can be alone to grope my boobs. So still being a cute gremlin but more aggressive lately.
At least Mai seems less stressed lately. She keeps her cool side most of the time when I hug her, kiss her head, anything like that while the Queentet is all together. It just changes a bit when we're alone. And I would never get tired of how that lovely woman can turn into a spoiled girl in private. It's so cute!
Talking about cuteness, my little sister had stopped bratting so much lately. Since our last zoo date she had been acting a little more clingy. We had been spending more time together, and her rude attitude towards me seemed to decrease the more I shared time with her—playing video games or watching movies—and even sometimes we had been sleeping together, like when we were kids.
On the other hand, Lucie-chan had been way more clingy too. Trying to push me to spend more time with her. It would be cruel to say no to a kid, even when she's a full-blown adolescent older than me. But her mind is childlike.
Today we're having a house study date. At Mai's place. All five of us. It's been a while since we had a date like this as a polycule.
Hehehehe. Yeah, I know how it's called now. Satsuki spent some time searching on forums and with the help of AI to describe our four-way relationship back then—a little before we started dating Kaho—and found out there's actually a term for it. We're not as weird as we thought.
I was nervous about what could happen. But excited too. Time with all my lovely girlfriends at once.
I used the key Mai had given us in case of emergencies or if we had a date at her house and she got caught at work so we wouldn't have to wait for her outside. As soon as I came in, I found my lovely girlfriend setting everything ready for this afternoon.
"I'm home!" I announced, feeling like we had already started living together.
She turned, warm smile melting me on the spot.
"Welcome home, Renako." A pause. "You came earlier than expected. Would you mind helping me set up a comfortable place?"
"Of course." I walked over and kissed her forehead. A light blush spread across her cheeks, a funny smirk appearing after.
"You're so affectionate lately." She nudged me. "Just help with water or tea for everyone. I'll move the sofas so we can sit around the coffee table."
I got what she asked. Helped rearrange pillows for everyone to sit. By the time everything was set, we had a quiet moment before the others arrived.
"Is everything okay lately, Mai?" I sat next to her, kissing her cheek, stroking her hair. We hadn't had time to talk the last couple of days, but it was pretty noticeable to me. "You seem to be building your mask again. The perfect model one."
She relaxed into my touch. "Yeah. Just maman. You know how things can be."
"You know you don't have to carry everything alone anymore, right?"
A slow nod. She laid her head on my shoulder.
"I know." Soft. "Just need some time, darling."
"Going to kiss without me or what?"
Kaho-chan appeared behind us, smug smirk firmly in place. She tilted her head. "Did you fall too, Maimai?"
"No." Mai didn't move an inch. "I'm more worried that you'll be the next one to fall, honey."
"Fall for what?" I looked between them, not understanding what they meant when supposedly we had fallen in love more than a year ago.
Kaho ignored the question, settling onto my lap instead.
"Nothing, Rena-chin." She purred, placing her head on my chest. "Nothing."
Way too cozy.
Ajisai and Satsuki arrived soon after. Some weird exchange of glances occurred, making Mai and Kaho move from my side while the tension grew.
"With this, we can start studying, nya." Kaho clapped her hands. "Sa-chan is better at teaching Rena-chin. They should sit closer."
"Ajisai, darling." Mai's voice was soft, ordering gently. "You should sit next to Renako too. It could be helpful for studying."
Ajisai muttered something nervous under her breath. "Come on, Mai-chan, it's okay..."
"I'm really going to have my payback." Satsuki's words were directed at Mai and Kaho, both wearing identical weird smiles. "Consider this a warning."
"Satsuki, be nice."
"Satsuki-chan, be nice."
Ajisai and I spoke in perfect sync.
Satsuki sat while muttering under her breath, almost pouting. The double giggle from Ajisai and me broke the tension immediately.
Study time was going perfect. Satsuki was such a sweet girl, as lovely and patient as always, teaching me concepts I hadn't understood, the same with Ajisai. On the other hand, Ajisai was extremely fidgeting around us, and her eyes shone every time I complimented her for being so smart. It seemed like she was melting.
Satsuki seemed to take it even better—outside a furious blush—but I caught her clinging a little more next to me, while Kaho was like nothing, just a goofy smile like she was watching some comedy anime.
Mai on the other hand was perfect as always, releasing soft giggles occasionally.
After a couple of hours, we decided to take a break before continuing.
"You seem tired, Ajisai." Mai stood up with a soft smile. "It's the perfect time to stop for a moment and refresh ourselves."
"I—I'm okay." Ajisai's voice came softer than usual, almost like Ajisai-chan's voice. "Just I feel a little off."
"That has been exhausting, nya." Kaho melted into the table, eyes glazing over. "Someone kiss me or I will die!"
"You're so dramatic." Mai was the first to respond, stealing a kiss from her. Then she grabbed Kaho's wrist and dragged her toward the kitchen. "It's getting late. We'll get some food. You three just rest."
"Mai-chan, I—" Ajisai tried to stand, but some whispered words from Mai made her stop. She sat back down next to me.
Her body was stiff. Tense. Shaking a little.
I knew that feeling. When anxiety hits and you can't control it. My little angel needed comfort.
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her head gently against my chest.
"Shhhh." I whispered softly into her hair. "It's okay. I'm still here, sweetheart. Everything is okay. I'll hold you."
"R-Rena-chan." Her voice was muffled, insecure. "I'm okay."
For a second I worried she had a fever. She was so hot. So red.
"Ajisai." Satsuki's voice cut through, harsh but not mean. "Everything is okay. No one would blame you if you surrender. Even everyone is expecting you to do it. Mai and Kaho didn't handle it in the best way, but it's okay."
I'd have to correct those harsh words later. But right now?
Ajisai's body started relaxing around me. She hugged me tight, needy, her face burying into my chest like a little girl too nervous to make eye contact. Then she climbed onto my lap, hiding even more.
So cute. But what was going on? Why was Ajisai acting like this so suddenly?
"Ajisai?" I murmured against her head. "Is everything okay now?"
A weak nod.
"Renako-onee-chan makes it okay." Her voice came out small. Whiny. Childish.
Satsuki let out a relieved sigh.
Renako onee-chan? There's no freaking way Ajisai-chan is back. It never worked before.
Wait.
If it never worked, why was it working now? Something weird had been happening lately. Satsuki mentioned something about them doing wrong. Did she know?
"Satsuki, sweetie." I kept my voice soft. Her expression was locked on Ajisai with a weird mix of happiness, relief, and... envy? No, that couldn't be right. "Do you know what's going on?"
"Kinda." Her voice was flat. Calculated. But warm too. "Right now isn't the time to explain. But Ajisai's mentality is a child's now." She stood. "I'll get some colors or paper for her to play with."
"Mmmm, okay... explain later then." I responded, confused, taking out my phone to search for cute kitten videos.
Satsuki kissed the timid girl's head softly before leaving us alone. Ajisai's grip around me relaxed more.
"So this was that part of you." Satsuki paused at the door. "It's nice to see it."
Child mentality.
Well, it was the same as before. Not like I was a good caregiver for five-year-old Ajisai-chan. But I'd dealt with Lucie. I could handle this.
Probably.
Everything had turned so weird and confusing.
Being left alone with her, I could see Ajisai's cute face peeking out. Curious at the sound of kittens on my phone. Shining with so much innocence and sweetness that I couldn't resist.
I kissed all over her face, unable to resist how sweet she looked, getting a childish giggle in response.
"Renako onee-chan." She pointed at the table. "Ajisai thirsty."
Third person. So adorable. Goodness, it was like a blessing from God—turning a cute angel into an even more adorable version of herself.
I carefully took a glass and brought it to her lips. Her soft hands tried to grab it, a little clumsy, before she started gulping down water.
A few minutes later, Satsuki returned with paper and colors. Ajisai's eyes lit up with childish curiosity.
"These are for you." Satsuki sat at her level, close to us. "Do you recognize me, Ajisai?"
A shy nod. Then a tiny voice.
"Satsuki onee-chan."
Satsuki's reaction changed completely. A light blush crept up her cheeks as she softly stroked Ajisai's hair.
"Yeah. I'm Satsuki onee-chan." A pause. "Let's draw together while the other two come back with food."
Without thinking, my mouth opened. "Ehhhh, what a good big sister you really are. It's heartwarming."
To my surprise, Satsuki didn't retort like usual.
Wait. She hadn't done that in a couple of days now. Satsuki had been acting weird.
But there she was, coloring and drawing next to Ajisai. Both of them radiating a childish aura that could kick anyone's maternal instincts into overdrive. They played together until Mai and Kaho returned not long after with heated takeout—probably prepared before I even arrived. They set everything on the table.
In response, Ajisai-chan jumped, hiding her face in my neck. Afraid of those two.
"Oh, she's shy." Mai beamed, sweetness and comfort radiating from her. Maternal aura fully activated. "Ajisai-chan, I'm sorry for scaring you last time. But you're safe here."
Right. Mai was the only one who knew about the existence of Ajisai-chan. It was sweet, her apologizing for what happened years ago.
Ajisai peeked out with curiosity.
"Mai onee-chan." She looked at Kaho. "And Kaho-chan?"
Her sweet voice melted Mai immediately.
But Kaho froze. Confused.
"Why am I the only one who doesn't get 'onee-chan'!?" Kaho cried, genuinely offended. "Hey, baby A-chan! I'm the oldest of all of you!"
Kaho sighed, defeated, after watching such pure eyes.
"Can't even get mad when she's this mentally little right now."
"I'll get a spoon for her." Mai headed to the kitchen. "Don't know how old she regressed to. Better safe than sorry if she doesn't know how to use chopsticks."
We tried to settle Ajisai into a chair, but she refused to let go of me. Ended up with her right next to me, as close as possible.
"Sa-chan." Kaho tilted her head. "Want to sit next to Rena-chin or Maimai? Since you seem to be resisting the drop."
"Shut up." Satsuki's voice was sharp. "I'm not like that. Don't make me hit you when this is all over."
Hearing such hostility, I couldn't stay without doing anything—less with a kid present. What would Ajisai-chan think? So I just looked at Sa-chan, expecting her esper skills to let her know I was internally scolding her.
She backtracked immediately.
"...Sorry."
"Just try not to get that violent, Satsuki-chan." I kept my voice soft but firm. "Ajisai-chan sees you like a sister right now. A role model. While she's in this weird but sweet mindset."
Ajisai's hand clung tighter to my clothes.
"Renako, darling." Mai returned with a spoon, taking the seat next to Ajisai-chan. "Would you mind if we try to feed her together? It might be easier."
"Ajisai can eat alone, Mai-onee-chan!" The sweet, high voice protested. She grabbed the spoon with her fist, like a toddler, immediately.
"Yeah, yeah." Mai smiled. "Just ask Mai-onee-chan or Renako-onee-chan if you need help, okay?"
She served Ajisai-chan's portion first. Before the little girl could dive in, I stopped her.
"Ajisai-chan." I caught her hand. "We have to wait until all your onee-chans have food on their plates first."
Like teaching a child manners. I wondered exactly how old her mindset was right now.
Once everyone had portions, we finally blessed the food and started eating.
My attention stayed on the girl next to me. She ate in such a clumsy way—sauce on her mouth, on her shirt. Probably needed her food cut into smaller pieces.
"Ajisai-chan." I muttered softly, taking my chopsticks and a knife. "Hold on, sweetie."
I portioned her food properly, then grabbed a napkin to clean her messy face.
"You're really natural at this, Rena-chin." Kaho-chan tilted her head. "Did you have a secret child? Or was it just two years taking care of Lucie-san?"
The question was obvious. Everyone already knew the answer. But saying it loudly might be problematic.
"Satsuki-chan." I glanced at the tall beauty beside me. "Get closer for a minute."
She looked confused until I wiped something off her cheek with a napkin.
Ajisai-chan giggled softly. Mai and Kaho smirked.
"You know the answer, Kaho-chan." I shrugged. "Taking care of Lucie so long gave me some skills, I guess."
"Yeah." Mai's voice was warm. "But it's lovely, isn't it? When we're mothers someday, I know you'll be great at it."
Her words caught me without any guard, making me choke on my food. I received some worried slaps at my back from Mai, who was smiling brightly.
"Sorry, darling." Mai didn't look sorry at all. "I thought we were thinking the same thing."
"Like I was thinking about that!" I coughed. "I'm seventeen! Seventeen! We haven't even finished high school yet. We haven't talked about moving together!"
My face burned red. I tried to recover my breath.
Satsuki seemed lost in her own thoughts, still flushed from earlier. Kaho-chan ate calmly, like nothing happened, starting a casual conversation with Mai—who looked weirdly excited. Ajisai-chan just smiled dorkily, enjoying the food and attention.
Then it hit me.
A heavy drop in my stomach.
Memories. Fragments. My behaviour over the last two weeks.
My chopsticks slipped from my hand, falling into my dish. I didn't notice. Didn't care if they were watching.
Nausea hit. Confusion. Information crashing into my brain all at once.
But now it all made sense.
I was under hypnosis.
And it had just dropped because—
Since when does a Psychic-type become super-effective against Dark-type!? I should be like a Pangoro with immunity to hypnosis and Psychic attacks! But no—I ended up devolving into a Pancham instead! It doesn't even make sense, Pokémon doesn't have a devolving mechanic and I still turned into having a 2x weakness to Psychic moves again!
"KAHO-CHAN!"
Everyone around me froze with a worried expression.
"HOW THE HELL DID I GET HYPNOTIZED!?"