Chapter 36: Too many friends

“Ha…so that’s how it’s going to be?”

How could I not laugh? Their pathetic attempts were amusing. I was thoroughly entertained by their ridiculous antics.

I smirked, enjoying their foolishness.

I’d anticipated this. I’d seen it coming when they exchanged glances.

I had a solution.
A simple one.

All I had to do was retaliate.

“Don’t come crying to me later.”

I discreetly reached behind me.

I could almost feel its familiar weight.

Tap, tap.—

“Huh?”

My hand met empty air. A confused sound escaped my lips.

“Wh…where did it go?”

It was gone.

Why? It had been right here…

“Looking for this?”

Nina’s voice, laced with amusement, filled me with dread.

No… They wouldn’t. That was too cruel, even for a beastkin.

But Nina was grinning, holding my sword.

“Wh…why do you have that?”

I froze, then lunged, driven by instinct. I had to get it back.

“Hey! That’s mine! Give it back!”

“No way. What are you planning to do with this?”

“N…nothing! I just…”

I glanced pointedly at her fluffy ears and tail. Nina’s face hardened.

“Looks like someone needs to be taught a lesson.”

Who was she calling a puppy?

I fell silent as she partially unsheathed the sword. Threatening a defenseless woman with a weapon… How barbaric. Typical beastkin.

I raised my hands in surrender.

Sara and Nina grabbed me.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

They easily subdued me and began changing my clothes. Or rather, undressing me.

“Eek! Don’t look!!”

“Stay still, or this icicle might end up somewhere…unpleasant.”

A sharp icicle prodded my butt, making me shiver. I nodded quickly.

Sara smirked and held up the glowing crystal ball.

Then began the most humiliating experience of my life.

“Eek! Stop touching…! Mmmph…!”

Or rather, I’ve blocked it from my memory. Completely. I remember nothing, not the poses, not the…self-introduction. Linne said I’d been barking like a dog, and there were clicking sounds, but
I have no memory of that.

****

Dressed in fresh clothes, thanks to my “friends,” I left the room feeling…empty. The clothes were from Sara, surprisingly comfortable, like my usual attire, though a bit too large.

My hair was neatly tied back, which felt… liberating. I wished I could dress like this every day.

My “friends” held my hands, their palms sweaty, refusing to let go. It was embarrassing.

I’d asked them to stop, but…it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. When would I get another chance to hold hands with my friends like this?

As we stepped into the hallway, I saw a familiar blonde figure. Linne was leaning against the window, smoking a cigarette, apparently bored. Her eyes widened as she saw me.

Linne’s surprised expression was always cute. I often had the urge to pat her head, but
I refrained. She wasn’t my pet.

“Um…Ellie, are you okay?”

“Hee hee…Linne’s breasts…so soft…”

“…Well, she seems fine. Happy, even.”

“Hee hee…can’t…breathe…”

I nuzzled Linne, and she welcomed my embrace. My friends released my hands, and I enjoyed the feeling of being held by Linne. They were…good friends.

****

“Gasp…pant…”

I was drenched in sweat. Enough to fill a bucket.

I collapsed, exhausted from Linne’s relentless…attention. She didn’t stop, her weight pressing down on me. I had to beg.

“Haa…stop…”

“No, Ellie. You wanted this, didn’t you?”

“Ugh…no…this isn’t…what I wanted…!”

I looked up at her pleadingly. But her expression was firm; she wasn’t letting go.

I might actually die. I had a date with Sister; I wouldn’t make it. I was sorry, Sister…

I tried to sit up, but I was too weak.

“You’re giving up already? We’re just getting started.”

“Hngh…you’re…the worst…”

I looked up at her, tears welling up, and she finally relented, sighing and releasing me.

The pressure lifted, but I was too exhausted to move.

What was I even doing on the weekend? I was supposed to be getting ready for my date with Sister. Now, I was at the training grounds, subjected to Linne’s torturous training regimen.

Why was she so intent on…this? I had no one to complain to, only my own bitter resentment for company.

She’d started by using that strange magic to weigh me down, the same magic she used during our duel.

That’s how she’d defeated me so easily. So it was magic… How cowardly.

Then came the running, with my body feeling ten times heavier. The brutal training continued until I collapsed.

“I’ll go easier on you next time.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to.”

There wouldn’t be a next time.

It wasn’t the training itself that was difficult. I could handle anything she threw at me. It was just…unfamiliar. I could have trained all day; this barely warmed me up.

“Ready to go again?”

“Ugh…sorry…my chronic illness is acting up…”

I was still feeling the effects of…something.

Linne looked concerned, but I avoided her gaze. Showing weakness would be fatal.

“We’ll do this every day. You’ll get stronger quickly.”

What nonsense was this?
I could hardly believe my ears.

Stronger? I felt like I was dying. This wasn’t training; it was torture, pushing my body to its limits, breaking my spirit.

“Linne, I…I’m on my period…”

“Oh? Why didn’t you say so? Here, let me heal you.”

“Hngh…Sister…”

****

Meanwhile, Anna Estelle, the object of Ellie’s affections, stood outside her sister’s dorm room.

Knock, knock—

“Ellie? It’s Sister.”

Anna, dressed in a light, red outfit, knocked repeatedly.

Knock, knock—

“Hmm…where could she be?”

After a moment’s thought, she pulled out a key. Ellie’s dorm key, of course.

She’d gotten a copy, as her guardian, but she hadn’t expected to use it so soon.

Click—

The door opened smoothly. Anna quietly slipped inside.

‘This isn’t trespassing.’

She was just checking on her younger sister, making sure her room was tidy, as any good older sister would. And maybe…check the cleanliness of her underwear, or “accidentally” stumble upon her diary.

‘Or…’

…find the bra Ellie had stolen.

Stealing her older sister’s underwear…that little minx. She used to hide it in her closet. Where would she hide it now?

Anna smiled, amused by her sister’s antics.

Sniff—

“Haa…”

The air inside was warm and heavy, filled with Ellie’s scent, a mixture of sweat and…something else.

‘Is she exercising in here?’

Anna quickly closed the door, not wanting to let the precious scent escape.

The room was still warm; Ellie must have left recently.

“That’s strange…I thought she’d be waiting for me.”

Perhaps she had something to do.

Anna decided to wait.

All for her beloved little sister, and their date.