"I-I'm home, mom, dad. We have visitors."

"Oh, Yuuto."

"Come to the kitchen, Yuu-kun."

I knew mom and dad wouldn't let Miyabi and her mother spend the night on the streets, but I was still quite nervous about asking them to let them stay.

Maybe I should have called before? Well, it's not like anything can be done about it now.

I entered my house, and Miyabi and Miyako followed right behind me. I could tell they were also feeling awkward, so it's probably best to get this over with as soon as possible.

"Mom, dad, I have to ask somet- eh?"

"You're quite late today, Yuuto."

"Yuuto-san! We just finished getting dinner ready desu."

To my surprise, Lizel-senpai and Reina were in the kitchen with mom and dad. Lizel-senpai sat at the table with dad while Reina was with mom giving the finishing touches to dinner.

It was a little embarrassing to see them after what we did earlier today. Especially Reina, but luckily now she wasn't in a naked apron. It's just a normal apron, Yuuto, get your mind out of the gutter.

Wait, why are they even here? Why is Lizel-senpai looking at me like a wife that just found out about the husband's affairs? And why do I feel so guilty?!

"Eh? Senpai and Reina are here?"

"Are they your friends from school, Miyabi?"

Miyabi and Miyako came up from behind me. Dad seemed to find something curious, so he put on his classes. But then, not believing what he was seeing, he took them off. After a while, he put them back on… I feel like I've seen this before.

"Is that your sister, senpai?"

"What sister? You know I don't have any. She's my moth- mom."

"Eeeeehh?! W-why is lady Yuugaoze in our house, Yuuto?!"

It seems dad finally finished his comedy routine and now moved on to shock. Well, I can't really blame him, I found out today we lived in Yuugaoze territory, so it's like the most important person around just dropped in.

I somehow managed to convince dad to calm down. Reina set the table and mom brought the dinner, so I told everyone that I would explain while we ate.

Miyako was a little hesitant at first, but she had to give up after her stomach growled. As I'd guessed, they probably hadn't eaten anything yet.

While them being here was a surprise, it also proved itself a good opportunity to let Lizel-senpai and Reina know what I'd found out at Miyabi's house.

So I told everyone what happened after we parted ways in Ginsei Academy. How I found out where Miyabi lived, how I went there, what I was told and our meeting with Ibiza right before we left.

"I see. But why didn't Miyabi tell me about this? I even asked you about it, and you said things were getting better ever since you became Yuuto's Card. Why lie to me, Miyabi?"

Lizel-senpai glared at Miyabi. It was so intense that even I felt pressured, and I'm not even at fault. Was Lizel-senpai mad?

"T-there's no way I could have talked about it. I feel bad even relying on Yuuto like this."

"Stupid, this is exactly the kind of thing you have to be open about. Who knows what we could have done if we knew about it since the beginning? Now, I'm not even sure there's a way to reverse it."

"I… didn't want to be a burden."

"No use crying over spilled milk, I guess. I just hope we can somehow reverse this, though I don't know if it's possible."

It seems Lizel-senpai wasn't really mad at Miyabi. Like she said, there's no use crying over what's already done. The only thing we can do right now is try to save Miyabi's friends and minimize the damage Ibiza will do.

Oh yeah, now I remember. I still have to get mom and dad's permission for Miyabi and Miyako.

"So, mom, dad, I kind of already said Miyabi and her mother could stay here. There's no problem, right?"

"B-b-but l-l-lady Yuugaoze will stay in our house? W-w-w-we don't have anything great to offer."

"There's no need to worry about that. Rather, we don't even have anything to repay your kindness. If 2 people are too much of a burden, I'll appreciate it if you could at least allow Miyabi to stay."

"I'm not leaving mot-mom alone!"

Things seem to be getting a little heated up, but I feel there was a mistake. Dad wasn't really worried about the number of people, but rather that our house wouldn't be able to live up to their standards. Miyako probably thought dad didn't want to take them in, so she wanted to guarantee at least Miyabi's place to stay.

I was about to undo this mistake, but mom beat me to it. The first thing she did was hit dad on the back of the head.

"Dear, you're worrying too much. Our house may be simple, but we can accommodate for Yuu-kun's friend and her mother. If they want to stay, of course."

"Y-yes, that's right. If you don't mind our humble home, we would be happy to offer you a place to stay."

"A-are you sure? Like I said, we no longer have anything, and there's no guarantee we will ever recover. I can't promise any form of payment…"

"Oh, that's quite fine. Our children are friends, so we should also be. And what are friends for if not for helping each other at times like this? But if you're that worried about payment, I'll appreciate your company. I get so lonely when everyone leaves for work and school in the morning."

"I-I see. Fufu, you humans are so strange. But I don't dislike it."

Miyako gave a sincere smile, the brightest one I'd seen yet. It must have been a big weight off her shoulders.

She had been acting though so far, but I imagine the whole thing has been taking a toll on her just like it has been on Miyabi. She didn't want to add to Miyabi's worries, but now her own worries had been eased.

This was good. The day had been quite full, but this was a good end to it.

"Miyabi, Reina, Yuuto, I think we should try considering some strategies against Ibiza. Let's go to Yuuto's room."

"Yes."

"Okay desu."

"A-ah, alright. Mom, please go take a bath first, I'll go later."

"Ah, yes. Where should I go?"

"I'll show you around. Dear, please go get the guest room ready."

"Yes, I'll also leave their things there while I'm at it."

And so, everyone had their destination set. I headed up to my room, following Lizel-senpai. Reina and Miyabi were coming right behind me.

Once we entered my room, we all took a seat. Well, it's not like there was a lot of space with all of us there, but it wasn't cramped either.

Reina and I sat on the bed. Lizel-senpai sat on the chair next to the desk. Miyabi walked over to my manga collection, took a volume and sat down on the floor.

"I said we should consider some strategies, but I honestly don't know much about Ibiza or his power. Yuuto, Miyabi, do you have any ideas?"

"His Characteristic Magic is surely some kind of mind control, that's the only way Rebecca and Maki would go to his side."

"I don't know what it is, but the Arcana warned me when he tried to target Miyabi. So at least we know it's something that can be dodged."

"But isn't that strange desu?"

"Indeed it is, Reina. From what we can see, it does seem like Miyabi's guess is correct and Ibiza's Characteristic Magic is some kind of mind control. However, from the Arcana's warnings, it seems more likely it's some kind of invisible attack."

At first, it seemed like we were dealing with 2 different things, but were we really? I haven't read all these manga for nothing.

Couldn't it be some kind of attack that, if it hits, allows Ibiza to control a person's mind? That seemed like the most likely candidate for me, so I suggested it to the girls.

"While it is possible, we would be entering the realm of guesses with little to no clues. Just as it's possible Yuuto's right, it's also possible it's simply 2 different spells at work. There's also the question of why target Miyabi. Since we have only a small amount of information, we shouldn't try to jump to conclusions."

I got where Lizel-senpai was coming from. Let's say I assumed my guess was right and took that to battle with Ibiza. If I was wrong, it could easily be a deadly mistake.

In this case, it's best to treat his power as a complete mystery. That way, we'll be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

"Let's make use of the Athletic Festival. Our main objective is to get strong enough where we can actually put up a fight. The secondary objective will be to find out about Ibiza's power, and how to break it."

""Yes!"" "Yes desu!"

In the end, that's really the only plan we can come up with now. Not much of a strategy meeting, but we have to take what we can get.

Since that was over, we all just decided to do something to kill time. Miyabi kept reading the manga she had picked up, while Lizel-senpai looked over the other books in my room.

"Hey, Yuuto, don't you have the next volume of this one? I can't find it."

Miyabi asked. I looked over and indeed, that volume was missing. Did I put it somewhere else? I tried thinking about it, but ended up answering something I didn't even know where it came from.

"I lend it to a friend."

"Eeh, is that so? I really wanted to read it. Guess I'll wait until you get it back."

"… Who did you lend it to, Yuuto?"

"That's… I don't remember."

I don't even remember lending it, to be honest, but I'm pretty sure I did. Come to think of it, ever since I got Lovers' Arcana, this kind of thing has been happening.

It's like… part of my memory is locked… or maybe sealed is better…

"What's with that? Then there's no telling when you'll get it back."

"I'll buy you a new one, Miyabi. Just don't bother Yuuto."

"Okay… lemme see what else is good. … Ooh, isn't this Stella's new album? Didn't know Yuuto bought that kind of stuff."

Oh yeah, I remember that. It was right before Lizel-senpai was kidnapped by Aspite. Stella came up to me and made me buy her album.

I skimmed through it once, but didn't see anything much. I mean, Stella is beautiful, but I'm not into idol albums like that.

Miyabi also looked through it. Reina and Lizel-senpai were looking over her shoulder. I suppose it was at least good for something.

"Hm? What's this? 'For Yuuto'?"

What's with that? I hadn't even noticed that page before. It was a single page, and there was nothing on the front or back other than that 'For Yuuto' message.

But Lizel-senpai didn't seem convinced. She sent a little bit of mana into the book. The single page turned into a few more. Even I got curious, so we went to check it out.

Turns out Stella's gift for me was a bunch of very lewd photos. Just to give an example, in one of the first few, Stella took a photo of herself in the mirror. Thing was, she was completely naked, only a single finger covering the important bits.

On the last page, there was another message. It was Stella's phone number, saying to text her if I wanted more photos. All in handwriting and even with the drawing of a star.

"Ahaha, I suppose this is a special edition. Here, Yuuto. Take it before senpai rips it apart."

Lizel-senpai really looked mad. I wouldn't doubt it if she said she was ready to kill someone at that moment.

I'll keep the album hidden from her for now. M-maybe it'll become important in the future… for some reason. I'm not saving it for later, okay?!

"Let's go, Reina. I'll drop you off at your house. Then, I'll have to make a phone call."

"P-please wait for Reina desu! Ah, goodnight, Yuuto-san, senpai."

And so Lizel-senpai and Reina left. I wonder if it's possible to kill someone through a phone call.

/

Meanwhile, at the former Yuugaoze mansion.

Ibiza went down to the underground level. There, Miyabi's father was waiting for him.

"Is it ready?"

"Yes, we can test it whenever you want."

"Let's not wait a second more then."

Ibiza took his phone and called one of his friends who was upstairs. He told him to grab a specific girl and come down.

A few minutes later, they both arrived. The girl had been clearly annoyed at first, but immediately became happy when she saw Ibiza.

"Master Ibiza! I missed you. Are we going to do it here today?"

"Actually, I've got a different job for you. Can you lie down there?"

"Yes!"

The girl happily complied with what Ibiza had asked of her. Ibiza then told his friend to lie down a little away from the girl.

Ibiza then gave Miyabi's father the signal to start. He activated the magic circle he had been preparing all this time.

A few seconds after it started, the girl started screaming as if her insides were being ripped out. However, it didn't last for long, she was silent before a full minute had passed.

Once it finished its job, the magic circle stopped glowing. About 10 seconds later, Ibiza's friend got up.

"How are you feeling?"

"Great! Better than ever before!"

"That's great man. And she's… dead. Well, it was expected."

"It couldn't be helped, there's still a lot of improvements to be made. I'm sorry you had to lose 1 of your women, Ibiza."

"Ah, it's fine. She was getting too loose for my taste. Rather, we got some good results."

Just as Ibiza had told Miyabi's father, he had chosen this girl for this procedure he knew would probably kill her simply because he had felt like it. That's just the kind of person he is.

As for what exactly happened, it was a ritual magic to transfer magic circuits.

While it was something many thought of it as possible, no one ever actually did it. There were 2 main reasons for that: the first is that the ritual only works if the person giving the magic circuits does so willingly. That was Ibiza's test, to see if his Characteristic Magic would still count for that.

The second and main reason is the incredible pain the person feels. Some say it's one of, if not the greatest pain a person can feel. In a way, death during the ritual is a blessing, after all, if the person who gave their magic circuits lived, they would never again be able to use magic.

Miyabi's father had informed Ibiza that the Yuugaoze mansion had been built on top of a leyline, making it one of the best places for ritual magic like this. That's why Ibiza had obtained it, though it's a shame he couldn't force Miyabi to stay.

Ibiza retrieved his chain from the newly deceased girl. Once that was done, his friend picked up her body and started undressing her.

"What? She's still warm. I'll send her back to her family once I'm done."

"Hey, you won't hear judgment from me. I get what I want, and so do my friends."

"Hehehe, you're a great guy, Ibiza. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Scenes like this made Miyabi's father question if he made the right choice siding with Ibiza. Maybe he had been controlled at first, but he certainly wasn't being controlled now, so he had no excuse.

However, once he remembered the reason why he did this, it stopped bothering him. It was all for the sake of avenging the woman he truly loved, and destroying the one he truly hated. Besides, it was already too late for him to go back anyway.

"All that's left now is to get Miyabi and take the Bloodline Magic from her. Or, I suppose your ex also works."

"That wasn't our deal. I'll make sure you can get Miyabi's Bloodline Magic, but Miyako… I have other plans for her."

Miyabi's father was no fighter, but he had considerable power over Ibiza at the moment. He was the only person close by who knew how to make the ritual magic to take another's magic circuits.

There was a huge chance of the magic circuits being damaged during the process, so the more specific one could be, the better. Ibiza didn't really care from which Yuugaoze he got the Bloodline Magic from, but as long as the person making the ritual said it would be Miyabi, he couldn't really help it.

"Meh, no worries. Though Lovers is being a bit annoying. I really want to humiliate him at the Festival now."

If not for Yuuto, Ibiza would have already gotten what he wanted. But, in a way, he found that fun. He had yet to be challenged like this ever since he got Devil's Arcana.

While cackling to himself, Ibiza headed back upstairs. In his mind, he would be the next Devil King as soon as Miyabi fell into his hands, so he figured he would enjoy this last challenge he would face in his life.

/

I heard the door to my room open. I turned to look at the clock and it was past 1 A.M.

Who could it be at this time? I got up to look.

"Miyabi?"

"No."

What do you mean "no"? I can clearly tell it's you. I know I'm half asleep, but there's no way I'm mistaking her.

But then, in the few seconds it took her to reach the bed and sit down, my mind fully woke up.

It really isn't Miyabi, but Miyako. I really had mistaken the two, that's just how much alike they look.

Of course, this means Miyako is a very beautiful woman. I could tell even over her sleepwear. Needless to say, a part of me woke up, but it's not time for that. Miyako is probably just having trouble sleeping in a new place.

"Can I help with something?"

"Yes. Actually, I came here to thank Yuuto. Words alone can't express my gratitude."

"It's fine. Rather, I wish I could have helped more."

Miyako put her hands on the buttons of her shirt. She started undoing them.

"When words fail, I think we should express ourselves through action. I meant it when I said I have nothing to give your parents as thanks, but with you it's a different story. Yuuto, if you don't mind me, I'll show you all the pleasure a woman can give a man."

Before I noticed, Miyako had taken off her shirt. Her huge breasts, bigger than even Miyabi's, were on full display.

I couldn't see well because of the darkness, but Miyako solved that by taking my hands and putting them on her breasts.

"W-wait-"

"No~ I've always heard that the Candidates of Lovers were sex beasts, and now I want to find out for myself."

Miyako climbed on top of me on the bed. She kept making me grope her breasts and now she was even pressing her lips against mine.

I tried to resist, but Miyako was stronger than me, so she kept forcing her way through.

Eventually, my mind started getting hazy and my resistance shabby. My blood started rushing and my body started responding despite my will.

[Miyako Yuugaoze wishes to take Princess' place. Do you accept, Yuuto?]

So that was her aim. Doing this as thanks is just a guise, she only wants me to Release Miyabi.

After about a minute of kissing, Miyako finally let me go. But it didn't seem like she was done.

"I suppose it's as good a time as any for the main dish."

Miyako pulled down my pants and shifted her panties. She started rubbing our privates together.

"Ooh, isn't this quite nice? I think I'll enjoy this for real."

Of course, it was pleasant. I could even feel some of Miyako's juices on my thing.

But I can't allow this to continue.

"Stop, Miyako."

"What? We were about to get to the good part."

"We already talked about this earlier, Miyabi is staying on my team, for now at least. So don't force yourself for something you know I won't do."

Miyako suddenly stopped her movements. Her happy face turned into a serious one in a flash.

"Don't you understand I'm saying I'll take Miyabi's place? Be it fighting or doing perverted things, I'll be better for your team. Just say you'll Release Miyabi and I'm yours. Please just say my daughter will be safe and I'll let you do whatever you want to me."

"Miyako!"

I shouted, but kept my voice down enough so it shouldn't be heard outside the room. I straightened my back to look into Miyako's eyes. Our faces were close enough we could kiss. Well, I guess we were kissing before.

Yes, her breasts were touching me, but I can't be distracted by that just yet. Focus, Yuuto!

"Even if I Released Miyabi, she wouldn't be safe as long as Ibiza is after her. Like I said before, Miyabi going or staying isn't a choice for you or me, but for Miyabi herself. All I can do is promise you I'll do my best to keep her safe."

"And what am I supposed to do if you fail? Resent you?"

"If I fail, feel free to do whatever you want. Even ripping off my head is fine. But for now, please entrust Miyabi to me."

I gripped Miyako's hand to show how serious I was. I know I'm still weak, but I would put my life on the line to protect Miyabi.

Eventually, she let out a sigh and put her other hand over mine, showing she understood. She then got off the bed and started putting her clothes back on.

"You should have kept quiet until after we've had our fun, fufu. But I'll accept your terms, Yuuto. You keep Miyabi safe, or I'll punish you."

Miyako winked at me as she left the room. Mother and daughter really are alike, I could imagine Miyabi doing exactly that.

There was no way I could sleep how I was, so I made a quick trip to the bathroom. After I was done there, I slept like a baby, though I will refrain from commenting on my dreams.