Stammering and with her face beet red, Ravel finally managed to reveal the truth about her and Tenraku's relationship.
"Only Sister-In-Law-Sama knows about this. You, you mustn't tell anyone else."
Feeling extremely embarrassed, Ravel added a sentence at the end.
"R-Ravel-chan and Tenraku Onii-chan are siblings, right? How could… how could…"
Finally coming to her senses, Kunou covered her mouth and spoke with an incredulous expression on her face.
While the others might not be so surprised, Kunou never expected that Ravel would also become Tenraku's wife!
"Hmph, why not?"
"We're Devils, not humans. Besides, Onii-chan and I don't share the same mother, so it's not a problem." Ravel boldly explained her reasoning with a disdainful snort.
"Even though you put it that way, still…"
Listening to Ravel's explanation, Kunou realized there was some logic to it, though she still looked conflicted.
As a Kyoto Yōkai princess, Kunou had been influenced by human culture, so accepting this was a bit difficult for her initially.
"But, there's no 'but.' I'm only going to be Onii-chan's wife, and that's an unchangeable fact!"
Ravel waved her hand dismissively, looking resolute. After all, she only had feelings for her Onii-chan and couldn't accept any other man.
"Ravel-Chan…"
Although still conflicted, seeing Ravel's resolute expression made Kunou think that Ravel-chan was cool, and little stars seemed to twinkle in Kunou's eyes.
And then, a bold thought popped into her head—
If Ravel-chan can be Tenraku Onii-chan's wife, then maybe she can too.
Her face flushed, and Kunou was startled by her daring idea.
No, no way! Absolutely not!
Tenraku Onii-chan was her mother's husband. Technically, he was her father, so this was completely out of the question!
But, but… maybe it's possible…
Ugh… you foolish Kunou, what are you even thinking!
Steam seemed to rise from her head as Kunou quickly shook her head, dispelling those shamefully bold thoughts.
"Little Fox, are you okay?" Seeing Kunou acting strangely, Ravel looked at her suspiciously and asked.
"Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine. Haha…"
Worried that clever Ravel might catch on to something, Kunou tried to cover up her embarrassment.
"I'm heading back."
Koneko-Chan's voice suddenly rose as she stood up, packed her belongings, and left the room.
"Is Koneko-Chan okay? Nothing happened, right?"
"What could happen to that Nekomata? She's probably just jealous."
Kunou's expression showed concern, but Ravel didn't seem to care.
"Jealous?"
Flicking her cute animal ears, Kunou realized that she had heard something strange.
"Oh, you don't know, huh? Toujou Nekomata actually has that kind of relationship with Onii-chan."
"They say Rias Sister-In-Law-Sama tried to stop it, but that Nekomata is infatuated with Onii-chan. So, she's confirmed her relationship with Onii-chan and will be his woman in the future."
"Even… even Koneko-chan too!"
Wide-eyed, Kunou once again revealed her shock.
She never expected that even Koneko-chan had that kind of relationship with Tenraku Onii-Chan. This was the first time she had heard of such a thing!
"By the way, little fox, Toujou Nekomata will become Onii-chan's woman in the future, I'll become Onii-chan's wife, and even Mira as part of the peerage will serve Onii-chan for life. Only you…"
As if realizing something, Ravel looked at Kunou sympathetically. Though Ravel didn't finish her sentence, her meaning was clear.
They would forever stay by Tenraku's side, but Kunou wouldn't. Kunou was Tenraku's daughter, at least nominally, and one day she would leave here to get married!
Kunou clearly realized this too and her face turned pale in an instant—
"Ravel-chan, I… I…"
"Little Fox, don't worry. You're still young, and even if that day comes, it's far away."
"Moreover, if in the future you decide to get married, Onii-chan will definitely help you find an outstanding husband."
With a hint of mischief in her eyes, Ravel patted Kunou's shoulder to comfort her.
Rather than comforting her, this reassurance only heightened Kunou's worries—
"Wū wū wū… Ravel-chan, I don't want to get married, I don't want to leave everyone."
"Little fox, don't cry. I'm just teasing you."
"Wū wū wū…"
"Ahhh… idiot, don't get tears on me!"
"Mira, come help quickly!"
The room was in chaos, and at the same time, elsewhere—
"Shirone, you're back."
"It's Koneko-Chan, meow."
Koneko returned to her room, where Kuroka was teaching Ni and Li new Nekomata techniques.
"Elder sister, I'm heading to my room."
Setting down her belongings, Koneko said and then went back to her bedroom.
As Koneko's elder sister, Kuroka naturally understood Koneko very well. She keenly noticed something unusual about Koneko.
Her beautiful eyes flickering, Kuroka didn't show anything, just keeping her observations to herself.
Alone in her bedroom, Koneko curled up on her bed. Her fair face turned visibly red at an astonishing speed.
"Heaven… Tenraku Senior…"
…
"Onii-chan, it's Ravel."
In the room, Tenraku was replenishing the "Gods and Demons Scripture" when suddenly he heard Ravel's voice from outside.
"Come in."
Not knowing why Ravel suddenly came to see him, Tenraku dissipated the "Gods and Demons Scripture."
In a short while, the door to the room was pushed open, and Ravel and Kunou entered together.
"Kunou, who bullied you?"
Seeing that Kunou's eyes were red as if she had been crying, Tenraku furrowed his brow.
"N-No one, no one bullied me, Onii-chan."
"Is that so…"
Kunou quickly waved her hand, and Ravel explained what had happened. After hearing the story, Tenraku couldn't help but find it amusing and frustrating.
"Wū wū wū… Onii-chan, I don't want to get married, I don't want to leave everyone."
Tears welled up in Kunou's eyes again as she sobbed.
Since coming here, she has made many good friends and has been living happily every day. She didn't want to get married; she didn't want to leave everyone!
"You silly girl, why are you thinking such things?"
Tapping Kunou's little head gently, Tenraku lifted her up and placed her on his lap.
"If Kunou doesn't want to get married, then you won't. As long as you're happy, you can stay here as long as you want."
Gently soothing the girl, Tenraku spoke.
"R-Really?"
Stopping her sobbing, Kunou lifted her teary eyes.
"Of course."
Suppressing his amusement, Tenraku continued to comfort her for a while. Finally, Kunou put her worries aside and smiled again.
"Alright, now that everything's fine, you can go out and play."
Seeing that the girl was okay, Tenraku patted Kunou's little head.
"Yes, Onii-chan."
Blushing, reminded of how she had acted earlier, Kunou held Ravel's hand and prepared to leave.
But—
"Ravel, stay."
Just as she was about to leave with Kunou, upon hearing Tenraku's voice, Ravel's body froze…
To be continued…
You can read up to 70 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395/posts.