58 Strategist

Brigit goes to finish Saphire’s outfit. I print out the simple images I commissioned. Each page has a pictograph of how to gather the shroom head. I put them in simple see-through plastic sheaths.

Once I’m prepared, I head to the dungeon with Saphire. Saphire is given a small circular table. Even though it’s light, she stumbles a bit. I grab the top with my right hand to help stabilize her while calling Angelique with my other, “Hello, tactician!”

“What are you talking about?” Angelique’s exasperated voice comes through.

“I decided that since you’re always calling us dumb, I’d let you make plans.”

“Seriously,” she says then, after a short pause, “fine, I guess that makes sense.” She seems to be a little happy about the position. I smirk.

I then explain that we are planning on abducting the two college girls. “So yeah, I think it’s good for the town, too,” I finish.

Angelique gives a deep sigh, “You… Well, I already knew. But that’s pretty dangerous.”

“I thought so too. It may attract guys with bad intentions,” I worriedly state.

“It’s you with the bad intentions. But I’m not worrying about them. It’s you I’m worried about. They are spreading that they won’t be having any censors to trick people like you. Then, later on, you’ll find out you were on video and tracked.”

I purse my lips. “That’s pretty underhanded. Do you think they are that smart?”

“The problem isn’t that they are smart. It’s that you are a dunce!” Angelique retorts. “Anyways, don’t do it tonight. I’ll come over tomorrow and help.”

“You want to join? Are you sure?” I ask with concern. She’s been reluctant to get directly involved so far.

“Whatever, if I don’t help, you’ll go to jail,” she spits.

“Alright, we’ll wait. They said they’d be out there for a while. I’m going to lose signal too. Talk to you later.”

“bye,” Angelique says. I then hang up.

We continue onto the dungeon. Out front, I stop and tilt my head. Maybe I should put a sign up. That way, I’ll be legally safe in the future. Well, at least morally safe.

We enter the dungeon and meet up with Blue. I start taping the images to the wall while Saphire is excitedly telling Blue about her pregnancy. Saphire wobbles back and forth as the table pulls her around.

I laugh, “you can put the table down.”

“Alright,” Saphire says with a smile. She then shows off her stomach to Blue while gently caressing it.

It hasn’t even been a day. There's nothing to show off! But I’m glad they are having fun. I finish setting up and stretch with my arms over my head. It’s excellent to complete a job.

I place the pamphlets on the table near the entrance and say, “alright, let’s go home.” Blue and Saphire follow me as I return for dinner. I speed walk to get a bit of exercise. I’ve felt off ever since my injury.

When we return home, I hear Brigit talking excitedly to mom. “What happened?” I ask, jumping into the living room.

"We've been asked to present at the international doll exhibition in Japan. They are going to pay to fly Hildegard and us out! " Brigit exclaims while hopping for joy. Hildegard is an art student Brigit met at college. I think Hildegard graduated while Brigit didn’t. But they’ve worked on dolls and figures together ever since.

"That's amazing!" I exclaim. I rush over and jump into Brigit, throwing my arms over her shoulders.

"The whole family can come. There'll be a tour of Japan. It's an entire month's vacation," Brigit explains as we nuzzle into each other.

Brigit pulls away and continues to explain with a brilliant smile, “They’re going to take us around to doll and figure makers and some famous locations. It’s going to be amazing!”

I jump in, “I want to go to Shibuya and see some maid cafes. I can get some hentai. Although I won’t be able to read it.”

“We can look at sexy figures. It’s going to be fun.”

As we continue to squeal in excitement, Blue floats between us. “what’s going on?” she yells, being dragged into our excitement.

I pause, and my eyes refocus on Blue. I then look over at Saphire, who is fidgeting with her hands insecurely. Oh yeah. I’m not normal anymore. I pull away from Brigit. “I can’t go.”

Brigit reaches out and grabs my hands, and pulls them together. “What are you talking about? It’s all paid for,” Brigit replies with a bewildered expression.

“Sorry.” I swallow back my sadness. “I,” I need to stay with the dungeon. At least I can let my sister go and have fun. “The dungeon.” I blink tears out of my eyes.

“No, it should be fine. There are enough points,” Brigit reasons with a deep frown.

I shake my head and squeeze Brigit’s hands. “What if someone attacks? I need to be there, or we’ll both die.”

Brigit takes a moment to take everything in, then slumps. “I’ll call them and tell them I’m unable to make it,” she says with a cracked voice.

“No! I’m sorry your worthless sister is messing everything up. You can go. It’s fine.” I shake her arms to encourage her.

Brigit angrily responds, “You almost died last time! I’m not going.”

“You have to! You were so happy.”

“I wasn’t thinking. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine!”

Blue pulls on our hair and cries, “don’t fight.”

I’m pulled to the left, and I see Brigit grabbed as well. We are drawn into mom’s side boobs as she hugs us both. Mom says, “Brigit, Hedone. Neither of you is wrong. It’s unfortunate timing, but you both have the future in front of you. Brigit, we’ll go and leave Hedone to hold the fort.”

“But mom!” Brigit's yell is muffled in mom’s boob.

Mom gently pets the back of my head as she says, “calm down, Hedone will be fine. She has points she can use in an emergency.”

I squeeze Brigit’s hand. “That’s right! If you don’t go, I’ll never forgive myself. Honestly, I shouldn’t have let you become a retainer.”

“I wanted to become one. It’s not your fault,” Brigit responds. I feel her muscles loosen as she takes a deep breath. “Also, you aren’t worthless.”

I try to pull away my hands in shame, but Brigit pulls them back. Mom pulls back and looks us in the eyes, and nods. “Hedone, I know it’s hard for you to see now, but we are proud of you.”

“But I always fail, and I don’t think sometimes,” I say, looking down at the floor.

Brigit sternly states, “Hedone, you always broke your best speed, and I’ve always been jealous of how bold you are.”

I sigh. I don’t know. It’s hard to take praise. “Alright, I understand. But then you have to trust me and go have fun.” I smirk and pull her arms. “You have to get that hentai for me after all.”

Brigit laughs. “I’ll do my best.”