Side: Ratz
"Nah, I can't really drink much alcohol... Actually, that's not quite right. I can drink, I just don't want to."
When he said that, a lightbulb went off in my head.
If I make Onii-san drink, I can get him completely incoherent and make him lay bare his true desires!!
I mean, listen to that phrasing. He says he can drink but doesn't want to—it's obviously an "I can't actually handle my liquor but I'm trying to look tough" appeal!
However, if I try to force alcohol on him right here and now, I'm missing several preparations. So, for this time...
"Is that so? That's a shame. But if the opportunity arises, let's drink together. It's not like you can't drink, right?"
"I guess. True, it's not like I'm allergic or anything. If the chance comes up, sure, let's have a drink."
Yes!!
I got Onii-san to make a promise!
Since he's trying to act tough, he can't back down now.
* * *
Later that night, after we finished "licking" Onii-san, we gathered in the banquet hall.
"What's the matter, Ratz? Honestly, I wanted to take it all in my mouth..."
"Derieu. I can't just let that slide. No matter who you are, it's already decided that the legal wife goes first," Seraria retorted.
"Hoh, and here I thought the Princess would dislike such things."
"Oh, if it's for my husband's pleasure, I feel no hardship. Actually, I quite like 'licking' him. Besides, Derieu, weren't you originally royalty yourself?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, I remember."
"Yes, yes, enough with the 'after-action' reports. To be honest, it's making me want to go back and lick him right now, so please stop," I interrupted.
"Ratz is right. Please stop," Milly added.
"Right? I don't think I can hold back either." Riel chirped.
Currently, the "Onii-san PeroPero (Licking) Alliance" consists of Seraria-sama, Derieu-san, myself, Milly, and Riel.
Ah, Aslin, Filia, and Labyris are also around, but since they're the "junior group," they can't participate in the midnight meetings. Or rather, it's past their bedtime. Eris and Tori also know, but they prefer not to participate. They want to be confessed to directly, so we'll need to pressure Onii-san later.
I forgot to mention, but the licking proposal originally came from Seraria-sama. It started after our first conversation when she talked to him privately through the call screen as a way to relieve his pent-up desires.
Seraria-sama is surprisingly friendly and a great person. She treats us concubines quite normally too. But that's beside the point.
"We've gotten off track. The reason I gathered you all today is that I'm planning to have Onii-san drink alcohol."
"""?"""
Everyone tilts their heads at my statement. I suppose it was a bit sudden.
With no other choice, I explain today's events to them.
* * *
"...I see. Based on what Ratz said, it's safe to assume he's a lightweight," Seraria concluded.
"Indeed. That line of his was a bluff no matter how you look at it," Derieu agreed.
"Heh, so Yuki-san has a cute side like that too," Milly giggled.
"I think so too! Back when I was an adventurer, the people who acted tough like that were always the ones who couldn't hold their liquor," Riel added.
The vote is unanimous.
"And so, I've secured a promise from Onii-san to set a date for us all to drink together."
"""!!?"""
The words make everyone's eyes widen. They process the thought, then grin mischievously.
"That's right. If Onii-san gets drunk and loses his senses, he might spill his true feelings. No—since he already likes us, if we're lucky, we can head straight to bed."
"""Gulp."""
"However, it would happen while he's drunk. Whether that's acceptable is a matter of personal opinion. That's why I'm consulting you all."
I look around at everyone's faces.
"I have no problem with it! I'm at my limit with waiting anyway!" Derieu declared.
"I'm fine with it too!! Long live established facts!!" Milly shouted.
"Me too... though, hmm, if I get pregnant, can I still do guard duty? But I really want to do it~" Riel wondered.
"What are you saying, Riel!? It's not like Yuki would become cold just because you're pregnant—if anything, he'd be overjoyed!"
"That's right! The more people, the better! We have a perfect selection: Large, Medium, and Small. Plus, we're all 'beautifully breasted'! We'll blow Yuki-san's reason right away!"
"Right! I'm in!"
So, those three are okay.
"Now, the issue is Seraria-sama. How about it? Is it alright if we go ahead of you?"
"""Ah."""
The three of them seem to have finally remembered that Seraria-sama is the legal wife.
"I don't put ranks on affection. Besides, I'll be joining that banquet too. I'm sure I'll be the first one Yuki pins down anyway."
"Hoh."
I felt a little spark of irritation there.
"Challenge accepted, then?"
"Yes, it's more rewarding that way."
"""Fufufufufufufu..."""
It was the moment everyone became rivals. Well, we'll cooperate until the banquet, at least.
* * *
And so, the day of the banquet arrived.
Eris and Tori did not participate. They are maidens after all. Though they were hovering right on the edge of saying, """I'm jeal—no, it's nothing!"""
In another sense, there was the question of whether we would be able to stand on our own two feet tomorrow. We even procured certain "medicines" to ensure Onii-san can handle everyone at once.
Well, actually, Seraria-sama just happened to have them.
Ah, Labyris seemed like she wanted to join, but in the end, she decided she'd rather stay with Aslin and the others, so she sat out.
And for some reason, Narjia-san is also participating. We've told her what we plan to do, so she's supposed to leave when the time comes. Milly probably invited her. Those two hit it off over baths and booze.
Alright, everyone's gathered. I'll have to make it up to Eris and the others later."
"Yes, but for today, let's drink!"
"Right. Anyway, I've brought out various things with DP."
In front of Onii-san, on a long table, various types of alcohol are lined up. There's a mountain of ice behind him and water for diluting—he's really gone all out. For snacks, the unanimous choice was a full assortment of Yakitori.
"To start, at my place, the rule for banquets is that everyone drinks the same thing for the first round. Is that okay?"
"It's the same on our continent," I replied.
"I see. Then... let's toast with Yebisu Beer."
"Yahoo! Yebisu! Yebisu!"
"Glad for you, Jia. You really love Yebisu, don't you?"
It seems Narjia-san and Milly are the beer types. But their energy is a bit too high.
Amidst the excitement, everyone received their mugs.
"Now, Yuki, you give the toast."
"Me? Hmm, alright. Thanks to everyone, we've made it this far. Thank you. And I look forward to working with you all from here on! To our continued prosperity..."
"""CHEERS!!!"""
Everyone drains their mugs in one go.
Kukuku... I wonder just how long Onii-san can last?
"Kuhaaa!! Delicious!"
"This first glass is the best!"
Shut up, you drunkards.
"Ara? What's wrong, Derieu?"
"...No, it's just that drinking like this, with so many people who know who I really am, makes me feel somewhat happy."
"It's okay! We'll be together forever from now on!"
"...Thank you."
Derieu-san has had a hard journey until now.
"Phew."
I noticed Onii-san had already emptied his mug.
Oh, how unexpected. I didn't think he could chug it like that.
Well, we just have to keep the pressure on.
"Onii-san, Onii-san. Here, have a refill!"
"...Ah. Thanks."
Fufufufufu... there was a slight pause there.
That's no good. If you show such an obvious reaction, it makes me want to push you over right now.
It's a shame, but let's have you drink until your reason flies out the window.
* * *
...What did we get wrong?
Snooooore.
"I can shtill drink more—! Zzzzz."
The two "alcohol-demons" are already fast asleep. Well, they had all-you-can-drink high-quality booze.
"I can still goooo!"
"Ara? I see three Derieus?"
"Even though my boobs are small—I'm a girl toooo!!"
Derieu-san, Seraria, and... Riel are no longer sane.
"Urp..."
I cover my mouth, barely holding back what's trying to come up. I drank too much...
And our target, Onii-san...
"I guess it's time to wrap things up. I'm glad everyone had fun."
Why are you perfectly fine!?
The amount he drank wasn't half-hearted, considering he was competing with Narjia-san and Milly!
And yet, his step is steady as he lightly cleans up and carries everyone back to our rooms.
I didn't feel like I could walk on my own either, so... pathetically, I had him take me to my room's bathroom.
I politely declined his help while I was, well, "reversing" my intake. I have my pride as a woman, after all!
Anyway, I was best friends with the toilet until dawn.
* * *
"...Ahh, I've finally returned to normal."
I felt relieved that the nausea didn't last through the day. I technically have the day off, but I'd hate to spend my holiday in the bathroom.
It was the time of day before the sun had fully risen. As I was walking toward the bath to wash away the scent of vomit, Aslin and Filia came running toward me, screaming something.
"Onii-chan is gonna die!!! Waaaaahhhhhh!!!"
"Nii-sama!! Nii-sama!!"
Huh?
Wait a minute!? Is something wrong?
Die? Who? Onii-san!?
"C-Calm down, you two!? What happened!?"
I scoop up the two of them as they cling to me crying, and while running toward Onii-san's room, I ask for the details.
"O-Onii-chan is... throwing up a lot!! He looks like he's in pain!! He's gonna die!!"
"I've never seen Nii-sama look so pained before!! Call Sister Elju!!"
"Wait, does that mean...?"
When we enter Onii-san's room, Labyris is sitting worriedly in front of the bathroom door.
And from inside the bathroom...
"...I knew it, this always happens when I drink past the limit... urp..."
The sound of his voice and the sound of retching echo out.
"Hey, Ratz. Is it really the alcohol? Just a moment ago, Yuki suddenly jumped up and ran into the bathroom like this."
"...It's almost certainly the alcohol. Onii-san, can you hear me? Aslin and the others are seriously worried, so if you have the energy, could you give us an answer?"
I call out to the bathroom, and after a short silence, a reply comes back.
"...Yeah, exactly. It's probably a hangover. When I drink, I might be drunk, but my brain goes into 'I have to stay sharp' mode. I hardly feel tipsy or get a 'bad drunk' vibe while it's happening. So I can't tell where the 'too much' line is... urp..."
The reply cuts off again for a bit.
"...And the type of 'drunk' that hits me hard is this hangover. This is the reason I don't want to drink. I can barely get a buzz, but the suffering the next day hits me in full. A nightcap is fine, but... well, I've mostly kept statistics... I know the line where I start feeling sick..."
What kind of reason for not drinking is that!!!
I drop to my knees and hang my head in disappointment.
"...Ratz, don't worry."
Labyris, I don't need that kind of consolation.
In the end, Onii-san didn't recover until around 2:00 PM that day.
Until then, we were being scolded by Aslin and the others for making Onii-san drink too much.
