My stepsisters are sexy demons, and I must protect them
Chapter 68: Epilogue: Parting, so that we may reunite stronger than ever

Chapter 68: Epilogue: Parting, so that we may reunite stronger than ever

It’s their last dinner in Estonia.

A short stay that lasted just over four months due to forces beyond their control.

The mood around the table is tense. Heavy.

Even Yuzu’s usual sparkle is gone.

Everyone’s there except for Chantal, who—like always—chose to eat downstairs in the basement for her own reasons.

Even Shin, who usually kept Chantal company while watching over Velune, is sitting with them tonight.

From time to time, he glances at the window facing the front of the house.

As if expecting something—or someone.

Is that why he decided to join them for dinner this time?

Hakuto keeps that thought to himself.

He doesn’t feel like talking—not now.

The melancholy hanging over his two beloved stepsisters weighs on him too much.

Who could blame them?

They may be hybrids with the blood of vampires and succubi, but at the end of the day, they’re still just teenage girls who dream of a normal life.

But they’re forced, once again, to leave everything behind.

To start over from zero, in yet another corner of the world.

A dream that keeps slipping further out of reach.

Hakuto knows he’s everything to them—a friend, a brother, a lover.

Their whole world.

The only glimpse of normalcy in a life that has none.

But that resolve starts to waver.

Ever since that first clash with the Cult of the Primordial Shadow, Hakuto has felt it.

The terrifying strength of those enemies—on a whole different level.

And Akashi... already powerful, now armed with the Fallen One’s Eye, feels like an unbeatable threat.

Why did he let them live?

He could’ve killed them all without breaking a sweat.

Hakuto knows it.

That danger hasn’t passed—it’s only been delayed.

A rematch with Akashi is inevitable.

Overwhelmed by those thoughts, Hakuto suddenly pushes back his chair and stands up, shattering the silence that had settled over the dining room.

«Dad! I’m asking you, please—train me with even more severity and harshness from now on! Even if I end up breaking a few bones! Akashi, Drakhul, Velshekar—just from the way you described him, he must be insanely strong—compared to them, I’m just a pathetic insect... Please, make me stronger!»

But Shin shakes his head.

«There’s nothing more I can teach you, son. The Sacred Flame isn’t something that grows with simple training like physical strength or sword skills. I’ve taught you how to control it and avoid wasting it, but its raw power can only grow so much—it’s limited. Genetically. It’s a natural predisposition.»

Lo sguardo di Shin si fissa su Hakuto.

Uno sguardo serio, fermo—ma allo stesso tempo quasi di compassione.

«Dirtelo mi fa male, figliolo, ma è inutile nascondere la testa sotto la sabbia.

Prendi Chantal, ad esempio. Avete la stessa età, ma anche prima di acquisire il sangue vampirico, la sua Sacred Flame era nettamente superiore alla tua.

Shin’s eyes lock onto Hakuto’s.

His gaze is serious, firm—but there’s a trace of compassion in it.

«It hurts me to say this, son, but there’s no point in hiding from the truth. Take Chantal, for example. You’re the same age, yet even before gaining vampiric blood, her Sacred Flame was way above yours. Sure, she’s trained hard ever since she was a child, but that’s not the only reason she’s stronger than you. It’s just natural talent. Some people are born with a stronger Sacred Flame—just like some are born more beautiful or more intelligent than others. And judging by your results... I don’t think yours can grow much more. I know these words hurt, Hakuto. But you need to hear them.»

The silence in the room grows even heavier.

Not even the sound of breathing can be heard now.

Only Hakuto’s quiet sobs.

The soft tapping of his tears hitting the table.

His dreams—of protecting Rika and Yuzu’s fragile peace—are shattered.

Along with his determination.

~If this is close to my full strength... then what’s the point? I won’t ever be able to protect them. I won’t even be able to protect myself... I’m completely useless...~

Hakuto lowers his gaze.

He no longer even has the courage to look his father, Kagura, or his two stepsisters in the eyes.

Rika and Yuzu stare at him, their eyes shiny with tears.

They grip his hands tightly, trying to comfort him.

They want to say something—but finding the right words is almost impossible, especially after seeing how hard he worked these past four months.

«But that doesn’t mean your strength can’t grow beyond this.»

Shin’s words light a spark in Hakuto’s heart.

Hakuto looks up, startled.

«If the Sacred Flame were your only ability, then yes—I’d say you’ve reached your limit.

But you don’t just have the Sacred Flame, son.»

«My crystal...» Hakuto murmurs. «But... you said you can’t help me develop my Crystalbearer skills...»

«Yeah, sadly I wouldn’t know how. That’s something only an experienced Crystalbearer could help you with. Speaking of which—»

—DLIN!

The doorbell rings, cutting Shin off mid-sentence.

Once again, Shin turns toward the window facing the entrance—and smiles.

«Perfect timing,» he says.

Shin rises from his seat and walks to the front door, motioning for Hakuto to follow.

When Shin opens the door, Hakuto freezes.

Eyes wide in disbelief and fear.

Standing at the threshold is a woman who looks well past her thirties—stunningly beautiful.

Long, straight brown hair. Deep sapphire-blue eyes. A breathtaking figure.

Her huge breasts press against the fabric of her outfit, and her hips look as if sculpted from marble.

But her expression is stern. Cold.

Right behind her stands a man—not very tall, slightly shorter than Hakuto—but clearly muscular and well-trained.

He seems a few years younger than her, but definitely past thirty as well.

Same eye and hair color as the woman, though his serious expression feels less convincing.

Behind them, about ten other men stand next to a featureless black armored van—completely unmarked, like those used to transport criminals.

But what truly stuns and frightens Hakuto... are their uniforms.

Except for the woman, who wears a sleek black suit that perfectly outlines her statuesque body, the others are all dressed in white uniforms with blue and gold accents.

Hakuto recognizes them instantly.

HESPARC uniforms.

And the U.S. flag stitched over the heart tells him exactly which division.

Panic spreads through the house in an instant.

Rika, Yuzu, and Kagura jump to their feet—alarmed, terrified.

But Shin gestures for them to sit back down.

He calmly tells them to stay seated.

Reassures them that there’s nothing to worry about.

Then, he places a hand on Hakuto’s back and gently pushes him forward toward the newcomers.

«Son, this is the Deputy Director of HESPARC U.S., Ms. Alexia Kendrow. Alexia, this is my son, Hakuto Tendo,» Shin says, his tone unusually formal for him.

Alexia extends her hand, and Hakuto does the same.

«Shin Tendo’s son... it feels strange just saying it,» Alexia comments, firmly shaking his hand.

~Why does she sound so surprised that my dad has a son...? What kind of history do they even have? Damn it... if only I’d read With My Hentai Sister at Magic Academy, maybe I’d get it...~

«And this is Chris Kendrow,» Shin adds, now introducing the young man beside her.

«He’s either her brother, her boyfriend, or her lover—I honestly don’t know and I’d rather not ask... But what matters for you is this—he’s the strongest Crystalbearer in the world. He’ll be your tutor from today onward.»

«My... WHAT?!»

Hakuto can’t believe his ears.

«I just told you that only a Crystalbearer can help you become even stronger, right? Well, he’s the perfect person for that,» Shin says.

«So... he’s coming with us to the new house...?» Hakuto asks.

Shin shakes his head.

«You’ll be the one going with them.

HESPARC U.S. has training grounds and advanced tools to monitor and support your progress.»

Hakuto is left speechless.

Conflicted.

Part of him feels joy—he’ll finally be able to surpass his limits and become stronger with his crystal.

But another part aches.

The thought of not seeing Rika or Yuzu for who knows how long fills him with sadness and fear.

The cold voice of Deputy Director Kendrow quickly kills Shin’s enthusiasm.

«Before making plans, you need to hold up your end of the deal.»

«Oh, right... I almost forgot. CHANTAL! BRING HER UP!»

Shin’s voice echoes through the house.

Heavy footsteps climb the stairs from the basement.

The door bursts open.

Velune appears—her arms cuffed behind her back.

Chantal is right behind her, shoving her forward.

A balaclava covers Chantal’s face entirely.

«S-Stop pushing me! I can walk on my own!» Velune grumbles.

But her protest only earns her an even rougher shove.

The HESPARC agents rush toward her without hesitation.

They restrain her with additional, far more effective devices than just a pair of handcuffs.

No gentleness.

They grab her and toss her into the back of the armored van—like she’s a sack of potatoes.

«As promised—a member of the Cult of the Primordial Shadow, alive and well. I’ve kept my end of the deal. Now it’s your turn,» says Shin, his serious gaze locked with Alexia’s cold one.

But something shifts.

That icy look melts slightly after a few seconds under Shin’s stare.

Alexia looks away.

Blushes—though she tries hard to hide it.

Only Shin notices.

«G-Get ready, Hakuto Tendo.

You have one hour to grab your things and say your goodbyes,» Alexia orders, her voice carrying the faintest tremble.

Hakuto obeys.

He packs his suitcase as fast as he can—so he has more time to spend with Rika and Yuzu.

One last bath together—for who knows how long.

The girls cry.

They kiss him.

They cling to him.

They make love—more intensely, more passionately than ever before.

Then they cry again.

They don’t want to be without him.

But there’s no way they can follow him to America—it’s far too dangerous.

Shin managed to secure Alexia Kendrow’s silence about the presence of the two hybrids.

But the Director doesn’t know anything.

And according to Alexia, he’s not someone open to deals like this.

If he found out, he’d have Rika and Yuzu killed on the spot.

That hour—the fastest hour of Hakuto’s life—flashes by in an instant.

Now, standing in the doorway, suitcase in hand, he kisses Rika and Yuzu one last time.

A long, lingering kiss.

«When we meet again, I swear I’ll be strong enough to give you the life you’ve always dreamed of. I’ll protect you from anyone. I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again, I swear on my life! Rika, Yuzu—my sisters—I love you.»