Of course, it’s a given that Hina isn’t the type of child who’s incapable of making distinctions, to the point of crossing lines just because Aco is right next to her.
Sure, she did put a leash on me and made me all heated up. But that means she didn’t pounce on me right then and there.
We resolved that part separately by having some quality time together when Aco wasn’t around, where I confessed my feelings of disappointment.
As for Aco’s preferences, I guess that’s something to think about when we eventually take a more serious step in our relationship.
On the second morning in Gehenna, I walked around the grounds in my maid outfit again.
No, I was walking.
It was definitely true—at least until I was pulled away by one particular student to an unknown location.
“Hehe.”
The girl holding my hand and leading the way was none other than the Gourmet Research Club’s leader, Kurodate Haruna.
Dressed in her usual stylish coat, she was a girl who would make anyone jealous in Gehenna, with a cute handbag slung over her shoulder. The wing decoration she wore was one I had gifted her, which immediately caught my eye.
“It seems like I’m quite lucky today. I ran into Misono Mika while I was just going to school normally. I mean, how could there be such a pleasant coincidence… Hehe.”
“Hey, Luna-chan. Emphasizing luck and coincidence like that… You do know it means it’s not a coincidence, right?”
“…Oh my. Um, calling me Luna-chan is a bit…”
“Huh? You didn’t say anything when Noa-chan called you that.”
“Hmm, well, it’s just that I got used to it since I’ve been hearing it. If you call me that when it’s just the two of us, I feel a bit embarrassed, you know…?”
Haruna blushed shyly, yet she didn’t stop meeting my gaze. As I gazed at her for a moment, I started to match her pace and walk together.
“Heh… Is there something left to be embarrassed about between us~?”
“That’s… a bit different. Mika-chan, how do you think I’d feel if you called me by a nickname? Like… Hmm…”
“For example?”
“…I can’t think of anything specific. I’m not Noa-chan, after all.”
So is she saying Noa would have come up with a decent nickname? Is that it…?
The truth is, Haruna’s nickname is just a simpler version of her name, and creating a nickname for someone whose name is already two syllables isn’t that easy. It would be a struggle even for Haruna to face that.
However, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
“In that case, how about something ordinary like darling? Or, if not that, maybe honey… Oh wait. That’s not a nickname, is it?”
“Wait a minute. Is that really ‘ordinary’? If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to just call me ‘you’—Ugh…!”
Oh, wow. Those kinds of titles just slip out naturally.
It doesn’t carry as much weight as Wakamo’s “My. Ex. Is. A. Darling♡” or even Nagisa’s occasional “My love,” but it’s still pretty much the classic, right…?
“Could you give up on that?”
“Huh? But I haven’t even started talking yet.”
“I would like to ask you to kindly make believe you didn’t hear that.”
“Heh… Well, fine. Sure! Besides, there’ll be plenty of chances☆”
“…”
Haruna, just because you stare at me like that doesn’t mean anything will change. So you should graciously give up. But as a substitute, I guess I have something I can give too.
“This week, I’m the maid… Yeah, maybe I’ll try to learn a bit from the specialist in this field, Ichinose Asuna.”
“…Pardon?”
“So, ahem. Haruna, my master…?”
“…Oh my.”
I may not be sure exactly what kind of expression is on my face, but since my cheeks are burning, I can confidently assume it’s flushed.
But the moment I see Haruna’s face, which is just as red as a ripe persimmon, I fold the idea of hitting the brakes and toss it out the window.
“Today, I’ll do my utmost to serve you, master! Hehe… Well, I do plan to head back early in the afternoon, though.”
As long as I can hold back my embarrassment, speaking like this isn’t too hard. After all, I have a guideline named Asuna, a golden retriever of C&C.
There’s no way I’m going to shrink away from calling someone master when I casually call my husbands that. This is simple…
Not really… Ahahaha.
Why do I suddenly find Asuna, who can call people ‘master’ so freely, so impressive? Does she really do it because she enjoys it, or is her work ethic genuinely just that remarkable? I lean towards the former, though.
“Calling me master… Mika-chan, my heart is starting to hurt… What should I do…?”
I felt Haruna’s fingers wriggling between our clasped hands. Really, this side of Haruna is the cutest thing ever. She’s usually so confident, but her defensive skills drop significantly when she’s the one being attacked.
“Oh, haha. Are you okay, master? It’d be troubling if you were hurt… So, master, just look into my eyes… Ah?!”
Did I get too carried away? Or is it a problem that I used the term master so liberally, that suddenly Haruna raises her hand and slaps her cheek with a resounding splat.
“Um, Haruna-chan…?”
“Ah, finally you’re addressing me properly. It’s not that I dislike it, but… if you keep calling me that, I feel like today is going to veer off from my original purpose and head in another direction…”
“…Ah.”
I’m not unaware of what she means by “another direction,” so I quietly nod. It would be a bit troubling to romp around and do something inappropriate in broad daylight, going against the duties of a student.
But who am I to talk, when I’m always looking for any excuse to escape my tasks…
“Well then. Okay, let’s hear the purpose of today’s surprise attack then! I’m relieved it’s not like the last time when I was kidnapped!”
“…As I’ve mentioned many times before, that incident was Mika-chan’s fault. My purpose isn’t anything grand. Yes, all you need to do is follow me, so there’s no need to overthink it.”
“People say you should be extra careful with someone who speaks like that…”
“You’ve grown cold while I wasn’t watching, Mika-chan… Has love faded away?”
“Ah! Don’t say that even as a joke!”
How could I neglect to mention just how much I love my husbands! If I hear that, I might just get so upset I could die. Thus, everyone, do NOT doubt my love. Death penalty, a death penalty!
More importantly, the place we’re heading to, if memory serves, should be the Gehenna cafeteria.
So, what Haruna was trying to take me to was the cafeteria, but…
“Um, Haruna-chan…”
“Yes, Mika-chan?”
“Ah… it’s nothing☆”
I just had a peaceful breakfast together with Hina. She’s such a foodie that even if I were to offer her something, she wouldn’t be able to eat much…
Hmm. Hmm hmm…
Alright, I’ve made up my mind.
“Okay, let’s hurry and go somewhere, anywhere!”
“Ah, yes… By the way, Mika-chan, have you changed your perfume?”
“Huh? Ah! This isn’t mine. I forgot to bring my own when I came here. But I found one of Hina-chan’s that smelled nice, so I decided to borrow it a bit… Ahaha.”
Well, at least I got permission before spritzing it on… Besides, Hina owns this, so it’s fine since I’m borrowing it, right?
“I see. It’s not bad, but I still prefer the scent you usually wear, Mika-chan. Oh, what if I got you one as a gift?”
“Hmm… I wouldn’t refuse a gift. Yup, but I might return something even pricier in return?”
“Oh my, that sounds quite enticing.”
Haruna, who brushed off my seemingly joking yet serious claim, smiled softly. The gentle swaying of her tail reflected her mood.
While I gazed at Haruna, her beauty enhanced by the faint blush on her face, I suddenly found myself unable to suppress my rising desire.
No, I didn’t suppress it. There was no need to.
“By the way, my favorite scent is cherry…”
“…Heh.”
As I whispered softly while lightly brushing my lips against Haruna’s, I paused for a moment. Be it now or in the past, sharing this deeply meaningful expression of affection always left me with a strange lingering feeling.
“This isn’t bad either… Hmm, is this the scent of plum?”
“…The top note is plum. The middle is lemon and rose.”
“Heh…”
As I leaned in closer to Haruna, breathing in the refreshing fragrance, the cuteness of Haruna fidgeting in front of me seemed to amplify.
“Um, Mika-chan… People are watching.”
“Huh? Let them stare all they want. What’s between us isn’t a secret.”
Honestly, at this point, isn’t this beyond something that’s eye-catching to a dazzling sight?
The sight of a devil charmingly saying, “But I’m pretty!” even while committing terrorism—and an angel confidently declaring, “I’m cute, aren’t I☆” amidst a coup—standing together is something you could never buy to witness!
“That may be true, but… Hmm, I have something prepared for you too after all.”
I can’t just casually overlook what Haruna says. Although I’m not confident enough in my stomach to eat even if I were thrown something because I’m too full, out of respect for her efforts, I must do my best.
It wouldn’t be right to not offer her at least this much after she learned to cook just for me.
“Hmm. It’s a pity, but it can’t be helped! Then let’s stick together like this for exactly one more minute. Is that alright, master?”
“Hehe, I can’t really stop you, can I…”
No matter how you look at it, it seems like the title ‘master’ has gotten to Haruna, who casually ignores the gazes around us and wraps her arms around me. Furthermore, it feels like she even coiled her tail around my waist, but maybe that’s just my imagination.
Putting aside the small details, I’m simply happy that my Haruna is back.
Yeah, when did she start caring so much about others’ gazes…?
…Oops. I inadvertently drew her into an idol project.
Ah, well. Haruna’s embrace feels incredibly soft, warm, and carries a wonderful scent. I could easily stay wrapped up in it for a thousand years.
