Vol 7 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 04: 16th September

—I love you.

These were the words she always wanted to hear from someone.

“…Recently, everyone is acting strange.”

A bench in the park. Luna, sitting besides me, dropped her gaze and said depressed.

“How should I say, they are acting distant. At times they all come together and seem to secretly discuss something. Even if I want to join them, they ran away as soon as they see me. Why is that? Do you know something, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-san?”

“…The sky, sure is blue.”

“Wh- Why are you trying to brush it away? If I made everyone unknowingly angry, then I want to apologize properly. Please tell me if you know anything!”

Luna shook both my shoulders greatly with teary eyes, whereas I, aware of the circ.u.mstances, somehow managed to keep my mouth shout, as I wasn’t allowed to speak about it.

I had to endure this for the surprise later on.

After all, for that very day we advanced our preparations very carefully…

It all started from an incident on a certain morning.

It was a kind of languid Monday morning after summer vacation with school resuming.

Before going to school, Luna, Machina, Elni and Nazuna watched TV in the living room. Apparently they were checking their horoscopes and amidst that, Machina lightly dropped her shoulders.

“…Today, I have the worst luck.”

“Machina, don’t pay too much mind to horoscopes. I basically have good luck every day, but only at times of best luck, I drop my wallet or get stung by a bee.”

“For a G.o.ddess, doesn’t that mean you’re cursed?”

“Th- That’s not true! My life is just set to very hard! For that I get better items!”

Elni had a doubtful distinction between reality and a game. Petting her head softly, Machina said with an unusual gentle voice.

“Elni, you’re playing too much games lately. I get that the game you borrowed from Miichan is fun, but if you’re lonely, I’ll play with you, okay? Shall we go somewhere on the next holiday?”

“Nope. Because s.h.i.+n.o.bi will take me to the Tsundere Cafè next time.”

“T- Tsundere Cafè? What the, take me as well— wait, no! I was so kind to invite you! What’s with that att.i.tude! Why are you so cold! Play with me too!”

…Apparently, not Elni, but Machina was the lonely one.

Mh, I should free some time to play with Machina as well.

Such thoughts crossed my mind, when Nazuna moved her gaze from the TV and faced Luna with a smile.

“Hey, Luna-oneechan, how was your luck?”

“Ehm, I… I do not know.”

“Mhh? You didn’t find your own zodiac sign? Then should I tell you? I remembered them all. What’s your sign, Luna-oneechan?”

“…I, wonder which?”

A bit troubled, Luna smiled with the ends of her eyebrows lowered. Seeing her like this, Nazuna tilted her head puzzled and Machina opened her mouth timidly.

“You know, Nazuna, Sister has—”

“Okay you two, we have to go now. Are you ready?”

Cutting into Machina’s words by interjecting, I urged the two of them.

Upon that, Machina made a face like she wanted to say something, but closed her mouth in the end, grabbed her bag and came over to me.

Nazuna on the other hand stared at Luna, then took her bag like Machina and came running over to me.

…I wasn’t really sure as to why I stopped Machina’s sentence. I merely might not have wanted to see a sad expression on Luna’s face.

When she came to send us off, Luna showed her usual smile, but it was unthinkable that she was unaffected about earlier. Nazuna seemed to have noticed something from the atmosphere as well, as midway on the way to school, she was unusual quiet, then suddenly stopped. Pulling on my sleeve, she asked with a small voice.

“…Brother, Machina-chan, could it be, Luna-oneechan doesn’t know when her birthday is?”

“Yeah, seems so.”

Luna was abandoned as a baby by her mother on a night with a full moon.

The villagers didn’t think well of Luna, “The wh.o.r.e ran for it, leaving her troublesome kid behind”, and she was bullied all the time.

It could be that no one ever celebrated her birthday with her. When I thought of that, my chest hurt incredibly.

Nazuna surely must have felt the same as me. Casting her eyes down and looking down, she squeezed out her words.

“…That’s no good. Not having a birthday is… just sad…”

When Nazuna said so, Machina comfortingly petted her head.

“Nazuna, as you know, Sister is a devil. Devils live far longer than humans, so they don’t celebrate their own birthday. To begin with, most devils don’t even know their birthdays. So you shouldn’t worry about it.”

“…You also, never celebrated your birthday, Machina-chan?”

On that question, Machina stopped petting Nazuna’s head.

“I properly celebrated it, since my mother was human. My father, a devil, didn’t know his birthday, but my mother gave him one. She baked a big cake on that day…. It was fun every year.”

Machina smiled with a somewhat sad expression that was nostalgic, yet regretful over something currently absent.

Upon that, Nazuna raised her head after listening to it and faced me.

“Hey, Brother.”

Looking at Nazuna’s face, it was more than obvious what she wanted to say. She probably thought of the same as me. I gave a small nod.

“We’ll be mimicking Machina’s mom, but let’s give Luna a birthday as well.”

When I proposed so, Nazuna nodded with a smile, but for some reason Machina widened her eyes and then tightly bit on her lips, averting her gaze just like that.

“…What’s up, Machina? You’re against to it?”

“No, quite the opposite. I think it’s great.”

Shaking her head lightly, Machina dropped her voice and continued.

“I was just thinking a bit. You both are amazing…”

What did she mean? A bit curious, I pondered about the meaning behind her words, whereupon

“—I allowed myself to listen to the whole story, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama.”

I was suddenly called out from behind and when I turned around in surprise, there was a Maid peeking out from behind a telephone pole. It was without doubt Kaorun.

“…What are you doing there? Are you bored?”

“Yes. That is correct. So I was stalking you, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama, to dawdle away. Same goes for Hijiri-chan.”

“It, It’s not the same for me!”

Along with her words, Hijiri peeked out her head from behind Kaorun with att.i.tude.

“I was at a loss about how to call out to you, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-kun, so Kaoru-san told me to cling to you from behind and ask ‘Guess who!’. I was just waiting for the right timing!”

Denying with a bright red face, Hijiri then continued with a “Anyway”.

“I feel bad about eavesdropping, but you’re holding a birthday party for Luna-san, right? If so, can we help out? You know, the more the merrier.”

“Well, sounds good, but I was going to invite you guys anyway…Are you sure?”

“Of course. Luna-san might be my rival, but she’s a precious friend. I also want to partic.i.p.ate in it.”

“I am of the same opinion as Hijiri-chan. Luna-sama might be my rival, but she is a fellow perverted maid. It is only natural to celebrate for a comrade.”

…I understood that Luna had a lot of rivals, but

“You’re the only perverted maid.”

I retorted with that to Kaorun, then made a suggestion while walking to school with them.

“Since we’re doing it, let’s make it a surprise party.”

“Yeah, sounds good. Let’s surprise Luna-oneechan.”

When Nazuna agreed with me, Kaorun showed a smile and opened her mouth.

“Well then, how about we hold a meeting after school today? There are a lot of things to discuss…”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea, but… don’t you have any work to do? You technically are a maid, right?”

“Do not worry. With my special older sister privilege, I loaded it onto the young master. No problems.”

…As always, she treated Hijiri’s younger brother so cruelly. Actually, could she really push the work on him? A bit worried, I faced Hijiri.

“Hey Hijiri, Kaorun said that, but is it really okay?”

“Yeah. I’m sure he’ll understand if we explain the circ.u.mstances. Besides, he obediently listened to anything that Kaoru-san tells him. Though he rarely listens to my requests.”

“…Is that so?”

When I asked a bit curious, Hijiri gave a small nod and dropped her voice.

“When he got into 6th grade, he stopped taking baths with me… And lately when I embrace him or pat his head, he runs away annoyed. He might be in his rebellious age.”

“No, no, please understand the boy’s delicate heart in p.u.b.erty.”

Most likely, her brother was just bashful…We got a bit off-topic.

I opened my mouth to get back on the topic and while heading for school, we all discussed various things regarding Luna’s birthday…

With cla.s.ses over, it was after school. After explaining things to Elni in a mail, we decided to have a meeting. The topic was of course Luna’s birthday party. The meeting was held… in my room for some reason.

I didn’t really know how it come to this. Before I noticed it, Hijiri, Machina, Kaorun, Nazuna and Elni had gathered in my room, which made it rather cramped.

Keeping in mind that we should hold future meeting at Hijiri’s house, I faced the girls.

Hijiri was sitting on my bed with her cheeks faintly flushed and restlessly looked around my room. Sitting besides Hijiri, Machina was hugging my pillow to her chest in a kind of good mood. Nazuna sat formally on a seat cus.h.i.+on with a serious expression and Elni also had a serious expression while she… sat in my lap like it was natural.

And Kaorun, entrusted with the role as chairwoman, had leaned a small white board, wherever she got it from, against the wall and while holding a pen in one hand, she opened her mouth.

“The first agenda is about the day itself for the birthday. A holiday would certainly be the best. It should either be this week’s Sat.u.r.day or next week’s. As for the decorations for the party, please leave that to Hijiri-chan and myself. I will entrust the cake matter to the rest of you. What could prove to be a problem is…”

As the meeting was progressing as such, suddenly there was a knock on the door and Luna showed up.

Instantly, Kaorun hastily turned around the white board and everyone started to look at Luna in a restless state.

Amidst that, Luna tilted her head bewildered and came into the room. She was holding a try with drinks.

“Ehm, I brought you some tea, so if you like, please drink some.”

Luna placed the tea on the table and then asked with a smile.

“What are you all talking about? Can I join in as well?”

On that request, everyone avoided her gaze at once and I as well was troubled for an answer.

There Kaorun, as a representative for everyone, opened her mouth.

“Luna-sama, my apologies, but we are discussing something important. Please take your leave.”

“…Am I, a bother?”

“No, that is not really the case and it is rather troubling if you make such a teary expression…”

“…It is fine. I am sorry for asking the impossible.”

“Ahh! Please wait! Ehm, please look at this, Luna-sama! It is a live picture of s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama changing!”

“Hyah!”

Saying something outrageous, Kaorun pulled out a kind of picture from her pocket, whereupon Luna turned bright red and took it with both hands.

From my point, I couldn’t see the picture, but when did she take a peeping shot of me changing?

I was taken aback a bit, when Kaorun confidently puffed up her well-formed chest.

“It took quite the effort, since s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama is sensitive to presences— wait, Luna-sama, please do not casually put the picture into your pocket. That pictures costs a lot, you know? Also, I have pictures of s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama sleeping or cross-dressing… What will it be?”

“All of them, please!”

“…Uhm, handing me your wallet actually troubles me. The price was meant as a joke. I will give that picture to you, Luna-sama, so please return to your room now and do perverted things to yourself while thinking of s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama like always.”

“Like always…. I am not that perverted! I only do it at times!”

“Sh- s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama, Luna-sama just made an unbelievable coming out!”

“…No comment.”

While covering both of Nazuna’s ears with my hands, I pretended not to listen.

There Kaorun s.h.i.+fted her gaze back to Luna and said teasingly.

“Luna-sama is indeed the natural erotic big sister. I am certain that you lick these big b.r.e.a.s.t.s of yours and comfort your burning hot body. Such a perverted person!”

“I, I am not doing such things, probably.”

“…Sounds suspicious. Please let me touch your b.r.e.a.s.t.s for a bit.”

“How does it come to that!? Ah, Kaoru-san, please stop… Yahn… Uhn… No… Yahn!”

Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s fondled by Kaorun, Luna hastily covered her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with both her arms, turned around and left.

There Kaorun chased after her with a somewhat happy expression… Soon enough Luna’s erotic voice sounded even back to my room.

After a while, Luna’s sweet voice stopped short and Kaorun came back to the room in a lively fas.h.i.+on. She had strangely nice smile, so I asked her for now.

“…Actually, you quite like Luna, right?”

“Y- Yo- You are mistaken! It is only ordinary! Any at rate, when we all a.s.semble at one place, Luna-sama might grow suspicious. Hijiri-chan, Machina and Nazuna-sama, please head down into the living room play some game inconspicuous. We others will continue with the meeting in the meantime.”

On Kaorun’s words, Nazuna saluted with a “Meow!”. Then she tightly grabbed Hijiri’s hand.

“Let’s go, Gogyou-san. I have a game about cats.”

“Yeah, okay.”

When Hijiri nodded with a smile, Nazuna reached out her hand for Machina.

“You come as well, Machina-chan.”

“Yes.”

Replying shortly, Machina took Nazuna’s hand. However, Machina might actually have wanted to attend the meeting. She faced us with a little regretful expression, then left the room together with Nazuna and Hijiri.

As a result, the remaining members were Elni, Kaorun and me.

Okay, we should settle things as far as we could with these members.

Was what I thought, but

“….Huh? Isn’t this member constellation the worst?”

Suddenly realizing it, I said so.

For a moment, Elni and Kaorun both puffed up their cheeks a little and each of them said dissatisfied.

“That’s rude, s.h.i.+n.o.bu! Just what about me are you discontent with?”

“It is as Elni-sama says! Just what is so wrong about us?”

“Well, Elni is a bit of an idiot, Kaorun is a bit of a pervert and I’m just too cool. I get the feeling we won’t achieve any decent results with that line-up.”

When I replied so, for some reason Elni acknowledged it with a “Certainly” and even Kaorun affirmed it with an “Indeed”.

However, Kaorun suddenly changed her tone into a serious one and opened her mouth with “Nevertheless”.

“I already antic.i.p.ated to a certain extent that the meeting would fail, just by the fact that we were gathering in your room, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama. As long as Luna-sama remains in the house, she will be wary of our secret conversation…”

“Well, if you already knew it, then don’t come to my room to begin with.”

“Now, now, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama. We have plenty of time, so let us not rush. Hijiri-chan also seemed keen on seeing your room, so please let her sleep in your bed later on. I am certain that she will be pleased.”

“….What did you guys even came here for?”

I retorted while shrugging my shoulders, then we resumed the meeting to decided at least on things we could.

Upon that, we discussed stuff like the day for the birthday or the schedule of the day surprisingly smooth.

But, one problem arose in our discussion and we all crossed our arms and started to pondered with our mouth closed.

Speaking of birthday meant a birthday cake and presents.

The former wasn’t all that hard to prepare, but the latter was a problem.

First we had planned that each of us buys an own present, but it was a first birthday for Luna, so we thought that we should use the opportunity and buy another present from all of us together, apart from our personal presents. We hadn’t any ideas for it though.

We considered that a birthday song or the birthday cake itself could be a present from us, but in the end we dismissed it as unsuited.

After that a lot of ideas were proposed, but repeatedly dismissed, which kind of derailed our discussion and Elni and Kaorun started to say nonsense, as they had grown tired.

“s.h.i.+n.o.bu, we should just gift Luna romantic.”

“Yeah, you know, we’re just thinking about how that the exact shape of that romantic.”

“Well then, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama, will it not be alright to just give Luna-sama yourself as a present? Like the cliché ’The present is m.y.s.e.l.f’. It might feel a bit cheap, but should prove best in this case.”

“Like h.e.l.l it is! Rejected, totally! Besides, calling it cheap is rude!”

Giving the xth dismissal, I made a big sigh in my heart, whereupon Kaorun clapped her hands for no apparent reason.

“s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama, I have a great idea. How about giving her a few touching words?”

“That’s it, Kaorun!”

On Kaorun’s words, Elni sparkled her eyes on the brilliant idea for some reason.

“I’m sure Luna will be happy if s.h.i.+n.o.bu presents her with some wonderful words!”

“…Wonderful words? Like what?”

When I put my retort on hold and asked, Elni put her hand onto her chin and after pondering for a bit, she answered.

“Well, how about ‘You’re precious’? s.h.i.+n.o.bu, try it on Kaorun.”

“Okay.”

For now I nodded and faced Kaorun.

“You’re obscene.”

“Well, I will not deny that.”

“…Yeah, I think you better deny it?”

Resuming my retorting, I said with a sigh.

“Hey, is it just me or do you guys have forgotten our aim? Why is the present suddenly only from me? Think about something we can do together. Also, why are you even fooling around more than necessary?”

Momentarily stopping my words, I raised my words and shouted.

“Even I want to fool around!”

“Ah, s.h.i.+n.o.bu finally spoke out his mind.”

“I believe he was envious of us.”

As Elni and Kaorun were right on the mark, I shut my mouth for a moment, then I stood up and declared with my back to them.

“…No use talking with you two. I’ll go ask Luna directly if there’s anything she wants.”

“Eh? What are you saying, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-sama? Is that the fooling around you spoke of?”

“If so, it’s hard to understand. We’re going to keep the party a secret from Luna until the day, right?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let her find out. See you.”

Replying so to Kaorun and Elni, I left my room. Then I showed up in the kitchen, as I concluded to find Luna there preparing dinner at this time, which turned out to be right.

Luna wore the white and black dotted cow ap.r.o.n, which I gave her as a present a while ago, and that appearance soothed my heart.

…Luna was always cooking delicious food and took care of all the house ch.o.r.es. I properly wanted to celebrate her birthday with feelings of grat.i.tude.

Okay, I should casually ask her about a present. First some chatting and then gradually getting to the main topic.

I approached Luna and called out to her softly.

“Hey Luna, what’s for dinner today?”

“Ah, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-san. I’m making croquettes today…Are you already done with your talking?”

Noticing me, Luna showed a smile, to which I also replied with a smile and nodded.

“Yeah, we’re done for today. Anyway, it’s been on my mind a bit, but what are you usually doing while I’m at school?”

“Eh? Most of the time I clean the house, help Tomoe-san with her job, play with Elni-chan or take a nap in your roo—*cough*!”

Midway in her sentence Luna coughed to brush it over.

Apparently she sometimes took a nap in my room, but I didn’t really mind. Elni slept in my bed before as well, so it wasn’t such a big deal. When I stayed quiet and waited for her to continue, Luna flushed a cheeks a bit and opened her mouth again.

“I am reading books as well.”

“Reminds me, you’re often reading gardening books, right? You have an interest in that?”

“Yes. A while ago Tomoe-san told me ‘You can use the garden as you want’, so I was planning to plant some flower seeds in the garden next time.”

Mhm, gardening, huh. Making a note in my heart, I questioned further.

“By the way, do you have any other interests besides gardening?”

“Well, I like the piano.”

“Piano? You can play a piano?”

“My motivation is greater than my skill, but I often played it when I stayed at the church.”

…I didn’t know that. Once more I made a note in my heart.

“While I’m at it, let me ask what your favourite food is. I guess gratin or omelette rice?”

“Yes, but I also quite liked the baumkuchen you bought for me before.”

“Hoohoo, likewise, any food you hate?”

“Mhm~ Nothing in particular.”

“I see, I see. What about your favourite type of man?”

“I like a kind person.”

Okay, I shall be kind from now on. A note with a double circle for importance.

“Well then, Luna, tell me your three sizes from the top on this occasion.”

“Ehm, 97 – 58 – 89… Mhh? I think I just thoughtlessly answered an incredible question….”

“Don’t fret it. Anyway, I’m going to take a picture now, so take off a layer of clothing.”

“Ah, yes, okay. I will take off my ap.r.o.n then…wait, no! Uhm, I am cooking right now, so, well, can it wait until later?”

“I don’t mind at all. Lastly, tell me if there’s anything you want.”

To be honest, ever since the surprising and honest answer about the three sized, I had been quite agitated. Luna probably had lost her head due to the incredible question.

Using this chance, I tried a direct approach, whereupon Luna put her index finger against her red cheek and pondered, then she suddenly faced me and turned even redder for some reason. Now she fidgeted both her index fingers against each other in front of her chest and answered with a small voice while staring at me.

“…Presently, I want a baby.”

“PFT!”

Th- This couldn’t have been any further away from my predictions.

Inadvertently I snorted, but I should calm down for now. To hide my initiation, I played cool. I looked back into Luna’s eyes and opened my mouth.

“L- LuLuLuLu.”

“…Are you singing?”

“N- No! L- Luna! Th- The stork brings babies! S- So you just have to wait patiently.”

…Frankly, I couldn’t hide my agitation at all. For some reason I felt embarra.s.sed.

I turned my back to Luna and opened the accordion curtain, moving to the living room in an escape.

There, in the living room were Hijiri and Nazuna.

The two of them didn’t seem to notice me, as Nazuna played a game like Kaorun had told them and Hijiri had embraced Nazuna from behind in a kind of spellbound state.

“Ahh, you really are so cute, Nazuna-chan…”

While saying so, Hijiri petted her head, whereupon Nazuna narrowed her eyes pleased and raised a “Meow, meow” voice while playing her game.

Amidst that, Hijiri hesitated a bit, then opened her mouth timidly.

“Uhm, Nazuna-chan, I have a favour to ask. If possible, could you call me with Oneechan, like you do with Luna-san?”

“…Eh? Really? If I change the way I call you, Gogyou-san, I’ll probably fawn over you a lot. Are you sure?”

Stopping her hand from gaming, Nazuna turned around, whereupon Hijiri gave back a big nod.

“I don’t mind if it’s from you. You can even think of me as an older sister. My real brother won’t fawn over me at all recently… B- Besides, in the future, well, I want to become your sister-in-law…”

For some reason, Hijiri lowered her voice midway in her sentence.

Nazuna, as she probably couldn’t hear it well just like me, tilted her head. But not all too bothered by it, she flushed her cheeks a bit and said while staring at Hijiri.

“Ehm— Hijiri-okaasan.”

“….Could it be you’re just as shy as s.h.i.+n.o.bu-kun? I wish you wouldn’t fool around at a time like this…”

“Ah, no! I made a mistake!”

Hijiri dropped her shoulders. Nazuna panicked. I, an observer, desperately tried to suppress a laughter.

…Reminded me, Nazuna had the embarra.s.sing experience of calling her teacher “Mom” by mistake.

When I wallowed in reminiscences, Nazuna lightly grabbed Hijiri’s sleeve and opened her mouth with upturned eyes.

“I’m sorry, Hijiri-oneechan.”

Instantly, Hijiri embraced Nazuna. Well, I could relate. Even if you ignored my favouritism for a relative, her behaviour was just cute.

Such thoughts crossed my mind, when I noticed that Machina wasn’t in the living room, so I approached the two and faced Nazuna.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt your flirting with Hijiri, but where did Machina go?”

“Ah, Brother. Machina-chan said ‘I’ll go get some fresh air’ and went out into the garden.”

While answering, Nazuna’s cheeks were rubbed by Hijiri’s in a happy mood. Hijiri on the other hand didn’t seem to listen to our conversation, as she was once again spellbound by embracing Nazuna.

…I felt bad for bothering them and was a bit concerned about Machina.

“I’ll go check on her.”

Telling the two of them shortly, I turned my back to them. Following, I opened the window of the living room and went outside, where Machina stood in the garden all by herself. In an absent-minded state, she watched the sunset.

“What are you doing here? Thinking about something?”

When I approached and call out to her, Machina looked at me, showed a wry smile and opened her mouth.

“…While everyone was discussing stuff for Sister, I kinda felt pathetic for myself. I thought about a lot of stuff…”

“Mh? Pathetic? What are you saying? You were seriously thinking up stuff as well, right? There’s no need to feel depressed.”

“That’s not it. I meant the birthday. I was with her all the time in the demon realm, yet I never did such a thing for her…”

Dropping her voice, Machina tightly clenched her small hand.

“I told you before, that I acted quite spoiled with her over a long time. Even though I knew that she was originally human and a kind of strange devil. I should have known how painful it was for her not to have a birthday, if I had given it a bit of thought… Yet I didn’t do anything for her.”

Machina bit on her lips, looked down and continued with a slightly trembling voice.

“Just like Mother gave Father a birthday, I should have given Sister one way earlier. She gives me so much, but I can’t offer anything in return.”

“…I don’t think that’s right.”

Softly, I denied it.

“You did give her something in return. Just by smiling at her side, Luna is quite happy. I believe she’s satisfied with just that. You should also know that Luna is that kind of girl.”

Reaching out my hand for Machina, I opened my mouth once more with “Besides” while petting her head.

“If you feel like repaying her, you just have to do so from now on. Right? For now, let’s make Luna happy with the upcoming birthday party. Okay?”

“…..Yeah, you might be right.”

Raising her head, Machina showed a smile.

But tears dwelled up in her eyes and to change her mood, I cracked a joke like always in the end.

“Hey Machina, earlier I thought about a present for Luna with Elni and Kaorun and there was this idea about presenting her touching words. What’s your take on that?”

“…Even if you ask me, I’m not sure. How would you present her that?”

“If you want to know, I’ll show you.”

Along with my words, I rested my hands on her shoulders and declared sentimental.

“Machina, you’re easy to trick and then retort.”

“Oh my, thanks. That’s the ultimate compliment for— As if! It’s the worst kind of insult! It’s not touching my heart, but stabbing it! Are you making fun of me!?”

“Oh, excuse me. Then how about this?”

Now I put my hand on Machina’s chin and said whispering.

“Machina, you’re a precious female to me. So let me touch your voluminous b.r.e.a.s.t.s.”

“Eh? What’s this so sudden? Geez, you’re so helpless. Just for a bit— wait, I won’t be fooled! I won’t fall for that trick again! Actually, do you want to touch my b.r.e.a.s.t.s that bad!?”

With her cheeks bright red, Machina cross-examined me with a fierce tone.

“Even at our first meeting you said something weird and touched my b.r.e.a.s.t.s! And a while ago, you touched them through a clever scheme of ‘Do they give milk?’! Are you a b.o.o.bie alien!? How is it!?”