Rei Ao: "Nodoka, since you'll be my future sister-in-law, there's no problem calling you that, right?"
"Eh?"
Rei Ao's words took Nodoka completely off guard. Her gaze flickered between Mai and Rei Ao; finally, she shyly, awkwardly nodded.
After all, if they really were an engaged couple, then indeed she'd be his future little sister-in-law. But somehow…it just felt weird.
One part of her knew about the messy relationship among them; another part couldn't forget that she'd been wearing Mai's face—and also that she and Rei Ao had…
Is this even okay?!
Rei Ao continued calmly:
"Nodoka, regarding your current situation, my suggestion is: keep calm and don't let others notice anything off. For now, just pretend you're Mai."
"Pretend to be…Mai-sis…"
Nodoka lifted her head, fear shadowing her eyes.
"But how can I possibly do that? Mai-sis is so perfect; everyone praises her, and me…"
"…"
Mai saw Nodoka's lack of confidence and forced a wry smile. She never realized how highly this cousin of hers thought of her. Though touched, she also felt a bit complicated.
Seeing Nodoka so anxious, Mai's gaze grew gentle. She reached out and held Nodoka's hand:
"It's not as impossible as you think. I'll help you. You're stronger than you realize."
Mai smiled softly:
"Plus, you're actually quite feminine, and you have more boldness in you than you give yourself credit for."
At these words, Nodoka's throat tightened. She never imagined Mai would say such things about her.
"So then…"
Rei Ao chimed in with a slight laugh, standing up:
"Step one: you'll need to learn how to be Sakurajima Mai. First, start with posture—Mai never slouches."
Nodoka unconsciously squared her shoulders, attempting to imitate her sister's elegant, confident posture.
"And from here,"
Rei Ao continued,
"Mai will teach you personally."
…
Outside, the rain still poured, but inside the warm apartment, a peculiar "lesson" was underway. Nodoka didn't know how long this soul-swap would last, nor what challenges lay ahead.
But at that moment, she realized for the first time that becoming Sakurajima Mai wasn't as effortless as she'd imagined. And perhaps…being herself wasn't necessarily so terrible either.
…
Next morning.
Sunlight, slanting through half-drawn curtains, cut a golden band across the living-room floor.
On the sofa, Vignette stirred. She felt something pressed against her waist. Slowly she opened her eyes, only to see Satania's face right in front of her, fast asleep. The red-haired demon even had a trace of drool glistening at the corner of her mouth.
"Mmph…"
Vignette tried to shift away, only to realize Satania was tangled around her in a bizarre position, with one leg hiked over Vignette's waist. That white-sock-covered foot had somehow slipped under Vignette's pajama top, directly against her skin.
Vignette's cheeks heated. She gingerly grasped Satania's ankle, intending to move the wandering limb out from inside her clothes. Just as she freed that foot, she noticed Satania's right hand…resting at a rather questionable angle over Satania's own private area.
"Satania!"
Vignette nearly jumped up, slapping away that restless hand. Her sudden outburst made them both almost roll right off the narrow couch.
"Mmm…five more minutes…"
Satania murmured, turning over, nearly pulling on Vignette's hair. Vignette took a deep breath, guilt washing over her.
"We really shouldn't have snooped…"
She mumbled, hiding her face in her hands, recalling the very intimate noises from last night. For this well-meaning devil, the memory was so embarrassing she wanted to disappear.
"Satania, wake up!"
She nudged her friend's shoulder:
"We should head out before Rei Ao wakes—"
Suddenly, the doorknob of the adjacent bedroom clicked. Vignette froze. She slowly turned her head and saw "Sakurajima Mai" emerge, rubbing her eyes.
"M-morning, Mai-senpai!"
Vignette exclaimed on reflex, voice trembling with nerves.
"Sakurajima Mai" stopped, blinked in confusion:
"Why call me Mai? I'm Nodoka…"
She broke off mid-sentence, eyes widening in shock. Her gaze dropped to her body—long legs, a full chest, and that overly grown-up silk nightgown. Instantly, memories of last night hit her like lightning.
"Wait—this wasn't a dream?!"
Nodoka whispered, horrified. She lifted her head to check around. Indeed, this wasn't her home. Last night, she'd gone to bed alongside Mai-sis—learning how to "be Mai"—yet now she was alone in the room.
An awful possibility struck her: if she and Mai truly swapped souls…where was the real Mai—occupying Nodoka's body—right now?
Considering her cousin and Rei Ao were engaged, plus that last night's "couple's business" had been in progress when the swap occurred…
"N-no way…"
Nodoka's lips quivered, a terrifying notion flashing across her mind. Without minding Vignette's puzzled stare or the newly-woken Satania, she dashed toward the master bedroom in two strides.
Vignette had no clue why Nodoka was so flustered; she simply followed behind as Nodoka yanked the door open.
Inside the main bedroom, Rei Ao was leaning against the headboard, apparently just awakened. Around him, besides Futaba and others who were dozing, was "Toyohama Nodoka" nestling on his shoulder. Or more accurately, that was Sakurajima Mai occupying Nodoka's body, wearing Nodoka's pajamas.
"You…you—!"
The real Nodoka pointed at the two cuddled together in bed, voice warping with shock.
"Ahhh!!!"
Her shriek cut sharply through the morning hush. Rei Ao was already wide awake, as were the rest, blinking drowsily.
"What…?"
Mai—inside Nodoka's body—took in the sight of "herself" at the door, stifling a trace of embarrassment before regaining composure:
"Calm down, Nodoka."
She spoke in Nodoka's voice, but with Mai's steadiness.
"We didn't do anything."
"Nothing?!"
Nodoka, brandishing an accusing finger at their intimate posture, nearly squeaked:
"Then what's…this supposed to be? My first—!"
"I just happen to sleep this way."
Mai decisively cut off Nodoka's ambiguous words, offering her own explanation with total composure.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!