Chapter 177. Bronya: You Light the Fire and Think You Can Run?
"Stop, stop, stop.
The game community hasn't been set up yet, so don't rush."
Seeing Bronya get more and more excited—already talking about developing Gensokyo in virtual reality—Xander Masato quickly wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her still, giving the duck's butt a little pinch to remind her to calm down.
"Mm…"
When the soft flesh got squeezed, Bronya shifted a little uneasily on his lap, but she did obediently quiet down.
"Let's not think that far ahead yet.
First things first—let's get the game community built."
When they started talking business just now, Elysia received a call from Eden.
Delighted, she ran upstairs to chat.
Seele, cheeks red, slipped into the bathroom in a hurry, and soon the splash—splash—of water came from inside.
"The more you think, the more you'll feel there's too much to do.
That just makes you tired and lazy.
Better to set a short-term goal and get the community done first."
With Elysia and Seele gone, his hands naturally got restless.
His palm slid under the hem and lightly scratched at Bronya's waist.
He felt her tense up, her whole body trembling once.
"G-got it."
She wriggled a bit, only to find the arms hugging her had tightened.
Mei is still right across from us.
If she sees…
Crap.
Why does that make it feel even more exciting?
Ashamed of her increasingly pervy thoughts, yet driven by instinct, she stayed well-behaved in Xander's arms, obediently accepting the teasing.
"What about game modes?
Any ideas?"
Kaguya picked up the thread.
"You mean those backstories?"
As his hands slowly climbed higher, Bronya bit down to suppress a low moan.
Behind her, Xander spoke unhurriedly.
"Bullet hell shooter.
Side-scrolling action.
Two-player fighter.
No need to make them too complex—just present the setting to players so it's easy for them to do secondary creations."
While talking, Xander's hands weren't idle. One finger deftly pushed aside the restraint, found the front-clasp mechanism, bent a knuckle, and gave a light flick.
"Click."
Bronya suddenly felt like she'd lost a certain sense of security and reflexively bent forward.
That movement only made it more convenient for a certain someone's next move.
"Got it.
Then we'll run a vote in the finished community when the time comes," Kaguya said after a moment's thought.
"None of that is a big problem, and the community doesn't have to be rushed either.
We can release it together with this round's card game."
At that time it could be like Planeswalkers' Camp, for players to study and copy decks.
His hands cupped the heart-stirring heaviness. He continued:
"I'll write out the major requirements that need to be met.
You two can handle the details."
"I… I suddenly remembered some work I haven't dealt with yet.
I'll go back to my room first."
Mei's hand holding her teacup had begun to tremble.
She forced her head down, but kept sneaking glances across the table.
It was her first time seeing Bronya with that expression—cheeks flushed, body soft, breathing ragged as if on purpose for her to hear, eyes misted over.
Especially that moment when their eyes met by accident—Bronya even gave her a slight smile.
That faint smile carried a thousand charms.
The intoxication of being steeped in desire shocked Mei to her core, and even made her own body feel strange.
T-this is the living room.
You two idiots!!!
She roared soundlessly inside and felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
She was happy they didn't treat her like an outsider.
But wasn't this a bit too much not treating her like an outsider?
W-what if they really did something right in front of her?
That… that would be far too shameless!
Her whole body tense, thighs rubbing slightly, Mei felt herself getting more and more off.
When an urge to keep watching arose, she jumped to her feet, made an excuse, and hurried back to her room.
"What's up with Mei?"
Sitting not far from them, Kaguya asked in confusion.
But she quickly returned to the topic.
"Bronya had lots of concrete ideas just now.
Let me and Bronya handle the detailing… Bronya?"
Turning her head, Kaguya finally noticed Bronya's current state—and the outline of a hand bulging at her chest.
Her voice caught.
Then she gave a helpless smile.
"Husband, don't go too far.
Mei will get mad."
"It's fine.
She's more or less used to it," Xander Masato said casually.
"Sigh, never mind.
I'll go talk to Mei.
Husband, you and Bronya—don't overdo it in the living room.
The others will notice easily."
With a sigh—no blame in her tone—Kaguya gave her husband a gentle look, stood up, walked to Mei's door, knocked, and went in.
At last, only two people were left in the living room.
Bronya no longer had to hold back so much.
Yielding to desire, she arched her chest hard.
Her slender, firm waist showed excellent flexibility at that moment.
Facing away, Bronya tilted her head back, cheeks flushed, tongue tip peeking out.
She cupped his face with both hands and, without a word, kissed him directly.
Frenzied.
Fervent.
Brimming with wanton demand.
After a while, when Xander felt the duck's hands begin tugging at his clothes, he quickly stopped her.
"Hey, you're not seriously thinking of doing it in the living room, are you?"
"Eh?
Weren't you the one who wanted the living room?"
Bronya murmured, eyes already filled with desire.
As if she saw her lover's dilemma, Bronya let out a scornful little laugh.
"What, you don't dare?"
You stoked my desire and want to run?
There's no such good deal in this world.
"…"
He had only been talking big.
In truth, he really didn't dare in the living room.
With another laugh, Bronya spun around to straddle him face-to-face.
"Dirty mind, no guts."
Her teasing tone made Xander's face burn.
He ventured, weakly, "How about… the bedroom?"
Bronya's fingertip gently tapped his chest.
She dipped her head and kissed lightly.
"The bathroom.
That's my bottom line."
"Seele is still in the bathroom."
"Isn't that even better?"
Bronya licked her lips, her smile growing even more bewitching.
...
The sun climbed slowly, and soon its warm light swept away the slight chill of early spring.
Click.
The bathroom door opened.
Steam drifted out.
Bronya and Seele stepped out, faces glowing, satisfied smiles at the corners of their lips, walking hand-in-hand and chatting.
A few seconds later, Xander Masato leaned on the doorframe, one hand on his waist, and let out a long sigh.
He had secretly asked when he'd gone to Schicksal last time.
For men and women, around age twenty-two is the best period for genetic adjustment.
If it's done too early, you can continue to grow by supplementing specific nutrients, but there's a chance you'll end up like Academy Head Theresa and never grow taller.
Although Xander felt his height of one-eighty was already enough, considering overall factors, he still set the adjustment surgery for two years later at age twenty-two.
Thinking that days like this would continue for another two years, Xander couldn't help rubbing his waist again.
"What's with you?
You look half-dead."
Just then Sirin's stream ended, and Kiana came downstairs yawning.
She was heading back to her room for a nap when she ran into Xander coming out of the bathroom.
He was only wearing a thin T-shirt and shorts, the faint outline of muscle visible beneath.
Kiana swallowed involuntarily.
Uh-oh.
I really want to touch.
Really want to lick.
Xander felt his body shiver.
Someone seemed to be eyeing his kidneys again.
He glanced around in puzzlement, then answered Kiana, "It's nothing.
I'm just a bit worn out from a shower."
"Worn out?"
Repeating in doubt, Kiana stepped closer to look him over.
"Worn out from a shower?
You must be pretty frail.
You've got such thick muscles—don't tell me it's all for show?"
"You're the frail one.
I actually…"
"What, actually what?"
Unable to help herself, Kiana slid a hand under his shirt to feel his abs.
Firm.
Nice to the touch.
And it makes my heart itch…
"Forget it.
Nothing."
He couldn't exactly say he'd been stuck between two witches and forced into a one-versus-two just now.
"Eh?
Now I'm even more curious!"
Ignoring Kiana's salty pig hand inside his shirt, he had entered the supreme sage mode.
This sort of thing couldn't stir up even a ripple in his heart.
"All right, all right.
Enough groping.
Let me rest a bit.
I'm exhausted."
"Eh~ just a couple of squeezes.
So stingy!"
Shaking off Kiana's hand, Xander yawned his way to the sofa, shot a fierce glare at the giggling Seele, then lay down with his head on her lap and shut his eyes.
He didn't dare glare at Bronya.
He was afraid she'd drag him back in for another round.
"Brother, good work~"
Seele gently stroked his hair, her voice very tender.
"Mm."
He really was worn out.
He nuzzled against the softness of her thighs and then buried his face at her belly.
The scent of shower gel had washed away the smell, so he wouldn't have to smell his own stuff.
Before he could rest for two minutes, the phone on the table suddenly went bzzz—bzzz—bzzz—.
"Brother, your call."
Seele picked up the phone and, in passing, glanced at the caller.
"It's Academy Head Theresa."
Looking at the words "Magical Girl Teriri" on the screen, Seele smiled.
"Academy Head?"
Frowning in puzzlement, Xander rolled over onto his back, took the phone, and answered straight away.
"Hello, Academy Head.
I remember going to Schicksal HQ is next week.
Why call now?"
In Theresa's treatment plan, he needed to go regularly once a month and stay about a week at Schicksal HQ each time.
There would be a Schicksal jet for transport.
St. Freya even had a helipad—very convenient.
"It's not about that.
I wanted to talk about something else this time."
Theresa sounded a little embarrassed.
"If you've got something to say, say it.
No promises I'll do it, though."
Hearing her tone, Xander spoke lazily with eyes still closed.
"Hey, hey, you.
When people talk, they start with small talk before bringing up the issue.
Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Rest time is precious.
Besides, we're close enough.
Isn't it better to get to the point?"
"Y-you've got a point."
In the Academy Head's office, Theresa slumped against the soft backrest, fretting.
She'd planned to warm him up first, then slowly ease into her request.
That approach was toast.
After a brief hesitation, she probed carefully, "Masato-kun, do you remember the St. Freya Mini-Game Festival?"
"Of course.
How could I forget my debut venue?
By my count, it's in about two months, right?"
He yawned and rolled over again—then suddenly froze mid-turn.
"Wait.
You're not thinking of asking me to participate again, are you?"
"Ahem… well, there is that teeny-tiny idea."
Theresa hooked her toes inside those crystal-clear white stockings, embarrassed.
"You joking, Academy Head?"
He popped a cherry into his mouth from Seele's feeding hand.
Sweet as it was, it did nothing to smooth the frown on his brow.
"No joke."
Her voice turned a little bitter.
"Since this sign-up didn't have Gensokyo's popularity buff, compared to last year the hype is basically cut in half.
Even participating studios are way fewer."
Holding her head, Theresa continued, "St. Freya's funds are tight again.
When I went back to Schicksal HQ last time, Grandpa didn't give much at all.
So I thought maybe I could use this event to ask Grandpa for a bigger allocation again…"
You little rascal.
St. Freya with you as Academy Head sure is Schicksal's "blessing."
By St. Freya's welfare standards, Theresa was something of an idealistic money-scatterer.
But as a beneficiary, Xander had nothing to complain about—he could only let Otto suffer a bit.
Considering they were going to be family in the future, it was better to help out his big sister-in-law.
He sighed and drawled, "Fine, fine.
Gensokyo just formed a new team.
I'll throw them a game to practice with at the Mini-Game Festival."
"Really?!"
Theresa cried out in delight.
"Why would I lie to you?
But you can't bill it as our entry.
Gensokyo can't afford to lose face right now."
"Don't worry.
As St. Freya's strategic partner, Gensokyo counts as a special guest, not part of the main ranking.
As for payment—how about three weeks of front-page feature on Titan Games?"
So she's just handed over the champion's reward?
Big sis-in-law knows what's up.
"Deal.
It's settled."
"Settled!
Then… can I spread the news?"
"Go ahead, go ahead."
"Great, hanging up now."
Very soon, the news that Gensokyo would take part in the new Mini-Game Festival spread like wildfire.
Many new studios saw the fresh announcement and were stunned.
"What?
We have to go up against Gensokyo?"
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