"You're going to help me?" Shichen gave Momo a puzzled look.
"Yup. No one knows Nana better than I do. With my help, you'll get twice the results for half the effort!" Momo said proudly.
"You haven't even dealt with me yet, and you're already thinking of helping with Nana?"
"That's because Brother-in-law likes Nana~ For Brother-in-law, I can do anything," Momo said, completely righteous.
"So good to me, huh?"
"Of course. I'm the one who thinks about Brother-in-law the most."
"That so? Thanks… but I'll pass." Shichen ruffled her hair.
"Eh? Why?"
"Stuff like that I should handle myself."
"How can you…."
"You look awfully disappointed," Shichen said, amused.
"N-no I don't…" Momo turned her eyes away, flustered.
"Like I don't know you? Plotting something, aren't you?"
"I… I'm not…"
"You're going to keep secrets from Brother-in-law?" Shichen pretended to get stern.
"Uu… fine. I was thinking… if I help Brother-in-law, then Brother-in-law might grant my wish."
"A wish?"
"Um… I'd rather keep that a secret for now~" Momo winked playfully, covering one eye.
"Still keeping secrets, huh…" Shichen shook his head. "If there's something you want, just do it. I'll definitely go along with you."
"I'd like to, but there's never any chance…" Momo pouted.
"Yeah? Then work hard to make those chances."
"Then when the time comes, you're not allowed to turn me down."
"You care so much about me, of course I'll grant your wish."
"Then we're good~"
"Momo, you wouldn't happen to be thinking of…" Yui looked at Momo's expectant face, wanting to ask but stopping halfway.
"Thinking of what?" Momo tilted her head.
"…Nothing."
Yui decided not to say it. She shook her head and changed the subject. "Anyway, you're really going to help Shichen chase Nana? You're serious?"
"Well, Nana's interested in Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law likes Nana, so there's no problem."
"But… she's your twin. And you like Shichen too, don't you?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"What's… wrong… You aliens really think differently."
"It's not weird at all. That way we both get to be with the person we like, and we sisters get to stay together. Isn't that perfect?"
"Uh…" Yui had no comeback.
Somehow what Momo said sounded strangely convincing—but also wildly off.
Given her current situation though, she really wasn't in a position to argue about morals.
…
After lunch, Shichen sent Lala and the others back to school, then returned alone and headed to the island.
Ryoko was still asleep, but Shichen's arrival woke her.
"W-what are you doing?" she asked, voice trembling as he slowly approached the bed.
"…What are you taking me for? The way you are right now, how am I supposed to do anything to you?" he said helplessly.
Ryoko exhaled, relieved, and shot him a glare. "Who knows with you? I felt like you weren't even satisfied earlier, you were insane—thought I really might die."
"It wasn't that bad…"
Just remembering what he'd put her through that morning made her shiver. Cranking the frequency up like that was terrifying.
She'd practically lost her mind.
Like in those videos where they say "I'm gonna break."
"It's not that serious. Let me treat you a bit." Shichen set the food he brought down by the bed, then slipped his hand under the covers.
"Wait!" Ryoko recoiled.
"Relax, I'm really just healing you. Heal." Shichen chuckled.
And, well, she was swollen.
"What kind of power is that?" Ryoko realized he was, in fact, treating her, and relaxed again—then got curious.
It was a strange feeling. She could clearly sense herself recovering.
"You forgot? I used this on you last time too. How else do you think you got out of bed the next day?" he teased.
"Jerk~ How was I supposed to know? I just woke up all fine, I didn't know what you did," she grumbled.
"It's a skill from another world. You've seen those anime and light novels, right? The kind where they can instantly heal people?"
"Another world? Haven't seen them," Ryoko said, frowning.
"Then you can start watching. Good reference material. That way when you go someday, you won't be totally clueless."
"When I go… someday?" Ryoko stared at him.
"You'll find out in time," Shichen said, pulling his hand back and casually sniffing his fingers.
"Smells pretty nice, actually."
"Do you want to die!?" Ryoko's face flared red; she smacked him.
"Haha~ C'mon, eat something. You must be starving."
"Whose fault do you think that is?"
"Fine, fine, it's all my fault. Want me to feed you?"
"…Okay."
"Oh?" Shichen hadn't expected her to agree. He'd only been half-joking; he thought she'd refuse out of embarrassment.
But Ryoko just tilted her head and opened her mouth slightly.
Shichen blinked, then his mind shifted gears, and he picked up the food and started to feed her.
Feeding a woman was its own kind of pleasure; with someone as mature as Ryoko, the contrast was even stronger.
He fed her gently and quietly.
Ryoko quietly tasted each bite.
Once he was done, Shichen didn't stick around to bother her rest. He left the island and returned to school.
Back at the office, he hadn't been there long when an unexpected message arrived.
The invitation he'd sent to Kyouko Kirisaki to come tour the school? She'd accepted.
They set it for Friday; she still had filming the next two days.
Any day would've worked for him, but—mission accomplished for Lala and the others.
After classes, Shichen passed the news along to them. It wasn't just Lala—Frieren actually looked excited too.
That night, while Magical Girl Kyouko played on TV, everyone was unusually hyped, wishing they could meet her right away.
Magical girls really had terrifying pull.
Over the next two days, the news spread around the school like wildfire; soon, everyone knew, and the whole student body was restless.
Shichen had underestimated her influence. Turns out every student at the school was her fan.
Which meant when she showed up, things were going to get wild.
Friday came quickly. The students were more keyed up than ever; a lot of them showed up earlier than usual.
Why? No need to ask—they wanted a better shot at seeing the magical girl.
Of course, she wasn't going to be as early as they were.
During second period, Shichen got the message in his office and headed for the front gate.
With Kyouko's level of fame, the principal didn't really need to personally greet her, but she'd specifically requested that he be the one to meet her.
They were at least a bit acquainted, after all.
He was free anyway, so he agreed.
At the gate, he saw a conspicuous black van; just as he arrived, the door slid open and a bright, stylish figure stepped out.
Kyouko Kirisaki really was beautiful. Her short black hair was sleek and glossy, her small face delicate, her figure slender yet nicely curved. She radiated an eye-catching aura.
She wore a white blouse with ruffled trim and a black miniskirt. Simple black-and-white, but on her it just worked.
"Shichen-san," Kyouko said with a dazzling smile as she walked toward him.
"Kyouko, long time no see."
"Yeah, I thought maybe you'd forgotten about me already~" she teased, tilting her head up at him in a cute pose.
"Hardly. Lala and the others watch your magical girl show every day. I couldn't forget you if I tried," Shichen chuckled.
"Really? That's a little embarrassing," Kyouko said, looking shy.
"No need. You do a great job."
"Then… Shichen-san, do you like watching it too?" she asked, hands tucked behind her back, voice playful.
"Me? I kind of like it, yeah," Shichen nodded.
"Good. I'm relieved," Kyouko said, patting her chest.
"Where's your manager?" Shichen asked, noticing the van had already driven off.
"I didn't let them tag along~" Kyouko answered.
"Why? You're really famous."
"Isn't Shichen-san here? You'll keep me safe, right?"
"Well, I did invite you…"
"Hehe~" Kyouko suddenly laughed.
"What?"
"We know each other a bit already, don't we? No need to be so formal," she said.
"Fair point."
"Then… show me around your school, okay?"
"Sure… and this is?" Shichen looked down at her outstretched hand, confused.
"Aren't you supposed to let me borrow your arm?" Kyouko asked with a smile.