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"Heheh."Riku couldn't help but pinch Fia's ear lightly. She was just too cute.
In an instant, Fia's body gave a small shiver. But she didn't push him away, just let him play with her animal ears like it was no big deal.
Man... I really can't wait for tonight.
A smirk tugged at Riku's lips as his mind started wandering.
"Heheh~ Master, what were you two talking about? Can I join the fun too?"Jibril walked over with a bright smile, clearly curious after seeing how weirdly flustered Fia looked.
"You? Nah, forget it. Come back when you're back to your original self. You're just not cutting it right now."Riku gave her a side glance and shook his head with a dramatic sigh.
"Ugh! My powers are drained! Without that special method from Avant Heim, it'll take months to recover on my own..."Jibril sighed gloomily.
Riku was just starting to wonder if this crazy angel was actually feeling down—and even debated whether he should give her that high-grade ration pill—when her expression suddenly flipped.
"Eheheh~ But Master, I don't get it. Why does Fia get your love, but I don't? I mean, if we're talking about cuteness, I'm definitely not losing to her!"Jibril straightened her posture, looking both confident and puzzled.
That comment made Fia shoot her a glare, clearly annoyed. She looked like she wanted to bite Jibril on the spot.
"Sigh... Jibril, you really don't get it, do you?" Riku gave her a sorrowful look.
"Huh? What don't I get?"Jibril tilted her head in confusion.
"Fia is the embodiment of moe. She's got the age and the size—she nails the first impression. And don't forget the beast ears. You just don't have that kind of appeal."Riku said it like he was announcing a universal truth.
Even though it made Fia blush like crazy, she couldn't hide the proud little smile tugging at her lips. Her ears twitched happily.
"And you, Jibril? You used to have that 'cool older woman' vibe. Now you're trying to pull off the cutesy act? Sorry, it's just not working. A mature-type character should stick to her lane."Riku shook his head, full-on lecture mode."You're clearly the sexy type, trying to compete in Fia's 'cute' territory? That's just asking to lose."
"Ah, now I get it. So Master's actually a complete 'moe-con'. I totally misunderstood you before. My bad~"Jibril's eyes sparkled, as if she had just unlocked some hidden truth.
"...!"Riku's eyes widened."Oi, don't just assign weird labels to people!"
"Eheheh~ So Master's finally going to punish me? I've been waiting~ But... after you punish me, can I also study your body up close? I promise I won't do anything too weird."Her eyes gleamed with a perverse excitement.
Yeah... Riku had clearly underestimated just how much of a pervert Jibril really was.
Even hearing the word punishment just made her more excited.It was enough to make Riku's face twitch.
Dealing with crazy perverts like this… punishment seems more like a reward to them.
Even Fia turned her head away with a sigh, like she couldn't even be bothered to deal with Jibril anymore.Suddenly, competing with a perverted lunatic for Riku's affection felt pretty stupid...
"Riku, I want to play a game."Out of nowhere, Shuubi chimed in.
"Uh..."Riku turned toward her. Shuubi seemed a little off, staring at him like she was sulking or something.
"Shuubi, let's play next time, okay?"He scratched his head awkwardly, remembering how dangerous Shuubi's games could get.
If he lost, she wouldn't care who was around—she'd absolutely pounce on him.
Usually, that might be fun. But here? With everyone watching? Not worth the risk.
"No. I want to play now."She said it flat-out.
"Ooh~ Now I'm really curious. What kind of game do you two play, Master? Can I join too?"Jibril giggled mischievously.
"I'm in too," Fia added at just the right moment.
"Ahem! It's just chess. Let's play next time."Riku tried to sound casual.
"Oh really?"Both girls looked skeptical.
"Yeah, just regular old chess. Only... the loser has to... mmph!"Shuubi was about to spill the beans—but Riku quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.
Are you trying to get me killed, woman?!
"Huh... very suspicious," Fia muttered, puffing her cheeks.Yep. Definitely something fishy going on here.
Meanwhile, Jibril was practically foaming at the mouth with curiosity.
"This place is a circus..."In the corner, Shinku watched the scene unfold, expression complicated.
Who would've thought? Not long ago, they'd all been at each other's throats.Now they were lounging around in a hot spring, chatting like old friends.
Beastkin, Ex-Machina, Flügel... all gathered around this man.And even she had ended up as his maid.
Humans really are something else...Shinku sighed.
In the end, the chaotic hot spring party finally settled down.Everyone changed into yukatas and headed off to enjoy a dinner prepared by the beastkin maids.
During the meal, the elders of the beastkin showed such ridiculous respect toward Riku, even Shinku was shocked.
After they finished eating, it was finally time for bed. It had been a long day—either running for their lives or fighting nonstop. Everyone was beat.
But thanks to some very intentional planning by Fia, the rooms were all arranged separately.Even she and Riku weren't in the same room.
Shinku fell asleep first. She hadn't felt this relaxed in ages.Though the whole "now-I'm-a-maid" thing still bothered her.
But half an hour later, under cover of night...a small figure quietly slipped out of her room, tiptoeing like a thief in the dark toward Riku's room.
Animal ears twitching, red eyes sparkling beneath her blue hair, wearing a cute little yukata—it was none other than Hatsuse Fia.
Tonight, she had a special promise to keep with Riku~.
"....."