Miyuki sat in the Yotsuba main estate, her mind miles away. Though she was there to oversee the formal purging of Aoki, she couldn't stop the restless fluttering in her chest whenever she thought of Tatsuya. Beside her, Minami Sakurai was in a similar state of agitation. Minami had already resolved that once she moved into the Shiba home, caring for Tatsuya would be her primary duty. To have that purpose sidelined so early into her tenure—and by a machine, no less—left her feeling understandably unsettled.
"It is Brother we are talking about, so I know there is no chance of him being… bewitched by Pixie," Miyuki murmured, her voice laced with a trace of uncertainty. "But I cannot help but worry that she might establish a foothold in that house while we are away."
"Master Tatsuya holds the legal ownership of that robot, but her presence is technically a loan agreement with the school," Minami replied, her tone professional yet strained. "Even if she were to 'create a place' for herself, she is ultimately destined to be returned to First High, Lady Miyuki."
"Y-yes, of course. You're right. Besides, it's not as if Brother would ever spend his time playing with a doll."
Miyuki trusted Tatsuya implicitly. Yet, the thought of another woman in her home while she was gone—and in Miyuki's mind, Pixie was very much a "woman" intent on meddling with her brother—dutifully attending to Tatsuya's every need was enough to make her magic fluctuate dangerously. However, Tatsuya wasn't here to keep her stable. Causing a scene within the Yotsuba estate would be a diplomatic nightmare and could potentially jeopardize Tatsuya's standing within the family.
"Lady Miyuki, Aoki has returned," Hayama's voice drifted through the door.
"Understood. I will be there shortly."
Miyuki took a deep breath, steadying her heart. The thought of finally delivering judgment upon the man who had dared to insult and belittle her brother sent a surge of dark exhilaration through her. She suppressed it immediately; if she entered the room in such a state, Aoki might sense her intent and grow cautious. She needed to regain her usual mask of frozen composure.
"Minami-chan, let us go."
"Yes, Lady Miyuki."
Minami followed as an attendant, but in Tatsuya's absence, she was effectively acting as Miyuki's Guardian. Whether indoors or out, protecting Miyuki was her sole raison d'être. She would stand by during the purge, and if the order were given, she would not hesitate to strike Aoki herself.
"Remember, Minami-chan, you are only there as an observer," Miyuki said, as if sensing the girl's lethal intent. "The task of purging Aoki-san falls to me and my Aunt."
"As you wish, Lady Miyuki."
Minami felt as though her inner thoughts had been laid bare, but she was far too well-trained to let it show on her face. She simply accepted it; after all, it was only natural that Miyuki would see through her.
Later, Minami would testify that when Miyuki entered the room to join Maya, who was already waiting, the air grew so heavy it felt as if the light had been swallowed whole. For a moment, she'd been under the chilling illusion that the very temperature of the room had plummeted to absolute zero.
The purge complete, Miyuki and Minami hurried back to the villa, heading straight for the basement where they expected Tatsuya to be. They passed Pixie in the living room, but they didn't have a spare second to give the robot a thought.
"Brother, it's Miyuki. We've returned."
Miyuki called out through the door and let out a sigh of relief when she heard the faint sound of movement from within. Her intuition had been right; he was in his lab.
"Welcome back. That was fast," Tatsuya said, stepping out.
"I simply went to deliver the punishment Aoki-san deserved for his disrespect toward you."
"Toward me? That's hardly a novelty."
Tatsuya had never spared a thought for Aoki's attitude, but it was a constant thorn in the side for both Miyuki and Maya. Tatsuya was aware of their feelings, of course, but since he considered being looked down upon an unavoidable part of his role, he had no intention of complaining about the man.
"Putting that aside, Brother… did Pixie do anything untoward?"
"Not particularly. She is a domestic support robot by design; I found her work to be quite seamless."
"I see. Well, Minami-chan and I will take over the cleaning and laundry now. Please, Brother, return to your work."
"The cleaning and laundry?" Tatsuya tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. "I believe Pixie has already finished all of that."
Miyuki and Minami exchanged a panicked glance before turning on their heels and racing back up the stairs.
"Pixie, a word if you please," Miyuki demanded.
『Yes, Lady Miyuki. How may I assist you?』
The conversation took place via psychokinesis, a mental link that Minami was also privy to. It wasn't that Pixie had intentionally adjusted her output for the Guardian; she simply saw Minami's curious expression and decided to include her in the "broadcast" to Miyuki.
"Thank you for looking after my brother in our absence," Miyuki said, her voice taut. "However, we are back now. You may retire quietly to the garage."
『I am afraid I cannot comply. My only commanding officer is Master Tatsuya. Regardless of your status as his sister, you do not possess the authority to command me. That applies to you as well, Miss Minami.』
"I have no intention of 'commanding' you," Minami interjected sharply. "However, caring for Master Tatsuya is our sacred duty. I would simply ask that a newcomer not overstep and attempt to usurp our roles."
『Serving Master Tatsuya is my very purpose for existing,』 Pixie countered. 『It is the foundation of my being, and the core of the emotions I have developed.』
Minami, who hadn't been briefed on the finer details of the Parasite incident, didn't fully grasp half of what Pixie was saying. What she did understand, with crystal clarity, was that Pixie was yet another individual captivated by Tatsuya—a potential rival. Minami chose not to examine exactly what kind of "rival" a robot could be, but the threat felt real nonetheless.
『I only have a few days remaining in Master Tatsuya's presence,』 Pixie added. 『I ask that the two of you exercise patience until then.』
"Absolutely not!" Miyuki cried. "Caring for Brother is my exclusive privilege. Both you and Minami-chan need to learn some restraint!"
"With all due respect, Lady Miyuki, caring for Master Tatsuya is my mission, just as caring for you is. It is you who should practice restraint."
『At this moment, I am the one Master Tatsuya has entrusted with the household affairs,』 Pixie stated flatly. 『Are the two of you truly prepared to ignore Master Tatsuya's explicit will?』
As the three of them bickered at the entrance of the living room, a sharp, light mental shock rippled through their minds. They spun around to find Tatsuya standing there, rubbing his temples with an expression of pure exasperation.
"You're being noisy. If you all want to work so badly, then divide the chores between the three of you. If you can't manage that, I'll just go back to doing everything myself."
Faced with that ultimatum, the three of them begrudgingly agreed to a division of labor.
A few days later, Pixie was returned to First High—only to suffer a series of suspicious "malfunctions" that resulted in her storage being moved from the school garage back to the Shiba residence. Once again, the three of them were forced to share the workload.
Tatsuya let out a quiet sigh as he allowed the three of them to fuss over him. He knew that if Miyuki ever found out Pixie had actually slept in his room during her absence, the situation would become far more "troublesome." For now, he decided, some secrets were better left in the dark.
(Author's Note: Pixie is moving to ensure First High has no choice but to leave her with Tatsuya… She's quite the tactician, isn't she?)
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