Crack...
Before her sat an orange the size of her palm. Seeing this, the Shogun picked it up and peeled it with her fingertips, revealing the orange-red, juicy flesh within. The fragrance of citrus instantly filled her nose. She quite liked this scent, only—
"Mm~ so sour..."
She parted her lips and took a small bite, only to be met with a piercing sourness that spread through her mouth, causing her violet eyes to narrow in discomfort. She had expected something sweet and tart, but not this extreme.
[If it's too sour, then don't eat it. Just watching you makes my mouth pucker.]
Raiden Ei's voice sounded at the right moment within her mind. Seeing the pained expression her daughter had just made, she herself felt a phantom sourness in her mouth.
"It is fine. I will add some sugar afterward."
She replied casually and softly.
[In that case, you might as well drink orange juice.]
Ei suggested.
"...Orange juice?"
She paused.
[Yes. Juice it, then you can add sugar easily. It will taste much better than eating it like this.]
"You just want to drink it, don't you?"
She teased.
[Ahem... that thought did cross my mind, but—yes, mostly for your taste experience.]
Ei coughed awkwardly, attempting a weak defense.
"Mm-hm. Thank you for the reminder."
She replied lightly, then placed the peeled orange into the machine before her, closing the lid and preparing to press the switch below.
[Pfft...]
Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei smiled faintly. Her daughter had become far more emotionally expressive than at the beginning, even capable of teasing remarks like this. She found it increasingly adorable and felt deeply satisfied.
"Um... Shogun-sama?"
"Mm?"
Hearing a soft call from the other side of the kitchen, she looked toward the blue-haired maid with short hair.
"Were you talking to yourself just now?"
Rem, who was shaping rice balls, asked cautiously. She was certain she had not misheard. The Shogun had been speaking to the air for some time now. She had noticed it before but never asked.
"...?"
Beside her, another maid dressed identically but with red hair, Ram, also looked over curiously, even pausing her chopping.
"Talking to myself? Me?"
The Shogun blinked in confusion.
"Yes." ×2
The pink-haired and blue-haired girls answered together.
'Is that so, Ei?'
She instinctively asked her mother.
[Yes, you were speaking aloud just now.]
Ei confirmed.
'I forgot.'
She sighed faintly. Back in Inazuma, Ei usually manifested physically, so they spoke normally rather than through thoughts. Over time, she had unconsciously continued the same habit here. A miscalculation indeed.
"Shogun-sama, are you ill? D-dissociative personality disorder?!"
Rem's speculation escalated quickly, her face turning pale.
"Rem, saying that might hurt Shogun-sama's feelings."
Ram sighed and commented dryly.
"Ah... I'm sorry, Shogun-sama."
Rem apologized immediately.
"Ha... it is fine. Merely a habit. It is not as serious as Rem suggested."
She shook her head gently, answering calmly as always.
"Ha... that's a relief. I was worried you might suddenly become the type who erupts in anger, then turns quiet, then startles people unpredictably."
Rem sighed in relief and bluntly voiced her inner thoughts.
"While I understand your concern, that description feels rather impolite."
She folded her arms, narrowing her eyes in mild exasperation. Then she looked at the still-inactive machine and pressed the switch again.
Click~
Still no response. There was no mixing movement inside, not even a sound.
"?"
...Why?
She froze in confusion, pressing the switch repeatedly. Still nothing.
"Ha... Shogun-sama, you haven't connected the power source."
Ram noticed and sighed, setting down her knife, washing her hands casually, and walking over to inform her.
"Power source? Does it require Electro energy?"
"Yes."
Crackle...
The Shogun raised her hand, gathering dense lightning in her palm, intending to pour it directly into the machine.
"...It will explode."
Ram narrowed her eyes and said flatly.
"Then what should I do?"
She withdrew her hand, muttering in a slightly aggrieved tone that felt oddly cute.
"Ha... did you forget? I taught you before. That magic stone will do."
Ram picked up the magic stone placed beside the machine.
Beep—
She pressed it into the groove on the machine's panel. The stone attached magnetically and emitted a soft blue glow. The light spread through the patterns of the device, and the machine let out a crisp activation sound.
"I see... must it truly be this complicated?"
The Shogun stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"No, it isn't complicated at all. You just aren't used to it yet."
Ram replied tiredly.
"And now I may press it?"
She asked.
"Yes."
Click.
Vrrrr~
Splash~! ×N
The moment she pressed the switch, juice began swirling violently inside. The intact orange was gradually shredded, turning into pale yellow liquid as a rich citrus fragrance filled the kitchen.
After a few minutes... Ram skillfully poured the freshly made orange juice into a cup.
"Would you like sugar added, Shogun-sama?"
She asked casually.
"Thank you."
She nodded like a child.
"Pfft... of course~"
Ram smiled indulgently and added a modest spoonful of sugar before stirring evenly.
"Perhaps a little more?"
She asked.
"No~ adding more will ruin the taste. And too much sugar is unhealthy, Shogun-sama."
Ram refused firmly, handing the prepared juice to her with a straw.
She was not human. What difference would it make if she consumed more? ...Well, never mind.
She did not argue and obediently accepted the drink.
[Let me have a sip...]
Ei sounded eager.
'Nope~'
She refused teasingly.
[Hm~ how cruel. Raising you was for nothing.]
The other complained gloomily.
'Wait until I've drunk half.'
[Forget it. You drink it all. I don't want it that badly.]
'Really?'
[Mm...]
'Then I'll drink it.'
Gulp~
She began drinking.
[!!]
Ei shut her eyes tightly, refusing to watch the diminishing orange juice.
'Pfft, come out~ I'll let you drink.'
The Shogun laughed at her reaction and indulgently switched places with her.
When Ei opened her eyes, she found herself standing in the kitchen, Ram and Rem working beside her. She blinked in surprise.
'Shogun? What is this...'
[So you can drink. Look how tempted you were. Would your daughter ever treat you badly?]
Back within the Plane of Euthymia, the Shogun teased her gently.
'Smooth talker~'
Ei's heart warmed at the words. Like a young girl, she opened her lips around the straw and drank the sweet juice with a blissful expression.
"Shogun-sama really loves sweets."
Ram smiled faintly and teased.
"Indeed... sweets and dango milk are treasures of this world."
Ei nodded, answering with quiet satisfaction.
[Do not say such strange things publicly~!]
The Shogun protested tiredly. After all, Ei was using her body. If her established persona were ruined, it would be rather awkward.
"..."
Ram blinked. Although she did not know what dango milk was, seeing the smile on the purple-haired woman's face filled her with relief. Then she noticed Rem looking at her.
"What is it, Rem?"
She asked.
"Big sister, you look very happy right now."
Rem said warmly.
"Me? Happy?"
"Yes. You've been smiling ever since earlier. I haven't seen you smile like this in a long time."
Rem looked at her gently.
"Is that so..."
Ram paused, touching the corner of her mouth. She glanced at the purple-haired woman beside her drinking orange juice, then let out a small, wry sigh.
Perhaps it was because she was with her.