However, this matter was originally started by her.
If she were to back down at this critical juncture, it would be too unreasonable.
Therefore, Senjumaru had no choice but to brace herself, trying to overcome that indescribable sense of shyness in her heart, and began to measure Aozaki Reiji's body.
"...As expected, it's a perfect figure as always, Reiji-kun... You should at least see me as a woman, you know."
If it were any other woman, they probably would have pounced on you like a beast by now...
Senjumaru muttered to herself.
But her movements did not dare to slow down in the slightest; she honestly took out a ruler.
She meticulously measured Aozaki Reiji, from shoulder width to thigh length, every single detail.
...Why is it so hot here... Strange, why is Reiji-kun completely unresponsive?
"Reiji-kun's self-control has suddenly improved... Or is it just because I changed clothes, and he's no longer attracted to me?"
Senjumaru's mood was a mix of joy and frustration, intertwined, making her feel extremely conflicted.
Her six skeletal arms behind her began to move over Aozaki Reiji's body, as if checking for flaws in her meticulously crafted work.
After a careful confirmation, she determined that her work had no flaws, and only then did she push open the door and walk out with peace of mind.
"My craftsmanship is pretty good, isn't it, Reiji-kun!"
The corners of Senjumaru's mouth curved upwards, her face full of smiles, like a blooming carnation, radiating a charming glow.
Indeed, the feeling of joy was stronger; Senjumaru frankly admitted her current mood.
.......
As a result, that day, the trio's lunch and dinner were all taken care of at Senjumaru's Zero Division Palace.
By the time they returned to the Gatonden, it was already late at night.
Senjumaru enthusiastically said exaggerated words like "They look so good, let's make a set of everything," and made various styles of clothes for both of them.
Ultimately, Aozaki Reiji and Hikifune Kirio's trip to Senjumaru's place suddenly resulted in an extra-large wardrobe that could occupy an entire room.
At night, everything was silent.
Hikifune Kirio and Aozaki Reiji entered the room together.
Hikifune Kirio silently sat on the large bed.
Her gaze was calm yet sharp, carefully scrutinizing Aozaki Reiji's body from head to toe.
Aozaki Reiji stood there, motionless, like a statue.
The corners of Hikifune Kirio's mouth curved slightly, revealing a brilliant smile.
But her eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly hiding some deeper meaning, and she softly said:
"How nice."
It was unclear whether this remark was an evaluation or a sigh about Aozaki Reiji; her voice was so soft that only she could hear it.
On the other side of the Gatonden.
"...Ahhhhhh!!"
Senjumaru still lived here; she returned to her room and threw herself onto the bed.
She had just finished bathing and was still wearing the purple yukata that Aozaki Reiji had chosen for her during the day.
Kicking off her high-heeled geta casually onto the floor, Senjumaru finally had time to vent her complex emotions from the entire day.
She hugged her pillow tightly, her body uncontrollably rolling around on the bed, making her clothes and the sheets a mess.
"Reiji-kun, really... Why did he suddenly say such things! So serious... He actually seemed quite reliable."
Senjumaru didn't even know if her current mood was happy or angry.
She could only bury her face deep in the bedding, desperately pounding the quilt.
Aozaki Reiji's impression on her today was simply perfect...
No, it had already surpassed perfect, breaking through the upper limit.
Whether it was his cooperative attitude or the subtle excitement brought by his meticulous care, these were all skilled techniques honed over a long period.
Even an old antique like her, from a thousand years ago, could clearly feel Aozaki Reiji's delicate thoughts.
As Senjumaru relived the events of the day, she couldn't help but giggle to herself.
She suddenly sat upright, gently caressing her cheek, finding it a bit warm.
Since returning to the Gatonden late at night, her heart had been pounding.
Initially, she merely regarded Aozaki Reiji as a talented and obedient young man.
However, as time passed, she gradually realized that Aozaki Reiji had become an exceptionally powerful individual, even surpassing herself.
Later, Aozaki Reiji unreservedly displayed his uninhibited nature, constantly teasing her.
But at the same time, she also knew he was a man with a very attractive side.
Senjumaru's perception of Aozaki Reiji was constantly undergoing tremendous changes.
She began to find it difficult to discern which was the true Aozaki Reiji, or rather, if these different images were all part of him.
However, today, what touched her the most was Aozaki Reiji's recognition of Senjumaru as a "person."
— You don't need to feel ashamed. You can stand tall with your chest out and slap the faces of those who dare to mock you, as a person.
It wasn't that she had never thought about it; rather, she had never been willing to think about such things.
Even now, whenever she recalled Aozaki Reiji's serious smile at that moment, Senjumaru would feel an uncontrollable excitement and accelerated heartbeat deep within her.
She had simply stayed alone in the Great Palace for too long, which was why she reacted so excessively to every move of Aozaki Reiji.
Senjumaru told herself this, but the vexation in her heart could not be quelled.
She could only keep rolling around on the bed, trying to alleviate her inner turmoil in this way.
However, no matter what, that feeling of vexation always lingered.
Nevertheless, after calming down a little, Senjumaru finally stopped rolling.
She lay on her side on the bed, her eyes unfocused, as if lost in her own thoughts.
"...My junior is Reiji-kun... Seems pretty good, actually."
Senjumaru murmured softly, a relieved smile appearing on her face.
Someone who understood her, who, after realizing that the true Senjumaru was actually an ordinary woman far from being a "god," still accepted her unreservedly.
Not only that, he was even glad that she was still "herself."
The impact this had on Senjumaru was something no one else could truly feel.
Thump! Just then, her heart suddenly gave a violent thump.
It was as if someone had struck a drum inside her chest, emitting a dull yet loud sound.
This was completely different from her usual heartbeat.
Senjumaru, in her dazed state, widened her eyes and clutched her chest in surprise.
A strange nervousness surged within her, making Senjumaru feel a bit flustered.
She didn't know what this peculiar sensation meant—was it a physical problem or some other unknown factor?
She tried hard to calm down, but her heart continued to race uncontrollably, as if something was about to burst forth.
As if checking for any abnormalities in her body, Senjumaru's hands slid from her chest to her abdomen, meticulously examining every spot.
But everything seemed perfectly normal, with no irregularities whatsoever.
Yet, someone seemed to come to mind.
Snapping back to reality, she quickly shook her head, as if to dispel the distracting thoughts in her mind.