"Maria… of course it was her!" After hearing the whole story from Asia, Takumi muttered darkly. Yet the instant he saw Asia's slim waist and alabaster back, his irritation melted.
Maria, good job!!!
He should've had at least a full day of sage mode, but after back-to-back temptations, his gaze burned hotter and hotter.
Under his stare, a peachy blush bloomed across Asia's skin and cheeks. "T-Takumi-san, please… come this way," she whispered like a mosquito, turning her back in embarrassment rather than meet his eyes.
That very shyness bared her snow-smooth back and the soft, round lines of her figure—like a helpless little white rabbit.
"Haa… hss… haa…!" Takumi somehow kept his reason. Truth be told, Katerea had shouldered so much that he still had a shred of clarity left.
With Asia's timid air filling his vision, Takumi sat on the stool in front of her, presenting the sharply cut muscles of his back.
"Takumi-san's back is so firm~~" Her fingers traced his lines and she couldn't help a breathy murmur—this was her first time seeing a man's body up close, curiosity naturally stirring.
Asia's fair hands slid along… and she didn't notice the painfully conflicted look on Takumi's face.
Then she readied herself, squeezed body wash, and began to scrub.
"T-this… this isn't right, is it!?" Takumi trembled out a question, just as Asia's whisper reached his ear.
"Takumi-san, I'm not used to Maria-san's method… but I will do my very best." Her face was crimson, yet to fulfill this etiquette, Asia put in maximum effort.
Faced with such earnestness, Takumi didn't have the heart to expose Maria's lie. Maria, good job!!! he praised again inwardly, eyes drifting half-closed from how good it felt.
Sensing him relax, Asia smiled sweetly. If he was happy, her stubborn fight against shyness hadn't been in vain!
Mist fogged the bath. Takumi wasn't sure how he even made it out—first time realizing that soaking could be so taxing. Mostly, the look but don't eat was pure torment.
Even so, he kept the line and didn't devour the little white rabbit. If he overdid it now, he'd miss the night appointment he'd set that morning with Kayoko.
"Asia, this one belongs to Yuki. Wear it for now."
"Mm~~"
Trailing behind him like a well-behaved little wife, Asia obeyed every word.
A bit later, Asia stepped out in a white one-piece, returning from the bath with Takumi.
Seeing Asia intact, Maria's eyes went wide. "That's odd. Takumi-nii didn't go for the full pincer… so why did I get—"
Takumi shot her a flat look—he absolutely heard that mutter. You were the one asking for it last time!
"Hehe~ Takumi-nii, Asia-san—everyone, gather up! Dinner's ready." Feeling that look like a knife, Maria jolted and called the house to the table.
With fewer people around she did feel unsafe—every time she remembered last time, she still wondered how her belly hadn't split. Succubus or not, a girl has limits!
"Coming! Coming!" Yuki Suou trotted down with Mio. Seeing Asia in her dress, Yuki wasn't bothered—she gasped in admiration.
In the lace hemmed one-piece, Asia's golden hair, aquamarine eyes, and willowy figure looked ethereal. Snow-white legs peeked beneath the skirt; her tender skin seemed to glow. A natural saintly air made her feel like a beauty to be admired from afar.
"Asia, you look gorgeous—this dress suits you."
"N-no, Suou-san, you flatter me." Asia ducked her head, cheeks red.
Mio studied Asia with quiet curiosity. Another woman brought home by Takumi… she was getting used to it. It wasn't the first or second time; being jealous every day wasn't realistic.
Between bites and small talk, Yuki, Mio, and the others learned Asia's background. When Mio heard Asia was to take up a post at the local church, she blinked at Takumi.
"Onii— I mean, big bro… didn't we already make the church our base?"
"Hm?" Mio's words instantly drew Asia's attention.
"Mio-san, what do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.
"Asia, do you know who originally occupied that church… who invited you?" Takumi cut in, answering for Mio.
Asia fell silent for a few seconds. She knew it was the stray exorcists—only they would accept someone branded a witch.
Takumi continued evenly, "They're stray exorcists—led by Fallen Angels."
"T-Takumi-san, how do you know that?" Asia's eyes wavered, staring at him in confusion.
He didn't bother to hide it. "I went to the church earlier and confronted them."
"What—! Takumi-san, were you hurt?" She blurted the worry without thinking. She'd never met the strays herself, but she'd heard enough: they act extreme—that's why they're strays.
Seeing Asia's first instinct was to worry for him, Takumi's smile went gentle. "Of course I'm fine. You saw it yourself, didn't you?"
"Uu~~~" Asia squeaked, burying her face so low it almost disappeared—if only her chest were a little fuller, she'd have hidden inside it.
Takumi's hand came down to stroke her still-damp golden hair. "After I drove the strays off, I learned about you from the Fallen Angels."
"T-Takumi-san… you… you know about me?!" Asia's body trembled; she lifted tear-brimmed eyes…
...
For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]
Use code FREE2ALL for 30% OFF!