Standing there, Noah was… no, my sister was already half out of it, taking her last breath. It felt awkward to take someone like that around the campus, so I decided to stop the tour there and head back to my office.
Surprisingly, Luna didn’t throw a tantrum asking to be called “Mama.” Maybe she was already satisfied enough, but somehow it made her look even prettier.
When I subtly asked if she didn’t need me to call her that anymore…
“If you do, I’d be absolutely delighted, but… didn’t you say just once? Of course, it would be a blatant lie if I said I wasn’t disappointed that Mr. Noah got that chance, but regardless, I decided to respect Mika’s wishes.”
“Wow—oh…”
“How about it? Have you seen me in a different light? I believe I’ve changed quite a bit from when I first met Mika. Just like certain ingredients gain flavor through aging, I wonder if I’m similar? Fufu…”
Now that I think about it, Luna hasn’t caused much trouble lately… Occasionally, there are rumors about her blowing something up, but mostly there seems to be a valid reason behind it that makes you think, “Well, that’s understandable.”
She’s aged well…
Unlike that annoying Noah, perhaps a bit of pampering is what we need here? Yes.
In that spirit, I asked Luna to bend down a little. She looked puzzled but willingly lowered herself to match my eye level.
“Hehe, so sweet…”
“Ah…”
As I reached out and gently ruffled her hair, Luna, momentarily surprised, closed her eyes and leaned her head towards me.
…Looking at her like this, her beauty is truly absurd. Really.
While petting her head, I couldn’t help but be drawn to Luna’s picture-perfect eyelashes and her cute nose for a while.
After appreciating Luna’s face for some time, I slowly lowered my gaze…
Chuu.
“Huuh…?!”
With a light kiss, I stepped back a couple of paces from Luna.
That should be enough pampering, right? Yes.
“Mika… If my heart bursts from this, it won’t be my fault…”
While I thought that, I overheard Luna’s desperate voice whispering.
Ah, speaking of which, even though I’ve become somewhat accustomed to physical relationships, Luna is still quite vulnerable when it comes to emotional exchanges, especially compliments.
It’s quite different compared to Hina, who craves praise.
Seeing Luna’s tail fluttering back there makes me want to tease a little more.
…Okay, let’s not overdo it again like before. Just stick to the basics.
I subtly stretched my arms out. Naturally, my gaze locked onto Luna’s enchanting eyes as I spoke a single word.
“Mama…”
Glancing to gauge Luna’s reaction, I was forced to take a step back by her charging at me.
Luna wrapped her arms around me, rubbing her cheek against mine. What can I say, this time I’m more embarrassed because of my own reaction.
“Mika… Please stay like this for just one more week…!”
Ah, no way, that’s a bit much. I haven’t officially signed off on that yet.
“This might be possible…”
Wait, wait. That’s a dangerous statement, Noah. That would seriously lead to a death sentence…!
*
As soon as I walked into my office with the two of them, an awkward silence fell upon us. Naturally, Noah and Luna took one sofa while Nagisa and Hanako occupied the opposite side.
Four pairs of eyes quickly turned to me as if to ask where I was going to sit.
I don’t think it’s right to force this kind of choice upon me…
When asked what the most ordinary choice would be, the answer is pretty clear. I should sit right next to Nagisa, no questions asked.
No need to cram between anyone; I can just close my eyes and sit next to her.
The answer is definitely that side, but hmm…
Is there perhaps a slightly better option?
“Mika, stop overthinking and just sit anywhere. I won’t say anything about it.”
“Yeah, I really don’t care. I’ve already received more than enough gifts. Fufu.”
“…?”
Seeing Luna naturally teasing Nagisa about me calling her “Mama,” it seems this pointless dilemma isn’t really worth dragging out.
Then…
“Ufu.”
“Mika…?”
“Oh my, it seems Mika-chan really cherishes her secretary a lot♪”
Where else would I be able to sit? There’s only one place, isn’t there, huh?
Naturally, I sat down in front of Hanako, who opened her thighs, leaning back in comfort. The moment she threw her arms around my waist, voilà! I had a fluffy natural pillow.
…Wow. This is paradise. Yes, the Eden Treaty is now off my mind. Of course, I’ve already found my paradise.
“Mika… Hm…”
“Oh dear, Nagisa, are you sulking?”
“No, I’m not sulking or anything…”
Nagisa didn’t seem to genuinely sulk, considering she told me to sit anywhere.
At this point, it seems she didn’t expect that I would actually sit somewhere else. It appeared she felt a bit betrayed.
“Sis, please don’t be mad, okay? What kind of big sister gets jealous of her little sister!”
“Mika… I’m not mad, nor am I jealous.”
“But your eyes are wobbling all over like… ‘Mika, how could you do this to me?!’”
“No, I seriously mean it…?”
…Hmm? What does she mean, then?
As I gazed intently at Nagisa, who looked away and fanned herself, she let out a small cough.
“I just thought, Mika, you prefer the bigger things.”
“…Ah. So that’s what you were jealous of on the other side☆”
“That’s not it! I’m not jealous—”
Nagisa started to say something but squished her brows together, letting out a deep sigh.
“Alright, I’ll admit it. It’s embarrassing but knowing that Mika prefers that, I got a little, yes, just a little bit jealous. Are you satisfied now?”
“Hehe…”
Feeling a little unnecessarily caught up in this, what in the world is happening? If it had just been the two of them, it would have been simple to smooth things over, but here we are with four… hmm.
“First off… of course, I think the bigger one is better, okay? You absolutely must not mention this to Hina. That’s a sensitive topic…”
“…”
After saying that and casually glancing around, the other two seemed to be indifferent.
Honestly, I know from direct experience that unless it’s as obvious as Hanako’s differences, most differences are pretty similar. While Nagisa is on the smaller side, she can still fill one of my hands.
Of course, I can’t deny that my hands are small, but that’s how it is, yes.
I couldn’t see Hanako’s expression, but seeing her subtly tighten her grip, I imagined she was probably enjoying the taste of victory.
“By the way, Nagisa, you already know my preferences well enough, yet you had to make me say it, huh?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I like handsome guys, obviously.”
“Oh my, are you trying to imply that your own face fits your preferences the best? Quite bold, aren’t you, Nagisa?”
“No, that’s not what it means at all…”
“Right. Well, everyone’s here knows who Mika likes the most, after all…”
“Not Noah, I’m telling you…!”
“The number of times Mika has glanced at Nagisa in this very spot has already racked up fifteen times. Who would have thought you wouldn’t be satisfied with just that? Mika, it seems Nagisa wants a bit more solid eye contact♪”
“Th-that’s not…”
With Noah’s comment, I couldn’t help but want to chuckle at Nagisa’s side-eye glances.
Hmm, in truth, when I look at how much closer everyone has become compared to before, it’s nicer than I expected.
“Ahem. Anyway, I wanted to highlight something that everyone seems to have wrong about Mika’s preferences. The most liked person is actually her own face, and it seems… Huh, now that I think about it? Does Hanako not know that yet?”
“Ufu. I haven’t heard about it separately, but I can definitely tell you about my feelings while assisting Mika-senpai.”
“…Eh? Is that really the case?”
“Yes, indeed it is♡ I find that aspect of my senpai truly cute.”
No way, if someone could catch on to that naturally, I probably have no right to scold Himari for her narcissism.
“Honestly, Mika-chan is that much of a deal.”
“It’s hard to deny that… Fufu.”
“I see… yes, but it’s still true that I’m pretty☆”
What? Why? Honestly, I can state with confidence that this face is my treasure. More than even the real Mika herself.
I’m the best, MikaMika.
After that, we enjoyed a leisurely tea time where we exchanged playful jokes, with a few playful comments tossed between Hanako and Luna, who were previously strangers. At some point, they even cheekily rotated me around, using me for their own amusement.
Aren’t they treating me like a doll…?
While that was happening, Noah suddenly pulled the innocent act, bringing up past conversations.
“By the way, it’s interesting that we’re discussing handsome women instead of just handsome people…”
Um, well…
“In that context, who do you think is the most handsome person you know, Mika-chan?”
Phew. After playfully tossing questions around, I’m next in line to be targeted.
Well… Obviously, my answer has already been half decided.
Jomae Saori or Hanuma Makoto.
But if Noah is throwing that out there, I can’t resist igniting the flame just a bit. Yes.
“Um…”
Dragging out an intentionally deep contemplation, I replayed the most embarrassing memories in my head.
…But upon careful consideration, merely recalling what I did to Noah moments ago was more than enough to decide.
Afterward, I subtly averted my gaze. Given all the pictures and selfies I took, I’m pretty sure I have plenty. Even with my experience on stage as an idol, I can at least manage a bit of facial acting.
By the time I felt I might capture that blush perfectly, I finally spoke.
“Definitely… the teacher, I guess?”
A moment of silence followed.
“…Huh?”
Finally, Nagisa could only muster that one stiff word.
Whoa—oh. Igniting things can truly feel so warming.
It seems this is exactly why people enjoy stirring the pot.
Well, since Noah started it, it’s not like I’m at fault here, right?
