Nothing happened overnight, and the next morning Shichen got up early.
When you sleep alone, waking early is easy—if you've got a soft, sweet-smelling woman in your arms, not so much.
He left his room and first checked on Avrora and Kaguya. Both were still asleep—and sleeping soundly.
Kaguya was quiet, lying straight under her blanket, while Avrora's posture was a bit of a mess: she was on her side with one leg thrown over Kaguya's.
Come to think of it, Avrora is the "younger sister" among the vessels; Kaguya probably has a high tolerance for her.
Shichen didn't wake them. He slipped out of the room without a sound.
He lingered at the door for a moment, then headed to Nina's room. As soon as he opened it, an unnatural glow cut through the dimness.
There was Nina, glued to the monitor. The tiny figure stood on the keyboard, hopping around while muttering nonstop.
"You jerk—how dare you insult me! F*ck your whole family!"
"And you, too!"
"Damn it! I could flame you all day!"
"..." Shichen quietly backed out and, considerately, pulled the door shut.
Best not to disturb a keyboard warrior.
Sigh. What a perfectly good alchemist—ruined by the internet.
Well, better that than making trouble. Online "trouble" hardly counts anyway.
Even if something really big did happen, Aiba Asagi could handle it; she's even got Mogwai now.
"Empress of the Net" probably suits her already.
Shichen set off toward the room he really wanted to visit—Minamiya Natsuki's.
He paused at the door, pressed his ear to it, and listened. Nothing.
If he just pushed the door open, he'd probably startle her awake… but some risks are worth taking.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
He gripped the handle and turned it slowly until it gave.
Without making a sound, he eased the door open, tiptoed inside, and closed it behind him.
The room was quiet, faintly fragrant—like black tea. It was simple, without the usual girly trinkets.
Not that Natsuki needed any.
He took it in at a glance and then looked to the bed: a petite figure in a simple white nightgown, lying peacefully on her back.
He was a little surprised she hadn't woken. Then again, the fact that she was asleep at all was already unusual.
It was also possible her consciousness wasn't here.
Carefully, he moved to the bedside and gazed at the sleeping Natsuki: calm features, delicate and cute, with a hint of sternness.
Even asleep she gave off a mature air.
Natsuki was a special case. This clearly wasn't her true body, yet Shichen had managed to extract a divine fragment from her before.
Maybe the fragment's true anchoring place was in the mind—in the soul.
Not that it mattered. Real body or puppet, he wasn't bothered. He was a modern man, open-minded.
Seeing that she still hadn't stirred, Shichen held his breath, reached out, and stroked her cheek.
Very soft and springy, with fine, delicate skin.
He blinked, hesitated for a heartbeat, then lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead—after which he slipped out of the room.
A short while later, Natsuki opened her eyes. She raised a hand to her forehead, touching the spot, gaze distant.
...
After breakfast, Shichen took Avrora and Kaguya to see Kojou.
Natsuki had to go answer more questions from the higher-ups today.
Avrora had insisted on tagging along, so he brought Kaguya too.
He intended to let them both get to know this world, and he wouldn't treat them differently—even if he wasn't a fan of Kaguya's current hairstyle.
But since Kaguya looked just like Avrora, growing her hair out a bit would make her even prettier.
Definitely future wife material.
The Akatsuki siblings' place wasn't far; with Avrora and Kaguya in tow, Shichen reached it in a few minutes.
To his surprise, the one who opened the door wasn't Nagisa—it was Aiba Asagi.
"Asagi? You're here too?"
"I… um, just dropped by to hang out," she said, embarrassed.
In truth, she knew Shichen was coming today and came because she wasn't entirely comfortable with him being alone with Nagisa.
Young as she was, her offensive pressure was impressive.
"Is that so?" Shichen didn't think much of it and moved to step inside.
"Sensei… who are they?" Asagi finally noticed Avrora and Kaguya behind him.
"Oh—let me introduce you. This is Avrora, and this is Kaguya. They started living at my place yesterday."
"Eh? Living at your place?" Asagi wondered if she'd misheard.
"Mm."
"W-why?" Asagi looked the two over.
They were adorable—like fairies.
"Why? They've got nowhere to go, so they're staying with me," Shichen said, not planning to explain their identities.
"Avrora, Kaguya, this is Aiba Asagi—my student."
"I greet thee."
"Hello."
Both nodded to Asagi.
"'Thee'?" Asagi looked at Avrora oddly.
"Um…" Under her stare, Avrora got nervous and ducked behind Shichen.
"..." Asagi's brows drew together.
"Heh~ They're a little shy. Be nice to them," Shichen said, ruffling Asagi's hair.
"Um… okay."
"Let's head in."
Inside Kojou's home, Shichen spotted someone who he hadn't expected.
"Motoki? You're here too?"
"...Sensei, do you have to sound so put out?" Yaze Motoki asked helplessly.
"Don't be silly. I treat everyone equally as a teacher. I'm just curious why you're here."
"Really not feeling that 'equal' part…"
"Hm?"
"Ahem. I was bored, so I came over," Yaze said quickly.
"I see…"
"Sensei, you're here! Try the pudding I made; it must've been hot outside," Nagisa said, coming from the kitchen wearing an apron and carrying a tray.
"Hey, hey, Nagisa—playing favorites? How come everything's ready the moment he shows up? We've been here ages."
"What are you talking about, Yaze-senpai? The pudding just wasn't done yet," Nagisa replied with a small smile.
"Seriously?"
"Senpai, you could just say you don't want any."
"N-no, I want some!"
"Sensei, who are they?" Nagisa looked curiously at the two girls—especially Avrora.
She looked familiar, but Nagisa couldn't place her.
"Oh, they just came along for fun."
"I made a lot of pudding. Do you want some?" Nagisa asked warmly.
Avrora and Kaguya didn't move; they looked to Shichen.
"Go ahead. It's fine."
"Th-thank you!"
"Thanks."
Only then did they happily dig in.
"Sensei, where'd you pick up two girls this pretty? What's your relationship?" Yaze teased.
"Eat your pudding."
"Yes, sir."
"By the way, where's Kojou?"
"He just got up—still washing."
"This late?"
"Uh-huh. I take care of him every day, you know. It's a lot."
"It is. You'll make a great wife someday, Nagisa."
"Eh? Really?"
"I guarantee it."
"Sensei, do you like girls who are good at housework?" Asagi asked.
"No," Shichen said honestly, shaking his head. "I like cute girls."
"Ooh~ Avrora and Kaguya sure are cute," Yaze cut in.
Shichen looked over and smiled. "Motoki, you think you're funny, do you?"
"S-sorry!" Yaze bowed his head at once and focused on the pudding.
Avrora and Kaguya were unfazed, happily enjoying the cool, slippery dessert—they loved it.
As for Asagi and Nagisa, Yaze's comment had stuck with them. They had to admit: Avrora and Kaguya were genuinely adorable—hard to compete with.
A brief silence fell—broken when Kojou finally came out.
"Sensei, you're here… Huh? She's—ugh!"
The moment he saw Avrora, Kojou clutched his head; a stabbing pain shot through his ribs.
"Kojou?"
"Shichen…" Avrora looked to him.
"It's okay. I'll take it back right away."
Shichen patted her on the head, then walked over to Kojou.
"Kojou, I'll treat you now, okay?"
"Th-thank you, Sensei…" he managed.
"It's no trouble—but you'll need to nap first. Sleep."
Light flickered; Kojou dropped instantly into slumber. Shichen caught him and carried him to his room to begin the treatment.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!