They spent two happy days like this.
As for that "super recovery" of hers—her voice would sing itself hoarse at night, yet she'd bounce back quickly. Cooking with Ram in the morning, there wasn't a hint anything was off; come night, the music and dancing resumed. Like she was iron-willed.
Of course, perhaps Shichen's "replenishment" had something to do with it.
"Rem, your complexion's getting better and better lately."
"Really? I guess that's thanks to Shichen." Rem stroked Shichen's hair and smiled.
"What could he have done?" Ram asked, puzzled.
"Being with Shichen makes me happy. When I'm happy, my mood's good, and then my skin looks good, right?" Rem explained.
"Is that so?"
Ram wasn't sure, but it sounded reasonable—and her sister wouldn't lie to her.
Rem, meanwhile, cupped Shichen's face, smiling as she pondered what new position to try tonight. It was still morning—barely since they'd finished not long ago—but she was already eager for another night of "full-throated singing." She was hooked: strong recovery, deep love for Shichen—she'd fallen for it all.
Shichen didn't notice the expectancy in Rem's eyes; he was resting with his eyes closed. He'd come to watch Emilia's daily communion with the micro-spirits after breakfast, but once he lay down on Rem's warm, soft thighs, sleep beckoned. It absolutely wasn't that he was spent. His recovery was every bit as good as Rem's. It's perfectly normal for a man to want to nap on a cute girl's soft lap. Mind wandering? That's for pure boys—Shichen was… experienced.
When Emilia finished her routine, Shichen returned to her room with her. Rem and the others went off to clean the estate. Remarkably, despite barely sleeping these three days, Rem seemed fine. Shichen decided he'd show her something "serious" tonight and put her to sleep early. Catching up on rest is important.
In Emilia's room, as soon as Shichen sat down at her bedside, he drew Emilia into his arms.
"Shichen…" Emilia sat shyly on his lap, cheeks flushing. Even after days of this, she still wasn't used to it.
"How's the studying lately?" he asked, arms around her, a picture of seriousness.
"Mm… almost done…"
"Then it's about time." Shichen nodded—and his hands began to misbehave.
"Mm… about time for what?" Emilia pressed her knees together.
"Did you forget what you promised Crusch?" he asked, his right hand climbing that jade column of her calf. Emilia might look slender, but her skin was very soft—there was a pleasant little fullness to her calves. Her thighs, all the more so—slim but with shape. Perfect for leg rings.
Rem too—those legs looked short and dainty because she was petite and adorable, but both calves and thighs were pleasingly plush. Their maid uniforms didn't come with leg rings, though; Shichen planned to have Rem make a few. With rings biting faintly into the thighs—eye-catching. And then outfit swaps: Emilia and Rem in each other's clothes, a little costume play. But that would wait until after Emilia was his. Rem certainly wouldn't mind sharing, and Emilia… didn't know much and would simply be shy. Three-part harmony wasn't hard to imagine.
With Emilia, he felt they could go further now. If he pushed a bit, she definitely wouldn't refuse. Still, going straight from Rem to Emilia felt… inelegant. Better to raise Emilia's comfort level and keep Rem's emotions steady first—she had only just become an "adult." He just hadn't expected Rem to be that formidable.
"Mm… you mean the White Whale?" Emilia's voice wavered; she resisted the urge to press a hand to her chest. She was learning fast—thanks to Shichen's efforts.
"Yep. I've found its location," he said, fingers moving with practiced rhythm.
"You found it? How… mm~?"
"Underestimating me?" he teased, planting a quick kiss. Finding the Whale was easy—it hid in the white fog. He only had to lace his mana into the mist and trace the core; his mana was on a different scale. He'd already tagged it—he could find it anytime.
"Then let's contact Crusch right away," Emilia said immediately.
"Why do you sound like you're the one eager to slay it?"
"Well, the Whale's a huge threat. The sooner it's gone, the safer people will be~" she pouted, slipping into dependence and wanting to be indulged.
"And you're not worried something could go wrong?"
"With you there, it'll be easy."
"You have that much faith in me?" He smiled.
"Mm! You're the best—there's nothing you can't do!" she nodded hard.
"All that praise doesn't earn you a reward~"
"I don't want one. There you go again, treating me like a kid," she puffed her cheeks.
"Do I look like I'm treating you like a kid now?" He leaned in to kiss her again.
"Mm…" Emilia trembled and froze, unable to control herself—eager to rub her thighs together. After sitting with her a while, he left; by then she was sprawled on the bed, soul drifting. Thanks to him, she'd learned a lot of "improper" knowledge—unspeakable to outsiders, but addictive. Especially since it came from him—she wanted more lessons.
…
Shichen found Rem, told her he'd be heading to Crusch's, and went alone. Rem wanted to follow—she still felt prickly toward Crusch—but housework wasn't done, and she didn't want to leave it all to Ram. She had to let it go.
He shifted space straight into Crusch's office. She was alone; even at home she wore that military uniform, all crisp heroism.
"Crusch."
"Shichen? Why are you here?—how did you get here?" She lit up, then realized the oddity.
"I come when I want." He flopped onto a guest chair.
"If you could just come, why don't you come more often?" she asked, a touch aggrieved.
"We don't have that kind of relationship. Why would I?" he countered.
"Is that so? I've turned down every marriage proposal for you—and made it public I already have someone in my heart," she said seriously.
"…You really believe what Betty said?"
"But you didn't deny it."
"Shouldn't you be coming after me?"
"Me, after you?" Crusch looked puzzled.
"You're the one who wants me to fall for you, right? Shouldn't you be the one to take the initiative?"
"Me, take the initiative… I hadn't considered that. I understand now," she said with a small smile, as if something had clicked.
"…You're not going to really do it, are you? Don't you have a mountain of work?" Shichen eyed her.
"I won't set the two against each other. I'll do everything I must."
"As expected of you."
"Did I make your heart skip?"
"A little," he admitted.
"That's good… Right—this isn't the only reason you came, is it?" Crusch returned to business.
"You're smart—can't you guess?" he smiled.
"Could it be… the White Whale?" She nearly shot to her feet.
"Yes. I've locked it down. We can go anytime."
"Really?!"
"Believe me or don't."
"I believe you! I'll gather forces right—"
"No need to make it a whole production."
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