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Rosen didn't leave right away.He still had unfinished business.
When he returned to the cruise ship, the girls quickly noticed that Frieren was gone.
"Where is she?"
"She's already left," Rosen replied.
Several of the girls exchanged looks, their eyes flickering with something unspoken—but on the surface, they acted normal.
Instead, they urged Rosen to get some rest, insisting they could handle things themselves.
In truth, there wasn't much they could handle.
The ship's systems were all managed by AI. Robots took care of cleaning, maintenance, and every other task that mattered.
At best, the girls could water a few plants or make their beds.
Really, the only thing they contributed was... well, atmosphere.
By noon, they decided to cook a rare homemade meal together.
Rosen, as their centerpiece, sat at the head of the table. Wine flowed freely, laughter filled the room, and before long, half the girls were tipsy and dozing off on couches and tables.
Shizuka excused herself to prepare a hot bath.
Rosen chuckled to himself. "Is it some kind of law that every girl named Shizuka loves baths?"
Either way, he decided to go find her.Once she became one of his contracted followers, he could finally relax.
But in the hallway, someone unexpected stepped into his path.
Rika Minami.
The SAT sniper still wore her utility uniform, her tanned skin glowing under the lights. But this time, her shirt hung open, revealing a white band wrapped tightly across her chest.
Even so, her cleavage still peeked through—a deep canyon impossible to ignore.
Compared to Shizuka, her figure wasn't nearly as striking. But then again, Shizuka was hardly comparable to normal humans in that regard.
"Rosen-sama," Rika said evenly. "Shizuka must've already told you everything, right?"
Rosen gave a small nod.
Seeing him admit it so directly, Rika actually looked relieved.
"As long as you acknowledge it. Shizuka... she isn't a particularly strong person. Please, take responsibility for her."
Rika knew her best friend's gentle, scatterbrained nature all too well.
That was why she'd always been so protective of her, always stepping in to keep pushy men from leading her astray.
Because a girl like Shizuka could so easily get swept away by the wrong kind of guy.
Rika had already spoken privately with Shizuka before, and knowing her friend had agreed willingly was enough to ease her worries.
Otherwise, if Rosen had let loose at the very end, they truly wouldn't have known how to deal with him.
"That's only natural," Rosen nodded slightly.
After all, his first time had been with Shizuka.
Just like it was for women, a man's first time was something unforgettable.
If it weren't, he wouldn't have even considered making Shizuka one of his chosen servants.
And right then—
The bathroom door swung open.
Barefoot, wrapped in a bathrobe, Shizuka crept up behind Rika, and with a mischievous grin suddenly reached around to grab her chest.
"Rika, the hot water's ready. Come bathe with me!"
She blinked at Rosen and added brightly, "Oh, you're here too? Then join us!"
Ever since that wall between them had been broken, Shizuka had only grown bolder.
Especially when she kept fondling Rika like she was playing with slime while talking—Rosen couldn't decide whether to laugh or sigh.
He had to admit though, the sight was more than a little intoxicating.
But while Rosen enjoyed the view, Rika's expression had already darkened.
Her friend was wonderful in every way—except for her complete inability to read the room.
Rika tried to squirm free, but Shizuka only hugged her tighter.
"Shizuka, what are you doing?!"
"Obviously I want you to stay too, silly. You're my best friend. I don't mind at all, and besides—if there's one more person, it's easier for me."
She gave Rosen a helpless look, then added with a teasing lilt, "Because honestly, I can't handle you all by myself."
Hearing that, Rika's face said no, but her legs betrayed her, carrying her along as Shizuka tugged her into the bathroom.
She might act like a tomboy most of the time, but Rika had always nursed a little more-than-friendly interest in Rosen.
It wasn't like she expected to ever meet another man again—and even if she did, none would compare to him.
So in the end, Rika, who had secretly been leaning that way already, got shoved into the bath by her best friend, who was far weaker than her in every sense.
Once Rika was inside, Shizuka turned, shot Rosen a cheeky smile, and flashed him a V-sign.
"My friend's actually really shy," she explained. "But it's fine—if she's not saying no, then it means yes."
She leaned in close, eyes sparkling. "So if you come in to bathe with us, Rosen… the two of us weak little girls won't be able to resist you."
"..."
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