"Souseiseki, Souseiseki~"
"Suiseiseki, Suiseiseki~"
In the Japanese-style room, a fiery red twin-tail and a deep chestnut long curl were tangled tightly together.
The two little girls' pale, tender cheeks were pressed close, their soft, round flesh squished together, making one desperately want to take a bite.
The violet-haired onee-san lazily leaned against the low table, watching this heartwarming scene with a smile in her eyes.
The silver-haired girl behind her also gave a helpless chuckle, stepping forward to gently separate the two.
"Did you have fun playing with your sisters?" Tapping out the ash, the violet-haired onee-san smiled as she placed the pipe in her mouth.
The moment she heard the question, Suiseiseki nervously hid behind Souseiseki.
"We had a wonderful time, Shouko." Souseiseki took off the hat on her head, revealing a relaxed smile.
"That's good to hear." Shouko responded with a warm laugh.
Even after all this time together, for some reason, Suiseiseki was still a little afraid of her.
Her red lips parted slightly, a wisp of smoke drifting from her mouth.
Last time, when they encountered that white doll, she had caught a glimpse of that black-haired girl.
Seemed her name was... Alice?
The thing inside her was quite interesting.
Perhaps she's like me.
Or... something even greater.
Tapping her pipe lightly, Shouko's enchanting eyes rested on Suiseiseki, who was happily chatting with Souseiseki.
Souseiseki and Suiseiseki have been so happy these days. Maybe... it's time for a meeting.
Shouko slowly stretched her arms out, giving a languid stretch.
"Souseiseki, help me arrange a meeting with the master on that side."
--+--
"She wants to see me?"
Taking the black tea from the tray, Alice sat elegantly in her chair, a slightly puzzled frown creasing her brow. "Why would she want to see me?"
"'It's about the Mediums of the dolls having a little exchange~' That's what she said." Souseiseki held the tray, her expression utterly sincere.
Alice's eye twitched.
Not even Robin would believe that line.
Pecking at the water in his cup, Robin looked up in confusion.
He felt like someone had said he was handsome.
Shinku set her teacup down sharply, voicing her disapproval. "What could the mediums possibly have to discuss?"
She shook her head at Alice. "Don't go."
"Go if you want." A feather drifted down lightly as Suigintou raised her hand, tilting her chin up proudly. "It doesn't matter. I'll be there."
"Souseiseki, please continue." Gently ruffling both Shinku's and Suigintou's hair, Alice's curiosity was piqued.
Why come to her?
Was it because of that brief encounter before?
When they had encountered Kirakishou previously, she had sensed another magical fluctuation.
Robin, up above, had also sent a warning.
Souseiseki wouldn't leak information about this side to them, and while she was here, she never spoke a word about matters over there.
And Suiseiseki was a bit simple; if any information had been leaked, it would probably just be about how nice the tea was.
Alice gently set her teacup down, the porcelain meeting the saucer with a clear, crisp sound.
Perhaps thinking Alice had been silent for too long, Souseiseki softly pulled a slip of paper from her pocket.
"She said you'd probably be interested if you saw this."
Alice took the note and unfolded it gently.
'Are you a Banned Doll?'
Her eyes narrowed instantly.
"Who, exactly, is your Master?"
Souseiseki bowed her head slightly, hesitating.
"It's your side that sent the invitation. Just telling me her identity should be fine, don't you think?"
After a moment of contemplation, Souseiseki spoke in a low voice. "She's a doll maker."
Alice was taken aback.
A doll maker?
Why would a doll maker mistake her for a Banned Doll?
Was it because of the Magic Circuits inside her?
The concept of Magic Circuits in this world was different from the one in Type-Moon.
Here, Magic Circuits were man-made tools, whereas in Type-Moon, they were innate organs within the magus's body, similar to nerves.
Alice tapped the table lightly, producing a soft, rhythmic sound.
After a long pause, she looked up at Souseiseki.
"Alright. When?"
"If possible, today?"
"Mm, I'll go get ready."
She'd just go upstairs to fetch a few Ploys.
--+--
"Ehehe~"
Kirakishou wriggled in Alice's arms like a kitten.
Alice smiled with doting affection, using both hands to gently squeeze Kirakishou's soft, pudgy little cheeks.
As the completion of Kirakishou's body progressed, she had become increasingly clingy towards Alice.
"Hmph."
Watching the two of them play-fight, Suigintou scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Big Sister Suigintou, are you jealous?"
"Hah?" Suigintou immediately flew to Kirakishou's side, poking her little cheek repeatedly with her finger. "I was here with Alice first."
"If Alice hadn't forbidden it, I'd have taken you apart long ago."
"Nyah nyah nyah!" Kirakishou stuck out her tiny tongue playfully.
Her pink little tongue glistened with a crystalline sheen, utterly enticing.
And then, Suigintou, quick as a flash, grabbed it.
"Mmmpfh mmmph!" Kirakishou shook her flushed little face, complaining incoherently to Alice.
"You brought this on yourself by teasing your sister."
Kirakishou's eyes widened in disbelief.
Her master wasn't going to help her!
"You must learn to respect your elder sister." Suigintou kneaded the little tongue, a mischievous grin on her face.
The twins nearby were whispering to each other.
Suiseiseki looked rather anxious.
"Souseiseki, what is Shouko planning?"
"I don't know either, but she definitely doesn't mean Alice any harm." Souseiseki comfortingly patted her sister's hand.
Their voices caught Kirakishou's attention.
She knew Souseiseki and Suiseiseki; they were guests their master had invited over.
Her master had even agreed to become these two's Medium.
How dare more sisters try to steal their master's affection!
Kirakishou reached out and pinched Suigintou's cheek, forcing her sister to let go of her tongue.
She retracted her tongue with effort, leaned close to Alice's ear, and pointed at Souseiseki and Suiseiseki. "Master, if you become their medium too, will you have enough magical energy?"
Though she spoke softly, everyone else heard her.
The Rozen Maidens' daily magical energy consumption was minimal, and they could even recover some on their own.
But the cost escalated during combat, though it was still within a range a normal human could sustain.
If they were allowed to absorb freely, the magical energy drain would reach a terrifying level.
Perhaps only Alice would dare let them fight at full power.
It seemed a painful memory had been stirred.
Suigintou and Shinku's expressions turned slightly complicated.
That was a rather dangerous topic to bring up.
"Of course it's enough. Just look at your sisters' faces."
Alice's calm voice rang out. Suigintou and Shinku simultaneously lowered their heads.
But a certain little white figure floated over to them, curiously peering down to examine their expressions.
Thwack—
Suigintou and Shinku immediately unleashed their blood-pumping combination move.
Each grabbing one side of Kirakishou's face with a hand.
"Sowwy... I'm sowwy."
Her pale, tender cheeks were gradually stretched, glistening tears welling up in the corners of Kirakishou's eyes.
"We're here."
Souseiseki's voice saved Kirakishou's face from further stretching.
A glass door stood before them.
Kirakishou looked at Alice with tear-filled eyes.
"Be good, wait here for me to return." Alice gently ruffled Kirakishou's hair.
Kirakishou placed her hands on her flushed cheeks, pouting reluctantly as she nodded, watching them step through the door.
--+--
"Welcome, welcome~"
The moment they stepped out of the mirror, a bewitching voice greeted them.
A stunningly beautiful woman with short violet hair lounged lazily beside a low table.
She wiggled her fingers in a small, beckoning gesture towards them.
"Please, have a seat~"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.