"Axel-kun, are you quite certain about this?"
Ayaka asked the question in the quiet of our dorm room. Her usual bombastic energy was nowhere to be found; instead, she sounded uncharacteristically hesitant, almost timid.
"Why ask now? You were the one who invited me to your place in the first place. Besides, I'm already packed."
I gestured toward the bag in my hand. To be fair, Ayaka was the one who had prepared both the bag and the clothes inside it, but the point stood.
We were a few days into spring break. Last night, Ayaka had mentioned she was heading back to her family estate and asked if I'd like to accompany her. Having no particular plans of my own, I'd accepted.
Natsumi had made some frantic comments about my "chastity being in peril," but I wasn't particularly worried. While Ayaka's behavior could certainly be... questionable at times, I knew her well enough to know she wouldn't force herself on anyone. And even if she tried, she'd be the one ending up on the floor. I haven't survived three lovers in my past lives for nothing.
"I-I see! In that case, I certainly have no reason to refuse. You are more than welcome! Chizuru-san, Natsumi-san... I'll leave the rest to you."
"Of course. Take it easy at home, Ayaka," Chizuru said warmly.
"Axel-kun, are you sure you're okay?" Natsumi asked, looking distressed. "You don't have to jump into the wolf's den of your own volition..."
I gave them a wry smile, caught between Chizuru's calm and Natsumi's panic. Suddenly, Chizuru pulled me into a hug. She pulled me against her—her embrace was remarkably motherly, yet her figure was far more developed than any middle schooler had a right to be. She leaned in, whispering so the others couldn't hear.
"Axel-kun... every year around this time, Ayaka gets a bit depressed. Usually, I'm worried sick about her, but this year... I'm leaving her in your hands."
"...Understood."
I could only nod. Her tone was serious despite the smile on her face. Chizuru and Ayaka were essentially my benefactors in this world. If one of them was hurting, it was only natural that I'd want to help.
"Hey! Chizuru-san! Stop trying to seduce Axel-kun!"
Ayaka's shout was a return to her usual self. I wondered if Chizuru was right about her "sinking" during this season.
"Well then, shall we? My ride should be arriving shortly. Let's head down."
"Right. Chizuru, Natsumi—see you later."
"Take care!" Chizuru waved.
"Be careful! Especially around the Class Rep!" Natsumi called out.
"Natsumi-san!"
"Sorry, sorry! Just a joke! Hurry up, or Axel-kun will get tired of waiting!"
With that send-off, we climbed into a sleek, black luxury car waiting in front of the girls' dorm and began the journey to the Yukihiro estate.
"Welcome home, Lady Ayaka."
The moment we stepped out of the car, we were met by a perfectly synchronized chorus. A row of maids and butlers stood before us, bowing in unison.
"Whoa."
The sheer scale of it forced a comment out of me. In the world of Super Robot Wars OGs, I never had much to do with domestic service. In the Code Geass world, Cornelia might have had maids, but I spent my time in the military and never crossed paths with them. Even in the SEED world, while the Athha family had staff, I wasn't exactly close enough to Cagalli to be invited over like Athrun was.
This was my first time seeing a "Wall of Maids" in person.
"Oh dear. I suppose we've startled you," Ayaka said with a soft smile.
A butler—likely the head of the household given his positioning—stepped forward.
"Lady Ayaka, who might this be?"
"Oh, didn't the message get through? This is Axel Almar-kun. He's my classmate and roommate from the dorms."
"Classmate? Roommate?" The butler paused, blinking. "I beg your pardon, but to my eyes, he appears to be a boy of about ten years."
"Your eyes do not deceive you. He is a test case for our co-ed and accelerated-learning programs."
The butler nodded slowly. "I see... however, regarding the shared room... is that wise?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, there is the matter of public perception, but more importantly... given your particular tastes, my Lady..."
"..."
Ayaka went silent. Apparently, her reputation preceded her even among her own staff.
The butler eventually cleared his throat and led us inside. The "house" was a sprawling mansion, and I spent the rest of the day being given the grand tour. Then, night fell.
"Wait, why are we in the same bed?"
I looked at the person in front of me with genuine confusion. It wasn't Ayaka... it was one of the housemaids.
"Please, sir... just for tonight, could you indulge us? Today is a special day, and her Ladyship... well..."
The maid trailed off, her voice heavy with hesitation. I looked at her, then thought back to Ayaka during the tour. She had been incredibly high-energy—almost frantic. She was acting as if she were desperately trying to maintain a facade of cheerfulness.
I'd spent enough time with her to tell when she was faking it. This was what Chizuru had meant.
"...Sigh. Fine. I get it."
I nodded. The maid gave a relieved smile and finished smoothing out the covers of the massive bed.
About five minutes after the maid left, Ayaka entered the room, having changed into her pajamas. I was already in mine—a set Chizuru and Ayaka had picked out for me, which should tell you exactly what kind of "cute" style they were.
"Axel-kun? Is something wrong? Did you need me for something?"
"No. I just thought it might be nice to sleep in the same bed for once."
"...Oh! My, my, my! Has my devotion finally reached your heart?!"
She went into her usual high-tension act, but her eyes lacked their usual spark. She was forcing it.
"Just get in. It's late, and I'm tired."
It was past 11:00 PM. Ever since I'd been turned into a kid, I couldn't pull all-nighters like I used to. I caught myself wondering if I'd have to grow up all over again from scratch. I climbed into the bed, and Ayaka, her face flushing a deep crimson, slid in beside me.
"Well... excuse me, then."
"This is your house and your room, Ayaka. You don't need to be polite."
"Hehe, I suppose you're right. ...Goodnight, then."
She reached over to the bedside switch, and the room plunged into darkness. We lay there in silence for a few minutes before she spoke again.
"Axel-kun? Are you still awake?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you for today."
"...For what?"
"It was Chizuru-san, wasn't it? She told you."
"Who knows?"
"Hehe. Even I can figure that much out. ...I'm hopeless, aren't I? I didn't mean to make everyone worry."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but it's not strange for friends to worry about each other."
As I spoke, the faces of those I'd lost drifted through my mind—Vindell, Guilford from the Geass world, Mu from the SEED world.
"I suppose so. ...Well then, goodnight."
"Yeah. Goodnight."
Silence reclaimed the room as we drifted off. Just as I was losing consciousness, I felt a faint sensation—the words "Thank you" whispered against the air, and the ghost of a kiss on my cheek. I didn't let it bother me and sank into sleep.
Soft morning light filtered through the windows. My consciousness began to drift toward the surface...
"Ugh! T-t-t-that little brat—!!"
A sudden, furious shout from right beside me snapped me wide awake.
"...Ayaka?"
I turned to see her sitting up, looking absolutely livid.
"Oh! Axel-kun? ...Wait, that's right. Last night..."
Her sleep-addled brain seemed to reboot, and the memory of the previous night caught up with her.
"G-good morning. My apologies... that was a disgraceful way to wake you."
She climbed out of bed, her face turning pink with embarrassment.
"Morning. Must have been one hell of a nightmare."
"No, well... just a memory from when I was little."
"I see. I won't pry."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Lady Ayaka, are you awake?"
"Yes, you may enter."
Two maids entered. One moved toward Ayaka, while the other approached me.
"Master Axel, please come this way so we can help you prepare for the day."
I looked over my shoulder and saw Ayaka was about to change out of her pajamas. I see. Even if I was "just a kid," they weren't about to let me see the young lady of the house in her skin.
I was impressed by their dedication to their mistress. I followed the maid to the room where my things were kept.
[Character Status]
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 38 | PP: 625
Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272
Defense: 272 | Evade: 302 | Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Enhances Slime performance via SP)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain Rank: Air: S | Ground: S | Sea: S | Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel, Effort, Focus, Direct Hit, Awaken, Love
Skills:
EXP Up, SP Boost, Telekinesis Lv.10, Attacker, Gunfight Lv.9, In-fight Lv.9, Morale Limit Break,
Geass (Grey), Magic (Fire, Shadow, Summoning).
Kill Count: 376
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