Someone still had no idea that 6O intended to determine whom Kain liked more by comparing the "rewards" each person received from him.
In a certain sense, her reasoning was not entirely wrong.
However, unusual circumstances could easily influence the results.
A particularly strong reaction from the other person, for instance, might affect the amount. The same was true if someone agreed to something especially daring and became overly excited.
In the blink of an eye, Kain and 6O's outing had reached the afternoon.
They were now inside a maid café, where Kain was being served by a circle of maids.
Countless gazes filled with envy and resentment seemed ready to pierce him full of holes.
Fortunately, Kain was seated in a partitioned VIP booth, so the other customers could not see what was happening inside. Someone would have to deliberately walk past the booth's entrance to glimpse the spacious group seating area.
"Excuse me, but I want that maid to serve me too."
"Can I order that same service package?"
Several customers outside made similar requests of the café staff.
"I-I'm sorry, but those young ladies don't work here," one of the café's actual maids explained.
Just as she said, the maids surrounding Kain were not employees of the café. They were Asuna and the others, who had changed into maid uniforms to accompany him.
They had purchased the outfits directly from the establishment. Selling maid costumes was one of the café's additional sources of income.
Asuna wore a classic black-and-white maid uniform. Her long, slender legs beneath the ruffled skirt were covered in black stockings.
Alice had chosen a blue-and-white uniform. The white lace along her skirt framed legs no less elegant than Asuna's, similarly wrapped in black stockings.
The others had worn ordinary casual clothes until 6O and 2B chose outfits matching Asuna's.
The uniform was especially striking on 2B. Combined with her mature figure and powerful presence, it made it difficult for anyone to look away.
Yui and Strea wore blue-and-white maid costumes matching Alice's.
Yui had originally wanted the same black-and-white outfit as Asuna, but the store only carried a suitable costume for her in blue and white.
"Big Brother Kain, try this one."
It was finally little angel Yui's turn to feed him.
All six girls had ordered something different and were taking turns offering him bites from their plates.
Kain ate the bite she offered.
"Commander, try this. I added the same peach-flavored glaze you tasted last night. I prepared it fresh just now."
6O behaved like the very picture of a considerate and devoted partner.
Yet to Kain, her sweetness was mixed with the mischievous charm of a playful girl next door who was clearly plotting something.
She had brought him a crème brûlée covered in a glossy, honey-like peach glaze.
6O scooped up a piece with a small spoon. A thin strand of the sticky glaze stretched from the pudding as she brought it to his lips.
Kain ate it.
It really did have precisely the same flavor and texture as the one he had tasted the previous night.
Both 2B and Asuna stared at 6O in astonishment.
"Is that honey-like topping particularly valuable?" Alice asked.
She did not understand what made it special. However, Kain was savoring it slowly, his expression showing both delight and lingering appreciation. Clearly, this was no ordinary topping.
Asuna obviously understood its significance. Her eyes widened in disbelief that 6O would dare serve it here.
Alice instantly became more alert.
They might be romantic rivals, but circumstances occasionally allowed them to form a united front. At the moment, 6O had clearly leaped far ahead of everyone else.
"Huh? Well, it's..."
Asuna stammered, unable to offer any proper explanation.
She had never expected 6O to be this bold.
Then Asuna's body stiffened when Kain looked in her direction.
His gaze seemed to suggest that he wanted her to follow 6O's example.
Absolutely not!
She could never do something so embarrassing.
Besides, strictly speaking, what 6O had prepared was different from anything Asuna could make. 6O had processed genuine ingredients into her glaze, whereas Asuna's version would require an entirely different preparation method and produce noticeably different results.
Merely recalling the earlier experimentation—and the embarrassing discovery that a small adjustment during preparation could dramatically increase both the intensity and yield—made Asuna want to faint.
"Then what is it?" Alice pressed.
"I... don't know."
Alice was not upset by Asuna's answer, even though the girl's face had turned crimson.
She had expected as much.
Apparently, Asuna knew how 6O produced that honey-like substance but refused to tell her. They wanted to monopolize the secret recipe for something Kain enjoyed so much, allowing them to maintain an advantage over everyone else.
Alice could understand that behavior. Who would generously help a rival become more formidable?
Hmph!
Just wait. Alice would eventually discover a uniquely delicious seasoning of her own.
"2B, see? I told you the Commander would like it. You should have followed my example."
When it was 2B's turn to feed Kain, 6O addressed her in a tone filled with frustration over her reluctance to act. The dessert on 2B's tray did not include the special glaze.
Whenever 6O discovered something good—or thought of a way to make the Commander happy—she always wanted 2B to share in it.
Unfortunately, 2B had doubted her analysis and refused to make the same bold move.
Faced with 6O's complaint, 2B remained silent.
She simply could not bring herself to behave as outrageously as 6O. She had also worried that such an action might anger the Commander. Although 6O had insisted he would be delighted, that had still been nothing more than speculation.
Without seeing proof for herself, 2B had not dared to try.
Now, however, it appeared 6O's prediction had been correct.
For some reason, 2B became terribly nervous. She could feel her heartbeat accelerating.
It was only an artificial heartbeat designed to simulate that of a human, yet it had never behaved so strangely before. In the past, she might have assumed something was malfunctioning within her body.
Now she understood that it was probably an emotional response.
According to 6O, this sensation came from happiness and anticipation.
If the Commander wanted her to provide the same special treat, she would certainly comply.
Even so, she hoped he would not ask her to prepare it in front of everyone. She would much rather do it privately.
The resistance she felt toward being watched was apparently embarrassment—another emotion she was still learning to understand.
"Commander, would you like me to do the same thing as 6O?" 2B asked before offering him her dessert.
If the Commander wanted it and she failed to provide it, he might feel disappointed.
He was their Commander. She did not want him to be dissatisfied or unhappy.
"You don't have to—"
The first part of his answer made something tighten in 2B's chest.
"Not because I dislike the idea," Kain continued. "I want you to make your own decision. Don't do it merely because you think I might be disappointed, or because you feel obligated to please me. You shouldn't treat something this personal as another assignment. Make the choice for yourself."
"I'm not forcing myself."
"Then tell me this: doesn't the idea still make you feel strange? Almost as though part of you wants to resist?"
"It does, but only because everyone else is here. I don't know why being watched makes me reluctant. 6O says that reaction is caused by embarrassment, but I'm not certain whether that's what I'm feeling."
2B spoke with faint confusion.
"That is embarrassment. Now imagine no one else was here and you gave it to me in private. Would you still feel the same resistance?"
"I... probably wouldn't."
"Then you can give it to me privately."
The moment those words left his mouth, Kain suffered a vicious attack on his waist.
Asuna was twisting his side because she understood exactly what he meant.
"Asuna, you can give it to me privately too."
"Go die! I'll never do that!"
And so the slightly combative scene of Kain being fed by six maids continued until evening.
At this rate, they were going to fatten him up like a pig.
Their next destination was the movie theater, where the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED film would begin screening after nightfall.
(End of Chapter)
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