Chapter 132

“…So, Kou-kun, are you planning to bring them home to warm your bed?” The shrine maiden’s tone was calm but laced with quiet amusement, her eyes shimmering faintly under the glow of the lantern light.

Warm the bed?

Summer was practically here—the nights were already so warm that even sleeping alone could feel like an oven. Who would want anyone sharing their bed in this heat?

“No.” Kouya’s refusal came sharp and decisive, almost before she’d finished speaking.

The shrine maiden chuckled softly, clearly pleased by his immediate response. The night breeze swept through the open window, stirring the white curtains and lifting strands of her long black hair. She tucked one behind her ear with elegant grace, the moonlight brushing across her face like a lover’s touch, turning her skin to porcelain and casting her expression in serene beauty.

“They must have run into something terrifying,” she murmured, her tone faintly wistful. “That’s likely why they’re so frightened and cling to you so desperately. What do you think, Kou-kun? If you’re willing to take responsibility, I’ll keep them under my care for now. But if not, I’ll arrange something safer.”

Kouya turned toward the living room. The two little girls stood there clutching each other’s hands, small, fragile, and visibly trembling. Their large eyes reflected the candlelight, shimmering like pools of water, filled with fear and confusion. Kouya sighed quietly, the weight of the situation pressing against him. “Let’s ask them what happened first. Then we’ll decide.”

The shrine maiden nodded, smiling softly. “You might not say much, Kou-kun, but you really are a gentle person.”

He didn’t answer, simply exhaled and turned away.

Soon, the aroma of reheated food began to fill the air—simple leftovers from dinner, but the savory scent of miso and soy sauce blended perfectly with the warm tones of the house. The cozy little kitchen was alive again.

The two girls lingered shyly at the doorway, fingers entwined, peeking inside with wide eyes. The way their noses twitched, sniffing the aroma like curious kittens, made the scene strangely endearing. They clearly wanted to help but were too afraid to move without permission.

“Patience,” Vigne said kindly, glancing back with a warm smile. “It’ll be ready in a moment.”

“Mm-hmm!” they chorused in perfect sync, their heads bobbing like tiny puppets.

Vigne chuckled quietly. They were like twin pets waiting for a treat—adorable, innocent, and completely unaware of how disarming they were.

After a few minutes, she brought the dishes out to the table. “Go wash your hands first. We’ll just have a light meal now—tomorrow we can go out for something nice.”

As she spoke, she felt a light tug on her sleeve.

Turning, she saw Kanna staring up at her. The little dragon’s blue eyes gleamed like gemstones. “Kanna wants to eat too.”

Of course she does, Vigne thought helplessly. Kanna never understood the concept of ‘full.’

“Alright,” she said with a smile. “Take Ai-chan and Natsu-chan to wash up first, and I’ll get everyone chopsticks.”

After washing their hands, Kanna immediately sat down with practiced confidence, scooping rice with her usual calm efficiency. The two lolis imitated her movements nervously, holding their chopsticks like fragile glass, their small fingers trembling. When they finally brought a bite of food to their lips, their expressions froze.

“Eh? What’s wrong?” Vigne blinked, worried. “Is it too salty? Too hot?”

“Because… because…” Natsu-chan’s voice quivered.

“Because it’s so good!” Ai-chan blurted, eyes watering with joy. “We thought carrots and cabbage were the best food ever…”

“But big sister’s cooking tastes ten times better!”

Vigne couldn’t help laughing softly, warmth blooming in her chest. “I’m glad you like it.”

The two girls nodded eagerly, wiping away tears before smiling at her with unguarded admiration. Their eyes sparkled like sunlight on a clear stream. “Big sister is amazing!”

“Yeah! Natsu’s never eaten anything this good in her whole life!”

Vigne’s cheeks flushed slightly at their praise. “If you like it that much, maybe I’ll teach you how to cook sometime.”

“Really? Yay!” Both girls pumped their fists excitedly. “We’ll learn hard and become perfect pets who can take care of our Master!”

“…”

Kouya’s eye twitched. “Stop saying that!”

But the girls only giggled innocently, clearly unaware of how scandalous they sounded.

Meanwhile, Hinata, who had been lounging on the couch, rubbed her stomach with regret. “Ugh, it smells so good… I shouldn’t have eaten so many chips.”

The shrine maiden looked at her evenly. “Brush your teeth.”

“But I don’t wanna.” Hinata pouted, tugging at her sleeve. “Let me finish this drama first!”

The television glowed in the corner, playing a soap opera filled with melancholy violin music. On screen, several women were drinking at a small izakaya, complaining about their boyfriends. One woman sobbed into her beer as she confessed that her lover was two-timing her. When confronted, the man had claimed he loved both women equally—and wanted to live together with them.

A collective groan rose from the group.

Vigne blinked at the screen. “That’s… a bold idea.”

Gabriel sneered. “Bold? It’s disgusting. What kind of man even says that?” Her gaze slid toward Kouya. “Exactly the kind of hentai who sits right there.”

“Hey!” Kouya shouted. “Don’t lump me in with that idiot!”

Raphiel giggled softly, pressing a finger to her lips. “If it were me,” she said in a deceptively sweet tone, “I’d simply break his limbs and lock him up. That way he’ll never cheat again.”

The room went silent.

Kouya felt a chill crawl down his spine. “…That’s not love, that’s horror!”

Satania raised her fist. “Ha! Such problems don’t exist for me! I, the Great Demon Lord, will have my harem willingly!”

Gabriel groaned. “Rikka, what about you?”

Rikka’s eyes glinted as she raised her hand dramatically. “By the power of my dark contract, I summon the sacred blade of judgment!”

Before anyone could react, another voice piped up with nervous excitement. “And after the judgment… maybe we could, um, celebrate while the blood’s still warm?”

Everyone froze.

Hinata’s cheeks went crimson as she slapped her hands over her mouth. “I-it wasn’t me! I swear!”

Kouya nearly choked. ‘My loli can’t possibly be this lewd!’ he screamed internally.

Hinata wailed in embarrassment and bolted for the door.

“Excuse me,” the shrine maiden murmured, following after her.

Kouya lingered by the doorway, catching fragments of their conversation drifting through the soft night wind.

“Where did you even learn to say such things?” the shrine maiden asked gently.

Hinata’s voice was small. “From Eromanga-sensei’s streams… she draws pictures, and the chat says stuff like that…”

“Don’t watch that kind of thing again. What if someone dangerous contacts you?”

“But she’s not a stranger! She’s my friend’s sister’s classmate…”

“I see.” The shrine maiden sighed. “Let’s talk later. Go wash up and take a bath before bed.”

“Okay…”

Back in the house, Satania suddenly jumped up. “Speaking of baths! Gabriel! Let’s go to the hot spring!”

Gabriel groaned without opening her eyes. “No.”

“Come on! It’ll be fun! Just us!”

“Leave me alone.”

Before she could resist, Raphiel appeared behind her with an angelic smile. “Now, now, Gabi-chan. You’ll feel much better after a soak.”

Gabriel squirmed. “Stop dragging me! And no face wash!”

Raphiel ignored her protests, dragging her toward the back door while Satania followed, practically bouncing with energy. The trio disappeared into the night, their laughter echoing faintly.

Vigne stayed behind with the lolis. Rikka, utterly exhausted, had already fallen asleep on the couch, drooling peacefully.

The house grew quiet, wrapped in gentle moonlight.

After a pause, Vigne turned her head. “Kouya-kun, could you turn down the volume?”

He nodded silently and lowered the sound. The faint hum of cicadas outside filled the silence.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

The air grew strangely tender. Kouya could feel the warmth of the lights, the soft rustling of fabric, the faint scent of food still lingering.

Finally, he turned to the two girls. “You’re scared of me, aren’t you?”

“I-I’m not scared of Master!” Natsu-chan stammered, her shoulders shaking.

“You’re trembling so much the floor’s shaking,” Kouya muttered.

Natsu’s face flushed. “Natsu’s not a stutterer!”

Beside her, Ai-chan’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Master, you don’t hate us, do you?”

Kouya groaned. “Why do all our conversations end up like this?!”

Ai-chan hesitated, then said softly, “When Natsu was little, she met a talking parrot while sneaking out to play.”

“And?” Vigne asked, curious.

“The parrot was a stutterer! Natsu played with it too long and… caught it. Now she stutters when she’s nervous.”

“I see.” Vigne smiled faintly. “So it’s you making her nervous, Kouya-kun.”

Kouya rubbed his forehead and sighed, rising to his feet. “I need some air.”

He stepped outside into the courtyard. The garden glowed under the silver light of the moon, the night air cool and still. Crickets sang softly, and the stars burned bright above him.

Then—a splash.

A soft sound carried by the wind.

Kouya froze, his gaze drifting toward the hot spring behind the house.

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