"Alright, I'll give you a massage." Aiden said after taking a deep breath. 'A foot massage, this is a perk!'
However, his deep breath was just to alleviate physical discomfort and held no other meaning. But to Maki, it seemed like he...
A faint blush reappeared on Maki's cool and calm face. She recalled some novels she had secretly read with her younger sister, which seemed to describe people with such preferences.
"But, wouldn't it be more appropriate with stockings?"
Maki stared blankly at her own feet. Years of training hadn't left any marks on her feet; they were still as pale, tender, and smooth as when she was a child.
'What would my feet look like wearing stockings?' She thought again.
Although she was the head of the Kagura family and the leader of the Kagura family corporation, she didn't like wearing professional attire, and naturally, she rarely wore the business clothes that could be paired with stockings.
She usually presented herself in a Shrine Maiden outfit.
Still, not liking it didn't mean she didn't have any at home. She did have the most commonly used black stockings.
Furthermore, her younger sister's wardrobe had several types of stockings, which she had unintentionally seen last time when she helped her sister organize the closet...
While feeling the gentle kneading of Aiden's hands on her feet, Maki let her thoughts wander. But her control over her expressions was excellent.
Several times when Aiden looked up to sneak a glance at her, he found that apart from the blush on her face, she still maintained a cool, ascetic appearance.
Before long, Maki, who seemed to have been lost in thought, snapped back to reality.
Looking at Aiden holding and massaging her foot, she suddenly asked in a low voice, "Brother-in-law, whose feet feel better to the touch, mine or Chizuru's?"
"Huh???" Aiden looked up in confusion. 'Sister-in-law, isn't that the wrong question to ask? Shouldn't you ask whose feet look better?'
However, if we're really talking about the feel, there actually is a slight difference, though it's not major. After all, they are twin sisters.
The two sisters look exactly alike in both appearance and figure, the main difference lies in their contrasting personalities.
So. Aiden gave a light cough and said. "They feel about the same."
"Is that so?" Maki wasn't very satisfied with this answer. Women can be more competitive than men in certain aspects, even when the opponent is their own sister.
"About the same still implies a difference. Quickly tell me, what exactly is the difference?" Maki pressed on relentlessly, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.
Since the holy Shrine Maiden used such a tone, Aiden had no choice but to say. "Then I'll be honest."
"Chizuru's feel more comfortable to touch, a bit more fleshy than yours." These words sounded very inappropriate.
"Oh! So brother-in-law prefers them a bit plumper!" What Maki said was also very inappropriate.
"Maki and Chizuru have similar figures. Maybe because of dancing, your feet are a bit firmer than hers." While saying this, Aiden really felt like scratching his head.
'Why does it feel like I actually have a foot f*tish, seriously discussing this?'
this? Moreover, Maki, aren't you embarrassed talking about
Maki was, of course, shy. But probably after being massaged by Aiden for a while, she had gotten somewhat used to it.
The blush on her face gradually faded. She changed her posture, no longer leaning back with her hands on the floor.
She sat up slightly, placing one leg over Aiden's lap and drawing the other leg back, bent in front of her. She rested her elbow on her knee, cupped her chin in her hand, and looked at Aiden.
"So, Aiden, do you prefer them a bit more fleshy, or a bit firmer?"
"Can I say I like both?" Aiden glanced at her sideways. The Shrine Maiden's cool face wore a faint smile.
"But you have to pick a favorite," the Shrine Maiden continued.
"Then I prefer the firmer ones."
Aiden said according to Maki's implied preference. If Chizuru had asked, he would have said he preferred the more fleshy ones.
However, firmer ones have their advantages too. With less flesh, they appear more delicate and petite, small enough to be held in one hand.
'Damn... Have I really unlocked some strange f*tish?'
While Aiden was inwardly panicking, Maki smiled with satisfaction. She didn't think Aiden was lying to her, at the very least, the movements of his hands indicated that he indeed liked it.
"Then, brother-in-law, massage them a while longer. Mm. if you have time in the future, you can help me massage them too." Maki said, "I have to practice dancing frequently."
"This... isn't very appropriate, is it?"
Aiden replied with some difficulty.
"What's inappropriate about it? You are my... brother-in-law!" Maki said with a smile, but every time she called Aiden 'brother-in-law, her heart trembled a little.
Clearly, she had chosen a husband for her younger sister, yet she was secretly having him do such things for her.
'Maki, you are truly shameless!'
She thought expressionlessly to herself.
After a moment of silence, Maki spoke again, "Brother-in-law, are you going out with Miss Mai later?"
Aiden didn't know why she suddenly asked about Mai again. He nodded and said, "She wants to see the fireworks display."
"Then what time will you be back tonight?" Maki's tone was a bit tense, she was somewhat worried that Aiden might stay out overnight.
"I don't know. Maybe I'll come back after the fireworks display ends." Aiden thought about it and estimated it wouldn't be too late.
"Then Maki and Chizuru will wait for you at home." Maki said, thinking that as long as Aiden didn't stay out overnight, then there wouldn't be any problem.
"You must come back." Maki emphasized.
"Of course, I said last time I'd make you a midnight snack." Aiden said with a smile. When he went out today, he had already asked the maid Yumiko to prepare the ingredients.
"Then I'll be waiting for brother-in-law's return." Maki pursed her lips and smiled.
This massage didn't last very long, only about ten minutes from start to finish.
In fact, Maki wished Aiden would massage her a while longer. However, as the first prayer activity ended over at the Kagura Hall, the two of them tacitly stopped.
"So, this is where you both are."
The sound of little leather shoes clicking on the floor echoed, followed by Chizuru's voice.
Chizuru, wearing a Shrine Maiden outfit identical to her older sister Maki's, pushed open the door to the small room and saw Aiden and Maki sitting face to face by the tea table, drinking tea.
"Big sister, I'm busy and overwhelmed outside, and yet you're here drinking tea with Aiden. That's a bit unfair. you know."
However, even though Chizuru's words sounded like a complaint, she didn't sit down next to her sister.
Instead, she first walked around the small room, her nostrils constantly flaring. Finally, she stopped next to her sister.
"Chizuru, mind your demeanor."
Looking at her younger sister sniffing around her like a drug-sniffing dog, Maki frowned and said.
At the same time, she felt relieved inside that she had endured it and hadn't revealed any flaws.
Not detecting any strange smells, Chizuru pouted. She found it hard to believe that nothing had happened between them, but in reality, even if something had happened, she wouldn't make a big fuss, at most, she'd be a bit unhappy.
Kneeling seiza-style next to her sister, Chizuru poured herself a cup of tea, but her eyes were on Mai and Yuri entering through the door.
"Aiden, this is an omamori I got for you."
After arguing with the Kagura sisters and nearly getting into a fight, Mai, upon entering, didn't pay any attention to the Kagura sisters. Instead, she presented a small object engraved with the character for protection' to Aiden like a treasure.
An omamori is a protective amulet or charm.
"Thank you, Mai." Aiden smiled and picked up the charm. It looked quite exquisite and had a red string attached, seemingly meant to be worn around the neck.
He immediately hung the charm around his neck.
Just as Aiden finished hanging the omamori Mai gave him, Yuri also handed one over.
"Onii-chan, Yuri got one for you too."
Unable to refuse, Aiden had no choice but to accept it and hang it on his neck as well. Consider it double protection.
"Tch, if you like them so much, wouldn't it be better if I made you eight or ten of them later?" Chizuru. sitting across from them, muttered, only to get a light knock on the head from her sister.
"Only omamori made with sincerity are effective."
"Of course I have sincerity! I'm a Shrine Maiden now, after all!"
"You're only a temporary one."
Maki glanced at her. As long as she, the Big sister, didn't die, her younger sister would never have to become the Shrine Maiden.
Then, she looked at Aiden and said softly. "It's almost six o'clock now. Broth... Aiden, would you, Miss Mai, and Miss Yuri like to stay for dinner?"
"Together?" Aiden also looked at her.
Maki shook her head, "There will be a second prayer session later. We can't eat, it would affect our movements."
"Then never mind. The shrine is so busy right now, the maids probably don't have the time either. Aiden said, looking at Chizuru, because when at the shrine, dinner was usually prepared by Chizuru.
"We'll eat out later, so we won't trouble you." Mai also spoke up at this moment.
Chizuru, understanding the look Aiden gave her, pouted again and muttered quietly, "Even if you wanted to stay for dinner, I wouldn't be willing to cook for you anyway!"
Actually, she did want to make dinner for Aiden so he could eat before leaving, but she really didn't have the time right now.
No one except Maki could hear what Chizuru was saying. Mai, who had already finished her prayer was already thinking about the next item on the agenda.
"Aiden, we had western food for lunch. How about having sushi for dinner?" She said, holding onto Aiden's arm, completely disregarding the dangerous look Chizuru was shooting her way.
Aiden, of course, wouldn't refuse. He genuinely didn't like the adapted version of those food. He nodded, "Okay."
"Then let's hurry and find a restaurant, or there won't be any seats left." Mai promptly stood up, pulling Aiden up from his floor cushion at the same time.
"Maki, Chizuru, we'll be going now." Aiden looked at them apologetically.
But Maki shook her head and said calmly. "Have fun."
So, the fake-proper shrine maiden once again started saying words that didn't match her true feelings.