"What's wrong?"
Alise tilted her head slightly as she caught Akira's gaze. Her long auburn hair swayed with the motion, and her bright, forest-green eyes blinked innocently, filled with curiosity.
Akira, who had been quietly staring at her for a moment, quickly averted his eyes. He clasped his hands behind his back and gave a casual shrug.
"…It's nothing. The clothes suit you, Alise. You look… very cute."
"Hahaha! I knew it!" Alise placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest proudly, clearly pleased with the compliment. "I always knew I had great taste. I have no idea why the others don't like these pajamas."
The sleepwear she wore was indeed unique—fluffy yet oddly form-fitting, giving off a strangely charming vibe that only Alise could pull off with such confidence.
Akira chuckled softly and shifted the conversation, "Are you here to have your status updated too?"
Before Alise could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Yes, Akira. What about you?"
Lyra approached from the side, still dressed in her usual daring outfit—her iconic black midriff-baring vest and skin-tight shorts. Her confident smirk didn't go unnoticed.
Akira scratched his cheek with his left hand and struck an exaggerated pose with his right, pointing forward like a character from a play, leaning back slightly.
"Who do you think I am? If I hadn't been born, Orario would still be swallowed by darkness and despair."
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone processed his overly dramatic declaration.
A beat later—
Thud!
Kaguya's hand, shaped into a knife-like arc, came crashing down hard on Akira's head.
"Talk normally!" She scolded with a sigh. "And stand still when you're speaking."
"Yes, Kaguya-nee." Akira quickly straightened up and gave a sheepish smile. "I've made good progress. I think I'll be ready to level up in a few more days."
"Hmph, don't get cocky."
Kaguya clicked her tongue but didn't push the matter further. She turned slightly, brushing her long black hair aside with one hand. The movement was graceful, elegant even and revealed her slender neck.
Her usual chest bindings were absent tonight, and her loose home attire subtly emphasized the mature curves she often kept hidden. Though she said nothing, the confidence in her posture spoke volumes.
"That's amazing, Akira." Ryuu added with a gentle smile. She wasn't as harsh or prideful as Kaguya, and her sincerity often showed plainly in her words.
"But, like Kaguya said, we shouldn't let success get to our heads. I've come to realize something during this expedition… If I don't grow stronger, no matter how much I talk about justice, I won't be able to protect the people around me."
Ryuu's voice was quiet but resolute. Despite her calm demeanor, a fire had been lit in her heart—a determination forged in the trials of their journey.
In truth, among Astraea Familia, Ryuu's talent was second to none. Even Alise, the strongest of them, had only a few more years of experience than Ryuu. Given time, Ryuu could very well surpass her.
As she finished speaking, the others turned their attention to her.
"Oh my." Kaguya chuckled behind her sleeve. "Has our useless little elf finally grown up a bit?"
"Well said, Ryuu!" Alise beamed and threw her arms around Ryuu, hugging her tightly. "I'm so proud of you!"
Lyra leaned in with a teasing glint in her eye. "Huhu... Why the sudden change of heart? Is this the power of love at work?"
"Th-That's not the reason!!" Ryuu protested, her face turning crimson as she struggled in Alise's grip.
Watching her flail, Akira smiled warmly. "Then you better work hard… Ryuu-neesan~"
Ryuu froze. Her body stiffened as though time itself had stopped. The redness on her cheeks spread to the tips of her ears.
"W-Wait… Akira, what did you just call me…?" She turned to face him, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
Akira tilted his head playfully and stepped forward. "Didn't you hear me? I said… Keep working hard, Ryuu-neesan."
Peng!
It was as if steam exploded from her head.
Ryuu suddenly broke free from Alise's embrace and bolted down the hallway, heading straight for Astraea's room without a word.
"Ah… she ran away." Akira said softly, watching her retreating figure disappear into the corridor.
"Hahaha! That elf really ran off just because of a little teasing." Kaguya laughed so hard she had to lean on the wall for support. "Too funny!"
But the teasing wasn't over yet.
Alise suddenly perked up as if realizing something important.
"Wait a minute! If Akira called Ryuu sister… then among the four of us, I'm the only one he hasn't called that."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Lyra said with a smirk. "Who'd want to be called sister by this troublemaker?"
"I don't care! I want Akira to call me sister too!!" Alise declared and immediately threw herself at him with dramatic flair, hugging him like a child begging for candy.
"Alright, alright. Stop pulling on my clothes." Akira groaned, trying to maintain some dignity.
Alise pouted and backed off, staring at him expectantly with sparkling eyes.
Akira rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Ugh… When you look at me like that, it's kind of embarrassing."
Puchi!
Kaguya and Lyra both burst into laughter.
"Are you guys putting on a stage play?" Kaguya said through tears.
Seeing Alise puff her cheeks in frustration, Akira quickly waved his hands. "Fine, fine! If I shout it, will that make you happy?"
He took a deep breath, and with great reluctance said, "…Alise… Onee-san…"
The moment the words left his mouth, Alise's entire face lit up with joy. She hugged him tighter and murmured softly, "Hehe… I'm so happy."
"Alright, you've gotten your satisfaction. Time to update your status."
Kaguya marched over, grabbed Alise by the collar, and began dragging her away.
Lyra said, "Come on, Alise. You were at your limit before the expedition, right? If you don't level up now, this guy will catch up to you in no time."
"You're right, Lyra." Alise said, suddenly serious. "My burning sense of justice can't lose—not to Akira, and definitely not to anyone else. That would be too lame."
She struck a pose and pointed dramatically. "Let's go!"
Dragging Lyra behind her, Alise sprinted down the hallway, calling out, "Astraea-sama! I'm coming!"
"W-Wait, I still had something to say to Akira!" Lyra protested, but her voice quickly faded.
Now only Akira and Kaguya remained in the room.
"Hmph. Why are you still here?" Kaguya turned to him with narrowed eyes. "Don't tell me you're planning to peep at us with those shameless eyes? If you keep looking like that, I'm going to lose all my favorability toward you."
Akira met her gaze, then shook his head slightly, a gentle smile on his lips.
"What's that supposed to mean? Am I right?" Kaguya asked suspiciously.
"…Nothing. I just suddenly wanted a reward."
Kaguya blinked. "Huh? A reward? For what?! I haven't even asked you to do anything, and now you're asking for something?"
She crossed her arms, clearly annoyed but before Akira could respond, she let out a frustrated sigh and stepped forward.
"…Fine. You win."
Without warning, Kaguya leaned in, cupped Akira's cheeks, and pressed her lips to his.
The kiss was brief but firm, lasting only a few seconds before she pulled away. Her face now carried a subtle red hue as she turned and quickly walked off.
(End of Chapter)
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