With Miyuki and Minami effectively lured away, Pixie found herself in the enviable position of having Tatsuya's undivided attention. Overwhelmed with a digital surge of joy, she moved to throw her arms around him, but Tatsuya raised a hand to stop her. Respecting his boundary, the robot stood down, though her mechanical heart felt as if it were racing.
"So, Miyuki and Minami have really headed for the main house?"
『It appears so,』 Pixie replied. 『They contacted the estate, stating they intended to interrogate a steward named Aoki, and departed immediately.』
"Another headache in the making..." Tatsuya muttered.
To Tatsuya, Aoki's abrasive attitude was a non-issue, a minor friction he hadn't even bothered to report because the negotiations had technically succeeded. But for Miyuki, any perceived slight against her brother was an unforgivable sin. Tatsuya had kept quiet precisely to avoid this kind of drama, but it seemed Pixie had other plans.
『For the next several days, I shall be the one to look after you, Master.』
"…So that was your play," Tatsuya sighed, the weight of his realization manifesting in a long, weary breath.
『Master, you shouldn't sigh like that. They say happiness escapes with every breath.』
"For now, go and change. You can't move around easily in that school uniform all day."
『But Master, I possess only this uniform and my standard maid attire.』
Tatsuya paused. Even if it was only for a few days, having a robot in a maid outfit or a borrowed uniform wandering his house was a recipe for mental fatigue. While he was immune to sexual distraction, the optics were bothersome. Besides, he hadn't brought her home just to be a domestic servant.
"…I'll take you to buy some clothes tomorrow. For today, just make do with what you have."
『Am I to go on an outing with the Master?』
"Yes. But remember: using your psychic abilities in public is strictly prohibited. You are to speak like a normal person."
"I... understand."
The spoken response was a bit stiff—hardly surprising given she was a Parasite inhabiting a mechanical shell—but Tatsuya simply nodded with a look of quiet resignation.
『Then, Master, I shall begin preparing dinner at once. May I have permission to use the kitchen?』
"Do as you like. Just be careful not to move things around too much, or Miyuki will have your head when she gets back."
『Of course. I shall ensure every item is returned to its exact coordinate. Do not worry.』
Tatsuya took her robotic confidence at face value and returned to the basement. While a normal person would have used the house's internal comms, Pixie could communicate via telepathy, rendering such technology redundant. Tatsuya, acclimating to the efficiency, didn't bother teaching her how to use the intercom.
The next morning, after a seamless breakfast, Tatsuya led Pixie into the city. He wore his usual casual attire—a simple blouson over a shirt—but Pixie remained in her First High uniform. To anyone who didn't know Tatsuya's age, the sight of him escorting a girl in a school uniform looked... questionable, to say the least.
"Ta... Tatsuya-san. People seem to be staring at us."
"Ignore them. They likely think I'm some college student leading a high schooler astray."
Tatsuya had instructed her to use his name rather than "Master" in public. Pixie's pronunciation was still a bit hesitant, but she complied. Tatsuya, for his part, found it impossible to call her "Pixie" in a crowded shopping mall, so he simply avoided using her name altogether.
"What kind of style are you looking for?"
"Let me see... perhaps something similar to what Miyuki-san or Honoka-san would wear?"
Recalling the outfits she had seen the two girls wearing during their trip to the Aoyama Cemetery, Pixie began browsing the racks. Tatsuya stood by, his eyes scanning the price tags.
(This range should be fine,) he thought.
Tatsuya wasn't one to fret over expenses, but he knew that if he bought clothes for Pixie, Miyuki and Minami would undoubtedly demand "equal treatment" upon their return. He calculated that even with those inevitable future costs, the current shopping trip wouldn't put a dent in his finances.
"Tatsuya-san, what do you think of this one?"
"You should try it on first."
"You're right. Will you help me?"
After speaking with a nearby shop assistant, Pixie disappeared into a fitting room. Tatsuya waited outside in the women's department, perfectly composed and showing none of the typical male awkwardness.
When the curtain finally pulled back, Pixie stepped out. "How is it?"
"It's not bad... but I think you could handle something a bit bolder," Tatsuya said, his gaze critical but honest.
"I see. Then I shall try another."
Whether it was Miyuki or Pixie, Tatsuya had a subconscious desire to see those close to him dressed in what suited them best. He never offered empty flattery; he gave his honest opinion with clinical precision. This earnestness drew envious looks from other women in the shop, many of whom shot disappointed glares at their own partners for their lack of input.
"How about this?"
"Hm... the colors feel slightly off. You'd look better in something more muted. I believe there was a similar design in light blue over there. Did you not like that one?"
"No, I simply wanted to prioritize your preference, Tatsuya-san. I shall try the blue one immediately."
Pixie was currently wearing a deep, heavy navy, but Tatsuya felt a softer palette would better suit her delicate features. Pixie, who had sensed the navy was a poor match but wore it to test him, felt a digital wave of relief at his decisive feedback.
『Master truly is skilled at pleasing women,』 Pixie remarked via telepathy as she closed the fitting room door.
Tatsuya offered a dry, internal smile. He wasn't trying to "please" anyone; he was simply stating facts. That it resulted in joy was a phenomenon he couldn't quite wrap his head around.
The shopping trip ended after they had significantly impacted the mood of every other couple in the store. Feeling that one outfit was insufficient, Tatsuya purchased three. Pixie tried to apologize for the expense, but Tatsuya merely told her not to worry about it as he settled the bill.
"I'll wear this one home," Pixie told the clerk. "Please ship the uniform and the other two outfits to this address."
"Of course, sir!"
The shop assistant, delighted by the high-value sale from a "student" customer, bowed deeply. Whether she took Tatsuya for a high schooler or a young professional was unclear, but Tatsuya didn't care. He led Pixie out of the store and back toward the station.
"Thank you very much! Please come again!"
(I'll likely be back with Miyuki and Minami soon enough,) Tatsuya thought to himself as they began the walk home.
With the other two girls out of the picture, the Shiba house belonged to Pixie—for now.
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