"Here, the washcloth—let's get started!" Miss Mira held the washcloth out behind her toward Rai Hikaru.
Her posture naturally exposed the smooth, hairless hollow of her armpit—a spot that should have carried an unseemly odor, even something repulsive on most people.
But on Miss Mira, it never felt crude or off-putting. It only stirred strange, forbidden thoughts and urges that had no business being there.
Rai Hikaru kept his eyes strictly forward, nose to the grindstone.
He took the washcloth from her, pumped a dollop of body wash onto it, then began gently scrubbing her back.
The moment the cloth touched her skin, Miss Mira let out a pleased moan. "Ohh~ Yeah, just like that. Feels so good!"
But after a few strokes, she sounded dissatisfied. "This washcloth's too rough—it stings. Put it down and use your hands instead. Give Auntie a little massage too."
"Always so demanding…" Rai Hikaru muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Miss Mira's hearing was apparently sharp as ever.
"Nothing. I was just saying, Miss Mira, your skin's incredible. So smooth and soft—better than most girls'."
Her lips curved up, eyes narrowing in delight. "Hee hee. Hikaru-chan's compliments always make Auntie so happy."
"But… how would you know my skin's better than other girls'? Don't tell me you've already been touching girls' skin, Hikaru-chan?"
Catching the odd lilt of amusement in her voice, Rai Hikaru wiped cold sweat from his brow and backpedaled. "Just a figure of speech. Don't take it so literally, Miss Mira."
With that, he laid his hands on her jade-smooth shoulders and began kneading gently.
"Ooh~"
Another low, suggestive hum escaped her.
Rai Hikaru stayed completely unfazed, keeping the pressure perfectly measured.
His massage skills were this good because he'd honed them on Miss Mira over the years—he was used to it by now.
After enjoying it for a bit, she half-lidded her eyes and asked, "Right, Hikaru-chan, you said you had something to talk about. What is it?"
"Not a big deal," Rai Hikaru replied. "Lately I've been thinking about picking up a part-time job to cover rent. Wondered if you knew any good ones to recommend."
At that, she scolded him playfully. "You're still so young—what's with the part-time job? Those things are exhausting, you know."
"If you're short on cash, why not just ask Auntie? Does that mean you don't see me as family anymore? I've always treated you like my own son."
"How much do you need? Auntie's got you."
As she spoke, she twisted around and planted a loud smooch on his cheek.
Rai Hikaru wiped his face, staring at her slightly pursed, glossy pink lips, fighting the unholy impulse to seal them with his own. He forced a wry smile.
"I know you've got plenty of money, Miss Mira, and I do see you as important family."
"But… I want to stand on my own two feet. Earning my own cash with these hands? That'll make spending it feel earned."
"I can't live under your wing forever."
Rai Hikaru knew Miss Mira was loaded, and her brand of soft rice was delicious—but he didn't want to rely on her endlessly.
Otherwise, he'd always be the one under her thumb. Though if it was Miss Mira on top… that wouldn't exactly suck…
But! Even a man wanted to flip the script sometimes!
Staying pinned forever would get stale fast. She'd lose interest eventually.
Better to mix in some ambition now and then, with the occasional hard-earned soft rice on the side.
He figured that speech would sway her, but to his surprise—
Miss Mira just smiled and said, "Who said you can't rely on me forever? I've been ready to provide for Hikaru-chan for life～"
Rai Hikaru blinked. Wait, seriously? A deal like that existed?
Seeing his stunned face, she covered her mouth and giggled, her chest heaving with the laughter in a way that drew the eye like a magnet.
"Fine, fine. I get it—kids grow up eventually. My little Hikaru's all grown now too."
"Got a girlfriend? Don't want to use Auntie's money to take her to a love hotel or buy condoms? Auntie gets it. Though Auntie wouldn't mind…"
"Of course, I support your independent streak."
"I'll ask around for good part-time gigs. One of my girlfriends mentioned something—a well-paid job that's short-staffed. Think it was at some St. Whatever Academy?"
"Emmm… Anyway, I'll look into it properly."
"And! If Hikaru-chan ever changes his mind and wants cash from Auntie, I'll still happily spend it on you!"
With that, she suddenly yanked him forward, crushing him against her in a tight embrace.
Those massive, milk-scented cushions smothered him. For a moment, Rai Hikaru genuinely struggled to breathe.
He finally wriggled free, rubbing his flushed cheek—still heavy with her scent—and chuckled. "Alright, thanks, Miss Mira."
"Keep massaging," she ordered, turning back around without a hint of shame.
Rai Hikaru obediently resumed working her shoulders.
She hands out cash freely, lines up job leads on demand—what kind of fool wouldn't cherish a rich auntie like this? Lightning would strike him dead.
"Your auntie's skin feels nice, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then why're you scrubbing so hard? Trying to peel it off?"
"Go lighter, or Auntie'll get sore. Got it?"
"Scrub good, and Auntie's got a reward for you～ Aren't you excited?"
Hearing that sly, mischievous tone, Rai Hikaru wisely clamped his mouth shut.
Truth was, with any other woman, he could unleash his masculine side without hesitation.
But with Miss Mira—practically a foster mother—he could only play the dutiful, filial son. No rising up allowed.
And Mira wasn't the gentle, doting type she seemed on the surface. No—she was cunning, black-bellied, whip-smart.
The one woman who could make Rai Hikaru bow his head.
In front of her, he'd always be little Hikaru-chan, eyes downcast.
But after finishing her back, little Hikaru-chan started to lift his head a bit.
Man… what a headache.
Look, don't touch. Hell, don't even think about it.
Pure torture.
Once his service was done, Rai Hikaru bolted from the bathroom.
He left the Clear-Heart Amulet and other useful items for Miss Mira, bound a paper crane to track her, then grabbed a jacket from the sofa.
Then he strode right out of the Tsubakihara house.
Part of his rush was the headache Miss Mira had given him—though that fire in his gut sure as hell wasn't going out on her.
But the real reason? One of his Pure Love Warning Paper Cranes had just pinged a danger alert!
He pulled out the crane glowing angry red, blaring its warning.
Stepping outside, Rai Hikaru looked up toward Shinonomiya Natsuka's apartment building in the distance. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
This one was bound to her.
If it was blaring now…
That meant a bull was probably about to show up at Shinonomiya Natsuka's place.
Perfect timing.
He had fire to vent, and he needed to let it out.69shuba