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After the initial small spat, the overall mood of the moon-viewing tea party was rather pleasant.
From eight in the evening until around half past nine, only when the cool summer-night breeze started to carry a slight chill to the rooftop terrace did everyone finally disperse, each heading back to their own rooms.
Meanwhile, as Bokue had just returned to his room and closed the door behind him, Kuroka—who had remained nestled comfortably in his embrace ever since dinner—suddenly stirred. She elegantly sprang from her exclusive VIP seat, transforming back into human form midair and gently landing, draped in her black kimono.
"Nya-ha~"
She stood gracefully, spinning lightly in place, her kimono fanning out perfectly around her before completing a smooth 180-degree turn to face Bokue, who still stood by the door. She pursed her lips, smiling triumphantly.
"See? I'm still your favorite after all, nya~"
"…What exactly are you talking about?"
Caught off guard by her sudden burst of confidence, Bokue felt momentarily bewildered, unsure of what she meant.
Could she be referring to Rias and Akeno's intense rivalry during the moon-viewing session? But, recalling clearly, Kuroka herself was quite the jealous type—every time she smelled the scent of another woman on him, she'd immediately explode like an enraged cat.
And if she meant size, both Rias and Akeno actually surpassed Kuroka by a bit.
Hmm…
Seeing his expression hesitating and uncertain, Kuroka immediately grew displeased. Hands on her hips, she stood straighter, puffing out her chest defiantly.
"What are you thinking about? I'm obviously referring to that girl you spent the last two days with on Itogami Island—something about monitoring that Fourth Primogenitor? I think her name was… Yukina Himeragi?"
"Yes, that's her. What's the issue?" Bokue raised a questioning brow.
"It's nothing~ Just something that crossed my mind. You've been with that little brat these past two days. She's so underdeveloped, short, flat-chested, and her hips are totally lacking. She can't even begin to compare with me, nya."
??
Bokue had no idea where her sudden competitiveness came from. After pondering briefly, he ventured a cautious guess.
"Jealous, are we?"
"Of course not!"
Just like a cat whose tail had been accidentally stepped on, Kuroka instinctively snapped back a denial without even thinking.
Bokue stared silently: "…"
Really? Not jealous at all?
In the quiet room, their eyes locked for a few seconds. Feeling somewhat guilty, Kuroka shifted her gaze away awkwardly.
"So, Bokue, you didn't actually do anything with that girl, right?"
"Of course not. What are you even thinking?"
Bokue rolled his eyes exasperatedly.
That girl was a dignified Sword Shaman from the Lion King Organization.
Their cooperation was strictly business-related—not like she was some fan of his. Besides, truthfully, over the past two days, he'd spent more time either with Asagi Aiba or Venelana Gremory than with Yukina. All told, his actual interaction with Yukina probably totaled less than three hours.
If that brief amount of contact could spark anything, then he might as well call himself human catnip.
"Ahaha, that's good to hear~! Now I can relax, nya~!"
Hearing that nothing indeed had happened, Kuroka sighed deeply in relief, placing a hand dramatically over her chest.
"After all, that girl really has nothing to offer. She's so underdeveloped—short, flat-chested, and with no hips whatsoever!"
"..."
Did she really have to repeat that twice?
Bokue added dryly,
"About the same as Shirone then."
"That's completely different! Shirone is still growing! She has plenty of room left to develop! It's not like she'll stay like this forever."
Kuroka fiercely defended her sister, even as her nimble fingers untied her kimono sash. Instantly transforming into a scene straight from Tom & Jerry's first episode—soaring Tom, she dove enthusiastically at the young man she'd longed for day and night.
"Come on, Bokue, let's take a bath, nya! Time for love! Big, passionate love! Let's make up for all the lost time, nya~!"
"Can't you be a bit more subtle…?"
"Why bother being subtle? Can subtlety feed you, nya? Can it?"
A few seconds later, with the bathroom door securely shut behind them, Kuroka's unfiltered sounds began to resonate clearly through the walls.
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Meanwhile, in Venelana's private chambers.
Beside the window sat a cozy tea table where Rias and Akeno had taken their seats.
Venelana had already settled in first, gently pushing freshly brewed cups of tea before the two young ladies, leaving herself one as well.
Lowering the teapot, she glanced warmly at the two girls before her, each wearing distinctly different expressions, and smiled tenderly.
"I suppose drinking tea right before bedtime isn't ideal, but going to bed thirsty isn't comfortable either. A small sip should be fine."
"…"
Since her mother had said so, Rias couldn't argue. She lifted her cup, blew softly, and took a small sip before speaking up hesitantly.
"So, Mother, what's the matter at this late hour?"
"Oh~ Nothing overly serious, just checking up on my dear daughter's recent activities," Venelana smiled thoughtfully, touching her lips briefly in contemplation. "By the way, how long can you usually last with Bokue these days, Rias?"
Pfft—!
Rias, completely unprepared for such a bold question from her mother, nearly spat out the tea she'd just sipped.
"M-Mother! What kind of question is that!? Cough, cough… What on earth are you asking me!"
Beside her, although Akeno said nothing, a flicker of surprise crossed her normally composed expression.
Lady Venelana… she truly didn't hold back at all, did she?
"Just tell me~ It's only natural for a mother to be concerned about her daughter's married life, isn't it?"
Venelana's smile didn't waver.
"What's there to be embarrassed about in front of your own mother? Come on, dear, just tell me~"
"I…"
Rias's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Lowering her head, she mumbled in embarrassment,
"It's alright, I guess… maybe two or three hours, something like that…"
Ah, so about two hours, then.
Knowing her daughter as she did, Venelana saw right through Rias's exaggerated estimate. After all, even she herself could only manage about two and a half hours. For her daughter to outperform her mother would be quite unbelievable.
"And is Bokue satisfied with that?"
Yet another blunt question.
Rias dipped her head even lower, shyly avoiding eye contact.
"How would I know…? It seems every single time he's like an inexhaustible robot who doesn't even know the meaning of tiredness…"
"Hmm~ That does sound tough for my poor daughter."
Although Venelana was asking about things she had already personally experienced and knew the answers to, she pretended it was the first time she'd heard them, thoughtfully nodding.
Then, she smiled gently once again.
"Then perhaps you should listen to mother's advice~? You know, from the perspective of someone who's been through it all before."
Venelana subtly emphasized the phrase "been through it," her eyes twinkling knowingly.
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At the same time, several rooms away, in another bedroom.
Already changed into her pajamas, the petite, silver-haired girl stood hesitantly before the overly spacious bed dominating her room. Head slightly lowered, she uncertainly hugged her slender arms to herself.
The past two nights she'd slept hugging a soft, warm kitty; now, suddenly, being left alone felt strangely unsettling…
Perhaps she should go and ask Bokue-senpai if she could borrow the kitty again tonight?
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