Interlude: The Resplendent Encounter

“Isn’t the sunlight just lovely today~? On a day like this, wouldn’t it be simply wonderful to sprawl out on the grass and enjoy a nice, leisurely nap?”

Ayaka-san made a suggestion that was hardly appropriate for a refined young lady, but there was no malice in it. Eina, well aware of this, gave a nonchalant reply. “It’s not a bad suggestion, but we shall be relaxing in the sunroom. Do as you please.”

Ayaka-san didn't seem to expect a serious response from her master in the first place. It’s difficult to put into words, but it seemed she simply enjoyed having these meaningless exchanges sometimes. I didn't quite get it, but since Eina wasn't forbidding it, she must have been understanding of the quirk.

“Actually, what about your work?” I asked.

“While you two are relaxing here, I’m helping out with the chores in this area~. If I were to say that a maid’s work is truly exhausting, would you be cross with me, Eina-sama~?”

“Keiya and I are taking it slow here. If I have need of anything, I’ll call one of the other girls, so you may excuse yourself. You’re in the way.”

Since it was a holiday, there was no school. As Haru combed her hair from behind, Eina spent a graceful afternoon with a book she’d brought from the library.

Calling her actions ‘graceful’ from my perspective might seem odd, but it was the truth. In fact, I was utterly captivated by her. Every single one of her movements was a masterpiece. I’d wanted to be the one to comb her hair, but Eina had insisted we simply spend the time together, so this was the result. Right now, I found myself a little envious of Haru.

“Now, don’t be like that~. Driven by my own trifling curiosity, there is something I wished to ask of you, Eina-sama. Would that be alright?”

“...What is it?”

“I believe the Sports Festival is approaching at the school Sagiri-ku... I mean, Keiya-sama attends. Is there anything we might do to assist you~?”

“You’re only now worrying about how you address him...? The Sports Festival, hm? What, are you saying you want to go and cheer for Keiya’s gallant display?”

“Yes, yes! As expected of Eina-sama, you’re so sharp whenever it concerns Keiya-sama. Oh, I have no ulterior motives, you know? You two might usually spend your school life together, but surely things won't go as usual during a major event? If it pleases Eina-sama, I thought I might slip in as one of the students and provide the two of you with some support~.”

Eina closed her book and turned her gaze toward me, tilting her chin up slightly as if prompting me for an answer. “What do you think?”

“Hmm. I wonder if it’s really okay to just ‘slip in’ as a student like that. I mean, Eina, the things you do are pretty extreme, but your own enrollment followed the proper procedures... right?”

“I happen to know that such a thing would be child’s play for Eina-sama! Not just sneaking in a maid or two—I’m sure she could even create an entire classroom without a single problem!”

“That would certainly be a problem... It would be possible if truly necessary, but the paperwork would be a bit of a bore. More importantly, if you were to enroll officially, you’d have to commit to your studies for three years just like us. What would you do about your work here? No matter how capable you are, you simply wouldn't have enough time, physically.”

“But, but~ Eina-sama, you don’t seriously intend to enjoy the Sports Festival all by yourself, do you?”

“I don’t recall asking for your opinion.”

“I’m not trying to complain~. That is to say, if you were to bring the other girls along, that would be fine too. I am simply worried about whether Eina-sama can truly survive the Sports Festival without anyone’s help.”

I didn't quite understand why Ayaka-san was so worried. Excessive concern can sometimes come across as mockery. At the very least, it wouldn't be strange for someone as overflowing with confidence as Eina to take it that way. If she lost her temper, she’d be disposed of; was there some deeper meaning behind her making such a suggestion without a hint of fear?

“...Wait, is there supposed to be some kind of trouble at the Sports Festival?!”

“No, no, it’s not really like that...”

“—Enough. I understand. You’re worried about whether my physical stamina will even hold out, aren't you?”

Wait, what?

“Huh?” The voice in my heart slipped out past my lips.

“Is Eina really that out of shape? But I’m pretty sure you go down to the basement to exercise sometimes, right?”

“That is exercise to maintain her figure~. There is no room for doubt that her physique is absolutely perfect! Another girl is in charge of that, but I see Eina-sama’s body every single day in the Grand Bath without fail... teehee, and Keiya-sama’s body, too!”

“P-Please, stop mentioning me, it’s embarrassing!”

“Yes, yes~♪ However, a Sports Festival is a proper event made of actual athletic movement, not a competition held on top of a bed. If it were on a bed, you might at least have the option of entrusting your well-being to Keiya-sama. But that won't fly at the Sports Festival.”

“......So you’re saying my motor skills are poor. How incredibly offensive. I might fall short of you lot, but I believe I’m at least above average. To think that I, of all people, would be looked down upon by my own property.”

Eina made Haru stop combing her hair, stood up, and crossed her arms beneath her breasts with a look of displeasure.

“Fine. I was just thinking it was about time I showed you the dignity of a master. I must prove that I am not the kind of woman my property can afford to underestimate.”

“Eina? I think your dignity was more than established during that whole incident with Hasekura. If anyone was licking their chops at the thought of testing you, I’m sure they at least won't show that attitude now.”

“That wasn't dignity so much as it was dread. Terror politics are simple and straightforward, but if that is all one can manage, then the caliber of the ruler is clear. It is unthinkable that the authority of Ouhouin Eina would begin and end with that. Very well. Keiya, you come outside as well. I shall show you my power.”

“I mean, that’s fine, but...”

I don't really have an image of Eina being athletic. Most of the physical education classes at school are separated by gender, but even then, my eyes are always glued to her.

If I have a moment to spare, I spend it staring at her, falling in love all over again. That’s why I should have been able to defend or advise her, but I didn't. I couldn't. The reason was simple: I’d never looked at her from that perspective before.

To be blunt, the emotions I felt when watching her were pure lust; I wasn't measuring her based on whether I should laugh at her clumsiness or be impressed by her skill. That’s why I had no impression of it.

When I try to remember, the only thing that comes to mind is the sight of Eina’s breasts swaying selfishly, and I feel a twinge of inner shame. My half-baked inability to just accept that I’m a pervert had led to this current situation.

“Now then... I’ll go change. Would you head to the backyard first? Haru... you’re fine. You can rest. Shion, you guide Keiya-kun.”

“Eh? ...Understood.”

Shion, who had simply been trying to cross the entrance hall in the middle of her cleaning, was dragged into it as well, and Eina hurried up the stairs. I’d thought we were going to have a peaceful afternoon, but I had a premonition of chaos. Shion came over to replace Haru and leaned in to whisper in my ear.

“Why me? Does this have anything to do with me?”

“Uhh, I don't think so. If you’re at fault for anything, Shion, it’s probably just for being in Eina’s line of sight...”

“Ugh, is she in a bad mood? Come on, Keiya-san, get it together. My life would have been miserable if Eina-sama hadn't bought me, and thanks to that, I’m happy enough lately that I actually don't want to die, you know? Though I’ll still die if she tells me to. What did you do?”

“Sorry... Ayaka-san questioned Eina’s motor skills and things just spiraled. If I’d known it would turn out like this, I would have tried harder to stop it.”

We had to head outside while we talked, or we’d be later than Eina. She pulled me by the hand, and we stepped through the main entrance. It looked like her sister, Hijiri, was taking over her cleaning duties around the fountain.

“Motor skills, huh...? It’s true, I don't really have a 'sporty' image of Eina-sama. Not that I think she’s a klutz, but just... somehow. Even when she bought me, she was walking around with such a haughty air.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Well, she actually is important, so it’s only natural she acts like it, right? I didn't know that when I was bought, though. I only had bad images of human trafficking... even if the way Eina-sama does it is a bit different.”

I could still remember the sensation of stepping onto the grass in the backyard for the first time. I’d been shocked by how soft the grass was. There are places at school where weeds grow, but stepping on those just felt itchy or annoying, giving me a bad impression.

As for sprawling out here, Eina had brushed it off earlier, but it was something I’d said I wanted to try ever since I was bought. At the time, she’d happily rolled around with me.

“Among the maids, is Yatsuka-san the most athletic?”

“I wonder. Usually, that’d be the case, but Haru is a bit of an outlier. To me, that girl always looks like she’s holding back, like she’s always got room to spare. Yatsuka-san might just be the type who can't relax her shoulders, so... hmm...”

“But Eina is really flexible, you know. Oh, I don't mean how she feels to the touch, okay? She even showed me a Y-balance once.”

“Wait, you made her do that?”

Shion’s eyes widened in hidden surprise before she shifted to looking at me like I was some kind of blasphemer, lightly poking my side with her elbow. “Even if you’re lovers, isn't that a bit much? Don't tell me you did that at school?”

“...No comment.”

“Don't tell me you... tried to peek under her skirt?”

“...She said I could, if I wanted to.”

“—I knew it. To Eina-sama, school isn't a place for learning; it’s just a place to scout for romantic situations with Keiya-san. Her methods are either incredibly bold, or she’s just going all-out to make you a total slave to her. Well, just because she’s flexible doesn't mean her motor skills are top-notch. Of course, being flexible means you won't get injured and you’ll improve at anything, but her actual sense for it is another matter entirely.”

We reached the center of the garden. I’d been brought all this way, but I hadn't been told any details. Even if she said it was a demonstration of motor skills, what was she planning to do?

“My, my~ it seems my little quip has caused quite a stir, hasn't it~?”

“Ah, the culprit!”

Ayaka-san walked toward us slowly, her hands clasped in front of her. ‘Maid’ was just a convenient label for the people Eina bought, but aside from her fluffy way of speaking and her slightly insolent streak, she truly was like a real maid.

After living here, I’d realized that only Ayaka-san and Yatsuka-san could walk without their heads swaying at all. One might call it a dignified gait, a mannerism befitting someone serving the high nobility.

Yatsuka-san, however... felt more like a hidden blade than a maid. Personally, I thought she looked better in a suit.

“Ayaka-san! Because of you, I got dragged into this out of nowhere!”

“Now, now! It’s not good to blame others. If Eina-sama heard you say that, I’m sure she’d be quite disappointed.”

“She definitely wouldn't, and if anything, I really am the victim here. Whatever. What are we doing? How are you going to prove her motor skills?”

“Goodness, I haven't the slightest clue. Eina-sama seemed quite fired up, though...”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As the three of us piled up our lackluster theories, the woman of the hour, Eina, arrived. Her usual long, long hair was tied back, falling to about the middle of her back. She had changed into the school-designated gym uniform; it was the version of her I usually saw at school.

“Oh, my. I thought you would be in an outfit more suited for exercise for the sake of Sa... Keiya-sama.”

“If we are simulating the Sports Festival, I must be in this attire. Now then, perhaps I’ll start with the 200-meter dash. It is a competition, after all.”

“If you’re proving your stamina, wouldn't a long-distance run be better...?”

“The muscles used are different. Besides, it isn't an event in the Sports Festival.”

“Eina, where should we stay?”

“You can take the cart and drive alongside me. That way you won't lose sight of me, and you’ll be able to see for yourself up close. Now, are you ready? On your marks—”

Wait, is she giving the signal herself? Before I had time to think, I was hurried onto the cart. Our job was easy—just watching her from the side—but I wondered how it would turn out.

“Get set—”

“BANG!”

Eina moved reflexively, nearly tumbling over before catching herself on her knees. The person who had shouted the final word wasn't her, but Ayaka-san. Where had she been hiding that megaphone?

“...What are you doing?”

“I thought it wouldn't be much of a Sports Festival simulation if you gave the starting signal yourself~.”

“............”

Had she finally reached the point where dealing with Ayaka-san was just too much work? Pulling herself together, Eina started running. Honestly, she wasn't slow at all. If a member of the track team saw her, I’m sure they’d have things to say about her form or her breathing, but her speed itself wasn't shockingly fast, nor was it slow enough to be mocked.

“Go for it, Eina!”

“Haa... haa... haa... ugh, haa...”

However, one thing became crystal clear: Eina had no stamina. If someone told me it was nonsense to expect stamina from an Ojou-sama, I suppose that would be the end of it, but even from the 200-meter dash, I was already starting to feel anxious. Anyone gets tired to some degree, and it wasn't the fact that she was tired that worried me. Even to an amateur’s eyes, her physical exhaustion was extreme; it looked as if she wouldn't be able to do anything else once she finished this 200-meter run.

“Eina, just half to go!”

“Haa... haa... haa...”

I’d said it to cheer her up, but I wasn't sure if it was effective. The moment she crossed the distance that served as the finish line, Eina collapsed right there on the spot, her face thrust forward as if she were about to vomit.

“Eina?!”

“It seems she was a bit too fired up since she was in front of Keiya-sama~. But with this, my anxieties have become reality.”

“......I haven't... lost yet. Haa. I haven't... lost. I’m... fine.”

“E-Eina. Are you really okay? You don't need to be so obsessed with whether you have stamina or not. Ayaka-san was probably just... teasing you.”

“Do not... show me... pity. Keiya. I... I am... fine.”

She clearly didn't look fine, but since Eina insisted on continuing, I decided to just watch over her. After a brief moment to rehydrate, next was the obstacle course. The obstacles had been brought out from the annex deep within the garden.

While they were getting ready, Eina was breathing painfully, so until I was called, I stayed by her side, carefully wiping away her sweat. Her metabolism was surprisingly good; she was drenched. But I didn't think she was dirty or gross at all. Eina was working hard.

“............Thank you.”

“Keiya-sa... ahem. Eina-sama, the preparations are complete... Ah, jeez. I can't get used to this.”

It was anyone’s guess what kind of obstacles would appear in the race.

However, nothing was prepared that would require the physical ability of a circus troupe to clear. Only things that could be bypassed by someone with average physical ability were set up... at least, that’s how it was last year.

“Ready, go!”

Running across the balance beam seemed like it was going to be tough. Crawling through the net was only smooth because this was grass; if it were dirt, the conditions would be different.

The monkey bars probably wouldn't be in the real festival, but Eina managed to clear them even while her arms were shaking. The stilts that followed were surprisingly easy for her, but by the time she reached the water-carrying station, she looked like she was at her limit. She didn't have the strength left to tackle it properly, and by the time she finished the run, ninety percent of the water was gone.

“E-Eina...”

Perhaps it was because the sweat dripping from her hair had caught on her eyelashes? Bent double and gasping for air, her face almost looked like she was crying.

I climbed down from the cart and approached her. Like a wandering zombie, Eina kept her head down and reached out with both hands, weakly clinging to me the moment she touched my body.

“............”

“Ayaka-san, Eina is... not okay, is she? I think the Sports Festival is about trying your best, and in that sense, she did a great job.”

“That is not for me to judge. It has to be Eina-sama herself, now that she has learned her own limits~. However, since things are looking a bit precarious right now, how about a quick bath? We can't use the entire Grand Bath, but one of the smaller tubs has already been prepared, so the water should be just right by the time you get back to the mansion.”

“................Yes.”

I couldn't stand to watch her try to walk on her own with those zombie-like, staggering steps, so I tucked my arm under Eina’s waist and lifted her in a princess carry. We rode the cart back to the rear entrance of the mansion. We entered directly through the kitchen, passing the surprised voices of the maids as we headed to the Grand Bath in the basement. Yatsuka-san was standing at the entrance.

“I have heard the story from Ayaka. We shall not disturb your time together, so please, take your time.”

“Thank you very much!”

Usually, mixed bathing was embarrassing, but right now I was truly glad the changing room was shared. I sat Eina on a bench and let her rest for about thirty minutes. Once I saw her breathing had settled down, I hesitated for a moment before asking.

“C-Can I take your clothes off?”

“—Yes. That’s fine. Please.”

I never thought the fact that I was always the one changing her clothes would come in handy in a place like this. After removing her gym top and bottoms, I reached for her underwear. I slid off her panties and moved to her bra. Even if I was used to seeing her naked, my mouth still went dry at this range.

“Will you... come in with me?”

“I-I don't think I really have anything to do with this.”

“Please.”

Eina usually gave commands, but it was rare for her to actually ask me for something.

It was a different kind of spoiled behavior than usual, and partly due to my past upbringing, my body moved on its own to grant her wish whenever she spoke like that. No matter the situation. Even if, right now, I didn't want Eina to see my lower half.

“............Okay, then. Let’s go. To the bath.”

“Yes. Can we... hold hands?”

“A-Ah, yeah.”

I’m a terrible person, I thought. Eina was just exhausted and I wanted her to rest, but my body was instinctively sensing the situation, making me tense up. Was the fact that Eina didn't mention it a small mercy? The tub Ayaka-san had prepared was a small, deep, square bath. Usually, it was used as a cold plunge, and I often saw Yatsuka-san using it.

As we soaked in the tub, Eina immediately took both of my hands and pressed them against her breasts. She even went out of her way to turn and face me.

“............!”

“............I didn't think I had much stamina, but I’m only ashamed that I showed you such a pathetic sight. I wanted to show you a cooler version of myself.”

“W-What are you saying? Working hard is cool. I’m not going to be disillusioned by something like that. If anything, I’m happy I got to see your hardworking side.”

“............Fufu. Then, I’m glad.”

Sitting on the step in the tub, Eina sat right next to me and rested her hand on my thigh.

“That’s the first time anyone has ever called me hardworking. Truly... the first time. Because I’ve never been praised for working hard, not even once.”

“Really? But when you still had your family... weren't you pampered?”

“The wealthy walk surprisingly difficult paths, too. Though of course, it’s nothing compared to yours. Ouhouin Eina has only ever been evaluated by results, never the process. So no matter how much I worked, if I couldn't prove the results, it was meaningless. It’s an extreme way of putting it, but working hard was pointless.”

“Pointless?”

“Everything was decided from the very beginning. It’s only natural in a meritocracy. If you haven't achieved anything, it’s the same as if you hadn't even acted. What is required is natural talent and good luck... and in that sense, I suppose my luck is good.”

In her expression as she looked at me from the side, I could feel a certain trust and a deep, deep affection.

“—I can see it, you know. The red thread of fate. It’s connected to you. Hey, Keiya. Thank you for being born. Since I started living with you, there hasn't been a single day that wasn't happy.”

“M-Me too, Eina. Every day, I wish days like this could last forever.”

For a split second, she bit her lip, but immediately showed me a smile again. I didn't understand the meaning of that expression right then.

“—That’s right. As long as I am Ouhouin Eina, surely—we will be together forever. I will never let you go.”

After finishing the bath and returning to the bedroom, Eina sprawled out and demanded her usual reward.

“Nn... ugh. Ah, right there...!”

“Good work as always, Eina. But honestly, it’s weird to say you’re tired after just that.”

“Just living normally is exhausting. If you don't... ngh... heal me a lot, I don't think I’ll be able to keep going.”

I was kneading the legs she’d thrown out from the bed. Just a moment ago, I’d been massaging her shoulders and back.

I wanted to say it was time for sleep, but if I was ordered to give a massage, I had to do it. This would continue right up until we were about to sleep, and once the canopy curtains were closed, it was time to deepen our love.

I would bury my face in Eina’s chest or fall asleep smothered in her hair. Eina would press her body against my hips, and depending on what she was wearing, she’d leave her front open or let one strap slide off her shoulder, showing me an utterly defenseless side of herself.

There was always a goodnight kiss and a morning kiss, and when things got heated, we’d sometimes fall asleep while kissing.

Dosing off in a daily life that could almost be called 'pleasure-soaked' and welcoming the next day was a happiness that never grew old, no matter how many times it was repeated.

Eina would ask about more extreme options, too, but because I’d once just gone with the flow, I’d ended up in quite the predicament. Back then, I had no initiative and just did whatever I was told. I had fallen into a sort of empty mindset where I felt I should do whatever the other person wanted.

It was an experience that would have me labeled a pervert, but because I’d just drifted along like that, I ended up receiving the most thorough, exhaustive service from Eina.

The next day at school, all of my mental resources were so spent that I couldn't even focus on my classes. It wasn't that we had crossed the final line—we hadn't.

But I’d learned just how incredible it felt to have your body touched by a girl you loved. That doesn't happen anymore, but I can't forget it. At the time, just looking at her mouth or her hands would send me into a daze, my head so full of it that everyone started looking at me with suspicion.

Taking that lesson to heart... though it’s strange to put it that way... the 'service' is now mostly confined to the bathroom.

If you asked me why I didn't make her stop, it’s because the moment the naked body of a girl I love enters my sight, any such rational thoughts are blown away completely.

I’m embarrassed, yet I can't hold it back. And Eina, along with many of the maids, is delighted that I can't hold it back. To endure in a situation like that... you’d have to be a monk. I might have been repressed, but I never received that kind of training.

“Hey, Eina. Do you think I’ve changed since the old me?”

“...What’s this... all of a sudden? If you want to talk about something important, you can stop the massage.”

“I-It’s just small talk. I won't stop. I just wondered how I looked from your perspective.”

“...You’ve changed quite a bit. But you’re still the Keiya I love so much. You always say you fall in love with me all over again when you look at me, but the same goes for me. I fall in love with you all over again every single day. I love you more with every passing second. The you of yesterday was a wonderful person, and the you of today is even more wonderful. If the law allowed it—no, I don't care about the law. I want your child. I don't care about the circumstances of us both being high school students. Fufu, did you know I’ve actually thought that way since we were in middle school?”

“............I feel the same, but...”

However, before that, I wished to lead a normal school life. A youth that was as peaceful as possible, unbound by anyone.

The reason I’ve managed to avoid crossing the final line with Eina so far is thanks to the old me. The law is meaningless, there’s no need to even discuss anxieties about financial power, and our sense of ethics could hardly be called normal. Eina has no reason to hold back—no reason other than responding to my wishes.

“You are the man I chose, so I’d like you to have more confidence. Just a little more than you have now. If you can reach that point in the process of investigating me, nothing would make me happier. I won't tell you the answer, so please, do your best to look into me.”

Since she gave the instruction to end the massage, my work for the day was done. Fondly touching the hair I’d combed, Eina sprawled out and reached her hands toward me in an invitation.

“Come here, Keiya.”

“Eina............!”

I closed the canopy curtains and climbed over her body. The fact that she wasn't wearing underwear was, in almost every case, for my sake. She permitted her body to be toyed with. She yearned to be defiled. It was a pathetic, innocent wish that by taking the body of one of the world’s most powerful women, I might finally gain some confidence.

That was... yes. A story from shortly after she bought me, when I was first welcomed into this mansion—

◇

The car was moving—heading toward some destination I didn’t know. Black curtains draped over the windows, shielding the outside world from my sight. Not knowing where we were going made me anxious, but she hadn’t given me permission to open them, so I simply sat there in silence, swaying with the motion of the vehicle.

“Eina? Where are we going?”

“To my home. You belong to me now, after all. You don’t ever have to go back to that house again. From now on, I am your master.”

“I get to... stay with you?”

To be honest, I still hadn't fully processed the situation. I didn’t understand what had happened. One moment, Eina was producing a staggering amount of money that left my mother completely transfixed; the next, I was being pulled out the door. Now, here I was in this car, our hands still firmly clasped together.

“Yes. We’ll be together from now on. Forever.”

“...Why?”

“Is that a question about why I bought you? Or why we get to stay together?”

“B-Both...”

I loved Eina. Being with her made me incredibly happy. Just looking at her beautiful profile filled me with bliss.

I wanted to keep staring at her forever, but having to actually respond made the words catch in my throat.

I instinctively looked away, but before she answered, she quietly closed the distance between us. Keeping her eyes locked on mine, she pressed me back against the window. With nowhere left to retreat, I reached out to create some space, but she simply interlaced her fingers with mine.

I was forced to bend my elbows, which only brought us closer until I couldn't look away even if I wanted to.

Her hands were so soft.

“Because I love you.”

“Eh?”

“I bought you because I love you. I wanted to be with you because I love you. Is that not allowed?”

“........”

I’d heard people at school talking about whether they liked certain girls or not. Until I met Eina, that world was entirely alien to me, but now I understood the feeling perfectly. Looking at her moist, pale-rose lips made me want to kiss her.

Looking at her long hair made me want to reach out and touch it. And her breasts—they looked so large and soft. I wanted to feel them.

“I-I-I...”

But I couldn't move. My body felt heavy, as if bound by invisible chains; I couldn't even summon the will to try.

Eina said I didn't have to go home anymore, but these chains were all I knew. Helping people as if it were my only purpose, obeying every word without question—that was all I had. I wasn't permitted anything else.

For a while, we did nothing but stare at each other. It wasn't awkward; I just didn't know what I was supposed to do. Then, my mind went completely blank. I froze. Before I knew it, my hand had slipped beneath her blazer and was cupping her breast.

“...!”

“I can tell,” she whispered. “Ever since we met, you’ve been staring at my chest. You’ve been looking at my thighs whenever they peek out from under my skirt. You looked at my hair, my eyes, my mouth. Listen, Keiya-kun. From now on, you can do whatever you want to me. I will never, ever reject you.”

“........?”

“Is it soft?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Do you want to touch me more?”

“Yes...”

“Then do it. However you like. That is an order... for starters.”

“...Okay.”

The shackles on my heart fell away. My hands slid deeper under her blazer. I told myself I was just following orders, but my hands wouldn't stop, as if this were what I had truly desired all along.

The faint gasps escaping Eina’s lips only made my blood boil with heat.

“Uah... ah... hhh...”

“Nn... you’ve wanted to do this for so long, haven't you? It’s fine. We still have a little while until we arrive, so until then... ah!”

If she had said just one word for me to stop, the chains of my own repression would have clamped back down. My reason would have returned, and I would have been "normal" again. But the person who used to hold those reins was gone. Eina wouldn't hold me back.

“...I wanted this, too.”

She pressed her lips against mine, and my hands stopped reflexively. Her hand slid behind my neck, gently pulling my face closer as our mouths locked together. I could only freeze, lost in the sensation.

“Understood, Keiya-kun? You must absolutely obey my orders from now on. But if there is something you want to do, you can always tell me. Right?”

“........U-Uh-huh.”

“Good boy. You really are such a good boy... but this might take a little time.”

As I vented all the repressed adolescent impulses I had onto Eina, I heard the car come to a stop. Her hands pulled mine away from where they were clinging to her.

Then, she pointed toward the door as it opened automatically, telling me it was time to get out.

“Are we getting out?”

“Yes, we’ve arrived.”

The curtains had blocked my view—no, the truth was I had been so preoccupied with Eina’s body that I hadn’t noticed a thing. I stepped tentatively out of the car, my feet finding solid ground. It was a landscape I didn't recognize; I felt as if I had stepped into another world.

Honestly, Eina was more radiant than anything else in my life, so I wouldn't have been surprised if she really was from another world entirely.

But when I saw the massive mansion looming over the vast grounds, my simple vocabulary was blown away. Was this really a place where people lived? I had never actually seen a "manor" before. A fountain—far larger than the one at school—sprayed water into the air as if blooming in welcome.

Eina gave me a light pat on the back, and I took my first step forward as she led me by the hand.

“This is our home now, yours and mine. Do you like it?”

“............”

“I see, you’re speechless. It might be a bit overwhelming at first, so let’s head to our living quarters. To be honest, there are other people here... I wonder if anyone is around.”

“Welcome home, Eina-sama.”

“Ah, Shion.”

A woman called Shion approached, holding a bamboo broom. She was wearing an apron dress the likes of which I’d never seen outside of fiction, and I couldn't help but let out a surprised voice.

“A... a maid...?”

“Something like that. Shion, this is Keiya-kun; he’ll be living here starting today. Well, eventually he and I will be entering a marital relationship, so you may think of him as the Master of the house.”

“The—!?”

That was news to me. Shion didn't comment on our voices overlapping; instead, she tilted her head as if she couldn't believe her ears.

“E-Eina-sama? Are you... truly serious?”

“Is there a problem with me marrying the person I love?”

“N-No, of course not. We were aware that your mood improved significantly whenever you went out recently, but... I never imagined you would actually purchase him. What should we call him? 'Master,' as you suggested?”

“That’s not for me to decide... Keiya-kun. What would you like to call her?”

“Eh? I... I don't even know her name.”

One shock after another left my mind and body unable to keep up. I was barely coping with the scenery, let alone a self-introduction. Oblivious to my internal panic, the woman in the maid outfit gave me a respectful bow, pinching the hem of her skirt.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Shion Ikuba.”

“I'm... Keiya Sagiri. Um... how old are you?”

“I am the same age as Eina-sama.”

“Then... would 'Shion' be okay?”

“Using polite speech? You can do as you like, though it's a bit strange since you're the same age. Shion, sorry, but could you gather everyone in the dining hall later? Just the main staff will do. I need to introduce him.”

“U-Understood! Whoa, this is going to be a huge deal!”

Shion muttered to herself as she hurried off. Eina started walking again as if nothing were out of the ordinary, so I asked her a question during our short walk.

“Are... are there a lot of people? Living here?”

“Yes. They’re all children I’ve bought. I know you’d probably prefer just the two of us, but it would be inconvenient. Please don't take it the wrong way—aside from the chef, you’re the only boy I’ve ever bought.”

“So everyone else... is a girl?”

“You’re free to look as much as you like. Don't worry, none of them will ever reject or oppress you. They will accept you completely and follow any order you give. Forget about your past. Your entire life is right here now.”

Inside the mansion, I was greeted by a level of opulence I had never even heard described. This wasn't a "house" like any I knew; it was hard to even recognize it as a residence. I was left speechless by a reality so different from my own. Before I could even soak in the surprise, Eina was pulling me up the stairs.

“T-There’s no one around.”

“They’re likely being considerate of our privacy. If you want to meet them that badly, you’ll have plenty of chances later. Don't worry about it.”

We climbed the grand central staircase and turned right. At the very end of the hallway was Eina’s room. I’d had a feeling it would be there—the way she walked without hesitation was enough to tell me.

“Is this your room, Eina?”

“It’s our room. Since we’re living together, naturally we’ll share a bedroom. If you absolutely hate the idea, I could find you another room, but...”

“I don't hate it! I... spending time with you, Eina... I...”

“—Fufu. You don't have to say any more. I already know.”

She led me inside, and once again, I found luxury that seemed far beyond a mere bedroom. My bedroom in my old house had been sparse—nothing to look at, and certainly not comfortable. A slightly moldy mat, a thin blanket, and a pillow flattened to a pancake. A long, long time ago, I might have complained. Every time I did, I was yelled at, told to listen to my mother, and she would lament that she wouldn't take care of me anymore—

“...It’s okay now, Keiya-kun.”

Eina hugged me, cutting off the flood of memories. The natural scent of her hair masked my old wounds, numbing the aching emotions.

“From now on, I’m going to spoil you so, so much. Don't make a face like that. There is nothing left to hold you back. Not your parents, not the law, and not ethics. As long as I’m here, you don't have to worry about a thing. Now, come here.”

She pulled me onto a canopy bed, and I collapsed onto it, letting her do as she pleased. Eina had said there were other people living here, but even in the silence, I couldn't hear a single sound from outside. For a moment, it felt as if she and I were the only two people left in the world.

I couldn't see her face, and it was a bit hard to hear, but I didn't care. Being sandwiched in the cleavage of her breasts, everything else just seemed to fade away. It was soft and warm, and I could hear Eina’s heartbeat. I could feel her presence with every fiber of my being.

“............”

I don't know how much time passed. Eina didn't say anything, so I had no way of keeping track. Just being buried against the body of the girl I loved was enough. I didn't need anything else.

“E-Eina. How long has it been?”

“An hour.”

“...Are you... angry?”

“Angry? Why? Communication with the one you love is important. Keiya-kun, you don't need to think about complicated things when you’re with me. Okay?”

“But...”

“Or is it that you don't want me to know you’re seeing me as a woman? Your body is reacting this much; did you really think I wouldn't notice? It’s not a bad thing, you know.”

She shifted her weight, rolling over so she was pinned on top of me.

“I wanted to wait until we exchanged the paperwork, but let's put that off for a little longer. Let me explain the fixed terms of our arrangement again. From this point on, you are my possession, so I will call you Keiya. You can keep calling me Eina. You don't need to use honorifics. You will live with me forever. We will go to school together, eat together, bathe together, and sleep together. You are free to use anywhere in this mansion, though the basement is a maze, so please try not to go down there. Also, you can basically do whatever you want, not just to me, but to the other girls as well... Any questions?”

“Is... is there anything I can't do?”

“No.”

“Nothing... at all?”

Eina reluctantly pulled away from me, sitting back on the bed in a "petit-sit" posture and spreading her arms wide.

“That’s right. You can do whatever you want. Why don't you try walking around the mansion freely? I won't stop you.”

................Silence.

Neither I nor Eina seemed to know what this silence meant.

“Keiya?”

“I... I don't know what to do. Being told I can do 'whatever' all of a sudden...”

“...I see. That perspective was a bit of a blind spot for me. In that case, let’s walk together. Wait a moment while I change out of my uniform.”

Eina stood before her closet and pulled out a few items. Without even setting up a partition, she began to change right in front of me.

“E-Eina! I’m right here!”

“What’s the problem with my future husband seeing me?”

If you don't want to look, just close your eyes. If she had said even that much, I might have stayed sane, but because she didn't, my eyes remained glued to her defenseless form.

Once she had finished changing into a white dress that looked like loungewear, she took my hand again and led me out of the room. She didn't say where we were going, but her steady pace suggested she had a destination in mind.

When we reached the grand staircase, I thought I’d at least find out if we were going up or down, but there seemed to be some kind of trouble in the entrance hall.

“Ah... I-I’m so sorry! Shion-san! It was my mistake!”

“I don't mind personally, but... hmm, what should we do?”

“Is something wrong?”

The chains reacted before my mind or heart could. By the time I realized it, I was already halfway down the stairs. Eina looked down at us with a look of surprise. But more importantly, there were two people there: a girl I didn't recognize, and the person I’d met earlier, Shion Ikuba. I didn't know the circumstances or their jobs, but I could tell they were in trouble.

“Ah, you’re... ah, yes. I was bringing in the laundry, but it was blown away by the wind. It’s not that we can't get it back, but it’s scattered over a very wide area.”

“I’ll go get it.”

“...Eh? That’s... Eina-sama?”

“—Since he’s so eager, let him help. Keiya, come to the library when you’re done. Go up these stairs, turn left, and it's at the very end. It’s the door that looks particularly sturdy. I’ll be waiting.”

Eina waved to us and made a graceful exit. Shion spoke to me again, pressing a worried fist against her chest.

“Are you... truly sure? You are the one who will become Eina-sama’s husband.”

“If someone is in trouble, it’s only natural to help them. Let's go, quickly. You'll get in trouble if you lose the laundry, right?”

I hadn't realized it when I was brought in, but the backyard of the mansion was incredibly vast. Losing laundry back here really was a disaster. I didn't have much stamina to speak of, but the "education" carved into my body forced me to push through and see the job to the end.

“A-Are you okay? You should probably head back to Eina-sama.”

“Pant... pant... pant... Yes. I’ll do that.”

“Ah, wait! Do you intend to walk all the way across this garden again?! Please, ride in the cart!”

Even if I could push myself, I had no intention of wasting someone’s kindness. That, too, was my mother’s teaching. She always said everything she told me was for my own good, so I’d always accepted it. Always... always... that it was all for me.

I was placed in the back seat of the cart, and we quickly set off toward the mansion. Even so, it looked like it would take five minutes.

“...You’re a strange person. Eina-sama is so smitten with you, yet you’re worried about us?”

“If someone is in trouble, you have to help them.”

“Is that Eina-sama’s order?”

“...Eina told me I could do whatever I wanted. But I don't really understand what 'freedom' is yet.”

“...I see. So that's how it is. I shall express my gratitude for your pure goodwill. Keiya-sama.”

“Y-You can just call me Keiya. I can tell Eina is important, but I’m not.”

“Then let’s settle on Keiya-san. But when Eina-sama is around, I will use 'Sama.' I feel like I need to maintain a certain level of distance, after all.”

The cart stopped near the mansion. From here, I just had to walk around to the main entrance and head back inside.

“Thank you, Shion-san.”

“You called me 'Shion' earlier, didn't you? That’s perfectly fine.”

“...Shion, thank you.”

“Yes. Thank you, Keiya-san. Please watch your step.”

I was so tired my feet were staggering, and I could feel it. I managed to make it through the entrance and toward the library. The door was open as if waiting for my arrival. Inside, Eina was quietly reading a thick book.

“............”

Interrupting someone while they were reading was wrong. I approached silently, trying not to make a sound, and peeked at the book over her shoulder. I could tell the language wasn't English, but I couldn't read a single word, let alone understand what it meant.

Eina was reading in silence. What should I do?

“...I won't be angry just because you spoke to me.”

“Wawa! E-Eina. Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.”

“It’s fine. So... is the rescue mission over?”

“Yeah...”

“That’s good then.”

Eina closed the book, placed it on the corner of the desk, and looked up at me.

“This is my library. There are at least a thousand books here, and that’s just the ones on display. Keiya, what would you like to read? I want to read something together.”

“P-People read books together?”

“You can read however you like. I simply want to share the same experience as you. But, well, if I had to make one request... bring me something that looks like it has a happy ending.”

“You want me to just... guess?”

“Yes. I’ve seen more than enough tragedy in my time... I’m not very fond of it. The villain is defeated, and there’s a happy ending. Everyone is happy. That’s the kind of ending I like best. If only it were that easy in real life... but I feel like I could walk toward that kind of future with you. This isn't expectation, disappointment, or even confidence. It’s a conviction.”

As I scanned the shelves, I found a single book. I took it and returned to Eina’s side.

“If you love me, and I love you... if that’s the only certainty, don't you think we don't need anything else? Keiya... please make my life a happy ending.”

“Eina...”

The lights were off, and we couldn't see each other’s faces, but our voices touched in the dark.

“What is it?”

“I’m sure we can be happy.”

Sometimes, I felt it. Eina wasn't lying. She really was happy when she was with me. But occasionally, she would seem to remember something and feel a flicker of anxiety. I wasn't confident enough in my observation to say it out loud, but time and again, a premonition-like intuition caught a glimpse of the darkness in her heart.

“I’ll make you happy. I’ll bet my life and my first love on it. So, you don't have to be afraid of anything.”

“...I don't feel any anxiety, but... well, perhaps I would be even happier if you were to ravage me.”

“T-That’s...!”

Eina’s palm touched my cheek—lovingly, as if to hide it.

“Giggle... Let’s become even happier together. We’ll melt away in a happiness so great that anxiety seems ridiculous... forever. If you want to confirm the existence of true love, that’s surely the fastest way to do it.”