Emilia was very pleased about finding a job.
But one casual question from Rei Ao instantly doused her excitement.
"What's your salary like? Is it enough to settle the cost of food and lodging from this period and then rent a new place of your own?"
"… …"
Emilia stared at Rei Ao with darkened eyes.
Would you die if you didn't bring that up?!
She silently cursed him in her heart.
Having no prior work experience, she got chosen as a customer service rep only because her voice was pleasant enough. Her pay was pitifully low. Even by this world's cost of living, it was barely enough for her own food and drink.
Paying back what she owed? Impossible!
Renting her own apartment? Impossible!
Anyone could see that mentioning salary had soured her mood.
Rei Ao had no intention of further dampening her spirits at that moment.
So he said, "Anyway, Emilia getting a job is something worth celebrating."
"That's why I propose we properly celebrate for her today."
"Huh?"
Emilia was taken aback. She thought Rei Ao was just going to mock her over her salary again, but unexpectedly, he said something like that.
"I agree," Futaba, Mai, and the others responded without objection.
They had all been living together for a while and considered Emilia a friend now. When a friend had something to be happy about, it was certainly worth celebrating.
"Then let's get ready," Rei Ao said, settling the matter.
"Fumino, Rizu, it's almost time to eat. Would you like to join us?"
He also invited the two who were about to leave, having just finished studying.
"Us, too?"
"Why not? The more people, the merrier."
The two glanced at each other and nodded.
"I'll text my dad and let him know," Rizu said, taking out her phone to message her family.
"…"
Fumino's eyes dimmed slightly. She did nothing.
Because there was no need. Her father practically lived at the campus dorm, never came home, and never cared about her.
Rei Ao took note of that but was in no position to comment. He just hoped the party atmosphere might stop her from overthinking things.
Before long:
"Tohru, come help me."
"Aaahh! How'd we suddenly get so busy?!"
The kitchen was quite lively. Since it was a celebration, of course they were preparing a feast. Time was short, the tasks were many—two people alone couldn't handle it.
"I'll help!" Fumino volunteered. If she was staying, she didn't want to freeload. While her cooking skills were average, she could at least wash and chop vegetables.
"I'll help, too," Rizu said, getting up to follow. She often helped at home, so she was capable. Fortunately, the kitchen was big enough that, counting Illya, five people could fit just fine.
"Uh…"
Emilia felt awkward. It seemed there was nothing she could do.
Over on the couch, Rei Ao was fooling around with Futaba's idly dangling arms and pale legs. Noticing how on edge Emilia looked, he handed her a cup of tea with a smile.
"Thank you," she said stiffly, holding it in both hands and sipping gently, easing some of her discomfort.
"Why don't you look happy about everyone celebrating you?" Rei Ao teased.
"I am happy!"
Emilia raised her voice in denial. "I—I'm really glad, all right!"
She didn't want to disappoint the others' goodwill.
"Then why are you sitting there, glancing around like you're on pins and needles?"
"I… I…"
"I just feel like everyone's so busy because of me, but I…"
Emilia lowered her head in embarrassment.
"And since you know they're busy celebrating for you, shouldn't you be all the happier? Don't waste Mai's kindness," Rei Ao said, letting go of Futaba's arms. "Futaba and I aren't doing anything either, and I'm the one who proposed celebrating you."
"And me!" said Sora on the side, shamelessly raising a hand while munching on snacks.
"If you know that joining them might actually disrupt their flow, it's no good to force yourself in. Just do what you can. No need for self-pity."
"Sora has a thicker skin than you do."
"I… I know, okay…"
She was… being lectured! By the very person she "disliked" most.
Emilia's cheeks turned red.
"If you're truly idle, how about massaging me a bit? After massaging Mafuyu just now, I'm a bit tired."
"Sure!"
Emilia agreed at once. In any case, she wanted something to do. That feeling of being the only one with nothing to do made her restless.
A massage should be simple enough, right?
But as soon as she started, Rei Ao didn't even turn around. "Too light—I can hardly feel it."
"?"
Emilia thought she was already applying plenty of force. But she did as he said and pressed harder.
"So weak, Emilia. Without Holy Magic, you're really that feeble?"
"!!!"
Emilia was the straightforward, headstrong kind of hero who refused to lose. His words stung. She'd been belittled! Anger flared inside her. She was massaging him, yet he was still picking at her?
Especially when, from her vantage behind him, she could see him cuddling Futaba's cheeks with one hand while the other roamed along her smooth thighs. Emilia's fury grew.
All right, fine! You say my strength is lacking? Then I'll show you I'm not!
Furious, Emilia used all the force she could muster.
"Oh?" Rei Ao's eyes lit up. "Nice. Keep that pressure. I can finally feel something—even if it's only a tenth of my own massage strength."
He nodded, somewhat satisfied.
"???"
Emilia opened her mouth, speechless. That amount of force could crush a steel pipe! Yet he looked perfectly unaffected.
"Pfft…" She remembered his true identity, feeling vexed. Even if she still had her Holy Magic, she couldn't hurt him, let alone now. Considering he wasn't entirely bad toward her—he'd proposed a celebration, after all—Emilia decided not to say more.
Hmph, I'll just treat this as my thanks.
She maintained her effort, diligently kneading his shoulders. Still, seeing Rei Ao's hand casually exploring Futaba made her face go dark—she wanted to strangle him.
What a lecher! The ultimate lecher!
So, in her mind, Rei Ao's image would be hard to improve. He himself didn't really care. Having someone serve him while glaring at him was fairly enjoyable…
Should I eventually get a maid to warm my bed?
Rei Ao couldn't help entertaining that thought.
~~~
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