Yukino had no time to pay attention to anyone else.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Rei Ao, are you there?"
Still no response, and Yukino was growing anxious.
Mikoto Misaka: "Ehhh, are you in a hurry? I get the feeling Rei Ao might be purposely keeping you waiting so you'll trade with him~?"
Miko Yotsuya: "You're saying Rei Ao-nii is lurking in the chat without responding? I don't believe it."
Mikoto Misaka: "Hmph, that perverted wolf might enjoy watching others panic, waiting for a trade."
Bibi Dong: "No, I believe Rei Ao has always been straightforward about trades."
Yukino: "…"
Some spoke without malicious intent, but for Yukino, it struck a chord. She, too, believed Rei Ao might be doing it on purpose. If he really didn't want to respond, she had no way to make him. Her lips tightened, thinking that her sister might be experiencing the same monster encounters that many in the chat had dealt with. Gritting her teeth, she sent Rei Ao a trade request for the first time.
Right before she did so, though, Rei Ao spoke up in the chat:
Rei Ao: "Sorry, I was refining something just now. @Yukinoshita Yukino, what do you need from me?"
But his timing was slightly off. Immediately following his words, the chat room prompt appeared:
[Ding! Yukinoshita has initiated a trade request!]
[Trade Content: Find her older sister!]
[Ding! Please choose your trade conditions!]
"Oh?"
Rei Ao, holding three "Awakening Stones," showed surprise.
He had just used the Soul Bones he got in Bibi Dong's world, as well as Curse Gear, Shikama Dōji, plus the Void Genome, refining them into the Awakening Stones. That's why he replied to Yukino a few seconds late—right when she sent a trade request.
Rei Ao: "@Yukinoshita Yukino, I see your trade request. Finding someone isn't difficult. Are you sure you want to do a trade for this?"
This was a rare moment of conscience for him.
"…"
At that moment, Yukino's mind seemed to freeze. Not only had she misunderstood Rei Ao, but now the situation had escalated. From Rei Ao's words, it sounded like he was going to help. But Yukino, who'd been strong-willed all her life and hated owing anyone favors, clenched her fists.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Trade. My older sister, Haruno, is missing, and she might have run into some monster or demon. Rei Ao-kun, please help me find her."
Rei Ao: "Well, since you put it that way, anything else I say would seem prudish, so I'll just accept your 'first time.'"
Megumi Kato: "First time?"
Kasuga Hijiri: "Probably means it's her first collaboration, but Rei Ao, how do you know Yukino is a virgin?"
Rei Ao: "Huh? I don't. I meant the first trade."
Kasuga Hijiri: "This is…"
Mikoto Misaka: "I'm pretty sure you did that on purpose!!!"
Megumi Kato: "Even though I do trust Rei Ao-kun, he does sometimes have a mischievous sense of humor."
Rei Ao: "Hey now, Megumi, you're framing me."
Megumi Kato: "Nope~ For instance, the other day, you kept 'casually' sending strong glances at my 'other hole,' which can be kind of scary."
Shiba Miyuki: "Eh???"
Frieren: "…As expected from you."
Stella: "??? That's not… possible, right? That can't be allowed, can it?"
Stella felt she was hearing something bizarre—how could that be okay?
Tohru: "Hmph, what's not possible? Next time, I want Rei Ao to try it with me. I'm not scared!"
Miko Yotsuya: "Um, guys…you're all so bold…"
Miko hid behind something, face bright red, feeling a strange, burning illusion.
Izawa Shizue: "Seems the topic's veered off course. The real issue is Yukino's trade."
Frieren: "Well, it's just a trade. We're used to it by now, and Rei Ao can definitely handle it."
Yes, everyone was used to these trades, even if the new client was the normally earnest Yukino.
"I'm here."
Rei Ao appeared beside Yukino in a flash, seeing her complicated expression. Rubbing his chin, he asked, "Yukino, are you sure you want to use your 'first trade' on this?"
"…"
A simple question, but hearing him say 'first time' made Yukino feel uncomfortable. As though they weren't talking about a trade but something far more personal. Indeed, the trade's content was precisely that. Eyes wavering with annoyance and embarrassment, Yukino didn't dare meet Rei Ao's eyes. Looking aside, she answered in a low voice,
"Yes. It's my choice. I don't want to owe you anything."
That was the principle she insisted on.
"All right, then I'll accept it—Yukino's… first time."
Rei Ao's tone was layered with meaning, and this time he wasn't talking about the trade.
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade Conditions]: "Body Usage Rights x1"
[Ding! Confirm trade?]
"…"
Even though Yukino had already decided, seeing the trade conditions left her still hesitant. Just then, Rei Ao reminded her from one side, "I don't think you need to rush. Maybe your sister just got home late."
He doubted it was so coincidental that Haruno had been attacked by demons or such.
"…"
If he hadn't said that, it might've been fine. But hearing his remark only made Yukino more serious.
"You also said it's just a possibility. But if my sister did run into some monster, then what? She'd be killed? Or eaten? I can't accept either of those outcomes."
So she agreed to the trade.
[Ding! Trade has begun!]
[Trade Partner: Yukinoshita Yukino]
[Trade Content: Find her older sister!]
[Trade Conditions]: "Body Usage Rights" (One Time)
[Duration: Unlimited]
Yukino watched Rei Ao go to the sofa, placing his hand on the big stuffed "Mr. Panda" that her sister had given her.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm using the stuffed toy your sister touched to track her," he said.
A magic circle flashed. Through the aura of Haruno still lingering on the plush, Rei Ao located her. He sensed something, his expression going light.
Seeing that, Yukino asked urgently, "What is it?"
"Honestly, Yukino, I suspect you might regret making this trade."
"What…do you mean?"
Inwardly, Yukino had a faint guess, clenching her fists.
"Yukino, do you need my help?!"
At that moment, Mabel ran out of her room.
"No need. You go back to sleep."
Rei Ao answered for Yukino, then eyed her a moment before remarking with a slight smirk, "Mabel… so you like sleeping naked?"
"Eh? Ah!!!"
~~~
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