"Eu, y-you, you can talk now?!"
In her shock, Yotsuba excitedly leaned toward Eu, and because of the sudden movement, she began to stutter.
"It's all thanks to Yu. If it weren't for Yu, I might never have been able to speak again for the rest of my life."
Nodding gently, Eu answered with a soft smile, and then her beautiful eyes drifted toward the young man sitting nearby. Seeing that Nakano Yu was also looking at her, she held his gaze for only a moment before looking away.
"So that's how it is? Yu wasn't even planning to tell us something this big!"
Hearing that it was all because of Nakano Yu, Yotsuba nodded as if she understood everything. If it was because of Yu, then it was only natural. In Yotsuba's heart, Yu had always been someone who created miracles, and no matter how impossible something seemed, with Yu it would come true!
"Well, you've all been asking about Ikaros the whole time."
Scratching his head, Nakano Yu smiled and brushed it off casually. He had actually planned to surprise the five sisters with the news about Eu, and it seemed the surprise had worked perfectly.
"Alright, alright, it's already late. Let's hurry up and get ready to go out."
Nino brushed her hair back, stood up from the sofa, and looked at Nakano Yu with her beautiful eyes as she spoke.
"Ah! It's already this late! Mom and Dad are waiting! Let's hurry and get changed!"
Hearing Nino's words, Itsuki checked her phone, and when she saw the time, she quickly stood up and pulled Yotsuba upstairs with her.
"Eu, do you have something to do?"
"Master is going out?"
Seeing the reaction of the five sisters, Eu and Ikaros asked almost at the same time.
Hearing that, Nakano Yu, who was sitting beside Ikaros completely relaxed, remembered that he still had not told Eu about going to the Tachibana family and quickly explained:
"It's Uncle Tachibana. Because of some things, he wants to thank us and plans to treat us to dinner. Eu and Ikaros should come too."
Nakano Yu had already decided to bring Eu when Marika first mentioned it. After all, at that time he believed Eu's magic problem had been solved and that it was time for her to begin going out among people again.
Even though Ikaros was here now, what difference did it make? It was only one extra plate and a pair of chopsticks, and Nakano Yu did not believe Tachibana Gen was that petty.
"We have to go too?"
Hearing Nakano Yu's words, Eu looked somewhat surprised. She had not prepared at all and had planned to stay home and wait for Nakano Yu and the five sisters to return.
Now that she heard Yu wanted to take her along, Eu became a little flustered.
"Of course. Hmm… it's just a small gathering of close friends."
Nakano Yu nodded. Then he suddenly noticed the simple but exceptionally clean and beautiful dress Eu was wearing and added:
Tonight's gathering would probably only be between the Nakano and Tachibana families. After all, Marika had said that Tachibana Gen planned to cook personally. Since it was a family gathering, there was no need for formal clothing.
"I understand. Then… thank you, Yu."
Hearing that, Eu no longer hesitated. Her gaze met Nakano Yu's, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly as she began questioning herself.
Long ago, she had attended many banquets, so why did she feel so uneasy today about having dinner with Yu?
Could it be… because of her long period of solitude?
"Master, do you need a dress?"
Ikaros, who had silently listened to the conversation between Nakano Yu and the girl until then, suddenly spoke and reached her hand into the void, pulling out a card covered with various strange patterns.
"Whatever Master desires, please feel free to command me. Angeloids were created to make Master happy."
Holding the card, Ikaros approached the young man, her emerald eyes meeting his while her delicate lips came almost within reach of Nakano Yu's.
For a moment, looking at the girl's pure face and long eyelashes, Nakano Yu felt his heart skip a beat, but he quickly composed himself, raised a finger, and tapped Ikaros on the forehead.
"It's just a family dinner among friends, there's no need for formal clothing. However…"
As he spoke, Nakano Yu's gaze swept over Ikaros. Honestly, her current outfit was not suitable for going outside. He really had to make her change.
"Ikaros, change into something else. Just model it after the ordinary clothes people wear in this world."
"Yes, Master."
Having received the order, Ikaros gently held the card with both hands. The card suddenly emitted a dazzling light, and when the light faded, a light pink dress appeared in Ikaros's hands.
After taking the dress, Ikaros looked at Eu beside her as if thinking deeply. Then she took Nakano Yu's hand and led him away with her.
Eu watched them in confusion and blinked several times. The look Ikaros had just given her felt as though… she was in the way?
Scratching her head, Eu could only feel that she was overthinking things. In her current understanding, Ikaros was different from the kind of [Angel] she knew. Ikaros was much more innocent and understood emotions even less than she did herself. She had surely misunderstood that look.
"Ikaros, where are you taking me?"
As Ikaros pulled him along, Nakano Yu asked in confusion. Ikaros had already taken the clothes, so shouldn't she have gone to her room to change? Why was she still… wait?! Damn it, this girl couldn't have misunderstood something, could she?!
"I can only change when I'm alone or with Master."
Leading Nakano Yu toward the bedroom, Ikaros said this and immediately began removing her "armor."
Seeing how direct she was, Nakano Yu raised his hand and lightly knocked her on the head before saying with some exasperation,
"For things like this… sigh, Ikaros, remember not to change clothes in front of people of the opposite sex."
"Yes, Master."
Hearing that, Ikaros stopped in the middle of "disarming," and a confused expression appeared on her face. It was obvious that she was processing the information from Nakano Yu's words. After standing motionless for a moment, she finally responded.
Then she stopped removing her armor and simply looked quietly at Nakano Yu, waiting for his next command.
"Ikaros, you change first. I'll wait for you outside."
Waving his hand, Nakano Yu turned around and left the room, leaving Ikaros alone to change.
Watching Nakano Yu leave, Ikaros only came back to herself when the door closed.
She lowered her gaze to the dress in her arms, and a faint glimmer flickered in her eyes before she quietly murmured:
"Master said I must not change clothes in front of people of the opposite sex, but Master can…"
"Ikaros… will remember that."