V4: Chapter 34: A Hidden Feeling and a Present, Perhaps?

Chapter 34: A Hidden Feeling and a Present, Perhaps?

I gazed at the scenery outside the window and the two mounds floating gently in the bathtub. I'd heard that large ones float, but this was the first time I'd seen them floating like this since my mother's. I took a bath with Lux the other day, but she was behind me then.

"...Staring like that is quite rude, isn't it?" (Lux)

"No, I was just thinking they're floating..." (Shizuku)

"It's not a matter of them floating. When you stare at them so intently, I start to feel like I'm the one who's wrong..." (Lux)

The milky white, cloudy water and steam of the hot spring only revealed the tip of the iceberg... but that, in a way, made it even more wonderful.

I took a deep breath, then exhaled. As I lowered my arms, there was a splashing sound, and I felt as if the fatigue of the day was washing away. Like the heroines of nationally popular anime, many girls, to a greater or lesser degree, love baths. I was no exception; I was quite fond of baths, and especially loved soaking in hot springs.

"What a magnificent view..." (Shizuku)

"Do you want to feel them up?" (Lux)

"......." (Shizuku)

When Lux said that, I felt like it was getting a little too much, so I shifted my gaze to the window. The cityscape, with its scattered lights, looked tiny due to the height. Thanks to the magnificent view shared with the beautiful girl, I felt like I could stay in the bath forever.

"But aren't you a little too close?" (Shizuku)

"You don't mind, right?" (Lux)

"Well, I don't mind..." (Shizuku)

"Heh heh heh..." (Lux)

She was so close, it was almost as if she was sitting right beside me. While I didn't dislike it, being in the bathtub made it a little too hot.

Also, I wish Amane-chan would come back soon.

However, I felt like I was going to boil if I didn't get out soon. Slowly standing up, I reluctantly left the hot spring... Maybe I'll go again in the morning.

★

After getting out of the bath, we were all enjoying the lingering feeling of the bath. In the midst of this, I stood up abruptly to carry out a certain plan.

"The present... I had decided!" (Shizuku)

"Yay, clap clap!" (Chinatsu)

"Hey, what's with the sudden change?" (Chloe)

It was quite monotone, but only Chinatsu-chan went along with it. However, this alone probably doesn't make any sense. 

"Magical girl... Gracia."

"Why the sudden formality?"

"You, with your impeccable skills and looks, are content with being second place... why is that?"

"It's because Satellite is above me, isn't it? Are you trying to pick a fight? I'm totally ready to take you on."

Well, that's true, even for someone like me...

But no, no, I didn't want to pick a fight or boast. The main topic this time is something else entirely.

"Fan service. It's a way of giving back to the fans. I wonder if Chloe-chan is doing a good job with that?"

"Ugh, when you put it that way, I tend to be careless... but I do the bare minimum."

"To put it another way, you're ONLY doing the bare minimum. Of course, ability is important for ranking, but popularity among the general public... fame is important too, you know?"

"When you put it that way, there's some truth to it..."

"Okay, then watch the example, okay?"

I take a breath and imagine my ideal transformation.

"Magical☆Change───☆"

As usual, I wave my wand, and a mysterious light envelops me... and at the same time, my clothes dissolve and magic covers my body.

"Magical Girl Magical☆Satellite───"

A faint light gathers on my chest, and a particularly large ribbon is formed. I skipped along, showing off the absolute territory visible between my pink skirt and white knee-high socks...

"---Star Ride☆"

I made a peace sign in front of my face and winked... perfect!

A transformation sequence overflowing with dreams and hope; anyone who saw it would surely be delighted. Like perception-altering, this is a basic ability possessed by Magical Girls, and it's surprisingly versatile. Though few people use it.

"...I've got it decided again today, yeah. So, the present I'm giving you this time is... an entrance pose. It's the simplest, but it's a 'transformation sequence' that you can use anytime."

"Are you serious about making me do something like this...?"

What do you mean, "something like this"?

A Magical Girl is synonymous with a transformation sequence.

Of course, we don't use it in high-priority situations, but with our level of power, we only face weaklings that we can defeat without transforming anyway. 

That's precisely why we have the luxury of transforming in such style. 

"So, I've thought it through, let's try it?"

"I don't have the right to refuse, do I? This is practically forcing a gift on you..."

Even so, she didn't refuse, so it seems she wants to be popular too.

We went to another room and explained the choreography and lines I'd come up with. After I'd finished explaining and practicing, she was hesitant to move forward, so I gently pushed her forward.

"...wait a second..."

"Your voice is too quiet, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, come on...!"

"Oh well, whatever happens, happens! Magical☆Change...!"

Half-desperate, she took out her wand, and her figure was enveloped in a soft blue light. She became a silhouette... HUGE. The size, which is only apparent in silhouette, is quite pronounced, especially in certain areas.

"Magical Girl Gracia───"

A mirror made of light, larger than her actual size, appeared. As she passed through, the faint light clung to her body, transforming into a costume... and just as boots formed on her toes, her silhouette completely transformed into the Magical Girl Gracia.

"---has arrived!"

Then she made a finger heart in front of her chest and winked... amazing... it was incredibly well done for her first attempt. As expected of Gracia, who can do anything flawlessly. The reactions from those around her seemed quite positive...

"Wow~" (Amane)

"High level of perfection" (Chinatsu)

"Cute and lovely!" (Lux)

Perhaps a little embarrassed, Gracia's cheeks flushed... she suddenly turned back to face me as if snapping back to reality, pointing her wand. Her face clearly seemed... red for a different reason.

"...Now that I think about it, I'll be rushing to the scene after transforming, so I won't be using it, right?"

"Ah, haha... well, if you have the chance, try using it?"

The wand flew towards me.

★

After the transformation reveal, we were chatting about trivial things, but it was getting late. I thought the nights on a trip would be long from here on... but somehow everyone seemed eager to sleep. Why...?!

"What?! You're going to sleep already? Can't we talk a little longer?" (Shizuku)

"We have plans tomorrow, and besides, what would we talk about?" (Chloe)

"Maybe... love stories?" (Shizuku)

"...Is that really necessary?" (Chinatsu)

Chinatsu's comment made me realize something.

Come to think of it, everyone here is a cute girl who's crazy about me. Even if we tried to talk about love, it might end up like lunchtime.

"I... I want to talk more with Shizuku-nee-san..." (Amane)

"Sigh, that's right, you're only in elementary school. You must be sleepy..." (Shizuku)

I took sleepy-looking Amane's hand and headed towards the bed. She seemed reluctant to leave, but sleepiness got the better of her, and within seconds of getting into bed, she began breathing softly in her sleep.

Once I came back from tucking Amane in bed, what awaited me was...

"...Sleeping soundly." (Chinatsu)

"You're not usually a good sleeper, are you..."

I picked up Chinatsu, who was probably just pretending to be asleep, and carried her to the bed. It's good that she's recently become more assertive about what she wants to do, but... isn't she becoming more childish? No, she's probably just being spoiled. I haven't heard anything about her getting along particularly well with her family, after all.

"Hmm... Do your best, okay? Goodnight..." (Chinatsu)

"...Do what?" (Shizuku)

I don't know if she was half-asleep, but she left me with a rather incomprehensible remark, and I headed to my bedroom. Before that, I went to my bag to send a goodnight message to my mother.

After carrying the two of them to the bed in the Western-style room... I headed to the Japanese-style room. Lux was already on the futon at the back, and Chloe was waiting at the front. Naturally, I was in the middle, which was fine.

"Okay, I'll turn off the light now, shall I?" (Shizuku)

"Yes, I'm fine." (Chloe)

"I'm fine too." (Lux)

I pressed the button, and the world was enveloped in darkness. In the darkness, the thing I had in my pockets felt incredibly hot... or so it seemed. Its weren't actually overheating, though. Even so, why...? 

I couldn't figure it out. It must have just been bad timing. So tomorrow...

"Um, Shizuku? Are you asleep already?"

"...No, I'm still awake. What's up?"

Chloe, who had been facing the door, turned towards me. Even though the room was completely dark, why were her beautiful blue eyes so clearly visible, as if shining in the darkness?

"I'm sorry if I'm mistaken, but... are you hiding something from me?"

"Huh?! Wh-why..."

"Nothing in particular, just a feeling."

It was so sudden, I was startled. I'm sure I hadn't shown any such signs, yet she asked the question with such certainty that it was more than just a test. If I evade the question here, she probably won't ask any more. But running away doesn't feel right either.

"Well... it's this..."

What I took out of my pajama pocket was a pair of unremarkable knitted socks. The only thing that made them different was that they were hand-knitted. They weren't particularly outstanding, and they were originally a gift I had intended to give to Chloe.

"I heard you get cold easily. I wanted to give you something, but..."

"That's not like you, is it? I thought you'd confidently hand it to me saying, 'It's handmade by a pretty girl!'"

I know it's not like me. But for some reason, when I was about to give her the present... I chickened out.

I chickened out!

Chloe has plenty of socks to choose from, after all. And for some reason, I felt embarrassed to give her this present...

"Will you... accept it?"

"Shizuku, you..."

I don't know if it's because it's handmade, or if there's been a change in my feelings, but... my face is burning hot.

The silence lingers in my ears, and my heart feels like it's going to burst. My own breathing sounds strangely distant. I hope she doesn't notice how red my face is in the darkness.

"Of course, I'll cherish them. Thank you, Shizuku."

"Uh, yeah... Good night!"

Seeing Chloe smile happily as she placed the knitted socks she'd received by her pillow, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. I'd expected her to be happy. Even so, why these feelings now...?

No, I must have felt this way to some extent when giving her presents.

It's just that these feelings have surfaced along with the change in my own state of mind. Chinatsu-chan must have seen through my subconscious, which even I wasn't aware of, and said "Good luck."

"Talking with just you two is unfair... Onee-san is lonely." (Lux)

"What do you mean unfa—... Mmmph!?" (Shizuku)

Her ample breasts pressed against my face. Surprised by the suddenness of it all, she then gently patted my back. Slowly, as if comforting a baby.

"I'll cuddle with you to get you to sleep, you like that, don't you? For now, I'll think of it as my compensation..."

"Ah, that'll just make it harder to sleep..."

A sweet scent filled my lungs, making me dizzy. I could hear her heartbeat, and I was so shaken that I even had the obvious, pointless thought that she was alive...

"You looked like you wanted to touch me in the bath... what do you think?"

"It's... soft..."

We definitely used the same body wash, so why did she smell so sweet? Maybe I smell like this to other people too. It was while I was thinking about that that it happened.

"Mmmph!? I'm... I'm going to be crushed...!" (Shizuku)

"Oh dear, are you feeling left out, Chloe-chan?" (Lux)

"...I don't mind, but be careful not to crush Shizuku, okay?" (Chloe)

Along with the sound of something wriggling into the futon, I felt a soft, bouncy sensation on the back of my head. My head was trapped like a sandwich, and the futon was filled with a sickly sweet smell that made my brain feel like it was melting.

"Wait, I feel like I'm going to get stuck and can't come back...!" (Shizuku)

"Here, here, here, Shizuku-chan's favorite watermelon~?" (Lux)

"I don't want you to smell me too much... but I suppose that can't be helped in this situation." (Chloe)

Every time I heard a giggle from behind me, as if teasing me... a shiver ran down my spine. Even though the room was supposed to be air-conditioned, various parts of our body were pressed together so tightly that I felt stifled.

Their slender limbs wrapped around me as if I were a body pillow. The feeling of their plump thighs gripped my waist tightly, refusing to let go.　

"Hyan!?"　

Their soft fingertips grasped my hand, as if confirming its presence, and continued to knead it. Their arms, slipped under my armpits, crossed at my chest, showing no intention of letting go.

"Haaah, haaah...♡"

Even though I tried to take a deep breath to calm myself, there was no fresh air anywhere in this futon. No matter how hard I moved my head, struggling, all I did was shake their boobs.

"Goodnight, my Shizuku."

"Goodnight, Shizuku-chan♡"　

As if drowning in a sea of ​​female bodies, I lost consciousness with a feeling of bliss.