"...That's enough. I remember your appearance now. Your aura... it's very warm, softer than I imagined. There's also a reassuring pulse, but you don't seem nervous about physical contact with a girl."
"Cough... T-that's because the one touching me is you, Trigger."
Wise wasn't lying. It was the truth. Before he had grown accustomed to close contact with girls, he would always feel a little nervous whenever he touched someone.
"Is that so? Hmm... it's certainly different from the round, very elastic Eous. This time, I perceived it clearly."
Trigger didn't question his words. Instead, a shy, delighted smile bloomed across her face.
"I remember your outline now as well. You look delicate, but you're the steadfast support who quietly holds everyone up from behind."
Wise smiled gently as he spoke.
"...Thank you for trusting me like this. This time, I will protect everyone, and also..."
After responding, Trigger took Wise's hand and, seeing that he offered no resistance, gently guided it to her cheek.
"So warm... This is in exchange. You... you won't dislike it, will you?" Trigger asked cautiously.
In response, Wise gently caressed her cheek. The unexpected touch caught her by surprise at first, but she soon relaxed, quietly savoring the warmth of his hand.
Until...
"W-wait... P-please wait. Th-that's... not my ear. It's very sensitive, so... please let me prepare myself mentally..."
As Trigger spoke, her delicate body trembled slightly, and her ears flushed a deep crimson, making it easy to imagine what might happen if the 'attack' continued.
Out of consideration, Wise didn't press any further. He obediently moved his finger away from her earlobe.
Yet, whether it was his imagination or not, Trigger seemed just a little disappointed when he did.
"Sorry. I didn't know..."
"It's fine. Please don't blame yourself. I... I just don't want to lose my composure in front of you. Besides, if it's you... no, just give me a little more time..."
Trigger shyly placed her hands behind her back, and her knees unconsciously drew together. Realizing how unnatural her posture looked, she quickly straightened herself and returned to her usual composed stance.
"Trigger... losing her composure?"
Until now, Wise had never given it much thought, but hearing her say that sparked his curiosity.
What would the usually quiet and elegant Trigger look like if she truly lost her composure?
"Hmm...?"
"Cough... Well, since you're here, would you like to come inside and sit down?"
"Yes."
Trigger accepted Wise's invitation without hesitation and naturally walked into the video store. As she approached the room on the first floor, N.06 even opened the door for her.
She glanced around. It looked no different from her last visit, except that the sofa seemed to have been replaced.
Looking more closely...
Was it waterproof?
Although the question lingered in her mind, she didn't ask.
Perhaps water or ramen broth had occasionally spilled on it while they watched TV, so they had decided to replace it.
'Yes... that must be it...'
She silently convinced herself.
After a short break, it was time for the customary meal.
Naturally, Trigger was genuinely surprised after taking her first bite.
"Wise... you're actually such a good cook?"
As far as she remembered, he had only started cooking for himself recently. Before that, he had always eaten ramen or dined out.
"Of course! My brother's cooking has been certified by plenty of people. Everyone who's tried it says it's delicious!" Belle declared proudly.
However, Trigger only focused on one part of her statement.
"Plenty of people... Does Wise often invite others over for meals?"
"Uh... no, actually not that many people. He..."
Belle's mind raced. She was about to explain that Wise had helped out at a friend's restaurant for a few days, but he spoke before she could.
"Mm. But today's meal... I made it especially for you."
"Eh?... okay..."
Trigger nodded softly and said nothing more, quietly enjoying the delicious meal before her.
The faint pink glow beneath her eye mask, however, betrayed exactly how pleased she was.
Seeing that, Belle quietly closed her slightly parted lips.
Her brother was becoming more and more skilled. To the point where he no longer needed her assistance.
Not long after dinner, Trigger received a message from Soldier 11 and hurriedly took her leave.
Thus, the day came to an end.
The following day, Wise was relaxing at home, watching TV while debating whether he should go out, when his phone suddenly chimed with a message from Ellen.
"Hmm?!"
"What's wrong, Brother? You look shocked."
Hearing his reaction, Belle looked up curiously.
Wise turned his phone around and lowered it so she could read the screen.
"Ellen used a whole string of emoticons in her message! Back then, whenever she tried acting cute around me, she'd only use a few emojis. This feels... surprisingly fresh."
[Nom Nom Shark (Ellen): Got it (^▽^) I'll treat you to cake next week O///O.]
"Ha... um... phew... This was really sent by Ellen? It's hard to imagine, but if it's for you, Brother, I guess it's not impossible. Maybe she wanted to get your attention?" Belle tilted her head.
"Clearly not. She obviously sent it to the wrong person. She probably meant to send it to Ruby and the others."
Sure enough, another message arrived almost immediately.
[Nom Nom Shark (Ellen): Sent it to the wrong person. This one's for you.]
[Nom Nom Shark (Ellen): There's a request that needs your help. I'll be at the store soon. Let's talk in person.]
The familiar tone had returned, but Wise wasn't about to let Ellen off so easily.
[Wise: Alright. Though I have to say, I hope you send me more cute messages like that, Ellen.]
[Nom Nom Shark (Ellen): Hmm (˃ ⌑ ˂ ഃ).]
After replying, Wise told Belle what Ellen had said.
The moment she heard it, Belle immediately stood up.
"Okay, then I'll go hang up the 'Closed for Business' sign."
Not long afterward, the door to the video store opened.
Ellen stepped inside. Unlike usual, she was wearing a hooded trench coat.
Her pristine white legs weren't covered by her usual black stockings but instead by a pair of sheer socks that reached just below her knees. It wasn't the first time Wise had seen her dressed like this.
Back when they went on dates, Ellen would occasionally wear this outfit, explaining that if her Victoria Housekeeping uniform got dirty, it was troublesome to wash, so she preferred to change into it only after arriving.
After greeting them, Ellen headed straight upstairs.
When she came back down, she had already changed into her Victoria Housekeeping uniform.
She then followed Wise and Belle into the staff room, where they began discussing the details of the request.
"The request is to retrieve some documents and data from the Hollow."
"Okay. Go on."
"That's it."
"Uh..."
Her matter-of-fact reply left Wise staring at her in confusion.
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