As soon as we got home, Eclair-san cut straight to the point. "I want you to investigate how to lift my curse."
"Huh? But you got the same curse as Milfi-san, right? So, the way to lift it should be the same, no?"
In other words, the only way is to pour in bodily fluids. That's why she rejected me, right?
"Maybe, but I heard that curses don't always have just one way to lift them."
"Ah, I see."
Hearing that, I was inwardly surprised. For someone who's not even a curse lifter to know that much. As the curse progressed, she must have researched and thought on her own, desperately trying to find another path.
"That's why, swallowing my shame, I'm asking you. You deciphered the way to lift Mil-sis's curse, right?"
"Well, sort of..."
"Then, do it for me too."
"No, it's fine, but... then you've heard from Milfi-san, right? To investigate the method... um..."
"...I have to touch the curse mark, right."
Eclair-san's face flushed red. Her violet cat tail curled up shyly in circles.
She must know full well from experience that the curse mark is an erogenous zone. "It's okay... I-I'm prepared."
"Are you really okay with this?"
"It's not good, but I have no choice! I really don't want to rely on a guy like you... I really don't!"
"You don't have to say it twice..."
Still, yesterday she flatly said she absolutely wouldn't rely on me... What kind of change of heart is this?
"Well, alright. Then, let's get started..."
"W-Wait!"
Eclair-san loudly stopped me and dashed to the corner of the room. Then, she rummaged around and pulled out something.
"Before that... I want you to put this on."
"What is this?"
A bandage and two wooden cork-like things. "You can tell by looking. It's a blindfold and earplugs."
"Ah, I see. ...Wait, why do I have to wear these?"
"I don't want a pervert monkey like you seeing me when I turn all weird, and I don't want you hearing my voice either."
I let out a huge sigh. Am I trusted or not? I can't tell...
"...Alright. In exchange, can I have a condition too?"
"What?"
"No matter what happens in the middle, don't lay a hand on me. If I get embarrassed and scratch you with my claws, it'll be a pain."
"I-I'll be careful, but... I might not be able to stop if I reflexively reach out."
「...」
"U-Understood! Then, I'll do this!"
She pulls something from the corner of the room again. "Rope?"
"It's not just any rope. It's a bondage magic tool. Only the person who ties it can untie it."
"Ah, I've heard of it. The one used to capture small magical beasts, right?"
"Yeah. I use it for capture requests. Bind me with this."
"You don't have to go that far..."
"Because you said not to lay a hand on me, right? If we're doing this, make sure I can't move a muscle. ...But if you do anything funny, I'll kill you, no matter what it takes."
"Yes, yes..."