If those people were dogs...
...then in Makima's eyes, was she more like... a cat?
The moment this thought popped up, Makima's gentle inner voice echoed in Sumire's mind.
Because of their shared consciousness, Makima naturally heard her doubt.
"That's right," Makima responded with a smile in her heart while stroking Sumire's hair, her voice carrying a morbidly deep affection. "In my eyes, Master Sumire... is a very, very cute little cat."
"It's different from a dog."
"A creature like a dog will wag its tail and beg for pity as long as you give it a little food; with training, it will obey my orders unconditionally."
"To me, that is only natural, and quite boring."
Makima's finger gently brushed past Sumire's earlobe, causing a shiver. "But you, Master, this little cat is different."
"Even if I give you my whole heart, you might hiss at me or even scratch me with your little claws, but even so, I will feel very happy."
"I want to give you all the best things. And if this proud little cat is willing to proactively nuzzle me, showing a moment of dependence and favor... then to me, that is a supreme blessing; I would be overwhelmed by the honor."
"So..." Makima lowered her head, her cheek resting gently against the top of Sumire's head.
"Please, command me to your heart's content, use me. No matter what you ask of me, as long as it wins a beautiful smile from you, my... kitty Master."
Boom—
Sumire felt her face turn completely red, her heart beating so fast it felt like it would jump out of her throat.
Th-this Makima is really too good at this!
Who could possibly resist this!
It made Sumire feel a bit guilty for having scolded Makima earlier.
"Anyway... cough cough." Sumire forcibly suppressed the fluttering in her heart and lifted her head from that soft embrace with some embarrassment. Though her body was still a bit stiff, she reached out and in turn patted Makima's reddish-pink, glossy braided hair.
"Anyway, you did a great job today. Thank you for your hard work, Makima."
"Mm, as long as Master is happy." Hearing this, Makima happily nuzzled the small hand that was patting her head.
However...
In this ambiguous and warm atmosphere, where it seemed the World contained only the two of them...
...from the direction of the bedroom, behind the half-closed crack in the door...
...a purple head was quietly peeking out.
It was Reze.
She didn't rush out to compete for favor like she usually did when with Perona, nor did she speak; she even kept her breathing very low.
She was afraid of disturbing the two people in the living room.
She just hid quietly in the shadows, watching the two people embracing.
In those beautiful green eyes, there was no expression, yet they held a heartbreaking loneliness.
Her hand gently gripped the doorframe, her knuckles turning slightly white, before she let go as if struck by an electric shock, pulling her hand back into her sleeve in a daze.
She was like a puppy that had once enjoyed exclusive affection, only to suddenly discover that its Master had brought back a more elegant, more precious new pet.
She didn't dare bark, and she didn't dare make a scene.
She just watched cautiously, fearing that if she made even the slightest sound, she would be forgotten in a corner with disdain... The lights weren't on in the bedroom; only the moonlight from outside the window spilled onto the bed.
Reze had already lain down, curled up under the covers.
She had her back to the door, even faking her breathing to be steady and long as if she were fast asleep, but Sumire didn't call her out.
The effect of deceiving oneself is usually quite poor... Sumire took off her slippers, lifted a corner of the quilt, and slipped into the warm bed like a loach.
Then, she reached out both hands, tightly hugging Reze's slender waist from behind, pressing her whole body against Reze's back.
Reze's body visibly stiffened for a moment.
"...Where's Makima?" After several seconds, Reze asked the obvious in a muffled voice, her tone carrying a hint of grievance she hadn't managed to hide in time.
"She's outside." Sumire buried her face in Reze's hair, which carried the faint scent of body wash, and sighed with feigned distress. "Sigh, as more people join us, this apartment is really getting a bit too small."
"This bed is okay for the three of us, but if four people sleep here, it'll be a bit too crowded."
"It's a good thing Lux went to Kamar-Taj for further studies, otherwise we really wouldn't have been able to fit tonight."
Reze didn't speak, but her body relaxed slightly.
Sumire tightened her arms around Reze and said as a matter of course, "So, I had to mistreat Makima a little and make her sleep on the sofa tonight. After all... this is our original territory."
Hearing these words, the thick haze in Reze's heart instantly dissipated by more than half.
An uncontrollable surge of secret joy welled up in her heart.
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