The Lingering Scent of a Woman
There's an old expression that follows "human soul"—, literally "much lust." It refers to someone overflowing with carnal desire. Of course, I only knew it in theory; I'd never have occasion to use it in real life. Yesterday's antics at the Manatsu Dojo had been a bit much, but a full day had passed since then. If I started keeping my distance over something like that, Aoba might resort to even more extreme measures without batting an eye. So, as usual, I headed out for my morning workout.
Aoba was waiting for me, naturally. I figured she'd reflected on yesterday and would keep things clean—just exercise and done. This girl. Apparently, she planned to peel away my defenses one layer at a time. Right before heading home, she started whining for a hug, just like yesterday. I'd mentioned it before, but Aoba was more filled out where it counted—and spilling over elsewhere—than most high school girls. Hugging her straight-on was a recipe for my own spiritual turmoil.
In the end, I mentally belted out the national anthem—for the first time since my reincarnation—and gave her one squeeze. Unlike last time, Aoba clung back just as tightly, wrapping up our morning routine.
"You smell like a girl."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"You usually have a bit on your hands, but today it’s coming off your whole body."
I'd definitely showered.
Lunchtime. Inuyama Shino had dragged her desk right up next to mine and was pouting as she spoke. She'd insisted on packing my bento herself, and damn if she wasn't good at it. I didn't feel like making excuses anyway, so I explained the morning's events plainly—no room for misunderstanding. Of course, that didn't mean I downplayed anything, so Shino ended up with a full-on sulk.
She snatched a Vienna sausage with that exact expression and shoved it past my lips. I had no choice but to chew and swallow. My classmates' lukewarm stares felt extra grating today.
The one who shattered the awkward vibe was Sendo Yuuki, looking unusually wiped out. "Ugh. You two are getting along today, huh."
"..."
"Takuya, you seem weak to pushy types."
You little shit—are you calling me spineless? No denying it, though. Not sure if "getting along" cheered her up or pissed her off more, but Shino crammed some braised meat into my mouth next, and I ate it.
Sendo smirked, dragged his chair over, plopped down, and pulled out a bun to munch on. "This is rare. You're usually so meticulous about meals."
"Had some work last night—got home at dawn and overslept."
"What kind of work keeps you out till dawn?"
"...Takuya, do you think a robot could ever feel human?"
In an eroge? Please. Games where you bang everything, even non-humanoid machines, were a dime a dozen.
Shino gave a lukewarm reaction, and I just nodded quietly.
Sendo took a bite of his yakisoba bun, set it on my desk, crossed his arms, pondered for a sec, then spoke up. "Ran into a maid robot yesterday."
"Hm."
This guy's picking the hard road. The story was close to the king route, but the enemy strength and brutal fights made the maid robot path top-tier difficulty. Looked like he'd started down it.
"She was in a bind, so I helped out. But waking up today, I wondered if it was all real."
"Those kinds of things exist."
Hard to forgive an AI bishoujo maid robot with perfect emotion simulation in a world without smartphones, though.
Shino, still indifferent, poked at my bento with her chopsticks and shoved a scoop of rice into my mouth.
"R-robots must be crazy expensive and tough to develop, right? That's why Ichinose-senpai just called me over."
"Proof it's real. So, dragged into some messy situation?"
"Nothing like that yet."
He'd said "yet," though—suspicious, given the unpublished tech angle. It was actually a prototype from robot combat weapon R&D, caught in a three-way tug-of-war: forces trying to reclaim it, Ichinose Aris respecting its free will, and the Ichinose Group awakening to its existence through her. You could see it as a side story to the Ichinose route, but Sendo was a die-hard pure-love protag. Stepping onto the maid robot path nuked his romance flags with Aris instantly.
Unlike with me.
"Nothing going on with you, Takuya?"
"Playing around with girls."
"Takuya, I don't think that's good."
You're Team Shino, huh. Makes sense—she orbited me so obviously that most classmates clocked it. No reason for a pure-love stud not to root for her love life.
"...Trying to get stronger, at least."
"Always key. Especially for you—you're a magnet for trouble."
"Hard to dodge when you see or hear it coming."
"My senses are just average exorcist level, so I wouldn't know."
The guy who'd shredded that incomplete Menrei-ki revival and soloed Ichinose Group mercs plus PMCs with a single sword—but yeah, no mentions of eyes like mine.
Wonder if these eyes of mine would actually help my growth down the line.
"Anyway, looks like rough times ahead. Can't meet up midday with my schedule, but I took another request."
"Nap in class."
"Might have to."
Sendo yawned hugely, half-lidded eyes munching the rest of his bun before signaling Shino and shuffling back to his seat to faceplant.
What was the signal to Shino? Oh—her chopsticks had vanished from my bento. And there she was, face faintly flushed, picking at the contents and offering them to me.
Being unable to refuse is a sickness all its own. I polished off lunch as fast as I could, dodging my classmates' stares on the way back.
Hanasaki quietly poured tea in the student council room. Seated before her: Ichinose Aris, her uncomfortable cohabitant in Kanemachi City.
She appreciated the vampire heiress's pro-human bent, but the Ichinose Group backing her often stirred up trouble in the city, making full trust impossible. Today, with mutual grievances, they'd shared lunch.
"Hanasaki. You're quite partial to Tsukino, aren't you."
"Do you believe the word 'partial' suits me."
"It's just figurative—don't play semantics."
Favoritism wasn't entirely off-base. Unbefitting a Shinamori shrine maiden's neutrality, her expectations for him were high indeed. Romantic love might still be lacking, but if he fully unshackled her... she might gladly offer her heart then. He was the type who hardened under pressure; it'd happen eventually.
She sipped her warm green tea; across from her, black tea touched lips.
"Let's be frank—you're keeping tabs on that boy."
"Any reason to treat him that way."
"The reports alone give ample cause. His talent's disproportionate to his background. And above all..."
"He has perfect control over the non-human Inuyama. You're wondering if even a vampire could manage that."
"Tch."
She understood. If he set his mind to it, he could unearth every hidden non-human in Kanemachi. Once powered up, he might crack the privileges and cartels vampires and kin enjoyed. And her own—and her clan's—conflicts... hating the sight of the man who might resolve them wandering carefree must gall.
"More importantly, Retishia. Didn't you say you wouldn't let her leave the mansion."
"...Maid duties sometimes require outings."
"The changes when Kanemachi's ley lines—or something soul-like in Retishia—meet."
"Unknown. I'm aware."
Then control it properly.
Sensing faint irritation in those emotionless eyes, Aris downed her tea and looked away.
Hanasaki was already certain: Aris aimed to humanize Retishia and needed Tsukino Takuya for it—for both their sakes. The timely appearances—under pretense of spiritual energy use, retrieving her after a midnight errand—were all calculated interventions.
In that light, she tolerated Hanasaki Yui aiding his spiritual development but wanted no subordination to her.
"One piece of advice."
"What."
"Sometimes, asking for help directly is best."
No roundabout charm offensives. Straight requests. That was closer to the right path.
Not that she'd heed it.
The brief lunchtime tea ended; Hanasaki returned to her class.
"Hmph. If honesty solved everything, the world wouldn't be like this."