The Triplets (2)
"So, how's the new job?"
"It's not a job..."
"Whatever. Isn't being a tutor basically a job?"
"Sis, seriously..."
Lucia chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. As I shot her a pouty glare, she stuck out her tongue just a peek. What floated before my eyes was her translucent figure. We weren't meeting in person—this was a call via the Projection Stone, a high-end magical device that projected our voices and faces as faint holographic images. Lucia watched my expression with a mischievous grin. If this were real life, I'd have hugged her tight and made her squirm. But over a call like this, she had the advantage with her silver tongue.
Once she'd had her fill of teasing, Lucia cleared her throat with a deliberate 'ahem.' Her face turned serious. I hadn't activated the Projection Stone just for chit-chat. Today was our regular report time, too.
"So... it's been a week. Any harvests to report?"
"Sadly, not much. I've poked around a bit, but there's nothing there. The storerooms, the rooms—everything's mostly empty."
I hadn't expected a massive four-story mansion like this to feel so barren. Whether it was some kind of magic or constant upkeep by house staff, the place was spotlessly clean and well-maintained. That only made the emptiness feel more off-putting. They'd clearly lived here with her husband until a year ago, but there wasn't even a trace of human habitation left behind.
"Figures. Succubi only need essence, after all. Maybe they just use the showers and beds."
"Yeah, but... the lack of anything suspicious makes it more suspicious."
"It's only been a week, so don't get too impatient. Anything else unusual? Like impure movements or whatever."
"No impure stuff that I noticed... but a few odd things."
I gathered my thoughts on the peculiarities and continued. "The kids seem resistant to holy power. I tested it roughly, and they can even use a little themselves."
Lucia's eyes went wide. Resistance to holy power was an incredibly rare trait in demons. And wielding it? That was a one-in-billions miracle. Usually, incompatible constitutions and races led to instant death. Yet these girls were blessed—they had an affinity for it.
"Holy power...? From demons?"
"Yeah. They can read scriptures without issue. They're pretty compatible with holy power itself."
"That's weird. I'll note it down. Anything else?"
"They don't feed much?"
Succubi could last a month on one feeding, two in starvation mode. Beyond that, they died. But the succubi in this mansion didn't seem to hunt. Rachel occasionally left the house, but no traces of feeding magic lingered. The triplets were oddly inactive too. Succubi typically slipped into men's dreams at night to drain essence—I'd have noticed.
Unless they were meticulous enough to completely conceal their mana.
"Got that too. Seems that's all the peculiarities."
"Yeah."
Lucia pulled out a pen and notebook, jotting down the details. Brushing her hair aside as she focused, she looked effortlessly beautiful. Staring made her smile awkwardly, cheeks flushing.
"Whaaat? Why do you keep staring?"
I murmured softly, "Because you're pretty."
"...Oh, come on. Flattery won't get you extra anything, you know?"
She said that, but her face turned beet red. Pretending nonchalance, she turned away, fanning herself with one hand. She loved it but was embarrassed. Her usual haughty image crumbled when we were alone—a privilege only I got to see. Her flustered reaction was too fun; I couldn't help laughing. Teasing her was addictive.
"I just wanna wrap up this mission quick and rest. Wanna go play with you, sis."
"Ahem... Once it's done, we could, uh, take a trip together."
"Sweet! Let's hit the beach."
"Beach? What if it's winter?"
"We can just watch the waves."
"No swimsuits then."
"Book a place and wear 'em there. It'd be a waste not to."
"Why not just skip the beach...?"
Lucia's exasperated tone made me shrug with a giggle. "I miss you, sis. Not a hologram—you for real."
Then, in a calmer tone, I added, "Seeing your face like this helps, but it's no substitute."
Just a week apart, and I was already like this. Lucia twisted her hair nervously, her voice dropping shyly.
"...You think I don't?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and rushed on. "A-anyway! Report's done. Next one's next week—don't forget!"
"Got it. Have a good day."
"You too..."
Click.
Her timid farewell ended the call. "Ughhh..."
I stretched and checked the time: 7:10 AM. Right on cue for Rachel to fetch me for breakfast.
Knock knock—
"Yes?"
The door flew open, and Rachel strode in. "Good morning, Carrot. Time for breakfast downstairs."
"Yes. Thank you as always, ma'am."
"No trouble at all..."
Her eyes paused on the Projection Stone in front of me. For a split second, her face went blank. Then her usual smile returned, but something felt off. Unsettling, like she'd spotted something amiss.
"...That's all."
"I'll head down for breakfast after changing. Could you close the door?"
"Of course."
Slam—
'What was that...?'
She'd definitely stiffened at the Projection Stone. Had she noticed something suspicious?
I quickly stowed it and changed. Breakfast first, then prep for lessons.
A week in the mansion had flown by. I'd kept things natural while giving my all as tutor. The kids' quick progress was satisfying. Succubi wielding holy power was miraculous enough, but they picked it up fast—small holy flames after just a week. Their passion for it made me wonder if that's really why they'd hired me.
'Time for breakfast...'
The routine was familiar now: eat, teach, use free time for Lucia's commission. No issues yet, but I couldn't relax. The field was full of variables.
"...Lucy. Stop climbing onto her lap so much."
"B-but... she said it's okay..."
"She clings the most if you watch."
"N-no, I don't...!"
"Ahaha... I'm fine, really. Don't worry about it."
Lucy beamed. She was cat-like, always trying to perch on my thigh or lap. Adorably so. ...Though Lua eyed my lap too, pretending to be cool.
Nothing happened if she did, but her persistent eyeing was a bit scary. I patted Lucy's head lightly.
"Alright... lessons are done. You can head back to your rooms. Do the homework I gave you."
"Okay."
"Got it."
"Yeah..."
5:40 PM. Twenty minutes early, but we'd sped through, so I ended it there. Time to pack up and return.
"Teacher. Wait."
As I gathered my things, Lua stopped me. Curious, I looked at her. She rustled in her skirt pocket and handed me a fist-sized object.
"Hm? What's this?"
"A magic tool for good sleep. You mentioned your rest was restless before."
"Oh, you remembered. I just mentioned it in passing."
"...I have a good memory."
I smiled brightly at her; she glanced away, cheeks faintly pink. Was that my imagination?
'My sleep has been off lately...'
About five days ago, maybe. Sleep quality dipped—not drastic, just a vague heaviness. I'd watched Rachel closely for tricks, but nothing. So I'd chalked it up to missing Lucia. I needed her in the same bed sometimes.
Back when I first possessed this body, nightmares plagued me. Lucia would hold me till I slept, singing lullabies. It became a habit; I'd slip into her room for comfort. Her soft, sweet scent and gentle song lulled me right under.
"Press the top button before bed. Press again to turn off."
"Looks expensive. You sure I can have it?"
"Yeah. Your lessons are fun. Can't have you dozing off."
'So thoughtful...'
First impressions were aloof and stiff, but she was surprisingly attentive. Couldn't refuse this. I stroked her hair slowly and pocketed it.
A week in, and they followed so well—it eased my mind. Job wasn't tough, kids were great, pay was huge. If not for the guilt, it'd be perfect.
"Use it every night, okay?"
Lua stared intently, driving it home. That worried for me? I held out my hand, pinky extended.
"Yes. Promise."
"Lie, and punishment."
Her eyes gleamed—was that my imagination? The thought dissolved as Lucy stretched cutely in my arms. The more I saw, the sweeter they seemed. Though it started as a commission, I wanted to pray thanks to Manus for this bond.
Tonight, a quick prayer, then sleep—with their 'gift' on.
"She's asleep?"
Ruen asked cautiously.
"Yeah."
"D-deeply. More than before..."
"Told you. Gifts work best. Nothing beats goodwill for succubi."
"You're the scariest sometimes..."
"Natural for a succubus. You uphold demon pride, Ruen."
Lua's cool retort made Ruen stick out her tongue. With a soft sigh, she gazed at Carrot, dozing soundly on the bed.
"Mm... Lucia..."
Clutching a big pillow, Carrot murmured in her sleep. Ruen tilted her head.
"...Who's Lucia? She's called that name every night for a week."
"Church person, I guess. Mom overheard a call this morning. Super close, apparently."
"Cl-close...?"
Lucy frowned uncomfortably. Lua patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Lucy. Whoever she is, we claim her first."
"R-really...?"
"Obviously! Fail, and we starve."
Ruen stated it confidently to the hesitant Lucy.
"True, but..."
Lucy's eyes sparkled. Always yielding and meek, jealousy was new for Ruen and Lua to see. And thrilling—jealousy and temptation were succubi essence. Lucy was awakening to her instincts.
Hiiiiss—
The magic tool by Carrot's head emitted faint smoke. It aided sleep, sure—but hid effects: weakening protective spells, and subtly inducing lewd dreams. Barely an aphrodisiac, but it spiked erotic nightmare odds.
Succubi thrived on vulnerability. Perfect for them.
Meaning Carrot's guard was down, just a bit.
Lua's gaze slithered over Carrot's body, licking her lips. She'd started indifferent, but a week of classes and unwitting skinship stoked her 'appetite.' Unconscious seduction.
"Ripening tastier by the day. Can't wait to devour."
"Me too. That inexplicable charm... For a blockhead."
"H-hey, I was first, remember...?"
Lucy asserted firmly. Lua held back her teasing—Lucy might snap. She suppressed the urge to drain her now, bind her, torment endlessly till peak ripeness. Make her beg for filthy demands from her own mouth.
"Lua. Drooling."
"N-no weird fantasies... Her first is mine..."
"...We've starved a week. Normal."
Lua's hazy eyes traced Carrot's cleavage. Staring blankly at her curves, she silently layered protective spells on Lucy.
Silent pressure: Can't hold back? Hurry up.
Lucy accepted them wordlessly.
"Sis... Starting now..."
Gazing at Carrot, she began hypnosis and analysis. Did she know? Even calling Lucia, writhing, flushed in lewd dreams—as her protections weakened bit by bit.
And—
Crack—
A tiny, insignificant change. The faintest crack in her protector.