Chapter 1604 Nebula's New Creation ⑤

After visiting Jutia-san, I finally went to visit Ein-san. It seems that the Opinion Exchange Meeting she had with the World Maid Association had already ended, and when I visited Kuro's castle, she pleasantly welcomed me.

[Welcome, Kaito-sama.]

[Hello, I'm sorry for the sudden visit today.]

[No, Kaito-sama is always welcome here. It's just, my apologies. Kuromu-sama is currently away at the moment, attending a regular meeting for her trading companies.]

[Ahh, no, this time, I didn't come here for Kuro, but for you, Ein-san.]

It seems that Ein-san thought I came to visit Kuro. Indeed, after inquiring about her situation once, I simply said "Do your best over there" without stating the purpose of my inquiry before visiting them again. That being the case, it's not surprising that Ein-san thought my business was for someone else, not for her.

The reason why I didn't tell her my business when I first asked her via hummingbird was because I didn't really want to get involved in whatever mysterious rituals the Maid World is doing...

[Kaito-sama wanted to see me?]

[Yes, actually, Nebula has cultivated new tea leaves and I'm shari———-]

[Thank you very much!!!]

[———–Wait, Ein-san!?]

I hadn't fully conveyed all of my intentions yet, but before I knew it, Ein-san instantly appeared before me. She held my hands with both of hers, looking at me with sparkling eyes.

She's just like Jutia-san... No, her intensity felt even greater than hers. Moreover, she's so close... close enough that if I move a little bit, we would end up kissing.

[U- Umm, Ein-san?]

[Nebula-sama's new creation! How wonderful. When one speaks of the new creation of Nebula-sama, the one who cultivated those tea leaves, embarrassing this may sound, but I couldn't help feeling excited!]

[I- I guess so. You're conveying that thought so much that I feel like it's too much... It's just, umm, you're pretty close, so let's calm down a bit...]

[...Oya? Please excuse me.]

I could feel Ein-san's enthusiasm, but in any case, her face is too close. It may be a bit late to say this, but Ein-san is an incredibly beautiful person. Being so close to her that I can feel her breath makes me nervous.

If you exclude her extreme obsession about maids, Ein-san exudes an atmosphere of a calm and composed capable adult woman, akin to her position as the eldest daughter of Kuro's family... No, seriously, if we exclude topics related to maids, I think Ein-san would have a relatively proper personality... I'll say this again, but that's if we exclude topics related to maids...

[...Errr, Ein-san?]

[Face slightly reddening and body temperature rising... Fumu, being close to my face, Kaito-sama became tense... No, in this case... Can I take it as Kaito-sama being conscious of me?]

Even though Ein-san apologized for being so close, she showed no sign of pulling away at all. On the contrary, she seemed quite interested, observing my behavior closely.

[Y- You're right. I was surprised by the sudden situation, so I'm feeling tense.]

[I see... I apologize for repeating the question, but in this case, is the nervousness due to surprise? Or perhaps, have you become somewhat conscious of me as someone of the opposite sex?]

[...I- If I really had to answer that... It's the latter, I guess?]

[I see, I see...]

Eh? The heck is with this embarrassment play? Why is it that I'm being asked such embarrassing questions? I was supposed to come here only to deliver tea... but later on, I somehow feel like Ein-san seems to be enjoying herself.

Thinking that way, as the cool expression Ein-san usually has turning to a smile, she spoke.

[...Well then, why don't we go further and have a kiss? Kaito-sama is the one I love second in the world, but as someone of the opposite sex, you are the one I love the most, so I'm completely fine with it, you know?]

[Hahh!? Wait, E- Ein-san!? W- W- W- What are you suddenly...]

[...Fufu, please excuse me. I found myself wanting to tease Kaito-sama a little bit.]

Ein-san said, a mischievous smile on her lips... Ein-san may appear cool, but she does have a reasonably playful side like this, so she occasionally engages in teasing words or actions like this.

It was the same when we were taking a mixed bath during the Six Kings Festival, but the fact that I couldn't tell how serious she was being is somewhat bewitching.

As I was thinking this, Ein-san pulled her face away from mine, lightly stroking her lips with her finger. Due to her previous statement though, my gaze naturally shifts towards her lips.

[...By the way, Kaito-sama. Out of simple curiosity, I have a question...]

[Yes?]

[If one kisses while time is stopped, would those count in the number of kisses one does? Or perhaps, do kisses not count if the other party isn't aware of it?]

[...Eh? W- Why are you asking... Eh? D- Don't tell me...]

[I wonder, what do you think? Fufufu.]

As I watched Ein-san giggle with a playful smile on her lips after saying that, I felt like my cheeks became warmer than they were just a moment ago.