"Wait... what's going on?" Ryuuto stepped out of the women's underwear store looking completely confused, shopping bags dangling from his wrists and neck as he stared at the two women walking ahead.
The pair of stunning beauties, more radiant than fresh flowers, were strolling arm in arm through the mall like sisters, talking and laughing together.
"Japanese underwear sizes are really too small," Morgan remarked with a hint of disappointment. "It's so difficult to find something that both fits well and looks nice."
While in the underwear store, the clerk had suggested Morgan visit the maternity section next door, since the store carried too few sizes that would accommodate her. Feeling completely embarrassed, she had naturally refused to follow this suggestion. It had taken her quite a while before she finally selected a few styles that were barely acceptable and in her size.
"That's not true," Manaka said reassuringly. "The black underwear with blue roses that you just bought looks very pretty."
"No, no," Morgan replied. "I actually prefer the white one with lace trim that you purchased."
Manaka tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Really? You think so too? I tried it on and thought it was wonderful. As expected from something Miss Caster recommended."
"...What is happening right now?"
The scene before him was so strange that Ryuuto couldn't believe his eyes. Somehow, Morgan and Manaka—who had earlier been as compatible as fire and water—had become incredibly close after shopping for underwear together. They now resembled sisters who had known each other for years, getting along perfectly.
Wasn't Morgan's original plan to lure Manaka to the underwear store just to embarrass her? As far as he knew, until today, Manaka had either worn nothing underneath or just the simple cotton undershirts typical of young girls. But once they entered the store, Morgan had actually started helping Manaka select more grown-up undergarments.
Since this was Manaka's first time in such a store, she seemed particularly enthusiastic. And so, the two women had left him standing to the side while they engaged in serious conversation like close friends, completely forgetting his presence.
"...Hmm."
Could it be that Morgan brought Manaka here specifically to build a good relationship with her?
For a moment, he wondered if even the all-knowing, all-powerful Root Princess was just an easy-going teenage girl at heart. But that wasn't quite right. Manaka had actually regained her human emotions after meeting him, which explained why she was acting this way now.
The Root Princess was gradually becoming more like a normal girl. Just as he was seeing today, she had easily been won over when Morgan appealed to her interests, breaking through her emotional defenses.
Was this part of Morgan's plan all along? he wondered. Well, she probably didn't have any ulterior motives. In fact, he should probably be thankful. If Manaka had stayed in a bad mood all day because of him, he would have felt terrible and would have had to figure out how to cheer her up. Looking at how things turned out, everyone seemed happy with the situation.
At the age of 17, in the middle of winter, Manaka finally moved on from wearing sports undershirts to AA cup women's bras. Though this might seem like a small step for her personally, it was a giant leap for world peace.
"Miss Caster was really helpful today," Manaka said appreciatively.
"Not at all," Morgan replied modestly. "You're giving me too much credit."
Morgan and Manaka exchanged a knowing look, both breaking into gentle smiles.
"Hehehe," they giggled together.
"We should go out for drinks together sometime," Manaka suggested, clearly in good spirits.
"I'd like that," Morgan agreed. "I have a feeling that having afternoon tea with you would be quite enjoyable." She turned to glance at her Master standing behind her.
Ryuuto spoke in group chat so that only Morgan could hear him. "Thank you."
"It's nothing," she responded. "Just a small reward for being willing to accompany me today, Sir Knight. More importantly, I haven't heard your opinion on the underwear I bought."
He rolled his eyes. "How could I have an opinion? I'd need to see you wearing them to give an opinion. I wasn't in the changing room, so how would I know what they look like?"
"That's true," she said with a charming smile. "Then I suppose you'll have to look forward to our next date, just the two of us, Master."
…
One week later...
It was a peaceful morning with bright sunlight streaming through the window. At half past eleven, Ryuuto finally woke up, nursing a hangover. With his head throbbing, he stumbled out of his bedroom and into the living room, where he turned on the TV and collapsed onto the sofa.
"Good morning. You're up rather early today, Master," came a voice laced with sarcasm.
Looking up, he saw Morgan walking through the living room wearing an apron.
This was a rare sight—if he'd had his phone handy, he definitely would have taken a picture.
"It's your fault for keeping me up so late last night," he shot back. "You really are an insatiable woman."
Just as she was about to respond, Manaka poked her head out from the kitchen. "Miss Caster. Everything's ready over here."
"Coming," Morgan replied.
After she disappeared into the kitchen, Ryuuto was left alone in the living room.
"Miss Caster, you've added too much salt," came Manaka's voice from the kitchen.
"Really? I was measuring according to alchemy standards... I thought it was perfect," Morgan replied.
"No, Ryuuto shouldn't eat that much salt. Too much salt will make him weak."
"Since when does salt make someone weak?"
Ryuuto sighed to himself. 'I'm a Beast, not some Japanese yokai.'
Ever since the underwear shopping incident, Morgan and Manaka had been getting along surprisingly well under the same roof. Today, they were preparing lunch together again. This explained why around 1 AM last night, Morgan had gone to the nightclub to retrieve Ryuuto, who had fallen asleep with his head on a hostess's lap, dragged him home, and locked him in his room. His designated role was to be their food taster later.
"What a fake display of sisterhood," he muttered. "They'll probably be at each other's throats again soon."
Since Manaka and Morgan had started getting along, he couldn't help feeling that he'd fallen out of favor. Wasn't this supposed to be a high school beauty harem club with him at the center?!
"...Sigh." he glanced up at the calendar. There were still two weeks before he had to leave for Fuyuki. He decided to make the most of his remaining free time by fully embracing his good-for-nothing persona.
"Manaka, can you bring me a cold beer?" he called out, sprawled across the sofa like a sloth, shamelessly addressing the young mom busy in the kitchen.
About ten seconds later, Manaka appeared in the living room with a beer. While puffing out her cheeks in disapproval, she scolded him gently, "Drinking alcohol so early in the day? mom won't spoil you like this next time." Despite her words, she opened the can and handed it to him with both hands.
"Thanks!" Taking the beer, he whistled happily. This was indeed proof that he was at the center of his high school beauty harem club.
When he next became aware of the time, the clock showed twelve. After being called to the dining room, he found the table covered with an impressive spread of international dishes.
"How on earth did a home kitchen produce Peking Duck..." he muttered, even as he casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Well then." He looked up at Morgan, who was standing awkwardly behind him, hesitating to take her seat. "Caster, what was that special dish you mentioned last night?"
"It's... this one." A distinctly proud expression lit her beautiful face as she raised her elegant hand, pointing toward a rather unremarkable small bowl among all the elaborate dishes on the table.
He leaned in for a closer look and immediately froze.
It was mashed potatoes.