//Rishya understanding not//

Shut up Michael. And don't suddenly try to regress to your old speech patterns.

//I honestly do not comprehend your objective here.//

Well... it’s pretty simple. I... uh... like to share. Everyone should have love in their lives.

//Whilst that is admirable, it is not only exceedingly contrary to your prior behaviour, but undoubtably a huge lie. You are an awful liar, Rishya. Especially to yourself.//

S-shut up. I...

He's coming! Act natural!

About now.

I wander around the corner in just my towel. My hair wet.

He looks up in alarm and stops rapidly.

Damn, the timing was off slightly. I hoped to run into him and have it fall off. Tch. Nevermind. Straight to phase two.

"Elijah-sama!"

"Rishya? Crap... is the bath occupied?"

"Oh! Erm... I just left. Ah! If you're going, take this with you. Its brilliant and makes you really soapy all over!" I bounce myself up happily and smile whilst offering the bottle of deep blue liquid.

A slight glaze occurs in his eyes and he takes a deep breath. Brilliant. He's totally thinking about me being soapy and not the fact that I didn't answer the question.

"Elijah-sama?" I cock my head at his hesitation.

"Ah... no, that's great. I'll take it, it will be useful. Thanks."

"Hehe. No problem." I smile again and walk on past him innocently.

Yes! All according to plan.

I don't think he suspects anything as I trot off happily.

I suppose there is still a potential failure condition. Namely that Elijah-sama is very wary when entering the baths. But even considering his supposed danger senses, that is unlikely right now.

Mission complete.

//I suppose I will never understand human behaviours completely. Wake me if it is required//

I return to the room we girls have converted into a dormitory, and change back into my usual outfit, before returning to the common area.

Seria and Aria are sat on the large table there.

"Uhuhuhu... you two were kicked out of the kitchen already?" I snicker.

Aria glares at me, and Seria shrugs.

Aria has way too much strength for most fine cooking tasks. Even using a cleaver for meat is disastrous. And I heard the Sage was apparently making sandwiches for 200 years.

"Well, you aren't any better, Rish. Didn't you mix up salt and flour once?"

"That was Yuuzu. I just never entered the kitchen at all." I grin.

"Mmmm... I'm not sure that is an achievement worthy of puffing out your chest, fufufufu..." Seria laughs, and Aria rolls her eyes.

"In any case, all was according to plan." I pronounce.

There is a clatter and crash and vile cursing from the kitchen. We chuckle at the actions of the terrible eavesdropper. Evidently Kiku was hoping it would fail. But she underestimates me.

"Well, I didn't want to hang around to witness the result." I give a whimsical smile. "But if Kaede and Kali have any skill at this whatsoever, they will finally join us on this side of the fence."

There is a moment's silence.

"Just why did you incite this, Rish?" Aria says. "I mean... yeah... we agreed long ago that we should endeavour to remain on a fair playing field, way back in Hal-Castemour. But why..."

"The boy sleeping with us all has become a matter of when, rather than if, has it not?"

Its embarrassing to hear Seria say it, to be honest. I blush, but nod.

"Hah... this is really ridiculous."

"On the contrary, Aria, many tales imply Etranger have a natural aptitude towards collecting a harem of women. This is one thing that is nothing out the ordinary."

"Well, except Elijah-sama's preference for a specific age range." I cackle.

"Huhuhu... but, well... I suppose you are right?" I scratch my cheek. "Doesn't every girl dream of her own prince? Why-ever have I fallen in love with a pervert who groped me in our first meeting?"

I sigh, and sit down with the other two.

"I have questioned myself on this numerous times. Alas, strangely, I do not have an answer. But at the same time, I do not regret anything." I grin.

There is a moment of introspection.

"So, I guess, I am merely wishing to inflict this conflict of feelings on others. Does that make me a bad person?"

"Not bad, just terrifying." Aria grins, giving Seria a glance, which she returns deadpan.

"Isn't Arry the terrifying one? All the things you made me do as a child... are you surprised I ended up like this?" I say.

She looks momentarily shocked, and blushes, with a hand behind her head.

"Thanks for sticking with me all this time, Rish." She says, bashfully.

I smack her on the shoulder, and draw her into an embrace.

"Eh, well... we're annoyingly similar in some ways. We even have the same taste in men, apparently. And if I didn't take care of you, who else would you annoy? Ha!"

We giggle together like the little girls we still technically are, even if we have prematurely become women.

"Fufufu... actually, you are both terrifying. Moreso than ever as a tag team, doubtlessly. Perhaps I should study harder on how to be a reliable elder sister figure. Although, to be honest, Rishya would already have me beat."

"In any case, you have your own charm as the sarcastic old windbag with far too much to say." I taunt.

"Fufufufu... that I do." She laughs.

I draw her into our hug. She momentarily resists, but then relents.

And suddenly Kiku joins us, still holding a ladle.

"Haven't we all become a strange family indeed? And soon, we will welcome our last two members." I say.

As ludicrous as that statement is, no one debates it.

Strange. Strange indeed.