Chapter 29
Kanda glanced at Manami with a soft smile.
"Anyway, let's go back, Manami. I think everyone will search for us if we come back too late."
Kanda turned, his steps already heading toward the chalet.
"Um... that's right," Manami said, following behind him.
After a few steps, Kanda suddenly remembered something.
"Ah—before I forget, you're welcome to come to my room later, Manami."
Manami tilted her head playfully.
"Why? Do you want to feel my chest?, Kanda"
Manami said that as she crossed her arms which raises her bountiful breast.
Kanda's face turned red.
"NO! ...Maybe a little, but that's not it, Manami. I think Eris, Aoi, and Melwin will want to meet their new sister."
He paused and glanced back at her.
"I see... Sure. I don't think Aoi will be surprised to see me there," Manami replied.
"Yeah. Though, I still need to scold her later for encouraging you into joining their little 'sisterhood'."
Kanda lightly shook his head with a tired smile.
"Just forgive her already," Manami giggled. "I know you didn't really hate the idea, anyway."
She smiled warmly, picturing her friend's teasing expression when Kanda would scold her later.
"I know, Manami." Kanda shrugged as he continues, "But I don't want any girl to feel forced into being my girlfriend. That would only strain our relationship."
Manami's heart softened at his words. She came closer, wrapping her arms around him from behind.
"You're really kind, Kanda. That's why we—your girlfriends—love you so much. Me included."
Kanda turned and embraced her tightly. After sharing a moment in each other's arms, they finally headed back to the chalet.
They found Eris, Aoi, and Melwin waiting anxiously outside. When Kanda and Manami approached, Eris rushed forward and hugged Manami tightly.
"Manami! Where were you two? We were so worried!" Eris's face was filled with concern.
"I'm sorry, and thank you for worrying, Eris," Manami smiled softly. "I just wanted to see the sea at night. Kanda came with me because he was worried about my safety."
Aoi stepped forward, arms crossed.
"Manami... how about you tell us the truth?"
Manami sighed dramatically.
"Fine. I'll tell you everything."
She confessed about her failed attempt to confess to Kio, and how Kanda had accepted her feelings instead. Hearing this, Eris and Melwin were visibly shocked—but Aoi simply nodded calmly, as if she had predicted it all along.
"So you've become our new sister, Manami," Melwin said with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Melwin-san," Manami replied shyly.
"Yay~! Welcome to our sisterhood, Manami!" Eris cheered, hugging her again.
"Thank you, Eris."
Aoi smiled knowingly.
"How does it feel to be in love, Manami?"
Manami looked a little bashful but happy.
"I'm thankful, Aoi. It gave me a precious memory—knowing my true feelings reached someone. I also need to thank you, because you gave me the courage to love this idiot. Now I understand why you love him so much."
"It's fine, Manami. You deserve happiness too," Aoi said warmly.
Later that night, the group joined the others.
Everyone played around at the chalet where the several maids continue setting off fireworks outside while another maid is grilling barbecue.
Kio's male friend can be seen continue adding food on their plate before they struggling to move as their bellies are bloated. Chaika is playing card games with other girls which sometimes she loses and wins.
On the other side, Durel and Kuune simply lazing around on the beach seat while enjoying drinks in their hands.
Manami stayed close with Eris, Aoi, and Melwin. They chatted while eating grilled meat under the starry sky.
"Manami," Eris grinned, "Did Kanda try to steal a kiss from you?"
Manami blushed furiously.
"H-he didn't! Not like that!"
Aoi chuckled, nudging her.
"He is quite clumsy when it comes to timing."
Melwin giggled softly.
"But he's earnest. That's why... it's okay."
Their laughter blended into the sounds of fireworks bursting in the sky.
Eventually, everyone retired to bed, tired but happy.
The next morning, everyone gathered for a hearty breakfast together. The air was filled with chatter and laughter.
Afterward, everyone separated where Kio went with his club members and Itokazu for their club's activities while Kanda tagged along with the girls for some sightseeing, visiting local attractions and food stalls.
Eris's Food Adventure
Eris was practically sparkling as they moved from stall to stall. Every time she tasted something new—a piping hot taiyaki, a crisp fried chicken skewer, sweet dango—her eyes would light up.
"Kanda! This yakisoba is amazing!" she said, pulling him along to another food stand.
Kanda laughed, barely keeping up as Eris excitedly described the flavors.
Chaika, meanwhile, declared herself "The Food Hunter," as she munching with a blissful expression, while Kuune just shook her head in weary amusement with Durel on the side as they also try some of the cuisines there.
Aoi's scene.
Later, they stumbled upon a shooting game booth.
"Aoi, try it!" Kanda encouraged.
Aoi picked up the cork gun with cool precision. With a sharp eye, she knocked down three targets in a row under the shop owner's sweating expression before winning a large fluffy wolf plushie.
She turned and handed it to Kanda with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Here. It suits you."
Kanda blushed awkwardly as he hugging the huge wolf to his chest.
Melwin, normally the quietest, was drawn to a crepe stand.
She picked a crepe filled with strawberries and cream, savoring every bite.
"Delicious..." she murmured, her face glowing in pure bliss.
Kanda couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.
"Want a bite, Kanda?" Melwin shyly offered.
When he took a small nibble, he smiled brightly.
"You're right. It's really good."
While the others were distracted, Manami quietly slipped away to a small fortune-telling booth.
"Hello, young lady. Do you want me to read your fortune?" Said an old man inside a small shop.
Manami nods slightly before she tells him vague description about herself.
An old fortune teller peered into a crystal ball and smiled mysteriously.
"Your love... will be surrounded by many blessings," the fortune teller whispered. "But beware—happiness often attracts storms."
Manami's heart pounded as she bowed and thanked the fortune teller, keeping the words tucked closely to her heart. Although she is happy with the blessing, she could not help but be remind about the storm indicates by the old man as she felt ominous sign from that which is either her imagination or real.
When she rejoined the others, she didn't mention a thing, only smiling as she want to keep for herself first.
As evening fell, everyone gathered once again at the chalet. Laughter filled the air as they played tabletop games—Monopoly, Chess, and even the risqué Strip Old Maid.
Antonia ruthlessly crushed everyone at Monopoly, her calculating gaze striking fear into others where she easily overcome any obstacles in the game especially Chaika which she had received huge debt compare to others due to her reckless behavior.
Meanwhile, Durel dominated Strip Old Maid, causing the boys (except Kanda) to faint from nosebleeds at the scandalous sight of half-dressed girls especially the figure of Kuune, which is extremely charming either on the front or the back.
Kio, in particular, fainted in a different way—after Manami smacked him on the back of the neck after discover his little action on trying to peek.
Dinner was prepared by the diligent maids, and everyone eagerly filled their plates.
Suddenly-
BOOM! BOOM!
The sound of explosions echoed nearby. Shouts and panicked screams filled the air.
Everyone rushed outside.
They saw the maid forces engaging in combat with numerous small, dog-like robots. Sparks flew as the maids, armed with hot weapons and expert coordination, fought back.
Sarah can be seen instructing the maid forces while Maya can be seen moving around the battlefield as she lead the attack on those robots.
The normal members like Arisa, Aiko, and two boys from the club stood frozen in shock.
Elsewhere.
In a dark room filled with flickering monitors, two figures watched the chaos unfold via the robot's cameras.
One was a woman in a military-style uniform, with dog-like ears and sharp golden eyes: Jens.
Beside her floated a small robot assistant: Muttley.
Muttley barked electronically, but his true words appeared on his screen:
> [TARGET ENGAGEMENT SUCCESSFUL. PHASE ONE COMPLETE.]
Jens leaned forward, her expression amused.
"Looks like our little test subjects are more capable than expected," she murmured. "How adorable. Let's see how long they can keep up."
Muttley's screen flickered again:
> [PREDICTED OUTCOME: 37% MAID FORCES VICTORY.]
"Hmph. Always so pessimistic, Muttley. Anyway, it's only introduction from us so we couldn't expect much from that." Jens chuckled.
She crossed her legs elegantly, watching the battle rage with growing excitement.
"Let's give them a proper greeting soon. I have prepare special things for them. I hope that they could satisfy us more."
The screen continued to display the frantic battlefield, where the carnival of smiles had now given way to the silent war.
END OF CHAPTER