“Herta, right here.”
Kai pointed directly at her own cheek.
When Herta continued staring in stunned silence, Kai stretched out comfortably beside her feet and looked up with eager anticipation.
Herta’s mind went blank.
As a genius who had solved countless impossible problems, this was the first time she had experienced anything resembling a complete system crash.
She understood every word Kai had spoken.
When those words were placed together, however, they stopped making sense.
What had she just heard?
This Emanator had gone through all the trouble of stealing dozens of puppets and luring Herta into an isolated room.
All so Herta could step on her.
More specifically, Kai wanted Herta to step on her face.
Silence.
What.
Herta stared down at her with an expression filled with disbelief.
“You deceived me and brought me here just so I would step on you.”
“Yes.”
Kai showed no embarrassment whatsoever.
On the contrary, she looked strangely proud of herself.
She behaved as though convincing Herta to grant such a ridiculous request was an achievement worthy of recognition throughout the Genius Society.
Herta had always known that followers of Elation were strange.
This was far beyond strange.
This woman was a complete menace.
Herta immediately understood which Path Kai followed.
Considering the situation, it would have been difficult not to recognize it.
What other Emanator would arrange an elaborate ambush for something this absurd?
Despite her shock, Herta gradually began to relax.
She could sense that Kai truly held no murderous intentions toward her.
If all Kai wanted was one bizarre favor, then granting it might not be entirely unreasonable.
Establishing a friendly relationship with another Emanator could be useful.
Having an Emanator assist with testing the Simulated Universe would produce valuable results.
That was the logical explanation Herta gave herself.
Actually lifting her foot was another matter.
Herta rarely allowed anyone to enter her personal space.
Doing something this intimate with a woman she had only just met was embarrassing, even for her.
Kai noticed her hesitation.
She immediately wrapped both arms around Herta’s lower leg and looked up with wide, pleading eyes.
“Please, Herta.”
Silence.
Herta sighed.
“Fine.”
Kai immediately released her and lay flat on the floor.
She even adjusted her position to make herself more comfortable.
Herta looked down at the cheerful woman waiting beneath her and slowly shook her head.
Kai was remarkably attractive.
Why did someone with such a charming appearance enjoy something so strange?
It did not matter.
Herta did not understand it, but she could tolerate it.
Everyone had their own peculiar interests.
Herta slowly raised her foot and gently rested it against Kai’s cheek.
Kai released a quiet, satisfied hum.
The soft material of Herta’s stocking pressed against her face.
Kai closed her eyes and looked completely at peace.
Herta’s face immediately grew warmer.
Why did Kai have to make that sound?
Herta considered pulling away.
However, Kai appeared so content that she hesitated.
Several long moments passed.
…
By the time Herta’s leg began to feel numb, Kai finally allowed her to move.
Kai rose from the floor with obvious reluctance.
Then she moved closer and casually linked one arm around Herta’s.
“Hello, Herta.”
“My name is Kai.”
Herta stared at her.
“Hello.”
“Could you release my arm first?”
Kai’s enthusiasm was proving difficult to manage.
Herta gently pulled her arm free and took a small step backward.
Kai was charming enough that Herta found it difficult to genuinely dislike her.
They had only just met, however.
Remaining pressed against one another was more physical contact than Herta was prepared to tolerate.
This time, Kai did not immediately follow her.
Instead, she remained where she was and lowered her head.
“Kai became too excited.”
“Kai only acted that way because she admires Herta so much.”
“I am sorry.”
Her shoulders drooped.
Her pale blue eyes lowered, and her lips formed a small pout.
She looked like someone who had just realized she had crossed a boundary.
Herta’s irritation quickly faded.
“All right.”
“I am not angry.”
Kai slowly looked up.
Her eyes glistened as though tears were about to fall.
“Really.”
“Really.”
Kai wiped at the corner of one eye.
“Can Kai still hug Herta?”
She stared at Herta with open hope.
Faced with that expression, Herta found herself unable to refuse.
Kai reminded her slightly of her own younger appearance.
That made the situation even more difficult.
Herta released another quiet sigh.
“You may.”
Kai’s sorrow disappeared instantly.
“Wonderful.”
“Herta is the best.”
“Hehe.”
Kai rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Herta.
Herta froze.
She had been tricked.
Emanators of Elation truly were shameless.
Still, Herta decided not to push her away.
She could pretend she was embracing one of her own puppets.
After a moment of hesitation, Herta placed her arms around Kai and returned the hug.
The sealed door suddenly opened with a deafening crash.
A startled cry came from the entrance.
Herta turned her head.
Asta stood in the doorway with one hand covering her mouth.
Her face had turned bright red as she stared at Herta and Kai embracing in the hidden archive room.
“I am sorry, Madam Herta.”
“I did not see anything.”
“Please continue.”
Asta delivered the hurried apology and immediately fled down the corridor.
She covered her burning face as she ran.
Kai watched her disappear.
“Herta, what was wrong with Asta?”
Her expression was the picture of innocence.
Herta stared at her.
“You are pretending to be innocent now.”
“Hehe.”
…
A short while later.
Inside Herta’s office.
“Asta, allow me to introduce Kai.”
“She is an Emanator of Elation and an old acquaintance of mine.”
Herta delivered the explanation without changing her expression.
“The missing puppets were part of one of her pranks.”
“She took them because she wanted to lure me out.”
Herta turned toward Kai and gave her a stern look.
“Return my puppets.”
“All right.”
Kai playfully stuck out her tongue.
She waved one hand.
More than thirty Herta puppets appeared throughout the office.
Several were sitting on desks.
Others appeared on chairs or beside the walls.
A few landed in undignified piles on the floor.
The puppets quickly awakened.
One after another, they left Herta’s office and returned to their assigned stations.
Asta finally understood.
So that was what had happened.
Now that she thought about it, Herta and Kai had only been hugging when she opened the door.
There had been nothing particularly suspicious about it.
They had probably chosen that secluded room because they were old friends who wanted to speak privately after a long separation.
Asta accepted the explanation.
She turned toward Kai and offered a polite greeting.
“Hello, Madam Kai.”
“I am Asta, the Lead Researcher responsible for managing Herta Space Station.”
After learning that Kai was an Emanator, particularly one associated with Elation, Asta could not help feeling nervous.
Whether they were Masked Fools or Mourning Actors, those who followed the Path of Elation tended to possess unusual personalities.
If Asta accidentally offended Kai, Herta’s presence would probably prevent anything serious from happening.
Even so, Asta did not want to embarrass Herta or create trouble for the station.
To her surprise, Kai displayed none of the arrogance one might expect from an Emanator.
She quickly approached Asta and offered her a radiant smile.
“Hello, Asta.”
“Please call me Kai.”
“I have heard that you are beautiful.”
“Now that we have met, I can see the rumors did not do you justice.”
Asta’s cheeks turned pink.
“Thank you.”
“You are very charming as well, Kai.”
Her nervousness began to fade.
She returned Kai’s compliment with a shy smile.
Kai’s eyes brightened.
Asta had complimented her.
Clearly, Asta already adored her.
Hehe.
If Kai wanted to secure the friendship of the station’s wealthiest woman, she needed to continue making a good impression.
Kai immediately began the next stage of her charm offensive.
“Herta speaks about you frequently.”
“She says you are intelligent, dependable, and exceptionally capable.”
“She trusts you to manage every detail of the space station.”
“As long as you are here, Herta never has to worry about anything.”
Herta quietly nodded.
She had never actually said those words to Kai.
That did not make them inaccurate.
Without Asta, Herta could never have maintained such a comfortably detached approach to managing the station.
An operation of this size could not be entrusted to just anyone.
Asta glanced toward Herta.
When Herta made no attempt to deny the praise, happiness spread across Asta’s face.
“Madam Herta gives me too much credit.”
“I am only fulfilling my responsibilities.”
Asta turned back toward Kai.
“Please come to me whenever you need assistance during your stay.”
“I will.”
“Thank you, Asta.”
“Hehe.”
Kai gave her another sweet smile.
Asta felt the last of her apprehension disappear.
Perhaps Emanators of Elation were not as frightening as she had imagined.
Kai appeared polite, affectionate, and completely harmless.
There was no trace of deception in that charming smile.
Kai quietly observed Asta’s expression.
Of course.
What possible bad intentions could Kai have?
Hehe.
◉◉◉◉◉
Save to library!