The bathroom fell silent.
Raiden Ei looked at Kiana in silence for a moment before slowly opening her arms and gently pulling her into an embrace.
Kiana froze for a second, then her expression softened slightly.
"Kiana."
One of Ei's hands wrapped around Kiana's back while the other rested lightly atop her damp hair.
"I believe in you."
Ei didn't say much, but her voice carried a steady certainty to it, as though she were affirming Kiana herself—believing without question that she'd pass the makeup exam.
"Mmn…"
And right now, that was exactly what Kiana needed.
"Kiana, do you know why I agreed to let you look at my chest earlier today?"
The moment she heard that, Kiana's face instantly turned red again. Held against Ei's chest, she suddenly became shy like a newlywed bride.
"Wh-What does that have to do with the makeup exam…"
"It does." Ei nodded lightly, secretly grinning to herself.
If she didn't bring it up now, how was she supposed to unlock the route conditions later?
She leaned down slightly so that the slightly shorter Kiana was level with her gaze.
"You've never been someone who hides how you feel. You openly chase after the things you love, and you never want your friends to worry about you… So the fact that you quietly hid away to deal with your emotions by yourself… that's precious."
Ei gently stroked Kiana's little head, not minding at all that her hair was still wet from the bath.
As if she'd care.
This is amazing, alright?!
"So I believe in you. I believe you'll pass the makeup exam. Not because you're stupid, and not because you're especially smart either, but because… you're Kiana."
A faint smile curled at Ei's lips as she felt the soft rise and fall against her chest—not huge, but definitely more than enough to notice—and she continued softly:
"The Kiana who stood in front of me the very first time we met and shouted that no matter who I was, I wasn't allowed to hurt Mei… Would that kind of courage really lose to a few test questions?"
When Kiana heard that, she suddenly let out an indignant little huff.
"I-I'm not gonna lose to some stupid test questions!"
Hearing Kiana suddenly sound full of energy again, Ei smiled and nodded.
"Mm. I believe you… Kiana. I know you can do it."
The earnest focus in her eyes made Kiana's cheeks flush red all over again.
Just as Ei was thinking this trip had already been a complete success, and that Kiana's affection level had probably risen enough from this unexpected event, she prepared to let go.
But suddenly, Kiana reached out and lightly tugged on the corner of her clothes.
"Ei."
"Mm?"
"Um… about that…"
Kiana lowered her head, her ears so red they looked ready to drip blood.
"When I… when I pass the makeup exam…"
Ei paused for a second, the curve of her lips lifting even higher.
"I understand." She didn't say it outright, only nodded softly. "When that time comes, I'll be waiting for you, Kiana."
Kiana's face immediately turned scarlet all the way to the tips of her ears.
She hurriedly let go and spun around, pretending she was going to wash up again.
"Th-Then it's a promise! I'm definitely gonna pass!"
Yes!
That's the spirit!!
And then, once I turn into someone else later, I'll tell you the Raiden Ei you've been desperately waiting for might already be gone forever!!!
Hahahahaha!!!
Just imagining that scene made Ei so excited she practically wanted to roll around on the floor.
"I believe in you."
Ei nodded again, but as she looked at Kiana's back, at the graceful curve of her figure…
Her fingers suddenly twitched with temptation again.
"But… Kiana."
"W-What now?"
Kiana responded nervously, shyly turning sideways to look back at her.
Ei stepped forward again and wrapped her in another embrace.
Both hands slipped around from behind Kiana and settled atop her chest.
"I'm curious… why do you like these so much…"
Kiana's body stiffened for an instant before trembling faintly from embarrassment.
"Is it because… my body is very similar to Mei's?"
"I… I…"
Kiana's reaction practically confirmed Ei's words were true.
"…"
Ei gently held the soft weight in her hands, remaining silent for a moment before continuing quietly:
"You're someone Mei loves, and you love Mei too… so I can understand you, Kiana…"
"But… when that day finally comes, Kiana… I hope that when you look at me, besides seeing the body shape that reminds you of Mei… you'll also be able to see me. See the part that belongs to Raiden Ei herself…"
After saying that, Ei looked into Kiana's trembling sapphire-blue eyes, her gaze direct and sincere as she lowered her head and pressed her lips against Kiana's pink ones.
Perfect~
Holding Kiana's trembling body in her arms, Ei felt delighted to the extreme.
There was no way Kiana would ever forget today now.
She really couldn't wait for the next time she met her as Raiden Ei again—just imagining Kiana's furious, devastated expression was exciting~
A little while later.
Ei sat on the couch playing games with Yae Sakura, the two of them equally terrible and equally determined to ruin each other.
Nearby, Raiden Mei glanced toward Kiana's room with a puzzled expression, her tone carrying both relief and concern as she murmured:
"Kiana said she was going to stay up all night studying after her bath… She's finally starting to work hard, huh? Though… she really shouldn't stay up so late. I should go talk to her in a bit…"
Hearing Mei say that, the corners of Ei's lips rose by a few extra pixels.
Yeah, why had Kiana suddenly become so fired up and motivated?
Such a mystery~
Ei simply smiled without saying a word, quietly hiding her accomplishments.
Soon enough, it was late into the night.
"Haa…"
After returning to her room, Ei lay down on the bed.
"Ei, wanna have a few drinks again tonight?"
Himeko skillfully pulled two bottles of vodka out from the storage drawer beneath her bed and smiled toward Ei.
"Won't that affect tutoring Kiana tomorrow?" Ei asked curiously.
"It's fine."
Himeko shook her head with a smile, setting the vodka on the bedside table before sitting sideways on the bed with one hand propping herself up.
The curves beneath her pajama top swayed dramatically.
"As long as we drink a little less than usual~"
"If that's the case… alright."
Ei nodded lightly, and Himeko immediately got up, carrying the two bottles of vodka as she familiarly settled herself onto Ei's bed.
Looks like tonight was going to be another dangerously seductive one~
Ever since arriving at St. Freya Academy, Ei hadn't managed to get a proper night's sleep even once during these past six days.
--+--