After my visit with Jutia-san, it was finally time to head over to see Ein-san. The Opinion Exchange Meeting of the so-called World Maid Association had apparently finished up; when I arrived at Kuro’s castle, she greeted me warmly.
"Welcome, Kaito-sama."
"Hello. Sorry for the sudden visit today."
"Not at all. You are always welcome here, Kaito-sama. However, I must apologize. Chrome-sama is currently attending the Trading Company's Regular Meeting and is out at the moment."
"Oh, no, I actually didn't come to see Kuro this time. I came to see you, Ein-san."
Ein-san had evidently assumed I was there for Kuro. It wasn't surprising that she thought my business was with someone else, given that I had previously checked the situation via Hummingbird without stating my business, simply telling her to do her best before coming back later.
The reason I hadn't specified my purpose when I first reached out was mostly because of a strong desire to avoid getting swept up in some Mysterious Ritual of the Maid World...
"You have business with me?"
"Yes. Actually, Nebula created a new variety of black tea, so I brought some to share—"
"Thank you so much!!"
"—Wait, Ein-san!?"
I hadn't even finished explaining everything yet, but before I knew it, Ein-san had used Teleportation to close the distance, appearing right in front of me. She took my hands in hers, her eyes shimmering as she gazed at me.
Just like Jutia-san... no, her reaction was even more intense. Plus, she was so close that if I moved even an inch, our lips might actually touch.
"U-Um, Ein-san?"
"Nebula-sama's Newest Creation! How wonderful. I am embarrassed to admit that even I am feeling quite excited, considering it is a new work by the very Nebula-sama who produced those previous tea leaves!"
"Y-Yes. I can tell... that much is more than clear. But, um, you're quite close, so please, calm down for a moment..."
"...Oh? My apologies."
I certainly understood her enthusiasm, but for the time being, her face was simply too close. It was a bit late to be noticing this, but Ein-san was a stunning beauty. Having her so close I could feel her breath against my skin made me incredibly self-conscious.
Setting aside her excessive obsession with anything related to maids, she combined her position as the eldest daughter figure of Kuro's Family with the aura of a cool, calm, and capable adult woman... No, really, as long as the topic didn't turn to maids, I thought she had a relatively normal personality... I'll say it one more time: as long as the topic didn't turn to maids...
"...Er, Ein-san?"
"Your face is slightly flushed, and your body temperature is rising... Hmm. Kaito-sama, would it be correct to recognize your current state as being nervous... or rather, in this case, being conscious of me because I brought my face close?"
She was the one who had gotten so close, but even as she offered her apologies, Ein-san showed no sign of pulling away. Instead, she observed me with what looked like great interest.
"Y-Yes. It was sudden, so it startled me, and I'm nervous."
"I see... Forgive me for asking further, but is this nervousness due to the surprise? Or is it the result of being conscious of me as a member of the opposite sex to some extent?"
"...I-If I had to say, it would be... the latter?"
"I see, I see..."
What was this? Some kind of humiliation play? Why was I being forced to answer such an embarrassing question? I was supposed to have just come here to deliver black tea... And for some reason, I had a feeling Ein-san was enjoying herself.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Ein-san's usual cool expression shifted into a smile.
"...In that case, shall we try a kiss while we are at it? To me, Kaito-sama is the person I love second most in the world, and since you are number one as a member of the opposite sex, I wouldn't mind at all, you know?"
"Wha—!? Wait, E-Ein-san!? Wh-Wh-What are you saying all of a sudden..."
"...Hehe, my apologies. I simply felt like teasing you a little, Kaito-sama."
Ein-san gave a mischievous smile. While she looked cool and composed, Ein-san could be quite playful when the mood struck her, occasionally saying or doing things like this to rattle me.
It was the same during our mixed bathing at the Six Kings Festival; the way I couldn't tell how much of what she said was serious felt somehow enchanting.
As I was thinking that, Ein-san finally pulled back and lightly traced her own lips with a finger. Perhaps because of her previous comment, my eyes were drawn toward them.
"...By the way, Kaito-sama. This is a question out of simple curiosity..."
"Yes?"
"If one were to kiss someone while time was stopped, would that count as an official kiss? Or would it be a 'no-count' if the other party remained unaware?"
"...Eh? Wh-Why would you ask... wait, surely..."
"Now, I wonder? Hehehe."
Seeing Ein-san laughing happily like that, I felt my cheeks grow even hotter than they had been just moments before.
Serious-senpai: "Wha—!?"
???: "Ah, she was blown away by an unexpected surprise attack."