Mob Yandere

[Part 2/4]

When she speaks so casually, she loosen her outfit. Revealing her shoulders, her collarbones shining──half the swell of her chest on display.

Close enough for me to see the sweat beading like pearls on that dark skin.

She untangles her comb, loose waves of chestnut hair tumbling free.

A hint of spice mixed into that sweet, earthy scent...

"You're sunburned."

"Got it from the south."

"From the south?"

"Yes, I am from the south."

I press on.

"Nagi and Natsu──were they born in the south too?"

"That's right. Why do you ask?"

"I thought they were often exposing their skin. I wondered if they were sensitive to heat."

Ran, Nagi, and Natsu also seemed to be walking around Yashiki Estate in underwear or swimsuits when they went to work.

It's a simple question──why do they tend to reveal so much?

"Ah... Well, it's normal back home. I guess I've just fallen into the same habit."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. It's a sign I'm healthy. Do you dislike women who are like that?"

"No way."

She rests her head on my lap, her gentle hand playing with the golden-brown hair as she denies with a soft smile.

"You're probably glad I work outside so much, right? A hardworking girl like me, how could you dislike that?"

"Huh! Are you judging someone's character by how they do their job?"

"I don't dislike it, but liking it? That's up to me. What other reasons do you have?"

"Well... for example──like this?"

I ask, and Ran replies before she even finishes, lowering her hips just a bit.

Her face inches closer, body pressed tight against mine.

Soft warmth touches my chest.

Cheeks brush as her breath whispers in my ear.

Her hand glides along my lower belly, fingertips lingering just a moment.

Yeah... it's hot.

"And... pretty heavy too."

"...And what else?"

"What do you mean, 'what else'?"

"Yes, I mean──what else?"

"...That's a tough riddle, huh?"

"What a cruel question!"

Ran puffs up her cheeks, then turns her head to sulk, adjusting her posture as she dismisses me with a sullen flick of her face.

Her expression–so grown-up, yet childlike──looks wounded.

"Sorry, sorry... I'm no scholar. If it's a riddle I've never heard, I can't really guess. Please──tell me the answer."

"You won't get it unless you think outside the box, you know?"

"Maybe I need a fresh perspective?"

"No──more pure, simpler thoughts. Just imagine."

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"You're truly fearsome, my lady!"

If she were to praise someone purely, she would invite the same criticism as before.

Yet, her tone had softened somewhat.

Was it not the right answer, but close to the mark?

"Spare me... How can I win back your favor?"

"...Then, how about this?"

With a graceful hand, she presents a white towel, contrasting with her own sun-kissed skin.

It is a thin silk, embroidered with intricate designs.

Ran traces the lines of her own exposed skin.

"Look here. I've been so worked up that I'm drenched in sweat... Won't you wipe it away for me?"

Her golden leopard eyes gaze down at him, her sweet, kittenish voice making a request.

The sweat, wiped away by his fingers, traces the contours of her body, collecting in the valleys like a wellspring....

"Absolutely hopeless, this one."

"Kyaa♪"

She accepts the hand towel.

Flips it.

The top becomes the bottom.

She lets out a loving scream, then licks her lips, giving him a coquettish look from under her lashes.

Her hands guide his to her neck.

"Please, make sure to wipe every last bit carefully?"

"You sure are giving a lot of orders to your Master?"

"Well then, shall I discipline you properly?♪"

"Is that the attitude of one who can be disciplined?"

With a sigh at her insubordinate behavior, I set to work on the maid's attire.

I grasp and peel it away.

In any case, rewarding a hardworking maid is part of a "Boss's" duty, isn't it?

Giving my all and serving below is its own kind of thrill, after all.

Yes.

If I'm to serve...

"Ran,"

"How may I assist you, Master?"

"Is the south your homeland? It seems so far away. I was thinking, even if you take some time off to go back, it's fine. Consider it a reward for your hard work as your Master."

"...I no longer have a homeland."

"...I see."

Then, after a brief silence, I move my hands again.

To give the diligent maid the reward she deserves...

* * *

It was a trio of sounds: the patter of running feet, the chime of a wind bell, and the ring of a different bell, all accompanied by a child's treble.

"Boss-samaa, play with us!"

"Mari! Mari wants to play!"

Just as I finished attending to she and watched her leave, the children arrived almost as if they had timed it.

Or perhaps they had been waiting for this to end.

"We'll get in trouble if we bother Ran-neesama!"

"We waited properly, didn't we? How impressive!"

"So this time, it's our turn──♪"

In an instant, little figures surround me halfway.

Six young girls, chattering away in rapid-fire, roll up their sleeves, jingling with every move, holding up their kendamas with eyes sparkling in anticipation, making their plea.

They seem to have been waiting for their turn with eager impatience.

"Hold up, hold up, hold up. I'm not running away, so calm down. ...Hmph, kendama play, huh?"

Seeing the kendama flashed before me, I get up.

Stretching my back, popping my shoulders, twisting my neck, I shake off the lazy feeling.

Sigh, playing with kids... who's the real boss here, huh?

...Well, a workout's just what this idle body needs, right?

"Hmph. ...Alright then, if we're going to do this, how about I take a look at everyone's skills first?"

"Understood! Let's go──! Yahoo!"

"Wait, hold on a sec"

Kicking the ball with all my might into the estate, I rush to head it up high before it could cause a racket and smash the shouji paper door to bits.

That was a close one...!!?

"And..."

The kendama I reflexively launched.

Watching it soar to its peak, then start its rapid descent.

Adjusting my posture, positioning, ...then gently tapping it upwards with my chest.

Lower than before, with less force, the kendama begins its gradual descent once more....

"There, there, nice and easy"

Kicking it up with my knee, then my thigh, my shoulder, alternating legs, I keep the kendama aloft again and again.

I proudly display my somewhat vulgar kendama skills to everyone.

"Wow──!"

"Amazing, amazing!"

"Why!? Why doesn't it fall down!!?"

"It's all about the years, kid."

My crude kendama handling leaves the young girls with their eyes wide in pure astonishment.

They cheer, playfully clapping and shouting "banzai," their shrill voices raising a yellow hue of excitement.

The bells jingle noisily.

"Let me try too!"

"Dummy, you always know where to land it, don't you?"

Wait──that's not a jump rope. It's a *kickball*?

And that clumsy kick earlier? No wonder──your outfit makes moving hard. Guess that's why you flubbed it.

"Huh?"

"Alright, then! Watch this!"

"Stop it! You'll wrinkle your clothes."

The kids scowled at my warning, pulling back their sleeves and tugging at their kimono hems──like they were daring to ignore the rules.

Their fancy kimonos didn't deserve to be torn so carelessly.

"Today, just stick to jump rope, okay?"

"But, but!"

"Yaaay!"

"Kickball! Let's play kickball!!"

"Hey now..."

The little brats instantly rebelled against my orders, protesting loudly.

Their stubbornness made me sigh in frustration.

"But... if I play jump rope, nii-ni won't play with me, right?"

"That's not it... oh, I get it now."

See, kickball's not just for boys, but traditionally it's mainly girls who play with jump ropes.

Big guys? Rarely see them join in.

Ah──so that's why.

"It looked pretty boring at first... but you thought I wouldn't do jump rope?"

The little girls nodded in unison, their faces serious.

Instead of kicking the ball, I picked it up again──it's a plain, simple piece made of deer hide, nothing ornate.

It had no sparkle for girls to fuss over.

This was meant for boys──made for kickball, not for pretty play.

"I see your consideration, but... you've been pretty careless."

"Then, I'll just take my clothes off now!"

"No way! Where do you think you'd hang them? Anyway──get everyone a kickball ready. And what song shall we sing?"

The little brats glanced at each other, excitement lighting up their faces as they understood.

"Really?! Can we?!"

"If you wanna play, hurry up and get your own ball ready. Or you might change your mind."

"I'll do it! I'll get one right now!"

The kids scrambled to show off their beautifully decorated jump balls, holding them high.

Meanwhile, I tapped the plain ball several times with my hand, testing its bounce──just like a jump ball.

Hm, with this, I could──

"Don't worry. Even so, there's still fun to be had."

1, 2, 3──hit the ball against the ground; it bounced back with wild energy.

The kids watched intently, eyes sparkling with curiosity. A playful idea sparked in me.