I... I can't think of any more.
Exusiai looked thoroughly defeated, the white rice-cake that had just tucked itself away looking as if it might pop back out at any moment.
Honestly.
Croissant shook her head; today's victor clearly seemed to be her.
Croissant, you're the one who learned the worst habits, aren't you?
Sora looked at her teammate with a speechless expression.
What?
Croissant tilted her head in a question mark.
Don't overthink it. If you care too much about the labels people stick on you, life will be very exhausting.
Seeing Exusiai in such a downed state, Shirou offered a word of comfort. After all, Croissant's combo had hit a bit too hard.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Shirou always felt that everyone in Penguin Logistics had become extremely aggressive lately. Where on earth did they learn this from?
Wuuu, as expected, Shirou, you're the best...
Exusiai burst into a flood of tears and snot as she lunged at Shirou. Fortunately, Shirou blocked her in time, preventing her face from sticking directly to his body.
The thought of those tears and snot clinging to his clothes made them seem impossible to wash.
Texas and Sora watched the three of them bicker while eating, making their meal more entertaining than watching a phone.
After finishing their dinners completely, the girls each occupied themselves with their own tasks in the living room.
Although the upstairs living room had already been tidied up by Shirou, it was still piled with their belongings. Especially the work-related materials and documents kept there, making it look much more like an office than a living room.
Combined with the post-meal lethargy that made nobody want to move, the living room down here naturally became the relaxation spot for everyone. Game consoles and the like had been brought down, and incidentally, the sofa had been moved down from upstairs as well.
Still, the girls each had their habitual spots. For instance, Exusiai and Croissant liked to cluster on the sofa to play games, while Sora and Texas sat at the nearby table drinking coffee and reading some books.
Texas, I have something I'd like to ask you.
Watching Texas leisurely flip through the book in her hands, Shirou stepped up to strike up a conversation.
What is it?
Texas closed the book, looked at Shirou, and twitched her ears.
The boss called me today, saying I might be operating with your squad from now on.
Shirou's original intention was to let Texas and the others know about the boss's plan beforehand, to see if they could get the boss to abandon this strange idea.
Mm, is there a problem?
Texas thought over Shirou's words, and it seemed there wasn't any major issue.
Shirou probably didn't realize it yet, but he was essentially already half a member of their squad. Emperor had intended to do this from the very beginning; he just needed a certain amount of time to observe Shirou first.
However, since the boss had already notified Shirou, the so-called observation period should have ended. Incidentally, she had originally been one of the people responsible for this matter, but she had quickly given it a passing grade.
It was definitely not because her headphones had been repaired or because his cooking was too delicious, cough cough.
It's mainly inappropriate, isn't it?
Shirou said tactfully.
There's nothing inappropriate about it. I think it's pretty good. What do you think, Sora?
Texas couldn't fathom why Shirou thought it was unsuitable, so she asked Sora beside her.
Huh? Shirou, you feel it's inconvenient because you're a guy, right?
Sora had been listening to the two of them talk the entire time. Since they weren't far apart and hadn't been whispering, Sora naturally heard every word clearly. Putting herself in Shirou's shoes, she could arrive at an answer very quickly.
Yeah, exactly.
Hearing Sora's words, Shirou nodded in affirmation.
Finally, someone understood his troubles! Finally!
I think you're overthinking it, Shirou. Just think about what our usual work entails.
Sora tossed out a question for Shirou to answer.
Deliveries?
Shirou thought about Sora's question for a moment and replied.
After all, the company name was Penguin Logistics, so deliveries certainly made sense. Shirou occasionally caught sight of the girls hauling cargo up into their vehicles; it was just that they frequently returned with injuries, which worried him a bit.
You got half of it right.
Sora nodded, confirming Shirou's answer, and then added:
The cargo we deliver tends to be rather dangerous. We frequently encounter attacks from hostile factions or people trying to hijack the goods.
This was the first time Shirou truly understood the girls' working environment. He had always assumed that the girls carried rubber-bullet firearms and various weapons simply to deal with the Originium creatures along the road.
He just hadn't expected them to face people filled with malice. This also explained why the people from Penguin Logistics were so familiar with the Knights of the Round Table and held such a notorious reputation.
Scared?
Seeing Shirou frown, Texas assumed he was scared.
That was normal, after all—not everyone wanted to mix with people who fought and killed.
Huh? Scared, not really. I just finally understand why you guys are so unwelcome in the Knights of the Round Table.
Because he was lowering his head to ponder other matters, Shirou hadn't realized what he had just blurted out.
It wasn't until he noticed how suddenly quiet things had become that he raised his head and saw he was surrounded by all four girls.
Cold sweat dripped down Shirou's forehead.
Wait—
Before he could finish, Shirou was instantly mauled by the four of them.
Round 34: The Second Round
Shirou was mauled for quite a while, mostly around his hair and face, though the girls didn't actually hit him hard.
If someone handed Shirou a mirror, he would probably see that his entire head of hair was a complete mess.
Hehe, feels pretty good.
Exusiai, who had finally gotten back at Shirou, expressed her delight. She had endured a month of humiliation under the Great Demon King Shirou using apple pies as hostages, and she could finally counterattack alongside her teammates!
Though overall it was still Shirou's fault anyway—who told him to say they weren't welcomed by the Knights of the Round Table?
Even if it was the truth, you couldn't just say it out straight!
Shirou, have you been working out lately?
Croissant recalled the tactile sensation from tickling Shirou just moments ago, and compared it to her memory of carrying Shirou back then as she asked.
Ah...? Working out? Does morning jogging count?
Shirou took a moment to collect himself before answering Croissant's question.
Hmm... does jogging make a body sturdier?
Hearing Shirou's reply, Croissant began to ponder the mysteries of the human body.
What are you talking about, Croissant?
Sora didn't quite understand the underlying meaning of Croissant's words. She had been very well-behaved and hadn't gone around randomly touching him, so she had no idea what Croissant was talking about.
Nothing, it's just that Shirou is a lot bulkier than he was a month ago. He usually wears clothes so you can't tell, but when I wanted to tickle him just now, I noticed the texture felt wrong.
Croissant grabbed with both hands, seemingly doubting whether she had felt correctly just now.
Now that you mention it, Croissant, it really does seem that way! No wonder I thought poking Shirou's stomach felt a bit hard just now.
Exusiai also chimed in with her own observation.
You two... are perverts?
Texas looked at Exusiai and Croissant with utter disdain, never expecting the two of them to take advantage of Shirou while they had the chance.
Wuwa...
Sora also wore a look of absolute disgust.
*...*
Shirou didn't say anything, but judging by the fact that he took a few steps back, he was also thoroughly disgusted by the pair's actions.
Shirou had thought they touched him by accident; he hadn't expected it to be deliberate.
This society was still far too dangerous.
What's with that expression! Aren't you two curious, Sora and Sister Texas?
Croissant tried to subvert the other two teammates into joining them. As long as the number of perverts was large enough, then the normal people would be the abnormal ones!
Now Exusiai was already her teammate; once she pulled Sora and Texas over as well, Shirou would just be meat on a chopping block! He would only be at their mercy!
Hearing Croissant's words, Texas and Sora both showed hesitant expressions.
Wait-wait-wait, don't hesitate!
Seeing his teammates waver, Shirou panicked. He didn't want to be mauled by the four of them a second time.
Hehe, give up! Human curiosity towards the unknown is boundless!
Exusiai blocked Shirou's retreat with a grin of malicious glee.
Besides, you carried me with one hand and Exu with the other just now, right? Confess, Shirou! Have you been doing some secret training? Or are you hiding something good to eat!
Croissant stepped forward and pointed at Shirou's face to interrogate him.
Tex—
Shirou originally wanted to call out for Texas to save him, but the moment he turned his head, he saw Texas and Sora had also moved in to fill their positions, resembling their formation right before the first mauling.
Sorry, Shirou. I really am a little curious.
Sora apologized with an utterly sincere expression.
Me too.
Though Texas's face remained expressionless, her swaying tail and twitching ears had already betrayed her.
The second round began very quickly.
And it ended just as quickly. Without any struggle, Shirou had his top stripped off by Exusiai, leaving him kneeling on the floor with his upper body bare, surrounded by all four girls.
Mm... it really is bulkier than before. Doesn't look like something you can build just from running.
Texas chewed on a Pocky stick as she studied him.
He had some definition before, but like this, it's obvious he's been doing long-term training and maintaining a diet.
Croissant pointed at Shirou's arms and abdomen as she explained, directing her explanation primarily at Exusiai and Sora.
How did you train, Shirou? Teach me, teach me! My lower belly has started sticking out lately!
Exusiai's focus was entirely different from everyone else's; she only cared about whether she could get rid of her gradually expanding little tummy.
As for Sora, she covered her eyes, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
It would be even better if she could widen the gaps between her fingers just a little bit.
Shirou muttered inwardly. With every passing day, he felt these people were gradually stopping treating him like a human being.
I'm telling you, I didn't do any special training! The most I do is run every day!
Shirou snatched his clothes back from Croissant's grip and hurriedly pulled them on. Once he put his clothes back on, Shirou felt like he had rediscovered peace in this lifetime.
Really only running?
Seeing Shirou emphasize that he hadn't done any special training, Croissant could only attribute it to his personal constitution.
Dammit! She was so jealous of this kind of constitution! It was just as enviable as being naturally well-endowed or having an easily lean physique!
Really no special training methods?
Exusiai made one last struggle.
Before you continue