decorator | a stolen fruit; a childish sin has taken root

Ai...

[ Part of him thinks that it's ironic to hear her say that considering what he's done to her, but he banishes that thought... it's really not the time, after all. Whether she likes it or not, he'd allow himself to be hurt in an instant if it meant her safety...

Of course, her wish can't be granted if he dies, so he has to survive as well. Honestly, it can only be described as a pain... but that's love for you, isn't it?

His hand comes up to clasp hers. Who cares if they're seen? He gently kisses her hand... ]

Yeah. Always.

[ For a second, her smile stays soft and fond - and then it flits into a little grin, playful and catlike again. ]

Now that's for sure a lie. I know just how grumpy you get when you have to actually do some work. You're one hundred percent the type who'll give it maybe forty percent if you can get away with it.

[ There. That kind of teasing is a little more like them, isn't it? The perfect way for Ai to get back on her feet. ]

Come on. Let's go up and get this over with. This is the first time you're gonna see me perform for real, right? So I'll give it my all.

[ He blinks... but then laughs. It is more like them, isn't it? He stands up straight, helping Ai to her feet in the process. ]

Yeah, you just give it your all... and I'll make sure that we get our revenge on those two.

[ And that right there is genuine, because for the grinding hell that they just experienced? They might be in for more than they expected... ]

[ . . . ]

You're not allowed to actually kill them, okay?

[ SHE'S JUST MAKING SURE ]

[ ... ]

...Ugh, fine.

[ WELL IT'S A GOOD THING SHE KNOWS HIM WELL ENOUGH TO CATCH THAT... ]

[ It's like belling a cat to keep it from decimating the local bird population... ]

Just a reasonable amount of revenge, too. If you can manage it.

[ And with that, she casually takes his hand so they can start heading up to the final floor. He's... a little less likely to go full Avenger on them if she's holding his hand (read: physically restraining him), right? ]

[ To Ai's credit, it did work! Nobody died! Nobbu, however, ended up having it particularly rough when Oberon got especially vicious with her... but being Nobbu, she's bound to bounce back with a "well, it can't be helped!" eventually.

Eli, meanwhile, was soundly defeated... much to her clear chagrin and a promise that this isn't over, meaning that Ai is bound to have to deal with her again later... but at the very least, the absolute abomination of a tower that they fought through finally disappeared.

The grind was over. ]

Finally...

[ At last, he touches down at their apartment with her in his arms. It feels like it's been ages... ]

[ The whole thing is a little surreal, truth be told. Ai had been pretty sure she'd been getting used to all this magic and Servant stuff and there's been more than enough trouble around the city that it's far from the first time they've had to deal with something like this.

No, the surreal part isn't being a Master. It's having it cross over with being an idol. Those are two entirely separate things in her mind and having to do both at the same time... it's strange. She'd won, at least, which was never really in question. Not that she has an ego about it or anything, but if Eli's singing was anything to go by, then...

But they're done! They're home! That's the really important part. Even if going into their apartment while she's still dressed like Ai of B-Komachi is all kinds of strange. ]

Finally...! [ With a shaky little laugh. ] I still can't believe she actually let us win. I had a horrible feeling it was going to last forever.

[ She gives his cheek a poke. She's really too used to getting carried like this... ]

So? What did you think of your first B-Komachi concert? ... Even if it was just me, heehee. Did I dazzle you a bit?

[ asking that when she knows he has to lie to her face is kinda.... ]

[ To be fair to Eli, her singing could have netted her a victory... if only by making herself the last one standing. Fortunately for everyone, this didn't end up being the case. Are they now the saviors of halloween? Since now nobody has to be forced into attending one of Eli's concerts?

Thoughts for later. The point is that ultimately, none can defeat Ai as an idol. At the very least, what they got out of this was confirmation that Ai can use a mystic code... even if it is her idol costume.

He takes her poking at his cheek in stride, too used to her hands on her face in general, really. He opens the door and carries her in like this, giving her a look when she asks about his opinion on her performance that all but says "really?" out loud. ]

...I've seen better.

[ If she's going to ask knowing that he's gonna lie to her face, then a blatant lie is exactly what she gets. At least that's makes that technically a compliment? ]

[ Just the answer she was expecting. Ai laughs, shaking her head. It's getting way too easy to prod a little honesty out of him now she knows what she's looking for. ]

Oh you have, huh? That's news to me. Since when were you such a big idol otaku? Hmm, did knowing I was in B-Komachi get you curious? So you decided to get into it yourself?

[ Her eyes are sparkling in the way they do when she's got A Bit going. Play with her!! ]

If you have some other girl as your oshi, that's totally cheating, you know. I'll have to do my best and make sure I steal you from her.

Yeah, yeah, I'll have to introduce you to her sometime. I just love having women fight over me, what can I say?

[ It's funny... since there are actually quite a few other Servants here besides Eli who have been idols... or at the very least, wouldn't do badly as one. ]

Who's to say? Maybe whoever comes out on top will be my new oshi. I'm a very fickle Servant, as you know.

[ Well, at least he's clearly having fun playing along. ]

[ Oh, come on. That's probably the worst lie he's ever told her. ]

Oh, you are, huh? Now you mention it, I've been thinking that too. [ She's visibly struggling so hard not to crack up... ] You're just soooo wishy-washy. Hm, I guess I'll have to really work my butt off if I want to properly hook you.

[ She makes a show of thinking, hm-hmming to herself before she tilts her head, eyes still glittering. ]

I guess all that fanservice today just wasn't good enough... but I'll figure something out.

Is that what you think? Then...

[ They make it into living room... and Oberon just keeps on going, still not letting her down while he heads to the bedroom. At least they're on the same wavelength... ]

What exactly do you have planned in order to convince me? Don't forget to work hard~

[ If Eli could see them now... ]

[ So she's not even being given a chance to take a breather, huh... well, she one hundred percent expected that, at least. Not that she's going to just go belly up and give up that easily. She's Ai of B-Komachi right now, after all. She's got to act the part. ]

Hmm, you know, this is actually my first time doing a private handshake session with a fan. So I'll have to wing it a little bit. ★

[ Some more hm-hmming, even as he carries her right into the bedroom. ]

Let's see... everybody likes skinship, right? I'll pat your head, you could put your head in my lap... I'd say I'd clean your ears for you, but I'm pretty sure an earpick would be a deadly weapon with me using it...

[ She flashes him a Perfectly Innocent smile. ]

How does that sound to start with?

Really? Is that truly all? Well, if you say so...

[ Because yes, that's exactly what a private handshake session is all about... convenienly without the handshake part. Genuinely, he can't imagine this will do much. She already did this earlier, hadn't she? Still, he'll play along... let her have her fun before he inevitably forces her to go belly up for him.

He sets her down on the bed, sitting next to her and promptly turning and laying his head down on her lap.

It's not like he's weak to whatever she's about to do, right? He already knows what to expect! ]

[ She lets him settle in, just long enough for him to get comfy - and to maybe think he's safe - before her hand settles on top of his head and she starts sloooooowly stroking her fingers through his hair, gently and deliberately. ]

I bet you're super worn out, huh?

[ And her voice - drops. It's not quite a whisper but it's low and sweet and warm, just loud enough for it to feel oddly intimate even though she's not that close to his ear. F-for a first timer, she's really getting on a roll all of a sudden... ]

You fought really, really hard for me today. I'm really happy. But you can just relax now and let me take care of you.

[ ...What the hell. Actually, what the hell? What is this feeling? ]

Ai...?

[ He was ready to be pampered, ready to be spoiled for all his hard work... at least, he thought he was prepared, and yet... now that he's here, the feeling of her fingers through his hair makes him freeze, and her voice...

...He can't even figure out what to say, so he's completely silent and at her mercy. ]

[ Ai presses her lips together so she doesn't laugh and ruin the moment. She's already found out firsthand that he's a little more defenseless than he likes to let on, especially if Ai gets the first move, but this was a little more effective a whole lot quicker than she'd expected. ]

You're still all tense. [ Her gentle fingers carefully stroke some of his hair back behind his ear, her thumb slowly smoothing over the shell of it as she goes. ] Didn't I just say to relax?

[ If she'd known she could make him behave with this beforehand, she would've started doing it a whole lot sooner... ]

...I am relaxed.

[ He says, y'know, like a liar. He keeps his face turned away from her to hide it, but it's clear that he's blushing. ]

...Have you done this before?

[ His ears are all red. Cute. Once again, she strokes the tip of her finger along the shell of his ear, like she's following the path of his blush. ]

Of course I haven't. I just said this was my first time doing a one-on-one fan meet like this, didn't I?

[ Despite the coy lilt to her voice, her words don't seem to be a lie. ]

I take it that means this is good, then?

...

[ God... it feels nice. It feels really nice. He can feel himself relaxing against his will. ]

...Hah, if anything, I'm getting bored.

[ He's so hopelessly defenseless for her... ]

Heehee. I guess it would be for you. But sorry, I think your favourite kind of fanservice would be a little too much for a handshake session like this.

[ Handshake session. Sure. We're still doing that bit, then. ]

But... since you did work so hard, I guess a little extra wouldn't be going too far.

[ She leans over him and blows a puff of air right into his ear. ]

How does that sound?

[ Just a handshake session, totally. As if they haven't gone so, so much further than that. That's the thought going through his head as she mentions that, but... ]

...!

[ That puff of air into his ear gets a shiver out of him. Of all things, a shiver. It's always been easy to get him going, so to speak. Simply dressing provocatively has always been enough to drive him crazy...

...But this? This specifically? It's driving him mad in a whole new way. ]

Pfft-

[ She can't help it. That finally makes her giggle - but with her voice as soft and sweet as it is right now, it comes out sounding a whole lot different to her usual laughs, even though it's at his expense. ]

Sorry, sorry. Was that a little much? I probably should've warned you first. But you're kind of melting whenever I touch you... it's cute. So I can't help it.

[ Her voice drops even lower and softer. ]

Hey, Oberon. You're not really this defenseless, are you? You really can't stand up against a little bunny like me?

H-Huh…!? Of course–

[ He catches his words before they leave his mouth. “Of course not” he had been about to say… which would’ve just solidified how weak he is to her.

Besides, it’s not that he’s weak to any bunny that comes his way… just her. ]

…Careful, I might just snap, you know.

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