Ephemeral Ability Reflects the Heart

Most of Chihiro and Riko's belongings were moved back while Hana was being trained. And although it's been only a few days since they were moved out, it was rather easy to save time and effort, since most of Chihiro's personal belongings were in his bag.

After releasing Hana, the bedroom was finally empty, so Chihiro and her friends cleaned and washed the room and brought in their belongings.

「Why don't you organize your stuff, too?」

Chihiro's bag was again placed in the corner of the living room, but Riko pointed it out to him. She asked, "How long are you going to feel like a guest?".

So, she put Chihiro's clothes in the bedroom drawer with hers.

「Riko, aren't you carrying less clothes than before?」

「Ah. I left some of my clothes at Izumi's house」

「...Huh?」

Maria looks at Riko sideways. Her eyes are saying, "What do you mean?". 

「Oh, umm... Well, Nishizaki-san...」

「Hey Izumi, about that name. Why don't we stick with the old one? It's too much trouble for us if we have to use it all the time」

Chihiro tried to explain, but Riko interrupted him.

Not that it's irrelevant, but there's no need to talk about it now. He thought so, but even Maria, who asked Chihiro, is interested in what Riko had to say.

And she looked like she had a good idea,

「If you want him to call you by your first name, don't you think you should change your attitude?」

「Huh!? You want me to call Izumi by his first name!?」

Riko's words made Chihiro choke up.

Calling someone by their first name is a special act. Although there is a common tendency to call someone by their first name even among the same gender, like Maria and Riko did, it has a more serious meaning when it is between the opposite gender. Especially, the way a girl calls a boy is very important.

Considering this, it is not something that can be forced.

「But you call Izumi by his last name, too」

「I use it separately. Also, in this case, you're saying that it's too much trouble to use two different names 「

「Ugh. Ah, jeez, talking like that...I bet you're looking forward to your punishment, aren't you?」

Riko turned her head and mumbled, then said, "Okay okay".

Then, she looks up, stares at Chihiro with an expression that makes his blood pressure worrisome, and opens her mouth.

「C-Chihiro」

「Uh, yeah」

As she answered, Chihiro couldn't help but feel his heart pounding.

Even though he knew that Riko didn't mean anything by it - in a romantic sense - he was happy. He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face.

He wondered if it would be creepy, but Riko's favorite phrase never came out of her mouth.

「I called you that, so you should call me back」

「Yes. ...Riko」

「...Ehehe」

Riko's expression softened. Another unexpected smile.

While Chihiro was stunned and looked at Maria, Riko walked out of the bedroom.

But then she looked back at Maria at the entrance,

「Well, why don't you two take it easy tonight?」

「Are you sure? You are also training Hana-san...」

「It's okay. I'm tired from her training, and you've been out longer than me」

That's all she said and this time she left.

Staring at the closing door, Maria muttered, "Thank you", and looked back at Chihiro.

Her eyes are already moist, and she is beginning to lose herself in lust. Moreover, the pressure of the mind-reading on Chihiro's body is even stronger than usual.

「Master, please punish Maria」

「...Yes. Of course」