Good to See Siblings Getting Along

By the way, if the Goddess's voice seemed oddly casual, it was because this receiving room has a simple altar — a household god-shelf.

When making deals, people often swear before the gods as a formality beyond just using Contract Magic, so it's common for nobles and merchants to have god-shelves in their parlors.

… They probably don't realize the gods can literally peek in through those.

"I-I'll go change now…"

"I'll help you change."

"W-wait! Please don't, sis. I can change by myself!"

"Don't be like that. We need to talk about what comes next."

"Uu…"

And so Dea and Kumin went to the next room to change.

He's wearing girls' underwear, so she's going to see everything…! Hang in there, Dea!

"Haa — Dea's sister is beautiful. I might fall for her."

"What, Kari-chan, do you hate men?"

"I don't hate them, but I'd rather not have someone with that manly funk right beside me. Teaming up is fine, though."

"Ah, so that's why you dressed the boy up in girls' clothes."

Well, that's not entirely wrong. But the main goal was femboy socks.

"Kari-chan, changing the subject… why did Alchemia fall?"

"Ah, that was for a super dumb reason—"

"Excuse you? It was NOT dumb."

"—or so I'd assume. I wouldn't actually know. Who can read the minds of gods?"

Goddess, please stop butting into small talk.

"I see. If we knew the gods' intent, we could judge whether it's acceptable to salvage Alchemia's ruins."

"That should be fine, unless a new 'Chaos God' appears."

"Hmm?"

"If you're worried, just pray at the church and ask. Beats me."

"You're right. We'll do that."

While I was chatting with Maria, Dea and Kumin returned.

Dea's face was bright red — no doubt because Kumin saw his underwear while helping him change.

… Even back in boys' clothes, he still looks like a girl crossdressing as a boy. I've seen him in a dress for too long.

"I still think a one-piece suits you better, Dea-kun."

"R-really?"

"Are you okay showing off those thighs? They're dazzlingly white and cute."

"Hau."

He fidgeted, those smooth white legs of his shifting nervously.

"… Hey, Dea-kun. You're not secretly a girl, are you?"

"I'm not!"

Shame. So small, squishy, and cute.

"Right. About the cargo we reclaimed from the pirates… where should we deliver it?"

"Eh? You'll return the cargo?"

Kumin looked surprised at my suggestion.

"Of course. It was yours and Dea-kun's to begin with."

"You saved my brother, and now you're returning our goods… how can we possibly thank you? Shall I give you Dee? It sounds like you've pampered him quite a bit."

"S-sister!?"

"You don't entirely dislike the idea, do you, Dee?"

"T-that's… true, but…"

Dea squeezed his knees bashfully.

Those white thighs are blinding.

"As thanks, I'll take your socks, Kumin."

"… Pardon?"

Naturally, Kumin tilted her head. She heard me, but the words didn't compute.

"Please give me the socks you're wearing right now. I have my reasons — I'm collecting socks."

"Come to think of it, you did tuck Dee's socks away earlier… Then I'll have a new pair prepared, identical to what I'm wearing—"

"No! It has to be the ones you're wearing now. Freshly removed, or it's meaningless! Please, as a favor… help me out here."

I bowed deeply and earnestly.

"… Very well."

"Here are some replacements."

"How prepared. Then I'll remove these… By the way, what do you do with the socks?"

"Eat them, maybe? Beats me."

"Eat!?"

Kumin's hands froze mid-removal.

"E-eat… huh? Not just for your personal collection?"

Oh? A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Right — it's more embarrassing if some unknown person 'eats' them than if I, a fellow woman, simply kept them in a collection.

"… Yes. My boss loves socks."

"Boss!? Karina, w-what sort of person is your boss?"

"No comment!"

If she learned the pervert was actually a young girl, the embarrassment would be cut in half, so… that's staying a secret.

Kumin steeled herself and finished removing her socks, folding them neatly. How well-bred. Good, good.

"… Here you are, Karina."

"Princess! Thank you, my lady! I'll deliver them without fail!"

I knelt like a knight receiving a treasured sword.

"Uu… I think I understand a bit how Dee felt."

"And I understand a bit how you felt earlier, sister."

Good to see siblings getting along. I stowed the socks.