Side Story: A Date Out-Soto

"The moment I finish enjoying my week of freedom, this happens."

"Dates are so fun, aren't they, Leona-san!"

"Sure are…"

Leona stared off into the distance. Her arms and legs were, of course, restrained. She wanted to tilt her head and wonder if this really counted as a date, but if she did that, her neck would probably get restrained too, so she refrained.

Well, they seemed to be at a cafe or something. Not that she could see through the blindfold.

At least she'd been allowed to have the gag removed.

"Could you at least let me change out of this restraint suit? And remove the blindfold too?"

"No can do."

"… It's cramped, you know. I won't run away. Please? I want to see Soto-chan's cute face."

"No, see, this was my promise with Papa. He said I could go on dates outside if I took proper measures to make sure Leona-san didn't do anything unnecessary."

"… … … … By the way, did you actually confirm this with Kehma-san?"

"I'm the expert on Leona-san, so it's fine! Papa trusts me!"

Yeah, that meant the clearly criminal-looking getup hadn't been verified at all.

One could also say he'd thrown in the towel.

And this escape-proof restraint was entirely due to Soto's preferences.

"But I'm really happy that Leona-san wants to dress up for me, so let's buy some accessories! How about a choker?"

"Ooh, lovely. But don't you think rings would be nice? Matching ones."

"Bracelets and anklets would be good too, the kind you can attach chains to!"

"Your restraint game is strong…"

Leona sat in a cafe chair, drinking tea while still bound. Since both her hands were sealed, Soto was attentively bringing the tea to her lips. With a cup.

The reason this appearance wasn't causing any commotion was because Leona was using a magic tool that falsified perception of them.

Right now, the scene looked like nothing but the transport of a dangerous criminal, but amazingly, to everyone else it appeared as 'a heartwarming scene of ordinary sisters'. An outrageous magic tool created solely for this date.

Built at Soto's request, used at Soto's request, and now here at Soto's request.

… If you'd just go on normal dates with me, I'd accompany you as much as you want, Leona sighed.

Well, she'd end up going along with it like this even if it wasn't normal anyway.

"Isn't it heavy dragging me with a rope?"

"Compared to the weight of my love, it's like a feather!"

"Hmm. Why do you love me so much, Soto-chan?"

"First, a prerequisite question: do you think there's anyone besides Leona-san who could handle this love of mine?"

There probably isn't, Leona accepted.

Physically, first of all. Anyone would run away if they were restrained like this. Leona ran away too, but she had the leeway to maintain appearances. And she kept coming back properly.

Being able to mass-produce potions was also essential. She got bitten and bled quite often.

And mentally, the dependency and possessiveness were too intense. To put it simply, she thought Soto was a yandere.

"One reason is that you have a sturdy vessel that can receive my love. I'll pour my love in! And I'll accept all of yours!"

Soto smiled at her, and Leona's heart skipped a beat. Even though she couldn't see it.

She was aware that getting flustered by this was strange even by her own standards. But perhaps that made them a good match.

"I know you're just as bad as me, Leona-san. Don't hold back, okay? I know everything. How you used to try to blend in with humans, how you created a loyal species because you wanted to be loved, why you researched the Toy series."

"… Did I really tell you all that?"

"Ufufu. A maiden in love wants to know everything about the person she likes, you know?"

Soto licked her lips. Her eyes were completely those of a predator.

"Of course, I like everything about you—your looks, personality, scent, all of it. I could just eat you up. Alright, let's eat. Right here. Cafes are places where you eat delicious things, so it's perfect, right?"

"That would cause trouble for the staff, so let's not, okay? Okay?"

Bringing your own food into a restaurant is a no-no, you know? Leona tried such a slightly off-target persuasion.

But Soto accepted it.

"Tch. Fine then. You owe me one."

"Yes, yes, sure. I feel like these one-sided debts keep piling up, but I've lost count so I don't care anymore."

"That's love! I love you!"

"Do you know the phrase 'logical connection'? Oh, you do? That's fine then. You're just ignoring it on purpose then?"

She shrugged her shoulders in exasperation. Within the range her restraints allowed.

"Oh, let's go to the Dungeon Ruins Park. I hear there are lots of dark spots there, and it's a date spot."

"Dungeon Ruins Park… Oh, how nostalgic. The one in this town would be the one I cleared back when I was still human, I suppose."

"Then tell me about your memories from back then. I have the right to know!"

"Even if it was so long ago that I've probably forgotten most of it?"

"Then maybe seeing it in person will help you remember things. Let's go!"

As she said that, Soto pulled out a gag.

"I can't talk with a gag in."

"You're not talking to anyone but me today, so you don't need to, right? We have telepathy too."

"Um, I actually want to see the place, so could you remove the blindfold too?"

"Leona-san. How did you know I took out the gag even with the blindfold on?"

"… …"

"Don't worry, even if you can't see, I'll describe everything in detail for you. Now, let's put the gag on."

"… Mmph."

Leona obediently let the gag be put on. After paying at the cafe, the two headed for the park.

Being dragged by rope, of course.