Walking along a familiar route, Maruzensky and Yayoi Natural didn't say much.
They simply moved forward at an unhurried pace, eventually entering a residential area.
With the sound of their footsteps, they came to an intersection—one not far from Maruzensky's home.
Maruzensky stopped there.
Then she kept walking.
The pause lasted only a second, but it was enough for Natural to understand her meaning.
Realizing this, Natural stayed at Maruzensky's side and continued forward with her.
Soon enough, the two of them arrived at Maruzensky's front door.
Looking at the familiar building, Natural glanced at Maruzensky. "Um, can I ask first—there isn't a basement or anything like that, right?"
"You've lived here for so long. Don't you already know whether there's a basement?" Maruzensky replied casually, then added, "Besides, dealing with you wouldn't require a basement anyway~"
Her tone was light, making it sound as though there really wasn't one.
She then opened the door.
The inside of the house looked exactly the same as it had years ago.
But unlike the first time she'd come here—
Natural felt that something about it now was… different.
"You've been living here long-term?" Natural asked.
"More or less," Maruzensky said as she walked inside.
Natural followed her in.
Once Natural was fully inside, Maruzensky closed the door—and locked it.
Hearing the click of the lock, Natural immediately sensed that something might be off.
Then Maruzensky hugged her.
There was no roughness, none of the force Natural had half-expected.
She just held her.
"Natural…"
Because of their difference in height, warm breath brushed against Natural's ear.
Feeling it there, Natural instinctively twitched her ear—and then—
"Uwah!"
Maruzensky bit it.
Her teeth gently scraped against the cartilage that supported the ear, the sensation making Natural feel momentarily weak at the knees.
But the very next second, Maruzensky supported her, holding her steady—and finally let go.
"Natural?" Maruzensky asked.
"W-what…?" Natural replied, her breathing still a little uneven from the sudden attack.
Seeing this, Maruzensky guided her over to the sofa.
Only then did she speak again. "Natural?"
When the earlier question went unanswered, a new one followed.
"What is it?" Natural asked.
"Did you shower properly last night?"
The question made Natural freeze instantly.
"…Yeah," she answered.
She bathed every day, of course—but compared to last night, she hadn't been nearly as thorough most of the time.
So facing Maruzensky's question, she couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed.
Noticing the look on Natural's face, Maruzensky pinched her cheek. "Yayoi Natural?"
"Hm?"
"My place actually does have a basement, you know~"
She paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I dug it out after you left. Mostly for storage, though."
After saying that, she let go.
Hearing this, Natural's expression stiffened, her gaze drifting uncertainly.
Watching her reaction, Maruzensky smiled in satisfaction. "Just kidding."
"Haa…" Natural finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
Seeing her relax, Maruzensky continued, "If I wanted to control you, why would I need a basement?"
"Hey!"
"But it's true."
Saying that, Maruzensky sat down beside Natural. "So? How does it feel, coming back to a place you haven't been to in years?"
"It feels… pretty good, actually. But—" Natural turned to her, grievance written all over her face. "Don't scare me like that, okay…?"
Despite the complaint, there was clear fear mixed into her voice.
Hearing that, Maruzensky replied lightly, "Then how did you dare agree to go camping with C.B.?"
As she spoke, she raised a finger and poked the spot on Natural's shoulder where C.B. had bitten her. "With your abilities, if C.B. had even slightly bad intentions, you wouldn't have made it back."
Though she was warning Natural, Maruzensky also turned her head away. "Just like before—if I really locked you up, what would you do?"
"…"
The question made Natural's expression shift.
Clearly, she couldn't answer it. After thinking for a moment, she gave up and replied frankly, "Then I'd just be locked up. It's not like I'd have any way to resist…"
Hearing that, Maruzensky asked another question. "So how likely do you think it is that I'd lock you up right now?"
"…You're doing this again."
"I'm just joking."
With that, Maruzensky shifted her gaze elsewhere. "Now then, this is where today's plans actually start. We came back first because I didn't have time to do anything while working at Tracen Academy earlier."
As she spoke, she stood up. "Can you wait a bit?"
"That's fine. You've already taken up my entire day anyway, so waiting a little longer won't hurt." Natural stood as well. "Have you eaten breakfast?"
"…"
There weren't many words exchanged, but Maruzensky understood immediately. She nodded. "I'll leave it to you. Is that okay?"
"No problem. Today, anyway—" Natural suddenly stopped.
Then she looked at Maruzensky. "In short, is it okay if I just make something simple with whatever's left in the fridge?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
With that, Maruzensky went upstairs.
Natural headed into the kitchen.
Just like years ago, almost nothing about Maruzensky's kitchen had changed.
Looking at it, Natural simply opened the refrigerator and prepared to do what she always did.
---
T/N: AHJHHHH THE BASEMENTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
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