[I asked you to say you’re sorry]
Once the clash between Do-S and Maiko Plasma ended, the sky above the hill returned to its bright, cheerful state. The once-frightened animals gradually started to emerge from their hiding spots, breathing life back into the eerie forest.
Even from far away, I could still make out the extent of the damage the two women had inflicted. It looked like the once thick forest had lost its fullness in certain areas due to what they had done.
"Their strength definitely has ramped up quite a lot since they took the vial I created, but the changes aren't quite as extreme as what I saw with Mosquito Girl," I mused to myself, wanting to ensure I didn't overlook anything important during this critical growth phase.
After I managed to capture them in my lab, I went ahead and created a vial using the blood essence from the aliens and monsters that perished in C city that day. Even though they were pretty stubborn and wouldn't budge on drinking it, I ultimately had to resort to the last option, which was to use force.
This isn't the first time I've had Do-S and Maiko Plasma go head-to-head in a battle. In addition to checking if my experiment worked out, this fight also gave them a chance to let off some steam and express their feelings. Since they couldn't take their frustrations out on me, they ended up directing all their emotions towards one another instead.
"Kaiser..." Mosquito Girl's bright and cheerful shout pulled me out of my thoughts. As I watched her stroll my way, her hand waving in the air, a smile naturally spread across my face.
Behind her stood Do-S and Maiko Plasma, both pointedly avoiding each other's gaze. At first glance, they resembled childhood friends caught in a spat, their expressions hinting at some unspoken tension. But I had a feeling they wouldn't appreciate that comparison at all.
"I had no idea you let them crash at your place! What actually went down here? I was convinced you had done something to them."
I didn't mean to brush off what Fubuki just said; I was just trying to wrap my head around everything that was going on. When she showed up here, I was genuinely surprised. The way her forehead slowly creased into a frown made it clear to me that she was indeed real.
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect you to show up here, and you brought everyone along too," I said, keeping the vibe friendly and welcoming.
"Hehehe, you know, I've been aware of them ever since they made their way into the foothills," Mosquito Girl purred. She plopped down next to me, her demeanour radiating a sense of spoiled girl that was hard to ignore.
Watching her be so daring, I felt compelled to give her a gentle pat on the head. I also worried that she might decide to leap right onto my lap at any moment. Even Fubuki could feel it, so she threw in another sarcastic remark:
"I can tell you're adjusting really fast, almost like the events from city C just a few days back have completely slipped your mind. And what's going on with this picnic setup?"
"Honestly, this wasn't my idea." I just noticed that the mat I was sitting on was already covered with a delightful assortment of snacks, all laid out appealingly. Feel free to take a seat wherever you like. We can discuss whatever you want while eating."
Mizuki settled down without a second thought, completely unfazed by the awkwardness that hung in the air. Lin-Lin followed suit, choosing to perch herself on the edge of the mat. In the meantime, Lily continued to wait for Fubuki, her anticipation growing with each passing moment.
I immediately shifted my attention from Fubuki's group and beckoned Do-S and Maiko Plasma to join me. They obviously turned down the suggestion of joining the others for a meal, which is why they remained standing.
"Aren't you feeling hungry? I'm sure you wouldn't want to throw away all the hard work that Mosquito Girl has put in, would you?" I kept rubbing Mosquito Girl's head over and over as I asked my question. She had transformed into a good and obedient girl, though I still found it challenging to manage her sometimes overwhelming desires.
"Jezz, you don't have to keep threatening us, you know? I just need a little time to adjust to all of this," Do-S said with a sigh of frustration as she settled into the spot next to my right.
Without hesitation, Maiko Plasma slid into the spot on my left, right next to Mosquito Girl. Even though the two of them were clearly at odds, it seemed like Maiko Plasma also held the same sentiment, and what she said next grabbed the attention of Fubuki's group.
"I never thought I'd find myself in a situation like this. I used to think I should have taken out humans like you, but here I am, sharing a meal with you instead. This is so humiliating."
"Do you think I enjoyed it? Just so you know, I had every intention of finishing you off that day, but you were lucky because Kaiser whisked you away without anyone noticing," Fubuki said, settling into her seat. She shot a piercing glare at my monster girls before turning her attention back to me.
"Why not give it a shot right now? I'm totally convinced you're going to end up losing in the most embarrassing way," Maiko Plasma teased. She had company in this, as Do-S chimed in too:
"You know, I get a kick out of managing your men. Hearing their screams while I command them to fight it out to the death fills me with great pleasure."
This time, Fubuki knew she couldn't just let it slide. She couldn't believe it—mocking her men felt like crossing a line even after they were gone. That was the last straw, and she was more than ready to stand her ground and fight back. Lily didn't even think twice about stopping her, especially since she already had the Three-section Staff firmly in her grip.
"Is it too much to ask for them to just get along? Breaking them up would be such a hassle," I said, taking a deep breath. Still, I was prepared to jump in if things took a turn for the worse. Fortunately, Mizuki and Lin-Lin were not interested in getting caught up in this conflict.
"I won't forgive them if they mess up this picnic," Mosquito Girl's bright smile instantly shifted to a serious look. It seemed like her worries were entirely elsewhere.
With no other option, I clapped my hands to grab their attention. After a quick clearing of my throat, I said, "I get that this isn't fair to you, Fubuki, especially considering that some of your men lost their lives because them. So, I'll make sure they apologise, and we can end this topic, alright?"
"You are joking. There's absolutely no chance I'm going to apologise to her, I-"
Without giving Do-S a chance to say another word, I quickly placed my hands around her neck and, with a sudden motion, pushed her head down hard against the ground. She struggled to even meet my gaze, and it was clear that all her negative feelings were right there on the surface.
"I asked you to say you're sorry. If you keep up that bitchy attitude, I'll make sure you're locked up again. Trust me, you'd wish for the end because I won't let you see the outside world ever again." My voice had taken on a chilling tone, and my gaze was completely devoid of any emotion.
I could sense Do-S's body trembling as fear started to creep in around her. The anger she had aimed at me gradually began to fade because the trauma I had caused her remained deeply rooted within her.
"O-Okay… okay… I just need to apologize, right..." Do-S said, her voice a bit shaky. The stubbornness that usually marked her demeanor had faded, so I relaxed my hold on her. "I'm sorry for the loss of your men because of my actions."
As I glanced over at Maiko Plasma, I saw she had a handle on the situation. She confidently expressed, "I don't remember ever encountering your men, but if an apology is what you're after, I'm willing to offer one."
Even though she handled it better than Do-S, the way her forehead twitched showed that she was just trying to keep her emotions from bursting out. Everyone present could tell that the apologies being offered lacked sincerity, but at the very least, they managed to soothe Fubuki's frayed nerves.
"So, what's on your mind that made you come all the way here?" I casually asked as I settled back into my seat, trying to act like nothing happened. My hands definitely weren't hesitant when it came to grabbing a piece of sandwich.
Fubuki took a moment to steady her breathing, her eyes flitting between my monster girls. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as everyone waited for her to speak. Finally, she broke the silence, saying, "I'm not sure if it's okay to talk about it in front of them."
"You mean Do-S and Maiko Plasma? Don't worry, tthey're already mine. And as for Mosquito Girl, I trust her more than anyone."
Do-S and Maiko Plasma's faces twisted into scowls, but I wasn't bothered. At the same time, Mosquito Girl, radiating joy, leaned in closer to me, her eyes sparkling with a new, more intense desire. Her lips curled into a tempting smile, exuding a playful yet provocative allure.
"Alright, I'll go ahead and trust you on this one," Fubuki appeared to be grappling with a difficult choice, or maybe she had simply resigned herself to the situation. Regardless, she finally voiced her worries, "The Hero Association has just issued a new mission. Two days from now, they're gearing up to kick off a rescue mission aimed at the headquarters of the Monster Association."