The only thing more exhausting than going shopping with a girl is going shopping with a whole group of them.
Raiden Ei stood there with arms full of shopping bags—lingerie, pajamas, toiletries, and a mountain of other essentials—clutching them as a sudden doubt flickered in her mind.
Where exactly am I supposed to sleep tonight?
"That was so much fun!" Kiana said, letting out a massive yawn and a long stretch. She'd spent the entire day out with the two is, and she still looked like she hadn't had enough.
"We hit the Homu Amusent Park, the Homu Supercenter, and then that stroll along the beach with everyone... man, if only every day could be like this!"
"Keep dreaming. Tomorrow, you're getting your butt to class," Hiko said, rolling her eyes playfully at Kiana before turning her attention to Ei.
"Ei, once you're done... well, after you shower, get ready for bed. I've already had soone set up a bed for you in my room."
"I see. Thank you."
A tiny spark of excitent flared in Ei's chest at the ntion of sharing a room with Hiko. After all, in the comics, Hiko was notorious for lounging around in—let's just say—very skimpy outfits.
There were even stories of her getting so wasted she'd crash in Kiana's bed without a stitch of clothing on!
"However, I do not require sleep," Ei added, her expression turning dead serious as she looked at Hiko. "I am not human; therefore, I have no biological need for rest."
"When you say you don't 'need' to sleep, do you an you can't, or you just don't have to?" Hiko asked, her gaze softening with a mix of curiosity and genuine concern.
The rest of the girls in the living room shifted their attention to Ei, their eyes filled with interest.
"...I do not know."
Ei went silent for a mont before answering. "I have never attempted to sleep. It was only today that I attained... self-awareness."
"Hold on a second!" Kiana shouted, jumping on the most shocking part of that sentence. Her jaw practically hit the floor. "You an to tell you were basically born today?!"
"By mortal standards, yes," Ei nodded, completely unbothered by the admission. It was the simple truth; she had indeed manifested as Raiden Ei earlier that day.
"Whoa..." Kiana muttered, her eyes widening as she scanned Ei's striking, elegant figure—one that was, arguably, even more perfect than i's.
Thump!
Raiden i, face flushed bright red, retracted the hand she'd just used to smack Kiana. She turned to Ei, her gaze turning even more tender.
"If that's the case... Ei, before you have to go back... why don't you try living like a mortal for a while?"
"..." Ei looked at her, a hint of confusion clouding her eyes.
"There are no burdens for you to carry here," i said, stepping forward to take Ei's hand in hers. "And besides... if you truly wish to protect Inazuma, you need to understand the people you're protecting—how they live, and who they really are."
"I... understand."
Ei nodded slowly, though the confusion didn't entirely vanish. "I will attempt to experience what it ans to live as a mortal."
"Good," i said, a warm, joyful smile breaking across her face.
"Wait a minute..." Kiana grumbled, a sudden wave of indignation washing over her. "Expecting Ei to protect an entire nation when she's only a day old... that's just totally irresponsible!"
"It sounds like we have a big responsibility on our hands, too," Theresa sighed, resting her hands on her hips. "It's a good thing she ended up with us right after she was 'born.' We can actually teach her things so she doesn't try to run a country without knowing the first thing about life."
"That would be a total disaster," Hiko agreed with a nod, looking relieved. "Alright, everyone, let's get cleaned up."
Raiden i began ushering everyone toward the bathroom like the organized head of a large household. However, she paused and looked back at Ei with a questioning tilt of her head.
"Ei, these modern appliances... do you know how to use them?"
"I do not," Ei answered bluntly. Deep down, however, her heart began to race with anticipation.
As expected, a look of realization dawned on i's face. She spoke softly, "In that case, I'll show you how everything works."
"Understood," Ei replied with a solemn nod, as if she were accepting a high-stakes military mission.
"You don't need to be so serious. Like I said, try to treat this place as your ho. You can do what you want, and you can say no to things you don't like."
"Very well."
Ei nodded again, but the bewildered look remained. She looked like a robot experiencing a glitch in its core logic.
"i! i! Let take Ei for her bath!" Kiana interjected, practically huffing with excitent.
"Kiana, you dummy! Stop trying to take advantage of i!"
"Hey! I... I'm not! And besides, Ei isn't i!"
"But she looks exactly like her!"
It's fine, it's fine, I really don't mind, Ei thought to herself. She was so giddy about what was coming next she almost burst out laughing.
"Honestly, you two..."
After giving Kiana a light scolding, a flustered Raiden i led Ei toward the bathroom.
Is it finally happening?!
Ei was internally cheering as she followed closely behind, empty-handed. She only got a few steps before i stopped and turned around with a helpless smile.
"Ei, you need to bring a change of clothes if you're going to shower."
"A change of clothes?"
Ei thought about it for a second, looked down at her current outfit, and shook her head seriously. "It is unnecessary. These garnts were crafted by the Narukami herself; they do not gather dust or stain."
"Even so, girls should change their clothes regularly," i laughed softly. "Consider it... part of the 'mortal experience'." She gently nudged Ei back toward the bags of new clothes.
"I see. Then I shall do so."
Like soone with zero life experience, Ei solemnly followed i's instructions, picking up a set of clothes and a towel. Her movents were a bit stiff, as if she were trying to calculate the deep philosophical aning behind holding a bath towel.
"Let's go."
i took her hand again and led her into the bathroom.
"I'm so jealous..." Just before the door clicked shut, Ei caught the sound of Kiana's voice, thick with envy. "I wish I could take a bath with i and Ei too."
I'm looking forward to it too!
For a split second, Ei felt a tiny pang of guilt.
Sorry, Kiana, but I'm the one going for a soak with your i!
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