Chapter 97: Root of All Evil

"Haha! Okay, Amy, we’re going to give you some really great massages." (Iris)

"Huh? Um, your husband... the lesson, I-" (Amy)

"He’s busy right now with the other clients. You can talk to him later." (Iris)

I watched as Iris basically dragged my sweet Amy away—she’d obviously come to have fun with me.

It was a little heartbreaking to see her reach out her hand toward me, as if she wanted me to step in.

It was a shame—I wanted to have fun with her, too—but the timing just wasn’t right.

Anyway, Iris and I were already using ’synchronization’.

Since there’s no outward change when we do it, after I discreetly signaled her, we went ahead.

With our previous experience, we immediately slipped into our roles, though I have to say that strange pain I feel when we do it is still hard to handle.

Now we were on the same page and could handle this situation even better.

And just as I thought, as soon as we did it, Iris knew exactly what she had to do, and like a whirlwind—without giving her a chance to do anything—she took Amy away to prevent the situation from getting even more out of control.

My role was to take care of Azalea and Silvia, who had simply become spectators ever since Amy arrived.

"Haah, I’m sorry about that, my dear clients. Even though she arrived after you, something like this happened."

"No, it’s not that important. May I ask who that girl is and what her relationship is to you... and your wife?" (Azalea)

"Well, she’s a client who became a very good friend of Iris’s. Haah~ I really have to apologize—she did that even though you arrived first; she’s really very impulsive."

I answered that direct and curious question calmly. But I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I did so.

The reason is that, even though she tries to hide it, I could see a trace of jealousy and wariness in her—perhaps because, in the brief moment Amy was here, she acted in a way that would make anyone wonder if something more had happened.

I have to teach Amy to hide her emotions better.

I’d found the topic for the next few lessons.

"No, as I said, that’s not that important, but I’m curious. Has she ever had a massage from you?" (Azalea)

"Huh? No, she’s an exclusive client of Iris’s. All her massages are given by her."

Azalea is grilling me with clear suspicion toward me and my relationship with Amy.

It’s kind of funny considering the nature of our relationship. Still, it’s an experience I’ve always wanted to have...

Although Silvia’s gaze—she’s remained silent—isn’t something Azalea should be ignoring.

Haha! This is getting interesting.

"I see. So what’s this ’lesson’ she mentioned? It seemed like you’re the one giving them, and it seemed like she really wanted you to do it." (Azalea)

"Oh! About that! There was a time when Iris listed ’love counseling’ or something like that as one of our services. Amy saw that and requested it; in addition to massages, Iris gave her lessons in love."

"Oh! That’s an interesting service, but that’s not what I asked. 눈_눈, are you dodging my question?" (Azalea)

Hahah! This is fun—having a jealous lover isn’t half bad. I feel like I might like this more than I thought I would.

Maybe I should’ve left Amy here a little longer to make things more interesting... No, better not. It might be fun, but it’d be problematic in the long run and would disrupt a lot of things.

Anyway, I think it’s interesting enough just with Silvia and her.After all, with every question Azalea asked, Silvia’s expression grew more intense.

I think I know what she’s thinking, and it seems like a fun path to follow.

"Oh, no, Miss Azalea, of course not. As for those lessons, I got a little involved myself and had to join in because a man’s perspective and ideas might help her situation."

"I see. By the way, why do you think she wanted that ’lesson’?" (Azalea)

"Oh, for her husband, of course. She’s a married woman who loves her husband and wanted to make their relationship even strong- ah!, wait...hmm, —I don’t think it’s right to give away so much information about our clients. I think I made a mistake there."

"Oh, so she was a married woman (∩_∩). Ahem... I mean, you’re right—my question was out of line, too. I was just curious, since she was such a cute girl." (Azalea)

"Yeah, I get it. I think Amy’s cute, too—despite her height, you can’t help but think that about her."

"(‾◡◝) Astan, I don’t think it’s right for a man to say that about a married woman—it could lead to misunderstandings." (Azalea)

Even though I told her Amy was married, she doesn’t seem to like that I’m so close to her.

It’s funny how there isn’t much of a problem with Iris, but with Amy, she never lets her guard down.

"Ah! You’re right—I shouldn’t say things like that about Amy so casually."

"Amy... she has a cute name, too, although to me it sounds more like a nickname." (Azalea)

I like the way she handles things. She didn’t seem satisfied with the situation and wanted to take advantage of it.

It makes me realize just how ambitious she is and how she won’t let anyone get the upper hand in anything—and that’s something I really like.

I already know where she’s going with this, so I’ll make it easy for her.

"Oh, you’re right. Her name is Amarillys, but Iris and I call her Amy."

"Hmm... I see. By the way, you also talk to her very informally—even using nicknames. Hmm... I think you should treat your clients more fairly. Why don’t you do the same with me? You can just call me Lea, without any honorifics." (Azalea)

"Miss, are you okay with that? Amy is one thing, but you’re a noblewoman and..."

"Those things don’t matter. It’s a special privilege. I feel more comfortable that way—after all, I come here to relax, and formalities are unnecessary. You can also tell Iris to call me that later; she doesn’t seem to be very good with formalities either." (Azalea)

"You’re right, Miss—ahem, Lea. Anyway, now that Iris has gone with Amy, I guess I’m the only one left to deal with both of you. You’re both okay with that, right?"

"Oh, yes, I’m perfectly fine with that. What do you think, Silvia? You’ve been... Hiii! W-why are you looking at me like that?" (Azalea)

Hahaha! It looks like Azalea finally paid attention to Silvia. It’s a shame—she should have noticed her sooner.

It’s already too late for her.

"(≖_≖), it’s nothing. It’s just that I’m starting to understand where the problem lies and what lies at the root of all this evil and immorality." (Silvia)

"W-what are you talking about now?" (Azalea)

"Nothing. I agree with that, too. In fact, that’s what I wanted from the start." (Silvia)

"All right, thank you for your understanding. You can follow me."

I lead them both to the other vacant room, which is soundproof, so it’s hard to hear anything going on inside—and that goes both ways.

Anyway, I already have a plan of action.

’System, buy a...’

And before entering the massage room, I asked the system to buy a few things that might come in handy.

It seems the flag I raised arrived a little late, but it definitely arrived.

Today was going to be a very hectic day, huehuehue...

...

.

"Okay, I’m ready. I really like how comfortable and liberating these clothes are."(Azalea)

"I’m glad you like them, Lea."

Once again, I watched as Azalea changed behind the byōbu.

I don’t know how good that robe she usually wears to cover herself really is, but the fact that it can hide that figure makes me realize it’s an item that would cost a lot of Myrr at the store—unlike the cheap 500-Myrr ones I bought last time.

Azalea came closer to me. In her gaze, there was a clear desire, expectations, and countless other things she doesn’t seem able to contain.

I understand why Silvia seems so suspicious.

She’s not doing a good job of hiding a lot of things, and, in fact, that makes it difficult for me to complete the mission.

Still, I have to admit it makes me very happy, since the fact that she finds it hard to restrain herself or hide it means she has no experience with that.

Her husband has never made her feel the way I do, and that fills me with pride.

But that aside, I need her cooperation for everything to go smoothly.

I looked at the byōbu, and Silvia was still there. From her shadow, it looked like she was staring at the yukata and hesitating about whether to put it on.

But that was a great opportunity. I motioned to Azalea.

I didn’t know how good Silvia’s hearing was, so I cautiously took out a pencil and a piece of paper and began writing in this strange language—which, oddly enough, felt like something I’d used my whole life—and showed it to Azalea.

{I’ll deal with Silvia first, then we can spend time together.}

When Azalea read it, I saw her face light up and she nodded happily, but then she seemed to realize her behavior wasn’t quite appropriate, so she tried to compose herself, act calm and dignified, and nod elegantly.

I find her fascinating.

And yet, that also awakened in me the need to do the same thing I did last time and leave her in a situation where it would be impossible for her to pretend.

I wanted her face to reflect nothing but pleasure and that state of decadence, where nothing mattered anymore, to destroy all her rational thought and let only our bodies speak.

’Huehuehue.’