"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
"Maria, do you have a cold?"
Basara said, as he looked up from his magazine.
Maria's nose was red as she sat on the sofa.
"There's no way a demon would lose to human world bacteria,
achoo!"
We've been worried you might have gotten a cold. Besides… Your
face looks a bit red."
Basara got up and pressed his forehead against hers.
"W-wait, this is embarrassing"
"It's too much of an inconvenience to get the thermometer"
After parting with her, he started to think.
"You're quite hot"
"My face is red because I'm embarrassed with what you did. Achoo"
"They say the fourth sneeze means its a cold"
"Basara. I also... feel feverish"
"I feel sick too"
Mio and Yuki said, while watching the TV. .
"Is that so?"
Basara moved towards Mio and Yuki and pressed his forehead against
them.
"It's probably not a fever. But just to be safe, let's check the
thermometer"
"I-is that so... ahh, so it might just be a feeling"
"It might be a feeling for me too"
The two of them diverted their eyes away.
"Onee..."
Kurumi looked fed up with their not exactly dissatisfied faces.
"After comparing, it does seem like Maria has a fever"
"That can't be! I feel fine. Besides, don't Kurumi-san and Zest-san
want you to check their temperature too?"
"O-of course not!?"
"I want him too, but I don't have a cold, so it's too bad…"
"Zest-san is so honest... Kurumi-san actually wants it too but she's
being stubborn, that look of desire on her face is pretty lewd"
"Not me!"
Instinctively, Kurumi got up, and she planned on running away from
the smirking Maria.
"Ah.."
But something was holding onto her leg, body trembling.
"—Maria!"
Quickly, Basara catches her.
"Sorry. Basara-san, I..."
Her sighs were erratic, and there's no doubt her body was feverish in
his arms.
2
Maria is lying down in her bed.
Her cheeks are redder than before, and her eyes were also wet from
her fever.
Her head sank deeply into her pillow, and it feels as if she has no
strength to lift it as it spins.
"Sorry. I didn't know you really had a fever"
Kurumi said, as she hung her head down.
"It's fine. I didn't know either
"It's midwinter, so something like this was bound to happen"
As she speaks, Maria tilts her head to the side.
"But... It's strange. I just go about my life as usual, why would I
suddenly catch a cold... I don't know the reason why, I don't even have a
clue for it"
Impulsively, Basara and Mio spoke at the same time.
"You don't have..." "a clue as to why?"
"Eh?"
Maria was the only one raising her voice.
Yuki and Kurumi, as well as Zest all looked as if they were
remembering something.
Basara started thinking back to a couple of days ago.
3
"Basara-san come look"
When Basara turned around, there was a nurse in the living room.
Maria had on a form-fitting nurse outfit on her delicate body.
Furthermore, she was wearing a skirt with it, which is different from
how it usually is in the hospital these days.
The skirt was as short as possible, just a little bit more and one would
be able to see what's under it.
Her thin legs were wrapped in white tights, which was more seductive
than pure.
"...What are you doing?"
"Of course, I'm researching clothes for Mio-sama and the others to
wear. I'm very studious. The road to being a succubus wasn't built in a
day"
"For us to wear!? That's the first I heard of it"
Mio said surprised, but Maria paid her no attention.
"umu. This is it, Basara-san. But it seems like you're not showing any
interest in the nurse outfit"
"Whether I show an interest or not, what does it matter?"
"In short, Basara-san, We succubus can tell whether or not you're
turned on using our succubus eyes!"
"I've never heard of that ability before. But, as I said, whether I'm
excited..."
"Let's go to the next one!"
Maria grabbed the hems of her clothes, and she quickly took off the
nurse outfit.
Maria already had another outfit underneath that.
"Bunny girl!"
Her loli body had on a black leotard, with cuffs on her wrist. Her legs
were now covered in criss-cross tights. In addition, she was wearing the
trademark bunny ears.
"You're tip-toeing too much"
"You're focusing on that?! Okay, so next, a school swimsuit!"
She had on a navy school swimsuit, with "Maria" written in hiragana
on the front. It's an old style school swimsuit.
"You've worn this before"
"What a tough opponent! We'll go with a cop... police!"
She had on a proper white shirt with a navy skirt. With that, black
stocking covered her legs. Furthermore, in her hands were a gun and
handcuffs.
She confidently smiled and said, "you're under arrest!"
"I'm wondering, aren't I always under arrest by you"
"Aah, seriously! So then my secret weapon! A nun!"
After taking off the police uniform, she put on a black garment.
It's different from the previous outfit and it's not revealing at all.
One can see her silver hair from under the hood.
"What are you trying to do"
"Don't criticize me! This is my last resort! Mio-sama's uniform!"
Twirling, she took off the nun garb and put on the Hijirigasaka
Academy uniform.
Just as she said, it's Mio's uniform, and the size is obviously too big
for Maria.
There's something cute with the oversized sleeves, she then twirled her
skirt and struck a pose.
"How is it? The corruption of wearing someone else's uniform!"
"Since when!?"
Mio was visibly getting angry.
"I don't understand how I'm supposed to be aroused"
"Basara-san—!"
Maria facepalmed.
"...I don't really know about getting turned on by a uniform, but at
this point isn't it because your body is lacking?"
"Kurumi-san, I can throw that right back at you"
"Wh...!?"
Kurumi was at a loss for words as she pressed her hands against her
own breasts.
"Anyways, I get it now… Basara-san isn't the type to get turned on by
costumes. However, I am a succubus. I won't give up here. In the name
of the succubus! I will make Basara-san aroused!"
"It seems like your goal has changed"
"If it's like this...!"
Maria took off Mio's uniform and threw it.
"Wait!? Don't be rough with my uniform!"
"aaaaaah!"
Maria leaps up all the way to the ceiling of the living room.
Her wings are out, as well as her tail. moreover, she's naked.
Basara choked.
"Naked! For a stoic beast like Basara-san, there's no better option than
this!"
"Idiot! You're going to catch a cold"
"No. If I'm like this, I'm a succubus. Until Basara-san turns into a
scary beast, making Mio-sama and the others submit to him, I will
remain naked!"
"Don't do that! I'll say this again, you'll catch a cold"
"I will not. That reason being... I'm a proud demon!"
"I'm a proud naked demon!"
Kurumi let out a deep sigh as she watched Basara and Maria.
"...Isn't she just not catching a cold because she's an idiot?"
4
"Taking that into consideration, it was definitely a sign for her to get a
cold"
"At least it's good you proved you're not an idiot"
Basara and Kurumi said, as they both nodded in agreement .
"B-but, when I'm wearing my battle outfit I'm mostly naked anyways"
"You're aware of that?"
Kurumi was surprised.
"For starters, you have defensive powers, and it's not like that day
when you spent all night naked"
"I also tried to get her to wear clothes, but my effort was
insufficient..."
Zest lowered her head in shame.
"No, it's not your fault, Zest"
Basara said with a sigh. He then looked towards Maria laying down.
"Well, it did turn out this way. So use this chance to take it easy. Rest
for today"
"But... Today it's my turn to do the chores"
"I'll take charge in your place"
Zest said with a bow.
"We'll help too"
Mio, Yuki, and Kurumi followed Basara's words with a nod.
Despite their exasperation, they look kind.
Maria pulled up her covers, hiding her lips.
"Everyone... I'm sorry"
5
Basara and Mio were walking in the shopping district in the afternoon.
Basara had on a thick winter jacket, and he in his hand was a
convenient cooler bag.
Mio was sticking close, walking next to him
"It's been a while since we've gone shopping together"
Basara said, as he looked at the line of shops.
"That's true. It's because we leave the household chores to Maria.
And since we returned from the demon realm it's been Zest and Maria."
Mio's eyes narrowed.
"I'm also a girl, so perhaps I should do more. Yuki did some a while
back too."
"I don't think being a girl or a guy matters at this, in this era"
Basara and Mio walk towards the food.
Unlike at home, they didn't speak much.
Even though it shouldn't be different than usual... Basara thought.
What they're missing between them is Maria.
Whenever they went out shopping like this, Maria is usually always
there, and the conversation tends to revolve around her.
Suddenly, His eyes met with Mio's.
"When Maria isn't here, it's different somehow"
"That's true. I was just thinking the same thing"
Feeling a bit weird, they both let out a sigh.
"She's always up to something, telling us to do lewd things, making a
big fuss, thanks to her the submission deepens but... Without her, it
feels somewhat lonely"
"That's true"
Their eyes met in between them where Maria would be.
"Besides... We've been to this shopping district before, but without
Maria I'm not sure what shop should we buy from"
"Even when we come with her, we always leave it all to Maria"
There are several shops selling meat, fish and vegetables.
Maria shops with no hesitation, while Basara isn't sure at all which
shop is good.
"We somewhat know what's on the menu for dinner but..."
"Yuki went with Maria not long ago, we should've asked her"
"That had everything to do with Maria's plan... But Yuki praised her.
She couldn't believe Maria was that loved in the shopping district."
"She's hard to hate"
Mio smiled.
"I want to buy something that'll make her well"
"What would make Maria happy..."
They started looking all around,
"Eggs... Or eel"
"Wouldn't onion or banana be good? Zucchini is expensive in this
season but... How about pomegranate or avocado like before?"
With that said, they both looked exasperated.
"Besides eggs and bananas, why did we mention onions and eel.
Zucchini isn't something you feed a sick person… is it…"
"When I said to make her well, I didn't mean that..."
"No matter what, we're influenced by that ero loli succubus"
Basara and Mio laughed.
"That's right. Let's go with something nutritious. Not something
lewd"
"That's right. Something nutritious"
Saying that to each other, Basara and Mio started looking for the
food.
6
Feeling something cool against her cheeks, Maria opens her eyes.
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
Kurumi was by her bedside.
The cool sensation earlier was the ice pack she used.
Perhaps to wipe her sweat, there's also a wet towel on her forehead.
"I'm not too good at housework, but I've taken down the laundry"
"Thank you"
Even though she's awake, Maria seemed weak and looked as if she was
still out of it.
With her silver hair and slender body, as well as her pretty face, she
looks like a little Ojou-sama, or so Kurumi thought.
"...Once my cold is better, I'll have to thank everyone"
"Thank us..."
Kurumi shook her head.
"There's no need for that. I've owed you favors before. So don't
worry about it"
Maria smiled fleetingly, saying "no..."
"I'm truly grateful. So..."
Sinking down into the bed, she looked at Kurumi.
"As a thank you, I'll give you pleasure to an extent you can't think of
anything other than that. Look forward to it!"
With a small chuckle, Kurumi splurts out.
"I thought you were being good, but it's something like that!?"
When Kurumi turned around, Yuki and Zest entered the room.
Zest had on a maid outfit, and it seems like she's been cleaning as she
had a vacuum cleaner in her hand.
"Sorry. Zest-san, I'll leave it to you"
"It's fine. I'm here for times like this, please rest up and get well soon"
With a bow, Zest left the room.
One could then hear the vacuum cleaner from outside.
And then, Yuki stood next to Kurumi.
She had a tray in her hands.
From the glass bowl, one could smell a sweet and sour scent.
She sat on a chair beside the bed, readying a spoon.
"I've grated some apples. Can you eat?"
Nodding, Maria pulls herself up from the bed.
Yuki scooped up the bowl's content with a spoon, bringing it to
Maria's lips.
In her small mouth, the juices of the apple slides through.
"Mmm..." Maria thinned her eyes.
She can feel the sourness of the juice, as well as the moist fruit and the
delicate sweetness on her dry tongue.
With her fever, it feels like it penetrates through her dry body.
It seems like they were careful not to cool her body too much, and the
weak Maria was thankful for that.
Yuki matches the pace Maria eats, bringing the spoon to her once
again
"How thoughtful"
As she took in the spoon, tasting the apple, Maria made a comforting
face.
"I owe you Maria. You taught me to cook not long ago"
"It's fun for me too, so you don't have to worry about me"
Again, she ate more of the apples.
"But, it seems like you're used to this"
"In the past, Onee would take care of Basara when he was sick"
"This gallantry. It's truly fitting of a wife don't you think?"
"...If it's Basara, it's fine"
Yuki said quietly, being embarrassed.
As she thought of Yuki in that way, Maria took the bowl and finished
the juice from the bowl.
Moreover, they could hear Basara's and Mio's voices from the front
door.
Maria looked at Kurumi and Yuki, and despite not saying anything,
she thought to herself how fortunate Basara is to be loved by these girls.
7
"I made it, so I don't know if it'll suit your taste..."
Basara said shyly, scratching his cheek.
There's a bowl of udon in front of Maria who came down to sit at the
dinner table.
The soup stock is softly fragrant.
It has simple additions of onion leaves and fish cake, as well as a
melting egg in it.
"You made it, Basara-san?"
"Yeah. I've lived together with only my old man for a while, so I can
make simple stuff. But we used a lot of instant stuff, and the soup for
this is instant too"
"Sorry for troubling you"
She said as she held the chopsticks in her hand, enjoying the scent of
the soup stock.
The other girls looked at them as they cleaned up the kitchen.
"I thought of making it at first, and I had even looked up udon recipes
on the internet and in books"
Zest said with a somewhat troubled look on her face.
"But Basara-sama insisted on making it himself"
"It's not that big a deal"
Seeing the panic in Basara's expression, Maria smiled mischievously.
This time, Basara scratched the back of his head.
"Since I made it, it's not as good as when You or Zest would do it
but... I wanted to make it. Sorry"
"Not at all"
Maria shook her head.
She still looked feverish, but she seemed cheered up.
She looks around at everyone in the dining room.
"I'm happy you think this much for me"
"I really troubled all of you today. I'm very... happy"
She bowed her head with sincerity.
"Since you've come down with the cold, you're not being honest"
Despite her words, Mio smiled.
"However," said Basara.
"We're the ones always being a burden for you. At least let us do this
when you have a cold"
Everyone nodded in agreement with what basara said.
"Everyone..."
Maria narrowed her eyes, and then clapped her hands together.
"Thank you for the meal"
With that said, she began eating her noodles.
The noodles with the egg are chewy, and the soft taste spread in her
mouth.
Her cheeks begin to bloom, and there's a slight sparkle in her eyes.
"It's delicious"
Basara patted his chest, "I'm glad."
"Udon is so lewd, so this is a metaphor for Basara-san's sex drive"
"It's good you're feeling better"
As Maria continued eating the udon, Basara grinned, but despite that
he seemed pleased as he kindly watched her.
8
When Maria opened her eyes, it was in the middle of the night.
In the darkness of her room, she could see the hands of the clock
pointing to it being around midnight.
She slowly got up from her bed.
She still felt fatigued, but the feverish feeling in her body and the
difficulty to breathe was mostly gone.
Maria figured she'd be fine tomorrow.
In the quiet room, she could hear the ticking of the clock.
Suddenly, she felt lonely.
"Eh...?"
This wasn't something she would normally feel. Other than when they
do lewd things, she always sleeps alone, so it was a sudden feeling of
loneliness.
"That's right. Someone was always beside me today"
She understood because it's night now, she's alone.
However, everyone must be tired after taking care of her all day, she
then shook her head.
She'll go back to sleep, then wake up, and tomorrow it'll go back to
normal…
As she thought about that, Maria realized someone breathing in their
sleep next to her.
She didn't see well because of the dark, but there's a familiar shadow
on the side of her bed.
She wasn't able to see well because of the dark, but there's a familiar
shadow at the side of her bed.
It's Basara. While sitting in her chair, he fell asleep.
She didn't have to ask in order to know he was worried for her and
fell asleep there.
Maria's heart started skipping a bit.
"When I want you beside me, you're always there"
She smiled happily.
Being careful to get up without a sound, she approaches Basara.
She lets her lips graze against his cheeks.
Basara didn't notice and continued to sleep.
Satisfied, Maria returned to her bed and giggled.
"You'll end up catching my cold"
She said cheerfully.