Chapter 706: Who Wants A Slumber Party?
Even though it was something that Mother suggested I do, it's not like I have any intention of doing it right now though.
In the first place, it's not like I have people who I feel close enough with to invite them over for something like a sleepover.
That sounds a little sad now that I think about it…
Ok, correction… There are schoolmates that I could invite them if I wanted to, such as my classmates in my Iatromancy class, but I don't feel that comfortable with anyone else to invite them over to my place. Anyone who I feel comfortable with is already staying with me anyway.
Yep, that sounds a little better.
Which was why…
"What do you girls think about having a slumber party?" I asked while at dinner today.
I was thinking about getting the other girls' opinion about this instead, since if I organise one, they would most likely get involved anyway.
That's why if they were against the idea, I wouldn't organise one even if Mother suggested it.
"Ohhhh! That sounds fun! Let's do one, Aster!" Lisa supported the idea immediately.
Well, that's a surprise, I thought that she might be against it since that would involve other strangers around.
"Umm… I think that's a nice idea too. It'll be nice to have everyone together right?" Delmare chipped in.
I heard a slight thump coming from under the table and I already knew it was her tail thumping against the floor which showed her excitement.
Oh, that's also another surprise. I never thought Delmare would also support this idea too.
"A slumber party? That's just a waste of time and money if you ask me," Emilia commented from the other end of the table.
I was not that surprised by Emilia's comments since that was pretty much who she was in the first place.
Speaking of which… The Nekomata had to move into our place since her family was still hunting her and she needed a place to hide. At least she's officially under my 'employ' right now.
Although ironically… Even though her position wasn't my maid, Katsuki had insisted she wear the uniform even after the training camp for some reason.
Maybe she already sees the Nekomata as one of them? That's nice.
But at least she wasn't expected to act like a maid despite wearing that uniform.
Odeta's answer was also not surprising as the Amrap let out a bark of laughter at my suggestion.
"Wahahaha! That sounds fun, Sister Aster! Let's do it!"
Tiara also supported the idea, "I… Think it will be fun too… I don't mind participating."
Hmm… I wonder if it would be alright for the princess to join us though? Mother did say the enchantment will erase their memories afterwards but would it help with the princess being here?
The attendees might forget that I'm related to the Nilm family but then remember the princess was a participant, that would definitely cause some trouble, wouldn't it?
I was about to ask Mother about it when Katsuki spoke up from behind me, "Apologies, Mistress… But may I speak?"
"Eh? Of course, Katsuki."
My Inugami maid gave me a bow before turning to the table to address the others, "There's a slight misunderstanding here. What Mistress meant was for Mistress to invite her schoolmates and anyone else the others might deem worthy to come here for a slumber party."
Eh? Wasn't that what I said? What else could I mean?
Almost immediately, everyone's opinion changed.
"No way!!" They cried out all at once the moment they heard Katsuki's words.
Ehhhhh? But why?! Weren't all of you so excited about it just now? The only one who didn't want to join was Emilia!
Lisa huffed, "I thought it was just a slumber party between all of us, Aster! That I definitely wouldn't have a problem with!"
"You sleep with me almost all the time. Isn't that already a slumber party for you?" I pointed out.
"Yeah, but not together with everyone else! And it's not a party! We just go to bed and then we have sex! Completely different from a slumber party!"
I groaned at Lisa's words.
I know that it wasn't a secret to anyone in this house that we're having sex but no need to say it out loud…
Deciding that it was better if I didn't acknowledge that, I turned to Delmare instead to silently ask her for her reason behind her sudden change in opinion.
She poked her fingers together, "Umm… If… If there were others there… I wouldn't be able to sing for you…"
"But they could just plug their ears just like how the others would, right?" I suggested, referring to the fact that the others now had a habit of just covering their ears with ear plugs during her singing sessions.
That way, they could still be around and Delmare and I did not need to go somewhere soundproof or far far away from them.
Not that Delmare seemed to mind that we had been doing that the entire time anyway.
I thought Delmare would accept my suggestion but she shook her head, "We can't be sure that they would all cooperate, Aster…"
I guess… That's true… Our schoolmates are still kids after all and some of them might refuse to do it or even just take their ear plugs off out of curiosity later on. If they get affected by Delmare's singing after that, I don't even want to imagine what would happen if they did.
The next person I looked at was Odeta who had her arms crossed.
"Sleeping time is for family!" She told me simply.
Err… Ok? I think what Odeta meant was that I spend a lot of time with my schoolmates and away from them so night time at home was for spending it together with them.
That's so cute, Odeta.
I then turned to Tiara who just shrugged at me, "I can't really be seen with you, can I?"
Yeah, that's what I thought.
And then Emilia?
She just raised an eyebrow at me, "My answer has not changed at all, boss."
I seriously can't get used to her calling me boss.
Mother giggled at their answers, "Ufufufu~ How cute~ All of you don't need to worry though, I have made an enchantment that would wipe any outsider's memories when activated so they will remember coming over to have a party with Aster but forget all the details of it~ If you were to ask them afterwards, they will be able to tell you that they came over and what they did with Aster, but they would not be able to recall anything else including who else was there."
Ok, she didn't tell me that just now though. That actually sounds really incredible and also really scary at the same time.
How is Mother even able to create such an enchantment in the first place?
She must be at least tier four in her enchanting skill to be able to create all of these enchantments.
When the others heard that, there seemed to be a few changes in their opinions.
Lisa giggled, "Ohhh~ If that's the case, that changes some things~ I wouldn't mind having some… Ahem… Some friends come over for a party~ But I say we have our own slumber party first!"
Delmare hesitated for a moment, "Umm… I wouldn't mind having a private party… And maybe we can decide if we want another one with others afterwards?"
Tiara shrugged, "If that's the case, I don't really mind either way."
Odeta was still shaking her head, "Bah! I still think we shouldn't invite anyone else! But I'm happy to have a party with just all of us!"
Emilia went back to eating the food in front of her, "And I still think it's a waste of time and money so I'll refrain from participating in either case."
I turned around to look at the only person who hasn't voiced her opinion so far, "What about you, Katsuki?"
She blinked at me and her tail seemed to sway slightly, "I will obey whatever Mistress decides."
It seems like she was surprised that I even asked her opinion in the first place.
Wait…
"You'll also be a participant of the slumber party if it happens you know? I won't let you just stay as an observer or say something boring like you'll serve me as my maid instead of enjoying yourself as well."
Her surprise was quite evident by how her face changed, confirming my thoughts that she really didn't expect herself to be made a participant.
"But… I'm your personal maid, Mistress. It would be inappropriate for me to do that…"
I waved my hand at her, "Nonsense! A slumber party is a place where everyone is equal! We'll all be in pyjamas, you know? That's the fun part about it!"
Katsuki hesitated for a moment before finally bowing her head, "I will obey, Mistress."
That's great~ Now we just need to plan a slumber party!
No, no, stop giving me that lewd look Lisa, I know exactly what you're thinking about…
It's going to be a wholesome night, ok? Wholesome, I say!!