"Just like the smell on her!"
Power held the "cup" in one hand and pointed at Himeno on the table with the other.
"Hey, hey—don't mess with my things. This is important. Put it back. Now."
"Oh."
Power placed the "cup" back into the bag, then hopped up lightly, her plump rear landing on the edge of the table as she stared at Renji.
Renji looked at Power, then at the still-open utility room door, remembering what he'd been about to say.
"Power, step outside for a bit. I need to do something with Himeno Senior. It's private. Just keep watch for me—it won't take long. If anyone comes, call me."
Power pouted, her expression clearly unwilling.
"First you order this great Power to guard the door, then you order this great Power to guard the door again. That's one thing, but now you won't even tell me what I'm guarding. What do you take me for?"
She grumbled indignantly, but still walked out of the utility room, slamming the door shut behind her.
Only then did Renji turn his full attention to Himeno's delicate form. He reached out, his fingers brushing aside the stray strands of hair clinging to her cheek, gently smoothing them back, fully revealing her exquisite face.
Under the soft white light of the utility room, Himeno's already fair skin looked even more translucent, warm, and flawless.
"Himeno Senior?"
"Mmm…"
Himeno was deeply asleep, showing no sign of waking, only emitting a soft, murmuring sound. Renji carefully turned her onto her stomach, then reached for the belt at her waist, unbuckling it with a soft click. Finally, he hooked his fingers into the sides of her pants—and the little panties beneath—and slid them down.
He took hold of her fleshy ankles, pushed them upward, and then spread them wide to either side, finally forming a wide-open "M" shape.
The white adhesive tape stuck over her lower lips was much darker now than when it was first applied—completely saturated.
Renji reached out, about to peel it off, when a sudden warning prickled his sixth sense. He turned his head and, sure enough, saw a narrow gap in the utility room door.
A single eye, marked with a red cross, was hidden behind it, peering through the slit.
It was Power.
Renji raised an eyebrow, considered saying something, then decided against it. He simply walked over and pushed the door firmly shut, blocking Power out.
But he'd only taken a few steps back when he heard the faintest creeeak of the door opening again. Turning, the red-crossed eye was back, staring directly at him through the gap.
Renji walked over and shut the door again. He waited. Three seconds later—creeak—the door opened a sliver, and the eye reappeared, fixed on him.
Renji was more amused than annoyed. He simply pulled the door open. Power, standing right outside, took a quick step back.
"You… Power, why are you peeking?"
"Huh?"
[Ding~ Detected Power's confused emotional state. System rewards 20 points.]
Power looked genuinely puzzled. She glanced behind her, then to either side, and scratched her head lightly.
"Who's peeking? Is someone peeking? I didn't see anyone. I've been standing guard right here. Did you mishear, Renji? If someone were peeking, I'd definitely notice. Don't worry—even if someone really is, I'll kill 'em for you!"
Power finished with a confused expression, then let out an exaggerated sigh and shook a pink fist at Renji.
[Ding~ Detected Power's annoyed emotional state. System rewards 20 points.]
"Ugh, but seriously—what are you doing in there? Can you hurry up? I'm so bored I could die. If you take any longer, I'll kill you, too."
Watching Power perform this split-personality act, Renji felt a genuine sense of admiration. He raised his hands and applauded softly.
Power had two remarkable traits. The first was self-hypnosis—and it was instantaneous. Within a fraction of a second, Power could fabricate a non-existent event and make herself believe it so completely that her own memories would realign accordingly.
The system prompts echoing in Renji's mind were proof enough: Power was genuinely confused by his question, convinced he must have been mistaken—that no one had been peeking at all.
The other remarkable trait was that Power could exit this state of self-hypnosis at any moment, seamlessly shifting back to reality.
"Lying? If it wasn't you peeking, then who was it? Your eyes are way too distinctive."
"So annoying! I already told you it wasn't me! If you keep falsely accusing me, I'll do to you what I do to Meowy! Finger-slingshot your balls!"
"Forget it. Just come in. You already know I'm a man anyway. No point hiding it from you."
"Yay!"
[Ding~ Detected Power's happy emotional state. System rewards 10 points.]
Power skipped past Renji and into the utility room. Renji glanced outside once more, confirmed no one else was around, and then closed the door.
Back inside, Renji began searching the room for something to act as a container—a cup or a bowl. But Power tugged at his sleeve impatiently.
"Quick! Quick!"
"Huh? 'Quick' what? And don't just stand there—help me find a cup or something."
"What do you need a cup for? Boring! Renji! Hurry up and take off your pants! Let me see your… length!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Huh? What do you mean? Didn't you, Renji, just let me in? Didn't you say you'd show me your… length?"
"I said I'd let you in. I didn't say I'd show you… Oh. Ohhh…"
Renji understood immediately. Power was pointing her finger at him again. She was self-hypnotizing again.
"Don't get it twisted, alright? I never said I'd show you that. I only let you in because you were peeking through the door. It was creepy."
Renji ignored Power and resumed his search for a container.
"If you're not going to help me look, at least don't get in the way. Can you just sit down somewhere? Quietly."
Renji kept rummaging through cabinets and boxes. But Power's expression grew increasingly irritated. She took a step forward and suddenly wrapped her arms around Renji from behind.
"Let me see it! Let me see your length!"
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