"I do like it!" Rory reached out and gently stroked Nix's fluffy tail. "Tell me," she said with a smile, "who taught you to dress like this?"
This sweet, simple little cat had always tried to tempt her in the most innocent ways—showing off his ears and tail, or wearing a shirt with an overly deep V-neck. With a head full of mech schematics and weapon designs, there was no way he could have come up with something this… bold on his own.
Nix's face flushed bright red.
"It was Yuel," he admitted shyly. "I traded him an eleventh-Rank mech to teach me."
As he spoke, he wrapped his arms around Rory and gently pushed her down onto the bed.
"Rory, I know I'm not as clever as Yuel when it comes to pleasing you. I'm not as powerful as His Highness Prince Vincent. I don't understand you the way Jasper does."
He hesitated, then added gloomily, "And I'm definitely not as good-looking as Lian."
Rory blinked.
