After boarding the train, Naoki and Rei chose seats near the door.
Watching the Magi continue to board, Rei lowered her voice and said, "We've finally boarded this train, Master. Forgive me for tagging along."
"It's fine. Whenever I go out, either you or Gray always comes along. It was Gray last time, so it's only fair you join me this time."
A week ago, after staying at Chaldea with Gray for a few days, Naoki returned to the apartment and told Merry and the others about Marisbury's request and the Mystic Eye Collection Train.
After a brief discussion, it was decided that Rei would accompany Naoki. While Rei didn't mind, the issue lay with someone else.
"After traveling with Gray for two weeks, I'm a bit upset, you know, Prince."
After a pause, Manaka, who had taken over Rei's body, immediately clung to Naoki, feigning dissatisfaction and pinching his waist. If asked who was the most possessive of Naoki at home, the answer would be Manaka. Though she was willing to share him with others, if possible, she wanted to monopolize Naoki for twenty-three hours, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty-nine seconds a day.
The remaining one second was her charity to others.
Of course, from a realistic perspective, this was impossible. Setting aside other factors, Manaka couldn't overcome the obstacle of Rei. Seventy percent of the control over their shared puppet body belonged to Rei.
So Manaka could only suppress her dissatisfaction, focusing all her attention on the moments she had with Naoki, ensuring she had no regrets each time she went out.
[Don't think about doing anything reckless, Manaka. If you cross the line, I'll take control of this body anytime.]
Rei, aware of her other self's thoughts, warned her internally.
(Of course I know, no need to remind me.)
Casually responding to her other self, Manaka stood, shifted her hips, and was about to sit on Naoki's lap. But as soon as she stood, Naoki pressed her back down.
"Not now, Manaka. Too many people. Wait until everyone's gone to their rooms."
"Hmm… really not possible?"
"Really. Once we're in the room, I'll keep you company. For now, you're my servant. You can't act too boldly."
Naoki said, patting the maid outfit she wore—a creation Rei made before they set out. She said it could serve as a disguise to some extent and also cater to Naoki's personal preferences.
Naoki genuinely enjoyed uniform play. With Manaka's abilities, she could take on any role: maid, nurse, teacher, boss… and perfectly embody any outfit he liked.
In this regard, Naoki's affection for Manaka was the highest, especially with her split personality—a complete bonus!
Hearing Naoki say she could do whatever she wanted once they reached the room, Manaka could only restrain herself and act like an obedient, beautiful maid.
At that moment, a thin man suddenly appeared near the carriage door. He wore a black uniform, likely the Mystic Eye Collection Train's staff attire. His face and eyes were utterly devoid of emotion, giving off a chilling presence.
Beside him stood a woman in a fur coat, with short blonde hair styled like a boy's. She had a model-like figure. A leather strap wrapped around her eye area, making her look somewhat peculiar.
This slightly odd pair appeared in the train.
"I am the conductor of this train, Rodin. My apologies for interrupting your lively conversation." the uniformed man said.
"This train will travel through the Land of Mist for four days and three nights before returning to London. During this time, please enjoy the displayed Mystic Eyes and await the auction on the third day. The Mystic Eyes you win can be grafted immediately or kept as is. Grafting takes little time, so there's no need to worry. For guests wishing to sell Mystic Eyes, please visit our work area before the auction on the third day begins, or you may convey your requests to me."
"This woman is the auction host, Leondra."
For those who frequently attended the Mystic Eye Collection Train, this procedure and these two individuals were very familiar. Since the train's inception, they had always been its staff, never replaced.
"Next, I will guide you to your rooms. Please follow me."
The rooms on the Mystic Eye Collection Train could be described as luxurious.
How could they not be? A single carriage contained only two or three rooms. Though the train's width was limited, the simple furniture arrangement didn't make it feel cramped.
In principle, each person holding an invitation received one room, and each invited guest could bring up to two attendants.
Thus, Naoki and Manaka naturally shared a room.
"Prince~~"
The moment they entered the room, Manaka immediately hugged Naoki, pushing him onto the bed. She didn't care at all about being a maid, pressing her master firmly beneath her.
"Manaka, wait a moment, there's something we need to discuss—"
"Just wait a bit. You left us at home and went off with Gray for two weeks… Don't underestimate the urges I've pent up over those two weeks, Prince~"
As if she had been holding back for a long time—correction, she had been holding back for a very long time. Forget the two weeks Naoki was gone; even the two or three minutes earlier felt excruciatingly long to Manaka.
Wanting to be with her Prince, wanting him to never leave her, wanting her entire body to be filled with Naoki's scent, wanting him to feel her scent, wanting marks of each other on their bodies…
These were all the things Manaka was thinking about now.
And Rei felt the same way.
(Sorry, my other self. At times like this, I don't want anyone else taking first place.)
After silently apologizing, Rei immediately took control of the body. "Master, for the two weeks you were gone, my Mana was running low. Tonight, please replenish all the Mana I've lost over those two weeks~"
First Manaka, then Rei.
Naoki felt he wouldn't be sleeping tonight, but then again, he hadn't planned to sleep anyway.
With one swift motion, he flipped their positions, pinning Rei beneath him. His hand boldly ventured to a dangerous area, and he leaned close to her ear. "You said it yourself. A maid should do what a maid is supposed to do."
"Of course, Master. Don't hold back." Rei replied.