"Alright, team bonding time is over," I announced as the wheel began its slow descent. "You're free to go play whatever you want. We'll meet back at the entrance at 6."
Akane immediately grabbed Homura's hand. "C'mon, Homu-chan! Now that the boring team stuff is over, we're going to the Death Drop!" And they were off, a blur of red and grey heading for the thrill rides the second the cabin door opened.
Miki and Aoi, however, didn't move. They stayed seated with me.
Miki turned, her expression shifting from idol-sweet to something more concerned. "Master... Aoi-chan still looks a little pale. Maybe she needs some special attention?" She leaned in close, her voice gentle but with an underlying suggestion. "A private cabin, high above the world... it's peaceful, isn't it? Perfect for... healing."
Aoi didn't speak, but her actions were telling. She reached over and calmly slid the cabin door shut again, the latch clicking into place just as the wheel started a new rotation. She turned to face me, her composed expression wavering, revealing the vulnerability beneath. She smoothly moved from her seat to kneel on the floor in front of me. This time it wasn't just about service—it was about trust.
"You pushed yourself too hard protecting everyone in that fight," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper. "You're still hurting, aren't you?" I looked at Miki. "Maybe you can help. She needs both of us right now."
Miki's expression softened, any trace of jealousy replaced by genuine concern. "Of course, Master. Aoi-chan was so brave. She deserves all the care we can give."
Aoi looked from Miki to me, her mask of composure finally gone. Her eyes showed the pain she'd been hiding—not just physical, but the emotional toll of nearly losing control. I gently guided her back onto the floor of the cabin.
"You can watch," I said to Miki, "or you can help me unwrap our little ice queen." I leaned down, tore open Aoi's blouse, and pressed the Black Gem to her glowing magical core.
Aoi's composure shattered. A sharp, strangled cry of pain and pleasure was torn from her throat. Her back arched violently, her eyes squeezing shut as tears began to stream down her temples. "M-Master… it hurts…"
Miki leaned forward, her chin resting on her hands, her expression one of fascinated delight. Her voice was a sweet, taunting purr. "Is that you, Aoi-chan? I've never heard you make a sound like that. It's almost… cute. Is the great and powerful Dark Sapphire finally losing her cool?"
Miki's teasing words, combined with the overwhelming sensation of the Gem's power, were too much. Aoi let out a choked sob. A dark indigo aura flared around her, wild and untamed.
"How does it feel, Aoi?" I asked, my free hand moving to her chest, caressing her.
Her head thrashed from side to side, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "It… It hurts… but it… ah! Master… it feels… I don't know! It's too much!"
Miki giggled, a light, musical sound laced with sadistic glee. "Too much? I think it sounds just right. You look so pretty when you're all flushed and messy, Aoi-chan. Maybe you should drop the 'cool and mysterious' act. This is a much better look for you."
Aoi let out a low, keening moan, a sound of pure, unadulterated pleasure. She was no longer fighting it.
"Don't fight it," I whispered, pressing the Gem harder against her core. "Enjoy it."
Aoi screamed, a raw, primal sound as the dark energy pulsed one last time. Her body convulsed, then collapsed back to the floor, panting and trembling, utterly spent. A look of dazed, blissful wonder was on her face. She had been completely unmade and remade.
The Ferris wheel completed its final rotation. We quickly got Aoi dressed. She was still in a daze, her legs shaky, so I scooped her up into my arms. Miki, looking perfectly composed and smug, followed as we exited the ride.
"That was… exciting, wasn't it?" I said.
I found a secluded bench and gently set Aoi down. She leaned against me, her head resting on my shoulder. "Yes, Master… exciting…" she whispered.
Miki giggled. "That was the best ride in the whole park! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go win a giant stuffed animal. A prize for a good girl!" She gave me a playful wink and skipped off.
Aoi slowly began to come back to herself. She straightened up but didn't move away. A small, genuine smile touched her lips. "Master… thank you. For today."
I rested her head on my chest. "I try not to play favorites, but… you're the one I worry about the most, Aoi. That grudge you had against Akane… is it gone?"
Aoi stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed, melting against my chest. "The grudge… It wasn't with Akane. Not really. It was with myself. For being jealous of a light I was supposed to protect. It was ugly. My weakness." She looked up at me, her dark sapphire eyes clear and unwavering. "But you… you took that ugliness and showed me how to turn it into strength. There is no grudge left, Master. You burned it away. There is only loyalty now."
"Good," I sighed contently. "But remember, you're all important to me. Not as servants or tools, but as… partners. Remind the others of that, too."
My words struck her with a gentle, unexpected force. A single, perfect tear escaped the corner of her eye. "…Partners…" she whispered. "Yes, Master. I understand."
Just then, my phone buzzed. A text from Kyoko.
From: Kyoko (Don't Call)
Contracts are signed. First training is Monday, 7 AM. Don't let them be late. They're my stars now. P.S. The advance on their signing bonus has been wired to your account. Don't say I never did anything for you.
Attached was a bank transfer notification for a sum of money so large it made my eyes water.
As the sun began to set, the other girls returned. Miki was proudly carrying a giant, fluffy unicorn. Akane was half-dragging a green-faced Homura, chattering about the G-forces on the "Vomit Comet."
"Let's go home," I said as they regrouped. "You all will be very busy starting Monday." I glanced at Akane and Homura. "Did you two have fun?"
"It was AWESOME!" Akane yelled.
All eyes turned to Homura. She clutched the water bottle I gave her earlier like a lifeline. A small, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. "It was… loud. And fast. But…" She looked at Akane, who was grinning at her encouragingly. "I wasn't alone. So… yes. I enjoyed today, Master."
It was a monumental admission. The team-bonding exercise, in all its chaotic, sugar-fueled glory, had been a resounding success.
"Analysis complete," Gemgem's voice hummed in my mind. "Unit cohesion established. Assets are primed and loyal. An excellent outcome. Now… take them home. Their new lives begin on Monday."