"Suiseiseki! You've chosen the path to your doom!"
A stifled roar announced the start of the day.
Bright sunlight streamed into the Kuonji residence, where two dolls were tussling beside the large floor-to-ceiling window.
Suigintou, brandishing a spoon in fury, chased Suiseiseki out the door.
All she'd wanted was a little snack before lunch, was that so wrong?
But one bite in, and the sweet pudding nearly burned a hole through her throat with its spiciness.
"It's a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding!" Suiseiseki cried, hiking up her skirts as she fled in panic.
The sound of the girls' squabble made Robin, perched atop the television, narrow his eyes. He tilted his head back slightly, rather pleased.
Suiseiseki and Souseiseki had been coming over to play for half a month now.
They visited almost daily, sometimes even staying the night.
They were gradually realizing that Suigintou wasn't as terrifying as she used to be.
Last night, Suiseiseki, her mischievous impulses suppressed for far too long, had finally extended her sinful little hands.
She'd sneaked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, found Suigintou's pudding, and added a dash of chili oil.
Strange, though. She'd only added a tiny bit, yet the newly purchased bottle was nearly empty~ Heh.
And that brought them to the present.
Suiseiseki's footsteps pattered in frantic rhythm.
How had Suigintou figured out it was her?
So tired. She couldn't keep this up; she was no match for Suigintou in a footrace.
She skidded to a halt, whirling around to face the fuming Suigintou with a look of utter seriousness. "It wasn't me! This is actually a special dessert, you know."
Suigintou frowned slightly, lowering the spoon she held.
"Have you forgotten? That shop."
"That shop?"
"You know, that one!" Suiseiseki's tone was full of conviction, as if scolding Suigintou for her poor memory. "Their latest new product is spicy pudding."
"I bought it especially for you."
As if grievously wronged, her eyes slowly welled with tears.
Her lips trembled, her expression the very picture of someone about to burst into sobs.
But the cold, merciless Suigintou wasn't buying it.
She stepped forward, grabbing a handful of Suiseiseki's hair.
"...Not bad acting. But do you take me for a fool?"
Suiseiseki stared, horrified. Her flawless explanation, seen through in an instant?
Being new here, she didn't know about the presence capable of perceiving everything that happened within the mansion.
The moment Suigintou tasted the spice-laden dessert, Robin had whispered the whole story into her ear.
Hmph. That stupid bird had done alright.
She'd reluctantly offer him some praise.
Suigintou's grip tightened. Suiseiseki's face began to contort in pain.
She flailed, trying to break free. The next second, the spicy pudding was shoved into her mouth.
"Die," Suigintou said with a vicious grin, clamping a hand firmly over her victim's mouth.
"Mmgh... mmmph... Shinku, save me..."
Shinku, who had been sipping her black tea, raised an eyebrow. She set her cup down and looked over. "Alice is upstairs working on Kirakishou's body. Whoever disturbs her is dead."
Suigintou shifted her grip to Suiseiseki's throat. "Understood?"
For some reason, the struggling doll in her arms was growing weaker, her body going limp.
"I'll let go if you understand."
"..."
"Suiseiseki?"
"..."
"Suiseiseki, say something!"
"Let her go, Suigintou! She's passed out!"
The dolls scrambled to deal with the aftermath.
Robin happily fluttered his wings to the side.
"My, my, what a peaceful day."
"To fulfill Suiseiseki's wish, I specifically waited until Suigintou had eaten it before telling her."
"Both Suiseiseki's wish to pull a prank and Suigintou's wish to find the culprit were satisfied."
He covered his face with a wing, seemingly moved by his own benevolence.
"How can such a benevolent being exist? Granting both young dolls' wishes at once—a win-win!"
"Not just you winning twice?" A clear, young female voice sounded behind him.
"How dare you! Who slanders me?!"
"You got to see Suigintou pranked, and you got to see Suiseiseki get her payback. Isn't that you winning twice?" Souseiseki stood behind him, a friendly smile on her face.
"Oh, it's you." Robin instantly deflated. He knew he was done for.
Damn it, why was this one always so precise in catching him?
"I'll tell Alice and the others, you know."
"Guh..."
"Here's lunch."
"Yay!"
Robin instantly sprang back to life.
He'd let future Robin deal with future problems. Right now, food was what mattered.
--+--
Upstairs, in Alice's room.
Kirakishou held a component reverently in her hands.
"Ahh, Master, is this... my body?"
"Yes."
Alice gently took the part from her. "It's only the chest for now."
"Let's test it."
She took the materials and stepped into the nearby mirror.
Back again in that familiar amusement park.
Because her body wasn't finished, Kirakishou couldn't enter the mansion proper.
At first, she'd been quite unhappy, puffing out her cheeks and clutching Alice's hand, refusing to let go.
Alice had spent the whole afternoon adjusting the Second Ticket, allowing Kirakishou to come and go this way. She could see the room and even extend her thorns through.
It had taken quite a bit of comforting before Kirakishou slowly loosened her grip.
Now, Kirakishou had basically taken up residence in the amusement park, living in the largest haunted house.
Alice entered the haunted house and went into Kirakishou's own little room.
Even though there were no outsiders in the N-Field, a girl should still try on her new body in her own room.
...Somehow that thought felt a bit creepy.
"Let's try it." Alice lifted the chest piece and slowly brought it to Kirakishou's chest.
The component gradually overlapped with Kirakishou's form, emitting a faint white light.
As the part fused, Kirakishou let out a soft, pained moan.
Alice slowly withdrew her fingers from within Kirakishou's form.
Kirakishou pressed her lips together tightly. The material was embedded within her, floating in the air alongside her.
Alice nodded in satisfaction.
Perfect. All that remained was to make the other parts.
As Kirakishou watched with a reluctant expression, Alice gently removed the component. "Don't worry, it'll be finished soon."
"Okay~"
--+--
She had just returned to her room.
Knock knock knock.
"Miss Alice." Souseiseki's voice sounded from outside the door. "Lunch is ready."
"Coming."
Alice carefully put away the materials and followed Souseiseki downstairs.
They had all grown more familiar with each other over this time.
During their interactions, Alice had noticed their magical energy seemed insufficient to fully sustain their activities.
They grew tired after playing too roughly with Suigintou, and Souseiseki had previously declined Suigintou's invitation to the Alice Game.
She walked slowly into the sunroom. Suiseiseki, looking utterly dejected with bright red lips, was setting out the food.
Boo hoo. Having learned her lesson this time, she had decided.
Next time, she'd be more careful not to get caught.
After Souseiseki took her seat, Alice asked softly, "Is the magical energy supplied by your Master insufficient?"
"..."
Souseiseki, holding her knife and fork, silently bowed her head.
Suiseiseki, on the other hand, was blunt.
"Completely inadequate."
She set a plate before Alice, panting heavily. "She's a doll herself. She can't possibly supply enough magic for all of us."
The Medium... is an automaton?
Alice's eyes narrowed instantly.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.