“Mr. Wizard, you must be joking. Why don’t you just tell me what you need me to do?”
Natsukawa Mirai could tell that the great wizard was messing around, and it also dawned on her that what he’d said earlier might have been a joke too. Maybe he wasn’t really some great wizard under the Heavenly Emperor’s command.
As for how she figured that out…
It was because the expression on his face was exactly the same as those shrine elders who loved to treat her like a little kid and tease her!
“Alright, since you’re in such a hurry, I’m happy to oblige.”
Natsuki stroked her smooth chin, as if pondering what to ask her to do.
“Got it. First, come give my legs a massage. For some reason, they’re feeling all sore.”
Sore legs?
Natsukawa Mirai was a bit confused.
They hadn’t walked that much, had they? The only walking they’d done was getting on and off the plane, and dragging their heavy suitcases through a short stretch.
“Okay…”
Even though she didn’t understand why he’d lie about something like that, Natsukawa Mirai decided to just do as he said.
After all, it was just a leg massage. Nothing too crazy.
“Sore legs? I don’t feel a thing. You’re such a tease, little wizard. I haven’t even gotten a massage from little Mirai yet!”
Rin Tachibana’s voice echoed in Natsuki’s mind, laced with a hint of jealousy. But on second thought, even though Mirai was massaging this so-called wizard, she could feel it too—and the body was hers. So in a way, it was like she was enjoying it too.
“Hehe~”
Natsukawa Mirai’s hands were soft, cool against Natsuki’s smooth, fair calves. Her gentle pressure sent tiny jolts of pain through the muscles.
But the pain wasn’t unpleasant. On the contrary, it was uniquely soothing—like every fiber of her calf muscles was finally relaxing.
“Ahh, that feels amazing!”
Rin Tachibana in her mind blurted out what Natsuki was feeling.
“I had no idea little Mirai had this skill! I’m definitely making her do this for me later!”
Mirai had actually taught herself massage back at the shrine.
The shrine elders were always busy with so many things—some even took on odd jobs outside to help cover the shrine’s expenses—so they came home exhausted every day.
As a young girl, Mirai couldn’t really help them with all that. The only thing she could do was massage their temples or shoulders each night to help them unwind.
As for why her leg massage technique was just as good even though she’d practiced on temples and shoulders—well, when you learn massage, you learn the whole thing. Who only studies half a subject?
It’d be like learning acupuncture and only figuring out how to stick the needles in, but not how to pull them out!
Okay, those two aren’t really the same thing. The truth is, Mirai just figured leg massages might come in handy someday, so she went ahead and learned it.
And look—now it’s paying off!
“Does it feel good?”
Natsukawa Mirai stared at the all-too-familiar face of her “good sister” in front of her, a hint of resentment flickering in her eyes.
She was, after all, the young lady of a shrine family. And here she was, humbling herself to massage a complete stranger who’d hijacked her best friend’s body—and he was making that face, looking all blissed out!
Dammit! One day, I’ll make you pay for this humiliation!
Natsuki lay flat on the soft bed, ignoring the heavy pressure on her chest and the half-blocked view, just relaxing into the massage.
Now she understood why so many people loved going to foot massage parlors and spa joints—especially the ones with pretty girls working there.
The experience was seriously top-notch.
“Mmm~”
Suddenly, Natsuki felt a sharp, intense sensation shoot up from the sole of her foot. She let out an involuntary moan, then quickly propped herself up and looked down.
“What are you doing?”
That sudden jolt—like an electric shock—was way too intense.
“Huh? I figured since I’d been massaging your legs for so long, I might as well loosen up your feet too. But if you don’t like it, I’ll stop.”
As she spoke, Natsukawa Mirai used a practiced motion to grasp the front part of Natsuki’s foot, pressing and circling her plump thumbs into the ball of the foot.
A tingling current shot up through Natsuki’s entire body from her soles, followed by an even deeper wave of comfort than the calf massage.
Maybe it was because girls’ feet have so many nerve endings—whether it was tickling Natsuki’s body as Natsuki Yue or Shirahata Cha, or now massaging Rin Tachibana’s soles—everything was extra sensitive.
“Wait!”
The blissful sensation stopped abruptly as Mirai’s smooth, snake-like hands slid back up to Natsuki’s calves.
A wave of disappointment washed over Natsuki for no apparent reason.
It was that feeling of returning to normal after experiencing something far more enjoyable.
No wonder they say it’s easy to go from frugal to lavish, but hard to go back. Only after visiting heaven do you realize how much earth feels like hell. Once you’ve seen more beautiful and wonderful things, ordinary pleasures just don’t hit the same.
“Oh? Is the great wizard done enjoying himself? Is there anything else this humble maiden can do for you?”
Natsukawa Mirai’s lips curled upward.
She knew her best friend’s feet were prone to fatigue and soreness.
Rin Tachibana liked to stay active, and what bothered her most was running—because every time she ran, not long into it, a dull ache would creep up from her soles.
That was because her feet were just that sensitive.
Which meant… if Mirai applied her massage techniques to those very sensitive soles, even the so-called great wizard of the Heavenly Emperor wouldn’t be able to hold out, right?
And just as she’d expected, Natsuki was left craving that ultimate sensation of comfort.
She looked at the young shrine maiden flashing a mischievous grin and felt like she was being played…
“Ahem. Let’s call it here for today. Got any water? I’m thirsty.”
Shaking off those distracting thoughts, Natsuki spoke with a dry, parched throat.
The mere pleasure of a foot massage will never ensnare me! I, Natsuki, will never surrender! A real man does not yield!
“Of course~”
Mirai acted all obedient, her sly grin softening back into a polite, gentle smile—like the sweet girl next door.
She stood up, and her wide sleeve accidentally brushed across Natsuki’s sole, sending another wave of tingling sensations through her body.
Natsuki shuddered.
“Here. This is a drink made from fruit juice—it’s really good. Rin-chan absolutely loves it.”
Mirai handed Natsuki a small container. It looked kind of like a cup, but the shape was a bit odd.
Natsuki didn’t hesitate—after all, she was currently in the body of Mirai’s good friend. Surely this little shrine maiden wouldn’t harm her own bestie, right?
