First Homemade

The next morning, I made paper and drew a ladder diagram on it.

First, I drew four vertical lines, then randomly added horizontal lines between them, folded it up.

After making sure even I couldn’t tell which line connected to which, I wrote letters down at the bottom.

I showed it to Risha.

“Which one from one to four? Pick your favorite.”

“Am I supposed to choose?”

“Yeah, this decides what swimsuit you wear today.”

“Then I’ll pick number one—wait, what?!”

“Number one it is. Got it.”

I was about to start the ladder game when I was stopped.

“H-hey, wait a sec, Master. What do you mean by swimsuit?”

“Didn’t I say? The swimsuit you’re wearing. Menu open.”

From DORECA, I pulled up a list and showed it to Risha.

“See? There are four women’s swimsuits. This is a ladder game to decide which one you’ll wear.”

“B-But me, wearing a swimsuit—”

"Swimming is forbidden on that beach unless you're wearing a swimsuit."

I said it flatly, cutting off her hesitation before it could start.

"Eeeeeee?!"

"Then let's go—first, first!"

"Wait, please, my lord."

Risha grabbed my arm, flustered.

"What's wrong?"

"Well... which one is 'first' exactly? Could it be... not this one?"

She asked me, voice trembling, eyes darting sideways.

A video played from the DORECA list—showing the swimsuits one by one.

It was a V-shaped one, mostly string-like.

High exposure. Definitely a good one.

"We're deciding which one with this ladders game. Like this."

Risha traced her finger from the top of the first rung, following the path down the folds.

"Go all the way to the bottom, pick one of the four. By the way, I don’t even know where I’ll end up myself. Total randomness."

"Such... my lord, what do the other three swimsuits look like?"

"Ah, the fun’s in the moment it hits. Don’t worry—those other three are all got more fabric than this one."

That’s right…

Risha looked visibly relieved.

Honestly, the amount of fabric in those string bikinis is what’s really bugging me.

Hmm. Wanna pick again? Either way, it’s just a lottery—random either way.

It was more like an ambush, really.

Give her a chance to choose again, just once.

...no.

Risha thought for a moment, then shook her head side to side.

Answered with a calm, deadpan expression—as if the frantic energy a moment ago had never happened.

This was chosen by my master's favor. So we’ll continue as is.

"Is that so."

I gave her a smile back.

Still as plucky and good as ever.

Then let's get started.

Yes

"Amidakuji, ammidakuji..."

Humming to herself, she traces the lines with her finger.

Unfolding the creases bit by bit, she traces her way down the amidakuji.

A gulp—came from the side.

Eventually, her fingertip reaches the finish.

“Hm.”

“How is it, my lord?”

“Be glad, Risha. This one has the largest fabric area out of the four.”

Risha let out a breath.

“Now then, let’s make it.”

Picking it from DORECA, she produces it using magic alone.

The one with the most fabric area among women’s wear—school swimsuits.

☆

Blue sky, white sand.

I’m wearing just swim trunks, producing a parasol with magic.

With palm trees planted around, the desolate feel from yesterday vanished completely—now it’s unmistakably a tropical beach.

Feels pretty good. A drink or two later, it’d be perfect.

Anything else needed…?

“G-My lord…”

Risha’s voice came through.

A timid voice, shy and hesitant.

I turn. There’s Risha.

She’s dressed… in a way that’s undeniably suggestive.

Just a shirt on top. Her usual dress was confiscated by me, but she’s clearly borrowed the one I left behind.

It covers a fair bit, but the swimsuit’s fabric still peeks out between her legs.

More arousing than being fully exposed.

“What’s that?”

“U-um…”

Risha fidgets. Classic embarrassment.

“Y-yes, it’s… embarrassing…”

“Ah, got it.”

Risha relaxes.

“Then take off the top.”

“E-eh? W-what?!”

“It’s my shirt. I never said I’d lend it—or let you keep it.”

I say it a little too firmly.

Not angry. Quite the opposite.

I want to compliment her for layering the shirt over the swimsuit so naturally, but that’s not the point right now.

I stare straight at her. A silent prompt with my eyes.

Risha fidgeted, cheeks pink, as she peeled off the shirt and stood in her swimsuit.

A white patch stitched over her chest read "Risha" on the navy fabric.

Perfect. Flawless. A school swimsuit that looked like it had been made for her.

The contrast between Risha’s sleek figure and the modest school swimsuit was… well… *that* kind of good. (,,)

So stunning I could’ve stared forever.

“S-Stop looking at me like that…”

“Can’t I? Is it forbidden for a master to look at her slave?”

“N-No, it’s not forbidden… but…”

She ducked her head, face flushed.

Normally, mentioning “master” and “slave” would’ve made her collapse instantly. But today? She didn’t cave. She blushed hard. Really hard.

It was refreshing. Fun.

“Alright, then. Let’s get started.”

“Yes.”

Risha nodded.

I flopped down onto the ground right there.

The sand was light and fine—no sticky mess—so lying flat on my back felt good.

Lying there, eyes closed, listening to the sea.

Kinda calming, actually.

"Um... my lord?"

Still lying down, I looked up. Risha stared at me, puzzled.

"What?"

"Are we... not starting?"

"Starting? I'm starting. Starting to rest."

"Shouldn't you be doing something?"

"Nope. Just resting like this."

"Huh..."

Risha looked utterly confused.

Then I'd just have to show her.

"Risha. Sit there."

"Yes."

Risha sat exactly where I said.

I shifted my body and rested my head on her thigh.

Knee pillow.

"Stay still."

"...Yes."

—— Magical energy charged: 5,000.

Risha gave a soft smile. The shyness from just a moment ago? Gone.

Still resting on her knee, I asked.

“Is that swimsuit embarrassing?”

“…a little, just a bit.”

“Shall I switch to another one?”

“Um…?”

“Hm?”

“Actually… I’d prefer this one, but not with the strings, if possible.”

“Hmm. Menu open.”

Doreca was pulled out. I looked at the swimsuit.

The remaining two—thinking which one to pick.

One was a regular bikini. The other was a pareo—type with a waist wrap.

Either one’s fine… but which one?

“Oh, a shell.”

“Hm?”

I followed Risha’s gaze.

A scallop-shaped shell lay at the water’s edge.

I sat up.

“Risha. Pick that up. About three of them.”

“Understood.”

Risha went without a single question.

While waiting, I shaped a cord from magic.

“How’s this, master?”

“Let me see. Yeah, perfect.”

“What are you going to do with it?”

“Watch and see.”

I bored a hole through the shell and threaded a cord through it. In no time at all, a shell bikini was finished.

“Here, this one’s for you.”

“Thank you.”

Risha took it.

At first she blinked, confused, then stared at it twice, and finally her cheeks softened.

“This… this was made by my master…”

She murmured it, hugging the shell bikini with tender care.

——Magic power charged: 100,000.

“You’re happy, huh.”

Your face says it, and your magic’s spiking too.

“Because it’s something my master made… I’ve never had anything like this before—not from a card.”

Hmm? Was that right?

Maybe.

“Well, if you’re happy, then all the effort was worth it.”

“Thank you so much!”

“Anyway, go change into it.”

“Change… into it?”

Risha looked utterly lost, like she had no idea what I meant.

I pointed at the shell bikini.

“This is a swimsuit.”

“Eeeh?!”

“Come on, put it on. You’ve come this far.”

“B-But….”

Risha hesitated, then gave in, slipping into the shell bikini.

“Master’s….”

——Magic power charged: 50,000.

Not as scandalous as a school uniform, but Risha looked just a little too pleased about it, so that was fine.