Chapter 7: Probing
"So they just stick out of your shoulder blades? How strange..." muttered Vahn, unabashedly inspecting Tsubaki's wings as she stood with her hair danging over the front of her shoulders, her back exposed after removing her blouse.
"You're remarkably calm," remarked Sona, prompting Vahn to stare at her in confusion as she added, "Most boys in this situation would be flustered or excited."
"But none of you look flustered," noted Vahn, looking around at the other five girls circling him, finding them staring at him with expressions ranging from curiosity to suspicion.
"Well...we're Devils," contended Sona. "We're used to dealing with humans and their errant desires."
"Mmm...I see..." muttered Vahn, returning his gaze to Tsubaki's exposed back. He knew what Sona meant by him getting excited, as romance was a common theme in even shonen manga, but since he had never been in a situation like the one at present, he wasn't sure how to behave. After all, it wasn't like Tsubaki was his girlfriend.
"Tsubaki, you may fix your uniform," said Sona.
"Yes, my Lady," responded Tsubaki, retracting her wings and giving Vahn an impassive glance over her shoulder before donning her blouse.
"Did I do something wrong...?" asked Vahn, a concerned frown marring his face as he met Sona's gaze.
"Not exactly," answered Sona. "Though, in similar circumstances, it might be prudent to pay the woman exposing herself to you a compliment. Girls appreciate things like that, especially if the person complimenting them is handsome."
"Oh...I see..." muttered Vahn, returning his gaze to Tsubaki, who was still in the middle of fixing her blouse. She noticed this, causing their gazes to meet, so with what he hoped was a sincere smile, Vahn unabashedly said, "Your back was very pretty."
"Oh? Thank you for the compliment," responded Tsubaki, offering a slight smile as the rest of her companions, excluding Sona and Tsubasa, giggled in amusement.