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Listening to her partner's thoughts on the future aspirations of her 'friends', Cynthia couldn't help but become curious. "What about me? What do you think?"
Emilia saw that Noelle was still lost in thought, so she decided it wouldn't hurt to talk to Cynthia for a while. 'Cynthia's dreams huh… well, you probably just dream of always being able to dream and laze around, right? Don't worry, this is one dream I can make come true for you!'
Cynthia immediately bristled. "Have I been too lenient on you recently?!"
Emilia grinned mischievously in her mind. 'I was just guessing, don't be mad, ah. Although I'll try my best for the missions so you can laze around, you can always mention anything else you want, too. I'm always here.'
The raven-haired girl was silent for a few moments, and Emilia couldn't tell what she was thinking at all.
In the end, Cynthia coughed. "W-Well, whatever, i-it's not like I care! But I'll have you know I do have a dream, and it's bigger and better than any of these stupid mortals you seem to idolize so much!"
Emilia couldn't help but be a little surprised in her heart. 'Now you've got me curious! What is it?!'
There was a moment of stunned silence between them before Cynthia scoffed. "H-Hmph, a-as if I'd tell you!"
Emilia could only pout. 'Aww…'
Due to her silence, Noelle soon broke out of her daze, but becoming aware of their position only made her feel stranger. At this point, wouldn't it look even weirder if she hurriedly withdrew her hands or tried to throw Emilia off?
Helpless, Noelle could only let her palms rest on the younger girl's slim waist as she coughed awkwardly. "Y-You sure have a wild imagination, huh? Any others you have tried to figure out?"
Because of her partner's rejection, Emilia's voice was a little less cheerful than before as she continued. "Um, let's see, then… let's continue with Michelle. I think she dreams of being the best maid in the universe, able to serve her master in every way possible."
At this point, Noelle couldn't help but note how all of the 'dreams' mentioned by Emilia seemed to revolve around herself somehow. 'D-Don't tell me this little girl is really so… narcissistic?'
Unaware of her thoughts, Emilia continued hesitantly. "Mhm, then, Penny… well, she dreams of one day screwing her idol into a coma?"
Noelle frowned as she suddenly had a bad feeling. "And who is her 'idol'?"
Emilia blinked as she rubbed her cheek against Noelle's with a smile. "Guess?"
The gray-haired girl sighed. "Don't tell me it's you?"
Well, considering this girl was the most fanatical of her fangirls… Noelle actually believed this one might be true.
A delighted giggle and the feeling of something incredibly soft pressing against her cheek left Noelle stunned.
With her heart beating so wildly that it might just jump right out of her chest, the gray-haired girl barely heard Emilia's 'congrats, you got that right' as she tried her best to calm herself down. "O-Of course."
Noelle grit her teeth and used all her willpower to reign in her wandering thoughts. She knew that if she really gave in, scaring the younger girl away would be the least of her worries.
Thinking about the inevitable mess if she really got directly involved in a relationship with her little boss, Noelle finally managed to restore her mind to a somewhat normal state and refocus on their conversation.
She couldn't let Emilia notice any abnormalities, or this seductive little minx might directly tease her into a social death!
Of course, while Noelle thought she had covered up pretty well, how could Emilia not feel how painfully tight her grip was around her waist?
But since Noelle insisted on maintaining her image, Emilia just smiled and pretended not to notice. "Anyway, moving on, Koko probably dreams of one day being the smartest girl in the world, and marrying the most beautiful wife as well! Then she could look down at her mother and say, look, who is the one who looks stupid now?!"
While Noelle was looking at her doubtfully, Cynthia chuckled. "And her mother would say, oh, it's me, for giving birth to such a—"
Emilia giggled. 'Oh you, don't make fun of her! She's cute.'
"Yeah yeah, whatever."
Emilia smiled. 'Anyway, it doesn't matter if their dreams are big or small.'
Everyone who had a light in their eyes that shone with hope for a better tomorrow dreamed of something deep in their hearts, whether they realized it or not.
And Emilia had always been attracted to that light.
Noelle had already calmed her heart down by now and made up her mind. Anyway, all she needed to do was maintain her self-control.
Anyway, as long as she didn't give in, what could Emilia do? The soft little body in her arms was completely harmless, and Noelle now understood that the only 'danger' was the weakness of her willpower!
As long as she remained firm in her conviction to never give in to the girl's mischievous seduction, it was fine to enjoy a little bit of cuddling like this.
Once she made up her mind like that, Noelle's expression visibly eased as she embraced Emilia more firmly on her lap, becoming even more aware of how soft the girl's cheek felt as it squished against the side of her face.
Thankfully, no one could observe her expression, so Noelle didn't worry about it much as she smiled. "You're quite certain of all these 'ideas'? What if you're wrong? After all, it doesn't seem like you have directly asked them, right?"
Emilia shook her head without hesitation. "It's not like I need to know what they dream of, as long as I know that they dare to dream. And if something blocks their way, I obviously have to get rid of it if I can."
Noelle frowned as she tightened her hold on the younger girl's slim waist. "Get rid of?"
Keenly aware of the reproachful tone in the older girl's words, Emilia couldn't help but pout. "I have a feeling you're thinking something extremely rude!"
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