"Since you don't want to part ways with me, shouldn't you say something nice to my ears?"
"If you say something that pleases me, maybe after we leave Amphoreus, I'll go home with you~"
Lumina's voice was soft, but deep within her words, there was indeed a hint of temptation that ordinary people would find hard to notice.
It was just like a medieval miko tempting a little girl alone, preparing to trick her into coming home, then eat her up and wipe the plate clean...
"...Something nice, what kind of nice thing should I say?"
Herta was no ordinary person, much less some naive little girl who had not seen much of the world. The temptation in Lumina's words was something Herta could naturally sense.
As for this, she didn't care particularly much. Just like the previous sentence, she was not some naive little girl. Therefore, she could withstand temptation.
What Herta cared more about now was what kind of trick Lumina was preparing to use to play with her this time.
As expected, this time, she was preparing to use a verbal attack.
"Of course, the kind of nice things that sound good." Lumina smiled faintly, not getting angry at Herta's feigned ignorance. Lumina tapped her slender little finger against the corner of her lips, her eyes drifting slightly upward as she murmured as if treasuring a gem, "For example, something like Sister Lumina, my dear Sister Lumina, the Sister Lumina I admire and love the most... things like that."
"No matter which one it is, as long as it comes from your own mouth, Little Herta, I'll feel super, super happy."
"So, as long as Little Herta likes it, you can say any of these nice nicknames you want, it doesn't matter, I won't mind at all."
Lumina winked at Herta, gesturing in a very generous and understanding manner.
If an outsider saw this scene, they would probably think Lumina was some kind of considerate and understanding good sister, right?
Although she actually was something like that...
But for Herta, this was definitely not okay.
"Little Sister Lumina is fine, but nothing else." Herta glanced at her coldly, refusing to choose any of them.
Lumina seemed to have given her many options, but in reality, how were they any different from a single option?
Weren't they all just different ways of calling her "Sister"?
Herta could manage calling her a nice nickname.
But calling her "Sister"? No, absolutely not!
How was that any different from directly declaring oneself the "weaker party," directly declaring oneself the "little sister"?
Although Herta had long since resolved to seduce Lumina, to let Lumina make the first move and then eat her up and swallow her whole, eventually allowing her to sink completely into it.
But Herta would not give up because of this behavior, would not call Lumina "Sister" because of this behavior, and would not consider herself "little sister" because of this behavior.
In Herta's view, this single action was merely a necessary patch of thorns to cross on the road to success.
Once she crossed these thorns, she would see the coming of Dawn.
Then, she would achieve a counterstrike and make Lumina willingly call her "Big Sister Herta"!
To put it simply, it was to endure, endure, and endure again, waiting until the day the opportunity ripened, then deliver the most fatal blow to Lumina, finally achieving a counterstrike!
Herta's grand ambitions were buried deep in her heart, so how could she ever give up easily?
"Heh... Then after Amphoreus is over, let's just go our separate ways," Lumina said softly, smiling as if she had seen right through Herta's current thoughts.
"No!"
Hearing this, Herta immediately vetoed it, refusing to let such an outcome happen.
"Then call me something nice. Pick one of those options and say it."
"No!"
Herta vetoed it again.
"Hmph!" A flash of anger instantly crossed Lumina's brow. "This is a no, that is a no... Little Herta, what exactly are you trying to do!"
"Do you... cough." Herta blurted it out, but immediately realized what she'd said and stopped herself, then started acting like a spoiled child: "Anyway, no means no. Change the condition."
"I won't agree to that."
"Unless..." At this point, Herta paused slightly, a glimmer of light appearing in her calm eyes as she glanced at Lumina. "Unless you call me 'Big Sister Herta' first."
If she said it first, and then she said it back, then there would be no problem at all.
Of course, Herta could also choose to get it for free.
After Lumina said it, Herta could choose to act like a rascal, refuse to say it no matter what, and just get it for free... But Herta disdained such behavior. As long as Lumina said it once, Herta would definitely say it back.
Only affection contributed mutually could last a long time.
She understood this truth very clearly.
"Heh, then how about you call me one first, and then I'll call you one?" Lumina agreed to Herta's proposal.
But, the one who said it first absolutely had to be Herta.
Herta had to say it first, then Lumina would say it. Otherwise, what if she got taken advantage of?
It had always been Lumina who took advantage of others, so how could she possibly allow others to take advantage of her?
Although Lumina was certain that if she said the four words "Big Sister Herta," Herta would definitely not take advantage of her given her personality, and would definitely respond with "Sister Lumina."
But still, there was a slight difference between saying it first and saying it second.
For example, the one who said it first was sincere, while the one who said it after seemed to be doing so reluctantly, just to spare her sister's feelings.
So, even though she knew Herta wouldn't cheat her, Lumina would definitely not say it first.
"No." Herta shook her head, refusing decisively.
Herta's thoughts were exactly the same as Lumina's, so she would absolutely never agree.
But... but after the journey to Amphoreus ended, she would have to part ways with Lumina. Herta would absolutely never agree to that either...
But, but Herta also couldn't bring herself to put aside her pride.
After all, this was a matter of "dignity," a matter concerning her "future" happiness. Herta didn't want to make any concessions.
"Then we'll talk in person." Lumina hummed softly, as if she had already decided something. "Little Herta, cherish this journey to Amphoreus."
"When this journey ends, it will also be time for us to say goodbye."
After saying this, before Herta could say anything, Lumina suddenly quickened her pace, passed Herta, and returned to Castorice and the others, using gentle words to liven up the atmosphere and soothe their nervousness.
Leaving Herta alone, whose pace remained slow.
Herta: "..."
Lumina, chatting and laughing with Castorice and the others up ahead, secretly glanced back at Herta. Seeing her expressionless posture, she couldn't help but feel a wave of pleasure in her heart.
After Amphoreus ended, would Lumina really say goodbye to Herta?
Of course not. Little Herta was so beautiful, what would Lumina do with her free time if she parted ways with her?
Then why did Lumina say that?
Of course, it was to put "a little bit" of pressure on Herta.
After all,
Only with pressure comes motivation.
Only with motivation can it be transformed into action...