Aoi stared at the plush puppet in her hands as if she were deeply focused on something. "Hahaha, must've been my imagination," she muttered, smirking with a bit of pride as she held Ren again. "Puppets don't talk on their own. I'm the only one talking here."
Ren, feeling Aoi's warmth close by, thought back to what had happened earlier. Even though he wasn't human right now, he had felt a strange sensation—like he could move and even interact with the world, but only when Aoi had her hands inside him. Maybe I can only speak when she's controlling me, he thought, a mix of curiosity and confusion brewing inside him.
Aoi, however, seemed to be having fun. "You know, Ren," she said, as if chatting with herself while manipulating the puppet, "I like you. You're such a cute and beautiful girl. Who cares if you don't have magic like the other girls? I'll defeat everyone for you." Aoi, blushing slightly at her own words, continued, completely immersed in her puppet play. "Yup! I'm amazing—no one can stop me!"
Ren, frozen in his plush form, blushed internally at what Aoi was saying—as if he were the one actually speaking those words. What is going on?! he thought, unable to do anything but listen. Aoi, however, carried on with no shame.
"What's that, Ren? Just because you're being sweet doesn't mean I'm gonna let you sleep in my bed!" Aoi shouted suddenly, her voice tinged with both surprise and embarrassment. Ren could practically feel her blush in the words she was speaking.
Then, once again, that strange sensation returned. With great embarrassment, Ren's puppet hands twitched awkwardly, as if trying to cover his face. He couldn't clearly express emotions, but the discomfort was unmistakable. E-Eh… he thought, managing only a small pull on the strings that controlled his movements.
Aoi noticed and burst out laughing mockingly. "Looks like you're flirting with me," she said, more to herself than to Ren. "Well, if you insist… I guess you've earned a kiss."
Without warning, Aoi leaned in and, with a quick motion, planted a kiss on the puppet's cheek—like she was actually kissing Ren. The sensation was… strange. Even though Ren wasn't human anymore, he could feel the warmth of her action. It was bizarre—like his plush body was melting from embarrassment.
Completely stunned and flustered, Ren tried to move again. As if responding to the situation, his puppet hands lifted clumsily, covering his face like he was trying to hide. It was an entirely involuntary reaction, but for Aoi, it was more than enough to notice something very peculiar.
"W-What the hell?! Are you blushing?!" Aoi shouted, staring in disbelief at the puppet that seemed to react to her kiss. "What even are you?!"
Ren tried to respond, but could only manage small, jerky movements with his strings—his plush hands trembling with shame. The awkwardness of it all made things even worse. But what truly worried him was what Aoi might do next.
With a look that shifted between shock and confusion, Aoi leaned in again. "I don't believe it! You really blushed?! What kind of puppet are you?!"
Unable to fully control his movements, Ren felt a wave of panic rise when Aoi raised her hand—as if she might throw him against the wall again. Please don't throw me again! he pleaded internally, though it came out more as a thought than a clear voice.
Aoi froze.
Her wide eyes locked onto the puppet. "Huh? Are you… begging me not to throw you?" Her tone softened a bit, but it still held that blend of confusion and curiosity. "Wow… so you do have feelings…"
Embarrassed and with a knot in his stomach, Ren tried once more to move his hands. This time, with a slight pull, he raised his plush arms as if to beg—even though Aoi couldn't completely understand the gesture.
"Alright, alright… I won't throw you," Aoi said, her voice calmer now, though a playful glint still sparkled in her eyes. "But you still haven't convinced me you're trustworthy, Ren. You're gonna have to work on that."
Though still trapped in his puppet body, Ren felt a small wave of relief. Aoi had decided not to toss him again, but the fear of hitting the wall still lingered. Yet something else troubled him even more—the way Aoi seemed to enjoy manipulating him, like he was part of some game. Even if she didn't fully understand it yet, Ren had the distinct feeling that the two of them were slowly beginning to form a strange connection.
End of Chapter 4.