Rosa leads me to the sitting parlor for the one-on-one evaluation

With enthusiasm, Rosa led me out and away from the conference. I'd used up too much time on that conference, but at least I'd gotten out before the whole thing ran its course. Now, the two of us could talk alone together in the sitting parlor. Presumably, it would be empty... she knew I intended this to be a one-on-one conversation.

Crap. Maria was there, watching a cartoon on television on an old-style, 1969 TV. I couldn't name the cartoon. Call it Blugs Bunny or whatever stupid thing you want to.

I should have figured this would happen. Rosa was smiling, as if to say, "surely it's okay if my child sits in on our meeting? I hate to leave her alone." She thought she was going to win points as a good mother who was holding down a job while taking care of a cute kid...

I smiled, hiding my irritation. Of course... of course it was fine if we did this with Maria here. The witch's words rang in my head.

Ushiromiya Maria is not 18.

Maria is excluded from sexual scenarios.

Crap! I've run into a lot of situations where I'm not allowed to kill, but this is the first time where sex was explicitly forbidden to me! I wondered what would happen if I **** myself on Rosa now. Would I just pop like a balloon? Hey, Witch- isn't that worse for the kid long-term than seeing some American man putting the moves on her mother? Why is kissing her mom off the table but it's okay to just kill me in front of her?!

No... No, I need to calm down. With an even expression, I evaluated Rosa's business. Rosa told me about the brief blips, the temporary monetary troubles, the various small inconveniences she was working hard to overcome, the ways she planned to turn it all around. I watched Rosa's smile falter as Maria started her "uuu, uuuuu," explaining how Mama was very good at making dolls and dresses for Maria. I felt my own heart melting. Ah... What a good kid. That kid really wants her mama to succeed, doesn't she? And Rosa really is pretty good at making dolls. My own smile was softening. I asked Maria if she'd mind too much if I watched TV with her for a bit.

Ah! It was like having my own child. A cute daughter that loves her mother despite the flaws and adores Blugs Bunny. I told Maria to watch TV all she wanted while Rosa and I talked.

The peaceful night carried on as I got a good overview of Rosa's unfortunately over-embellished financial situation. Servants knocked to offer us fine tea and cookies. The brief time with that family was almost more bliss than I've experienced throughout all of my sexual exploits throughout this story.

When someone entered silently and shot me, I'd like to think it looked a bit harmless, like when Blugs tricks Elmer Fludd into shooting D'laffy Duck. I'll be fine when the next episode starts up. It only hurt to know that this familial love in my chest would be again replaced with that lustful, horny version that only wants to fuck Maria's mother...