When I played video games with the girls, I realized I had been missing a personal laptop since I moved into the Kurusu household. Having gone through college, I have become much more extroverted. While I enjoyed the company of the girls and Kurusu, I always wanted to spend my time alone in my room. A laptop was essential since our CEB books could only be so entertaining.

Then I contacted Smith and asked if a laptop would be covered by living expenses as long as I used it for "work purposes." She quickly replied it shouldn't be a problem but hung up quickly. Well, so long as I get my answer, it doesn't matter. She usually throws a jab or two, but I may have caught her incorrectly.

After ordering one on my smartphone with the desired specs, I noticed a centaur hovering directly above me. "Hello, Centorea," I called out, "how are you?" I tilted my head from where I was lying.

In response, she began with "Hello, Bando-sama," fidgeting in her position and not looking directly at me. "Perhaps... we could discuss that matter now?" she suggested.

Well, I didn't have to pursue the issue with her. However, the peculiar sense of awkwardness that hung over our interactions began to bother me.

I nodded and pushed myself. "Sure. Wanna walk and talk?" I volunteered. "I was thinking of checking out the game store since we don't have many games."

Centorea's noble features flickered excitedly, and her long ears quirked slightly. I expected that to help her relax. "That would be fine," she replied, clearly restraining herself.

"Ok, cool. Kurusu-san!" I shouted towards where I assumed he was.

"Yes?" He was indeed in the kitchen.

" Centorea and I are running out," I told him before we left, "so I am taking the card."

"That sounds good, but don't be late for lunch!" Kurusu called after us.

"Yup, mom," I replied drolly, and we left. It had been a beautiful day, with a cool breeze that kept the heat at bay and birds chirping in the sky, which made it a perfect day to go shopping for video games inside. The only sound Centorea made was her clopping hooves echoing off the pavement. Thankfully, she broke the ice for us.

As we walked, Centorea started, prompting me to tilt my head in her direction as we continued walking. "I must admit, what you said the other night hit a bit close to home."

No shit. Saying that might've been insensitive, but I nodded to acknowledge. "How so?" I inquired.

In a clinical tone, she explained that centaurs have struggled with a decreased birth rate for the past few generations. "It isn't advertised to humans, but those working with the Cultural Exchange know about it. Have you heard of it?"

Right, I remember... "It's about the females being unhappy with the males, isn't it?" I replied, thinking it over more before expanding further, "The males tend to be pretty simple-minded and only focus on becoming stronger, which is pretty much turning off the women.."

The subject must've been uncomfortable for Centorea, so she nodded, glad she didn't have to explain too much. "It is so. Therefore, we mate with less... vulgar men to suit our tastes better." Considering our children are always centaurs regardless of their father's species, we felt this a good solution."

"Although the centaur men took issue," I concluded logically.

"They and... a vocal minority of women," Centorea grimaced, and I knew her thoughts were likely turning to her mother. "But not for the reasons you'd expect," she added. As long as we produced strong centaurs, the men didn't matter who we wanted, but for them, the only way to have strong centaurs is by breeding two 'pure' centaurs."

I knew all that already, but Centorea only did something with reason. I let her keep going. Eventually, she'd get to the point. "right, gotta keep the bloodline strong and all that jazz."

Yes, "all that jazz," she confirmed gravely. "There was a compromise of sorts made to appease them."

The teasers," I replied. Centorea stared appraisingly. She hadn't expected me to come to the same conclusion. "When Smith-san told me who I would be living with, I did a lot of research on your species," I explained. "You don't seem like the girl who would want that relationship."

"I don't!" Centorea declared vehemently, raising her voice so high that passers-by stared. Although centaurs were already not exactly common sight even then, Centorea seemed to be a little self-conscious about it now, clearing her throat and folding her arms with a sincere expression.

"Initially, I only gave you some truth when you asked why I came here. I indeed wanted to find a lord worthy of my service. Nevertheless, that wish resulted from a desire to flee my home and the rutting that I would have to engage in..." she spat out the words as if they were venom.

An epiphany occurred to me at that moment.

"What the full moon did to you," I realized, feeling everything click into place in my head, "Is why you were so upset."

"In all honesty, had you not spoken up, I probably wouldn't have noticed the hypocritical loss of control I suffered," Centorea confessed, looking down at the ground. "Indeed, even if I hadn't... m-m-mated with Master without your intervention, I probably would not have been bothered by this whole thing."

I struggled to recall my exact words when I blew up at the girls that night. It made sense because Centorea, in canon, clearly moved on without too much issue from the entire moon event. So what was it...

My behavior almost led me to leave my home in the first place, " Centorea said. "It is unforgivable for a centaur woman like me to have her ideals compromised by her desires so easily," she said, reaffirming her resolve that had replaced the previous wavering doubt. "I will take what you said to heart," she beat her chest for emphasis, causing me to deliberately staring at her face. "And pursue Master faithfully!" she said.

Despite my mixed feelings, I stood there emboldened by centorea's sincerity and desire to improve. But still...

"I think," I began slowly, "you're being too melodramatic about this."

Incredibly, Centorea laughed. "I expected you to say such a thing," she replied cheerfully. Despite my difficulty keeping track of her emotions, the longer we talked, the better she felt. She was probably just relieved that she had finally spoken up. "You tend to be bluntly honest, Bando-sama."

"Eh, I don't know," I scratched the back of my head, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "Am I that bad?"

With a smile, Centorea said, "I didn't intend to offend you, but I had been avoiding you because your words caused me dissatisfaction, and I didn't know how to treat you. My apology is for that."

"The incident isn't all that serious," I assured her. "You're a great person, and Kurusu-san is a lucky guy to have you."

A rosy blush spread across Centorea's cheeks, and she muttered, "Thank you."

As I walked ahead sarcastically, "So we're done with all this real talk?" I asked. "I don't mind. I have some extra on my plate lately."

Centorea replied, "I've said everything I wanted," As she caught up, I saw the lightness in her steps. Making me smile, she added, "Now I feel much better."

"That's great. What kind of games do you enjoy? I assume you've played a few."

"Recently, I have been fascinated with role-playing games, especially fantasy ones."

"No surprise," I replied, "I'm a big fan of those too. What type of character do you usually run?"

"Run?"

"My bad, I meant to play. Sorry, gamer jargon."

"That makes sense. As a warrior, I 'run' on the front lines, taking on my foes with steel in hand so that my comrades will be safe!" she proudly exclaimed.

"Yes, that sounds like you!" Most people play RPGs to become someone other than themselves. Still, I felt childish mocking Centorea for doing something like that. "I normally go for a mage build, but since you like playing the knight, I've got the perfect challenge for you."

The knight in Centorea said, "I am never one to back down from a challenge!" "Please tell me about this game; hopefully, we can find it in the store."

It would be best if you were careful with your wishes, Centorea.

I might have enabled it too much, but she said she liked challenges...

Unapologetically, I asked her, "Have you ever heard of Dark Souls?"

To be continued...