For the next few days, I guarded the box with my life. I was tempted to throw the girls' socks in with our own laundry just to get the stink out, but then they might kick my ass for messing with their stuff. Then again, they would probably do the same if they knew I had been smelling their dirty socks. Quite a conundrum, but not one that I would be sharing with the rest of the crew.

The day had come for me to return the packages to their rightful owners. The coordinates Kuriko had given me led right to the home of Kirara and Urara, where Kuriko was also staying for the time being. But once I turned the corner, I saw bushes rustling near their property. I think it might have been the perp!

"Hey you!" I shouted.

Whoever it was clearly heard me, because they immediately started running off. It had to be the perp, why else would he run after being caught sneaking onto someone else's property? It didn't take long for me to catch up with him, and just as I rounded the corner...

"ELIZABETH?"

The perp turned around revealing himself as what Katsura calls his female pet. I still think it's a guy in a duck suit. Either way, he...she talks with signs mostly, and somehow she conveniently had some prepared for what I was ready to ask.

"You're the perp?" I asked.

"'Perp' is a relative term," Elizabeth said on her sign.

"No it's not!" I exclaimed, "What are you even doing stealing girls' socks?"

"To please Katsura," Elizabeth's sign replied, "Don't tell him I told you this, but he has a foot fetish. I do this all the time for him."

Katsura has a foot fetish too?

"Do what all the time?" I asked.

"Stealing girls' socks," Elizabeth's sign replied, "He thinks there's a magic fetish fairy that grants wishes, and that it's why girls' socks always end up on his doorstep. He likes to smell them when he thinks he's alone."

If only that fetish fairy were real.

"Be that as it may, I have to return these pairs," I reluctantly told her, "So you can't have them."

"Fine, keep those," Elizabeth's sign said, "But I expect something in return for this."

"...like what?"

"A used pair of Kagura's socks," her sign said, "Since you live with her, it should be easy to get a pair of those."

"Yeah, sure, just get out of here," I said, brushing past her as she left.

Joke is on them. I have never once seen Kagura wear socks. She's usually either barefoot or in flats. So whatever pair Katsura gets, it's not gonna be Kagura's. Anyhow, approaching the familiar home, I knocked on the door and waited about five seconds before it creaked open. Kuriko's eyes peeked through the crack, making sure it was me.

"Oh, it's you," she said, "Are the socks still in there?"

"All three pairs," I replied, "And I may have also chased off your perp."

"You saw him?" cried Kuriko, "You should have let me at him!"

"I don't think she will be bothering you for some time," I told her, giving the package back.

"She?" asked Kuriko, "Actually, never mind, just come in."

The house was just as quaint as I remember it. Small and cozy, in a quiet neighborhood. I guess when you're sick most of your life you need that quiet. Speaking of whom, Kirara was sitting at the short table in the center of the living room with a mat placed over it, tucking her legs inside. She gave me a warm smile as I entered. Urara on the other hand, was distracted on the phone with one of her many friends that she didn't even regularly speak to in person.

"Just sit tight and I'll be right back with your reward," Kuriko said.

Kuriko went into the back room as I stood waiting.

"You could have a seat here if you'd like," Kirara said meekly.

"Oh, thanks," I said in reply.

I sat across from her at the short table, placing my legs under the mat. I wasn't quite sure what to say, only noticing her still smiling at me. Though we corresponded many times via letter writing, this was the first time since our very first meeting that we had seen each other in person.

"So how have you been?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm much better," Kirara replied, "Still sick, that won't change, but I feel happier lately."

"That's wonderful," I said.

"So..." Kirara trailed off, as if she didn't want to say it, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is it true that you're into girls' feet?"

My head did a double take when she asked that question. Quiet little Kirara actually asking me...wait. How would she...

"Have you been talking to Kagura?" I asked.

"Kuriko has," she replied, "And she shared it with us."

What does Kagura not understand about keeping a secret? Wasn't the whole point of me being blackmailed by her was that she wouldn't tell people?

"It's okay, Shinpachi," she said, "It's not the worst thing about a girl to be attracted to."

Well I'm glad somebody understands that.

"Would you have been more attracted to me if I had pretty feet?" she shyly asked.

"W-Why wouldn't I find you attractive without pretty feet?" I asked her, "Not...not that I've ever seen your feet."

As if on cue, Kirara removed her legs from under the table, pulled her long socks off, and placed her bare feet on the table, just inches away from my face. Without objection.

"Now would I?" she asked.

I stared into her pale soles. Of course they would be soft. I could tell, not just by the fact that she had limited physical activity, but also by the lack of wrinkles and dry skin. I was practically hypnotized, especially when I saw her long, slender toes spreading apart. She knew she had me.

"I...suppose there are perks to that," I replied, trying not to be too obvious.

"...will you kiss them please?" Kirara asked.

Holy crap! She actually wants me to worship her feet! And there's no catch! No blackmailing, no pick-pocketing, just regular worship! How could I say no? A little too eagerly, she pushed her feet closer to my face, just as I began to kiss her arches. It was only a few seconds later before I put her big toe into my mouth. The taste was absolutely perfect! Now all five of her toes were in my mouth, rubbing the top of my tongue, which soon found its way in between the toes. And the best part? No toejam! Smooth digits all the way!

She put her toes back into my mouth, this time pushing her foot further in so that my tongue was licking her arches. My back was now on the ground as she stretched out her legs further. She looked so happy I was worshiping her feet. Finally someone who appreciates this! Her feet taste so good! I was completely sucking on her foot now, and she was on cloud nine! And all while this was happening, I felt her other foot step onto my free hand! Oh man, they felt so soft in my palms! My hands started sweating so much, I thought they might soil her perfect, delicate feet! It was a good couple minutes with one foot in my mouth (literally) and the other in my hand.

And then someone had to go and noisily open the door, causing Kirara to jump back into her normal position just before Kuriko could see us.

"Excuse me?" she asked, "Kirara, could you come in for a minute?"

"Um, s-sure," she said, meekly getting up and walking into the other room.

Dammit all! I was having so much fun, and clearly Kirara was, too! Why did Kuriko have to ruin the moment? Speak of the devil, she motioned for me about a minute later.

"Your reward is ready, now," Kuriko said, walking back in the room.

Well, at least I'm about to get paid. Who'd have thought I'd actually be paid to guard the girls' pair of worn socks? I followed behind Kuriko intot the room the other three girls had occupied.

And boy, talk about a reward...