"..."
Rio was speechless before the intruder who had introduced himself as Hieronymus. This was completely unexpected.
Should she have Toki use Ab-Eshuh to fight?
No. It was too early to use that. Furthermore, using their full power in this fight would deplete the trump card they needed for future opponents.
Besides, inside this building, there wasn't even enough time for Toki to equip it.
In short, there was no way to defeat this person.
"Didn't I tell you? I can hear your mind working from here."
"Ugh!!"
Hieronymus seized Rio's neck with his praying hands and began to choke her.
"Honestly... of all the people to provoke, you provoked that child."
"Ugh..."
She couldn't breathe. She felt like she was truly going to die.
No. Not felt like.
She was going to die.
"You truly are an unlucky child. Well. I suppose it's none of my concern."
"Gasp..!"
Perhaps growing tired of this, Hieronymus threw the choking Rio towards where Toki lay.
Rio closed her eyes, expecting to crash into the wall.
Thump.
"Huh...?"
But the impact never came.
"Are... you... alright...?"
It was because Toki, who had been sent flying, had caught Rio just before she hit the wall.
"Compared to what you did, you have a truly good subordinate."
"P-please... don't... insult Rio-sama too much..."
Toki's voice trembled as she replied, showing how hard she had been hit against the wall.
Hieronymus simply looked at Toki with a touch of pity.
"That wasn't an insult. I merely struck you with facts."
"Isn't that... the s-same thing...?"
"Yes, let's assume it is. But... don't you resent her? From what I can see, she has severely restricted your actions. Which is why you seem to have no friends."
"..."
Toki remained silent at Hieronymus' words. Because what he said was true.
However, that didn't mean she resented Rio.
"Whether you cannot answer, or whether it is not worth answering. I am curious, but I shall restrain myself. So, how long will you just stand there and watch?"
Toot toot!! The sound of a train whistle echoed. With that, the place that had resembled a church gradually blurred, and from it emerged a cat magician riding a train: Goz.
Meow~! Meow!! (You're too much! I was going to go out first and start the show, but you jumped the gun!!)
"It's not my fault you're slow. Although... I've left something for you to do. Go to the location shown on that screen and retrieve Shiro and Kuro, who are complaining excessively about that child. If they keep that up, it'll cause problems later."
Meowww!! Meow!! (You're just pawning them off on me because you can't be bothered to listen to those kids complain!!)
"So you dislike it?"
Meow!! (Of course, I'd be happy to!! I'm going to see my assistants for a show after a long time!!)
Goz was grateful to Hieronymus. He hadn't been able to see his siblings often since their master had placed them separately.
It was the kind of statement that would make Shiro and Kuro shudder if they heard it.
"Then go. I'll warn the brats who kidnapped that child and then I'll pack myself up."
Meow? (Looks like you liked it there?)
"Don't even joke about that. The very thought of me being with that music-obsessed woman is disgusting."
Meowww. (Is that so. She did complain about disliking you as well. Though it seems she's sleeping right now.)
"If you understand, hurry along."
Meow~ (As you command~)
Bang!!
Following Hieronymus's words, Goz drove his train through the wall to retrieve Shiro & Kuro, who were shown on the screen. As he passed through, he added some fireworks for good measure.
"....I suppose he's a magician, so he has to be flashy."
"Y-Yami..."
"....."
As the girl with wolf ears opened her eyes, she slowly and with difficulty approached Yami, who was lying in the chair.
Thinking about it, Hieronymus had forgotten that this girl was also here.
"There, little girl."
"....Who are you...."
"Hmm... who am I... it's ambiguous. For now, shall I introduce myself as Yami's Old Man?"
He wasn't actually acting like a real grandfather, though.
"Grandfather?"
"That's right."
"Then sign here."
"Hm?"
Shiroko took a sheet of paper from her pocket and handed it to Hieronymus.
"Pfft... Hahahahaha!!!!"
Hieronymus, recognizing the nature of the paper, couldn't help but burst into laughter from sheer absurdity.
Because the paper was a marriage certificate.
He didn't know when she'd stolen the stamps, but the spaces for Shiroko and Yami were already stamped.
"You truly are a bold girl. When did you steal the stamps?"
"I stole them from the store while Yami was sleeping."
"Hahahaha!!! Are you trying to make me die from laughter?"
"???"
"You look like you don't understand. Yes, perhaps that's to be expected. However, unfortunately, even if you give this to me, I cannot permit it."
"Why? Is it too precious?"
At Hieronymus's refusal, Shiroko's expression changed in an instant.
Her bright eyes became dead like the darkness had settled in, and she held a gun in her hand, as if intending to force him.
Good grief. This child will definitely be henpecked no matter what woman he dates later.
I can see the potential. The potential to be henpecked. That musician girl also seems quite attached to that child.
"Hoo... First off, I am not truly that person's grandfather. I am merely calling myself that. Therefore, I cannot put my stamp on this."
"Hmm... then what should I do?"
"For now, return to Abydos. They must be worried there."
"Worried?"
"They would be. Those children are too kind-hearted for their own good."
"I admit that...alright. Then I'll leave Yami to you. I'll talk to Hoshino-senpai and the others myself."
"Understood. Go well."
Shiroko found the idea of the people at school being worried plausible and accepted it. So, as she was about to return as Hieronymus suggested...
"Ah. Just a moment."
"Hm?"
Mid-stride, she suddenly seemed to remember something and approached Yami.
"Oh?"
"Ugh....."
And then she bit Yami's arm. Hard.
"...What are you doing?"
"Marking my territory. See you later."
"...I see. Go well."
For a moment, at Shiroko's actions, Hieronymus felt fear for the first time in his life. Of a different kind, that is.
"Hooo... We should definitely all gather and have a discussion about issues with women sometime."
If things keep going like this, he might truly get devoured one day.
"Well. For now, shall I handle the current situation?"
Rio's 'Hic!!' could be heard.
"Don't be so afraid. I'll just say one thing and then leave."
"W...What do you demand?"
"It's simple. If you ever touch this child again, I will not let it slide."
"...Specifically... how...?"
Hah.
Of course, you'd ask that.
Rio would have no choice but to agree to Hieronymus's terms. If she didn't accept...
"I will destroy Millennium with full force."
Nothing but utter destruction.
***
Returning to the present, Rio was facing Toki directly.
"...What is it?"
"Toki... I'm giving you a mission."
***
"Hah~ Finally, I'm back at my store!!"
Yami took the train and felt good seeing his store after a long time.
"Now, let's get back to work~!"
Many things had happened. Meeting a maid he couldn't even sell to well. Meeting a person called Sensei.
There had been many encounters in a short period.
It was both interesting and difficult. But now, it was time to return to being the store owner he was.
Thinking such thoughts, Yami opened the store door and stepped inside, where he couldn't help but be surprised.
"Welcome."
"...What is this? Am I still dreaming?"
In Yami's eyes, the maid he had just met in Millennium was cleaning the store.
"It's not a dream."
"Then why are you here?!"
"It's simple."
Because I am a perfect maid and agent.
"Your mission is to become a maid for a student named Yami in Abydos and monitor him."
I am simply carrying out my mission.
"I am Asuma Toki, the maid who has now been hired at this store. I look forward to working with you."
Master.
"...Hah..."
Unbelievable.
The encounter between Yami and Toki had just begun.