"So Mahiro-san still remembers me and the other children."
The petite Kayo sat at the office desk like a little adult, her expressionless face tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"Ahaha, I'm here now, aren't I..."
Mahiro sat on the sofa across, managing an awkward smile even as Kayo chided him.
After all, he was the one who'd left her alone to handle everything for so long. A little complaining was only fair.
Since parting ways with Tina, he'd picked up Enju after school and brought Asaka along to Arcadia.
Little Enju had run off to play with her friends, discussing some "Heaven's Punishment Girl" thing.
Meanwhile, little Asaka was instructing her juniors in swordsmanship.
As for him? Stuck listening to Kayo's complaints while checking if anything needed purchasing.
"Sigh..."
Seeing none of the commanding presence he'd shown when eliminating the Five Wing Syndicate members or the Scorpio, Kayo couldn't help but sigh.
"Mr. Mahiro, I understand you're busy as a censored pervert, collecting children to bring under your sinister influence. But please don't love 'em and leave 'em—occasionally visit us waiting alone in empty rooms."
"Whether it's me or the other children, we all genuinely miss you."
Though... why did that sound so weird?
Still, he readily promised that once this busy period passed, he'd visit more often—maybe even stay here.
Truth be told, he'd judged correctly—Kayo had remarkable management skills. Her exceptional intelligence kept everything perfectly organized.
All of Arcadia was thriving.
Just one thing—
"By the way, has anything happened at Arcadia recently? The children don't seem as enthusiastic seeing me as before."
"It seems Mr. Mahiro's instincts remain sharp."
Kayo neatly filed processed documents into a drawer before continuing: "It's not lack of enthusiasm. Quite the opposite—every child desperately wants to see you. But knowing you're busy handling our affairs, they restrain those feelings to avoid troubling you."
"Huh?"
"Haven't you noticed? Your clothes."
Kayo said something incomprehensible, then pointed to his coat's hem—several grubby little handprints marked the fabric.
"If I'm not mistaken, those are handprints left by Cursed Children like us... no, to be precise, only we can leave such 'defiled' marks on you."
Kayo's word choice was inappropriate, but in her heart, this was the proper—and speakable—truth.
"Though it's strange. Clearly you've added another little sister for us, yet we haven't met her. Did something happen?"
At Kayo's remark, realization struck.
"True, there is another sister for you all. But it's not possible right now—you'll meet her in a few days."
Remembering how Tina had dopily tugged his coat with her dirty little hands, Mahiro chuckled.
After briefly catching up on Arcadia's current state with Kayo, he left with Enju and Asaka.
No overnight stay.
Guard duties remained—even if not permanently stationed at the Holy Palace, being on call was basic professional ethics.
"What would you like for dinner tonight?"
"Anything is fine as long as it's made by Mahiro-sama."
"I want hot pot!"
"Alright, we'll have wagyu hot pot tonight!"
Compared to Enju's straightforwardness, Asaka seemed a bit more reserved.
You still don't get it, do you? Only the crying child gets the milk, little Asaka.
After deciding on beef hot pot for dinner, they went to the supermarket to buy ingredients.
But on their way back, they saw a police car that had been violently smashed into scrap metal, its entire frame twisted and deformed.
A large crowd had gathered outside the police barricade, all frantically snapping photos with their phones and discussing the violent attack on the officers.
It didn't take a genius to guess—given the gruesome state of the car—that almost everyone assumed it was the work of Cursed Children, since ordinary humans couldn't possibly achieve such destruction under normal circumstances.
Especially the deep dents on the car, clearly made by someone smashing it with tremendous force.
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any casualties—even the patrolling officer inside the car had only been knocked unconscious.
Still, hearing the crowd spewing curses about how the Cursed Children deserved to die, both little Enju and little Asaka looked visibly saddened, even if they kept their expressions neutral.
"Alright, no need to dwell on this. Let's go home and have hot pot."
Mahiro placed his hands on their heads and gently ruffled their hair.
Back at home, Mahiro prepped the ingredients in the kitchen while Enju and Asaka watched anime in the living room—well, more accurately, cartoons.
Truth be told, Asaka wasn't all that interested, but she couldn't resist Enju's enthusiasm as she dragged her along to watch.
So peaceful...
Seeing this scene, Mahiro couldn't help but reflect inwardly—perhaps this was the true meaning of home.
Once he returned to the world of Mahouka, he'd find a way to steer everything toward this kind of peaceful existence.
"Dinner's ready! Go wash your hands!"
"Got it~"
After washing up, they gathered around the dining table, watching the ingredients bubble merrily in the pot.
Just as they were about to dig in, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Mahiro turned to glance at the wall clock and frowned.
"Who could it be at this hour?"
"Yotsubaaa~"
With a half-dead groan, the moment the door opened, a stunning woman in a kimono barged in.
She wore a large face mask, her cheeks flushed red, and she kept coughing violently.
If Mahiro hadn't caught her in time, she probably would've face-planted right onto the genkan step.
"Miori? What are you doing here at this time?"
"Hey... hey, I..."
The kimono-clad girl pulled out cold medicine and nutrient drinks from her shopping bag, pointing at herself as if trying to explain something.
But before she could finish, she collapsed right into his arms.
What the hell was this?!
Yet the chaos didn't end there. Just as Shiba Miori fainted in his embrace and he gently laid her on the floor, another dark figure stormed into view.
Kisara, clutching her stomach with a haggard expression, staggered through the doorway.
"Mahiro-kun... forgive the intrusion... but... please... make me something to eat..."
Thud.
As if mirroring the earlier scene, Kisara also collapsed into his arms.
This time, it was from hunger—just like their first meeting, except now she didn't hit the floor.
And in her hand, she was still clutching a supermarket bag filled with groceries.
"Who is this woman?"
Little Enju crouched beside Miori with chopsticks in hand, poking her cheek repeatedly with the tips.
"Mahiro-sama, please allow me to sweep this woman out the door."
At some point, little Asaka had already drawn her tachi, the sharp blade slowly being unsheathed.
Perhaps due to learning kendo from Kisara, she'd picked up certain habits from her—like this inexplicable hostility toward Miori.
Who knows what ideas Kisara had planted in her head.
But before she could fully draw the blade, Mahiro rapped her on the forehead.
"Just learn kendo from your teacher—don't pick up all these unnecessary habits!"
"Ugh... understood."
Asaka covered her forehead with a whimper.
Then under his direction, she and Enju carried Miori into the house.
However, upon entering the living room and catching the aroma of hotpot, the two seemed to instantly revive, sitting properly at the table. Even their usual bickering was forgotten, creating an unexpectedly harmonious atmosphere.
Especially Miori—who had just claimed she needed him to feed her medicine—now downed her cold medicine in one go.
Meanwhile, Kisara nibbled on boiled vegetables while murmuring things like "So delicious" and "It's good to be alive."
Mahiro: "???"
Wait, did you two come here together just to mooch a meal?
Fortunately, he'd prepared enough ingredients for three days, so two extra mouths weren't a problem.
"So sorry to make you host us for dinner, Yotsuba-chin~"
Miori said this while picking up a slice of boiled beef with her chopsticks, chewing it delicately.
"If you're really sorry, you could pay for the meal," Mahiro said expressionlessly, like an emotionless debt collector.
But Miori just blinked innocently with a "What are you talking about? I don't understand~ We'll be working closely together later~" expression.
"Exactly."
Kisara, who had been solemnly stirring her chopsticks with closed eyes, declared sternly: "We brought our own ingredients, but that vixen over there came empty-handed, didn't she? How despicable. Get out."
He couldn't quite agree about the "bringing ingredients" part.
Everything Kisara brought was for making curry.
Aside from the chunk of beef that could be sliced for hotpot, all the other ingredients were his.
Even the pot itself.
Not that he blamed her—this young lady couldn't cook to save her life.
This wasn't the first time she'd mooched a meal either, so he was used to it.
"Oh my, is that you, Kisara? I couldn't see your face past those enormous breasts of yours."
With a crisp snap, the chopsticks in Kisara's grip shattered from sheer rage.
"Sorry, Mahiro-kun. Could I get another pair?"
"...I'll get you new chopsticks, but you're paying for these." Mahiro remained expressionless, the perfect debt-collecting machine.
Honestly, he'd anticipated what would happen when these two women shared a table.
Like sodium and water—guaranteed to explode when mixed.
However, after he said that, Kisara did seem a bit apologetic. After all, it was indeed impolite to "accidentally" crush someone's chopsticks.
But she was quickly provoked again by Miori's remark, "As expected of a she-ape, such brute strength."
"Alright, enough arguing."
The moment Mahiro spoke, the two of them immediately quieted down.
He then turned to Kisara and said, "Since you're here, President, this is a good time to discuss work."
Hearing the word "President," Kisara instantly perked up, putting on a shrewd and serious expression as she prepared to listen carefully.
"This mission is the same as usual—a direct request from Seitenshi. The task is bodyguard duty, starting in the next couple of days. As for payment, the total is twenty million."
Exactly the combined bounty for the heads of those two old men, Tendo Kikunojou and Takuto Yasuwaki.
"And as per the usual arrangement, half will be paid upfront by the Holy Palace on the day the mission begins, with the other half settled upon completion."
"Understood."
Kisara nodded solemnly. "Does the agency need to provide any support?"
This time, not only Kisara but even Enju and Asaka pricked up their ears to listen carefully—only to be interrupted by Miori the next second.
"Ara~ So you must be little Enju? I've heard quite a bit about you from Satomi and Yotsuba-chin. How do the combat shoes feel? Do they fit well?"
"Eh? How did you know?"
"Of course~" Miori unfolded her metal fan, covering her mouth as she smiled faintly. "After all, they were produced by our Shiba Heavy Industries, and I personally supervised the production."
"Oh! So you made them? Yeah, they're great!"
"Right, right~ If your feet grow and the shoes get tight, just let me know. Big sis will make you a new pair. And the same goes for little Asaka-chan~ If you need weapons, I can personally forge a new sword for you. That old relic from the last century should really be thrown in the trash~"
Miori wasn't just trying to win over Enju—she was also trying to win over Asaka.
Unfortunately, little Asaka wasn't having any of it and immediately rejected her coldly.
"No need. This sword was a gift from my master. I find it perfectly usable. Besides, even if I had new equipment... I wouldn't have anywhere to use it..."
The first half of her words made Kisara beam with joy, while the latter half was spoken with a resentful glance toward Mahiro.
She had trained so hard in swordsmanship to protect Mahiro-sama, yet in the end, she never had a chance to prove herself...
For someone like Asaka, who saw herself as a blade, this was the saddest thing of all.
She loved Mahiro's kindness, yes—but sometimes, she also wished he would treat her like a tool, the way other Promoters did with their Initiators.
"Alright, alright, don't look at me like that. This bodyguard mission is a bit complicated, so I'll need you to come with me, Asaka."
"Really?!"
Hearing this, Asaka's eyes instantly lit up, as if she had finally found her purpose in life.
"Really. And the same goes for you, Enju—you're coming too."
Enju raised her hand high and cheerfully replied, "Got it!"
Meanwhile, Asaka spoke as if making a vow, promising not to betray his trust and to complete the mission without fail.
How serious.
"My, my~ In that case, I really do need to custom-make a weapon for little Asaka~"
"Then I'll leave it to you. We need a tachi, and it'd be best if you could make a naginata too."
Mahiro placed the order on Asaka's behalf.
"No problem~ Since it's Yotsuba-chin asking, I'll naturally do everything to accommodate~"
As she spoke, Miori scooted her chair closer, smiling as she wrapped her arms around his. Suddenly, she blew a teasing breath near his ear, "Even the price is negotiable~"
"And since I'm indulging Yotsuba-chin's whims so much, won't you agree? Quit your job at Kisara's place and come work at the special CS division we've established just for you~?"
"I can offer Yotsuba-chin far more generous compensation than that Kisara ever could~"
While saying this, Miori pressed even closer, nearly clinging to him.
She then pulled a check from her sleeve, scribbled an impressive string of zeros, and placed it before Mahiro.
"I know how much Yotsuba-chin needs money. Just sign here, and this check becomes valid~"
However, the amount had already left Kisara utterly stunned.
A full one billion yen!
"My, Kisara, you look shocked. That's the market value of nearly a hundred CS members~ Impressed? That's why a poor company like yours doesn't deserve an outstanding CS like Yotsuba-chin~"
After speaking, she then turned to Mahiro with an affectionate tone:
"And Yotsuba-san can do whatever he wants to me~ Staying with me is definitely better than being around that Kisara, who has such indecently large breasts yet is oddly chaste, right~?"
"Still better than being with a flat-chested girl like you!"
Bang!
Kisara slammed her bowl onto the table with enough force to nearly shatter it.
But then, blushing, she added, "A-and... Mahiro-kun isn't the kind of person you're making him out to be..."
"My, my, Kisara, did you know? Only those with well-proportioned chests can wear a kimono elegantly~ So vulgar, oversized breasts like yours are just tacky and unappealing."
Miori lightly fanned herself with her folding fan, smirking triumphantly.
Even Enju nodded in agreement.
"Master..."
Little Asaka looked at Kisara with concern.
"It's fine, I'm fine, Asaka-chan."
Kisara muttered under her breath, though she clearly wasn't fine.
Her head hung low, her bangs casting shadows over her face, and a vein in her temple pulsed with an audible pop.
Even though her bowl was empty, she mechanically moved her chopsticks between her mouth and the plate.
"Snow Shadow... Do you want to drink the blood of a snake-woman?... Fine, fine... Ufufu..."
Driven to madness by anger, Kisara began talking to the cursed sword she carried with her.
"Enough."
Clack!
Mahiro set down his chopsticks, pulled his arm away from Miori, and distanced himself.
His voice was icy as he spoke:
"Argue all you want, I don't care. But if you start a fight in my house, I'll throw both of you out onto the street. Understood?"
With just that one sentence, the hostility between the two instantly dissipated, as if the tension had never existed.
Both of them immediately sat up straight and began hastily picking food from the pot with their chopsticks to stuff into their mouths.
They knew all too well—if they pushed things further and actually started fighting, Mahiro would absolutely follow through on his threat.
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