As expected of a true best friend.
Seeing Yotsuya Miko's message, Arthur arched a brow and smiled faintly.
His fingers tapped on the screen, editing a reply:
"At the moment, there are three solutions."
Yotsuya's eyes lit up.
Three?!
One after another, Arthur's messages popped up:
"First—she can stay by my side, and I'll personally protect her."
"Second—you can become my retainer, and then you'll be able to protect her."
"Third—she herself can become my retainer, and then she'll be able to protect herself."
"Miko, which do you think is best?"
"…"
Staring at the three choices, Yotsuya Miko's gaze flickered as her thoughts began to churn.
The first method: Arthur sticking to Hana to protect her.
She instinctively skipped over that option.
The second: she herself becoming Arthur's retainer in order to protect Hana.
If there hadn't been a third option, that probably would have been the best choice.
After all, even with exorcising powers, she couldn't stay glued to Hana's side twenty-four seven.
So, the most reliable way would be for Hana herself to gain that power—to be able to protect herself.
As for the third option…
Never mind whether Hana would even agree.
If she did become Arthur's retainer, then she'd end up like Miko—able to see those terrifying things.
But Hana was absolutely terrified of anything ghostly.
Forcing that on her didn't feel like a "best" solution at all.
Yotsuya Miko's heart twisted in conflict.
Second… or third?
"…Forget it."
After a long moment of deliberation, Miko finally made her choice.
She picked the second.
Of course, it was only a temporary measure.
As long as she could, she wanted to shield Hana from wraiths and monsters—protecting her even from being frightened.
If it ever truly came down to it, she would try to persuade Hana into becoming Arthur's retainer.
Even if that meant Hana would, in a sense, belong to him.
It was still better than tragedy.
Besides… Hana didn't seem to dislike Arthur at all.
And right now, he did seem like a pretty decent person.
So Miko kept the third option as a backup plan.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up her phone:
"I choose the second method."
For her friend's sake—
And also to protect herself—
She, Yotsuya Miko, resolved to become Arthur's retainer.
Reading her decision, Arthur's smile deepened.
As a King, he had the ability to convert followers.
They were known as the King's Clan.
Those who joined would gain a share of the King's power.
Even an ordinary human could be elevated into a formidable superhuman.
The clan's true purpose was to maximize the King's strength.
In the world of K, Kings possessed unique sanctuaries unlike any other ability-users.
The King ruled over his people.
And within his domain, the more clan members there were, the greater the King's power—amplified dozens, even hundreds of times over.
Only then could the true power of a King be unleashed.
But with great power came danger.
Should the King draw too deeply on his might, the Swords of Damocles would manifest above him.
If his strength was only lightly tapped, it would remain hidden.
Just then, another message came in.
"Um, Arthur-kun… can I ask, what do I need to do to become your retainer?"
Her eyes flickered nervously as she sent it.
After a pause, his reply came:
"What do you think?"
No answer—just a question thrown back at her.
Leaving Miko to imagine freely.
"I think…"
Sure enough, she sank into thought.
Hadn't Arthur said before—that being his retainer was like being a shrine maiden serving a god?
And shrine maidens were often called the wives of gods.
Wife? Does that mean…
Images of certain "premium" scenarios popped into her head.
Her cheeks burned hot, her heart pounding wildly.
She had never even dated anyone before.
Jumping straight into that would be way too fast.
…But if it was Arthur… maybe she could accept it?
What am I thinking?!
She panicked at her own thoughts.
Her pale face flushed red.
Her large watery eyes shimmered with shy ripples.
Yet her imagination wouldn't stop conjuring forbidden scenes.
The more she thought, the hotter her face grew.
Her body even felt warm.
Thankfully, Arthur's next message broke the fantasy:
"Come out tonight."
"Eh!!"
Miko squealed, her eyes round as saucers, her little mouth opening wide enough to swallow a dumpling.
"Miko, are you alright in there?"
Her mother's voice came from outside the door.
"I-I'm fine, Mom!"
Miko shot a panicked glance at the door and raised her voice in reply.
"Really?"
Her mother still sounded doubtful.
"Really! I just stubbed my toe!"
"…Clumsy girl," came her mom's resigned answer.
Relieved, Miko turned back to her phone.
This is way too fast…
Her heart was a mess of shyness, nerves, and—though she hadn't noticed herself—an undercurrent of anticipation.
She pulled the blanket over her head, her heart thudding wildly.
Meanwhile, in Nerima—
Seeing no reply from Miko for some time, Arthur smiled knowingly.
She needed time.
He also wondered what kind of entry she'd get once he lit up her page in the Compendium.
At the very least, green-rank.
Possibly even blue.
After all, from what he knew, Miko's spiritual sight in her own world was absurdly powerful—almost unparalleled.
And she was the protagonist.
Which made her far more "special" than most.
Chuckling, Arthur rose and headed into the kitchen.
It was about time to make dinner.
Ten minutes later, his phone chimed.
Drying his hands, he checked it—his lips curling upward.
Yotsuya Miko: "When and where?"
He typed back with a smile:
"In two hours. Just come to my place."
To his house?!
On the other end, Miko's fragile composure shattered.
Her blush spread instantly, blooming across her face like a peach blossom in spring.
And… he'd called her Miko.
Minutes crawled by before she finally typed back:
"Okay…"
His answer came quickly:
"I'll be waiting."
He sent her his location.
After another long pause, her reply arrived:
"I'll be there."
The sun sank beneath the horizon.
Night fell, and a cool evening breeze swept through the streets.
At Yotsuya's home—
"Mom, I'm staying over at Hana's tonight."
Barely holding herself together, Miko packed her things, slung her bag over her shoulder, and prepared to leave.
"Be careful on the way."
Her mother didn't suspect a thing.
"Mm, I will."
Miko answered quickly and hurried out toward the station.
On the way, she boarded the train to Nerima.
Of course, she ran into wraiths.
Thankfully, her acting was good enough to fool them.
Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at Nerima.
But just as she stepped out of the station—
A figure appeared before her.
Her eyes widened slowly in surprise.
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