Night deepened.
"...Grandfather really has no sense of timing, does he?"
Lying on her bed, Aozaki Aoko looked at the ceiling and sighed with a hint of disappointment.
Although her grandfather was also a part of the Aozaki Family, it was natural for him to return home, and she had no objections to that.
However, to call Touko-nee away without considering others' feelings was a bit inappropriate.
Yet, even as she complained inwardly, she knew there was nothing she could do. The Aozaki Family could not resist her grandfather's will.
The only person in the Aozaki Family who could truly converse with her grandfather was Touko-nee, as the successor to the Magician.
But that was merely having the qualification.
"...What a quirky old man."
Muttering softly, she turned to look at the exquisite wooden box placed by her bed. Inside was the doll named 'Yaya,' handmade by her sister.
This was the most precious gift.
Not even diamonds or luxury cars could compare.
She was certain of it.
The doll in the wooden box was practically indistinguishable from a human. If it weren't for its overly petite body, one would surely wonder if it was a doll made from a living person.
After all, it was so exquisite that even the most minute details of the pupils were simulated.
"...Does Yaya look good? You've been staring at me for so long?"
Suddenly, the doll in the wooden box blinked, revealing a mischievous smile, and propped herself up as if to scare Aoko.
Then.
— Clack.
Aozaki Aoko subconsciously closed the wooden box and locked it, her movements almost instantaneous, too fast for anyone to react.
"— — — — Ouch!"
Before she could even stand up, Yaya was hit in the face by the lid of the wooden box, directly knocked over by the sudden force, and then her vision plunged into darkness.
"Hey, hey, don't shut me in! I haven't finished talking, and it's so dark and scary in here."
Tapping sounds came from inside the exquisite wooden box, and the girl cried out in a wronged tone.
Ignoring the cries from the wooden box, Aozaki Aoko showed a thoughtful, inquisitive expression, and then quickly pieced everything together.
This doll was a special gift from her sister, and as a Magician who wielded mysteries, making a talking doll was completely reasonable, wasn't it?
"...Are you a doll made by my sister?"
"That's right."
"Did Touko-nee give you any instructions?"
Opening the box, Aozaki Aoko looked at Yaya, who was rubbing her slightly red cheek, with a curious expression. What was Touko-nee's intention in sending this doll?
She was, after all, the second daughter, unrelated to the magical path. Now, sending a creation of the magical path to her side, what kind of thoughts did she harbor? Did she want to bring her into the world of Magecraft, or did she want to use this doll to provide protection?
Whichever it was, it was a welcome answer.
"...Cough."
Putting down the hand rubbing her small face, Yaya leaped out of the wooden box, and then her body slowly grew, becoming the size of a normal girl.
"Lady Touko sent me to serve you and protect your safety!"
She sat on the edge of the bed in a duck-sitting posture, her fair, slender hand pressed to her chest, her delicate face showing a devout and sacred expression, like a nun worshipping a deity.
"...Serve me? Yaya, what skills do you have?"
Aozaki Aoko looked at the girl so close to her and asked with an expectant expression.
Was this doll girl as perfect as those shown on TV, handling everything meticulously?
"Hmm, Yaya's serving skills are very comprehensive, you know."
The doll girl proudly patted her flat chest, her red eyes filled with absolute confidence. She had been programmed with a vast amount of knowledge before leaving the factory, and her serving knowledge was basically maxed out.
"Is that so!"
Hearing this, Aozaki Aoko's eyes sparkled, and she began to fantasize about her future life. She would probably be able to experience a lady-like life from now on.
"Hmm... Aoko, do you want to test Yaya's skills now?"
Seeing her target of service so happy, Yaya showed a bright smile, eager to display her abilities and let her little mistress understand her capabilities.
"Now? What should we do?"
Aozaki Aoko paused slightly, a little unsure what kind of service could be performed now.
"Now is the time to show Yaya's abilities!"
Yaya bit her red lip slightly, then lifted the hem of her skirt with one hand, and with the other, began to unbutton her top. Her breathtaking fair skin slowly began to reveal itself, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became ambiguous.
"— — — — Stop!"
Before her clothes were fully removed, Aozaki Aoko stopped Yaya's movements, her cheeks already flushing. She hurriedly pulled Yaya's clothes back up, then stared at Yaya with a piercing gaze.
"Is this your service?"
"Yes!"
"Isn't it supposed to be things like cooking and cleaning?"
"Yaya can't do any of that!"
Yaya said righteously, "All of my serving skills are focused on the bed. As for other unrelated skills, Yaya knows absolutely nothing."
"...It seems my future life will be very interesting~"
Hearing such an answer, Aozaki Aoko's eyes seemed to suddenly lose their luster. She had now personally experienced the unreliability of this doll and could foresee how much of a headache the future would be.
"Aoko, do you still want service?"
"No, let's just go to sleep..."