In the Abydos Countermeasure Committee clubroom, Yami sat facing Sensei.
"Yami, do you understand what you did wrong?"
"I was distracted during the battle."
"Yes, you were distracted and could have been injured. Fortunately, you weren't seriously hurt, but please ensure this doesn't happen again. To be honest, I was quite surprised."
"Yes."
Sensei sighed softly, a wave of worry washing over him. Even with their halos, they were still just students. It was his responsibility to guide and educate them properly.
Yet, Ayane's words lingered in his mind.
'Yami dislikes adults. Enough to kill them if they make a mistake.'
'Dislikes adults, huh...' He was curious about what could have happened to lead to that... but.
"Is there anything else you wish to say?"
"No. Nothing else."
He supposed he would learn when the time was right.
"Great job everyone! Tell me what you want to eat to celebrate! It's my treat today!"
"Uh-heh~? Really?"
"Of course! Have you ever known me to lie?"
"Then let's go eat ramen!"
"Alright. Is everyone okay with that?"
"Anyway, I have to go work there for my part-time job, so it's fine."
"I'm in agreement as well~"
"Me too."
Most of the students readily agreed to go to Shibaseki Ramen. However, Yami simply fidgeted without saying anything.
"What about Yami?"
"Ugh... I'm sorry. I'd really love to go, but someone is waiting for me at the shop."
"Is that so? Well, that can't be helped then. Are you going right away?"
"Yes. I told them I'd be back soon, after all. I apologize."
"There's no need to apologize. It would be best if you leave quickly, then. Aren't you going to be late?"
"Yes. Then, I'll see you next time."
"Alright."
With those words, Yami hurriedly exited. It seemed he truly was running late.
"Then, shall we go, just us?"
"Sounds good~ We can always treat our underclassman later."
"That's a pity~"
"It can't be helped. Knowing Yami, he'll manage just fine on his own."
"Let's hurry! I'm late for my job!"
"I'm more concerned about Serika heading straight to her part-time job after being kidnapped."
"Agreed."
The students and I chatted among ourselves as we made our way towards the Shibaseki Ramen shop.
Among them, Shiroko remained silent, her gaze fixed on the spot where Yami had departed. Her eyes were like those of a wolf whose prey had been snatched away.
***
Having left the school, Yami quickly opened the shop door. He was reluctant to leave someone he barely knew alone inside.
Sip.
"Welcome back, Master."
Sitting on the sofa, in the exact same spot she had been in when he left, was Toki, calmly sipping tea.
"Yes, I'm a little late, but shall we resume our conversation?"
"Let's do that."
He placed his bag on the floor and took a seat opposite Toki. Attempting to converse while standing felt rather impractical.
"Toki-san, you wish to work here as a part-timer?"
"Yes, I wish to work as a maid."
"...Why?"
Just as before, when she had first arrived, Yami found Toki's words baffling.
What possible reason could she have for wanting to work here?
"...Even if I appear this way, I am skilled at cleaning."
"Yes..?"
"I can also handle laundry and prepare food."
"Hold on, what are you suddenly talking about—?"
"I'm also very good at management."
"....."
Is she just listing her skills right now...?
"I am also capable of handling... sexual matters—"
"STOP! HALT! Just say that much! That's enough!!!"
Realizing the conversation had veered wildly off course, Yami cut Toki off. And before that— Why did 'sexual matters' even come up?! Is that something maids do?!
"I have not finished speaking. Please continue listening."
"What are you talking about?! Are you insane?! Why on earth are you saying such things?!"
"I merely thought that if I informed you of my usefulness, you might utilize my skills?"
How could anyone possibly arrive at that conclusion?
"I asked why you want to work here, not a list of your abilities!!"
"Is that so?"
"It is so."
"Understood."
My blood pressure is rising. It's been a while since my blood pressure shot up like this. Aaaah... my temples are throbbing..!!
"Then I shall ask you once more. Toki-san, why do you wish to work here?"
It would be in her best interest to answer properly. Otherwise, I'll kick her out, acquaintance or not.
"...Just because?"
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" [Sound of pure, unadulterated frustration]
That blasted 'Just because'!?! Is 'Just because' the only phrase you're capable of using?!?!?
"Getting angry is not beneficial for one's mental health."
"You're the reason I'm like this?!?!"
Is she doing this deliberately?! Be honest!! You're enjoying this, aren't you?! Huh? There's no way anyone could answer so innocently otherwise!!!
"I fail to understand. Why is it because of me?"
"Are you completely devoid of self-awareness?!!!"
Where on earth did this person come from?! That Black Suit was a gentleman compared to her!! At least I could reason with that guy!! And if he tried anything funny, he was someone I could handle physically!!
"Master. However, a question has occurred to me."
"You've driven everyone's blood pressure through the roof, and now you suddenly have a question?"
"Who are the individuals behind you?"
"Huh? What do you mean...."
Wait... now that I think about it... was it always this dark in here...?
- Squeak. (Master.)
- Cawww. (Long time no see.)
"..."
His arms and legs began to tremble... It couldn't be. There was no way these guys would be here... but if not, what was that sound coming from behind him...?
Slowly turning his head, he saw Shiro and Kuro standing there, gripping iron pipes, their eyes glowing as they fixed their stares upon him.
- Click. Squeak (Did you have fun while we were gone?)
- Caww. Caw. (I couldn't even get screentime because of you?)
"Ah, ahahaha. W-what are you two talking about...? You know how much I worried about you...?"
- Squeak? Squeak? (Really? Then what's this?)
Shiro pulled a photograph from her pocket. As Shiro showed the photo to Yami, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
The picture showed Yami, beaming with joy, looking at his bank account balance of 62,350,000 Yen.
"...How... how...?"
"That was me. I captured it quite well, didn't I?"
It was you...!!!!
Yami glared at Toki, who was giving a V-sign with her fingers and smiling, resentment filling his eyes.
- Squeak. (With this.)
- Caawww~ (You're prepared, right?)
Holding their iron pipes, they advanced towards him.
He needed to find an excuse, and fast. Otherwise, tomorrow he would be found in the shop, a corpse bearing the unmistakable signs of a severe beating...
"Do you wish to live?"
At that moment, Toki, who had been drinking tea on the sofa, approached Yami and spoke.
"Y-yes... but there's nothing you can do about this. How do you even know Shiro and Kuro in the first place?"
"That is not important at the moment. I asked Master if you wish to live."
"Of course I want to live!"
What a ridiculous question. He had absolutely no intention of dying anytime soon.
"Is that so? Then you can live if you simply sign this contract."
".....This is an employment contract!!!"
And even if I sign this, how are you going to stop those two?!
"I have already concluded discussions with them. Isn't that right?"
- Squeak (That's right.)
- Caww~ (Indeed~)
"You heard them, did you not? Then, please sign it, Master. You wish to live, do you not? Ah, perhaps you are reluctant? If you are that stubborn, it cannot be helped..."
At Toki's words, Shiro and Kuro edged closer and closer.
"Ugh... Alright!! I'll do it!!"
He didn't know how she'd managed it, but if she had already bribed Shiro and Kuro, there was truly nothing he could do...
Shiroko-senpai's words echoed in his mind...
Choice is determined by the strong.
In the end, he signed the contract...
"With this, I have officially become your maid. Therefore, I shall be under your care from now on."
Master.
Absurdly, a maid had joined the household of the toy store Yami operated.
'Just as planned.'
Toki felt a distinct sense of enjoyment anticipating her future life of surveillance.
"AAAAAAAH...!!! What did I get myself into...!!!"
Yami, on the other hand, was in the worst possible mood. But that was of no concern to Toki.