Watching Kasa dash away into the night sky as if fleeing for his life, Ivak let out a bitter laugh

“Miss Tanuki, you definitely bullied Miss Kasa.”

“Humph, she started by bullying Kozue, meow,” Rakya sniffed, twisting her head.

“…What if Miss Hayur asks?” Ivak laughed as he sat down. “I mean Naliena Hayur.”

“Hmph meow,” Rakya exhaled smoke through her nose. “Even Sister Naliena would be polite to me, meow. Nothing to worry about.”

“Still, everyone knows each other in the mortal world now. One day, if you meet again, it might get awkward.” Ivak smiled, taking the ashtray Rakya handed him.

“You’re thinking… if the little crow says she came with you to eat but neither of you brought money, and you told her to act like she wanted a free meal, then tell all this to Sister Naliena… she’d give you trouble, right?” Tanuki grinned, revealing sharp little fangs.

“…Not bad for a former cat-demon clan leader,” Ivak said, crushing out his cigarette in the ashtray, pulling another one out.

“You think I don’t know you yet, meow? There’s no one else in all worlds more despicable than you,” Rakya huffed. “Don’t worry, Sister Naliena is reasonable, you know that.”

“Hmm,” Ivak adjusted his glasses. “Still, it’d be best to write her a letter of apology later.”

“Oh? You’d do that, meow? Looks like you’ve changed a bit in the past hundred years, huh?” Rakya blew a smoke ring, teasing.

“Ha,” Ivak smiled wryly. “No choice. My past reputation wasn’t great, and with Reese now, I can’t let her think she’s living with a villain every day.”

“Ah, right, meow,” Rakya squinted. “That little dragon girl… so even void beings can have a partner, meow?”

“Ah, no,” Ivak shook his head. “But I’ve been alone since the days I was a Void Blade. Having a little companion feels better than everyone avoiding me.”

“Oh. What if that little girl finds someone she likes later, meow?” Rakya tapped out the remaining tobacco and refilled her pipe.

“As long as she treats Reese well, that’s fine. And if Reese remembers to come back and see me, even better,” Ivak smiled.

“Mm, meow,” Rakya nodded. “Like how Kozue and Yuka sometimes kiss each other, but they’re both my good children, meow.”

“That’s… different,” Ivak muttered, pressing a hand to his forehead.

“Hehe meow,” Rakya lit her pipe. “Any other business?”

“Hmm, yes.” Ivak’s expression turned serious. “Miss Tanuki, please tell me how to make money running a shop in the mortal world.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

“…Meow?” Rakya tilted her head. “Say that again?”

“Please tell me how to earn money running a shop in the mortal world,” Ivak repeated firmly.

“…You’re planning to open a shop in the mortal world?” Rakya’s eyes widened. “But you told me yesterday you came here just to have fun, meow?”

“…Time was short then. Couldn’t explain properly,” Ivak scratched his head with a smile. “So…”

He explained everything—from Anya asking him for the invisibility cloak, to his current plans.

“…Oh. That Void Being came here to avoid Heaven’s potential search, meow,” Rakya laughed. “But you probably came down because you didn’t want to deal with them, meow.”

“Mm,” Ivak looked out at the black sky. “That doesn’t matter. I just hope Miss Tanuki can answer my question first.”

“Mm meow,” Rakya nodded. “Then my advice is simple: don’t deceive your customers. That’s it, meow.”

“…That’s too difficult, isn’t it?”

“What, meow?”

“Mr. Ivak is so slow,” Reese said, chewing on meat, watching Ivak approach.

“Sorry, sorry,” Ivak scratched his head. “Chatted a bit more with Miss Tanuki.”

“Miss Tanuki?” Lirina asked, puzzled.

“Former cat demon clan leader,” Ivak said, picking up his sake bottle. He noticed Reese looking down, eating quietly, and gently tapped her head with a smile.

“Oh? That’s Tite…—”

“Shh,” Ivak interrupted Lirina. “Now she’s called Tanuki Rakya, running the tavern. Her former title doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Oh, so she retired,” Lirina realized.

“Umm… calling her ‘Aunt Tanuki’ still feels weird,” Lirina laughed. “I haven’t seen her in so long. Can I meet her?”

“If she doesn’t come down today, consider it a no-go. Miss Tanuki said you can meet anytime in the future,” Ivak said with a smile.

“Ah, okay,” Lirina nodded. “Next time I’ll visit properly.”

“Lirina… how do you know the former cat-demon clan leader?” Anya asked, surprised.

“My mom used to take me to see Tite… uh, Aunt Tanuki,” Lirina explained. “Mom and Aunt Tanuki were good friends.”

“Oh,” Anya’s chest tightened slightly.
My mother never took me out… never let me play alone either…

“Ah, it’s late now. We’ve almost finished eating. Ivak, Reese, you continue. Anya, I’ll head back with Lirina,” Lirina said, picking up her backpack.

“If time’s short, I can teleport you home,” Ivak said.

“Ahaha, thanks, but no need,” Lirina smiled. “Come on, Anya, let’s go.”

“Mm,” Anya agreed, standing up.

“Bye~ next time, come visit me and Mr. Ivak again~” Reese waved.

“Mm, will do,” Anya replied, waving as they left the tavern.

~~~~~~~~

Once outside, Lirina’s expression darkened slightly.

Anya hesitated but stayed silent as they walked.

At the bus stop, they remained quiet. After a moment, the bus arrived. Lirina inserted two coins: “Two passengers.”

She found a seat, and Anya sat beside her, still unsure.

The ride was silent.

Once they got off, Anya followed Lirina briskly. Lirina seemed to deliberately take long strides. Anya wanted to slow down but swallowed her words.

They reached Lirina’s apartment building, took the elevator, and walked to the door. Lirina unlocked it, entered, waited for Anya, then closed the door.

Anya frowned, about to speak, but Lirina spoke first.

“Anya… I was happy you picked me up at school today, but… it was a bit troublesome,” Lirina said without looking at her, carefully choosing words. “So… can you not pick me up at school anymore? I don’t dislike you, Anya… it’s just complicated.”

“…That’s it?” Anya paused, then said softly.

“Eh?… Y-yes,” Lirina bit her lip. “This afternoon, I almost got exposed… I have a Japanese name, Haneda Rina. Today, you called me Lirina… and drew attention… Angels watching the mortal world could’ve noticed…”

“I understand,” Anya squinted.

“…I’m not mad about that… it’s just…”

“I know, it’s fine. I wasn’t worried. You told me not to pick you up anymore, I got it. Today was a special case. Usually, I don’t even have a key, so I wouldn’t just go out.”

Lirina blinked. “Ah… okay… um.”

“Nothing else, right? Geez… that was it, huh? You didn’t speak the whole way.” Anya waved. “If that’s settled, let’s chat a bit?”

“Eh… I have homework next…”

“Huh? Ah… right, schoolwork in the mortal world… Fine, I’ll read in the living room.” Anya frowned slightly, but relaxed soon after.

“Mm, okay,” Lirina nodded. “I’ll go to my room and do homework. Call me if anything.”

“Mm,” Anya sat on the sofa, picking up the novel she hadn’t finished this morning.

After Lirina entered, Anya closed her book.

…Even though Lirina was trying not to make things awkward, Anya still felt a little annoyed.

Anya frowned, thinking for a moment.

“…Maybe school in the mortal world isn’t so bad? Lirina seems so concerned…” she murmured.

“Oh, then that’s decided.”

~~~~~~~~

The homework wasn’t easy. By the time Lirina finished, it was already late. Anya had figured out the electronic bathtub and finished her bath.

Before bed, both were embarrassed. Lirina, being kind-hearted, still hugged Anya under the covers, using dream magic… and due to using it too seriously, her magic drained too much. Already sleepy, they fell asleep.

Before sleep took her, Anya looked at Lirina’s face, close and warm—her cheeks flushed from the hug, framing her soft, cute features.

Biting her lip, feeling the rising warmth of happiness… along with her racing heartbeat and flushed cheeks.

“Hmph, you little… just wait.” Anya looked at Lirina’s sleeping face.

Hmph.

With the anticipation of finally getting a normal night of sleep without nightmares, Anya soon drifted off.

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