After we finished the pizza, Ruri clean up and returned to her room. After that we started talking about work. “So, what should we do in terms of work? Do you have anything in mind? Something that works for both of you.” I asked while sipping on the coffee Ruri prepared for us. “Well, there’s something that’s been on my mind,” Yuusei said. “And that is?” “Yeah. Let's hear it, Kyoka.” Yuusei-kun turned to Kyoaka. “Kyoka? Did something happen?” I looked at the girl that was sitting next to me. “Do you remember the incident in the bathroom? The one where we met?” “Of course I do.” There was no way I could forget having a knife held to my throat and being taken away to the association. “The perpetrator from that incident said he doesn’t remember what happened.” “He doesn’t remember? Was he drunk? Or is that just an excuse?” Or is he simply using his right to remain silent? “No, there were no signs of alcohol or drug use. There’s no doubt it was a demon’s doing. What worries me is that there have been a lot of similar incidents lately. And all the victims say they don't remember anything.” “That... sounds like there’s a mastermind demon behind this.” “Exactly. There is a job to investigate that case further. What do you think?” I see... “Sounds good to me, but how are we going to investigate?” “One way is to patrol the area. The attacks happen in unpopulated places, so we’ll have to investigate on foot. The other is an undercover operation.” “An undercover operation?” And who will be the undercover cop? “The victims are mostly women, so I’ll be the bait.” “Hell no! Proposal rejected.” There’s no way. “I’ll be fine.” “It’s too dangerous. What are we going to do if something happens to you?” I couldn't let her do something dangerous, when I was in charge of her. She still was a minor. “I’m more than strong enough, okey?” “I know, but it’s still dangerous. I won’t allow it.” “But...” Kyoka pouted. “It’s still a no. You wanted to follow my decisions, right?” “Ehehe... Okay, I’ll follow my worrisome leader’s decision.” Kyoaka smiled happily. What made her so happy? “So you want to use the straightforward way of investigating, Yamada-san?” Yuusei-kun asked. “Investigating the case while exorcising demons like usual? That’s the best course of action, I think.” 100,000 yen were waiting for me, if it went the same way as last time. “Okay, let's do it that way... When do we start?” Yuusei-kun asked. “How about after school on Monday? Most attacks happened after it got dark,” Kyoka mentioned It was after 7:00 p.m. last time, too. “You’re right.” “I’ll rent a car from the association and come pick you up after school.” I'd be free during the day anyway. “Sorry about that.” “Thank you very much.” “Ah, but come to the parking lot of the family restaurant, okay? If I show up in front of the school, I’ll be taken in.”

“Yamada-san, you really are a worrywart...” “I always say it’s fine too.” I thought the same thing when I was their age... After we decided on our work schedule, we enjoyed a bit more idle talk. Kyoka did most of the talking, while Yuusei and I listened. Her stories were always entertaining. As evening approached, the two of them got up to leave. I went with them to seem them off at the door. “Thank you for today.” “Thank you for the meal.” The two of them put on their shoes and bowed. “You’re welcome. Your free to visit again.” “Okay!” “See you on Monday, then.” With those words they opened the door, and left. I returned to the living room. “Are they gone?” As I got into the kotatsu, Ruri returned to the living room and joined me. “Yeah, they’re gone.” “I see. How did the job discussion go?” “We decided to investigate after school on Monday. So can you have dinner with Monica alone? I don’t think Yuusei-kun will be here on Wednesdays or Fridays because he’ll be working, so we won’t have any other options.” It would be too scary to walk around town alone with Kyoka. Of course, the scary part was the police. “That’s no problem. Please be careful.” “Yeah. Oh before Kyoka comes over next time, can you do some cleaning?” “Sure. I’ll give it a quick sweep. By the way, I cleaned up the long black hair that was in front of the door to the lab already.” Black hair in front of that door? “Kyoka’s?” “Yes. It was placed in a way that made sure it would be found. Probably when she went to the bathroom...” That’s kinda creepy... “Maybe she thought we would think it’s your hair?” “Then what was the point?” I don’t know. “Well, whatever. Let’s go buy some food for dinner.” “Yes.” Ruri and I went to the supermarket and did our shopping. Miriam stayed under the kotatsu. Monica showed up, after we returned home and Ruri had started preparing dinner. “Good evening.” “Hello, Monica. Come on in.” “Thank you. Tatsuya-sama, Claude-sama’s messenger came by today.” Again? “What did he want?” “He came to report that they’ve decided on a merchant to handle the apples.” Huh? “That quickly? Didn’t he say it would take some time?” “Apparently, it was quite a struggle, but Claude-sama got fed up and pressured them into a decision. In the end, the choice landed on the Aubert Trading Company.” Aubert Trading Company? Obviously, I didn’t know anything about them. “Monica, do you know who they are?” “Of course I do. It’s the guild of guildmaster Erik Aubert of the Merchant’s Guild. It’s the largest trading company in this area.” Really?

“They are bringing out the big guns, huh?” “Yes. They will be coming in 2 days to make their formal introductions. Can you come to the village on Tuesday?” Two days from now? “Okay. If it’s a big shot like that, I should be the one to greet them.” “Thank you.” Well, there was no other way around it. After that, we ate dinner and, as usual, studied magic. Everyone took their turn in the bathroom. When I finally got out of the tub and returned to the living room, I found Monica and Ruri using the kotatsu. “Tatsuya-san, would you like something to drink? A Strong-Zero, perhaps?” Why was Ruri pushing Strong-Zero so hard? Did she want some, too? You are too young! “Sure, why not.” “Okaaay.” Ruri went to the kitchen. “Is that alcohol?” Monica asked. “Do you want some, too?” “No, I... Hmm?” Monica noticed something and put her hand into the kotatsu. Then she pulled out something pink. “Tatsuya-san, do you want the lemon... Ah.” Ruri had a can of Strong-Zero with lemon flavor and one without in each hand, but when she saw the pink thing Monica was holding, she froze up. “What is this?” Monica asked, narrowing her eyes as she stared at it. “Um, it’s a special hair band called a scrunchie.” Come to think of it, Kyoka hadn’t tied up her hair when she left. How did it end up under the kotatsu...? “I see. Um...” Ruri placed the Strong-Zero cans on the table, took the scrunchie from Monica, and tied up her own hair. “You use it like this.” Ruri looked cute with her hair tied up. “It’s very cute. It suits you.” Monica smiled. “Thank you very much. Ah, Tatsuya-san, which one would you like to dri... nk...?” Before Ruri could finish, Monica grabbed the lemon flavored can and pulled the tab open. She then gulped the whole thing down in one go. “That’s some strong stuff...” “And it is very carbonated...” Ruri and I look at Monica in worry. Finally she finished the drink and exclaimed: “Phew… Alcohol is wonderful, isn’t it? Well, I’m going to head home now.” Monica stood up without making a face. “O-okay, good night...” “G-good night...” “Yes. I’ll see you next time. Have a good night.” Monica smiled and left. “......” “......” Ruri and I looked at each other in silence, and Miriam, who had been inside the kotatsu, quickly fled to her cardboard bed. “Ruri, let’s sleep together tonight. I’m scared.” “Yes, I feel the same.” We put the remaining Strong-Zero back in the fridge and went to bed.