36 Introducing the New sGirl” (2/2)

I opened my eyes, revealing the still smiling face of the blonde magician.

”I'm sorry; I will believe it when I see it with my own eyes, so I can't just take your word for the truth.” Even though I was still taller than her after the change, I still bowed apologetically at her.

”No biggie, just be careful around him-ze.”

”I'll keep it in mind.”

I gave her her share of the gathered ingredients and said my goodbyes.

”Alright, on to the next stop.”

-Morning, Alice's House-​

”I see, so that's why you're here.”

I nodded.

Right now, Alice and I were sitting facing each other in her guestroom. Her share of the ingredient bag had already been carried off by her dolls.

”So, what type of magical creature are you?”

”I'm sorry; I don't want to disclose that information to anyone other than my contractor.”

”I understand. Now then, what is your first impression of him?”

”… Why is everyone asking me that question?”

”'Everyone'?”

”Uh, um, I mean, just now I came from delivering Marisa-san's share, and she also asked me that exact same question? Is Arah-sama's reputation that bad?” I - smartly? - covered up my slip of tongue.

Alice gave a wry smile.

”I don't know what Marisa told you about him, but I assure you that he's a good person at heart.” she said with the same expression.

”… Is that so?”

A few minutes later, I said my goodbye and started walking away from her house.

After I left the vicinity of Alice's House, I sighed.

”*sigh* from an outsider's perspective, his reputation is really worrying, to say the least.”

I sensed something watching me from behind.

I turned around.

Immediately, goose bumps started appearing because of what I saw.

In the distance, I could see Alice, in her door frame, looking at me.

Because we were far away from each other I couldn't see the expression on her face, but I knew she was definitely looking at me.

”Ahaha.” I waved at her while smiling awkwardly.

She waved back.

I turned around and resumed walking.

”…”

After a few more steps, I turned to look behind me again.

She was still there, looking at me from a distance.

I waved again and then immediately started fast-walking away from there.

The only things that stopped me from just running away screaming in terror were my determination to keep my disguise safe, and my manly pride that told me 'real men doesn't go screaming like a little girl'.

-Alice POV-​

The black haired girl finally disappeared from view.

”… A Fire Elemental perhaps? She wasn't even bothered by the cold weather while only wearing that many layers of clothing... There's a possibility of Ice Elemental, but her skin tone says otherwise, and she did feel kinda warm when I was near her.”

I closed the front door.

”A Contracted Summon, is it? Let's hope he knows what he's doing because usually the price of the contract is quite expensive.”

I went back to my workshop.

”… Wait, doesn't that mean currently they are living together inside his house?”

And with that little realization, my control over the dolls was slightly sloppy for the rest of the day.

-Late Morning, Hakurei Shrine-

-My POV-​

”So what did you think of him?”

”He's a nice person with a gentlemanly attitude. ” I said with a radiant smile. 'I'M SICK OF THIS QUESTION ALREADY!' I screamed internally.

Since I only need one more Interaction Point, I decided to go to Reimu's place. I introduced myself, and guess what, she also asked me the same damn question… I hate myself for having a bad reputation.

”Seems like he's behaving himself, just be careful okay? When a male and a female that don't have any family relationship live under one roof, trouble might start appearing for them.”

I looked at Reimu's expression in understanding.

'I feel bad for getting angry at her just now, she's only looking out for the new girl. Let's pay her back.'

”Oh, I'm very sorry; I just remembered he told me give something to Reimu-san.”

I bought several items from the system and immediately took them out of the pouch.

”He said because he felt bad that he didn't visit the Shrine on the new years, he wanted to apologize by donating 3 bags of rice to the Hakurei Shrine.”

Reimu's eyes literally sparkled looking at the rice bags.

She grabbed and held my hands.

”Thank you for your donation, may luck comes to you and your master.” she said with a smile of joy.

”You're welcome too, Reimu-san.” I also smiled back at her.

I said my goodbye and walked away from the shrine.

I descended the shrine's stairs while feeling happy.

When I neared ground level, I noticed a Komainu statue that was covered in snow.

'… Why not?' I thought.

I get rid of the snow covering its body and pat the statue's head before I continued walking to my next destination.

-Afternoon, Human Village, Hieda Mansion-

-Akyuu POV-

​

”There's a letter for me?”

”Yes, Akyuu-sama.”

The servant gave me the letter.

”The one who brought the letter introduced herself as Arah-sama's assistant.”

”… I see; good work.” I sent the servant away.

I stared at the letter in my hand.

”… Herself?” I said worriedly.

I opened the letter.

To the Cute and Honorable Hieda no Akyuu-chan,

I send you this letter to inform you that I made a breakthrough with my research, and because of that, I can't visit you until I have finished my work.

I got the idea for a letter when I remembered that you will be sad and worried that I suddenly stopped visiting you, now you know that I can't visit you because I'm busy and not because I don't love you anymore.

About the girl that gave you this letter: I contracted her a few days ago to assist me in my research, don't worry, I will treat her well.

I hope you will send me a letter back next week when my assistant returns to bring my next letter to you.

Signed

Super Handsome and Awesome Magician Arah.

My face got hotter and hotter by the second and my hands started to tremble.

”… What… what is this letter, this is so bizarre, it's both childish and mature at the same time.”

I had to cover my face with my sleeves just from imagining someone accidentally reading this letter.

”Arah-san, please... Now I absolutely can't let anybody read this ever.”

I partly uncovered my eyes to stare at the letter.

”Sad and worried, is it? Well, maybe I was worried when he stopped visiting me for a while, but sad…”

An image suddenly formed in my mind.

Arah and I facing each other.

He started to smile sadly.

His mouth moved as it formed words.

'Goodbye' is all I heard before he disappeared from in front of me.

My chest started to tighten.

I put a hand on my chest to ease the pain.

”…” I didn't know what to say.

After a few minutes of silence, I started to realize something else from the letter.

”… Wait, doesn't that mean both of them are living together under one roof?”

I started to panic with that realization.

”*gasp* what do I do…what do I do…” I was panicked the rest of that day until I decided to ask her directly when she delivered a letter again next week.

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ED: MUDAAAA!

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Author note:

Yo, Author here. I finally come back from being busy, and yeah, that's it.

…I think these less than 3k word story gonna be a thing now, this is 2.7k word btw.

I'm just quoting someone word here, ”But the bulge make it cuter.”, these word definitely not mine, I'm just informing you guys that there's someone that said that word out there. [Beware. You are going down a dark path. If you're not careful, there may be no return... -Ed] [It's not me whose saying that, what are you talking about... -Au]

About the Side Story, I decided to continue writing it after the Trap Arc is over.

…Oh wow, this is probably the shortest Author Note I ever created. It's probably because I pour all my curiosity to the forum in Spacebattles.