In a peaceful, carefree environment, time always seems to fly by in the blink of an eye.
Years?
…Okay, maybe not that fast.
But several days had indeed passed before he knew it.
The sun shone warmly, wrapping the world in golden light.
It was easily the most beautiful time of day—bright, calm, and full of quiet charm.
Unfortunately, the only one who could fully enjoy such a leisurely life… was Nagami, who didn't have to attend class.
Strolling through the commercial district of St. Freya Academy, Nagami breathed in the fresh air, his face carrying a relaxed, almost lazy expression.
No matter where he went, Nagami always seemed to attract attention.
Curious and surprised gazes followed him wherever he walked.
It wasn't just because he was a guy—there were other male staff in the shops.
No, it was because of the tiny, fox-like creature sitting on his head.
"Big Bro! Big Bro! I want that one!"
The chibi-sized Higyokumaru sat on his head, eyes darting in all directions, then pointed her tiny hand toward a roadside stall selling fried tofu.
Being a true otaku, Nagami would never voluntarily go shopping by himself.
No, he was only out because he needed to take Higyokumaru for a walk.
Most of the stares from passersby were aimed at the little creature riding on his head.
"This has to be fate… What is this, a convergence of world lines?"
There were all kinds of food stalls around, and of course, the little glutton had locked onto fried tofu in an instant.
"What did you say, Big Bro?"
"Oh, nothing. I said I'll get it for you."
He lifted the two-headed fox off his head and gave her a few affectionate pets on her fluffy tail.
Under the astonished gaze of the stall owner, he bought a skewer of fried tofu and handed it over.
"Here you go~"
"Thanks, Big Bro! I love you the most!"
Her chubby cheeks puffed up as she munched happily on the fried tofu.
The fear she once showed when they first met was long gone—this little fox had been completely bribed by Nagami.
"…Speaking of which, has the shrine maiden made any plans to come out yet?"
Nagami had visited the Stigmata Space a few times over the past few days, but Yae Sakura had remained… distant.
He had a general idea of what was holding her back.
After leaving her some books to help her understand the modern world, he left her alone.
But she couldn't stay like that forever.
Maybe… he should tell her he was planning to revive Kallen?
Emotional scars could only be healed by the people involved.
Nagami certainly wasn't the kind of person who'd refuse to resurrect Kallen just to keep Sakura emotionally dependent on him.
If he really wanted to force her love that way, he might as well just hit her with a Geass and command her to love him, hopelessly and unconditionally, forever.
But love… should happen naturally.
And with C.C. around, well—there probably wasn't anyone else who could double her in terms of physical satisfaction anyway.
"She's really trying hard to learn about the modern world, you know."
The little fox, now floating in the air, held out a piece of tofu toward Nagami, urging him to take a bite.
"I think she'll be ready to come out and join you soon."
"Mm—"
Just after saying that, she took another big bite, her cheeks puffed out like a dumpling, making a strange muffled sound.
"No turning into a 'Mmmm' monster, got it?"
Nagami gave her a light chop to the head.
He really wanted to show her that meme Lumine sent him of boiled Paimon—but, unfortunately, he couldn't pull images from the chat group into the real world.
His gremlin little sister had once "kindly" prepared a bath for Paimon—which turned out to be a seasoned stew pot in disguise.
Poor Paimon figured it out just in time, and cried for hours before Lumine finally coaxed her back to normal.
As for what Higyokumaru said about Yae Sakura… it might be true, but Nagami still didn't think Sakura would be coming out any time soon.
He was just about to give the little fox a few parting words when he sensed a familiar presence approaching.
"Higyokumaru, Rita's coming. Do you want to head back?"
Just like Sakura, Higyokumaru had subconsciously avoided interacting with anyone except Nagami.
Which was also why Nagami hadn't introduced them to the rest of St. Freya.
"Wahhh~!"
Startled, the little fox stuffed the rest of the fried tofu into her mouth in one go, puffing up her cheeks to the limit—then vanished in a flash of flame, diving straight into Nagami's body.
"Big Bro, next time I wanna eat fried tofu again!"
Although C.C. body was technically the main bearer of the Stigmata, it was Nagami's consciousness that linked them to the Stigmata Space.
So it was only natural that Higyokumaru could return through him.
Eat, eat, eat!
All she does is eat!
Keep this up and he will stew her with Paimon!
"Sigh… Lord Nagami, have you grown tired of Rita after all?"
A melodramatic sigh echoed out as the elegant maid appeared, dressed in a fresh, pristine maid uniform.
Even with her flawless makeup, she couldn't hide the exaggerated sorrow on her face.
She looked exactly like a heartbroken wife, abandoned by her husband post-marriage.
Pedestrians passing by gave them sharp, judgmental looks—sympathizing with the poor, pitiful maid and glaring daggers at Nagami.
Watching the increasingly cheeky maid whenever they were alone, Nagami gave her a flat dead-fish stare.
"What is it? Something good happen today? Or did you just get your daily fix of sucking up to Theresa?"
Walking alongside her, Nagami casually wrapped an arm around her smooth, pale shoulders.
His eyes locked onto hers, catching the brief sparkle of excitement that flickered behind those glamorous eyes.
A faint scent of roses lingered in the air.
"She's not here, actually. Lady Theresa is in her office reading the latest Homu manga."
Rita had grown mostly used to Nagami's casually intimate gestures by now.
She stared at the young man in front of her without blinking.
After a brief hesitation, her lips curled into an elegant smile.
"Rita's just happy to see you, Lord Nagami~"
"Well then, I'm honored"
Nagami gently took her delicate hand, brought it to his lips, and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.
Rita raised her other hand to her cheek, her beautiful eyes gleaming as she smiled sweetly.
"As if! You really think I'd fall for that?"
They had wandered far from the bustling crowd by now.
With a playful push, Nagami pressed Rita gently down onto a nearby bench.
A flock of birds rested on the lush, green lawn nearby.
A soft breeze stirred the petals and leaves scattered across the ground—and lifted the hem of Rita's skirt slightly, revealing her smooth, porcelain-white calves beneath.
"If you've got something to say, just say it. With weather this nice, it'd be a waste not to do something."
Nagami cast a side glance at the ever-elegant maid and then lowered his gaze in quiet thought.
"Well then, Lord Nagami~" Rita leaned forward slightly, her graceful figure silhouetted by the sunlight in curves too perfect to ignore.
"Would you care to go on a date with me~?"
Her full chest nearly brushed against him as her soft, red lips parted—her voice dripping with flirtation, alluring and sultry.
"Hmm?"
A familiar phrase whispered in his ear, and Nagami's eyes instinctively shifted past Rita to look behind her.
Long ash-blonde hair flowed down past the shoulders—though not quite long enough to reach the waist.
"Mint...?"
"Lord Nagami? What was that?"
"Oh, nothing. Thought Aph's idol just walked up behind you."
Rita narrowed her eyes suspiciously, clearly not understanding a word of it.
Then she gave him a sultry side-eye and shook her head with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
She was already used to Nagami's habit of muttering strange, out-of-context lines.
And it wasn't just him.
That version of Miss "Sirin" who claimed to be from a parallel world would also sometimes blurt out things that made absolutely no sense to anyone else.
Brushing a soft lock of hair behind her ear, she revealed the graceful curve of her slender neck.
In that moment, Rita's aura subtly shifted—her teasing charm replaced by the composed dignity of a true Valkyrie.
Her voice, now firm and dignified, carried the calm professionalism of a trained soldier.
"Lord Nagami, a message has arrived from Lord Otto. He wishes to visit St. Freya personally the day after tomorrow. What are your thoughts?"
"Oh? Otto's coming himself?"
Nagami crossed his arms and leaned back comfortably on the bench, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"If Otto himself is paying a visit… who in this world could possibly turn him away?"
"Understood. I will inform the Overseer of your response," Rita replied smoothly.
Still, in the back of her mind, the maid couldn't help but feel slightly anxious.
Depending on how this meeting went, it might define whether they became allies—or enemies.
And having grown this close to Nagami, Rita didn't want to see him come under Otto's crosshairs.
"Oh, one more thing!"
Nagami suddenly perked up, as if remembering something important.
He clenched his right fist and gently tapped it against his left palm.
"Tell Otto to bring either the Gem of Plague or the Gem of Serenity while he's at it. I've got a deal he won't be able to refuse—save him the trouble of running back to get a deposit."
Now that he could purchase world-travel cards at a discount, his long-planned operations could finally begin rolling out in earnest.
After a brief silence, Rita smiled warmly, then lowered her head in a perfectly graceful bow—elegant, composed, and without the slightest flaw.
"As you wish, Lord Nagami~"
"Well then—time for our date~"
Taking her delicate hand once again, Nagami pulled Rita along gently, leaving behind the bench as the elegant maid blinked in surprise, flustered but following close behind.