Seeing the bags of clothes in Asia and the others' hands, Ren showed a hint of surprise on his face.
He glanced toward Kuroka, who smiled sheepishly, and his gaze turned a bit complicated.
He'd originally worried Asia would be too shy to buy anything, so he'd sent Kuroka along to help.
Looking at things now… with Kuroka helping, Asia really went all out.
As for concerns about Koneko, Kuroka had her own discretion. If Koneko happened to be around, she would immediately turn back into a black cat.
Clearly, rather than arguing with her sister, Kuroka preferred turning into a cute cat and letting her little sister pet her.
Isn't it nice being loved like that?
If she returned to her normal form, they'd probably be bickering again every day. What a drag.
"Um… did we maybe buy too much?"
Noticing Ren's subtle look, Asia suddenly grew nervous.
Kuroka just chuckled and leaned in to whisper in her ear:
"It's fine. Even if Master gets mad, just try on everything you bought for him—he won't say a word. He might even applaud you."
That one sentence made Asia's cheeks turn bright red. She immediately lowered her head in embarrassment.
To Asia, Kuroka's words were a bit too intense. She really couldn't handle it.
Even when shopping earlier, Kuroka had kept teasing her nonstop, making her even more bashful.
Though Asia was happy to have gained a new friend, Kuroka just seemed to really enjoy messing with her.
Sure enough, seeing Asia's reaction, Kuroka showed a devilish smirk.
This pure-hearted nun really was too fun to tease…
But before Kuroka could say more, a swift chop landed on her head.
"Ow, nyaaa~ Master..."
"Being cute won't save you. You're not even as adorable as your sister."
"Nyaaa~ Men really are fickle. One minute we're being all lovey-dovey, the next I'm getting dumped for that little nun... I need Shirone's warm arms to comfort this broken kitty heart..."
Kuroka sulked into a corner, drawing imaginary circles on the ground. But Ren just rolled his eyes.
"Alright, cut it out. I'm just saying—stop teasing Asia all the time. What's so fun about that?"
"Hehe… pure-hearted nuns are very fun. Don't you agree, Master?"
"Tch… at least I wouldn't go as far as you do."
"Hehehe. Fallen church saintess, you know~"
Wearing a playful smile, Kuroka leaned closer to Ren, blinking mischievously and then glancing at the blushing Asia.
The meaning in her gaze was obvious.
To be fair, when Ren heard her words, he was momentarily tempted.
But he had to keep up appearances.
Clearing his throat, he looked around—and realized something.
"Wait a second… where's Fou? When did she disappear?"
"Oh, about that!"
At the mention of Fou, Asia snapped out of her shyness, her expression growing a little nervous.
"While I was trying on clothes, Miss Kuroka took Fou out and let it go play on its own. When I came out, Fou was already gone."
She looked worried—was it okay to let Fou wander off on its own?
She seemed to have forgotten who saved her life not long ago.
"Fou's not some kid. It's never in danger—it's always causing danger. Have you forgotten how it smashed that church to bits with just one slap?"
Kuroka was speechless.
That beast could wander the world and still never starve. No matter how much stronger she got, she still found Fou unfathomable.
Hearing her, Ren nodded in agreement. Fou was the last one they ever needed to worry about.
It might look like a mascot, but no one could afford to mess with it.
Asia also recalled what happened in front of the church and nodded.
That's right—Fou had saved her. It should be fine on its own.
"Alright, looks like you're all done shopping. Time to head back."
"What about Miss Raynare and the others?"
Asia looked around, confused.
"I had them return first. You girls were too slow."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ren, I—"
"I wasn't talking about you, Asia. I meant that little troublemaker over there."
Seeing Asia lower her head again, Ren gently patted her head and glared at Kuroka.
A quick glance through Asia's shopping bags revealed quite a few… unorthodox outfits.
It was obvious who had helped her pick those out.
Though he really wanted to say "nice job," seeing Asia so bashful made him suppress the urge.
They weren't that close yet. He couldn't expose his true self too early.
"Nyaaa~ So you really are a fickle man, Master"
Kuroka tried looking pitiful again, but Ren didn't even bother responding.
Seeing this, Kuroka clicked her tongue.
He was too familiar now—it was getting hard to trick him.
Even Shirone probably wouldn't fall for it either...
Feeling a little defeated, Kuroka muttered to herself—was her acting no longer enough to fool anyone?
Ignoring Kuroka's pouty thoughts, Ren took Asia's bags and led the two of them back home.
---
Meanwhile, Fou was strolling leisurely through the streets on the way back.
Now and then, it would glance here or there.
Lately, its only role had been finding girls for its owner, helping boost affection, and even bringing those girls home. Before it realized it, the so-called Beast IV had been reduced to nothing more than a mascot and errand tool.
Now that it finally had some free time, it wanted to enjoy a relaxing walk before heading back.
Even a tool-beast deserves a vacation.
Suddenly, a shadow at its feet made Fou freeze. It slowly looked up—
And saw a black-haired loli with a blank expression standing before it.
Fou tilted its head.
In its eyes, the little girl radiated an overwhelming aura.
And faintly… the image of a dragon appeared behind her.
Before Fou could react, the girl picked it up and said:
"You smell like that dragon. Take me to it."
"Fou? (Who the fuck are you?)"
"…Ophis."
"???"
Fou, who had been jokingly told by Ren earlier to go find Ophis, slowly typed out three question marks in its mind.
Did I really just run into her by accident?
I really have become a tool beast...