Hidden Management Department, 3rd Floor Meeting Room
Tōka Takanashi swept her gaze across the spacious 80-square-metre room.
The obviously high-end sofa, the mahogany tea table that would make wallets weep, along with a washroom, a tea cabinet, what looked like expensive wall art, a high-tech robotic vacuum cleaner buzzing around, and a large bookshelf filled with books.
"It reeks of money..."
Tōka said expressionlessly, then turned to Serafall, who was swinging her legs childishly on the adjacent sofa:
"So your guardian is super rich, right?"
At this, Serafall puffed out her chest proudly:
"Luo Shu is one of the top five strongest in this world~"
"Oh, the top five richest? Never heard of him on the rich list. Isn't America's richest surnamed Clyne? Japan's is just the Sanzen'in family. Is he some hidden tycoon from China?"
Tōka stated her knowledge of the wealthy in a flat tone.
And that was that.
What did Serafall's guardian being rich have to do with Tōka Takanashi?
Or rather, if he was this wealthy, why was his ward out on the streets soliciting for accommodation? That didn't make sense.
"Here's your black tea."
Yukino Yukinoshita walked over, carrying a tray, and placed black tea in front of Tōka Takanashi and Serafall before calmly saying:
"Please enjoy."
"Ooh~ Just as Ajuka said, she's a beautiful subordinate~"
Serafall's eyes lit up the moment she saw Yukino Yukinoshita, and she exclaimed excitedly:
"Hey~ hey~ young lady, want to become a Magical Girl?"
Before Yukino Yukinoshita could respond, Tōka Takanashi reached out from the side and pinched Serafall's cheek:
"You just said that to her earlier, didn't you?"
"And!"
"Don't hit on the same person twice within five minutes."
"Just how smooth are you at this?"
"Ehehehe~" Serafall covered her face, giggling foolishly.
Seeing her play dumb, Tōka Takanashi couldn't help but turn to glance at Yukino Yukinoshita, who maintained a solemn expression, and apologised:
"Sorry, she's a bit of a chuunibyou."
"Sigh, why do I have to explain this here..."
Tōka Takanashi was starting to lose her composure. Wasn't this supposed to be where Serafall's guardian was located?
Although they'd been quickly admitted after giving their names at the electronic gate on the first floor, Serafall's behaviour—looking around and tapping on things—didn't seem like someone familiar with the place's owner. It felt more like poor relatives coming to beg.
Would they be kicked out soon?
'Even if the doctor said my face looks somewhat expressionless so that it wouldn't show, I still feel incredibly awkward inside...'
Just as Tōka Takanashi was wallowing in self-pity, Yukino Yukinoshita gave her a somewhat surprised look.
Calling one of the Underworld's Satans a chuunibyou? How bold are the Satan's attendants these days?
Still, considering Serafall's excessively lively behaviour earlier, Yukino could somewhat understand Tōka Takanashi.
Compared to a boss as obviously troublesome as Serafall, Yukino suddenly felt that a two-timing man like Luo Shu might not be entirely unacceptable.
At least, aside from being an octopus dating multiple people, Luo Shu's behaviour was relatively normal.
As Yukino silently complained, Serafall began swinging her legs like a petulant child, pouting as she complained:
"Hey, where's Luo Shu?"
"I've been waiting forever! If he doesn't come soon, I'm taking that chubby thing away!"
As she spoke, Serafall pointed at a cylindrical cleaning robot with silver cat ears on top, currently tidying up nearby, as if worried others wouldn't know what she meant to steal.
Tōka Takanashi couldn't help but reach out to pinch Serafall's cheek again, just like she would with her chuunibyou younger sister:
"First, you haven't even waited five minutes yet. Second, you just want to take that cleaning robot, don't you?"
"Now sit properly and wait for him to arrive!! And stop swinging your legs!"
"...Yes," Serafall replied meekly, sitting up straight obediently.
Just then, a ding sounded.
The door to the reception room opened automatically, revealing Luo Shu in a crisp white suit. After scanning the people on the sofa, he smiled warmly, strode forward, and extended his hand:
"Welcome to the Hidden Management Department, Your Majesty Serafall Leviathan."
"Good evening~ Luo Shu."
Serafall also stood up, very cheerfully shaking hands with Luo Shu, while shifting her gaze to Ravel behind him:
"And good evening to you, too, little Ravel."
Seeing Serafall in person, Ravel seemed extremely nervous, stammering in response:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty Leviathan."
"Just call me Serafall."
Serafall glanced at Ravel, confirming nothing was amiss, then said with a smile:
"It seems Ravel is the obedient little sister type~ No wonder Ruval is so proud of you."
"Brother just habitually exaggerates." Ravel responded with an 'illusion' of composure, mentally giving her brother ten thousand negative reviews for praising her in front of a Satan.
Do you have any idea how much trouble this causes people?
The oppressive aura emanating from a Satan was almost suffocating.
Is this the overwhelming presence of the Underworld's strongest female demon?
"Little Ravel seems rather nervous."
Serafall turned her head with a smile, releasing Luo Shu's hand as she teased:
"Luo Shu-kun, you haven't been bullying her, have you?"
Luo Shu gestured for her to sit before settling onto the sofa opposite Serafall, replying:
"If that were the case, then by turning myself in, shouldn't Your Majesty Serafall reward me?"
"How about an autograph as your reward?" Serafall answered cheerfully.
"Absolutely, I'd be honoured."
Luo Shu shot Yukino Yukinoshita a meaningful glance before joking:
"I'll even frame your autograph and display it on this wall."
"After all, it's Leviathan-sama's personal signature~"
Covering her mouth in mock surprise, Serafall said: "Such enthusiasm? Well then, I suppose I must sign~"
As she spoke, she naturally accepted the signing paper and pen handed to her by Yukino Yukinoshita and began autographing.
Her practised movements clearly indicated she'd signed countless autographs in the Underworld.
While Serafall was occupied with signing, Luo Shu shifted his gaze to Tōka Takanashi, who had been staring at him in astonishment since entering. With mild surprise, he asked:
"Miss, I believe this is our first meeting?"