Luo Shu had never met Tōka Takanashi before, though he admitted the girl looked familiar.
Having spent so long in this world, Luo Shu had encountered many familiar faces. Without consulting Raziel or the mystic side encyclopaedia, he genuinely couldn't identify the young woman before him.
However, since she'd arrived with Serafall, Luo Shu wasn't entirely without clues.
Yet...
A female demon on good terms with Serafall, but not her sister? He couldn't quite place her.
While Luo Shu found her vaguely familiar, Tōka Takanashi quickly realised her prolonged staring might seem improper and explained:
"It is our first meeting, but you seem somewhat familiar..."
"If I may ask, what's your relationship with Miss Mira Tsubakihara?"
"Mira?"
Luo Shu blinked before studying Tōka Takanashi curiously:
"You know Mira?"
How did an Underworld demon become connected to Mira Tsubakihara?
"So it's Luo Shu-san after all."
Tōka Takanashi finally confirmed his identity.
The owner of those men's slippers she'd seen during multiple deliveries to Mira's home.
Mira Tsubakihara's secret boyfriend.
Tōka Takanashi never expected their first proper meeting would occur under these circumstances, in this place.
She'd imagined their introduction would happen when Mira finally brought her boyfriend out to meet friends.
"I'm Tōka Takanashi, currently working at Mira-san's jewellery shop. As for how I recognised you - I've seen your photo in Mira-nee's phone gallery."
Tōka Takanashi calmly explained, but as she did, she noticed Luo Shu's expression turning rather peculiar.
"Tōka Takanashi... do you happen to have a younger sister named Rikka Takanashi?"
Hearing Luo Shu's question, Tōka looked puzzled: "Mr Luo Shu, have you met Rikka before?"
"You could say that." Luo Shu paused before vaguely adding: "A rather rowdy middle-schooler with chuunibyou syndrome."
"Then you've definitely met her." Tōka nodded with deep understanding.
Anyone who could accurately describe Rikka's traits must have witnessed that socially dead chuunibyou spectacle firsthand.
That was Tōka's firm conclusion.
But for Luo Shu, this had merely been a casual probe to confirm identities.
Yet after confirmation, Luo Shu found himself at a loss.
How had Tōka Takanashi ended up with Serafall?
No wonder I couldn't recall Serafall having such a beautiful female demon under her command - she's actually from this world?
"How did you come to associate with Her Majesty Serafall, Miss Tōka?"
"We met on the street," Tōka answered matter-of-factly.
"And then?" Luo Shu nodded before pressing further.
"She said she had nowhere to stay and no money for food, so she asked for my help." Tōka supplemented.
Luo Shu's expression stiffened momentarily before asking again:
"What happened after that?"
"I agreed," Tōka said calmly. "Then she mentioned she could obtain living expenses here, so she brought me along."
"Wait, what...?"
This revelation left not just Luo Shu dumbfounded, but also Ravel and Yukino Yukinoshita nearby, unable to control their expressions.
One of the Underworld's Four Great Satans, the mighty Satan Leviathan herself, coming here to beg for funds?
Are you absolutely serious?
As Luo Shu stood bewildered, Serafall seized the opportunity to thrust a signed autograph into his hands, extending her palm with a cheerful smile:
"That'll be 500,000 yen~"
"Oh, right, Tōka, the currency here is called yen, correct?"
Tōka fell silent at this.
She suddenly found herself struggling to comprehend the situation.
Was Serafall's so-called "support" referring to selling autographs?
Who would pay 500,000 yen for your signature?!
Yet at that moment, Luo Shu sighed and called out to Yukino Yukinoshita:
"Yukino, fetch 100 million yen for Her Majesty Serafall. Use the fixed-password card from the bottom drawer in my office."
Someone actually agreed to pay? And a full 100 million yen at that?!
Tōka suddenly felt she no longer understood how this world worked.
Serafall dared to ask, Luo Shu dared to pay, even multiplying the amount 200-fold. Was money truly so disposable?
While Tōka remained stunned, Luo Shu turned to Serafall as Yukino went to retrieve the card:
"I'll accept the autograph, but consider this 100 million yen as a welcoming gift for Your Majesty Serafall."
The friendship of a Demigod, one of the Underworld's Four Great Satans no less, if measurable by mere 100 million yen - that would be an absolute bargain.
Of course, the reason Luo Shu could spend money so freely was that this 100 million yen came from the protection fees extorted from the funeral businesses—essentially free money.
Naturally, when it's someone else's money, one tends to be a little more extravagant.
"Luo Shu-kun, you're surprisingly a good person, huh~"
Serafall giggled, seemingly taking Luo Shu's kindness for granted.
In response, Luo Shu merely smiled at her:
"That 'good person' card doesn't come cheap, does it?"
After a light-hearted exchange, Luo Shu turned to Serafall and asked:
"So, Serafall-nee, are you planning to stay at Tōka-san's place for now?"
"Would you like me to arrange a guide for you?"
Serafall tilted her head at this. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu turned and asked someone else:
"Ravel, do you think it's troublesome?"
"Eh? Me?" Ravel only just realised that Luo Shu intended for her to be Serafall's guide, and her expression immediately turned shocked.
"Ravel-chan as my guide? Yay, yay~"
The moment Serafall heard Ravel would be her guide, she immediately agreed, her face brimming with joy:
"Perfect! I've always wanted a cute little sister like Ravel-chan~"
"P-please don't say things like 'cute,' Your Majesty..." Ravel flushed with embarrassment.
"But Ravel-chan really is adorable, you know~"
As the mischievous Satan teased Ravel, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing at Tōka Takanashi, who seemed faintly bewildered.
From her expression alone, Luo Shu confirmed that this Tōka-san was indeed an innocent bystander who had been accidentally dragged into this mess.
'So, bringing her along from the start was all part of the scheme?'
'As expected—no matter how innocent she may look, a Satan is still a Satan...'
'It seems the days ahead are going to be quite eventful...'
Luo Shu couldn't help but think this as he grew wary of Serafall.