Standing before him was a tomboy with blonde hair and blue-green eyes.
She had messy blonde hair, a face as sharp as a knife, and bright green eyes. Her school uniform tie was loose, and her chest, slightly developed, showed off the tender curves characteristic of a young girl.
Gawain had hauled her out as if getting rid of a problem.
"This is Mordred from our Round Table club. If you don't mind, take her with you. You'd be doing me a huge favor."
The usually courteous Sun Knight, Gawain, sounded exceptionally rude when introducing Mordred. It was clear he genuinely disliked dealing with her.
But upon reflection, hardly anyone in the entire Knights of the Round Table was ever polite to Mordred, and the feeling was mutual.
"Tch, what kind of attitude is that?"
Mordred, who had been dragged out, said angrily, revealing fierce-looking canine teeth.
"Throwing me out like trash, you bastard Gawain!"
"Haha, a correction: when I dispose of trash, I just wrap it in a plastic bag and throw it in the bin."
Gawain said, forcing a smile. "But you, Mordred, dealing with you is much more trouble than dealing with trash. Ei is a friend of mine and Mother's. If you truly want to contribute, go help him. Consider it your societal training."
"What do you mean, 'societal training'? Are you treating me like an animal, huh, Gawain? Is that how you ask for a favor?!"
Slam!
Gawain simply shut the club door without another word.
Mordred cursed at the closed door of the Round Table club, then touched the back of her head irritably before turning to look at Ei.
Her appearance was strikingly similar to Artoria, but she gave off a much rougher vibe. If Artoria Pendragon was a majestic lion with feline characteristics, Mordred felt more like a wild cat—cute, perhaps, but untamed.
If Ei had to describe his first impression, she was a summer flower covered in thorns.
"You're that guy, aren't you? The one who's been hanging around with Gawain and Tristan recently. What was your name again..."
Mordred pondered for a moment. "Are you Tsuburaya?"
"That's a special effects company. Hint: my surname is Mochizuki."
"Ah, then, is your name Ryoji Mochizuki?"
"Uh... that's a character from another work. Fine, just call me Ei."
"Huh? So is your full name Ingrid?"
"Your 'Instinct' is way too strong! Mochizuki and Ei. You guessed the two sources the author named me after with pinpoint accuracy! That instinct has broken through dimensions, hasn't it?" Ei was astonished. "You're wasting your talent in the Round Table club."
"I don't really understand what you mean, but I guess you're praising me. At least you've got some eyesight, which is way better than those guys like Gawain."
Mordred's mood instantly brightened.
"So, you're going to work at Enma-tei, right? I can go with you."
"Uh... I don't want to trouble you. I can go alone..."
"What's with that weird tone? What are you implying? Are you treating me like a troublesome person, just like Gawain? If you have an issue, just say it!"
Ei thought, Your explosive reaction is proof enough that you're trouble.
"Not at all," he said with feigned sincerity. "I'm just a little shy about walking alongside such a cute and beautiful girl."
Activate Skill: High-Speed Incantation A!
The dice rolled.
[Because you didn't sleep well all night, your 'High-Speed Incantation A' rank is temporarily downgraded to 'High-Speed Incantation B.']
[Judgment Result: Failure.]
[Your sweet talk did not have the intended effect.]
Swoosh!
Mordred immediately grabbed his tie and yanked him close. Ei's face was suddenly inches away from her sharp, spirited features.
"What's your deal, kid? I am a Knight, after all. Are you mocking me?"
"Should I address you as Sir?"
"Alright, I've decided to kill you!"
"Why are you so hyper-sensitive? Sir is a proper honorific for a Knight, too! Don't kill me. If you must kill someone, kill Tristan and Gawain. They corrupted me. You can kill them however many times you want!"
I can't treat her like a girl, and I can't treat her like a guy. How is this supposed to be simple to deal with?
Ei sighed inwardly. Gawain had truly dumped a huge problem on him.
[6:00 PM. You and Mordred head to Enma-tei.]
[Because your Strength stat passed and you possess the 'Human Study' skill, you easily secured the VIP Masseuse job. Although Mordred had a poor attitude, she still carried out her task, watching over your safety like a bodyguard nearby.]
Enma-tei, VIP Room.
Ei had taken off his suit school uniform and changed into the staff uniform.
Mordred was squatting on a nearby step, one hand in her pocket, the long fingers of her other hand restlessly tapping the stair railing—the very image of a delinquent girl.
"I thought you might pitch in and work, too. I didn't expect you to really just stand guard," Ei said.
"What's wrong with that?" Mordred pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "I've been wanting to go outside for a while. No one can stop me from smoking here."
"Don't smoke in the guests' VIP area. There's a smoking room right next door."
"Mind your own business," Mordred retorted with a rebellious tone.
Ei actually understood her feelings a bit; she was like a child forced into an unwanted chore by her parents.
"Well, I feel bad dragging you into this. How about this, Mordred? I'll buy you a nice pack of cigarettes after I get off work."
"Really?"
She widened her green eyes, eyeing him with suspicion.
"I thought you'd be as rigid as a goody-two-shoes like Gawain, saying smoking is bad for your health and unbecoming of a Knight of the Round Table, or something."
Ei snapped his fingers. "I respect what other people enjoy."
"Oh?"
"What's so strange? Tristan likes married women, Elisabeth's singing can blast people away. Are any of their hobbies less weird or harmful than yours? Our school's Heroic Spirits have so many strange hobbies; you just have to learn to respect them."
"Hmph," Mordred softly snorted and lit her cigarette. "Then what hobbies do you have?"
He thought for a moment. "Nothing too special. Playing games and sleeping in."
"Everyone likes comfort and enjoyment! Can you say something different?"