Kaito woke to the alarm's infernal beeping at 6:30 AM, the sound now slightly less offensive than yesterday. Progress, he supposed.
He dressed in his school uniform with mechanical precision, then headed downstairs. The kitchen smelled of miso and toasted bread—Sayuri was already up, in a soft gray cardigan over a simple white blouse and knee-length skirt, her hair in a low ponytail. She looked softer in the morning light, the exhaustion from last night's late shift hidden behind a warm smile.
"Morning, Kaito," she said, setting a bowl in front of him. "Excited for your first full day back?"
He sat. "Excited is not the word. Determined. This academy shall bend to my will."
Sayuri chuckled, pouring tea. "You got a call yesterday evening—from Burger Baron. They want you to start training tonight at five."
Kaito's chopsticks paused mid-air. *So soon? Excellent. The greasy citadel falls swiftly.*
"I shall report for duty," he declared.
Akari shuffled in next, fresh from a morning jog—black sports bra under an open zip-up hoodie, tiny running shorts clinging to her thighs, ponytail damp with sweat. She grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and leaned against the counter, eyeing him.
"You're really doing the fast-food thing?" she asked, spoon in mouth. "You hate people."
"Needs must," he replied coolly. "This household requires a provider."
Akari's expression flickered—surprise, then something softer. "Just… don't push too hard, okay?"
Yui bounded down last, still in pajamas: an oversized pastel hoodie with a chibi anime character on it and loose shorts that barely peeked out beneath. Her silver twin tails were messy from sleep.
"Onii-chan's going to work tonight!" she chirped, hugging him from behind. Her small breasts pressed briefly against his back through the thin fabric. Innocent, but Kaito's demonic senses registered it anyway.
He cleared his throat. "Indeed. Tribute shall flow."
School passed in a blur of lectures and curious stares. Haruka continued her campaign of "helping" him—sliding extra notes across the aisle, her fingers brushing his each time. During lunch on the rooftop again, she sat closer than necessary, her skirt riding up as she crossed her legs.
"You're different today," she observed, popping a cherry tomato into her mouth. "More… intense."
Kaito gazed at the sports field below. "I have battles to wage on multiple fronts."
She laughed. "You talk like you're in some fantasy novel. It's kinda hot."
*Hot.* The Demon Lord filed that away.
PE brought another small victory: during soccer, a larger boy tried to shoulder-check him off the ball. Kaito sidestepped with centuries-honed grace, tapped the ball away, and scored effortlessly. The class cheered. The boy glared but backed down when Kaito met his eyes—minor mind trick, just a flicker of crimson intimidation.
*Pathetic mortal challenges.*
After school, he stopped by the convenience store for a quick snack—onigiri and canned coffee—then headed straight to Burger Baron.
The evening rush was just beginning. The scent of frying oil hit him like a battlefield smoke screen.
Reina spotted him immediately and waved dramatically from behind the counter. Today's uniform variation: the standard black polo (still straining admirably across her chest), red skirt, and those striped thigh-highs, but she'd added a small fantasy pin on her collar—a tiny silver dragon.
"Welcome, noble recruit!" she boomed. "Thou hast arrived in good time! The hordes approach!"
A few customers glanced over, amused.
Kaito approached, expression stern. "I am here to begin training. Lead on."
Reina's violet eyes sparkled. "Follow me to the armory!"
The "armory" was the employee locker room. She handed him a folded uniform—polo, visor, name tag. "Change into thy battle garb, Sir Kurogane!"
He retreated to a stall, emerging in the cheap polyester. It felt… humiliating. But necessary.
*For the household,* he reminded himself.
Reina clapped when he returned. "Splendid! Now, to the front lines!"
Training began with the register. Reina stood close—too close—demonstrating button sequences, her arm brushing his as she reached across.
"Press here for the Baron Burger Deluxe," she instructed. "And here for extra cheese. Verily, the customers demand much cheese in these dark times."
Kaito memorized instantly. "Simple enough."
A customer approached—an exhausted salaryman. "Big Baron meal, large fries."
Kaito rang it up flawlessly. "Your… tribute is accepted."
The man blinked, paid, and left.
Reina beamed. "A natural! Thou art gifted, my lord—er, coworker."
Kaito's eye twitched. *She dares call me lord? Mockery or coincidence?*
Next: fryer station. Reina demonstrated dropping baskets of frozen patties and fries. The heat was intense, the oil popping like minor explosions.
"Beware the grease demons," she warned dramatically. "They splash without mercy!"
Kaito flipped patties with precise flips. His minor strength made the heavy baskets easy. When a rush hit—high schoolers flooding in after clubs—he moved with battlefield efficiency, filling orders faster than expected.
Reina watched, impressed. "Incredible speed! Art thou a veteran of many campaigns?"
He met her gaze seriously. "More than you can imagine. I have commanded legions against far greater foes than these… greasy abominations."
She laughed, delighted. "Perfect commitment! We make a great quest party."
*Quest party. She truly believes this jest.*
Closing time came at ten. They cleaned together—wiping counters, mopping floors. Reina hummed a fantasy-sounding tune.
As they locked up, she turned to him under the neon sign. Streetlights cast soft shadows on her face, purple hair glowing faintly.
"You did great tonight, Kaito-kun. Seriously. Most newbies panic during rush."
He inclined his head. "It was… tolerable."
She smiled, softer now, less theatrical. "See you tomorrow? Same shift."
"I shall return."
They parted at the station. On the train home, Kaito leaned against the window, exhausted but satisfied.
*First wages soon. The citadel is mine.*
He arrived home near eleven. The house was quiet, lights low. Sayuri waited up, in a thin silk night robe that clung to her curves, hair down for once. She sat at the kitchen table with tea.
"You're late," she said gently, standing to hug him. The robe gaped slightly at the neckline, revealing smooth skin and the swell of her breasts. Her scent—lavender shampoo and warmth—enveloped him.
"How was it?"
Kaito allowed the embrace longer than strictly necessary. "The greasy citadel is chaotic. But I prevailed."
She pulled back, hands on his shoulders, eyes searching. "You smell like fries."
"A badge of honor."
Sayuri laughed quietly, then surprised him by reaching up to remove his visor, fingers threading briefly through his hair. "I'm proud of you, Kaito. Really."
His heart thudded. *This woman… dangerous.*
Upstairs, he showered off the oil smell, then collapsed into bed.
Tomorrow: more school, more work, more conquest.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, Reina's playful "my lord" echoed.
*This realm grows more complicated by the day.*
But as sleep claimed him, Kaito smiled faintly.
Complicated… but not unpleasant.