BOOK 2 - THE GRAND ENTRANCE!
(Aiko POV)
Aiko: "T-Thanks for...picking me up."
Ms. Smith: "Ah, that's no trouble! I understand how tiring your work can be."
You would think that having a worker at the government as a friend will only bring benefits. I mean...it could. It's good for when you don't own a car.
Or a driver's license for that matter...or simply too short to properly watch what's ahead of you without having a guy in their seat bust out laughing when spotting you. 'Muuu...'
Aiko: "But K-Kuruko-san..."
Ms. Smith: "Hm? Got a problem?"
Aiko: "Y-Yeah...w-why am I in a child's seat?"
Technically I was tall enough (not to mention old enough) to sit on the passenger seat without any help. But...that didn't stop the woman next to me from buying a seat help, cute colors and design included. 'She's treating me like her very own son...'
And while I am grateful for the added height allowing me to see the road...I'm pretty sure that it was bought from the government's money. Technically, we pax taxes to the government so...does that mean she bought it from my money? Gosh, this is too confusing...
Ms. Smith: "That's just there to ensure your safety."
Aiko: "...A-And?"
...Smith-san, why are your cheeks redde-
Ms. Smith: "And because you're so adorable in it, you little cutie~!"
Aiko: "E-EH! S-Stop pulling on my cheek K-Kuruko-san!"
I would feel considerably safer if she'd look at the road and not my face for most of the time! WATCH OUT, RED LIGHT!
(Aiko POV)
After 10 additional minutes of being scared for my life, Kuruko-san finally arrived at my small apartment.
It wasn't really impressive in any terms. If I would need to describe it in one word, I'd pick 'comfy'. Most of the furniture in the rooms was low enough for my size, so that I don't need to leap whenever I'm in my home. 3 rooms with the kitchen and living room put into 1 for maximum space. A small bedroom that I mostly spent my time in and the bathroom, specifically designed for my needs!
...Yeah, I enjoyed it here.
Ms. Smith: "You wouldn't believe how good Darling's coffee is! It's not too bitter but still wakes you up with a single sip~!"
Aiko: "Sounds great...though, didn't you promise me to tone it down with the caffeine?"
Ms. Smith: "Eh? Don't look at me like that! I only drink a cup every day! That's improvement, right?"
Aiko: "Uhm..."
Ms. Smith: "Okay, two cups...that's still better than what I usually take in!"
Just sitting on the small pillow on the floor while sipping on some tea was worth the trouble every day. The windows behind me would illuminate the room most of the time. However, the warming glow as the sun's going down with everything being tinted a bright orange was the best!
Aiko: 'Ahhh...it's nice to be able to talk normally with Smith-san in one room. Reminds me of the first times we've met.'
Aiko: "But...why 'Darling', Kuruko-san?"
Ms. Smith: "It's...uhm..."
Huh? Why was her face heating up all of a sudden!?
Aiko: "You're not ill, right!?"
I was just about to grab a thermometer before she stopped me with her grip on my shoulder, the other hand blocking her mouth while her shoulders were twitching.
Ms. Smith: "Oh, no no! Just...it's something you don't need to think about, okay Aiko-chan?"
Aiko: "Uhm...okay?"
She let go of me put aside her own cup of tea, removing her glasses and revealing the black rings forming around her eyes from exhaustion.
I always hated her superiors for not giving her more free days or a raise. She surely deserved it, and that is without everyone dumping their problems on her!
Aiko: "Do...you want to lie down?"
Ms. Smith: "Thanks, but not now. I still need to drive to my office and hold a brefing with 'MON' tonight."
That actually reminds me: Not only did she work hard on the 'Cultural Exchange Program' but she also led a group specialized for liminal crimes.
...Uhm, at least that's what I think it is. Kuruko-san would rarely talk about it and when I tried to bring it up, she'd instantly switch topics or coo at me...
Aiko: "Okay..."
Ms. Smith: "Before I forget it! Here, take a look at this."
She handed me a small stacks of papers and at first glance, those were my documents for the program. I still remember how they almost needed a chair for me to stand on when they took my picture for recording.
Luckily Kuruko-san had a premade photograph of me (from...somewhere).
Aiko: "Those...are the papers you wanted me to fill out."
Ms. Smith: "Yep. But look at the last page."
I gave her a small nod as my hands picked out the document in the back. True to her word, there was the fine print of the 'contract'...and a huge stamp with Kuruko-san's signature on it!?
Aiko: "They found someone who wants me as their host!?"
Whatever was funny about my response got her to laugh as she patted my hair. I did pull a bit back...but I didn't dislike it either.
Ms. Smith: "Not quite~! Normally we inform the participants of who they'll be put together with via. a brief rundown. However, this only occurs once we found 2 suitable ones and have them in the same room."
Aiko: "So does that mean-"
?: "Keeper! May this wandering Archmage finally claim the limelight!?"
Who was that!? And why was Kuruko-san rubbing her forehead out...of frustration?
Ms. Smith: "You may. But please don't break anyth-"
*CRASH*
Oh god, I can't see anything from all this smoke! One second everything was fine and suddenly a bright flash shines at my eyes! Not to mention that I can't breathe properly from all the rubble!
*Cough*
?: "May the spirits of all plains make way for me!"
Hold on...THAT VOICE!
Aiko: "A-AMORIS!?"
Amoris: "For thou, Amoris the A-Aiko-chan!?"
Once part of the smoke cloud finally subsided, there she stood in my living room. Her hat was stabilized by one of her hands, her cloak completely smeared with dust...
And Amoris-san herself was coughing, possibly from inhailing the dust bunny's remains, tears forming in her closed eyes from the irritation.
Amoris: "I'll curse the vendor who proclaimed...his low-grade compounds would be elder tree ash!"
Ms. Smith: "Suprise? Ugh, this...will take a while."
...Uhm.
Aiko: "I'm getting another cup for her and you!"
(Amoris POV)
After repairing both the abode's destuction created by me and removing the prestigeous robe carefully, I sat down next to my keeper, indulging myself in the warming aroma of the little one's beverage-
Ms. Smith: "Amoris. What did I tell you about using your abilities?"
...Curse my cloud-wandering mind!
Amoris: "Uhm...only resort to the ancient arts if the lives of innocents are at stake?"
Aiko: "Wait, does that mean you..."
...Guess there's no hiding it now. Probably should've been more careful about it but no, I had to blow it again!
Amoris: "Indeed, little one. My...ability to call upon the mana's power could be considered unstable...as such, I was violating my agreement with the one you call Smith."
Oh in the name of Magus! I'm sure the little one will be dissapointed of me...maybe fath- the sage was right. Maybe I am too naïve.
Ms. Smith: "That settles it then...Amoris Pointif. As your coordinator-"
Aiko: "KURUKO-SAN, PLEASE WAIT!"
Huh!?
Amoris: "Little one? What are you..."
*Tud*
The precious youth had me ensnared in his arms as I sat there, frozen like the gargoyles of the north. 'And are...those tears?'
Aiko: "Amoris-san didn't do anything wrong! She only wanted to help me out, nothing less! Y-You can't let her be d-deported for...helping someone as clumsy a-as me!"
And now he was sobbing into my cloth! Oh no...I can't watch this without action anymore. This is tearing at my arcane soul...
...
They don't deserve someone like me.
Amoris: "Shh...it's okay, little one. I was glad to be at your service earlier ago. Don't assume it was your errors, please."
Ms. Smith: "And don't assume anything negative from me until I'm done explaining!"
EH!? What is the keeper saying? And why did she look like she is ready to leave us so suddenly!?
Ms. Smith: "I never said that you'd be deported back to your father's country, Amoris. Actually, you get to stay with Aiko-chan over here."
...He...the little one...is my host?
Now that I looking at him, there seemed to be some visible proof of his actual age.
At first, I assumed of the little one to be related to my keeper...or that his parents would own this abode. But to know that he is the one...the creator of fate sure kept his paths mysterious to me.
*Snore*
...
Amoris: 'Wait, did he just?'
Looking down from my head's position I glanced at the little host, only for my face to heat up as I spectated his adorable face in his sleep! To my fortune, I could hold thee excitement in the depths of my body, or else their slumber might've ended way too soon.
Ms. Smith: "Keep your enthusiasm at a lower level. The cutie needs his sleep after such a tiring day, right?"
Amoris: "...Right. And...you really trust me with him? What about the previous families?"
Ms. Smith: "I trust him with you. And don't think about the previous host families...I'm confident that you'll find more joy with him than anyone else."
My mouth kept quiet as she picked up her stuff while moving with the grace of a fairy dancer. She even reached the door without any trouble...
Amoris: 'Maybe I've miscalculated her skills. She works at a specialized position after all...'
Ms. Smith: "Be a nice guest and don't try to cause any trouble. And...maybe you can help him get over his anxiety."
A request? I mean...normally I wouldn't turn it down immediately. And this time...
Yeah. That way I can repay the little one for his kindness!
Amoris: "Hah! A challange as measly as this one will be solved in...no...time. Keeper?"
*Click*
...
GAH! The nerves of that black witch! Just abandones me as I'm about to proclaim my courtesy to her wish!
...Regardless, at least I can rest now. The flow of time felt accelerated today, and my body's reserves were drained from the usage of spells.
*Snore*
Now...where is the abode's domain? They'll surely be more comfortable on top of downs and feathers, not the leathery hide of a fake creature. Let's just hope that they have enough space for another Archmage...
...
(To be continued...)