Two days have passed and Kobayashi is really not liking the mood in the office. Mako wasn't always influencing the mood of the office, but it's been rather dower. Taikya leaned towards Kobayashi.

"Hey, so you sure things are okay?"

"I believe so, but he's really dampening the atmosphere. I wonder if it's a magical being thing. Tohru's been feeling just as sour."

She pulled out her lunch and it wasn't the normal simple, delicious lunch. It was just average. Even the heart was half-assed.

"Do you know how sorcerers work?"

"Besides Shouta, not really. Sorcerers are weird." She looked and saw Mako staring at the copy machine. "And this is getting too sad to watch."

Getting up, she walked up to him. "Hey."

"Gah! Oh Kobayashi." He adjusted himself. "What can I do for you?"

"Are you free for dinner tonight?"

"Dinner? Oh I don't know, I think I have a bit of something on my plate." He turned away. His evenings were spent watching anime or reading manga while drinking himself to sleep. Kobayashi pinched his cheek and pulled him. "Ow! Ow! Kobayashi!"

"You're coming over, got it?"

And that's how he found himself arriving an hour after Kobayashi went home in front of her apartment door. She'd given him her address, but that didn't mean he didn't know. Anyone who falls under his contract will be known. Everyone's home, family, and anything of interest could come in contact with magic. It was important to be aware.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door opened and Mako almost flinched when he came face to face with the maid.

"Sorcerer."

"Dragon." The two stared each other down. "How's the back?"

"Fine. Still capable of fighting without your stick?"

The two shared a glare before Mako gave up and looked down. "Can I just come in? I'm not here for a fight."

Tohru waited a minute before shrugging. "You are Miss Kobayashi's guest so I cannot argue. I'm just gonna say this, pull any magic with me or Kanna and I'll eradicate you."

"Promise?" Tohru felt a weird shiver run down her spine when she saw a flash of a creepy grin on his face. "I'm kidding. Let's head inside."

"Sure."

The two walked in where Kobayashi and Kanna were. Plates of food were set up and ready to be eaten. Mako sat next to Kanna while Tohru moved to Kobayashi.

"So glad you came. Tohru pulls all the stops when it comes to guests. Please enjoy."

"Kobayashi, as much as I'd like to enjoy a hot meal, we should at least address why you called me here before we indulge." Mako said.

"I agree. Miss Kobayashi, I still don't feel comfortable making a meal for an enemy."

Kobayashi took a swig of her beer and turned to Mako. "I'd like to know more about this weird contract thing and to know why you were in such a slump."

"My contract? I suppose I didn't give the most thorough explanation." He turned to Tohru. "Let me begin by saying I do not see your maid as an enemy. I am under the employment of a wizard and my job is to protect all of his employees."

"Our boss is a wizard?"

"Yes. You wouldn't know, but the software codes we work with are based on magic principles and systems. As I was saying, I'm under contract to protect everyone and the building in which I work. More specifically, I am to eliminate all supernatural dangers. Dragons, fairies, and even other magical humans. Should any harm/possession come to them, I am to employ my wrath upon them."

Tohru tsked. "I suppose I can't fault you for that. Dragons aren't usually so submissive to humans. Except for you, of course Miss Kobayashi."

"Kobayashi, can we eat now?"

"Not yet, Kanna. Now that I know your wizard job, let me ask this: Why did you look so depressed? There's no threats happening."

Mako groaned as he twiddled his fingers. "Truth be told, I've never faced anyone powerful in a while and I thought-"

BOOM!

A blue comet smashed through their apartment and everyone was surprised. Kanna felt a pair of hands hold her while Tohru moved in front of Kobayashi. Her eyes narrowed.

"Elma."

The smoke cleared and in the center stood a woman in a black bodysuit and a blue kimono. She wielded a trident with a long blue tail poking out back.

"Tohru! I never would've imagined you living in the human world. Now time to-!" Elma started before a pink glow shined around her body. Her knees buckled and Elma fell to the floor.

Mako's hand was glowing as his eyes shined pink.

"Whoa! Hey, you're gonna break my floor!"

"Who're you?" Mako said.

"That's Elma. A Harmony Dragon in league with the gods of my world."

Kanna tugged at Mako's sleeve. "Lady Tohru is a Chaos Dragon, so they fight it out like cats and dogs."

Kobayashi smiled. "You learned that from school? Good job."

Kanna hummed as Mako lifted his fingers up and held Elma tight. "The Chaos Dragon is underneath my employee. Kobayashi, if you were to lose Tohru, it would be distressful right?"

"I suppose."

"Miss Kobayashi!"

"W-Wait a minute! But I'm with the Harmony faction. We work to protect and nurture humans!"

Tohru tapped Mako's shoulder and signalled to release her. He gave her a pensive stare then dropped her. Elma took a second to breathe when Tohru stepped up.

"Look Elma, I'm gonna make this quick. I'm not endangering this world nor the humans. I'm living with my human as a maid. You can go home now."

"You expect me to believe you're serving a human? How foolish do you think I am?" She stood up and pointed her staff at Tohru. "I've known for centuries and I know for certain that is not the case. Now end this charade and come home!"

"Huh, she's talking at least. Better than what you did." Kobayashi said.

"Please stop."

"Fine. You are my equal and you should be given a proper chance." Tohru opened a portal. "We'll fight there and if I lose I will come home."

"Hm, that's...reasonable." She stepped through. "Perhaps you have changed Tohru, but that will change the outcome of the-"

She stopped and looked behind her. The portal was gone.

"You left your pretty friend in the field we fought in?"

"It was the one place I remembered when I opened the portal. Normally it'd just take some food to convince her, but that glutton was pretty serious about taking me out." Tohru twirled her finger and restored the apartment. "Gotta admit though I've never seen binding magic like that before."

"It's a combination of gravity and telekinetic runes. I summon enough energy and make them too heavy to move."

"Impressive. I don't use those types of spells. I use my own weight to hold down my opponents."

"I get that. Though with your mana pool, I could see you crushing mountains with it."

Kobayashi and Kanna looked at each other as the two exchanged tactics. "Hm, not what I had in mind to help ease the tension, but it'll do."

"Can we eat now?" Kanna asked.

The Next Day

Mako walked up the stairs with a case of beers in his hands. He forgot to grab a case for last night's dinner and to make up for the last-last time he was in her apartment. He stopped when he saw Elma at the door.

She was about to bust through when she turned to see Mako.

"You!"

"Easy, I have beer. I'll bind you." Mako raised his hand. Elma and Mako stared down at each other when there was a loud groan. Tohru opened the door and saw Elma on the ground with Mako looking disturbed.

"Hey, nice job. You binded her again?"

"More like her stomach did."

Elma groaned. Mako saw Kobayashi and stepped over Elma. "Hey Kobayashi, I forgot to bring a gift last night and I owed you a beer since the first time I was here."

"Hey, thanks. Ooh I've seen this brand, but never had time to buy it."

"Hold on...don't ignore me." Elma said.

Kanna came out with a plate and held on up to Mako. "Lady Tohru was teaching me how to make meat buns. Would you like to try?"

Even with that blank expression, Mako could feel his heart squee at how cute it was. He took a bun. He turned to the fallen dragon by his side and knelt down. The hungry look on her face was a face he was familiar with.

"You like food?" He asked her.

"...it's always nice to like food." Elma said.

He held the meat bun to her nose and watched her drool. Her blue eyes zoned in on the meat bun.

"You leave these people alone and I get you some food."

They waited a second before Elma's mouth snatched the meat bun. Noisy chewing ensued and a loud swallow later, Elma was back on her feet. She stared at Tohru and then at Mako.

"Hmph, I see you are a skilled negotiator. I will try to convince Tohru to return to our world at a later date."

"I can't take you seriously with sauce on your cheek."

Elma blushed in embarrassment and turned away. "You will return Tohru! And you...what's both of your names?"

"Kobayashi."

"Kokomi."

"You two humans will understand why Tohru needs to return. I'll convince you myself if I have to!" She ran off as Mako and Kobayashi stared at each other.

"So...you'd like to have some meat buns?"

"Eh, no thanks. I've got my own thing going on." Mako said and left.

Kobayashi, Kanna, and Tohru walked back in. Kobayashi turned to Tohru. "Glad you two aren't so fighty."

"I wouldn't say that. I've simply acknowledged his skill in embarrassing Elma. Anyone who does that gets my respect."

Kobayashi rolled her eyes. "How petty. Still I wonder if that's the last we will meet Elma?"

It isn't.

Mako could confirm this when he went to work the next day and in a suit was Elma.

"You must be my senior trainer. I'm Elma Joui, it is a pleasure to-you!"

"...why are you here?" His eyes darted down, up, and then down again. Did the flame sacs of dragon's translate to being well endowed? You'd think it'd be swollen throats or something.

Kobayashi was also stunned, but Mako held up a hand to signal her. He pulled her aside and huffed in frustration.

"Do you have a death wish dragon?"

"Don't threaten the new girl. Although, I'm a bit concerned why you are here."

"Why would you threaten me, Kokomi? I'm here under legitimate means as a way to observe humans. Tohru's here alongside other dragons. I'm here in the city to make sure that nothing breaks the rules laid out by the Harmony Faction."

Kokomi and Kobayashi glanced at each other. "Kobayashi, just let me handle this."

"You're not going to fight here, right?"

Mako's eyes flashed green as he stared at Elma. He sighed when he noticed a small gold sigil on the back of her hand. "No. Elma, somehow, works here. She falls under my contract and is under my protection."

"Your protection, I think you got it backwards."

Mako held up a hand. "I'm not going into detail now, but you know I'm a sorcerer. This place and people are under my protection. Even dragons that work here."

Elma pondered on that. "I'm not quite sure I follow, but it doesn't matter. Besides Kokomi, I won't need any assistance. I've had decades of human labor under my belt back in our world. This world is no different."

Kobayashi glanced at Kokomi.

"I'll give her two minutes."

Elma sat in front of her computer with her eyes dizzy. Kokomi slid up and looked down at her. "You good?"

Elma slowly looked up as she pointed at the keyboard and monitor. "Perhaps I should learn."

Mako sighed and began pointing out the duties of a software engineer. He's taught a lot of people. A dragon shouldn't be an issue. And that wasn't the issue as the day carried on.

Kobayashi put on her coat as she walked behind Mako. "You need me here? I can walk her out, find out what's her plan here."

"It's no problem, Kobayashi. It's my duty to ensure everyone is safe, even the dragon. Did you enjoy the beer?"

"It is very tasty. Maybe too tasty. Tohru hid it from me after last night."

Mako nodded. "The dragon loves you. Her time with you is already limited due to your human nature. Maybe she thinks losing you early to alcohol is...unpleasant. You should be considerate of your partner."

Kobayashi blushed a little. "Yeah, yeah. I think I got it. Also, we're not together like that. She's just my maid."

"If you say so." Kobayashi left, a little more red in the cheeks this time.

Mako tapped Elma on the shoulder. "Eep!"

"Work's over. I did my duties to close so I can leave with you."

The two walked down the street with Elma stretching her arms. "Mm, so many humans in the otherworld do so much physical labor, I underestimated that sitting down would be tiring as well."

"Welcome to the human's world. Everything that made sense in the other world doesn't exist here and magic is a luxury."

Elma stared at him. "Your brand of magic is also quite unique. Very ancient to today's wizards. A binding spell with a gravity sigil."

"What're you getting at?"

Elma stopped and stared at Mako. "You are a sorcerer of ancient powers. We dragons are very knowledgeable of various civilizations and I never imagined one of those citizens of such a civilization would be here."

Flashes of glowing chains and their rattle echo in his head. He looked down at the ground.

"...it's not easy to explain. But understand it's not like I was left with many options." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Let's put that aside for now."

Elma nodded and made a mental note to follow up later. "Ok, fine. Keep your secrets, sorcerer. My study of humans will now include humans of our world here. Speaking of which, when will I get compensation for my labor today? Is there an administrator we need to visit?"

"Pay? It's the first of the month, we don't get paid until the end of it."

…

…

"Oh my god."

"WHAT?!" Elma said. "Until the end of the month! B-But I've worked so hard and I need money to pay for my place, my FOOD! How can I eat yummy delicacies if I have no money!"

"Go home then." Mako said, frustrated. "Tohru told me you were her "supposed" equal. Just go home and rest there before coming to work."

Elma blinked. Mako blinked. Somehow her flustered expression got even worse when she turned away.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"C-could you open one?"

"I thought you were her equal!"

"Tohru and I are...strength wise. Our skill sets do vary though and I can do things she can't and she does things I can't. Still, why don't you open one?"

Mako groaned and held up the back of his hand. Focusing magic, a seal formed around his knuckles. "...I am not allowed to leave this world. Not without special permission. Creating portals without said permission will harm me."

"I...see."

Mako facepalmed and looked at Elma. "Did you rent a place already?"

"...I found a place. The landlord told me that they'll allow me to stay if I come up with payment. I promised that I'd have it by tomorrow since I assumed that I'd get it then." Elma explained.

"You're an idiot."

"Hey! That's rude!" She said before noticing her stopped.

He took a deep breath and crossed his arms. "Well, Elma, I could extend a hand and offer you to stay with me until you have enough money to live on your own."

"Really?"

"Yes and since I have more than enough money, I'll even give you an allowance to buy food."

"Wouldn't be easier to give me the money and I'll start by myself."

Mako leaned in. "Every dragon that I know of has a human companion. While you are a Harmony Dragon, used to being humans, you do not have the slightest idea on how humanity here works. As such I will take the responsibility."

He leaned back. "Plus I'm your trainer at work. It will be easier if you were just by my side. All you have to do is work hard and help pay half of every month's rent. Deal?"

"Hm, I suppose it's not irrational to turn away such an offer."

"Good. Then we agreed." He stopped. "Stay here."

Elma waited outside as he went inside a building. A few minutes later, he came out with a bag. Reaching in, he pulled out something wrapped in paper. It was warm and squishy. Elma's nose went into overdrive as she unwrapped it.

"Let's get along, shall we?"

Elma bit into the treat and almost went crazy for the taste. The treat melted in her mouth as she eagerly shook Mako's hand.

"Agreed, agreed, agreed! Let's do this!"

Mako chuckled as he watched her stuff her face when was hit with a realization.

'Damn, I need to clean up my place.'