Chapter 22: Shouta and a New Arrival
"So you didn't actually say what you were doing here, Shouta," Meisuke said evenly as she set a saucer and a cup of coffee down in front of the elder dragon.
Despite his actual age Shouta had always been somewhat immature, and that frequently meant he had a rather loose hold on his emotions. This was obvious now as the diminutive creature fidgeted furiously, sweat pouring down his forehead and eyes darting around the room as he said, "I-I haven't the slightest stirrings of an idea as to that which you're referring, M-Meisuke! Surely there's no n-need for any cause to call on one's close comrades and compatriots! The m-mere insinuation is pr-preposterous, is it not!?"
"Uh huh," Meisuke replied, raising an eyebrow and a can of beer, "that's definitely true, except normally a social call wouldn't involve all that nervous jittering, right? It seems like you're hiding something... or hiding from something. Am I wrong?"
With a small cough Shouta uncomfortably adjusted his cloak-apparently he'd taken a liking to the wizard's robes he wore to the Christmas party-and said, "W-well, now that you mention it, there is an, ah, situation I am rather making my utmost attempt to avoid. You see, it so happens that I find myself living in this world now and require a small touch of assistance with a rather small, almost negligible issue I've encountered."
Blinking in surprise, Tohru took a sip from her own cup (of tea; Meisuke rarely allowed the already excitable woman any coffee) before asking, "You're living here now, Shouta? That's nice to hear! It's always good to have friends close, right, Meisuke?"
However, instead of a happy affirmation or nonchalant shrug, Meisuke's face was frozen in a chilled, deathly serious expression-one with just the smallest traces of fear beginning to take shape. Tohru blinked once more, repeating, "Meisuke?"
The butler leaned on the table, deathly serious as she said, "Shouta's a god, Miss Tohru. Almost nothing can worry him, let alone scare him. The only things I can imagine might phase him are other dragons, but he's neutral-no chaos dragons OR order dragons would come to bother him. That means something entirely different is happening." Staring the deceptively youthful being in the eyes, Meisuke asked, "What happened, Shouta?"
With an awkward chuckle, the ancient dragon began, "well, I was leaving your home one fine evening a fortnight prior...
...
"My, the people of this world are so friendly!" Shouta enthused to himself as he strolled in the clear evening air. "Though I'm not sure what this 'police box' they all wish to show me is..."
As he mused on this, the elder drake suddenly felt the strange, intangible pull indicative of a summoning spell. It wasn't difficult for him to bat aside such a meager enchantment, but Shouta had to admit he was curious and had nothing better to do. Thus, he allowed himself to be swept up in the magical current flowing through him, pulling him along with the tide and dragging him through a portal.
And on the other side awaiting him was...
...
With a shiver Shouta fell silent in the middle of his story, instead staring vacantly into his coffee. Whatever had happened, it was far too traumatic for even his vast, unfathomable mind to fully internalize.
Meisuke stroked her chin, considering his story. Clearly something had happened after he'd been summoned, but his story didn't offer any clues. She'd either have to coax more details out of her friend-something he seemed unwilling to provide-or do some investigating herself.
Before she could consider the problem any further, however, a knocking on the door rang through the house, and all present sat silent, waiting for something to happen. Finally, gathering all her resolve, Tohru rose, inching to the door with palpable fear and reluctance. A minute dragged itself past before she reached the entryway and checked the doorcam.
In it could be seen a woman of uncertain age. There was a sense of youth to her, with wide, kind green eyes, soft, wavy blonde hair, and skin seemingly untouched by time or hardship. However, there was a maturity in her face, an atmosphere that spoke of wisdom and knowledge beyond her years. She towered above the camera, a giantess that radiated optimism and good humor.
"It's just my manager!" Tohru cheered, and instantly the tension broke, sighs filling the small apartment. She opened the door and said, "Hiya, Lucoa!"
Instantly Shouta's face fell.
...
"...so anyway, this little kid popped out of this circle that I found in some weird book my dad left hanging around and he was sooo kyuuute! so of course I just started spoiling him but I guess it made him scared? and like, I get that it can be kinda weird to just have that happen but I was trying to be sooo nice, y'know? and, well, anyway, he went missing and I'm trying to get him home because, c'mon, there's bad people out there, right? So anyway, you guys haven't seen any kid like that, right?"
A groan filled with a lifetime of grief and frustration fell out of Meisuke's throat as her palm found its way onto her forehead. After reining an idle thought comparing the 'bad people' Lucoa mentioned to the strange woman herself, the butler considered simply washing her hands of the whole situation. She could perhaps understand why Shouta would be uncomfortable around someone as flashy as this, but Meisuke felt there was more going on than she'd been told, and she wanted no part in whatever it was.
However, seeing Tohru usher Shouta out of the room-presumably to hide in some closet until the newcomer left-she instead sighed and tried to distract Lucoa by asking, "so why'd you come here, anyway?"
With a shrug the domineering woman replied, "well, I think I saw Shouta-oh, that's his name, by the way, isn't that crazy?-run off this way, and I didn't really know anyone who lived around here except Tohru, so I just sort of thought that maybe she'd seen him or know how to find him!"
Nodding slowly, Meisuke dragged out the silence for as long as she could justify and hoped that she had bought her ancient friend enough time. Eventually able to delay no longer without appearing awkward or suspicious, she decided to switch track completely, saying, "Uh huh... so why would this kid run away, anyway? Did you freak him out or something?"
"What!? No!" Lucoa replied, frantically waving her hands in protest. "I treated him just like any other kid his age! I hugged him and patted his head and made sure to treat him re~al nice, that kind of thing!"
Meisuke issue a small hum of understanding. All of that would've been fine if done with a normal child but Shouta was probably older than anyone on this planet, let alone the vivacious woman that summoned him. Anyone would feel awkward with that level of physical affection from a complete stranger, and for someone as innocent as Shouta it would be absolute torture.
As she reflected on this, the butler resolved to protect her small friend... just as a loud banging issued from the bathroom area.
"Oh no..." she muttered, her palm once more rising to meet her face. Before she could say anything else, Lucoa rose with a look of concern on her own as she dashed out of the room. Meisuke took a moment to reflect on the fact that she really couldn't deal with the energetic woman.
...
Taking in the sight of Shouta stuck hanging halfway out the window, wiggling his legs ineffectually as Tohru slumped on the floor in a dazed state, Meisuke had to concede this was pretty much a foregone confusion. Neither the excitable young woman or gung ho dragon were known for their caution, and seeing as they had decided to stage the escape through the bathroom-home of wet surfaces and bars of soap-they were almost certain to get themselves hurt in the process and make quite a bit of noise besides. If anything, it was surprising they managed to start forcing the elder through the window before they met some form of mishap.
As Lucoa rushed forward to help, the butler decided this was more a result of Murphy's Law than any competence on their part.
"Shouta baby!" The overly familiar woman cried, rushing forward to help the diminutive dragon. Gripping him firmly by the ankles despite Shouta's protestations, she yanked him free of his predicament into a hug most people would declare as well beyond 'too tight'. However, Lucoa was not 'most people,' and her lack of self-awareness manifested in a hug that left the dragon ineffectual pushing and begging to be let free, his face flaring an alarming shade of red.
...
"...and that's why your manager's hugging Shouta like a teddy bear and why you have an ice pack." Meisuke explained, laying her master's head in her lap.
"Huh," Tohru replied, watching the display before her with a mixture of confusion, shame, and the slightest hint of reluctant interest. "How long have they been like that?"
Gazing up at the ceiling, the butler performed a few mental calculations before replying, "about fifteen minutes. She was really worried, apparently.
With a small chuckle, Tohru said, "Yeah, she's like that at work, too. Lucoa's pretty nice, and she really tries to take care of us, but she has this sort of... mature aura, I guess? Like, she's really nice, but she's like... a model or something, kinda. We like her, and we want to get too know her, but she seems a little too intense and out of our reach?"
Meisuke considered this as she watched the elder dragon and the flashy woman before her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something about the newcomer that just seemed... lonely. As she watched Lucoa rub her cheek against the small dragon and considered both her matronly nature and Shouta's naivete, the butler couldn't help but wonder if maybe it was for the best.
This in mind, she pointedly avoided Shouta's pleading gaze and covered Tohru's eyes so she would do the same. It was a similar reluctance to intervene that kept her silent as Lucoa carried the writhing wyrm out of the apartment.
"Hey, Miss Tohru?"
"Yeah, Meisuke?"
"It kind of hurts me to say it, but... maybe we should try to be friends with Lucoa."
...
"And then I took him home with me and it was sooo fun!" Lucoa concluded with a clap of her hands.
Offering a small, awkward smile in an attempt to be polite, Joui replied, "Well, that's nice, Ms. Lucoa, but-"
"Three omurice for table six!"
The serious woman nodded, turning back to the ingredients before her as she shouted an acknowledgement. Moments later several plates were finished and set on the counter; looking at them, Joui couldn't help but congratulate herself on a job well done.
However, a passing server looked at her work with a sigh and a shake of her head, saying, "That's too many, Elma-san!"
Tears pouring from her eyes, Joui hurled the excess food into the trash.
"Awww~" Lucoa whined, "and it was such a good-looking plate too..."
...
Watching Tohru clock out (and leaving behind a pile of dishes), Elma couldn't help but furrow her brow as she furiously scrubbed the neglected flatware and plates her old friend left behind.
"Honestly, that girl..." she fumed, "I just have no idea why I bother cleaning up after her... I mean, it's hard enough to work in a place like this in the first, but with a slacker like her around, I just don't know how I put up with it!"
The part-time maid dashed across the restaurant, sweeping the floor as she said, "I mean, I'm in the prime of my life! I could leave whenever!"
Scrubbing down the bathroom, she continued, "...go do any number of other jobs or try my hand at any number of hobbies! Why do I bother staying here!?"
With a scowl she washed herself clean before punching her timecard. "Honestly," she declared, "I should just quit! Find a better job and leave Tohru behind!"
"Hey, Joui-chan!" Another maid called, oblivious to her coworker's distress. "We have some leftovers! Do you want some?"
...
Munching happily on a piece of jelly as she skipped out of work, Joui enthused, "I'm never quitting!"
...
Watching her employee work furiously, Lucoa said, "Hey, Joui-chan~"
The maid in question paused, turning to the older woman as she asked, "Yes, Ms. Lucoa?"
A moment passed as Lucoa carefully considered how to phrase her question before finally asking, "What's the deal with you and Tohru?"
Joui's face filled with pride as she replied, "Well, we were friends in High School, but she just never matured! She might be outgoing and self-assured... and yeah, she's probably better at waiting tables than anyone else here... including me... but she's also childish, lazy, and self-centered! Every day she makes me clean up after her messes, and I always have to fix any food she makes! If I weren't here to constantly take care of her she would've burned this place down, you know?"
"Awww~" Lucoa said with a small smile, "You two are so nice together!"
"Wha!?" Joui squeaked, her face shifting into a pool of crimson, "It's not like we're friendly or anything! That girl's nothing but a pain! That's all I think of her!"
Blowing a small raspberry at this denial, the easygoing woman replied, "Come onnn! It's totally easy to tell you're friends, and not just back in high school. You two are great together!"
With a small, awkward cough, Joui said, "I've no idea what you're talking about-we don't even get along, let alone have anything resembling friendship.
Lucoa offered a nonchalant shrug as she pushed herself off the table she was leaning on, saying , "Sure, whatever you say. Still, I gotta say I'm totally jealous. There's totally no one who gets me like you two get each other~"
As her boss sauntered out, Joui cried, "That's only because she forces me to baby her all of the time! It's nothing more than that, okay!?"
Despite her words, however, anyone walking past could swear that the serious young woman began to scrub down the counters of the restaurant with an enhanced sense of vigor and joy.
...
As she strolled along the city streets home from work, Joui's eyes lit up as she noticed that one of the many local convenience stores dotting the streets was running a sale on meat buns.
This is perfect! She thought as she rushed to its doors, I'll snack on some meat buns to regain my energy and then go find and scold Tohru!
However, this quickly fell away from her mind as she walked in and was surprised by the presence of Meisuke, her old friend's easygoing...
Joui paused. Just what did Meisuke-san say she was to Tohru again...?
Before she could reflect on this matter any further, the butler in question turned to the part-time maid and said, "Oh, hey, Joui. What's up? I'm guessing you're here for the sale on the steamed meat buns?"
...
"...and since she was already back home and we didn't really need it right then, I offered to go pick up some milk for her. She was really embarrassed to forget it and she kept on apologizing and demanding to let her do it, but that part of her's cute too, y'know? And since I had some time, I figured I'd stop by the convenience store for some beer."
Meat buns in hand, the pair were sat outside sharing a bench and pleasant conversation. While she still didn't know much about Meisuke, Joui had to admit that the odd butler was at least relaxing to be around and a good listener besides.
"MEISUKE!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH... HER!?"
Joui froze mid-bite.
...
As she watched the two humans argue and shout at each other, Meisuke couldn't help but reflect on how peaceful and happy her life had been in this world. Sure, it had its own problems and challenges, but at least she had Miss Tohru to face them with here.
However, even knowing this, she couldn't help but feel a distant sense of unease. She knew this world would always be relatively calm, but there was always a chance that she and her fellow dragons had invited the gaze of less benign creatures... and as she felt the hair creep on the back of her neck, she couldn't help but fear that she already had.
***End of Chapter 22***
A/N: Finally it happened! Basically all the main cast has been introduced! I've actually been looking forward to this chapter for a while, but something I realized while writing it is that Lucoa is a really hard character to write, and not for a good reason. Cool-sensei kind of used Lucoa as... well, as a vehicle for fanservice, and that means that it's hard to write her without feeling skeevy or creepy when doing it. I mean, when a character is kind of designed to be lewd, it's hard to write them and not feel like a fare the censors looking this way?ing creep. So yeah, that kind of led to some delays.
On a brighter note, if you've only seen the anime or read the main manga, the latter half of the chapter probably seemed a bit unusual to you! Well, that's because it doesn't come from Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid-it comes from the spinoff manga, Elma's OL Diary! So it was kind of fun to deal with the different, more vignette-style of storytelling in that manga as compared to the more single-story focused chapter style of the main manga! So yeah. Top_Tsun signing off, I guess.