**Revision v.1 Completed 03 Jul 17**

Disclaimer:

The characters and settings of Omamori Himari are properties of Fujimi Shobo and Milan Matra. Please support the official release in your respective region. I'm a fan of the series and all, but hey, it's not mine. And never will be. I only write for fun, not for profits. That's what a fanfic should be all about.

Also, all other characters referenced in the story, including OCs, are properties of their respective owners.

Legend:

"English speech"

{"Japanese speech"}

Quotes from other characters are centered, regardless of perspective

Note: The Cafe Relish flashback features full Japanese dialogue. As such, the legend above will not apply there.

Tenth Round - A Day with the Tea Maid

Cover pic: An above shot of Lizlet sitting on the hood of a Jaguar E-Type roadster, widely known as one of the world's most beautiful and iconic sports cars, painted in an illustrious British Racing Green.

Gordon's POV

It was a bright and busy afternoon down at the city park. Many people were coming and going as the luminous sun hovered over the sky, the absence of clouds making it all the more beautiful.

A picture-perfect setting for a skater like myself as I was out doing tricks near the big fountain, one of the park's popular attractions. Some of the locals were giving me looks, but I paid no attention to them. After spending nearly four months here in Iriya, the whole being-stared-at thing almost becomes second nature. I'm pretty sure they're only interested in my tricks by now.

Plus I'm kinda expecting someone to meet up with me here.

"Heeey! There you are!"

Speaking of which...

I turn my head back after landing a tailslide and quickly became astounded at who was approaching me.

It was none other than Lizlet, who had on a sleeveless, button-down blouse with ruffles at the front, the vivid blue hue matching the teacup spirit's cerulean orbs. Hugging her legs were a pair of white capri jeans with a brown belt at her waist, and white platform sandals adorned her feet, completing the ensemble as well as giving Goldilocks a few extra inches in height. True to her nickname, her golden mane was styled in a long ponytail that gracefully reached down to her legs instead of the usual twin ponytails, held up by a simple blue scrunchie. Clutched in her right hand was a small white handbag, and the only part of her maid uniform I saw on Liz was her frilly hairband.

You know, if there's one word to describe the woman in front of me right now, I'm pretty sure it'd be "bangin'". Hell, Dante would say the exact same thing if he ever caught eye of her. She looks like a completely different person with that getup.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. It took me a really long time to get myself ready."

I shake my head in rebuttal. "No, don't be. I'm surprised you even have something like that hiding in your wardrobe. Looks really cute on ya."

An amused and lighthearted giggle came out from Liz's lips, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. "Thanks. You really don't look bad yourself, I might add."

I look down at the black button-down shirt, khaki pants, and black Vans sneakers I had on, the sleeves rolled up because of the warm weather.

"Really? I'm usually not the type of guy who dresses up like this, you know."

I say with a modest chuckle.

"Oh, I know. I'm just returning the compliment. And also..."

The blush on Goldilocks soon returned, this time in a brighter shade of red as she shyly twiddled her fingers.

"I'm just glad...that we're going out on this date together. Just the two of us."

Yeah. Looks like a part of her is still feeling nervous about this.

As am I for even suggesting it in the first place.

This all started with me, Yuuto, Rinko, and Shizuku heading to Relish two days after getting back from Noihara. Himari was working that day and the four of us all decided we should pay her a visit. While getting ourselves tea, of course.

And as we entered...

"Welcome~! Ah, Gordon-san! It's been a while since you last came here."

Liz was there to greet us, smiling as cheerfully as ever.

"Heh. Yeah, guess it has. Never expected the place to be this jam-packed, though."

I noted the vast swathes of customers chatting at their tables. Ever since Himari started working here the place has become increasingly popular. Guess Miss Samurai's got a handful of fans thanks to her realistic (to them) catgirl getup.

If only they knew she's an actual cat, though.

After getting ourselves settled, Liz began handing out the iced teas we ordered.

"So where have all of you been these past few days? I really haven't heard from any of you guys at all."

"We went and visited the Skate Punk's grandfather's house out in the boonies," Rinko explained to Goldilocks while taking a sip of her iced tea. "I really don't wanna go into much detail, though."

Neither do I after what happened over there. Shit, I'm still reeling from what Red-Eyes told me about Himari's ancestors.

"HUUUUUH!?"

I nearly jumped out of my seat the instant I heard Liz's sudden outburst. And just when I was about to drink my tea, too.

"You guys visited Gordon-san's grandfather's house!? Why wasn't I invited? I could have prepared you some delicious tea if you'd brought me along~!"

"H-Hey, it was a spur-of-the-moment thing when the Cat Princess told us about it. And we were fine with just barley tea!"

"But still~!"

Before I knew it, the situation quickly escalated to Liz shaking Ribbons violently, her head shaking all over like a bobblehead. Yuuto was trying his best to free Rinko from the tea maid's grasp.

"Liz-san, please calm yourself down! You're making a scene!"

At this point, I was beginning to feel sorry for Goldilocks. But it's just as Rinko said, it all happened in a blink of an eye. Heck, we all had to wake up early to catch the only train that goes there so I couldn't invite her if I did.

But... Hmm...now that I think about it, I haven't really known Liz that well compared to Miss Samurai or Red-Eyes. I mean, all I've ever known about her is that she works here at Relish (though she can be a bit clumsy sometimes), her true form is an antique teacup that was made somewhere in Britain over a century ago, and she outdoes Himari in the chest department.

Haah... Guess there's only one thing I can think of right now. It ain't the best, but hey, it's worth a shot anyway.

"...Hey, Liz?"

"Hm?"

Liz turned her attention to me while releasing a very dizzy Rinko from her clutches. Okay, now that I got her attention (and saved Ribbons from having to vomit all over the table), it was all downhill from here.

"Look, I'm...really sorry for not inviting you, okay? We were in a bit of a rush is all."

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I continue driving my point home.

"So, uh...how about I make it up to you by, you know..."

Aagh! Come on Gordon, just spit it out and be done with! You can deal with everything else later!

"...Going out on a date together?"

"..."

"..."

The entire table quickly fell silent, as did most of the cafe. Some of the patrons had shocked looks on their faces, almost as if I've vandalized something sacred. A few of them even had dark auras around their bodies.

"Aaagh, that little shit! Who does he think he is!"

"How dare that foreigner ask our beautiful and sexy Liz out on a date! I'll frickin' kill him!"

"This means war!"

"Heh-heh. I'll make sure to put his name on my Death Note when I get home. Then he'll be sorry! Hehehehehe..."

...Yeah, I pretty much walked into that one. Damn, I really hate these fanboy types, believe you me.

A faint crack was heard right from where I was sitting. My eyes slowly shift over to Shizuku, who was busy taking a calm sip of her iced tea. However the glass containing it was slowly beginning to crack under Red-Eyes' increasingly tight grip, threatening to spill its contents all over the table should it get shattered.

The worst came in the form of Himari who just came out of the kitchen, standing still with her eyes as empty as the deepest, darkest void of space. Broken glass and porcelain lay at Miss Samurai's feet along with her serving tray, and there was some spilled liquid on the floor which I assume must be tea. Some of it even got on her apron.

And I was very, very, very quick to notice her with the exact same dark aura as the fanboys, reminding me too much of what she was like during the Noihara incident.

Aw man. Well, at least this can't possibly get any MMMHMMMHPH!

I find myself speaking too soon the moment I was caught in an ecstatic Liz's tight embrace, my face shoved deep beneath her breasts as the teacup spirit giggled happily.

"Ah! Really? You really mean it!? Oh thank you, thank you so much, Gordon-san! I promise I won't forget this! Kyah~!"

"Y-You're...welcome, Goldilocks," I try to say over her delighted squeals of joy. And boobs.

And my ribs...slowly...cracking. Ack! Oh god, help!

After spending a few minutes in the park, we decided to take a stroll downtown. I've only been to this part of the city at least once or twice during my jogs, but this is my first time actually seeing it for myself.

My eyes glance down at Liz, who was happily clinging to my arm while humming a tune I frequently hear at Relish. It was perfectly clear she's enjoying herself, down to the last millisecond.

However her being this close to me also brought on a rather unintended side effect.

SQUISH!

My arm was nestled deep beneath her cleavage, giving me a glimpse of Liz's breasts from underneath her shirt. And I was trying my goddamn best not to gaze down at them nor be entranced at how soft they felt.

Aw man, all that time living with Miss Samurai has really screwed my hormones out of whack.

I then look for something to clear my head and halted my steps after spotting a familiar storefront nearby. The store window displayed skateboard decks of various styles and sizes, along with a few skate shoes and accessories. The sign above it said "Harumachi Board Shop" in red lettering on a blue background.

Hmm... Come to think of it, the wheels and bearings on my deck are showing signs of wear. Might as well check it out.

"Hey, Liz?"

Liz snapped out of her reverie for a moment and glanced up at me with questioning eyes. "Hmm? What is it?"

"There's a few things I need to get from that shop over there," I explain to her, gesturing my head to the aforementioned store. "Wanna come with?"

She responds with a nod before the two of us ventured inside the shop, the jingling of bells marking our entry along with loud punk music playing in the background. The inside of the shop was a bit on the small side, but the generous assortment of skateboards, wheels, and apparel easily make up for it. Posters of famous skaters from all over the world adorned the shop's walls, along with stickers of renowned skate brands. There were even a few snowboards hanging up on the ceiling.

Standing behind the cash register was a guy with spiky black hair and a red bandanna around his forehead. He had a grey T-shirt with the shop's logo on it, and wore a red sleeveless zipper hoodie over that.

{"Hey, welcome to Harumachi,"} he says, revealing a relaxed and friendly tone. {"Anything I can help you two with?"}

{"No, we're fine, thanks,"} I refused politely before turning to Liz. "You're free to look around if you like. I won't be long getting what I need here."

Liz gave a short nod before she went off exploring the shop, starting with the skateboards hanging on the wall. I couldn't help but smile inwardly at her growing curiosity with each deck she looked at.

{"Whoa, hang on a minute."}

My head turned to the spiky-haired shopkeep who was stroking his chin in thought.

{"You're that American transfer student at Touryou, right? From Brooklyn?"}

I had an eyebrow raised but nonetheless decided to answer. {"I am. And you are..."}

The shopkeep blinked for a few moments until he lets out an embarrassed chuckle. {"Ahahaha. Sorry, my bad. Guess I should introduce myself first. Name's Niikura. Takumi Niikura. I go to the same school as you."}

Wow. Never expected to meet another Touryou student here. And at a skate shop, too. What are the odds of that ever happening?

{"Gordon Evans,"} I introduce myself in reply.

{"Evans-kun, huh? I'll remember that next time I run into ya. Heh-heh."}

A cheeky grin appeared on Niikura's face before his eyes shifted over to Liz, who was busy spinning one of the wheels of a skateboard she held.

{"So who's the blond babe you brought with ya? One of your friends from back home? Hafta say, man, she's hella cute."}

Aw great, just what I need. Another Japanese Dante. Haven't I suffered enough with just Masaki? Well, at least he's a fellow skater so I guess that's a legit excuse. For now, at least.

{"Look, I'm just here to grab some parts for my board, 'kay? That's your job here, ain't it?"}

I felt the need to change the subject as quickly as possible before things went south. Fortunately I can tell Niikura actually wanted to keep his job as I caught his shoulders slumping.

{"Jeez dude, way to be a mood killer. All right, fine. What do you want?"}

{"Not much, just some new wheels and a fresh set of bearings. Any sugge..."}

"Aaah!"

THUD!

"O-Oww... My bum..."

Resist it, Gordon. Resist the urge to facepalm. It's not worth it. Really, it isn't.

{"Guess your lady friend tried to have a go on our balance board,"} Niikura assumed. {"Don't worry; it happens sometimes."}

You know, you could show a bit more concern for your customers. I'm not sure how your boss will approve if he or she saw Goldilocks injured on your watch.

{"Heh-heh, riiiight. I should probably check your friend. See if she's fine."}

After Niikura managed to help Liz back to her feet, we both left the shop with my new gear. Usually, I'd slap all of them on right away and be done with, but that can wait until later. Right now, hanging with Goldilocks comes first.

"So was that your first time inside a skate shop, Liz?"

"Yes, it was. I'm still a bit sore after falling off that balance board, though."

She lets out a weak laugh, a clear sign she's still feeling embarrassed from it. Not that I can blame Goldilocks, of course. Heck, it even took me a few tries back home to keep myself still on that thing. Years of skating and boxing be damned.

"Speaking of boards, how long have you been doing it, Gordon? Skateboarding, I mean?"

"Hmm... I'd have to say around eight years, but I'm far from being a pro," I answer honestly after thinking a bit.

"Do you wish to be?"

I shake my head. "Not really, no. It's just something I do as a hobby."

"...I see. Hm?"

Liz immediately stopped walking after spotting something close by. My eyes drift over to where she was looking and I noticed a bookstore just around the corner. A handful of books were on display from the store window, while the storefront had a classic and homely look to it with its wood-and-brick facade.

"Ah~"

A delighted gasp slipped past Goldilocks' lips, her face becoming as bright as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Then as if not sparing a second thought she ran over to get a closer look, only to trip and fall halfway.

"Oof! Ouch..."

My Good Samaritan side taking over, I rushed over to help Liz. Guess her clumsiness is not just limited to Relish, that's for sure.

But still, I never would've guessed she was such a bookworm.

After helping Liz back up (again), we entered the bookshop. The first thing that met our eyes were the vast selection of books, all neatly sorted by topic and lined up in wooden bookcases. There were even a couple magazines and newspapers lying around, all in all reminding me of a miniature Barnes and Noble.

{"Hm? Oh. Why, hello there, you two."}

Both of us looked ahead and spotted an old man on a short ladder. He stepped down from it and made his way over to us, bringing a walking cane along. He was a full head shorter than me, and he had on a simple button-down shirt and trousers along with black shoes on his feet. His face definitely showed his age, with his balding head and defining wrinkles.

{"What can I do for you youngsters today?"} he asked politely.

Liz approached the old man, a gentle smile showing on her face. {"Do you happen to have any books on tea recipes,"} she asked.

{"Hmm... Let's see, now..."}

The old man went back to the bookshelves, his walking stick tapping the tiled floor in a steady cadence. Liz followed the old man along, humming a tune along while gazing left and right at the shelves. Seems to me like she's enjoying herself, that's for sure.

Feeling a need to keep myself occupied, I glance down to a pile of books next to me on a nearby table. Among the pile of books was a photo book of Haiti.

Haiti... Now that I think about it, Aunt Angelique does visit the country once every summer to help in her parents' hometown. It is a poor country, after all, not unlike here or the States. Even after the quake struck its capital a few years back, she still manages to find a way to get there and do the best she can to help out her fellow Haitians.

Sometimes I have a very bad habit forgetting the other side of my heritage. I mean, the last birthday gift mom gave me before she died was a skateboard emblazoned with Haiti's flag, and she used to cook traditional Haitian food. The squash soup she made every New Year's Day had always been phenomenal. If those don't count as her being in touch with her roots, I don't know what is.

I picked the book up and began looking through the crisp, clear photos displayed on each of its pages. Whoever took these photos must have a love for all things Caribbean. I assume he or she must've visited the area a lot given the sheer number of them.

Hmm...I should probably consider visiting Haiti sometime. I do speak some Creole thanks to my mom and Aunt Angelique teaching me. It's not much, but it's enough to keep a decent conversation going.

{"Gordon-san, I'm finished!"}

My thoughts were cut off by Liz's voice and my mouth gaped a bit after seeing her with a tall stack of books in her hands. The books themselves were no bigger than an inch or two in thickness, yet all of them combined managed to reach the tea maid's chest.

"I...suppose I took too much, didn't I?" she says with an embarrassed laugh.

"Yeah, you sorta did," was my honest reply. Yeesh, how the hell are we supposed to carry all of that?

{"Um, if the amount of books are troubling you two, I can have them delivered."}

The old shopkeep was looking at us with a humorous smile on his face.

{"You'd...do that, old man?"} I ask him.

{"Heh-heh. Of course, of course. It's a common practice I do at my shop,"} he explains with a nod. {"Plus I assume you youngsters have somewhere else to be. I don't want my books to burden you both."}

Liz gave the old man a short bow. {"Thank you so much."}

{"Heh-heh. My pleasure, Miss. Now, let's get those books off your hands."}

After Liz got her books sorted out, we headed back out and resumed our stroll through the city.

"Heh. Never told me you were into books, Goldilocks," I remind her. "Nearly surprised me there."

"It's something I like to do in my spare time, since I live inside the cafe after it closes. I especially enjoy reading Shakespearean plays. Antony and Cleopatra, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, Othello. Out of all of them, Romeo and Juliet is my absolute favourite. Nothing says romance than two people from rivaling families falling in love and overcoming all sorts of obstacles. It's sad they have to die in the end, though."

"Yeah, I'll admit the ending's a bit screwy, even though that's the whole point of the story."

Plus I remember it as one of the required readings for my literature class back in New York, during middle school. I even watched West Side Story in that class, which is essentially Romeo and Juliet placed in Spanish Harlem. I'll admit it was a good flick overall, but I wish they could tone down the Latino stereotypes a bit.

"So what are your favourite books to read, Gordon?"

Liz asks me with one of her kind and gentle smiles.

"Uh, let's see... Me, I typically read a few skate and boxing magazines. If not those, then it's usually superhero comics."

I try to explain while averting my eyes a little, mostly to avoid getting embarrassed. How the hell am I supposed to compete with someone like Goldilocks regarding the kinds of books she reads?

No, now is not the time to be a dick, Gordon. We all have our preferences here. Don't judge.

"Those seem rather interesting to you."

Liz comments on my answer with an honest tone in her voice.

"Y-Yeah... I mean, I do have other books I enjoy reading. Sometimes."

My mom's old cookbooks and Pops' car magazines quickly come to mind. Not to mention Rika's guitar and music mags she keeps stored under her bed.

...And then there was Dante's secret stash of porn mags he likes to show off every once in a while when it's just us guys. Geez, I don't know where the hell he even got those, but my guess is, they're probably gifts from his uncle at the deli. Nepotism at work.

"Which kinds were they?"

"Huh? Oh, uh... Well..."

Crap, now what? I can't just tell Goldilocks I've been forced to look at my friend's porno mags. Not while we're on a date.

"Fufufufu."

Liz's coquettish giggle cause me to lose focus for a moment.

"It's fine. You don't have to tell me."

Okay, did she just...pull a Bazinga on me? What the hell?

Again Liz lets out a chuckle at my dumbfounded expression while grabbing my arm, pulling me close to her. Again I can feel my cheeks burning up from the soft, pillowy sensation of the tea maid's breasts pressing against my bicep, along with the faint scent of peaches coming from her hair.

Damn, this is making things more awkward for me by the minute. I should be used to these kinds of things thanks to the shit I have to go through with Himari, but I guess I'm...

GURGLE GURGLE

...The hell? Now I know that's not my stomach making that kind of noise.

My eyes slowly glance over to Liz, her face a bright shade of red as she averted my gaze. She was also fidgeting with her fingers, a clear sign she's embarrassed.

"Oh, uh... I...um... Oh dear."

Oh well, might as well come out with it.

"Wanna grab a bite to eat?" I ask after releasing a sigh.

Liz finally looked up at me and replied with a slow nod.

We soon stopped at a nearby cafe to have some lunch. "Bistro la Salle" was its name, and they mainly specialize in Mediterranean cuisine. Since the weather was cooperating well with us, we opted to eat outside. I'll admit it was a nice change of pace.

My eyes shift over to Liz eating her shrimp scampi pasta, the same food I have on my plate. Given her content smile, I assume she's taking it well.

While eating my food, I couldn't help but notice the cleavage shown through Liz's top. Now that I think about it, that blouse does outline her breasts well, despite her maid costume revealing a lot more in that area.

Which leaves me wondering, has Goldilocks always had breasts that big? I mean, technically she's older than me in terms of how exactly she came to be, but that's not something I want to delve into. In fact, that's something any rational man would dare not venture towards.

Hmm... Wonder what cup size are they? Guess I won't know for sure.

"I'm a G-cup."

Say wha...!?

I suddenly find myself choking on my food, forcing me to take a quick sip of my iced tea to wash it down. Damn, the hell did that come from all of a sudden?

My eyes gaze up at Liz who lets out a mirthful giggle. "Did I surprise you with that?" she asks, the teasing look on her face obviously telling me she enjoyed that.

"Yeah, very. Why'd you go and tell me that?"

"Well, you were staring at my breasts for a good minute-and-a-half, so I might as well tell you my cup size. I assume that's what you were curious about, right?"

A small "Urk!" unknowingly slipped past my throat, which did nothing more than give Goldilocks another reason to laugh.

"Oh Gordon, if you wanted to know how big my breasts were, you should've asked. I would be glad to tell you then."

"..." I say nothing in response, being too stumped to even open my mouth for a retort. You know, is it just me, or is Liz having the time of her life messing with me about her boobs?

But...still, a G-cup, huh? That's...rather impressive, I have to say. I'm pretty sure Himari's were an F during that one time I had to go lingerie shopping with her. Damn, I'll never be able to forget how much Miss Samurai teased me with all the different types of underwear she tried on. Nearly made my day there a living hell.

And it only got worse when I went to bed, as she actually wore one of them to sleep instead of her usual yukata that time. It was by far one of the most awkward nights of my life, in more ways than one.

"Anyway, putting that aside..."

My eyes focus back on Liz, her expression now turned into that of curiosity and concern as she rested her chin atop her clasped hands.

"Could you...explain to me what happened over at your grandfather's house?"

At first, I was reluctant to tell Goldilocks about what exactly went down in Noihara, but at the same time I couldn't leave her locked out of the loop, either. That's one of the reasons why I wanted to spend the day with her, after all.

I let out a deep sigh to prepare myself. "All right, but you're probably not gonna like most of it."

With that grim warning in mind, I then proceeded to tell her everything.

About my long-winded desire to see Gramps in person, only to find out he's been dead the whole time...

How Noihara and Gramps' estate came under attack by Ageha and two of her cronies (I omitted Nariko since she wasn't involved)...

My near death experience after being literally stabbed in the back by the Swallowtail's sword...

How I was forced to fight a life-or-death battle against a berserk Himari after coming to with my demon slayer powers...

And lastly, about Miss Samurai's lineage and the horrific fate that awaits her.

"..."

Liz was mortified by the time I finish my story. Her eyes, once bright and lively, were now downcast as they averted my gaze, and her body was trembling.

"N-No way... Th-That...actually happened?"

I let out a weary sigh while running my hand through my hair. "Yeah. So now you know."

"Mhm," was all Liz can murmur out as she nodded slowly. Sheesh, now I'm really starting to feel sad for her, but it's a small price to pay for telling her something of that magnitude.

Out of pity, I slowly reach over and give Goldilocks a few light taps on her shoulder, drawing her attention.

"Hey now, don't get so down about it. I wouldn't have asked you out on this date in the first place if I hadn't lived through that whole mess. Am I right?"

She blinks at me for a few seconds before she began wiping a supposed tear from her eyes. The blush on her cheeks soon returned to her face as she smiled back at me with an earnest nod.

I let off a smile of my own before switching gears on our conversation a little. "Alright. With that outta the way, I've been meaning to ask ya something that's been on my mind for a while."

"Hm? Ask me...something? Like what?"

I lay my glass down on the table after taking a calm sip of what remained of my drink. "Have you...ever felt homesick before? I mean, I know it must have been tough for ya, given you've lived in Japan much longer than I have."

"..."

A mystified look suddenly appeared all over Liz's face before she fidgeted a bit. I don't know if I've struck a nerve with that particular question, but I sure hope that wasn't the case.

"Yes, it has been. Very much so. I remember those moments where I think to myself what it must be like to see Great Britain again for the first time in ages, especially up in Edinburgh where I last lived."

She replies with a subdued smile reminiscent of a Mona Lisa painting. I didn't know if it was nostalgia or something else entirely, but I couldn't tell just by looking. Much like that woman on the canvas.

And also, Edinburgh. I remember that was the capital of Scotland last time I checked. I've always assumed she lived somewhere near London, but I guess that's thrown out the window. Still, there's a possibility she might have.

"However..."

My eyes shift back to Goldilocks, her smile becoming more apparent while placing her hand on her chest.

"I keep reminding myself of all the memories and experiences I've made here in Japan. The owner... My colleagues... All the customers who come in and drink my delicious tea and complement its taste... You might say the café as a whole holds a special place in my heart, really, and... Well... I want to keep cherishing those moments as much as possible, because that's what makes me happy here."

...!

I only came here to learn more about what Japan has to offer, discover my roots, make memories that'll last a lifetime.

What I said to Shizuku a while back slowly made its way back to my head. Despite our backgrounds differing by a mile and a half, at the end of the day we both share a common goal: to make the most out of our experiences here in Japan, whatever they may be.

"You and me both, Liz," I whisper to myself, looking away with a wry smile. "You and me both."

After finishing our lunch at La Salle, we decided to head on back to the park. I got a good earful from Liz chatting away about her daily life at Relish along the way, and in return, I tell her about what I used to do back in New York. She seemed to be a bit interested when I got to my Crewmates and what they do outside of skating.

Then when we got to the park, I decided to give my new wheels and bearings a nice little break-in.

"Yoop!"

I was riding my board up and down a granite slope, performing multiple grinds and noseslides at its apex. Much like before, some people were giving me looks but I ignore them completely. I'm a human being, not a freakin' zoo animal. Screw those guys if they can't tell the difference.

After doing a railslide on its edge, I make my way back to Liz who was sitting on a nearby bench across from the slope. I then shift my body weight around upon getting close and did a powerslide that made her flinch with a mouse-like squeak.

"Eee! Ehehe. Wow, that was amazing what you did there, Gordon!"

I let out a modest laugh while wiping the sweat off my face. "Well, like I said before, I'm no pro. I just do it for fun."

"Do you think I may have a go at it?"

"Huh? Hmm..."

My eyes slowly glance down at the platform sandals on Liz's feet. I don't know if I should let her on my board considering her choice of footwear. Then there's her occasional clumsiness that appears every now and then. Add those two factors up and there's an accident just begging to happen.

On the other hand, though, she's a lot tougher than she looks, if being able to survive getting stabbed by a cat samurai's sword is worth of praise. And besides, who can't help if she's curious about what riding a skateboard feels like?

"Ehh, since you asked nicely, sure, why not? I have to warn ya, though; it's a bit more challenging than it looks."

I know I'm exaggerating that part just a teensy bit, but still, I'd rather play it safe this time around.

I position my board in front of Liz, putting my feet underneath the deck to keep it from rolling. "Here, I'll help you get on. Gimme your hands."

She nods and extends her hands out, allowing me to grab hold of them. They were remarkably soft to the touch and free of any calluses or bumps, almost like touching the finest silk.

"Alright, now put one foot on top of the deck, followed by your other foot."

"O-Okay."

Liz slowly placed her left foot on the deck. The slight shaking in her voice - as well as her legs - already tells me she's feeling a bit anxious.

"Don't worry; I'll make sure it won't move. Trust me."

Liz slowly nods at my reassuring words while placing her other foot on the deck. The board sharply tilted back, causing her to yelp as I grab her wrists to keep her from falling off.

"It's okay, I got ya!"

"M-Mm-hmm!"

Already I can tell she's frightened the way she nodded back, not that I blame her since I do have a habit of keeping my trucks loose.

And from an outsider's perspective, it does look more and more like a foreigner teaching his girlfriend to ride a skateboard. With platforms on, I might add.

"All right, I'm gonna pull you now so keep yourself steady, ok?"

Gently, I started to pull Liz while slowly stepping sideways, allowing the board to move with her.

"Ahh! Oh...Oh dear. Wh-Whoa!"

"Hey, stop shaking your legs around so much. You won't be able to keep the board stable that way."

"I'm...trying not to, Gordon. R-Really, I am. Ah...Ahh!"

"Kh-!"

My reflexes suddenly kick in as I quickly grab hold of Liz the moment my board slipped out from underneath her, breaking her potential fall. However that moment quickly turned into awkwardness the instant I felt the pillowy sensation of Goldilocks' breasts against my body.

God, I think they may actually be softer than Hima...

Argh! Dammit Gordon, stay focused. You got more things to be worried about right now.

"H-Hey. You okay?" I ask Liz.

"Y...Yes, I think so," she replies while letting herself off. "I'll admit that was a tad...frightening."

"Yeah, some people'll say that."

{"Hey! Excuse me!"}

My head turned back to see a little boy holding my board.

{"Is this your skateboard, mister?"}

I crouch down to the kid with a smile, ruffling his hair a bit. {"Yeah, that's my board. Looks cool, doesn't it?"}

{"Mhm!"} he nods excitedly. {"You think I can get mine to be like yours someday?"}

{"Only if you practice real hard and not give up, little buddy,"} I answer the boy, resting my hands on his shoulders.

{"Takuro! Come, we're about to leave!"}

{"Hm? Okay, mom!"}

The boy - Takuro - quickly hands back my board before going back to meet with his mom after waving goodbye to us. After watching them part ways into the crowd, I bring my attention back to Liz.

"You know, I think it's 'bout time we get going, too. I'm feeling a bit beat myself."

Liz lets out a mirthful giggle at my stifled yawn. "Only skateboarding would leave you feeling tired, Gordon."

"Eat me."

"Fufu~"

"Yeah, laugh it up, Goldilocks."

With that witty exchange, we decided to head on back to Cafe Relish.

"Ah~! It's good to be back home again."

Liz lets out an exhale of relief the moment we stepped inside the cafe. It was already closed given all the chairs were put up, something I see all too often back in New York. Fortunately the dim atmosphere quickly became bright the moment Liz flicked on the lights.

"Thanks for everything, Gordon. I really enjoyed our time together."

"Hey, it's the least I can do," I reply with a small chuckle. "You kinda deserved it anyway and on top of that, I got to know you a little better."

"Even my breast size?"

"Hey now."

Liz gave an amused laugh before heading over to one of the tables, letting down one of the chairs.

"I need to get something from the kitchen really quick. Would you care sitting down for a minute?"

"Yeah, sure."

I watch Liz venture out into the kitchen while settling myself down a bit. A few minutes soon passed and she arrived back with a plate that was - to my sudden surprise and shock - filled with cinnamon buns: swirls, icing, and all.

"The owner made these the day before as part of an effort to expand his menu. I hope you don't mind them being a tad stale, though. Miss Himari told me you have quite the appetite for these."

Almost out of excitement, I quickly swipe one of the buns with a wide grin. "Heh. Not at all. That just makes them better. Itadakimasu!"

After taking a huge bite out of the treat, I was nearly blown away by its taste. The texture of the bun and how it melts in my mouth, the consistency of the icing, the quality of the cinnamon and how well it blends with rest of the treat...they're all on a completely different level compared to what I make.

"So, how does it taste?"

I take some time to swallow my bite of the cinnamon bun before answering Liz.

"I think your boss just found his number one customer with these. They're freakin' delicious!"

As much as I hate to admit it, that bandana guy has me beat. I'm not really that competitive when it comes to food, anyway. I mean, everyone has their own way of cooking things. It's like an experiment of sorts, but you still have the occasional messes every now and then.

"I'm really glad you liked them."

Liz answers with a soft smile before breaking out into a giggle. I can only respond with a nod as I continue to scarf them down.

After nearly clearing the plate of cinnamon buns (I made sure to leave the last one for Liz out of courtesy), we both settled on having some milk tea. It was hot, but not too hot thanks to the milk cooling it down a bit.

And like most of the teas Goldilocks brews here, it was delicious.

"Mmm... Mm... Wow, what kind of milk did you put in this, Liz? It tastes fantastic."

"Huh? Oh, um... Well, that's...a bit of a secret, really."

She shyly looks away while answering that, her cheeks slowly turning pink.

I let off a shrug before taking another sip of my tea, but her response got me thinking otherwise. The hell did she mean by secret? I mean, you can get milk from dairy cows, that I know. And come to think of it, goats produce milk too. Otherwise the term "goat cheese" wouldn't be a thing.

Then there's coconut milk, soy milk, milk made with almonds... Yeah, that's pretty much all I can...

Oh dear god.

My eyes slowly drift down to Liz's breasts when the realization struck. Words alone can't describe what went on inside my head right now. Th-This is just... I don't even... I mean, I'm drinking tea laced with milk that literally came from Goldilocks' tits! Shouldn't that sort of milk be reserved for babies and shit?

Haah... Okay, don't panic. Can't afford to lose my shit here. Just don't...think...about...how...she did it.

Uugh... Dammit, now I'm not sure if I'll be able to erase that from my memory.

A bright crimson sunset was looming over the horizon when I left the cafe on my skateboard. The streetlights were already starting to flicker on, slowly illuminating the Takamiya streets with white patches of light as I continue to push forward, gaining momentum with each kick to the asphalt.

While riding my board, I spot a couple near a set of vending machines giving each other a quick kiss on the lips before parting ways. I slowly touch my own lips while looking ahead, reminiscing about what happened back at Relish.

######

"Mm-!?"

My body became frozen still like a glacier the moment Liz's lips pressed against my own, her tongue penetrating deep inside my mouth as I stared wide-eyed at the current situation.

BA-THUMP

...How? Just...how on earth did this happen? The moment I was finished with my...*ahem* milk tea, Liz told me to close my eyes for something before I leave. And when I told her to clarify she simply said it was a surprise and told me not to peek until she's finished. Now I know what it was, and I sure as hell wasn't expecting this.

I wanted to get Liz off but my body wouldn't allow it. Instead, it wanted me to sit through the whole ordeal from start to finish. The feel of her soft hands cradling my face... Her beautiful face and bright, golden locks obstructing my field of vision... Her large mounds of flesh pressing against my chest...

BA-THUMP

Also, I... I'm also pretty sure this is the first time a girl kissed me, too. If this took place back in New York right now, Dante would certainly lose his shit and grill me 'til I was well cooked.

A few moments had passed before Liz broke off her kiss, allowing me to get a full view of her face. Her cheeks were flushed a faint shade of pink while a coy smile appeared on her lips, the very set of lips that claimed mine.

"Fufu. Was that your first kiss?"

I can only respond with a slow nod at the maid as my body was still recovering from the shock. Apparently she seemed to have understood my situation as she lets out a small giggle.

"I'm glad, then. Because to be honest, that was my first kiss, too."

"Huh? R...Really now?" I manage to croak out slowly, albeit unwillingly.

Liz replies with a nod nonetheless, the blush on her cheeks becoming more obvious. "Yes. You're the first man I've ever kissed, Gordon."

My body froze again the moment Liz inched herself closer to me. I can feel her hand clutch mine which made me all the more nervous.

"And also, I've... Ever since you saved my body that day, I...couldn't stop thinking about that moment. Each time I do, I can feel my heart about to leap out from my chest. It's something I've never experienced before as a maid. Or a tsukumogami, in that matter."

She rests her other hand on her chest to emphasize her point.

"I know I've said in the past that maids should give equal treatment to their customers, but...right now, I think of you as my special customer, Gordon, and I... I've really...taken a liking to you. Honestly, I do. So...with that in mind, um... W-Will you..."

My eyes begin to widen at the implication Liz was about to bring forth. H-Hang on just a minute, is she really...?

"Will you...be my master?"

...

...

"...Wha...?"

My mind was completely boggled trying to comprehend what she just said to me. That...just totally came out of left field. How and why on earth did she come to that? I mean... Yeah, technically speaking, I am a master in regards to having Miss Samurai around, but...with Goldilocks, I find this to be a bit extreme, worrisome, and hella awkward. In that order.

"Is that...too much?"

My eyes shift back to Liz, her face now bearing a sad expression with her downcast eyes looking away from me. Crap, this isn't good. She's already starting to get upset 'cause of me sounding like an ass.

"I-I know it sounds shocking to you, but...every maid needs a master to serve under, you see, and...well... I thought you'd be happy hearing that, but sadly you... Huh? Ah!"

I get up and cut Liz mid-sentence by bringing her in a close embrace, my arms encircling her waist. I can feel Goldilocks' body tense up in response before she relaxed a bit.

"G-Gor...don?" she asks, obviously sounding stunned by the quick development.

Meanwhile I remain quiet for a few seconds before deciding to speak out. I need to tread carefully on this. Last thing I want is to see Liz running away in tears.

"Look, I appreciate your...rather honest and heartfelt suggestion, Liz. And don't take it the wrong way when I say this, but...I want us to be friends first. I'll still stop by as a regular and all, so you can rest easy on that."

I can hear a soft "Mmm" from Liz, telling me she gets it so far.

"But then again, I suppose me acting as your special customer ain't necessarily a bad thing, neither. And as far as the whole 'master' part goes, I...probably need some time to think about it, okay?"

It was the best compromise I can come up with for Goldilocks. Now all I need is her response.

...

...

...

"...Miss Himari, she...told me you're only going to remain in Japan for a whole year, correct?"

My body became stiff for a moment before it relaxed, after which I give a slow nod. "Yeah, you heard right."

"...I see. Then..."

Liz pulled herself away from me, taking a few steps back before she extended her pinky with a soft smile.

"Will you give me your answer by then?"

I find myself blinking at Liz's sudden gesture for a few seconds before giving the blond maid a wry smile, all while extending my own pinky and connecting it with hers.

"Yeah. It's a promise," I say solemnly. Guess that makes two now. At this point, I don't know which one carries the greater burden, but...at least now I know Liz has the patience to wait out on hers.

As for mine, however, I can't say for sure I have the exact same luxury.

General POV

It was nighttime at Cafe Relish, and Lizlet was upstairs in her room reading one of the new books she acquired at the bookstore: a biography of Princess Diana. Liz had admired the Welsh princess back when she lived in England and was devastated when news broke of her tragic death in that car crash more than a decade ago. Even now, she still remains one of Liz's favorite British icons.

After going through a few chapters, the blond closed the book and laid it atop her nightstand. She then went to her wardrobe and exchanged her casual attire for a sheer blue negligee with a pink bra and a pair of matching panties underneath it.

Lying down sideways on her bed, Liz recalled the day she spent with Gordon. While it was far from a perfect dream date in her mind, she nonetheless had the time of her life with the young skater boy. Especially when she served him her special milk tea, the thought of which made the young Englishwoman clutch her own chest in excitement.

Then there was the surprise kiss she gave him. Who would have guessed it would be his first kiss?

"Fufu~ I must be really lucky, then," Liz giggled to herself. No doubt Himari will be jealous when she...

{"YOU BLOND TEA DEVIL! HOW DARE YOU STAKE A CLAIM ON THE YOUNG LORD'S LIPS FIRST! THAT KISS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MINE!-!"}

{"AAAAAAAAHH!-!"}

The mere thought of a jealous Himari caused the tea maid to shiver frightfully, her entire face losing color. Yeah, she definitely should keep that part a secret if she values her own life. Otherwise it would be that incident all over again! And after what Gordon told her what happened to Himari during his trip it could actually be a lot worse this time!

After taking a few moments to relax, traces of the promise she made with Gordon resurfaced in Liz's head.

"I...probably need some time to think about it, okay?"

"Will you give me your answer by then?"

"Yeah. It's a promise."

Liz's lips quickly spread into a reassuring smile while a noticeable blush appeared on her face.

"I sure hope he says yes," she says with a faint giggle before nodding off to sleep, where she replayed in her mind the day she spent with Gordon.

...Then her mouth started to drool in a perverse manner.

Meanwhile, Gordon felt an uncomfortable shiver run through his body while sleeping on the couch in the living room, having been exiled from his own room by Himari.

"Uugh... Someone turn down the A/C, please," he murmured irritably while pulling the bedsheet closer to him.

Author's Note: And that wraps up the first new chapter of 2016! Happy (belated) New Year to all of you! Finally, after two and a half years this story reached its tenth chapter! Not much of a milestone, but hey, it's the thought that counts. The chapter title is pretty much self-explanatory: Gordon spends the entire day with Liz and learns a few things about her while sharing a few moments here and there, all topped off with a little promise at the end.

As for why I wrote this chapter, it all goes back to my experience reading the manga. Through my time reading, I noticed that Liz's screen time tends to get sparse at times compared to the other main characters. Plus her backstory wasn't as detailed compared to the rest of the girls, and that part really got me disappointed.

So with that in mind, I asked myself these three questions while preparing this chapter: 1) Has Liz ever felt homesick before since coming to Japan? 2) What other hobbies does Liz have other than making tea? And 3) Has Liz ever thought about visiting England again, mostly to catch up on old times?

Now some people might not appreciate the direction I went for with Liz's character, but there's a reason why things like Character Development and Hidden Depths exist in the first place. They both serve to flesh out the character more, which was this chapter's main purpose for Liz. Plus after all the drama and action that occurred in Noihara I feel the story deserved a bit of a breather before moving on to the next arc, dubbed the Second Term. And you know well what that means: the debut of the demon-slaying witch herself, Kuesu! In two more chapters, I'm afraid. HA! TROLOLOLO!

Haah... Alright, putting aside the trolling, I want to part ways with some side notes. Firstly in regards to Liz's bra size, a Japanese G-cup roughly equates to an E-cup in the US, the former of which also applies to most of Europe (the U.K. is the sole exception, where there it's considered an F-cup).

Next, the squash soup Gordon mentions in the bookstore scene is part of a tradition amongst Haitians, as it is made to commemorate their country's independence from French colonization on New Year's Day. Before, that particular soup was eaten primarily by the French aristocrats. Following the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), the now-freed slaves stormed into their masters' houses and consumed the soup for themselves. A little cultural side note for the curious folks out there.

Lastly, when Liz spoke about Great Britain and Edinburgh, bear in mind that she's not wrong geographically, as the island of Great Britain consists of the countries of England, Wales, and Scotland. The U.K. consists of the three aforementioned countries and Northern Ireland. Very few people know the difference between the two.

Next time on The Brooklyn Demon Slayer: "Eleventh Round - A New Term, Another Transfer Student"

This is KID2NR, signing off. See ya 'round!