Chapter 15: Siblings

"Waaaaaaa!"

The monstergirls stared at their brand new ID cards. Awe and excitement filled their little hands.

"It's finally done!" Riana handed them each of their ID cards. "What do you all think?"

"Look, look!" Melty grinned, waving her ID card around. "It's my new ID card!"

"So shiny…" Lofie brought the ID card close to her face.

Iris inspected the card closer, seeing her name and picture on it. But what brought her joy the most was seeing…

Owner: Eryn Reine.

His name is on the ID card. That meant he was officially her owner. Their owner.

"Eryn!" Iris ran to him and tugged at his sleeve. "Does this mean we are officially a family now?"

"… Yeah." Eryn smiled softly, patting her head. "With these new ID cards, I'm officially your owner."

"Mhmm…" Iris nuzzled into his palm. Happiness filled her heart… to finally belong to a family. To belong to Eryn's family. And she could have her sisters by her side.

"We're your monstergirls now!" Melty wrapped her arms around him, visibly overjoyed.

"A happy family." Lofie took hold of his free pinky.

"Mhmm…" Crouching down, Eryn wrapped his arms around the monstergirls. A comfortable warmth pooled in his chest. This feeling… it feels really warm. He couldn't remember the last time he experienced these emotions.

"You're all so adorable together." Riana smiled sweetly at their display. It was such a heartwarming moment, one that she was glad to witness.

"… Thank you, Riana." Eryn bowed his head to her. "I, uhm…"

"Of course, Eryn." Riana grinned. "It's only natural for a sister to help her brother, isn't it?"

"I suppose." He let out a soft chuckle.

"Hmmm…" Lofie let go of Eryn and ran to Riana.

"Lofie?"

"What is it, Lofie?" Riana crouched down to her level.

"Come." Lofie grabbed her hand and pulled her to Eryn. Riana followed her, a bit confused.

"Riana, Riana!" Melty grinned, tugging at her sleeve. "Thank you so much!"

"E-Eh?" Riana blinked twice in a comical fashion. Are they… thanking me?

"You've helped us become part of Eryn's family." Iris bowed herself at the waist. "We are so grateful."

"O-Oh…" Riana's face grew red, being thanked directly by the monstergirls. They're all so adorable…! "You're all very welcome."

"Wow, Riana." Eryn tilted his head. "Are you actually blushing?"

"N-No, I'm not!" Riana puffed her cheeks out cutely. "I wouldn't blush at something like this!"

"Your face is really red, though." He smirked, taking out his phone for a photo.

"It is not!" She crossed her arms.

"Riana's face is red like a tomato." Lofie pointed at her face.

"Yeah!" Melty agreed, fluffing her twin tails to make her point. "It's almost red like my hair!"

"Mnnguh…" Riana covered her face, unable to come up with a response. If the monstergirls said so, she'd just have to accept defeat.

"But seriously…" Eryn stood up and walked to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. "Thank you so much, Riana. I couldn't have done this without you."

"… But of course." Riana curled her arms around his neck. It almost felt nostalgic to share this moment with him… hmmm?

"…" The monstergirls stared at the two Reine siblings in silence.

It feels like their eyes are drilling holes into me. Riana chuckled nervously. From their first encounter, she could already see that the monstergirls were rather… jealous of Eryn when he was with someone else. I suppose that is the instinct of a monstergirl.

"So!" Riana pulled away from the hug, not wanting to incur the wrath of the monstergirls. "What do you all say to getting some lunch with me? I bet you haven't taken the monstergirls to eat outside yet."

"Ahah, that is true…" Eryn nodded. After all, we only just got the monstergirl IDs. With these IDs, Eryn could take them to wherever their hearts desire. More opportunities for them!

"Since you just received them, why not put them to use right now?" Riana slapped his shoulder playfully. "Let's go outside and eat!"

"But shouldn't you be here…?" Eryn asked. "I mean, I assume you work here or–…"

"This isn't where I actually work. Don't worry." Riana winked. "I only came here because of Azusa's insistence."

"Oh." Eryn was surprised, to say the least. Azusa, just what string did you have to pull…?

"Come on!" Riana motioned for them to follow. "It's just a five-minute walk from here."

"That's pretty close."

"Eryn, Eryn." Lofie poked his leg. "Where does Riana want to bring us?"

"Oh, just a place to eat." Eryn replied. "Are you all feeling hungry?" All the monstergirls' ears twitched at his question… that looks like a yes to me.

"Yeah!" Melty nodded. "I'm really hungry! I wanna eat something!"

"I've never eaten outside before…" Iris said. "Is it… good?"

"If it's as good as Eryn's cooking…" Lofie stroked her chin thoughtfully.

Eryn chuckled at her comment. Well, my cooking sets the bar low. He wasn't the type to eat takeout often. He'd just settle for home-cooked meals because he was used to them.

And so, Eryn and monstergirls followed Riana out of the registration center…

Outside of a café…

…

..

.

"Here we are!" Riana exclaimed. "Where I like to relax after a long day at work!"

"This is…"

Before their eyes was a café. Customers could be seen eating outside as well as inside it through the windows. His eyes shifted to the café's logo. Loveya Café… between the two words was an elegant teacup with a heart shape above it which represented the aroma. But what caught his attention the most was the waitresses–more accurately, the clothes they were wearing.

"Their clothes are really cute!" Melty observed the waitresses.

"Their skirts look really fluffy." Lofie continued.

One of the waitresses came up to them and bowed herself gracefully at the waist. She wore a maid costume. Her hair was… a familiar pink. Bubbly yellow eyes met his own.

"Welcome, Mistress Riana!" She greeted her.

Eryn's eyes lit up in recognition. That pink hair, that costume, her voice…!

"A-Akiko?" he called out her name in realization.

"Oh, Eryn?" Akiko gave him a bright smile. "I didn't expect to see you here! You finally came!"

"Hold on," Riana glanced at Akiko, then at Eryn. "Do you two know each other?"

"We met a few days ago…" Eryn rubbed the back of his neck. When I was shopping for new clothes…

Eryn had met Akiko when he found her lost daughter, Taki. She was separated from her mother, and he helped her to reunite with Akiko.

"Huh, what a small world." Riana hummed. "I guess we don't have to prolong introductions. Akiko, could I have the usual table?"

"Of course! Table for…" Akiko's eyes bounced to each person. Her eyes shifted to the three monstergirls standing behind Eryn. "Oh, my! Are they your children, Eryn?"

"Y-Yes…" Eryn turned his head to them, who were wary of Akiko. "They're my… monstergirls."

"Oh, they're monstergirls? I would love to get to know them!" She clasped her hands together. "But first, let me show you all to your table!"

Akiko twirled around and guided them to the entrance first to scan their ID cards. Most establishments require monstergirls to have their IDs scanned. Otherwise, they are not permitted entry. Upon entering, Eryn took notice of the rather cute and elegant interior. Pastel blue and pink seemed to be the main colors used, with a pinch of light brown. He also saw other monstergirls hanging out together. His monstergirls had a collective wow at seeing this café.

"What is this place, Eryn?" Iris asked.

"It's a café." He answered. "You could say it's a small restaurant that sells food and drinks."

"Here is your table, mistress Riana." Akiko waved her hand to their table. It was a circular table with a white sheet covering it. Two sofas curved around it.

"Thank you." Riana and the others took their seats. Eryn helped the monstergirls get on the sofa. "We'll make our orders first. Oh, and can you call…?"

"Of course, she'll be right with you." Akiko nodded, then turned around and left them for their company.

"It's pretty soft to sit on." Eryn patted the sofa, feeling its softness. I miss my couch already…

"Eryn, Eryn." Lofie tugged on his hand. "Who is that maid woman?"

"Yeah!" Melty grabbed his jacket. "Are you close with her?"

"No, I wouldn't say I'm close with her… we only just met a few days ago," Eryn replied. Here we go again. "I met her when I went shopping for new clothes for you."

"Oh!" Iris bowed her head to look at her outfit. "These are the new cute clothes we're wearing, right?"

"Right."

"Is she trying to steal you?" Lofie huffed.

"What?" Eryn shook his head. "No, of course not. She's a married woman if I'm not mistaken…?"

"My, you're going for the married women?" Riana smirked, shaking her head in a dramatic manner. "You've got questionable tastes, Eryn."

"Now you're just putting words in my mouth."

"Mistress Riana." A gentle voice called out. "It's an honor to see you again."

"Ah, hello!" Riana turned to the voice. "I hope you've been doing well."

Eryn and the monstergirls observed this new waitress who came by. She wasn't wearing a maid costume like the others. In fact, she was wearing a butler costume. His eyes were drawn to her strikingly pale pink hair and pink eyes. Her hair bangs curved unnaturally away from her face, forming crescents. Her eyes were so mysterious yet so focused as if he could get lost in them. She felt so… inhuman, yet she looked human.

"It's always a delight to serve you, Mistress." The butler bowed her head down, then looked at her new guests. "Are they your friends?"

"This is my brother, Eryn." Riana motioned to him and the monstergirls. "And these adorable children are my nieces!"

"Hello!" The monstergirls waved their hands and greeted the butler.

Right, nieces. Eryn ruffled his hair. I mean, that's kind of true now that I have adopted them.

"… It is a pleasure to meet you." The butler gave them a warm smile. "My name is Mayonee."

"L-Likewise…" Eryn bowed his head awkwardly. For some reason, he felt that smile was… directed at him, and him only. He also couldn't help that there was this aura of familiarity around her. As if they've met before. Her eyes… they're so mysterious.

"You seem awfully distracted," Riana asked, snapping him out of his senses.

"Huh?" Eryn zoned back in. "No, no… it's just…"

"Why don't you help the monstergirls to decide from the menu?" Riana slid the menu on the table to them.

"O-Oh, sure…" Eryn grabbed the menu and spread it open. Although, his eyes were still focused on the butler, Mayonee…

Something just seemed off about her.