AN: Tried a new writing style, have fun reading ;)

"That should be all I need… Yep, it is." I exited the clothing store with a new pair of boxers and other sorts of clothing I'll need for my extended stay.

Luckily, the hate wagon that the girls caused seemed to die down. I wasn't getting chased down by a murderous horde every time I went out. Now it's just reduced to some stares and the occasional taunting.

I don't pay much attention to it as I've grown accustomed to it. The only thing I've haven't gotten used to is being manhunted, not that I'm going to be any time soon.

I had double checked my shopping bag to make sure I had absolutely not forgotten anything when I heard it.

"…And right over this way is the clothing store! I myself shop here whenever I'm in need of some more casual clothing, care to take a look?"

A certain muscle-headed crusader's voice.

There she was, in a casual outfit with two other women behind her. I recognized them as Iris' bodyguards;

Claire and Rain.

Not wanting to be discovered, I hid behind a couple of trash cans and activated lurk.

To any passerby I would look like the average pervert, staring at three gorgeous women from behind a couple of bins, but to me, this was a matter of great importance. Whether I finally get to teach those annoying girls in my party a lesson is dependent on me not getting caught.

"What are you doing?"

Hence why I panicked and accidentally toppled a trash can over when a certain Goddess turned Thief surprised me.

All of the attention was now centered on a man crouching behind a singular trash can and a silver haired girl wearing an outfit fitting for the Princess herself. The three nobles I was spying on also took notice.

"Oopsies… haha…" The culprit gave me a sheepish look before averting her gaze, I could smell the strong scent of alcohol coming from under her breath.

"K-Kazuma?!" Darkness yelped out. The two bodyguards looked at me, their expressions turning pale before quickly regaining color a moment later.

"Nice one." I grabbed my shopping bag and ran to the nearest alleyway to hide.

"Wait up!" Eris called after me.

"Don't follow me!"

If Eris were to be caught with me, Darkness might start putting things together and figure out everything.

I found a dumpster with a good view of the entrance and had Eris crouch behind it. I activated lurk and covered us with it.

I watched the entrance to see if we were being followed.

"Hey, what gives?" She whispered to me.

"Well, first things first, you just blew my cover and now Darkness and Iris' bodyguards know we're here! Aren't you supposed to be an expert in stealth?! And what are you wearing that for!?" I hissed at her.

I expected a witty response from her, not-

"*Sniff-Sniff*" -Not her breaking into tears…

"Oi! I'm sorry! Just don't cry! I didn't mean to yell at you! Honest!"

Eris gave me a tearful pout before turning her head away from me. "Hmph!"

"Kazuma! Are you here?" Darkness' voice echoed throughout the alleyway.

"Kazuma-san! We just want to talk! Please come out!" Rain's voice grew louder as they started closing the distance.

Claire didnt say anything, her footsteps being the only way I knew she was still there.

I'm too stubborn to give up now.

Lurk won't even work since we're in broad daylight and the alleyway is too small to sneak by without being seen. I was cornered.

I considered jumping and hiding in a garbage bin until they were gone but I doubt that was an option now.

"Oi! Now's not the time to be throwing a fit, we gotta get out of here now!"

Eris stayed silent.

"Help me out will you?!"

"Hmpf." She pouted again.

This whole act of hers was starting to piss me off.

I was still recovering from my little stunt last night so teleport isn't happening for a while. My only choice was for me to fight my way out. If I were to blind them, it might give me the opportunity to break through and escape without getting caught…

And thus, my brilliant plan was decided.

I mentally prepared myself for the hell that was about to ensue.

I started chanting Create Earth when-

"Hiiii!" Eris jumped out from behind me and approached the three of them with a smile and a wave.

They all flinched. Claire put her hand on her scabbard out of instinct, Rain went into a combat stance, and Darkness went in front of them both in a protective manner, her face a little pink.

"W-Woah! W-Wait I mean no harm! Honest!" Eris yelped out.

Darkness took a moment to look at Eris. Her face was etched with confusion, she looked at her silvery and violet mess of hair and then at the rest of her body. Her expression grew ever so slightly more confused.

Claire and Rain also looked at Eris, specifically her hair. They locked at eachother, nodded in silent agreement before looking at the rest of Eris. They examined her figure next.

They turned to eachother once more and Rain shrugged her shoulders. With lip reading I was able to decipher what they said.

"I thought the thief was a male." Rain whispered.

"No, it was female, we heard her voice, remember?" Claire responded.

"She was..? Her figure lacked any feminine qualities…so I thought she was a male."

"I also thought she was a male at first, but I've heard Kazuma-dono tease her, "

"I guess we can rule this girl out, her features are more prominent and defined than the thief's." Rain whispered.

"She might know something, just pay close attention to her." Claire whispered.

"Hey… did you see where our friend might've gone to? You followed him in here." Darkness asked.

"Uhh-" Eris cleared her throat. "Well yes I have big lady!"

…

Eris spoke in a country accent, a horrible one. The three nobles just stared at her awkwardly.

I mentally face palmed.

"I sure did see him! I followed that fellow because I thought he was trying to do something sneaky and perverted to your poor girls!" The newly formed country girl said.

Darkness just stared at her for a second, not sure how to continue the conversation.

"…About him, did you manage to see where he went?" She asked.

"Why yes I have! He's right over there, I just saw him sneak past." Eris pointed to the exit of the alleyway. "I couldn't see him in the dark but since he was in sun, I saw him perfectly clear."

"AH!" Darkness panicked before running off. "Thank you so much!" She ran off.

"Keep an eye on her please." Claire whispered to Rain. "Hold on Lalatina!" And then proceed to chase after Darkness.

Rain was left alone with a very drunk Eris.

"Hello…" She meekly said.

"Howdy." Eris responded.

"I- uhhh…" Rain couldn't think of anything to say.

"I… like your outfit..?" She finally said.

I cringed at this awkward attempt at a conversation. At least back in my NEEThood I can hold a conversation… most of the time.

"Thank you..." Eris responded.

I can see from her expression that Eris was also struggling to hold the conversation.

"Uhh… where did you buy it..?"

"Oh! I made it myself!" Eris proudly said.

"You did?!" Rain started inspecting her outfit. "Such quality and precision…" She was in awe.

Meanwhile Eris gladly accepted the compliments. "It only took me half an hour to sew this thing up! Fufu~"

"Where did you learn such skills!?" Rain asked, continuing to inspect the outfit.

"I'm self taught! I practiced almost every day!"

"Really!?"

"Mhm~"

"I sewed some real adorable outfits for my good friend!" She said.

Eris had completely forgotten about the accent and dropped it entirely.

"What was the occasion for this outfit specifically? A celebration?" Rain asked, feeling the embroidery of the outfit.

"I- uh…" Eris stumbled over her words. "I didn't have any more clothes and I couldn't buy any, so I had to sew me a new outfit… haha."

"I even made a matching pair for my friend, too bad he doesn't wear it." She said in a solemn voice.

"Oh… that's too bad. I'm sure he had a good reason to." Rain tried to cheer her up.

"He really liked at first, he tried it on after washing up and went into town with it. We met up a little while later and told me that people gave him weird looks and other such things."

Oh yeah, after me and Eris finished up with our conversation at the bathhouse, I decided to try out the outfit she made for me. While Eris went to go buy some clothes and other such stuff, I went around town and started looking for something to help with the raid.

The outfit was great! It felt nice and comfortable, and fit me well too. The only downside was that I ended up looking like a butler.

Purple, which the suit was colored, didn't have a corresponding noble family to match with, so I ended up getting some weird looks. I even got a fruit thrown at me because someone mistook me for a spoiled rich kid.

Rumors might start to spread about a potential new noble family and Darkness would surely start investigating. That of course, would be traced back to me and that's a big no-no.

Outfit was nice, the attention I got from it wasn't.

As for Eris' outfit… it also brought her too much attention. It looked really good on her, too good. Those on the street would start admiring her outfit, specifically the housewives. There would be some gossip spread around about the "new girl in town" and other nicknames like that.

After reuniting, we started walking back to the shop to speak with Vanir. On our way back, I started getting a lot of glares, specifically from the male population. I saw nothing but jealousy in their eyes, some men even broke into tears. On the other hand, I would occasionally receive some supportive signs of encouragement from the older men, things like thumbs up and winks.

It was an odd experience to say the least. Hence why I told Eris not to wear that outfit again.

She was a bit upset but she complied with my demands at the end.

But here she is, wearing that while piss drunk.

"Hey wait, I never got your name, do you mind if I ask?" Eris asked.

"Oh! I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself yet." Rain backed up, did a curtsy and extended her arm in a handshake. "My name is Rain and it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss…?"

"Oh…uhh…" Eris started to panic.

Suddenly.

"My name is…!" She struck a pose! "Astar! Traveler and Adventurer from the East!"

I recognized her pose as one of Megumin's new poses that she had been practicing and showing off to me recently. Her "name" is directly copied from one of the characters in the game we played in her room a mere week ago.

Truly brilliant.

Rain, stunned, let her hand fall from the spot it was in and retracted it back. Eris showed no sign of embarrassment and instead showed a prideful smirk.

I, in the meanwhile, was cringing at this horrible plagiarism of Crimson Demon introductions. Megumin won't be happy about this at all.

"I see… nice to meet you, Astar-san. By any chance are you associated with the Crimson Demons? I recognize that style of introduction." Rain asked.

"I am! I'm friends with two of them, and I sto- I mean, borrowed that intro from one of them! We're really close." 'Astar' winked.

"Hmmm…" Eris examined Rain's outfit. "Are you on vacation or something? You're dressed up like a tourist."

Her observation made Rain self conscious about her appearance, she started looking at how she dressed and even took off the hat she was wearing to stare at it. After a moment she sighed, "I guess you're right… I do look like a tourist. Even though I technically am one, it still sucks for it to be pointed out." Rain sighed softly.

"Ha! I knew it!" Eris exclaimed, truly proud of her genius observation.

They broke into another conversation, this time the topic was about fashion.

…Lurk duration doesn't stand a chance against any girl talking about fashion with another girl! At this rate my cover will be blown in a couple more minutes and I don't want to fight Rain of all people.

I don't hold THAT much of a grudge against her. The most I'll do is just scare her away or something along the lines of that.

I picked up a nearby pebble and threw it at Eris.

"-After you choose your blouse, you wanna- eh…?" She looked at me. "What?"

This idiot!

"Is everything okay?" Rain asked.

I started doing all sorts of signals; tapping my wrist, pointing to the exit, moving my fingers across my neck, mouthing the words "Leave.", hoping that she would understand me.

Eris' showed an extremely confused expression and then looked up at the sky. "Oh wow, it's getting pretty late… Say, Rain-san, how about we go grab a drink at the Guild?"

"Oh, you can drop the honorifics, just call me Rain. And I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your invitation, sorry…" Rain bowed.

Eris grabbed Rain and lifted her out of the bow. "Oh please! You can drop the honorifics with me too! We're both buddies right…?"

Rain giggled. "Of course we are."

"Great!" Eris grabbed Rain's hand and pulled her out the alleyway in a sprint. "Now let's go get some drinks to commemorate this newly formed friendship! Oh, and no more bowing! It makes me feel weird…"

"Huh!? Wait!" Rain yelped.

A new victim has been claimed. I'm so sorry Rain…

…

I was finally left alone and too myself. I deactivated lurk and took a very needed breather.

I decided that the best course of action was just to wait

until my mana reserves replenished so that I can use lurk and sneak back to the shop.

And so here I was, sitting against a dumpster, bored out of my mind.

I ended up questioning what I was doing.

Is this even worth the trouble?

I almost died again, and all for what? Some petty drama?

I've grown a lot ever since I've arrived here.

Maybe I should just talk it out with them so I can go back to living in the mansion.

Even Iris is waiting for me back home.

…

I think enough time has passed.

I got up, grabbed my belongings and started the journey back to Vanir's shop with lurk active.

"Oi! Vanir!"

The front of store was empty. The lights were even off.

I walked past the curtain and entered the back room.

Empty.

I called for Vanir.

"Welcome back brat!"

"GRAH!"

Behind me was Vanir, an eerie smile plastered on his face.

"Can you stop lurking. I don't think I have enough years left to afford any more of your scares."

Vanir let out a chuckle.

"Moi has great news for thou! Come! Have a seat!" Vanir eagerly led me to the table.

I sat down and Vanir took his seat across me.

"About that, I think-"

"Hold that thought for a moment." Vanir interrupted me with a wagging finger.

"Moi has something that'll surely pique your interest." He placed a paper oragami on the table and slid it to me.

I grabbed it and started admiring the craftsmanship. "Hmm… yes… This origami is of high quality. The paper is folded neatly and with care whilst also being evenly spaced. Thank you for giving me this, I'll be sure to treasure it greatly." I pocketed the paper swan.

"Open the paper." Vanir commanded, his voice showing some irritation.

Jeez… I just wanted to have some fun.

I took out the swan and started unfolding it. A note was written on it. Well, obviously something was because the letters were all over the poor swan.

I instantly recognized the handwriting as Aqua's.

"Uh- this is hard to read… she needs to improve her damn handwriting! Let's see… ahem-;

'Dear Kazuma

You know you really ticked me off last night! How did you even get in here!? Now that I think about it… I smelled some hint of Devil on you! It's that's stupid Vanir right!? Of course it is! Who else would it be!? Whatever anyways! Like I care for a NEET like you! I bet you're up with that other Goddess' room having the time of your life! Fine then! Like I care! Stay up there for all the time you want! I don't care anymore!'

…

There's a break in the page here.

'Just so you know, you're downgrading in Goddesses here! Why would you want to stay with an Eris who clearly pads her chest and has done multiple disgusting things, when you have a very beautiful and natural Aqua right here! Have I even told you about the toilet incident? Eris couldn't handle the prestige wine and by the time I found her she had-' I'm not reading the rest of that section."

I skipped to the non-Eris slander part.

'By the way, I'll be renovating your room and by the end of the week, It'll be my very own holy suite! No more will that room be plagued by your NEET stench! Soon holy energy will be overflowing from it! Just you wait and see!

Another break in the page.

'…If you want to come back home, you need to apologize to me. And not just a simple bow. I want a full on celebration in my name! I also want at least 29 bottles of wine as an apology too! Oh and I want you to convert to the Axis Faith as well! Oh and I need a new home for Emperor Zel! OH and-' The rest of this section is too long for me to bother reading, matter of fact, it was the longest section of this entire letter.

…Suddenly my resolve to get back at those girls(Aqua) had strengthened.

"Personally…" Eris' voice came from right next to my ear.

"GRUAH!" I almost fell out of my seat. Eris had used lurk to sneak up on me.

I looked at her and she smiled back. "Stop with the lurking already!" I said.

"Awwww, you're no fun." She stuck out her tounge at me.

"Anyways… personally I wouldn't take that if I were you, especially from Senpai." She continued.

"Moi agrees."

"Shuddup!"

"I'll get back at her! In fact! I have the perfect idea on how to do so!" I let out a prideful chuckle.

"First-"

"Hold on Assistant." Eris cut me off.

"Please pass me the letter." She requested, her eyes twitching a bit.

"Sure…" I placed the piece of paper, formerly an oragami, onto her outstretched hand.

"Thank you." She flashed me a smile before turning around.

*RIIIIP!*

"I thought I told her not to ever talk about that incident again! If I could smite her with the most horrible luck in the world I would! She'll never be able to have a good night's sleep without choking on her own drool and waking up every hour! GRAHHHH! Not a single day would pass without-" I tuned the raging Eris out.

"Brat." Vanir called me, his voice somehow still reaching me despite Eris' loud swearing coming from behind me.

"Moi has something to give thou." Vanir's smile widened.

The Devil took out something from under the table it was… my mask? No, it's different. The mask's eyes had red tear-like streaks going down each side. Slight cracks were present on each one.

Just what did he do?

"This is the good news." He slid the mask to me.

"Moi has upgraded and enhanced thou's Limited Edition Vanir Mask(Trademark Pending) with the red manatite thou has used last night. Moi believes thou would reap its benefits well."

"Moi will now explain how-"

"IF ONLY- oooh nice mask!" Eris, freed from her ballistic trance, grabbed the newly upgraded mask and started inspecting it.

"The design is decent… for a smelly Devil's tool of course." She said.

"Now where's mine?"

"A Goddess and brat like thou doesn't deserve a mask. You never had one to begin with." Vanir said.

"Oh c'mon! Don't be like that! How about I make a mask of my own and you can do your stinky magic-Devil thing on it!" Eris pleaded.

Vanir swayed his head. "No."

"Please!"

"Absolutely not."

"Pleaaaaaseee!"

"Where is your shame as a Goddess?"

"Assistant, do something to convince it! Please!" Eris whined.

I decided that the best course of action was to ignore both of them.

Sometime has passed after Eris started begging for a mask of her own. Eventually I conceded and convinced Vanir to upgrade a mask for her too. Although she wanted to make one for herself.

Eris recently finished creating it and had started work on our "thieving uniform" as she wanted to look "badass AF".

…Frankly her vocabulary started worrying me as I had never spoken that way around her.

Had she been fully corrupted?

The thought of an Eris speaking in outdated Japanese slang terrified me.

As for myself, I finished setting up the small amount of clothing I had in Wiz's room.

Speaking of Wiz's room, Vanir eventually unlocked it for me when he finished having his fun. Her "room" was just a glorified storage space. There was nothing interesting about it all!

Trust me, I checked everywhere. It seems she took all of her clothes with her to the Capital. Just how poor is she?!

After that total disappointment, I just sat on futon she had on the floor and thought about how long it's been since I visited the "cafe".

…

It seems I have decided to leave the shop once again… And maybe eat at a restaurant in the corner of town.

I stopped by the rapidly sewing Eris.

I felt a smile creep up on my lips.

"How's the sewing going Astar?" I teased.

"Oh it's going pretty well, thanks for asking Assistant." Eris didn't even falter, her needle still moved rapidly through the fabrics.

"…Oh, okay." My attempt at teasing has failed and has ultimately ruined my day.

I'll just tease her when the alcohol has worn off.

Some joy has returned to my face, picturing the extremely embarrassed and sober Eris.

I left the shop and started my journey in the desire for a good time.

AN: I'll probably start writing some short stories on a different FF to avoid burnout. I'm not abandoning this story at all if you're worried about that. Until next time ;)