Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

The black-haired witch, as always, wore the dark sweater that covered her completely. She sat alone on the sofa, holding a steaming cup of black tea, gazing indifferently at the morning light outside the window.

Since her sitting posture was no different from the one she had seen the night before, Eri even thought that Kuonji Aratsu might have stayed up all night like herself.

Eri hesitated for a moment, then walked over.

Good morning, Ms. Kuonji.

Upon hearing the sound, Youzhu slowly turned her head, her dark eyes calm and unwavering, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Good morning, Eri.

Silence fell over the hall once again.

Eri sat down on the sofa opposite Arisu, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

She wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

Finally, a thought popped into her head uncontrollably, and Eri asked instinctively, "Um, Novia, isn't he up yet?"

The moment she asked the question, Eri regretted it.

Why should I care about that man's whereabouts?

Yu-chu picked up her black tea, took a small sip, and moved with elegance.

Her expression and gaze remained calm, as if Eri Sei had only asked about the weather that day.

"He's probably still sleeping with those guys."

Youzhu's voice was flat and monotonous, without any inflection.

Hearing this,

Eri thought of Kama, Melsin, and the newcomer Lilith... Oh, I almost forgot, there's also the Sloth Angel, damn it! What does that bastard think his house is? A harem paradise with no restraint? How utterly shameless!

Just as Eri was inwardly berating Novia, Kuonji Yuzu pushed a freshly brewed cup of black tea in front of her.

"black tea."

"Thank you."

Eri finished her cup of black tea in one gulp, then put down the cup, stood up, and said again, somewhat hastily, "I'm going out."

She didn't want to stay in this place where that person named Novia was anymore.

The witch's dark eyes merely lifted slightly as Eri rose, then returned to the view outside the window, giving a very slight nod in response.

Eri almost fled from the Kuonji residence.

In the early morning, there weren't many pedestrians on the streets of Akihabara.

Sunlight filters through the gaps between the tall buildings, casting dappled shadows.

Eri walked aimlessly, her mind still filled with Chitose's face, which resembled hers so much, and her puzzling words.

What exactly does that mean?

What exactly is the relationship between myself and Chitose? Isn't it just a simple adoption? My mother is Izanami...

Qian Sui also said that she resembled herself.

This is ridiculous.

Eri shook her head, trying to clear her mind of these chaotic thoughts.

She looked up at the electronic signs in Akihabara; the flashing lights seemed somewhat dim in the daytime.

Eri once thought she was the only outcast in the new world, the only one without a Servant.

Arriving in Akihabara, I thought I had found a temporary place to stay.

The black-haired girl walked through familiar streets, passing by places where she had once carried out night watch missions with the "Demon King".

Those memories, uncontrollably, surged into my mind like a tide.

Demon King, where are you now?

Do you know about the thousand-year-old story?

Do you know how I feel right now? I'm so annoyed.

A soft sigh escaped Erise's lips, and her steps unconsciously turned towards the sea.

The beach in Akihabara appeared tranquil and expansive in the morning light. Eri looked at the surging waves in the distance and the blurred boundary where the sea and sky met. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, blew through her hair.

Time passes unconsciously.

When Eri raised her wrist to check the time again, the hands were already pointing to noon.

A feeling of emptiness came from my stomach.

Eri decided to find a place to have lunch first.

Just as Eri turned to leave the beach, a familiar figure came into view.

Not far away, a blue-haired girl wearing a bright yellow raincoat was busy beside a small cart, still wrapped up tightly even in such hot weather.

It's Luce.

The girl who chose to leave the Kuonji residence and rent a place to live had a childishly handwritten sign hanging on the cart next to her: "Handmade cross ice cream".

Eri walked over with some curiosity.

Only when you get closer can you see that Luce's stall is filled with ice cream cones shaped like crosses.

"luce?"

Hearing the voice, the blue-haired girl looked up and saw it was Eri. She gave her a bright smile, her blue eyes as clear as the sky after rain.

"Erise! What a coincidence!"

"You're still wearing a raincoat...?"

"Yes, because this is my battle suit!" Luce puffed out his chest and answered earnestly, then picked up a cross-shaped ice cream and presented it to Eri as if it were a treasure. "Want to try some? I made it myself, it's delicious!"

Eri looked at the uniquely shaped ice cream, then at Luce's expectant eyes, and finally nodded.

I took a bite, and the cool, sweet taste melted in my mouth, seemingly dispelling some of the gloom in my heart.

"Speaking of which, Luce, how did you come up with the idea of ​​selling ice cream? Is it because you moved out?" Eri asked curiously.

“Because I’m independent now,” Luce said, tilting her head. “Besides, staying at home all the time gets a bit boring.”

Upon hearing this, Eri Se felt a slight ripple in her heart.

Yes, staying in the Kuonji residence all the time is indeed a bit depressing.

She herself has been living there for almost... well, quite a long time if you count from when she met the Demon King.

Perhaps I should consider moving out myself.

This thought flashed by like a spark, but was quickly extinguished by Eri with reason.

No.

He cannot leave the Kuonji residence.

At least not yet.

Because there, she and the "Demon King" share memories.

Those memories are some of the few solaces Eri Se has now.

I don't want to give these things up easily. How could I possibly abandon them just to avoid that guy? Absolutely not!

Looking at Luce's innocent face, Eri looked at him and suddenly thought of a question.

Although she had never asked, Eri had always thought that Luce left the Kuonji residence and even chose to live outside because, like herself, he didn't really like the womanizing Novia.

After all, a girl as innocent and lovely as Luce would probably hate frivolous men, right? That's right, how could she possibly tolerate a guy who's always surrounded by women? That must be it! Thinking of this, Erise even felt a sense of closeness to Luce, as if they shared a common hatred.

So, Eri casually asked:

"Luce, what... do you think of that Novia guy?"

She hoped, even longed, that Luce would show the same strong aversion and contempt for Novia as she did.

However, Luce's answer struck Erise's heart like a hammer blow.

"Novia?" Luce's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing the name, and his face lit up with undisguised joy. "I actually really like Novia!"

His voice was full of sincerity and enthusiasm, without the slightest hesitation or affectation.

“If it were possible,” Luce said, clasping his hands together in front of his chest, his face filled with an almost praying expression of longing, “I hope we can be together forever!”

Eri was completely stunned, her mind went blank.

I couldn't believe my ears.

like?

Luce actually said he likes that scumbag Novia?

And she wants to stay with him forever?

How can this be? !

"R-Really?" Eri's voice was a little hoarse.

“Yes, Luce, I really like Novia.” Luce repeated, her tone still firm. “Novia is a very nice person.”

Are you a nice person?

Eri was starting to suspect that Luce had been drugged by Novia.

What's so great about that guy besides his decent looks?

A frivolous, promiscuous, arrogant, irresponsible, and manipulative bastard...

Eri silently labeled Novia with a series of negative tags in her mind.

Eri immediately pressed on, her voice tinged with an urgency she herself didn't realize: "If that's the case, then why... why did you move out?"

If Luce really likes Novia that much, why doesn't he stay at the Kuonji mansion? Instead, he rents a place to live and even works hard selling ice cream.

This is totally illogical.

When Luce heard Eri's question, the smile on his face faded slightly, and a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.

“Because…” Luce lowered her head, her voice softening, “because there are a lot of people in my family.”

“Eri, Ari, and Chitose.”

"And then came Miss Gamo, Miss Melosin, and that... Miss Lilith, who is scary but actually very cute."

Luce counted them one by one on his fingers.

“I think Novia would get a little annoyed if I stayed in the mansion all the time.”

"Luce doesn't want to cause trouble for Novia."

“If my presence would bother Novia, I would rather not be here.”

The blue-haired girl's voice was soft, yet it carried a heart-wrenching tenderness and thoughtfulness.

Eri listened to Luce's words and felt a mix of emotions.

It's truly unexpected that Luce left the Kuonji mansion for this reason.

This guy......

To avoid causing Novia any trouble, he silently endured everything.

Eri felt a pang of heartache, feeling sorry for Luce.

A kind and innocent girl like Luce deserves the best care, but she falls for an irresponsible man like Novia, who is also a scumbag. It's like a lamb being led to the slaughter!

What kind of spell did that bastard cast on these girls?!

Eri became increasingly angry, wishing she could rush back to the Kuonji mansion right now and drag Novia out to give her a good beating.

But she also knew that she couldn't do that.

Eri took a deep breath and tried to calm her anger.

Just as Eri was immersed in grief and indignation, a detail flashed through her mind like lightning.

and many more......