SAK Chapter 12 The Conversation

Kobayashi’s apartment 

Mina sat with perfect posture at the low table in Kobayashi’s living room. Steam drifted lazily from the teacup in front of her, filling the air with the scent of green tea.

Across from her sat Kobayashi, her elbows resting on her knees, casual in a plain shirt and slacks, but her sharp gaze could have cut through steel. Her expression was deceptively calm, yet the tension behind her glasses was unmistakable. The ordinary office worker looked more like a silent general assessing an enemy.

Between them, the air could have frozen solid.

Mina, unfazed by the intimidating stare, took a polite sip of her tea before setting the cup down gently. She glanced around, taking quiet stock of her surroundings.

The dragon maid, Tohru, hovered nearby, smiling nervously as she poured refills for everyone. The warmth of her aura was hard to ignore, raw and powerful. Mina’s smile thinned slightly.’ So this is the dragon that caused the current mess.’

Then her attention drifted to the other side of the room, to the blonde woman lounging comfortably on the couch. Lucoa’s presence was… different. Her mismatched eyes and relaxed demeanor didn’t match a human’s presence at all. She radiated power, but unlike Tohru’s wild strength, Lucoa’s was older, calmer, suffused with experience.

‘Who is she? Mina wondered. ‘Issei never mentioned her… but from her aura alone, she’s clearly no ordinary being.’

She tucked her curiosity away for now and refocused on her true purpose. Turning back to Kobayashi, she placed her hands neatly on her lap and spoke in her usual calm tone.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet me, Kobayashi-san. I came here today because there are two matters I wished to discuss—”

But she didn’t get far.

“Before you start,” Kobayashi interjected smoothly, “I’d like to ask you something about this job you supposedly gave my nephew.”

Mina blinked, caught off guard. “Job?”

“Yes.” Kobayashi’s tone was flat but firm. “He said he has started working for you. So I’d like to know, what kind of work are you making him do, exactly? What’s his salary, his hours, his benefits? Does he have insurance? Vacation time? And where’s the official paperwork?”

The speed and precision of her questioning made Mina’s mind reel. “I—what—wait,” She stammered, lifting her hands slightly. “That’s not—Kobayashi-san, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“Oh?” Kobayashi leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. “Then enlighten me.”

Mina inhaled deeply, regaining her composure. “I didn’t come here to talk about his… employment. Did Issei not tell you the real reason I’m here?”

Kobayashi frowned, turning her sharp gaze toward Issei, who was sitting nervously between Kanna and Lucoa, his eyes darting anywhere but toward the two women.

“He told me you were here to talk about his summer job,” Kobayashi said coolly.

Mina blinked. “He said… that?”

Both women turned their heads in perfect unison toward Issei.

Issei froze, his face pale, then forced an awkward smile. “Heh… you know, sometimes details slip through the cracks…”

Kobayashi’s glasses gleamed menacingly, and Mina’s usually gentle eyes narrowed.

‘Perfect, I’m dead.’ Issei thought miserably.

Mina sighed, pressing a hand to her temple. “Honestly… you’re hopeless.”

He let out a small, nervous laugh. “W-well, you see, it’s complicated and—”

Mina raised a hand to silence him. “I’ll explain.”

Kobayashi’s eyebrow twitched. “Please do.”

Mina straightened her posture again, her tone firm but polite. “The truth is, I came here today for two reasons. The first is to meet Tohru-san.”

Tohru blinked,in confusion. “M-me? Why?”

Mina’s expression softened slightly, though her eyes still carried the calm weight of professionalism. “Because there’s something important I wish to understand—something only she can answer. It relates to recent events happening across Japan.”

Tohru tilted her head, visibly confused. “Something important? What did I do?”

Kobayashi glanced between them, her suspicion returning. “Hold on—how do you even know about Tohru?”

Issei winced quietly. ‘Oh no. Here we go’.

Mina opened her mouth to answer, but then paused, meeting Kobayashi’s gaze directly. There was no hostility in her eyes, only honesty. “Because her arrival affected things beyond your home, Kobayashi-san. The balance between certain communities in Tokyo and Saitama has been disturbed since she appeared. From my understanding from talking with Issei. I know, it’s not her fault,” she added quickly, noticing Tohru’s nervous expression. “But I need to confirm a few details for everyone’s safety.”

Kobayashi frowned slightly, processing that as she didn’t understand what any of that was about.

Before she could ask more, Mina continued, her voice steady and respectful. “And my second reason for being here—” She folded her hands neatly in front of her. “—is to meet Issei’s family.”

That statement hung in the air for a long moment.

“To meet…” Kobayashi repeated slowly, blinking once. “His family?”

Mina smiled warmly. “Yes. I wanted to make a good first impression. It’s only proper that I meet my fiancé’s family before things progress further.”

The silence that followed was absolute.

Tohru’s mouth fell open, her teacup slipping slightly in her hand. Kobayashi blinked rapidly, certain she’d misheard.

“...Fiancé?” She echoed faintly.

Terror filled his body and Issei’s soul visibly left his body.

Kanna blinked and turned to Issei. “Maybe we should have told her that either,” She said flatly.

“I was getting to it,” Issei whispered harshly, panic flashing across his face.

Tohru nearly dropped the teapot entirely, as her tail came out in shock. “W-wait! Issei’s getting married?!”

Lucoa chuckled behind her hand, clearly enjoying every second of this. “Ara~ what a lovely announcement. Though I wished it was under better circumstances."

Kobayashi slowly turned her head toward her nephew, her expression calm but her aura radiating danger. “Issei… care to explain this fiancé business?”

Issei froze, hands raised defensively. “I—it’s not what it sounds like, Oba-chan! I swear!”

Mina gave a small sigh, resting her cheek on her hand. “You really didn’t tell her anything, did you?”

Issei laughed weakly. “Heh… surprise?”

Tohru looked between all of them, utterly lost. “Wait, wait, when did this even happen?!”

Kanna calmly took another sip of her tea. “It happened in Shinjuku. I was there when she proposed.”

“...You were there?!” Tohru gasped.

“Yes,” Kanna said simply.

Kobayashi, meanwhile, adjusted her glasses and took a long breath as a dark aura suddenly sprouted around her. “Alright,” she said, her tone deadly calm. “Someone is going to start talking. Right now.”

Issei, shaking, was too terrified to say anything.

Mina gave him a small, sympathetic smile before straightening again to face Kobayashi. “I’ll explain everything, Kobayashi-san. Please don’t blame him, he probably didn’t want to worry you.”

Kobayashi’s glare softened only slightly, but she nodded. “You’ve got one chance.”

And somewhere deep down, Kanna simply thought. ‘This is going to be a long day.’

“Before we get ahead of ourselves, Kobayashi-san, I’d like to ask—how much do you know about the supernatural side of this world?”

Kobayashi blinked, her sharp expression softening slightly. “Not much,” she admitted. “I’ve only recently learned that it even existed. Before Tohru showed up, I lived my whole life thinking things like dragons and magic were just myths.”

Mina nodded slowly, her expression understanding. “I see. That explains your reaction.” She folded her hands neatly on her lap and glanced toward Tohru, who sat nervously beside Kobayashi, tail twitching in anxiety.

Kobayashi raised an eyebrow. “So is that why you know about her? Are you part of the supernatural side of this world?”

Mina shook her head gently. “I am. But the only reason I even know about Tohru’s existence is because Issei told me.”

That drew everyone’s attention to Issei, who stiffened immediately, feeling several sets of eyes burning into him. “W-wait, I didn’t—well, okay, I did, but it wasn’t like I told everyone! Just Mina!”

Mina gave a small sigh but continued, her tone turning more serious. “He spoke of her and her circumstances with the purest intentions. He wanted me to understand what had caused the disturbance in Saitama.”

“Disturbance?” Kobayashi repeated cautiously.

Mina nodded, her gaze steady. “Yes. You see, ever since Tohru-san arrived here and began living openly, her immense power and aura have caused… ripples, for lack of a better word. Her energy is unmistakably draconic. To those who dwell in the supernatural side, it was like watching a natural disaster descend overnight.”

Tohru’s face paled, her tail curling nervously behind her. “I… I didn’t mean to cause trouble…”

Mina’s voice remained calm, though there was an unmistakable gravity to her words. “I know. But your arrival frightened everyone in Saitama. Youkai, spirits, mages, even minor Kami fled from their homes in panic, believing a powerful Dragon had come to conquer or destroy the region. In their desperation, many of them migrated to other prefectures, mostly Tokyo, creating chaos in the process.”

The room went quiet. Even Lucoa, normally amused by everything, looked faintly thoughtful now.

Mina continued, her tone softening. “Currently, several organizations—mine included—are trying to restore order and calm the situation. But it’s not easy. The balance of the supernatural community was fragile to begin with. The sudden influx of displaced beings has led to turf wars and accidents all across the city.”

Kanna nodded slightly, adding in her quiet way, “We’ve already helped with one of those.”

Mina smiled faintly at her. “Yes. Thanks to Issei and Kanna’s help, we managed to resolve two major cases already. But more continue to appear all over Japan. It’s… exhausting work, but necessary.”

Kobayashi leaned back in her seat, processing it all. She rubbed her temples. “So basically… Tohru shows up, everyone freaks out, and now the supernatural community is in chaos because of it.”

“That’s a blunt but accurate summary,” Mina replied.

Tohru looked like she was about to cry. “I-I didn’t mean to cause all that! I just wanted to live with Kobayashi!”

Kobayashi sighed, giving her dragon maid a tired but affectionate look. “I know, Tohru. But… yeah, I’ll have to scold you later.”

“W-whaaat?! Why?!” Tohru wailed, clutching her head.

Kobayashi ignored her dramatics, turning her attention back to Mina. “Okay, so all this chaos, the balance collapsing, and you’re helping fix it. I get that. It’s bad, but I understand.”

She adjusted her glasses, her tone shifting into a sharp, no-nonsense edge. “But none of that explains the real issue here.”

Mina blinked. “The real issue?”

Kobayashi leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing. “Yes. Why are you and Issei engaged?”

The air instantly thickened again.

Tohru froze mid-sniffle, glancing between them. Kanna sipped her drink in perfect silence, clearly uninterested in interfering. Lucoa smirked faintly, her chin propped on her hand.

Mina met Kobayashi’s gaze head-on. Her calm demeanor didn’t falter, though a small, wry smile tugged at her lips. “I suppose there’s no avoiding that topic anymore.”

Kobayashi’s eyes narrowed. “I’d say not.”

Issei, already sweating bullets, raised his hands in protest. “O-Oba-chan, please don’t get the wrong idea! It’s not like—”

Kobayashi held up a hand, silencing him. “Quiet. I’m talking to her.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he muttered, slumping.

Mina sighed softly but retained her grace. “It’s… a bit complicated. But I’ll explain everything.”

Kobayashi crossed her arms, waiting.

Mina continued, her voice level and honest. “The engagement began as part of an agreement. I won’t lie—it wasn’t romantic at first. My clan, the Tadayuki family, has fallen into decline. I saw in Issei both potential and kindness, and I believed that our union could help restore my family’s honor while giving him protection and influence within the supernatural world.”

Kobayashi’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes softened slightly—just enough for Mina to continue.

“But,” Mina said, glancing briefly at Issei, “I also came to realize something else. Issei isn’t just powerful because of the dragon within his Sacred Gear. He’s someone who genuinely cares about others, who risks himself for people he barely knows. I… respect that. And I acknowledge that I find myself wanting to be part of his life because of it.”

Her words were calm, steady—but they carried sincerity that even Kobayashi couldn’t easily dismiss.

Still, Kobayashi leaned back and muttered, “So it started as a political deal and turned into something personal.”

Mina smiled faintly. “That’s one way to put it.”

Tohru blinked. “Wait… so you really like Issei?”

Mina looked at her with a small but genuine smile. “Yes. I do.”

Lucoa chuckled softly. “Ara~ she’s honest. I like her.”

Kobayashi sighed again, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “You people are giving me a headache.”

Issei, still seated awkwardly beside Kanna, tried to speak up. “Oba-chan, please don’t be mad. I didn’t want to lie to you, I just—”

“I’m not mad,” Kobayashi interrupted, though her tone carried a hint of exhaustion. “Just… surprised. And maybe a little terrified that somehow, in one summer, you managed to get into trouble and in some way have gotten engaged.”

Lucoa chuckled. “When you put it that way, it sounds rather impressive.”

Kanna nodded. “It is impressive.”

Kobayashi sighed again. “I wasn’t asking for agreement.”

The tension finally eased slightly, though the air was still charged with uncertainty. Mina sat quietly, her poise unbroken, while Kobayashi sipped her tea and processed the whirlwind of information she’d just been handed.

The room had gone quiet again. Only the faint hum of the air conditioner filled the space as everyone tried to process what had just been said.

Finally, Kobayashi set her cup down with deliberate calm. She looked up, her tone softer than before—but her voice still carried that firm, protective edge that Issei knew all too well.

“Alright,” she said slowly. “I believe you. I understand the situation, and I can tell you’re being honest, Mina-san. But we’re not done talking about this.” Her gaze hardened just slightly. “Because I’ll tell you here and now… I don’t acknowledge this engagement. I refuse to give Issei to anyone.”

The statement hit like a quiet hammer.

Mina met her gaze evenly, her poise unwavering. She gave a small bow of respect, but her tone didn’t bend. “I understand completely,” she said calmly. “But your approval means nothing—because the ones getting married are me and Issei.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

A tick mark formed at Kobayashi’s temple. The calm smile on her face twitched dangerously. Even Tohru, who had been sitting quietly, subtly leaned back with her tail coiling up protectively, as if expecting an explosion.

Issei’s eyes widened. “M-Mina, maybe you shouldn’t—”

Too late. Kobayashi’s polite tone turned ice cold. “Oh, really? My approval means nothing, huh?”

Mina’s polite smile remained, though her eyes were sharp. “I simply meant that my relationship with Issei is our decision. I respect you deeply, Kobayashi-san—but I won’t let anyone dictate our bond.”

The tension thickened so much it was hard to breathe.

Tohru whispered to Kanna, “I think Mina’s trying to die.”

Kanna blinked once. “She’s brave.”

Kobayashi exhaled through her nose, visibly restraining herself from responding. Her glare shifted sharply to Issei, who by now looked ready to melt into the floorboards.

“And you,” she said, her voice deadly calm, “we’re talking later.”

Issei groaned, slumping in defeat. “Yes, Oba-chan…”

Satisfied that she had at least regained control of the moment, Kobayashi leaned back slightly, trying to calm herself with another sip of tea. Mina, meanwhile, remained perfectly composed, though the smallest flicker of satisfaction crossed her lips.

To break the silence, Mina looked toward Issei again. “Speaking of which… Issei, where do your parents live? I would love to meet them as well—to introduce myself properly and tell them the news.”

Kobayashi glanced at her, her tone neutral again. “That might take a while. His parents live in Kouh. Issei’s only here for the summer.”

Mina froze mid-motion. Her teacup stopped halfway to her lips. “…Did you just say Kouh?” She repeated, her expression shifting from polite calm to genuine concern.

“Yes,” Kobayashi confirmed slowly. “Is that… a problem?”

Mina’s gaze flickered between Issei and the others, the faintest crease forming on her brow. “It’s… not a problem, exactly, but…” She exhaled quietly, setting the cup down. “Kouh is currently under the control of Devils.”

The entire room went still.

Tohru blinked. “Devils…? As in, actual devils?”

“Like the evil kind?” Issei asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mina shook her head. “Not in the sense you’re thinking of. They’re organized beings—powerful entities who govern their own territories and follow a complex hierarchy. The town of Kouh has been under their domain for several years now.”

Kobayashi and Issei both stared at her, stunned.

“Wait—are you saying our family has been living in devil territory this whole time?” Kobayashi asked incredulously.

Mina quickly raised a hand, realizing how it must have sounded. “Please don’t panic. It’s not as bad as it seems. The Devils there have an official agreement with the Shinto faction. They were granted that territory as a show of good faith and cooperation. Ordinary humans can live there safely as long as they don’t interfere in supernatural matters.”

Kobayashi slowly relaxed, though her brow furrowed. “So… they’re fine?”

“They should be,” Mina assured her. “Your family shouldn’t be in any danger. I apologize for startling you. It’s just… surprising to hear that Issei lives there.”

Issei frowned slightly, scratching his cheek. “So… wait. Devils exist, they own towns, and people live there normally? That’s… kind of weird.”

“It’s the world we live in,” Mina said with a faint smile. “Hidden from most, but always closer than you think.”

Tohru tilted her head, intrigued. “How curious. So this world has its own equivalent of demons ruling territories.”

Lucoa chuckled softly. “They’re quite ambitious little creatures, really.”

Mina gave her a brief glance, recognizing that faint air of divine authority behind Lucoa’s lazy smile. She decided not to press it.

Turning back to Issei, Mina’s tone softened. “When you return home, Issei, you should be careful. Don’t get involved with any Devils or their agents. If they offer you anything—deals, power, alliances—refuse politely. You never want to owe a Devil a favor.”

Issei gulped, feeling a small chill crawl up his spine. “Got it… I’ll, uh, make sure to avoid them.”

Kanna leaned back slightly, resting her chin on her hand. “What do devils look like?”

Mina smiled faintly. “Human, for the most part. They have a pair of black wings, they can hide. You’d only recognize them if you were trained to sense them.”

Kobayashi rubbed her temple again, muttering, “This is getting way too complicated…”

Mina chuckled softly. “Welcome to the hidden side of Japan, Kobayashi-san. You’re handling it better than most humans would, dear.”

Kobayashi gave her a tired glance. “That’s because I don’t have the patience to panic anymore.”

Mina then sighed, as she realised what she will have to do. “I’ll have to go through official channels if I want to meet Issei’s parents, then. Devils are notoriously strict about visitors entering their territories. It’ll be… quite the bureaucratic nightmare.”

Issei grimaced. “Sorry about that…”

She gave him a small, reassuring smile. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault. You’ll be fine when you go back. That’s your home, after all. Just… try not to draw attention to yourself.”

“Trust me,” Issei said dryly, “that’s the last thing I ever want to do.”

Kanna poked him in the side. “You always draw attention.”

He groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

Lucoa laughed quietly, lifting her cup. “Well, at least your life won’t be boring, Issei.”

Kobayashi sighed again, looking thoughtful, tilted her head. “Devils, mages, dragons… Japan really has gotten strange lately.”

Kanna nodded once. “It’s fun.”

Issei buried his face in his hands. “It’s exhausting…”

Mina finally turned her attention toward the last person she hadn’t been properly introduced to—the tall, striking blonde sitting calmly on the couch with her tea in hand. “Forgive me for asking,” Mina began politely, though her tone carried quiet curiosity. “But… who exactly are you? I don’t recall Issei ever mentioning you before.”

Lucoa smiled warmly, setting down her teacup with deliberate grace. “Ah, where are my manners?” she said lightly, her voice soft and soothing, yet carrying a strange weight behind it. “I’m sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Quetzalcoatl… though most just call me Lucoa.”

Issei blinked several times, his mind blanking out. “…Wait, wait—what?!” He sat upright, staring at her with wide eyes. “Q-Quetz… uh… Quetzal… co…?”

Lucoa chuckled softly at his struggling attempts. “Quetzalcoatl~,” she repeated with playful patience.

Issei tried again. “Quetzal-cow… cottel? Quetz—”

Lucoa’s laughter rang sweetly through the air, her mismatched eyes shining with mirth. “Oh dear, don’t hurt yourself, Issei~ You don’t have to try so hard. Calling me Lucoa is more than enough.”

Issei let out a small breath of relief, rubbing the back of his neck. “Good, because that name’s a tongue twister…”

Kanna looked up from her tea, blinking once. “He can’t say it.”

Tohru giggled softly, still a little nervous from earlier but amused by the interaction. “He’s trying, though.”

Meanwhile, Mina sat there, her composure unbroken, though her brows furrowed slightly as she repeated the name under her breath. “Quetzalcoatl… Quetzalcoatl…”

It sounded familiar—deeply familiar—but the memory refused to surface. She had read about it before somewhere? But she quickly dismissed the thought. ‘Impossible,’ She reasoned. ‘That would make her…’

Lucoa smiled as if sensing her thoughts. “Don’t worry about it, dear. The name comes from our world.”

That alone made Mina’s curiosity grow, but before she could ask further, Lucoa continued smoothly, her tone light. “And yes, I’m currently living with Issei~”

The words made Mina pause. She slowly turned her gaze toward Issei, her smile polite but her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re living together…?”

Issei instantly began waving his hands in defense. “W-wait, it’s not what it sounds like! She just needed a place to stay, and I said yes! I mean, I couldn’t say no to someone like her!”

“That’s what worries me,” Kobayashi muttered under her breath, taking another sip of her tea.

Mina’s eyes narrowed further as she folded her arms, her calm smile turning faintly sharp. “So… let me get this straight, Issei. You’ve invited yet another dragon into your home?”

“Technically, yes,” Issei said sheepishly. “But she’s really nice! She just wants to learn more about our world, and—”

Mina sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This makes three. Three dragons from another world…”

Lucoa chuckled softly. “Well, I wouldn’t worry too much. We dragons are fairly peaceful when treated kindly.”

“That depends on the dragon,” Mina muttered, glancing toward Tohru.

The dragon maid blinked, caught off guard. “Huh? Me?”

“Yes, you.” Mina turned to face her fully, her tone professional but not unkind. “Since you’re at the center of this… situation, I’d like to hear your side of the story.”

Tohru straightened her back, placing a hand over her chest. “M-my side? Well… I didn’t mean to cause any problems. I was wounded and fleeing a battle in my world. I was going to die, but Kobayashi-san found me and helped me. I owe her my life.”

Her expression softened as she looked toward Kobayashi. “She saved me when no one else would. That’s why I decided to stay with her.”

Mina listened quietly, studying every word, every twitch of emotion. Her expression was unreadable—calm, almost clinical—but her eyes betrayed that she was assessing everything carefully.

“I see,” Mina said finally. “So that’s how it happened.” She looked at Tohru a moment longer, her tone softening slightly. “You truly love her, don’t you?”

Tohru’s eyes widened, her face instantly turning pink. “O-of course! I love Kobayashi-san more than anything in this world!”

The declaration made Kobayashi flinch. “T-Tohru, please don’t yell that so casually…”

Tohru ignored her, her tail swishing behind her with conviction.

Mina sighed softly, though a small smile touched her lips. “Then I suppose that explains your behavior.”

“Behavior?” Tohru tilted her head.

Mina nodded slowly. “I don’t know much about dragons but those with power have a certain way of acting but you act very subservient.”

Tohru’s confident expression faltered slightly. “I… guess that’s true.”

“Though I wonder what would happen if someone ever hurts Kobayashi?”

A terrifying pressure started to leak from Tohru. “I would absolutely crush them.”

Mina’s tone grew quieter, but her words carried a faint weight of warning. “Then for everyone’s sake, I hope no one ever harms Kobayashi-san. Because if something were to happen to her…” She looked at Tohru with a knowing gaze. “…I imagine the amount of destruction that would follow would be catastrophic.”

The room went completely still again.

Tohru blinked, the color draining slightly from her face as she realized the truth in Mina’s words. 

Finally, Mina relaxed her shoulders and smiled faintly. “But as long as Kobayashi-san remains safe, I see no reason to interfere. Just… please try to stay discreet. The last thing Japan needs right now is another supernatural panic.”

Tohru nodded earnestly. “I’ll be careful. I promise!”

Kobayashi sighed, rubbing her forehead. “You’ve been saying that since you moved in.”

Lucoa laughed lightly. “Promises are easy, following them is the tricky part.”

Issei chuckled nervously, scratching his cheek. “Yeah, no kidding…”

Kobayashi had just started to relax again when her mind circled back to something that had been gnawing at her. She leaned forward, adjusting her glasses with that familiar sharp glint that made Issei stiffen automatically.

“Alright,” she said in a low, measured tone. “You mentioned earlier that Issei helped you solve some of these supernatural incidents. What exactly did he do—and how are you compensating him for putting himself in danger?”

Mina blinked, surprised by the sudden seriousness in her voice. “Oh. Of course. I can explain that.”

Lucoa looked intrigued, while Tohru tilted her head.

Mina folded her hands neatly in her lap before continuing. “It all began when we met at Akihabara. A gang of Oni had tried to take over the area, they planned to kick out the previous residents and were turning the district into their territory.” She paused, glancing at Issei. “He happened to be there by coincidence… and ended up getting involved before I did.”

Kobayashi’s eyes widened slightly. “He got involved? As in—fought them?”

Mina nodded. “Yes. He was able to fight and subdue their leader. Once that happened, the rest scattered and fled the city. The local authorities—well, the supernatural ones—classified the incident as resolved.”

Issei scratched his cheek awkwardly. “It wasn’t that big a deal, Oba-chan. They weren't that strong.”

“Not strong?” Kobayashi repeated, incredulous. “They’re Oni. You fought Oni.”

Before she could say more, Mina continued, “The second case we handled was far more delicate. A series of murders in Shinjuku. Several humans were being found completely drained of blood in back alleys. At first, we suspected a vampire, but after investigating, we discovered the culprit was a Jorōgumo—a spider youkai who had been luring victims to feed on.”

The word murder landed heavily in the room.

Kobayashi immediately tensed, her hand gripping her cup tightly. “Murder? You brought my nephew into a murder case?!”

Issei quickly waved his hands. “Oba-chan! I wasn’t in danger! Honest! We figured it out before it got too bad!”

Mina raised her hand gently, her calm tone cutting through Kobayashi’s panic. “Please don’t worry, Kobayashi-san. I was with him, and I can assure you he was never in any real danger. If anything, I was the one who should have been afraid as Kanna here completely defeated Jorogumo with little effort. So far Issei has proven to be much stronger than normal.”

Tohru’s expression brightened instantly, her chest puffing out in pride. “Of course he is! Feeding him my tail has made him incredibly strong!”

Kobayashi shot her a deadpan look. “Please never do that again.”

Kanna sipped her tea calmly. “It’s true, though.”

Mina’s lips twitched into a small smile at their bickering before she continued, “Either way, both incidents were resolved cleanly, and no civilians were hurt while we were there.”

Kobayashi exhaled, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Still… I’d rather Issei not fight at all. He shouldn’t have to put himself in danger like this.”

“I agree,” Mina said softly, her tone turning more formal again. “But unfortunately, with the supernatural balance still unstable, these kinds of conflicts are happening more often. We’re short on people capable of dealing with them safely. Issei’s strength… makes him invaluable.”

Kobayashi frowned. “Invaluable or not, he’s still a kid.”

Mina’s eyes flickered with something almost amused but quickly softened. “Believe me, Kobayashi-san, I understand. But Issei doesn’t like sitting on the sidelines.”

Tohru smirked. “That’s what I like about him. A dragon’s heart beats inside him~.”

Kobayashi sighed. “You’re not helping.”

Lucoa chuckled softly, swirling the tea in her cup. “You can’t stop what’s already in his nature. He’s just like a young dragon testing his wings.”

Kobayashi muttered something under her breath about “dragon trouble magnets” before straightening again. “Fine. Then tell me something else—how much are you even paying him for all of this? If he’s risking his neck, he’d better not be getting pocket change.”

At that, Mina’s expression brightened slightly. “Oh, of course! He’s properly compensated.”

She told Kobayashi the amount, completely casual. The effect was immediate.

Kobayashi froze mid-sip. The tea cup trembled slightly in her hand as her eyes widened behind her glasses. “E-excuse me?! You’re paying him that much?!”

Tohru blinked, surprised. “Is that a lot?”

Kobayashi turned to her with a look of disbelief. “It’s more than my salary!”

Tohru gasped. “Really?! Maybe I should become a supernatural investigator too!”

“Don’t even think about it,” Kobayashi snapped.

Issei laughed nervously. “Ahaha… yeah, it’s a lot, but Mina insisted. I wasn’t even gonna take it, but she said it’d be weird if I didn’t.”

Mina nodded firmly. “It’s fair compensation for his help. Besides, he’s risked his safety more than once. I’d never let his efforts go unrewarded.”

Kobayashi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose again. “You people are going to give me grey hairs…”

Lucoa chuckled under her breath. “You’re handling this much better than I expected, dear.”

“Barely,” Kobayashi muttered. “So tell me, Mina—what’s the plan to stop all this before my nephew gets himself killed helping everyone?”

Mina’s face turned serious again, her tone calm but resolute. “That’s what we’ve been discussing yesterday. The only way to truly end the chaos is to restore the balance. We need to help the displaced residents of Saitama return home. If we can do that, the unrest will fade on its own.”

She glanced at Issei briefly before continuing, “To do that, we’ll keep resolving cases like these until we gain the attention of the Shinto gods. Once they take notice, we can formally present our case to them. With their help, we can set things right and return everything to normal.”

The room fell quiet again as everyone absorbed that.

Kobayashi looked impressed despite herself. “So you’re planning to get the gods involved.”

Mina nodded. “It’s the only way. The Five Great Clans won’t be much help as they’re too concerned with maintaining their power. But the Shinto faction oversees balance across Japan. If we can show them that the current disorder stems from a misunderstanding, they’ll intervene. With Issei and Kanna’s help, I believe we can do it.”

Kobayashi stared at her for a moment, then sighed deeply, the tension easing from her shoulders. “You sound way too confident for someone talking about literal gods.”

Tohru’s face then lit up as the tension in the room finally began to ease. Clapping her hands together with sudden excitement, she stood up from the table and smiled brightly.

“Well then!” she announced, tail swishing happily behind her. “I think it’s about time I start preparing dinner for everyone!”

Her golden eyes sparkled as she turned toward Mina, a warm, hospitable glow replacing the nervousness she’d felt earlier. “Mina-san, would you like to stay for dinner too?”

Mina blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sudden offer. “Oh, I—I wouldn’t want to impose,” she said politely, lifting her hands a little. “You’ve already been so kind inviting me into your home.”

“Nonsense!” Tohru said cheerfully, already heading toward the kitchen. “You’re practically family now! And besides, it would be rude to let a guest leave on an empty stomach.”

Kobayashi hearing this releases a grumble in dissatisfaction, she really wondered how to stop this engagement.

Lucoa chuckled softly from her seat, swirling the tea in her cup. “Tohru’s right~ It would be a shame to miss out on her cooking. She’s quite good, you know.”

Kanna, seated next to her, nodded in quiet agreement. “Very good.”

Mina gave a small, graceful laugh, her calm composure returning. “If it’s really not too much trouble… then I’d gladly stay and eat.”

Tohru’s wings fluttered slightly in joy. “Wonderful! Please relax, I’ll handle everything!”

She darted off toward the kitchen with energy that only dragons—or caffeinated humans—could muster, humming happily as she began gathering ingredients. Pots clattered, the fridge door opened, and the faint aroma of spices soon filled the air.

Kobayashi sighed softly but didn’t object, leaning back on the couch with her arms crossed. “I suppose that’s fine. You’ll get to taste Tohru’s cooking firsthand, Mina-san. Though fair warning—she tends to go a little… overboard.”

From the kitchen came Tohru’s voice, “I heard that, Kobayashi-san!”

Mina smiled politely, watching the lighthearted exchange. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s… actually refreshing, seeing a home like this. You all seem so comfortable with one another.”

Lucoa chuckled, eyes glinting. “Oh, it’s always lively here. You never know whether you’ll get dinner or a small catastrophe.”

Issei groaned softly, rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah, tell me about it…”

Kanna quietly tugged on Issei’s sleeve, expression calm as ever. “Can I help Tohru with dinner?”

Issei smiled and nodded. “Sure. Just be careful and don’t eat all the food, okay?”

Kanna blinked at him innocently. “…No promises.”

“Wait—Kanna!” Issei called after her, but the small dragon had already followed Tohru into the kitchen.

Mina laughed softly at the sight. “You really do live surrounded by interesting people, Issei.”

He gave her a half-smile, a mix of pride and exhaustion in his tone. “Yeah… that’s one way to put it.”

Kobayashi turned her gaze toward Mina, her expression less sharp now but still watchful. “You’ll like the food. Just… be ready for a big portion. Tohru doesn’t understand the concept of moderation.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mina said with a small bow of her head. “And… thank you, Kobayashi-san. For letting me stay a little longer.”

Kobayashi sighed again but waved her hand dismissively. “You’re already here, might as well eat. Just don’t encourage Tohru too much—she’ll end up cooking for thirty people if you do.”

Lucoa chuckled, leaning back comfortably. “Ah, I love a good dinner with company. This is going to be fun.”

As laughter and the faint sound of Tohru humming filled the apartment, Mina allowed herself to relax for the first time that evening. She’d expected suspicion, interrogation, and hostility—and she’d found all of those—but beneath it all was something she hadn’t anticipated.

A strange, chaotic kind of warmth that reminded her of a real family, it made her kind of jealous and hopes that one day this becomes more commonplace. For the first time in a long while, she smiled without restraint, quietly murmuring to herself, “Maybe staying a little longer won’t be so bad after all.”

From the kitchen, Tohru’s voice called out again—bright and full of enthusiasm.

“Dinner will be ready soon! I’m making something special tonight!”

Issei leaned toward Mina with a nervous whisper. “Uh… that could mean really good—or mildly explosive.”

Mina chuckled under her breath. “I suppose we’ll find out.”

Done. Really tired, tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. This commission  was brought to you by Luis. So be sure to thank him.