Ch.77. You Should Greet People Warmly When You Meet Them

Mmm, this is awkward. Right now.

I’m not sure how to explain this situation.

Three pairs of eyes watching me as I stand behind Blanc with a shopping basket, wearing a black scarf.

Well, I’ve already seen the pink-haired one with yellow eyes, so exclude her. That red-haired one is probably Magical Girl Garnet. I’ve been too lazy to give her a nickname, so I just call her “Red Hair.”

And that sky-blue haired girl sitting next to her must be the new magical girl.

Arin, wasn’t it?

But what kind of situation is this?

I clearly remember that unemployed bum saying she would explain everything properly.

“Yoonseul…? She’s from Eden…”

“Yes, she’s the one you know.”

“Yoonseul unnie…? Didn’t you say you were bringing a puppy…?”

“Hmm…? I never said I was bringing a puppy.”

What am I supposed to be in the middle of these magical girls?

Slowly, despite being a monster, my arm is starting to hurt from the heavy shopping basket.

“Blanc, let’s go inside. I’ll prepare your meal.”

At that, the red-haired one stood up and drew her weapon, pointing it at me.

Her weapon is a crossbow.

A strange magical weapon that can be disassembled and used as a regular bow.

That arrow is now aimed at me.

“Who are you? Why is a villain who should be in Marina here…?”

“What? Seohyun unnie? A villain? She doesn’t look like one at all.”

“She was a top executive of a place called Eden that collapsed before you debuted. I’m sure Eden was destroyed?”

“Seohyun, I’ll explain, so put that down. Yuri unnie. Didn’t you say you would explain everything?”

“Ah, well… Arin was expecting a puppy so much…”

“What? Unnie! Haah… Seohyun, sit down first. Vine, put those things away and sit here.”

“How can I trust her? How can I trust someone who could incapacitate everyone except you with just a flick of her hand?”

The red-haired girl’s crossbow trembled slightly.

“Umm, yes. I’ll just put these in the refrigerator first.”

“Hey! Why are you acting so natural? This is weird!”

“Hmm, please wait a moment. If you shoot that in here, the room will be a mess. I just cleaned it thoroughly.”

“You, you, what… why, what are you? You, Vine, you…”

“Yes, I am Vine from the now-collapsed Eden. The same Vine you captured. The Dark Vine, Vine.”

“Vine, are you still using that introduction?”

“Ah, yes. It’s become a habit.”

“No, no way. The Vine I know…”

“Seohyun unnie? What exactly did this Vine person do to make you so flustered?”

“Ah, are you the one called ‘Arin’?”

“Y-yes? Me?”

“Hmm, indeed. I look forward to working with you. I am the Dark Vine, former second-in-command of Eden and the boss’s right hand. I hope you’ll come to like the vines that entangle you.”

“What? A v-villain? A monster, right? Do I have to fight now? I only have combat experience against D-rank monsters!”

As Arin stood next to the red-haired girl trying to draw her weapon, Blanc stopped her.

“No, both of you sit down. Vine, come sit here when you’re done putting everything away.”

“Yes. I’ll be right there.”

With that, the red-haired girl deactivated her weapon, and after I finished organizing the groceries, I sat down.

Hmm, this is truly an awkward encounter.

One annoying pink-haired magical girl I just fought with, one red-haired magical girl who was pointing her bow at me moments ago, the world’s strongest magical girl, and a rookie magical girl who debuted just a year ago.

And sitting across from them, me.

A former villain, an enemy of magical girls, and a bad guy who had fought with all of them except Arin.

The one who broke this awkward atmosphere was, of course, Blanc.

That unemployed person just looks annoyed, and those two still haven’t calmed down.

Blanc’s first explanation wasn’t much different from before.

The story of my past and various trivial details, how Blanc and I made a bet about whether people’s nature changes or not, and how I ended up working as a housekeeper in this dormitory.

While explaining, I showed them the dog collar I was wearing.

Since the red-haired girl doubted whether this collar actually worked on me, I demonstrated trying to use my magical power.

It gathered at my fingertips momentarily, but then was quickly absorbed back into the collar. Seeing this with her own eyes, she soon accepted it.

Well, since it actually works properly, I suppose my claim that I haven’t caused trouble since my release has some credibility.

“So, Vine… unnie? Is that right? But you’re smaller than me…?”

“You can just call me ‘hey, you’ or whatever. I don’t mind.”

“But you’re still my unnie, right…?”

“I suppose so? I’m the same age as Blanc.”

“Ugh, if it had been a puppy, I could have had the little sibling I’ve been dreaming of.”

“Little sibling? Puppy? What do you mean?”

“I thought Yoonseul unnie was raising—”

Just as Arin was about to answer, Blanc quickly covered her mouth and said:

“Well, I think we’ve introduced ourselves enough. So, no objections to Vine working as our housekeeper, right?”

“I like having someone to take care of things… I’m for it.”

“Yeah, we’d better keep her with us, in case that collar comes off and who knows what might happen.”

“Hmm, I wanted a puppy little sister, but now I have another maid unnie… Am I going to be the youngest forever…?”

“Wait, a maid? I don’t understand why that’s the conclusion.”

“Hmm, in the manga I read, people who help with housework in someone’s home were maids.”

“Ha, magical girls using a villain as a maid. Something seems off.”

“I don’t like it either. Just consider me a freeloader or something.”

“Vine would look good in a maid outfit. Come to my room when you wear it. Be my model…!”

“I will absolutely not wear a maid outfit. Now, is everything settled? Then I’ll prepare dinner, so please go about your business.”

“Wait, you’re not going to poison our food, are you?”

“Ha, Red Hair. Do you want to mess with food?”

This is my first solid food in days, and my first meat in months. Why would I waste precious poison on it?

When I gave her a look filled with pure anger and hunger, she tucked her tail and went to claim a spot in the corner of the living room sofa.

Ah, Red Hair kicked out the unemployed one who was lying there and took her spot. Well, well.

Hmm, first I should put rice in the rice cooker.

The rice container is… here. Six cups of rice, wash it clean, set it to cook, and then…

Now it’s time to make the braised short ribs.

Taking out the ribs I secretly marinated earlier when I said I was organizing things,

Preparing all the vegetables, potatoes, and carrots, cutting them nicely,

Then steaming it all together to make braised short ribs.

Ah, really. It’s been so long since I’ve tasted this.

And the simple side dishes I bought from the deli section at the supermarket.

Wiping the table once more with a clean cloth, neatly placing spoons and chopsticks.

A cup of water for each person.

Dividing the side dishes onto the table, placing the finished braised ribs in the center.

Yes, that’s it.

“Come and eat everyone. Dinner is ready.”

“Wow… what is this? Vine, did you make this yourself?”

“Vine, you can do this too? If it weren’t for Eden, you’d be my perfect bride. Seriously.”

“Unnie, why are there only four sets of utensils?”

“Ah, I can eat separately in the kitchen.”

Hearing my answer, Blanc looked at me with concerned eyes and said:

“You should sit and eat with us. Why eat alone?”

“I’m not a magical girl, just a freeloader.”

“Come here and eat with us.”

“It’s fine. I just need to eat well.”

“Come on, Arin? Bring one more set of utensils!”

Sigh, if I refuse, this will surely turn into an endless argument.

I might as well sit down. That would be less tiring.

In the end, I sat next to Blanc and started eating.

The braised short ribs I was tasting after so long were truly heavenly.

I probably failed to manage my expression, with happiness clearly showing on my face, but who cares?

With the joy of the meal over and a feeling of fullness, if this isn’t heaven, what is?

And now, I should get back to my housekeeping duties.

“Hmm, if you’re all done, you can go. I’ll clean up.”

“Huh? You don’t need to clean up. Vine, go rest.”

“Employer, you go rest. This is my job.”

“Haah, fine. Oh right, Vine, where are you going to sleep tonight? Your room isn’t fully prepared yet.”

“The living room floor with a blanket is enough.”

“How about sleeping next to me?”

“No thanks. I’d suffocate to death.”

This person, does she not even remember what she did yesterday?

“Then I’ll sleep on the sofa. That should be fine.”

“Haah, I want to let you sleep somewhere more comfortable. Isn’t there anywhere else?”

“That’s not necessary. If you’re too nice to an employee, you’ll regret it later.”

“Think of it as an additional investment for the future.”

Really talking back so precisely.

And so, with my first night’s sleeping place decided as the sofa, I safely got through my first day at the dormitory after many eventful moments.

Not anticipating the major incident that would occur the next day.

Not knowing that unresolved conflicts still remained.