As the first light of day shone through the single window in their room, Yamato woke up as always, seeing Yuki sit on the side of the bed brushing her hair. She of course immediately noticed that he woke up without turning around, even though he did not do anything in particular that could have given it away.
"Good morning, Master. I hope you slept well."
"I never saw you brush your hair before, I think…"
"Really? Well, I usually do it before you wake up, then lay back down again so when you wake up I already did my morning routine even though I'm all cuddled up to you. However, today I felt a little bit lazy, I have to admit… So I suppose I started too late, and now you caught me red handed!"
"Why do you feel the need to hide that?"
"I'm not hiding anything! I just use my time very efficiently. I'm so smart~"
"You sure are…"
"Mhm~ But, Master… Have you really been sleeping enough? I'm quite certain you fell asleep at around 3:23 a.m, giving you a total sleep of just 3 hours and 37 minutes! Yesterday you only slept about 5 hours as well! You could do a bed day, where you don't move and let me take care of you!"
"I'm fine… And you really keep notes now?"
"If you would sleep the optimal amount of 14 hours I wouldn't have to!"
"14 hours, where do you come up with these…"
"It's true! Listen to my "Universal Optimal Time-Management-for-a-Day Plan", intended to be active seven days a week, obviously! U.O.T.M.D.P, for short! 14 hours of sleep, only sleep next to or near your loved one counts though. 2 hours of talking to your loved one about how perfect you are for esch other, while simultaneously fantasizing about your future together the entire time. The remaining 8 hours are to be used for for eating and other necessities, any spare time is to be spent with your loved one. Ah, and during the 14 hours of sleeping, dreaming of your loved one is mandatory!"
"I see… And that is the optimal time management for everyone?"
"That's right!"
"Well, I certainly don't doubt that you would perceive it that way. It must be frustrating to see everyone live in such a suboptimal way, huh…"
As Yuki finished brushing her hair, she put the hair brush aside and climbed on top of Yamato, with a suddenly serious expression.
"Master, I just noticed something of upmost importance! A major emergency!"
"A… Major emergency?"
"I feel horrible for forgetting about it, but it couldn't be helped, considering the circumstances… But that is no excuse! It's unforgivable, really…"
"I think I know what you are talking about…"
She tilted her head in surprise, wondering why he had not done something about that so important problem if he actually knew about it.
"You do? Really?"
"Up until now, all our accomplishments have been against children. In a school environment. Playing games with rules. But now we come face to face with the real world. No saftey, no rules to twist, no clueless children as opponents. We will have to take this world much more serious from now on, and not rely on luck as much."
Yuki just looked at him with a confused look.
"That's… Not it at all, Master! My emergency is much more urgent than the political situation of this town!"
"It is? What is then?"
"Your birthday!"
"…My birthday?"
"We didn't celebrate, even though we have been in this world for over a year now! I ask you, how can this be?!"
"Well, we never got a calendar, and when we arrived it was unclear if months and years would even be the same length. And honestly, I don't care that much about it."
"Well I do!"
"Well it's on January 19th."
"I of course know when it is! But we are already past thaaaat!"
"That sucks I guess. When is your birthday?"
"It does suck! Take it seriously! And I don't have a date of birth."
"Right… That makes sense. Just pick any day then. That way we can celebrate your birthday instead."
"Aww, really? That's a little odd but the idea so sweet. I love you! In that case, with your permission, my birthday shall be today!"
"Y'know, today we might be busy taking care of the situation we created yesterday… Why don't you pick a day where I can actually focus on you?"
"Hmm… I suppose my birthday would be no good if it doesn't get me your attention in its entirety… But waiting for something you could technically get now sucks… But I will endure, for the perfect birthday with just the two of us!"
She leaned down and hugged him. Purposefully pressing against him and nuzzling into his neck, at which he started petting her head.
"It's a bit silly, but I want to celebrate your birthday too. Even if it's just a random day… You must feel the same about my birthday, so I'm sorry I didn't celibate it with you."
"As long as you know…"
After staying like that for a moment, Yamato stopped petting her head and she climbed off again.
"So! About that situation, what do I need to do?"
"It's quite the complicated situation, actually. Come with me, I will explain once we get there."
"But I haven't decided on what to wear today!"
He got off the bed as well and into the bathroom, where he brushed his teeth while talking to her with the door open.
"Just wear whatever…"
"Never! You say what suits me better and I will wear that."
She stepped inot the door frame and presented herself to him. His neutral expression while brushing his teeth would make it difficult to get a read on his opinion, but she would do her best. Her pajamas transformed into a sleek black two-piece featuring a sleeveless crop top with cut-out bands around the waist, paired with an asymmetrical skort that reveals fitted shorts underneath.
"Or alternatively, I'd also have this!"
Her outfit changed again, this time into a breezy summer look with a halter-neck floral blouse tucked into high-waisted sage green shorts, cinched with a matching fabric belt.
"What do you think, Master~? Am I not gorgeous in either one~? It's okay if you can't pick a favorite, since you love both equally when they are worn by me~"
"…Where did you get these? Neither of them fit this town at all."
"I'm not going to wear some dirty blanket as a dress."
"That's not what I wanted from you in the first place…"
"Fine, you wanna blend in? Then I'm gonna blend in."
Her outfit changed once more, this time into a traditional nun's habit featuring a long black tunic, white coif and wimple, and a black veil over the head and shoulders.
"Feast your eyes on Nun Yuki! Perfectly blend in a time and place of religion like this!"
"That's… Actually perfect."
"Pft, of course it is~ Just like me~"
"Let's get going then."
Yamato finished by washing his face and then got dressed as well. The street was empty today too, with most windows shut and no loud sounds as it would be normal for a town such as this.
"So, where to, Master?"
"Follow me."
He flew up, at which she followed, though she found it weird since he just said they wanted tl blend it. But whatever, she thought. After a moment, they were high enough to see the entire town. It was bigger than he first thought. The church made of stone in the center of the city towerd over all the other buildings, except for the castle in the north of it, which was slightly taller but not by much.
"Ah, I see the problem… The Baron isn't the only thing we need to take care of, huh…"
"That's right. It's to assume that the church is just as much at fault if not more, and therefore must be taken care of."
"Taken care of, huh? And whatever might you mean by that, Master~?"
"It can't be helped… Death is the ultimate tool you unlock once you are willing to accept its consequences…"
"You make it sound so difficult… Isn't death the easiest tool to use?"
"Whatever. It's the tool I will use. Or rather it's the tool I wanted to use…"
"Not anymore?"
"Well, I thought about it last night. We could just kill everyone, and influence their replacements somehow. I don't think anyone in this town would be a challenge for you."
"But you won't let me because…?"
"Because… Where would be the fun in that?"
"…Didn't you say last night that we can't play around anymore?"
"Oh, yeah… I did say that. But you know… I think we should do it anyway. After all, even our lowest should be enough for everyone else."
"Awwww, you said our lowest, not just yours! So you love me that much already that you include me in such phrases~!"
"I guess… But that was not the message here. We will win for sure, and save this town."
"…Why? What's so special about this town in the first place that we have to save it?"
"Do you feel good when you cause people harm?"
"Depends on the circumstances, but sure sometimes. Why? Do you dislike that? I can try and feel bad about it if that's what you want."
"Well, I can't ask that of you. Or rather I don't want to. But the thing is… I don't feel any particular was about helping someone or causing them problems. Usually all we do is for our own sake though, right? So I was wondering if, when I do something solely for the benefit of a group of people I don't even know, will it feel good? It's often mentioned by good guys that the mere act of doing good somehow gives their life purpose. I can't help but be curious."
"I see… I mean, sure, we can try. But just so you know, if you develop emotions for pther people too because of this I will be very jealous!"
"I see… I don't think it will go that far, even if doing good does end up feeling good too. But rest assured, if it does happen, you'll always stay my favorite."
"I better!"
"Oh, and while we are in the topic of favorite… The first one…"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"The first outfit you showed me earlier was my favorite."
"Then why did you tell me to change?!"
"Because, it was unpractical for what we are going to do today. And isn't it fine if you only wear it when we are alone?"
"Ah… You want me all to yourself!"
"Haha, caught me."