It was another day in the Isolated Forest. Slady sat at the desk in his library, drinking black coffee and making notes in his small notebook.
Shaphira was in her Renkai Creature form, sleeping in his lap. Her black fox tail swayed lazily as she slept, peaceful and comfortable.
Slady had drifted into thought, remembering his promise.
A few days earlier...
Slady was sitting on the bed, tasting the lunch Shaphira had made for him. Being an amateur, her cooking was... mediocre. The girl wasn't very skilled in the kitchen, but the man recognized the effort she had put into it.
"How is it, master?"
Shaphira asked, sitting across from Slady on the bed, a bit nervous about his judgment.
Slady looked her straight in the eyes and said,
"It's good. You can do better, and I'll help you with that."
Shaphira looked a little disappointed but quickly smiled, happy to have the chance to improve.
"Thank you, master. You're the best!"
She sat on his lap and hugged him.
"..."
Slady felt slightly uncomfortable with the gesture but kept his expression neutral and patted her back lightly as a sign of approval.
She pulled away and crossed her arms.
"Then, since you liked it, I deserve a reward." She gave a mischievous smile.
Slady sighed, already used to her behavior.
"Yes. What do you want, girl?"
"I want clothes."
"Clothes...?"
Slady was surprised. He didn't understand why she wanted that.
"Do you need them?"
"I don't know, master. My fur already covers my whole body, but I'd like to wear something humans wear."
Slady stroked his chin. He didn't see any real need for Shaphira to cover herself since her fur already did, but he understood her desire to feel more... human.
"Alright."
"Thank you!" Shaphira hugged him again.
Slady only rolled his eyes but decided to indulge her a little. Her happiness and safety were his top priorities.
The present moment...
Slady remembered that conversation and decided to fulfill the promise he had forgotten.
His mechanical arm wrapped around Shaphira's sleeping body. He stood from the chair, lifting her to carry her to the bedroom.
Though she was large and heavy, the prototype of Slady's right arm was powerful enough to carry the demon girl with ease.
He laid Shaphira on the bed. Fortunately, she didn't wake up.
Adjusting his coat, shirt, and pants, Slady closed the bedroom door and returned to the main hall of the library. He grabbed a few Lynes, locked the place, left a note on the desk, took the last sip of his coffee, and left.
A few minutes later...
Without the scent or warmth of Slady's lap, Shaphira woke up. She yawned, stretched, and looked around, realizing he wasn't there.
She jumped off the bed and began walking on all fours through the library. She pressed her nose to the floor, trying to track his scent, but accidentally bumped her head on the door.
Then she understood. Slady had gone out. But where? she wondered. Shaphira went straight to Slady's desk, stood on her hind legs, and leaned her front paws on the table. She found a letter.
Opening her mouth, she revealed sharp teeth and gently bit the letter so as not to tear it. She laid it on the floor and lay down to read.
***
"I'm going to buy your clothes."
***
Short and direct. Typical of Slady. His handwriting was terrible, yet after living with him for so long, Shaphira could somehow read it easily.
Despite everything, she felt relieved. She knew Slady was fine and that he would keep his word. She walked to the sofa, lay on her back, and quickly fell asleep again.
Meanwhile...
After some time walking, Slady arrived at the city. It was more of a commercial hub than an actual town, though some people lived there.
He looked up at the sunny sky and felt the warmth. He took off his coat, tied it around his waist, and began walking through streets he hadn't visited in weeks.
The marketplace was diverse, with areas dedicated to different cultures and small villages. Considering it was one of humanity's last strongholds after the rise of the Inferius, its importance was understandable.
People ignored Slady as he passed, which suited him fine. He hated attention.
He entered a clothing store and found a teenage clerk wearing a neat uniform with a tight skirt. She paused when she saw him, curious about his unusual appearance, but maintained a polite tone.
"Welcome to our store. How can I help you?"
Her voice trembled a bit; perhaps it was her first job.
Slady quickly noticed her nervousness and replied in a low, calm voice.
"Where can I find women's clothing?"
The girl seemed relieved by his quiet tone and nodded.
"I can show you. Is it for someone? A girlfriend?" she asked curiously.
"Definitely not. It's for someone I care about."
"Oh... I see. Sure, come with me." She smiled and offered her hand.
Slady found the gesture odd but saw that she only meant to be polite. He placed his right hand on hers.
The girl felt the cold, metallic touch of his prosthetic. She looked intrigued but didn't ask. Slady noticed her curiosity but ignored it.
"Let's go."
She led him to the women's section.
After a few minutes, Slady selected some clothes based on Shaphira's size from memory. The clerk counted the pieces, speaking in a sleepy tone.
"Hmm... adding everything up, that's 320 Lynes."
"Alright." Slady handed her 340.
"Keep the change and get yourself a coffee."
"Thank you." She smiled drowsily and tucked the extra coins away.
Slady ignored the gesture and started to leave, but felt a light touch on his back. He turned around.
"I noticed you tried to make me feel comfortable. It's my first week here, thank you." She smiled warmly.
"It's nothing. Enjoy your day."
Slady walked through the city again, holding the shopping bag. Before returning to the library, he had to visit an old friend.
In one of the city's districts stood a famous tavern called La Taberna. A simple name, yet well known among the locals.
When Slady entered, the place was nearly empty. A few workers were having lunch quietly.
Behind the counter, an elderly man of about seventy-five was drying beer and wine glasses. When he noticed Slady, he grinned.
"Oh-ho! If it isn't my friend Slady!" he said in a rough voice, tapping the counter.
Slady approached, sat on a stool, and placed the shopping bag on his lap.
"You seem lively for this early in the morning, Raizer."
"Please, just because I'm old doesn't mean I've lost all my energy!"
Raizer laughed softly and reached for a bottle.
"You still like that same wine, right?"
"Yes."
Raizer poured the sweet wine into a small glass and handed it to him.
"Just the way you like it."
"Thank you, Raizer." Slady downed it in one sip.
"Your daughter isn't helping you today?"
"No, she's still asleep. I let her have the morning off."
"She must be tired. You're a generous father."
Raizer nodded, sipping his drink. The silence that followed was comfortable.
Suddenly, a door upstairs opened. A fifteen-year-old girl, still sleepy and dressed in casual sleepwear, came down the stairs.
"Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, Elisa."
She hugged him, then turned to Slady and sat on his lap.
"Good morning, Uncle Slady..." Moments later, she began to snore, clearly asleep again.
"..."
Slady sighed and adjusted her position in his lap.
Raizer chuckled softly.
"That girl... she's never been shy about sitting on your lap, has she? Ever since she was little..."
"I'm used to it. Shaphira does the same."
"I'm still amazed that you have a demon as a daughter. That's remarkable."
"I know, but she's important to me, so I don't care."
"I understand. I won't question it."
Raizer looked at his daughter, reassured to see her safe in Slady's arms.
"Since my wife died, Elisa has only had me to rely on. I'm glad she feels comfortable with you, Slady."
Slady was surprised by his serious tone but understood.
"I'm glad I can be someone good for her... and that you trust me."
Raizer smiled warmly, touched.
"Slady, thank you. You're the only friend I have left in this world."
The old man poured himself another drink, savoring it slowly.
"When everyone from our group was gone, I felt lonely. Elisa was only two when her mother died. I had her late in life... I don't have much time left to teach her everything I know."
Slady remained silent, letting Raizer speak his heart, though memories from his own past surfaced quietly in his mind.