— — — — — —
"You're in."
"Huh?" Hearing that, Sayaka Kirasaka lifted her head, confused.
"You didn't catch that? I said—you passed."
Ryo smiled as he spoke, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
"But…" Sayaka looked unsure, a mix of surprise and doubt on her face.
Ryo raised an eyebrow, then asked with amusement, "What was the test for your androphobia again?"
"T-Touching your hand…" she answered—and then suddenly froze.
Seeing her startled reaction, Ryo's smile widened.
"So, did you manage to touch my hand or not?"
"I… I did." Sayaka's eyes started to brighten as realization dawned.
"Then that's that. You passed, Sayaka Kirasaka."
Ryo nodded approvingly. "Even if it took some self-suggestion through sorcery, you still hit the mark. As for cheating… that's a whole different conversation."
Sayaka lit up with joy.
"And to think you'd try to cheat right in front of me—and nearly pull it off, too. You're more entertaining than I thought."
Ryo chuckled. Honestly, her little trick to influence her own perception had flown under his radar. She actually pulled one over on him.
It was only now that Ryo realized he didn't have many countermeasures against mental or soul-based abilities. Compared to Sayaka's minor deception, that realization might be the real takeaway from today.
"For mental manipulation like Genjutsu or illusion-type techniques, I have no clue. Maybe one of my familiar beasts has something I can use…"
While Ryo was deep in thought, Sayaka wore the look of someone who'd rather be anywhere else. Getting caught cheating in front of your examiner? Yeah, that level of awkwardness would haunt anyone forever.
"Well, since Lord Ryo says she passes… I guess we'll let it go," Shirona Kuraki said with a helpless shrug, like she had no say in the matter.
"If you both agree, then I won't object either," Endou Yukari added casually.
Watching her two fellow examiners so easily let it slide—and seeing Sayaka look like she was ready to cry tears of gratitude—Koyomi Shizuka couldn't help but be suspicious.
Endou, a woman over a thousand years old + Shirona, a two-souled relic who inherited the will of darkness itself.
Were the Lion King Agency's good reputation really built by these two troublemakers?
Now that she thought about it… yeah, probably.
While Koyomi was lost in speculation, she felt a few expectant stares directed her way. Snapping back to reality, she realized everyone was waiting for her verdict.
Looking at Sayaka, who was practically grinning after being sold out and rescued at the same time, Koyomi sighed.
'…Fine, I'll go along with it.'
With another sigh, she waved her hand.
"Sayaka Kirasaka, you're dismissed."
"Yes, ma'am!" Sayaka stood up, barely holding back her excitement. She bowed properly, then turned to leave.
Before stepping out of the shrine's main hall, she turned back and smiled warmly at Ryo, nodding once before quietly walking out.
Koyomi watched her go, her gaze lingering on that cheerful smile. Thinking of her two shameless coworkers, she let out another quiet sigh.
At the shrine's entrance, Yukina Himeragi stood at the bottom of the steps. She heard the door creak open and turned just in time for Sayaka to come running straight into her arms, nearly knocking her back a few steps.
"Yukina~~ I was this close… this close to never seeing you again!"
Sayaka's voice trembled as she vented all her stress at once.
Yukina quickly patted her on the back to calm her down. "It's okay, Sayaka. You just got caught up with a tough question, that's all. Let it out."
"Huh? A tough question?"
Sayaka, who'd only been pretending to cry, looked up in surprise. "Wait, Yukina… did they ask you something weird too?"
Yukina blinked, clearly confused. "Didn't they ask you something like, 'Who would you want to marry in the future?' Or something along those lines?"
"…Nope." Sayaka answered reflexively.
The two of them fell silent.
After several awkward seconds, neither asked what kind of questions the other got. Instead, they walked side by side, venting about the Three Saints.
"Koyomi-senpai is way too sly," Sayaka grumbled.
"Yeah, I always thought she was kinda serious," Yukina replied.
"But now it's clear that's just her outer persona. Honestly, we should bump up her threat level to at least one Endou."
"Is she that scary? What about Shirona-senpai?"
"She's worse than Koyomi-senpai. Ten Endou."
"…And Lord Ryo?"
"Lord Ryo? Surprisingly… I think he's actually a pretty good person."
"Eh? You think so too, Yukina?"
"Wait, you do? But you're…"
"Sure, I'm scared of guys, but there are always exceptions, right?"
They kept chatting as they walked, exchanging casual thoughts about the higher-ups. Eventually, both of them burst into laughter.
"Come on, we still have afternoon training," Yukina said as she picked up the pace.
"Yeah, you're right." Sayaka quickly caught up, smiling.
Their figures slowly disappeared deeper into the shrine grounds.
---
Meanwhile, in one of the covered walkways within the shrine...
Ryo walked alongside Koyomi and Shirona. Endou had returned to the main evaluation duties and didn't tag along.
As they strolled, Koyomi spoke in a low voice. "So, we're locking in just two slots for the bodyguard positions?"
"Yeah, let's stick with that."
Ryo replied calmly as he gazed out over the forest beyond the railings.
Shirona cut in, "With the way those two are now, they're still far from ready for real bodyguard work. I'd recommend giving them a bit more time."
"That's fine. That was the plan from the start." Ryo said, turning back toward them.
Shirona gave a knowing smile, then asked, "Should we arrange some special classes? Like homemaking… or bridal training?"
"Up to you," Ryo replied without much thought.
"Understood," she said, her tone sounding ancient and wise on purpose.
Just then, she noticed Koyomi giving her a weird look.
"…Something wrong?"
"No, not really."
Koyomi shook her head, then quickly changed the topic. "Hisano Akatsuki—the chief cleric of the Kamioda Temple—just replied. She's cleared out all civilian presence."
"Oh?" Ryo paused, then smiled with interest."Guess that's our next stop, then."
"To the Kannawa Lake."
.
.
.