Maya yelped as Noko dropped onto her from the ceiling, covering her eyes:
—"Get ooooff me!" she shrieked, flailing.
Zara blinked in shock:
—"Noko?!"
I sighed:
—"Noko, get down from Maya."
—"Oki!" She landed gracefully, leaving Maya panting and disheveled.
—"Why is Noko here?" Maya demanded, pointing a trembling finger.
I scratched my cheek nervously:
—"Well... you see..."
—"I'm living here with Ren-sama now!" Noko declared proudly.
—"WHAAAT?!" Maya and Zara exclaimed in unison.
[Flashback: Ren Transporting Supplies]
I was carrying a box of provisions when—
—"Ren-sama!" Noko popped out of the bushes.
—"Noko?! What are you doing here? How'd you find me?"
—"Your scent is unmistakable-nya! I tracked you down!"
[End Flashback]
—"And, well... one thing led to another, and now Noko lives here," I explained.
—"Why would you let her stay?!" Maya shook me by the shoulders.
—"I couldn't make her leave!" I protested.
Noko clung to my arm:
—"I'll never leave Ren-sama! I'll follow him forever-nya!" Her eyes sparkled.
—"Wha—?!" Maya and Zara turned beet red.
—"It's not like that!" I hurried to clarify. —"We don't have that kind of relationship."
Noko tilted her head:
—"Though I wouldn't mind claiming him-nya... but it seems someone else already has."
—"SOMEONE ELSE?!" Maya and Zara gasped.
—"Wait, you really don't know about Purin and Ren?" Noko asked, twirling her tail.
I facepalmed. This is about to get messy.
Zara composed herself:
—"Ren... between your divine blessing and that giant portrait in the foyer..." She paused. —"Is your blessing connected to Purin?"
I gulped. Maya stared me down:
—"Tell us the truth. All of it."
—"Alright... follow me to the sitting room."
We gathered in the mansion's parlor. The fireplace crackled, casting flickering light as we settled onto the couches. Zara crossed her legs:
—"Time to explain everything."
—"No more secrets!" Maya punched the sofa.
Meanwhile, Noko chased Fungoids around the room. I tensed and told them everything—my past life, how I came to this world.
—"And that's how I got here. Purin brought me... and we have a... unique relationship."
—"Unique?" Zara asked.
—"She's in love with Ren-sama! And super jealous-nya!" Noko interjected, bouncing on a cushion.
—"WHAT?!" Maya and Zara shouted.
—"How do you know so much?" I eyed Noko suspiciously.
—"The spirits told me!"
Maya covered her burning face. Zara, thoughtful, murmured:
—"It all makes sense now... A blessing from Goddess Purin explains your unique abilities—like replicating our powers."
—"Yeah," I admitted, —"though I can't match your skill."
Zara smiled serenely:
—"It's still impressive. I don't mind you borrowing my lightning."
—"You're... not angry?"
—"Of course not. You trusted us with the truth."
Maya leapt up:
—"I'm angry! A goddess is in love with you?!"
—"I-I don't know why!" I recoiled.
—"And the things falling from the sky? The sudden rains? That was her?"
—"...Yes."
Maya clutched her head, then whirled on Zara:
—"AND YOU'RE JUST CALM ABOUT THIS?! He's from another world! That's impossible!"
Zara remained composed:
—"I've read legends of world travelers. And Ren is trustworthy." Her voice softened. —"We should trust him as he's trusted us."
—"Zara..." I murmured.
Maya side-eyed her:
—"...Hmph. You're slightly less annoying now. Slightly."
Zara smirked.
—"Hey," Zara leaned forward, —"will Purin have a problem with us knowing?"
I glanced at the ceiling warily:
—"Hope not... Though it's weird she hasn't contacted me."
Zara nodded decisively:
—"Then I've made my choice."
—"What choice?" I asked.
—"I'm moving in."
—"WHAAAT?!" Maya and I yelled.
—"It's practical," Zara explained. —"We need to coordinate for missions. Living here makes sense."
—"I'm moving in too!" Maya slammed the table.
—"WHY?!" I choked.
—"We're a party! We stick together!"
Noko cheered, hugging us all:
—"Yay! We'll all live together-nya!" Her squeeze nearly suffocated us.