We stood in the mansion's grand hall as Maya and Zara announced their decision to move in.
—"I'll bring my things tomorrow," Zara declared.
Maya crossed her arms:
—"Me too. Starting tomorrow, we live here."
I nodded, though internally I prayed Purin wouldn't misinterpret this situation. My eyes darted to the ceiling, half-expecting one of her signature flowerpots to come crashing down.
The Next Day
Maya and Zara arrived with their luggage. I greeted them at the entrance with Noko draped over my shoulder like a living scarf.
Noticing their light packing:
—"Is that all you're bringing?" I asked.
Zara sighed:
—"I've been traveling nonstop. This is everything I own."
—"I sleep in inns and barely buy anything," Maya added, dropping her bag with a thud.
—"Well, come in. The Fungoids prepared your rooms," I said, stepping aside.
As we toured the bedroom wing:
—"Wow," Zara murmured. —"The Fungoids took 'helping' very seriously."
—"Yeah, they love pitching in," I smiled, watching a group carry fresh flowers to the garden.
Maya snorted:
—"Who'd have thought? Though nothing surprises me with you anymore."
When we reached the room assignments:
—"I want the room next to Ren's," Zara stated firmly.
—"WHAT?! No! That one's mine!" Maya shoved forward.
—"I called it first," Zara countered, frowning.
Cold sweat dripped down my neck:
—"T-That room's already taken..."
—"By who?" Maya narrowed her eyes.
—"Mine-nya!" Noko popped up, tail wagging proudly.
—"WHAAAT?!" they shouted in unison.
—"I wanted to sleep in Ren-sama's room, but he always kicks me out," Noko pouted. —"So I took the next best thing-nya!"
Zara sighed in defeat:
—"We've been outplayed..."
Maya grumbled but relented:
—"Yeah... she beat us to it."
As they settled in, conversation turned to our party's future:
—"What about Noko?" Zara asked, watching the feline sniff a vase. —"It'd be odd to leave her behind on missions."
—"I was thinking we could register her at the guild," I suggested. —"If you both agree."
Maya crossed her arms but nodded:
—"She's competent. No objections."
—"Agreed. She's already one of us," Zara added.
Noko perked up at her name:
—"Party? What's that-nya?"
—"You don't know?!" Maya gaped. —"We told you when we met!"
—"Nop-nya!" Noko tilted her head. —"I thought you meant a type of food."
Zara massaged her temples:
—"Her clan might be unfamiliar with guild systems."
I pondered:
—"Will the guild even register someone like her?"
—"Shouldn't be an issue," Zara said. —"You registered without any background here."
—"True. Then it's settled."
Noko bounced in front of us:
—"Explain!"
Maya sighed:
—"It's a registered team for missions."
—"Oh! Like a little tribe?" Noko's eyes sparkled.
Zara smiled:
—"Something like that."
—"Yay! Let's go make the party now-nya!" Noko crushed me in a hug.
At the Guild
As always, we drew stares the moment we entered. Whispers followed:
"Look, a demi-human!" "Their new member?" "She's cute—is she strong?"
The receptionist beamed:
—"Long time no see! I bet the mansion's cozy now."
—"Yes-nya! With Fungoid helpers!" Noko blurted.
The receptionist blinked:
—"Well... that's Ren for you," she chuckled.
—"We'd like to register Noko in our party," I explained.
—"Of course! Let me get the evaluation orb."
While we waited, I fidgeted under the guild's attention. When the receptionist returned:
—"Place your hand here, please."
—"Oki-nya!" Noko obeyed eagerly.
The orb blazed with light, silencing the room.
—"I-Is that normal?" I asked nervously.
The receptionist gaped:
—"Yes! Noko, was it? Your rank is... S!"
The guild erupted:
"Another S-Rank?!" "Lumis is collecting elites!"
—"Is S-Rank good?" Noko asked.
—"The best," I confirmed.
—"Ren-sama is S too?"
—"Yes."
—"Yay-nya!" She leaped onto me like an overexcited kitten.
Maya rolled her eyes:
—"Called it."
Zara nodded:
—"Given her skills, it was obvious."
The receptionist laughed while processing paperwork:
—"Your party might be the most unique we've seen."
When asking for Noko's surname, the receptionist's smile faltered for a split second before recovering:
—"Just your thumbprint will suffice."
Zara noticed but stayed silent.
—"Officially, Noko is now part of your party!" the receptionist announced.
Noko celebrated by clinging to me again.
—"Noko, get down..." I muttered, embarrassed.
As we left, the receptionist murmured to herself:
"Never thought I'd see someone from that clan join the guild. Ren, you certainly attract... interesting people."