Approaching 7 PM.
A small café in an alley of Chiyoda Ward.
Luo Shu looked up at the flashy 'LycoReco' sign above the café entrance, then saw Kirika Tachibana holding the door open as she turned back to say:
"How about a cappuccino?"
"No thanks. I prefer lattes with coconut milk."
Hearing Luo Shu's response, Kirika Tachibana stepped inside, remarking with surprise, "What kind of strange preference is that?"
As she entered, an energetic female voice called out from inside:
"Very sorry, today's our day off... Eh? Big Sister?"
"One cappuccino, one latte – oh, for the latte, add some coconut milk if possible. Don't get it wrong, Chisato. We've got a guest with me today."
"As if I'd mess that up~~"
Listening to the conversation inside, Luo Shu shifted his gaze from the sign and calmly entered the café.
"Welcome~~"
A white-haired girl – or perhaps more accurately, a girl with pale golden hair – wearing what appeared to be a red yukata uniform turned around with a bright smile at the sound of the door.
"Over here... Luo Shu-kun."
Kirika Tachibana, seated at a low table in traditional seiza style, beckoned him over. Having just exchanged names, she now called out to him warmly.
At this point, the white (or pale golden)-haired girl dramatically feigned shock:
"Our guest today isn't one of those perpetually grim-faced Metropolitan Police Department uncles who look like yakuza bosses, but actually a young man... No way! Does Big Sister actually prefer younger men?"
"Chisato Nishikigi." Kirika Tachibana rested her chin on one hand, completely unruffled. "About that sports car you requested for the last mission – it's been written off."
"Eh..." Chisato Nishikigi froze for a second before immediately prostrating herself. "Please, I beg you, don't do this! I haven't even gotten to drive a sports car once~~"
"Go prepare the coffee."
"Hai~~" Chisato Nishikigi responded weakly before shuffling into the back kitchen.
Kirika Tachibana rolled her eyes at her, temporarily letting the troublemaker off the hook, then turned her attention to Luo Shu standing by the entrance:
"Relax, this place is a branch of my direct special department. All staff and the manager here are trustworthy."
Before hearing this, Luo Shu had already been observing his surroundings.
Apart from Chisato Nishikigi busy in the kitchen, he noticed a middle-aged, burly man standing behind the counter.
The man had dark skin, wore round-framed glasses, and was dressed in a simple purple kimono. His features didn't appear particularly benevolent, and he gave off an Indian vibe.
Noticing Luo Shu's gaze, the man looked up and offered a friendly smile.
"Mika, your smile only adds psychological pressure..."
At Kirika Tachibana's remark, the burly man called Mika froze, then sighed helplessly before continuing to polish his glass.
Witnessing this, Luo Shu paused for a moment before moving to the side. He removed his shoes and stepped onto the tatami seating area, taking a seat opposite Kirika.
"Hai hai hai~~ Coffee's here~~"
Soon after, Chisato Nishikigi came bounding over with two cups of coffee, placing them steadily before the pair:
"Here, please enjoy."
"Where are Mizuki and Takina?" Kirika asked casually as she accepted her coffee, taking a small sip.
"They went out shopping. For some reason, we've had lots of schoolgirls ordering cakes recently."
As she spoke, Chisato placed a latte before Luo Shu, beaming brightly:
"Coconut milk latte, please enjoy."
"Thanks." Luo Shu accepted the drink and took a sip. Recognising the familiar taste, he blinked: "This coconut flavour...?"
"Wow!! You can actually tell..."
Chisato immediately produced a small black canister, striking a coquettish pose:
"I used imported premium 'Hainan Coconut Palm Coconut Milk'! How's the taste? Pretty good, right?"
"Oh..." Luo Shu observed her pose - strangely familiar coconut tree stance - his expression turning slightly odd: "Didn't expect to find this overseas."
"Eh? You're from China?" Chisato leaned on the table, astonished, then turned to Kirika: "Big Sister, are you getting into transnational crime now?"
Hearing this, Kirika raised her right hand and flicked Chisato's forehead with her finger.
"Oww—!"
Watching the girl crouch down, clutching her forehead, Luo Shu's gaze grew thoughtful.
'The system's reacting... is this girl also a heroine? Though she seems like one, I don't recall much about...'
'Come to think of it, this world clearly isn't just about background heroines...'
As Luo Shu pondered, Kirika set down her coffee and addressed Mika at the counter:
"Mika, bring over the Type 1 special contract."
"What?" Mika paused mid-polish, visibly startled, then shot Luo Shu an utterly astonished look, as if seeing some rare specimen.
'Hmm, feels like being stared at like a panda...'
Just as Luo Shu had this thought, Chisato - still rubbing her forehead - also looked shocked:
"Type 1 contract... this has to be a joke... an esper? And a living one at that..."
"Chisato!" Kirika Tachibana shot Chisato Nishikigi a warning glare before sighing: "Have you forgotten the confidentiality clause? Don't speak of things you shouldn't."
"Of course not, Big Sister." Chisato Nishikigi immediately put on an ingratiating smile, grinning foolishly: "But everyone Big Sister calls here to sign contracts is one of us, right?"
"Don't be overly optimistic, you little brat."
Kirika Tachibana sighed just as Mika arrived carrying a briefcase. He pulled out a stack of contracts, extracting one to hand to Kirika:
"This is the first time I've taken this out since it was printed."
"No helping it, after all, sorcerers are far too rare."
Kirika took the contract, skimmed through it, then passed it to Luo Shu:
"Take a look."
Luo Shu accepted the contract and carefully read through it, noticing over a dozen additional clauses beyond the benefits Kirika had previously promised.
"Special leave, marriage bonuses, education grants, child-rearing funds, medical insurance, pension ratios, injury compensation..."
His eyes lingered on the injury compensation terms - if injured and retired, transfer to a technical position with annual compensation of 15 million yen, post-retirement pension reaching up to 1 million yen monthly. He couldn't help sighing:
"A life-risking job indeed."
"Otherwise we wouldn't offer such generous terms, no?" Kirika propped her chin on one hand, narrowing her eyes:
"By the way, these clauses don't cover special acquisitions - meaning you can keep those for yourself. Though some inspection is mandatory, of course."
Hearing this, Luo Shu fell silent before asking seriously:
"After all this talk... You still haven't mentioned who your enemies are?"
At this question, Kirika's lips curled upwards, her tone brimming with amusement:
"Who are our enemies? That's an excellent question."