Holding the documents, Luo Shu wondered if his luck stat had somehow malfunctioned. How else could he have gone from telling Utaha Kasumigaoka he wouldn't get involved in the morning to being entrusted with this by Natsuki Minamiya by noon?
This defied all logic.
He turned to look at Utaha and Eriri sitting on a nearby bench. Noticing his gaze, Utaha - with a lunchbox on her lap - tucked her hair behind her ear and smirked:
"Can't I just watch the show?"
"Tch." Luo Shu clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Meanwhile, Natsuki kept tapping her shoulder with her black lace fan, making a similar sound of irritation:
"Do you think I want to assign this to that woman Kirika Tachibana? It's only because of circumstances that SDS became the only choice!"
"And must you complain so much about simply delivering documents? Show some respect for your elders!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu glanced down at the documents, his mouth twitching:
"Making me deliver these to Chief Tachibana is practically the same as sending me to handle this directly!"
He had some dignity, too! Miss Utaha was watching!
"Hah?" Natsuki tilted her head, giving Luo Shu a strange look: "Did you actually think you'd be deployed to handle this?"
At this, Natsuki suddenly chuckled, eyeing Luo Shu with amusement:
"Who would have thought such a seemingly responsible man was actually an old slacker at heart~"
She sounded almost nostalgic as she continued:
"Relax. When it comes to demon-related incidents, we wouldn't send rookies like you. Normally, this would be handled by action teams directly under that young lady above your chief."
"Though you'd probably be assigned perimeter reconnaissance duty for some handsome hazard pay."
Because of Luo Shu's slacking behaviour, Natsuki Minamiya was reminded of the juniors in her original world who were salary thieves, and instinctively gave a few more warnings:
"Although it's the low-risk periphery, I'd suggest you'd better act together with Kirika Tachibana. That woman may be too self-willed in her actions, but she's always had remarkably good luck."
'But the reason for Chief Tachibana's good luck is currently in my hands...' Luo Shu sighed inwardly, but tacitly accepted the letter delivery task.
This certainly wasn't because Luo Shu was curious about the exact amount of that generous bonus. He, Luo Shu, had principles - he never cared about money~ he was merely its porter.
Luo Shu picked up the lunch bag from the nearby bench, casually stuffed the documents inside, then said:
"Speaking of which, I'm actually quite curious about one thing."
Hearing this, Natsuki Minamiya raised her delicate eyebrows:
"Ask away."
Seeing Natsuki's response, Luo Shu immediately inquired:
"Why did you choose to leave demon-related matters to SDS?"
At this question, Natsuki gave Luo Shu a deep look, as if regarding some strange creature.
Just as Luo Shu began to think he'd said something wrong, Natsuki replied:
"The reason for choosing SDS is simple."
"Because yours is the only organisation with a high probability of not exploiting demons for improper gains."
'What the hell?'
Luo Shu found this explanation utterly baffling.
What did she mean by SDS being the only ones who wouldn't use captured demons for wrongdoing?
However, Natsuki showed no intention to explain further. Instead, she turned towards the staircase, speaking with her back to Luo Shu:
"Today's afternoon classes are cancelled. I'll handle your leave. Since tomorrow and the day after are weekends, two and a half days should be enough for your efficiency to resolve this."
At this point, Natsuki slightly turned her head to glance back at Luo Shu:
"If Kirika Tachibana asks where I'll be these days, tell her I'm advocating for SDS's budget increase."
"Thanks to her grand promises during the Sharon incident, your department's funding will likely increase by at least thirty per cent."
"As compensation for delivering the message, remember to apply for a pay raise. Anything under fifty per cent should get approved."
With these words, Natsuki waved her hand and disappeared from Luo Shu's sight.
Watching Natsuki's retreating figure vanish at the stairwell, Luo Shu muttered under his breath:
"Why does she keep bringing up money? Do I really seem that obvious?"
"Hehe~"
Hearing laughter, Luo Shu turned to see Utaha Kasumigaoka covering her mouth in amusement. He said irritably:
"What's so funny? Your lord here just got dragged into a demon-related incident, and you have the nerve to laugh?"
"Isn't this perfect?" Utaha pressed her lips together, smiling. "It gives you a perfectly reasonable excuse to intervene, doesn't it?"
"Plus, you'll earn a nice bonus."
Utaha blinked, suddenly realising that Luo Shu's salary had already surpassed what many middle-aged corporate slaves in their forties or fifties could hope to earn in their lifetime - incidentally exceeding what her own father made.
With such respectable employment, even if she brought Luo Shu home someday, it might not be impossible to gain approval...
'Wait, what am I thinking about?'
Suddenly realising what she was thinking, Utaha Kasumigaoka's face flushed red as she turned towards Eriri and said:
"Am I not right, Sawamura-kun?"
Utaha attempted to divert attention by continuing to question Eriri.
"Huh? What did you say?"
Eriri looked up dazedly, as if waking from a dream, responding in a confused manner.
Hearing this, Utaha gave Eriri a rather peculiar look:
"Sawamura-kun, it seems you've been spacing out just now. Did something happen?"
"Not at all!!" Eriri instinctively raised her voice, but it was so apparent that even Luo Shu glanced over.
Under Luo Shu's divine gaze, Eriri immediately grew guilty:
"Well... it's not like nothing happened, just... just..."
"Hmm?" Luo Shu frowned, carrying a bag as he walked towards Eriri, ready to hear her out.
If something truly significant had affected Eriri, as the head of the household, he naturally couldn't just stand by.
Yet when Luo Shu approached, Eriri finally blurted out:
"It's just... yesterday I used my ability to transform into Mum's appearance, and then she saw me..."
Hearing this, Utaha's face immediately formed a ? expression, barely holding back her reaction.
What confused Utaha even more was Luo Shu's sudden outburst after Eriri's words:
"Can you demonstrate it?"
"Eh?" Eriri responded blankly.
At this point, Luo Shu said eagerly:
"I mean, can you show me by transforming into Sayuri-san's appearance?"
Eriri was dumbstruck by his request.
'Are you seriously okay in the head?!'