"Virgo, consider this working overtime. Go stay at the agency for the day," Lock said seriously as he turned to look at her.
It wasn't that he could hide this forever, but in the current situation, there was absolutely no room for debate.
"Can I—"
Virgo blinked innocently, about to say something, when Lock cut her off.
"It's fine. I'll handle the party preparations."
"Understood, Master."
Virgo bowed slightly. Magic power surged around her body, and in the next instant, she vanished using magic.
"...They're coming."
Lock turned back, reached out, and gently twisted the doorknob.
The sunlight outside was just right.
A girl stood quietly at the doorway.
A white dress.
Refreshing dark-purple short hair that framed her face.
Clear eyes, calm and gentle like a lake.
Lock was momentarily stunned.
Kyoka Jiro wasn't the kind of girl who overwhelmed you at first glance, but the more you looked, the cuter she became.
Of course, that wasn't the important part right now.
"Kyoka?"
Surprise flashed across Lock's face. He hadn't expected the visitor to be his childhood friend.
"Lock," Jiro said softly. She raised a hand to tuck back a strand of hair blown loose by the wind, then lifted the box she was carrying. "My parents asked me to come by. They just got back from a trip and heard you helped with my training, so they had me bring you some souvenirs."
Souvenirs: local specialties and small gifts brought back from traveling.
So you showed up at this time?
Lock suddenly remembered the campus tour the other day. When he'd discussed it with Nejire, Jiro had been right there with them.
He smiled helplessly and opened the door wider. "Come in."
"Thanks, sorry to intrude."
Jiro stepped inside, glancing around naturally. "Huh? Is it just you? Isn't Virgo home?"
Lock personally took out a pair of slippers for her and coughed lightly. "She's working overtime today."
"Juice or tea?" Lock asked as he turned toward the kitchen.
He remembered there were still grapes and oranges at home. Opening the fridge, he found only fruit and drinks left.
Now he understood what Virgo had hesitated to say earlier.
Why does something always happen every time the ingredients aren't restocked?!
"I'll have a drink," Jiro replied.
Lock brought out a bottle of orange juice and washed some grapes and oranges.
Knock, knock.
The door was knocked on again.
Lock stood up without hesitation. "That should be my aunt. I'll get it."
He opened the door.
As expected. No iron ring, no mistake.
It was a day off. Neither Nejire nor Jiro was wearing a U.A. uniform.
Nejire wore a blue pleated skirt, round-toed leather shoes, and black stockings that made her already slender legs look even longer.
Her azure hair reflected the sunlight brilliantly as she stood with her legs together at the door.
A breeze passed by, and she instinctively pressed down her skirt and hair. It was a simple gesture, but it instantly highlighted her charm.
"I told you Little Lock would stare, didn't I?"
Ryukyu smiled and teased her.
Today, Ryukyu was wearing the same elegant white cheongsam as before, ink-wash patterns flowing across it with understated grace.
"S-Sister Ryukyu..." Nejire's face flushed slightly in embarrassment. "Good morning, Little Lock."
Ryukyu's slender brows suddenly knit together. She leaned in slightly and sniffed the air.
"...I smell another girl in here, Little Lock."
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Lock's forehead under her sharp gaze.
That sense of smell was terrifying.
Then again, Ryukyu's Quirk was Dragon. A dragon's physique naturally came with an extremely sharp sense of smell.
In fact, Lock himself could easily distinguish the different scents on Ryukyu, Nejire, and Kyoka, whether shampoo or perfume.
"Cough."
Lock cleared his throat. "She's my childhood friend, Kyoka Jiro. She just stopped by to deliver some souvenirs."
Nejire blinked, then nodded in realization. "So the girl who was with you that day was Kyoka."
"Let's go inside and talk," Lock said quickly, changing the subject as he went to fetch two more pairs of slippers.
For some reason, looking at the almost-empty shoe cabinet made him feel uneasy.
...But no one else should be coming.
"Excuse us."
Ryukyu and Nejire spoke politely as they entered.
Soon, the two of them were sitting across from Jiro.
Nejire was the first to greet her. "Good morning, Jiro."
"Good morning, Nejire-senpai," Jiro replied.
"I'm Little Lock's aunt, Ryukyu," Ryukyu said with a gentle smile.
The way she emphasized her relationship with Lock made Jiro glance over nervously.
At the same time, Ryukyu was carefully observing Jiro, growing more and more suspicious that her nephew's changes might be connected to the childhood friend in front of her.
"I-I'll go make tea!"
Lock felt as if he could smell gunpowder in the air. Unable to sit still, he retreated into the kitchen.
Not long after the tea was served...
Knock, knock, knock.
A calm, unhurried knocking came from outside.
The atmosphere froze.
All three women in the living room turned their gazes toward Lock at the same time.
"I... I'll get it," Lock said stiffly, the corner of his mouth twitching.
He honestly couldn't imagine who else would show up now.
He opened the door...
Standing there was Mt. Lady, blonde hair shining, wearing her eye-catching hero costume and a bright smile.
"Yo! Director, the three of us—"
"Three?!"
Lock exclaimed, then looked past her.
Behind Mt. Lady were two girls.
One was Sirius, with the same azure-blue hair color as Nejire but cut short, wearing high-tech support earrings and a sun-bright sailor-style outfit.
The other was Mei Hatsume, her short pink hair lively and eye-catching, like cherry blossoms falling outside.
Mt. Lady raised the bag in her hand, but her voice trailed off.
This time, it wasn't Lock interrupting her.
It was the scene inside the room that left her stunned.
She'd assumed Lock was alone at home since Virgo was at the agency.
Who would have thought the living room was already full of beautiful women?
In an instant, gazes from both inside and outside the room converged on Lock, each one carrying a very different meaning.
"...C-Come in," Lock said at last.
His cheeks twitched nonstop as he pulled out the remaining slippers from the shoe cabinet.
Three pairs, just enough.
And strangely enough...
His heart was completely calm.
Really.
---
A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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