"Sakuya, my little auntie is so unfair…"
Kars hugged Sakuya, complaining about the blatant favoritism shown by his Aunt Remilia. Only he was punished, while Flandre, the instigator, got off scot-free. The disparity was too obvious.
Sakuya, holding Kars just as she had in the past, offered soft words of comfort. In her eyes, Kars had merely grown quickly in stature; everything else about him was largely the same, or the changes were minimal.
"Master Kars, you must believe that the Mistress loves you just as much as she loves Mistress Flandre. Please don't be saddened by such a thing."
As she spoke, Sakuya seemed to have an idea. She held out her empty right hand toward Kars. With a gentle clench, a piece of candy materialized in her palm. She then unwrapped it and placed the sweet into Kars's mouth.
In the past, she used to perform these little magic tricks, conjuring small objects or candies to cheer Kars up.
"It tastes exactly the same as before."
The familiar taste of the candy brought a smile back to Kars's face, just as Sakuya had hoped.
"Master Kars, I have many duties to attend to in the mansion, so I can't stay with you much longer. If you get bored, you are welcome to find Mistress Flandre or visit Lady Patchouli."
Sakuya would have liked to spend more time with him, but the mansion's operations demanded her attention.
"Okay."
Hearing Sakuya, Kars released her. After watching Sakuya depart, he decided to head toward Patchouli's Great Library. As for Aunt Flandre, she was happily spending time with Little Auntie Remilia, having already forgotten about the nephew she had sworn to protect just moments ago.
"If I remember correctly, it should be this way."
Kars followed his childhood memories to find the path to the Great Library. Pushing open the massive doors, the first sight was the countless shelves overflowing with books, a spectacle that had made him gasp the first time he saw it.
"Still so many."
Kars scanned the room, noting that there were even more books than before. He was searching for something specific, and soon, amidst the numerous towering bookshelves, he found a figure in a black dress with red hair scurrying about.
It was Koakuma (Little Devil), Patchouli's familiar. Kars remembered receiving care from her in the past, though that history was also filled with her playful pranks. He still had a vivid impression of this familiar, who seemed steady, obedient, and good-natured, yet possessed a mischievous streak.
Smiling, Kars slowly approached Koakuma. She was busy returning a magic book to a shelf and didn't notice Kars stealthily approaching from behind. By the time she noticed a tall shadow enveloping her, it was too late.
Before she could turn around, Kars grabbed her and clamped a hand over her mouth. This sudden turn of events made Koakuma instinctively panic. She couldn't understand how someone had easily broken into the Great Library. Meiling at the front gate… Oh, well, that one couldn't be relied upon.
But surely Miss Sakuya would have noticed?
"Heheheh… Do you know what I'm going to do to you in this situation?" Kars's voice became husky and menacing, causing Koakuma to tremble slightly. She frantically prayed that Lady Patchouli would notice their situation quickly. Kars's words made her mind spiral into fearful thoughts—would she be subjected to something strange?
"What I'm going to do is eat you right here!"
Hearing this, Koakuma began to shake even more violently. As she felt the person behind her drawing closer, her fear intensified.
"Well then, don't mind if I do. Awwwooo…"
"Mmmph~"
Kars bit Koakuma's ear, gently brushing his fangs against it a few times. This gentle act was incredibly sensitive for Koakuma, and muffled sounds escaped from her covered mouth.
Just as she was convinced that things were going exactly where she feared, she heard a faint chuckle from behind her.
The laugh was completely different from the menacing voice, losing all its scary quality. Moreover, besides biting her ear, the mysterious person hadn't done anything else.
Realizing this, Koakuma turned her head and saw Kars laughing heartily. Although he looked very different, his appearance was still familiar. Paired with his noticeable purple hair, Koakuma immediately recognized Kars.
Seeing Koakuma's slightly angry gaze, Kars knew he had been recognized.
"Oops, I've been discovered."
"Kars!"
As soon as she recognized him, Koakuma's strength instantly returned. She struggled free from Kars's embrace and adopted a fierce, clawing stance. Before she could strike, Kars immediately turned and fled.
"Stop right there, you little brat! How dare you scare me!"
"You did that to me plenty of times before! We're even now!" Kars shouted back. He remembered all the pranks Koakuma had pulled on him in the past. He was simply paying her back. Besides, she had been so weak and pliant just moments ago, only to suddenly find her strength the moment she realized it was him.
However, as Kars ran, he was suddenly enveloped in a water sphere that appeared out of nowhere. Koakuma, who was chasing him, looked toward the figure walking toward them.
"Stop fighting in the library."
"Lady Patchouli, Kars started it by scaring me!" Koakuma immediately explained, pointing at Kars and blaming him.
Patchouli glanced at Kars trapped in the water sphere, then returned her gaze to Koakuma.
"Kars is a child and doesn't know better. Koakuma, are you the same?"
Kars, from inside the water sphere, nodded in agreement. Yes, is it appropriate for you to compare yourself to a child like him?
Koakuma: (눈_눈)
It's ridiculous to call him a child now, given his size! Although I know he's technically very young, I'm a child too!
"I… I apologize, Lady Patchouli." The defeated Koakuma could only lower her head and admit her mistake. Seeing this, Kars laughed. Finally, this kind of thing happens to someone else, and especially to Koakuma! Kars felt instantly better.
Koakuma noticed Kars's expression, and his gleeful schadenfreude made her grit her teeth.
You stinking brat! Just you wait! I will absolutely get back at you for making Lady Patchouli scold me!