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"Mmm~ soy sauce ramen really is the best!"
Inside a newly opened ramen shop, Anna Yanami cradled a massive bowl in both hands, her pretty face practically glowing with the bliss of good food.
Using your phone while eating?
That's just disrespectful to the meal.
So even now, the messages on Yanami's phone remained unread.
Meanwhile…
At the supermarket—
"Take your time gathering info," Blake said quietly. "I'm heading back first."
As he spoke, an older woman shopping nearby had already wandered closer. If he kept chatting with Yamada Elf, he'd definitely get mistaken for some weirdo talking to thin air.
"Hey, wait!"
Yamada Elf hurriedly reached out and grabbed his right hand.
"…What are you doing?"
Blake glanced at her, confused.
They'd only known each other for two days, and she was already grabbing his hand just like that. Did she seriously have zero sense of embarrassment?
"Don't get the wrong idea, servant," Yamada Elf huffed, her small face flushing slightly, though you'd miss it if you didn't look closely. She turned her head with a tsundere snort. "I'm just using you as a test subject."
"When I pick up items in the store, other people can't see them. So if I touch you while invisible, maybe I can make you invisible too…"
Blake raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. He hadn't expected the blonde girl to be this sharp.
"Obviously, you can't bring someone else into invisibility."
As he spoke, he kept an eye on the older woman nearby.
The reason was simple.
If he suddenly vanished, that woman would've been startled, not casually strolling over like nothing happened.
"Ah… what a shame." Yamada Elf sounded a bit disappointed, but quickly let go of his hand. "Well, I've finished testing everything I wanted. Let's call it a day."
"Later."
Blake pushed his cart and started to leave.
"Don't go."
Yamada Elf grabbed the hem of his shirt this time and looked up at him.
"Servant, help me buy some things."
Blake stared at her. "You're already in the supermarket. Why not buy them yourself?"
"Idiot servant, I'm invisible right now. If I cancel it, the side effects will kick in," she said, hands on her hips, chin lifted. Since the invisibility hadn't ended yet, she didn't have to worry about her clothes disappearing. "And if I accidentally touch someone with my right hand while shopping, it'll definitely cause a panic, right?"
"If I stay invisible, I can't pay. And taking things without paying counts as stealing. Even if no one can see me, I refuse to be a thief."
…Didn't expect that. Barely any sense of shame, but surprisingly high moral standards.
Yamada Elf kept chattering:
"Besides, as my servant, it's your duty to help your master."
Blake pushed his cart forward, expression blank.
"Sorry, I don't know anyone named 'servant.'"
"D-don't go…" She quickly chased after him, holding up a slender finger. "I'll give you 1,000 yen as a delivery fee."
"I refuse."
"Then… 10,000 yen!"
Seriously? Ten thousand yen just to help buy stuff? You really are some kind of rich little gremlin.
Thinking about it, she did fit the bill perfectly.
But Blake had no intention of living off someone else.
With that game-like panel in his head that rewarded grinding with strength, his future held endless possibilities.
"Forget the money," Blake said, looking down at the flat-chested blonde girl. "Just call me by my name from now on. Stop calling me 'servant.'"
Yamada Elf muttered under her breath, clearly unwilling.
"But the manga said that if a boy sees everything, you have to make him your servant…"
"Drop it!" Blake pressed his fingers to his temple. "If it were any other girl, last night would've been buried forever. Why do you keep bringing it up?"
"Don't treat exaggerated manga plots like real life. Anyway, if you want my help, you call me by my name."
"…Fine."
Yamada Elf blinked and agreed.
When you're under someone else's roof, you've gotta bow your head. She could always go back to calling him "servant" after the shopping was done.
"So, what do you need?"
Blake asked casually.
"I just moved here, so I need a lot of things…" She looked up at him, eyes full of anticipation. "So let's start with snacks, okay?"
Blake: "..."
And so, it became shopping time.
Since he'd agreed, Blake followed through. What he hadn't expected was that Yamada Elf was a full-blown shopaholic.
Snacks, towels, slippers, a cute cat mug, a panda pen holder, groceries… she grabbed anything that caught her eye, only stopping reluctantly once the cart was completely full.
After paying at the register, Blake carried two large bags out of the supermarket. Once they reached a quiet corner, he immediately handed one over to her.
"Here. Carry your own stuff."
"No way." Yamada Elf shook her head quickly. "That's way too much. My arms will fall off."
Blake couldn't help but sigh.
"Even if you're an elementary schooler, your arms aren't going to fall off."
"I can't carry it, I really can't!" She clasped her hands in front of her chest, looking up at him pitifully. Surprisingly flexible when needed. "Please, Mr. Blake, help me carry it home. I'll give you a massage—shoulders, everything. I've never served anyone besides my parents."
"I'll pass on the 'service.'" Blake walked ahead without stopping. "Just don't cause me trouble in the future."
"I wouldn't do that!"
The moment she realized she didn't have to carry anything, Yamada Elf perked right up, hands behind her back as she skipped along beside him.
The rest of the walk passed in silence.
Before long, they reached her place.
"You didn't forget your key this time, right?" Blake asked.
"Of course not." Yamada Elf puffed out her chest, pulled out a key, and unlocked the door. "Serv—Blake, bring the stuff in."
Blake carried the bags inside and set them down in the entryway.
"Want some tea before you go?" she offered.
"No thanks." He shook his head. "I need to get back and make dinner."
"Next time, then." She bent down, rummaged through the bags, and pulled out two bags of chips and some bear-shaped biscuits. "You worked hard today. Here, take these."
"I don't want them."
"You're not allowed to refuse. Take them."
"..."
Seeing how firm she was, Blake hesitated for two seconds before accepting the snacks.
Taking money didn't feel right, but snacks as payment? That was fine.
He wasn't particularly into snacks himself, but he could bring them home for Sagiri. She'd probably like them.
"I'm heading back," Blake said, turning to leave. "Message me if anything comes up."
"Got it, got it~"
"..."
Meanwhile—
Anna Yanami happily finished the last sip of her ramen broth, set down the empty bowl with a satisfied smile, and took out her phone to leave a review.
The next second—
Her round eyes went wide.
"Huh? Huh?!"
"I just ate a bowl of ramen, and I already got betrayed?!"
"....."