A Ninja Like Me Only Wants to Be Kept in Type-Moon

PS: I got dragged off for a haircut this morning. My head feels all light and floaty.

PS: First update. GKD with those votes and stuff!

PS: Someone said they couldn't remember the original characters without pictures, so I'll fill you in.

87. Persecuting the Director (2)

Though utterly embarrassed, Olga Marie still forced herself to sit on the sofa across from Higashino Kanade in order to fulfill their agreement. With great difficulty, she took off her shoes, raised her legs slightly, and used her trembling hands to slowly peel off her black pantyhose.

As time passed, Olga Marie's snow-white, slender legs gradually revealed themselves, like a peeled hard-boiled egg. They were so smooth and round that one couldn't help wanting to touch them.

"D-Don't look anymore..."

Olga Marie suddenly stopped moving and looked at Higashino Kanade with an almost pleading gaze. "Can we change the request? This is too embarrassing..."

Olga Marie was only a twelve-year-old girl, after all. Being watched by a strange man like this while being asked to change stockings in front of him made her so ashamed that she wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.

"No. What did you think I sought you out for? Don't underestimate an old pervert's determination!"

Higashino Kanade was firmer than ever. Then, with a teasing smile, he looked at Olga Marie. "Don't tell me you're planning to go back on your word? Looks like the Daughter of the Lord's credit isn't much after all."

"Who said that?! I won't go back on my word! I'll put them on right now!"

Provoked by Higashino Kanade, Olga Marie angrily pulled the red stockings over her feet. Gritting her teeth, she swiftly put them on in one fluid sequence of movements, practically a performance.

"Well? Are you satisfied now?" Olga Marie glared at him resentfully. Her little toes, round and translucent like grapes, moved uneasily as though adapting to their new environment.

Higashino Kanade stared intently at those uniquely charming legs, copying the scene into his mind with the Sharingan.

"A dream fulfilled." Higashino Kanade smiled in satisfaction and sincerely praised her. "Miss Olga, you look very beautiful right now."

Olga Marie was startled by his sudden compliment. Both angry and happy, her face flushed crimson as she said at a loss, "W-Why are you suddenly complimenting me? I was already pretty to begin with."

"Yes, yes, Miss Olga is indeed a beauty. But you're even prettier in red stockings. I hope you'll wear red stockings more often from now on."

"Hmph! I don't need you telling me how to dress."

Olga Marie snapped back at Higashino Kanade in annoyance, but her eyes unconsciously glanced at her own thighs several times. They do seem rather pretty, though.

"Let's call it a day. Our agreement is complete. Luvia, let's go home."

Higashino Kanade stood and stretched. Luvia elegantly linked her arm through one of his, then gave Olga Marie a provocative look, as though declaring ownership.

"That's it? You're not going to do anything else?"

Olga Marie suddenly stood up, her face full of confusion.

Was this demon called Uchiha really going to let her go so easily? That wasn't like a Magus at all!

"What's wrong, Miss Olga? Were you expecting me to do something to you?" Higashino Kanade revealed a fox-like, cunning smile.

"Of course not! I just feel like this outcome is unreal. Why did you deliberately scheme against me back then and specifically call me to a place like this? You went through all that trouble just to make me change into a pair of stockings? I'm the Daughter of the Lord! Don't you want to get some benefits from my father?" Olga Marie's eyes widened, her clear gaze filled with bewilderment.

Higashino Kanade walked over, gently tapped Olga Marie's forehead with two fingers, and chuckled. "Why would I go looking for your father? How could your father possibly have such beautiful legs? I came for you, Young Lady Olga."

Olga Marie suddenly felt her eyes moisten, as if something was about to spill out. She hurriedly turned around and faced away from Higashino Kanade.

Over the past twelve years, everyone who had interacted with Olga Marie had called her the Daughter of the Lord, the Princess of the Animusphere family. They had all approached her because of her father's power and influence. This was the first time she had encountered someone who had come for her rather than her father, even if that person was vulgar and irritating.

But thinking about it carefully, this Uchiha Kanade did not have any fundamental conflict with her. Their battle had merely been due to their respective positions, and after she lost, he had only punished her symbolically. Compared to other selfish Magi, Uchiha Kanade was practically as kind as a saint.

It seemed she didn't dislike him quite as much anymore.

Olga Marie sniffed and deliberately put on a domineering tone. "You rude man. Since your attitude isn't bad, I won't hold what happened before against you. I, Olga Marie, forgive you this once."

Olga Marie paused. After hesitating for a long time, she ultimately did not say the words, "Let's be friends."

Higashino Kanade was the first person who did not see her as merely the Lord's daughter. He was also very powerful and possessed formidable Mystic Eyes. He was barely qualified to be a friend of Olga Marie, and becoming friends with him would probably make her happier.

But Olga Marie had an ominous feeling. She always felt that if she became friends with Higashino Kanade, he would bully her, just like today. She did not want to go through such an embarrassing experience again.

"Theresa, we're leaving."

"Yes."

Olga Marie left with her female secretary. Before leaving, she did not forget to give Higashino Kanade a wary look and take away the pantyhose she had removed.

Tricia, meanwhile, gave Olga Marie an approving glance, as though she had seen something she had long hoped would happen.

"Let's head back too."

With a thought, Higashino Kanade changed into the Red Cloud Robe. Since Olga Marie had left, there was no need for him to keep pretending to be young. Being able to see the Director in red stockings today had already satisfied him immensely.

Three days later, at a reputable café on a London street, a mature and sexy Eastern beauty sat at a table by the window.

The woman had short, fiery red hair. Her exquisite features were paired with intellectual black-rimmed glasses, while her mature, seductive body was like a ripe peach—full where it should be full, slim where it should be slim, as if even an extra ounce of flesh would be unnecessary. Even Luvia fell somewhat short of her in terms of figure, and every man in the café could not help glancing her way.

The woman wore a brown coat and gazed out the window like a beauty in a painting, seemingly waiting for someone. Judging by the cup of coffee across from her that had long since gone cold, she had been waiting for quite some time.

With a crisp chime, the café door was pushed open, and an exceptionally eye-catching Eastern girl walked in.

The girl had neat, short black hair and features filled with androgynous beauty. She wore a dark blue yukata beneath a red jacket, carrying herself with the swift, decisive air of a boy.

"Shiki???"

The red-haired woman called out the girl's name in surprise, delighted as if she had reunited with a long-lost friend. But that joy lasted only a moment before she shook her head and dismissed the thought.

The newcomer looked very much like an old friend of hers, Ryougi Shiki, but Aozaki Touko knew very well that Ryougi Shiki could not possibly be here. Even if this "girl" had disguised herself almost perfectly, she could tell that the other person was not someone she knew.

"Ryougi Shiki" looked around the small café. Upon spotting the red-haired woman, she quickly walked over and sat across from her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Aozaki Touko."

PS: Second update...

88. The Deal with Touko

"Ryougi Shiki" spoke in a gentle tone, but there was a faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood on her.

Aozaki Touko stirred her coffee with a spoon, recalling why she had come here.

A week ago, when she had gone to Twin Towers for a banquet, Lord El-Melloi II had suddenly approached her. He said someone had asked him to find her, and he had even mentioned Ryougi Shiki's name.

Regarding that girl who had been connected to the Root from birth, Aozaki Touko still felt that her encounter with Ryougi Shiki had been like a dream.

Back then, to evade the Magic Association's Sealing Designation, Aozaki Touko had returned to her hometown of Japan and lived for several years in the unfamiliar Kan'mu City.

During those years, Aozaki Touko had met Ryougi Shiki and experienced many things alongside her.

It was precisely because that time had been peaceful and beautiful—one of Aozaki Touko's few precious memories—that she could not allow anyone to sully it. Thus, when she heard that someone was looking for her in Ryougi Shiki's name, she chose to take the risk and arrange this meeting.

And now, it seemed that anyone capable of imitating Ryougi Shiki to this degree had definitely come into contact with her before.

Were Ryougi Shiki and the others still doing well? Had that person done anything to them?

At that thought, Aozaki Touko could not help laughing at herself. She really was somewhat flustered. She was actually worrying about a girl who possessed the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Even she herself was not confident she could defeat Ryougi Shiki head-on, and her strength already surpassed ninety percent of Magi.

Returning to reality, Aozaki Touko revealed an intellectual smile and politely said, "I'm Aozaki Touko. And you? Why are you walking around in Shiki's appearance?"

"How could you tell? I should have disguised myself perfectly." Ryougi Shiki looked herself over.

"You should at least do your homework before impersonating someone." Aozaki Touko chuckled and explained, "The appearance you're wearing now is probably what Shiki looked like when she was fifteen or sixteen. But Shiki is already twenty-three this year."

"I see. That was my oversight. I was busy getting away from those assassins at the time, so I didn't think that far." Ryougi Shiki helplessly scratched her hair.

"So there was a reason you were late for so long. As punishment for making a lady wait this long, could you show me your real face? Talking to me while wearing my friend's appearance makes me rather uncomfortable." Aozaki Touko made the request tactfully, her gentle voice seemingly capable of bewitching hearts.

Aozaki Touko had two personalities, which she switched between by putting on and taking off her glasses.

When she wore glasses, she was subjective and more emotional, her tone gentle and soft. When she took them off, she became objective and sharp-tongued, her voice cold.

As for which was her true personality, perhaps even she herself did not know. However, Higashino Kanade rather enjoyed getting along with her current personality.

"Wait here."

Ryougi Shiki got up and went to the restroom. When the restroom door opened again, a handsome young man in a Red Cloud Robe walked out and sat across from Aozaki Touko.

"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Uchiha Kanade, and I'm a friend of Ryougi Shiki. Earlier, I heard from Waver that you would be attending the banquet at Twin Towers, so I asked Waver to pass along a message. I wanted to commission you for something." Higashino Kanade spoke calmly.

"A friend of Ryougi Shiki?" Aozaki Touko's eyes shifted as she hesitated for a moment before asking, "I spent quite some time with Ryougi Shiki. Why have I never heard her mention you? And I don't think Ryougi Shiki would have a strange friend like you, someone who's offended half the magecraft world."

"Some things are hard to explain to you, but this should prove my identity." Higashino Kanade pulled a photograph from his clothes and handed it to her.

Aozaki Touko took it and saw that Ryougi Shiki and Higashino Kanade were having a picnic in the picture. Several familiar bodyguards were also in the shot.

Could he really be Shiki's friend? Judging by the picture, it should have been taken before Shiki lost her memories. It makes sense that she never mentioned having this friend. Aozaki Touko had already believed seventy percent of Higashino Kanade's words.

The details in the photograph were enough to prove its authenticity. More importantly, what Magus would be bored enough to forge such an old photograph just to deceive her?

"But why haven't you grown older? The photo should have been taken in 1996. It's now 2003, so seven years have passed." Aozaki Touko repeatedly compared the Higashino Kanade in the photograph with the one seated across from her. She felt that the seven years had changed the youth less than a single month would have.

"That's my secret, Miss Aozaki. Let's talk business."

Higashino Kanade took back the photograph, tapped on the table, and said, "Also, stop drawing Rune symbols under the table. If you want to fight, we can find somewhere else. I've already killed four Magi today who had designs on my head."

"You really are as powerful as the rumors say, especially your Mystic Eyes."

As if nothing had happened, Aozaki Touko placed both hands on the table. Supporting her head with one hand, she gazed appreciatively at Higashino Kanade's scarlet Mystic Eyes. "Are these the Sharingan from Lord El-Melloi II's paper? They really are captivating. But why do so many people with Mystic Eyes gather around Shiki? Twisted Mystic Eyes, Future Sight... Could it be that Mystic Eye holders are drawn to one another too?"

Aozaki Touko pondered for a moment, then showed an apologetic expression. "Sorry, I got lost in thought. As compensation, I'll tell you about your bounty."

"In the assassin world, the price on your life has already been raised to twenty million dollars. As for your Mystic Eyes, someone has offered three hundred million dollars for them. So you can understand why I wanted to make a move against you just now, right?" Aozaki Touko gave a poor person's wry smile.

Aozaki Touko was very poor. Although she was good at making money, she was equally good at spending it. She was often unable to make ends meet, and had even incurred many debts in her sister's name.

"Three hundred million? Looks like my efforts weren't wasted." Higashino Kanade muttered in an almost inaudible voice, then tapped the table again. "Let's discuss the deal. I need a high-grade Mystic Eye Killer and a puppet. Make the puppet look like someone."

Higashino Kanade pulled out another photograph and handed it over.

Aozaki Touko took it and saw an elderly man in the photograph, his face covered in wrinkles but his bearing sharp and imposing.

The old man was Shimura Danzo, the appearance Higashino Kanade had taken with the Transformation Technique. He intended to use him as a scapegoat.

"Fine. How realistic does the puppet need to be? The closer it is to a real person, the higher the price."

"Good enough to fool an inspection by the Department of Law and Politics."

"No problem."

Aozaki Touko confidently took out a notebook and began calculating. As she wrote, she said, "The materials for the Mystic Eye Killer... The materials for the puppet... My craftsmanship fee... Let's say ten million dollars."

"Cough, cough!" Higashino Kanade nearly choked on the coffee he was drinking.

After studying at the Clock Tower for a month, he was no longer the magecraft novice he had once been. He knew the value of things well enough.

This Aozaki Touko actually dared to demand the sky-high price of ten million dollars from him. She was clearly treating him like a fat sheep and wanted to fleece him hard!

PS: We'll be entering the Mystic Eyes Collection Train arc soon. Once that arc ends, we'll return to the main world.

There will only be three updates today. Sorry, I have some things to take care of.

89. An Extra Chapter, Answering Some Questions

"For Shiki's sake, give me a discount." Higashino Kanade calmly picked up a napkin and wiped the coffee from the corner of his mouth.

"Business is business, friendship is friendship. I'm someone who keeps public and private matters separate." Aozaki Touko replied with a smile.

"Then goodbye!"

Higashino Kanade stood to leave at once. Aozaki Touko hurriedly grabbed one of his arms and apologized anxiously, "I was joking. Why are you such a boring man?"

"One price: five million. Any more than that, and I'm leaving."

Higashino Kanade sat back down, his expression carrying an unquestionable coldness.

"This..." Aozaki Touko felt somewhat displeased. Though she would still make quite a bit of profit at five million, a Magus without principles like her naturally wanted to make as much as possible.

"For Shiki's sake, add another million. I don't take just anyone's orders."