"Cheng-san--you're going too far--"
You bullied me first.
"I didn't—"
"You dressed like that, walked into my room, and said you didn't want to be my secretary tonight. Isn't that bullying me?"
Momo was silent for a moment, then smiled.
"It seems so."
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair. Her short, pink hair brushed against his fingers, and her ahoge (cowlick) trembled slightly.
"Momo."
"Um."
"You're not allowed to dress like that during the day."
"What should I wear?"
You can wear anything, but you can't go without clothing.
Momo's lips curled up slightly.
"Yes, ma'am."
The morning light streamed in through the window and fell upon the two of them.
Momo nestled in his arms, her black tail wrapped around his wrist, her purple eyes half-open and half-closed.
"Cheng-san."
"Um."
What do you think of me?
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
"Cute, cunning, and bold."
"Anything else?"
"Clever, but foolish."
Momo's lips twitched slightly.
"Cheng-san, you should praise me more! Girls need praise."
I was just complimenting you.
Momo looked at him for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"Cheng-san, you really don't know how to compliment people."
"I know."
"But I like it."
Momo closed her eyes, leaned against him, and had a satisfied smile on her lips.
Outside the window, artificial sunlight streamed onto Novas Etier's floating island, bathing everything in a golden glow.
That was the start of a new day.
It was also Momo Belia Deviluke's first day as a secretary.
She didn't follow the proper procedures, but she doesn't regret it.
Because she got what she wanted.
Even if it was repaired all night.
It's worth it.
One week.
Higashino Makoto spent a full week on the Seventh Floor of Novas Etier, barely stepping out of his bedroom.
It wasn't that he didn't want to go out, but that Momo wouldn't let him.
This little devil has an innate ability that makes him irresistible.
She won't melt your heart with gentleness and thoughtfulness like Tingyun, nor will she move you with seriousness and meticulousness like Ako.
Her weapon was more direct: coquetry.
"Makoto-san~ Stay with me a little longer~"
"I've been with you all morning."
"One morning isn't enough! Only a quarter of the month has passed."
"..."
"Makoto-san~ Don't you want to stay with me?"
"I want to, but--"
"Then stay with me a little longer."
Then Higashino Makoto would find himself lying in bed again, with purple eyes close at hand, a black tail wrapped around his wrist, and the heart-shaped tip gently rubbing against his palm.
He sighed.
"Momo."
"In~"
"Do you know how frustrating your owner is with your personality?"
"Have no choice?"
"Yes. I know you're being coquettish, I know you're being unreasonable, I know you're doing it on purpose, but I still can't do anything about it."
Momo's lips curled slightly upwards, and her purple eyes curved into crescent moons.
"Does Makoto-san like it?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"... like."
Momo's smile deepened.
She threw herself into his arms, her short, pink hair brushing against his chin, the tuft of hair gently brushing against his skin, tickling him.
"Then let Makoto-san continue to feel helpless."
Higashino Makoto didn't say anything. He simply reached out and ruffled her hair.
The sunlight outside the window moved from the east to the west, then disappeared from the west, replaced by moonlight.
Then the moonlight disappeared, and the sunlight reappeared.
Day after day.
Momo did her job as a secretary very well, to be precise, excessively well.
She would appear on time whenever Higashino Makoto needed her, making tea, organizing documents, and arranging schedules, doing everything impeccably.
But after she's done, she immediately transforms back into that spoiled little devil, clinging to Higashino Makoto and refusing to let go.
"Momo, I should go discuss the New World with Lord Ainz."
"Let's go tomorrow."
"You said the same thing yesterday."
"Then the day after tomorrow."
"Cheng-san, stay with me for one more day."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a sly glint in his Momo purple eyes.
Then he laughed.
"Good."
On the seventh night, Higashino Makoto finally stepped out of his bedroom.
It wasn't because he didn't want to stay, but because if he didn't go soon, Ainz might come and kill him.
The communication crystal has lit up countless times over the past three days, and Ainz's messages have become increasingly brief.
"Higashino, what changes have occurred in the hollow?"
"Higashino, when are you coming?"
"Higashino."
"Higashino."
"Higashino."
The last message contained only one word:
"?"
Higashino Makoto stared at the message in silence for a long time.
Then he picked up the crystal and infused it with magic.
"Ainz. Tomorrow, just tomorrow, I'll definitely be there."
There was a moment of silence on the other end.
"You decide."
The communication has ended.
Higashino Makoto put down the crystal, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling with his golden eyes.
Momo stood beside him, her black tail swaying gently, her purple eyes looking at him.
"Makoto-san, are you going to see Lord Ainz?"
"Um."
"May I come along?"
"Can."
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.
"But when you get there, you must listen to me and not wander off. By the way, why do you refer to yourself as a 'little woman'?"
Momo's lips curled up slightly.
"Yes, Makoto. The reason I call myself 'this humble woman' is because you keep mentioning that vixen, so I just picked it up."
The next morning, Higashino Makoto stood at the exit of Novus Etier.
Momo stood beside him, dressed formally, a rare sight for her.
It wasn't that shirt, but a black maid outfit.
Her skirt reached her knees, and a white bow was tied at the neckline. Her hair was neatly styled, and although her ahoge (cowlick) was still standing up, it was more subdued than usual.
"Cheng-san, is it alright for me to dress like this?"
"Can."
Is it pretty?
"Nice."
Momo's lips curled up slightly.
"That's good."
Higashino Makoto stretched out his hand and made a light sweeping motion in the air.
A pitch-black spatial rift appeared silently before the two of them.
Through the other side of the crevice, one could see yellow sand, ruins, and two enormous fortresses.
Let's go.
Higashino Makoto stepped into the crevice.
Momo lifted her skirt and followed.
The rift closed silently after the two passed through, leaving no trace.
The edge of the cave, the fortress on the east side.
Ainz stood atop the fortress, his crimson eyes fixed on the enormous hole beneath his feet.
The skull face was expressionless, but Higashino Makoto could feel his gaze.
It carried a hint of dissatisfaction, and a hint of helplessness.
"You've come."
"They've arrived."
"Six days late."
"I know."
Ainz turned his head and looked at Higashino Makoto.
"Your secretary?"
"Just call her Momo."