Leaving in Three Days

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, I heard you're really going to the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire?"

"Okay, I'll leave once the new secretary arrives."

"Can Rem come along?"

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

You want to go?

"Yes. Because Rem wants to see the world, to see the countries you've changed. And she wants to stay by your side."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"Okay, I'll take you with me then."

Rem's lips curled up slightly.

"Thanks."

She turned around and continued watering the flowers.

Frederica stood in the kitchen doorway, her long golden hair gleaming softly in the sunlight, her emerald green eyes gazing at Higashino Makoto and Rem in the Garden.

The fangs were exposed, without any cover.

She's used to it.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, what would you like for lunch?"

"Whatever. I'll eat whatever you make."

"How about Sichuan cuisine?"

"Good."

Frederica's lips curled into a slight smile as she turned and walked back into the kitchen.

Daphne was chopping vegetables in the kitchen, her gray twin ponytails swaying gently in the steam. Her deep gray eyes were fixed on the meat on the cutting board, and her knife moved with much more practiced ease than before.

"Daphne, Frederica makes Sichuan cuisine, do you want to learn?"

"Good."

Daphne's lips curled up slightly, and a glint of light flashed in her deep gray eyes—a light that held a certain beautiful expectation.

Days passed by like this.

Higashino Makoto lives a decadent life on the Seventh Floor of Novas-Étienne.

He would sleep until he naturally woke up every day, then lie in bed in a daze, watching the sunlight stream in through the window. Akeno lay beside him, her red and white shrine maiden outfit removed, a blanket wrapped around her body, her purple eyes half-open and half-closed.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, are you not getting up again today?"

"No rush, now is the time to enjoy yourself."

"Breakfast is cold."

"Then let Ram..."

"Ram will be angry."

"It's okay, it's good that she's angry, it looks quite nice."

Akeno chuckled softly and said nothing more.

At noon, Higashino Makoto goes to the cafeteria for lunch.

Frederica's Chinese cooking is getting better and better, Daphne's fish dishes are becoming more and more presentable, Rem's porridge is cooked to perfection, and Ram's tea is served at the perfect temperature.

The witches sat on either side of the long table, eating, talking, and occasionally arguing.

Typhon said Sekhmet was too lazy, Sekhmet said Typhon was too noisy, Minerva said Echidna was too cold, Echidna said Minerva was too passionate.

Carmilla tried to mediate, but her voice was very soft, and no one listened to her.

Daphne was washing dishes in the kitchen, her dark gray eyes watching the witches, and she always had some snacks dangling from her mouth.

Satella sat in the corner, eating her meal, her purple eyes watching the witches, wanting to mediate but not daring to speak loudly.

They are absolutely beautiful; these are all from my own collection.

He liked it very much.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, you seem to be very happy."

"Happy, how about you?"

"I'm happy too."

In the afternoon, Higashino Makoto would read in his study, take a walk in the Garden, or stroll in the corridor, occasionally flirting with the maids.

"Ram, you look prettier today than yesterday."

"Ram is beautiful every day."

"Yes, so you have to praise them every day."

Ram's lips twitched slightly, but she did not refute.

"Rem, your tea tastes better today than yesterday."

"Rem just added an extra slice of lemon."

"Then add more, it'll taste better."

Rem's ears turned slightly red.

"Frederica, would you like to come to my room sometime?"

"Even if you were joking like that, I would still get angry."

"Honestly, it would be best to bring Ram and Rem along."

"You really do need a better time and opportunity to confess your feelings."

At night, Higashino Makoto would lie on Akeno's bed.

Red and White Shrine Maiden brand head cushion wave, soft, warm, with a sandalwood scent.

"Akeno, are you happy following me?"

"I'm happy because you need me. You need my tea, my company, my... body."

Her voice was soft, and a smile played on her lips.

"I am happy because you need me."

Higashino Makoto reached out and gently took her hand.

You are needed. I always need you.

Akeno's fingers tightened slightly.

"... Thanks."

Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery-white glow.

That was another night for Novas Etier.

Another "degenerate" night for Higashino Makoto.

He knew he couldn't live like this for too long, or he would become a useless person.

So, he made a decision.

I'll leave once the new secretary arrives.

A week later, the communication crystal lit up.

It wasn't an emergency call, just a regular one. Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and picked up the crystal.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

Gokusai Kaibi's voice came from the crystal, calm and steady.

"The spatial turbulence at the Nazarick site has largely stabilized."

"Did it expand or shrink?"

"It shrank, but it didn't disappear; it still exists, still connected to some unknown space."

"Can we go in?"

"It's possible, but not recommended. There are still many unstable factors. Going in rashly might get you caught in spatial turbulence."

"Of course, Higashino need not worry about danger. But I still do not wish you to take any risks."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"Alright, continue monitoring. Notify me when it's completely stable. Then I'll use my small world to devour it, and I should be able to obtain a new gate."

"Yes, sir."

The communication has ended.

Higashino Makoto put down the crystal, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling with his golden eyes.

"Higashino, aren't you going in to take a look?"

"No rush, let's wait until it's more stable. We'll talk about it after the new secretary arrives."

Akeno looked at him, her purple eyes flashing with a complex light.

"Good."

Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

Artificial sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room.

"Akeno, your term is almost over, isn't it?"

Akeno's fingers paused slightly.

"... Three more days."

"Three days later, the new secretary arrives, and I'm leaving."

"And what about me?"

"Go back, come back in two years, I'll be waiting for you."

Akeno looked at him, her purple eyes swirling with complex emotions.

"Alright, I will wait for you."

Higashino Makoto turned around and walked towards the door.

"Let's go, it's time for dinner."

"Yes."

The two left the study.

In the corridor, the setting sun streamed in through the windows, casting their shadows onto the floor, where they overlapped.

In the distance, the cafeteria door was open, and the aroma of food wafted out.

Akeno has three days left in his term.