"This is delicious. You're a great cook, Master."
Asaba Kotone praised her.
Master smiled faintly. "As long as you like it. Let's go for a walk after we eat."
He might have been putting on an act, but Asaba Kotone certainly didn't hold back when it came to eating. He finished several bowls and only stopped once he was full.
Asaba Kotone helped Master wash the dishes and pot, then prepared to head outside for a walk.
Heavy snow was falling outside now. This was Asaba Kotone's first time walking through scenery like this.
"Master, aren't you a Public Safety Devil Hunter? Have you been living here in seclusion all this time?"
As they walked, Asaba Kotone asked casually.
"I prefer quiet places like this. Cities are nice, but noisy. When there's a mission that needs me, I leave the mountains."
Master spoke softly.
"I see..."
Asaba Kotone didn't know whether her explanation was true, but he would believe it for now.
"But now that I have such a good apprentice, I'll take you on more Public Safety missions."
Master said.
They walked for a long time, and as they chatted, Master's affection easily rose again.
[Santa Claus affection +5%] [Santa Claus affection progress has reached 20%. Achievement Reward obtained: Constitution +1]
Night fell.
Master had already prepared a room for Asaba Kotone to sleep in.
The room was plain, of course. The furniture was all made of wood: a wooden bed, a wooden table, wooden chairs... and an oil lamp.
Worried that Master might come over in the middle of the night, Asaba Kotone had no intention of returning to the Kamui Dimension to sleep.
Never mind that the door had no lock. Even if it did, Master would knock.
If she discovered he wasn't there,