Hub World, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.
Not long after Tatsuo announced his presence, Mai, Kasumi, and Ayane entered the house through another entrance. Then, the four made their way towards the living room. And when Sumire and Tio saw that Tatsuo entered from a different direction than Mai, Kasumi, and Ayane, they asked what was going on.
And just as Tatsuo expected, as soon as they heard that he walked Eri home, they threw a bit of teasing his way. But because Tatsuo did not seem all that interested in Eri, it did not last too long. Though, Mai was on the verge of throwing a tantrum because he was being so nice to another girl.
But before she could start another one of her tantrums, Tatsuo turned a sharp glare in her direction.
"So, why didn't I know that you were coming to pick us up, Mai-Nee?" Tatsuo asked with an eyebrow raised imperiously.
Immediately, all of Mai's complaints died in her throat. She then put on an innocent expression, looked away, and did her best to whistle. However, she failed to whistle altogether, as the only sound that could be heard was the air being forced between her pursed lips. {Pic}
Understanding that he was not going to get a response from Mai, Tatsuo then turned his gaze towards his adopted sisters.
"Anything you two wanna tell me?" Tatsuo asked.
While Kasumi shifted her gaze between Tatsuo and Ayane, which was more than enough to figure out who the culprit was, Tatsuo still waited for an answer. However, the answer he received caught him off guard.
"Maybe if you weren't always messing with me, you would have been in the car, too." Ayane said boldly.
In fact, Ayane's idea to make him walk home was not what surprised him. Rather, the fact that Mai and Kasumi went along with it was what truly surprised him. More Mai than Kasumi. But still, it was surprising that her plan even worked at all.
"That was obvious from the way Kasumi-Neechan was looking around." Tatsuo said while rolling his eyes. "But I'm more curious to know how you convinced them to go along with your plan. Especially Mai-Nee. What did you promise her to make her forget that I could extend her punishment?"
Mai's expression of horror let him know exactly what Ayane promised her.
And the answer was nothing. Judging by Mai's expression, she had completely forgotten that Tatsuo had that power. And now, she was terrified that he would do just that.
"Not much." Ayane replied with a shrug. "It never came up during the negotiations."
"*Sigh* Looks that way." Tatsuo replied in an exasperated tone. Then, he turned back to Mai and continued in a tired tone. "So, what did she promise you to go along with that plan?"
As if she just remembered that part, Mai turned a pout in Ayane's direction.
"That's right." Mai said in an aggrieved tone. "Why isn't Tatsu-Kun soaked to the bone and peeling off his wet clothes yet?"
Mai's question only made everyone stare at her as if she were some kind of idiot.
"Mai-Chan, Sweetie." Sumire said after a few seconds of awkward silence. "You all asked Tatsu-Chan why he brought an umbrella when he left this morning, remember? So, why did you think he would be soaked when he got home?"
Mai's eyes shot open in surprise when she heard that.
"Besides, Tatsuo-Sama would have just [Blinked] or used [Return] even if he didn't have an umbrella." Tio added with a smile. "So, there's no way that he would have been soaked when he got home."
*Thud!*
Mai, with a crestfallen expression, fell from the couch onto her hands and knees.
"And that's why you shouldn't let horny guide your actions." Ayane said disdainfully while shaking her head.
"Too true." Tatsuo said while also shaking his head. He then turned to Kasumi with an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "And how did she get you to go along with it, Kasumi-Neechan?"
This time, it was Kasumi's turn to look away.
"I'd rather not say." Kasumi said softly. "It's something between girls."
After that, the family continued to chat for a little while longer before Tatsuo, Kasumi, and Ayane left the living room to change clothes. Then, they all gathered in the training room to train. After that, they gathered in the dining room for dinner before heading off to their own rooms for the rest of the evening.
"You're going to help Maou-Chan move today, right, Tatsu-Chan?" Sumire asked while she and the rest of the Soramoto Family sat around the dining table for breakfast.
"Yeah." Tatsuo replied after taking a sip of miso soup. "Tio's coming with me. She offered to drive a moving van."
Tio, while eating gracefully, nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"*Sigh* If Yusa and Maou run into each other while they're moving, it's gonna be hilarious." Ayane said with a smirk. "Maybe I should come with you, too."
While she did not say anything, Kasumi was having similar thoughts
"Nah, I'll be more than enough." Tatsuo said while waving off Ayane's suggestion. "I mean, if you saw their apartment, you'd understand. They barely have enough in there to fill up a van. In fact, the only reason Tio is coming with me is because I can't drive."
"Yes, I will not be doing any manual labor, myself." Tio added. "At most, I'd be holding a door for them"
Reaching that point, Tio lowered her head and began to mutter.
"Though, I would love it if Master put a collar around my neck and leashed me to all of their belongings." Tio said as her face began to turn red. "Then, while sitting on top of the pile of objects, he whipped me and made me drag it behind me like the beast of burden that I am. *Pant* *Pant*"
Tio's descent into depravity made everyone at the table look uncomfortable. Yet, no one put forth an effort to stop her. Because over the months, they found that there was only one thing that could make Tio stop when she got like this. And that one thing was…
"God, you're disgusting." Tatsuo said in a cold, scathing tone.
Immediately, Tio's rambling came to a stop. At the same time, her breathing grew more ragged, and her face turned a deeper shade of red while she started writhing in her seat.
"You're only making things worse." Ayane said with a frown.
"*Sigh* I know." Tatsuo replied. "But Tio's been really helpful lately. Plus, she hasn't done anything like this in a place that can embarrass me. So… I asked James for advice, since one of his girlfriends, Ayame, has the same affliction. And he said the best reward is to give her what she wants every once in a while. On top of that, it keeps her from going out of control when she can't get it for too long."
"That makes sense." Kasumi said with a nod. "It's like keeping her medicated so that she doesn't have an unexpected outbreak."
"Exactly." Tatsuo replied with a smile.
While the others continued to chat, Mai, who had not spoken since breakfast started, was looking at Tatsuo with apprehension. Ever since the conversation from last night, she had been worried that he would extend her punishment. Yet, after mentioning it that one time he had not brought it up again.
Usually, that would not be so bad. Since it was never mentioned again that meant the matter was over and done with. But ever since her punishment started more than a week ago, Mai had adopted the mindset of "once bitten, twice shy."
And that was the exact attitude Tatsuo wanted Mai to have. Over the months, she has gotten more and more brazen. Which was a problem for Tatsuo. Especially since he did actually like her. But her extreme possessiveness could get quite tiring. And the fact that she went through his belongings at school was the last straw before he had to put his foot down.
"Anyway, we should get going. "Tatsuo said as he finished off the last of his breakfast. "I wanna get this taken care of quickly. Then, I need to figure out what I'm gonna cook for the housewarming party tomorrow."
"Tatsu-Chan~!" Sumire whined with a pout. "Why won't you let me cook for the party? Are you really gonna take this from me? You know I love cooking for my baby."
"Because he's a better cook than you." Mai, Kasumi, Tio, and Ayane answered Sumire's question in unison.
Sumire was caught off guard when the ladies answered her instead of Tatsuo, who she was almost certain would cave to her demands if she whined and pouted enough. The problem was that Mai, Kasumi, Tio, and Ayane also knew that. So, before things could get to that point, they decisively cut off her momentum.
Realizing that, Sumire's pout turned into a glare. A vicious glare that promised pain in the future. And while the four young ladies shuddered in response, they did not retract their statements. Some things were worth the pain, after all.
"Anyway… I'll meet you in the garage, Tio." Tatsuo said as he stood up with his empty dishes in hand. "Don't keep me waiting too long."
Then, before anyone could respond, Tatsuo [Blinked] away from his spot at the table. At the same time, Tio was brought out of her masochism induced stupor. A moment later, after realizing that Tatsuo was gone, she picked up her own empty dishes and sprinted towards the kitchen.
"I'll be there quickly, Master~!" Tio shouted in a cheerful tone.
That left Sumire, Mai, Kasumi, and Ayane sitting at the table. While Mai was relieved that Tatsuo still did not say anything about increasing her punishment, Sumire, Kasumi and Ayane watched Tio leave.
"He's gotten rather good at handling her, hasn't he?" Sumire asked with a smile. "Tatsu-Chan makes Mommy so proud."
"Not only her." Ayane said while shooting a disdainful glare in Mai's direction.
"Tatsuo-Kun has changed a lot since we first brought him back." Kasumi said while smiling gently.
Not long later, Tatsuo and Tio, dressed in casual clothing, left the house with Tio driving a blue Honda Civic Type-R to pick up the moving van they would use to help Sadao, Shirō, and Hanzō move out of their apartment.
About half an hour later, at Villa Rosa Sasazuka, Sadao, Shirō, and Hanzō, after packing up their few belongings, were carrying their boxes down the stairs of Villa rosa Sasazuka.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Hanzō asked in an apprehensive tone. "I mean, moving into that monster's old lair, it could be a trap, right?"
"Silence!" Shirō barked. "You dare suggest that his Majesty not move into a Devil's Castle more suitable for his identity? This could be considered treason, Urushihara-Kun."
"It's not that big a deal, Ashiya." Sadao said with a smile. "I'd be scared if someone that kicked my ass offered to let me live in their old house, too."
"Hey! He never kicked my ass." Hanzō protested. "The only one he beat up was Olba. We never even fought."
"That's only because you were too scared to fight him." Shirō said disdainfully. "If you had fought him, you would have ended up the same way as Olba."
"That's only because I wasn't fully charged on magic." Hanzō replied with a pout. "If I was filled up, that guy wouldn't have stood a chance."
"Even if that was true, I'd suggest not fighting that young man you're talking about."
Interrupted by that voice, the three turned to look in the direction it came from. When they did, they saw the owner of the Villa Rosa Sasazuka Apartments, Shiba Miki, standing on the sidewalk. {Pic}
"Shiba-San." Sadao said with a slightly forced smile. "You came to see us off?"
"No, no, no!" Mii said while wagging one of her stubby fingers at Sadao. "Please, call me Mi Kitty."
"Ah… Ha… Ha… Right." Sadao replied with a hollow laugh. "Then, uh… Mi Kitty, you came to see us off."
"Yes." Miki replied with a nod. "And to give you a warning."
"A warning, about what?" Shirō asked.
"Remember this well, Boys." Miki said in a solemn tone. "If you anger the owner of your new residence, no one in this world or any other can save you."
Miki's words caused Sadao, Shirō, and Hanzō to open their eyes wide. And while Sadao, who has met Sumire on several occasions, was better off, Shirō and Hanzō were both confused and terrified. The gravitas with which Miki spoke made it clear that she was not simply speaking just to scare them.
"*Gulp* What do you mean?" Hanzō asked.
"I can't say anymore." Miki replied while shaking her head. "Just keep my warning in mind. If you do so, you should be fine. You may even live long enough to return from whence you came."
While that last sentence caused Shirō and Hanzō to shudder in fear, Sadao's reaction was completely different.
"Just who are you?" Sadao asked with his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
However, before Sadao could get an answer to his question, a white moving van pulled up in front of them. Then, after the engine was cut off, Tatsuo and Tio stepped out with smiles on their faces. {Pic}
"Oh, you're already out here." Tatsuo said while walking towards the group of four. "I thought I'd be helping you bring your stuff down."
"Nah… We just made sure to put Urushihara to work." Sadao replied while putting his suspicion away for now. "All he does is play video games all day. So, it was time he started doing something to give us a reason to keep him around."
"Hey, it's not my fault I can't get a job." Hanzō said, trying to defend himself. "I'm socially awkward."
"Hmph! As much as we pay for that internet you needed so badly, you could at least find a job you can do online." Shirō said disdainfully.
"That's rich coming from someone who can't keep a job no matter what they do." Hanzō shot back just as disdainfully.
While Shirō and Hanzō continued to bicker, Tatsuo only smiled as he approached Miki with Tio in tow.
"Good morning, Mi Kitty…" Tatsuo said politely.
"He actually called her that without retching?" Sadao muttered under his breath.
"… it's been a while." Tatsuo continued. "How have you been? I hope you're not gonna be too mad at me for taking away some of your tenants."
"Of course not, Soramoto-Kun." Miki said with a wide smile spreading across her face. "I'm just happy to see these boys improving their standard of living."
After saying that, Miki turned to look at Tio, and her eyes narrowed slightly. Though, thanks to her already small eyes, it was barely noticeable.
"And who is this beautiful young lady?" Miki asked, having realized that, like Sadao and the other two, Tio was not originally from this world.
"Oh, this is Tio Klarus." Tatsuo replied, also realizing that Miki realized that Tio was not from this world thanks to her status as Earth's Guardian. "Mom hired her to be my manager."
Hearing that Tio was here with Sumire's permission, Miki's suspicion disappeared immediately.
"I see." Miki replied with a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Tio-Chan. I'm Shiba Miki, the owner of this apartment building. But please, I insist you call me, Mi Kitty."
"It's nice to meet you, too, Mi Kitty." Tio replied while bowing her head politely.
"She did it, too." Sadao muttered under his breath again. "Just what are these two's hearts made of?"
"Well then, I won't keep you." Miki said while shooting a quick glare in Sadao's direction. "I'm sure these three would like to get moved into their new home as quickly as possible. Just don't' forget to visit from time to time, Boys."
"We won't." Sadao said seriously. "You took us in when we had nowhere else to go. And for that, we will always be grateful."
Then, with the box still in his hands, Sadao bowed as deeply as he could before he was quickly followed by Shirō. Then, when Shirō noticed that Hanzō was not bowing, he kicked the Fallen Angel in the leg and shot him a glare until he bowed, as well.
Smiling in response, Miki turned back towards the building and waved over her shoulder.
"Just remember my warning, boys." Miki said just before she reached her door.
Then, without waiting for a response, she opened the door and stepped inside.
"What warning is she talking about?" Tatsuo asked curiously.
"Don't worry about it." Sadao said, quickly changing the subject. "Anyway, let's get going. I'm looking forward to the new digs."
"Yeah, let's go." Tatsuo replied with a smile.
'And if we're lucky, Yusa-San will be coming out just as we get there.' Tatsuo said as a devious smile began spreading across his face. 'This should be good.'