— — — — — —
"I don't really get what you're saying… but still—thanks. And for the record, I'm not self-absorbed."
Mira stared blankly at Kazuma for a long time after hearing his words. No one had ever talked to her like that before. She'd never said those things to anyone, and no one had ever said them to her.
It sounded weird in a way, but deep down… she felt lighter.
The sadness in her eyes began to fade. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel so alone. She didn't have to bottle everything up inside anymore. She didn't have to carry all that weight by herself—there was someone who'd actually listen.
"…Can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?" she asked softly, looking at him with a hint of pleading in her eyes.
"Go ahead."
Kazuma answered generously. "What's one more?" he thought wryly. "One's hugging me already, might as well make it two."
"Thanks."
Mira buried her face against his chest and started crying again—really crying this time. She mumbled a few things between sobs, but eventually her tears slowed. The exhaustion from crying and drinking caught up to her, and she drifted off to sleep.
Even in her dreams, she seemed to be clinging to someone—tight, desperate. In the real world, that someone happened to be Kazuma, and she was holding on for dear life, murmuring, "Don't go…"
"Seriously? Erza was one thing, but you too?" Kazuma sighed, looking down at her.
"Guess I'm not sleeping tonight. Whatever—let's eat first. Problems are easier to deal with on a full stomach."
He shook his head and started eating again. Neither of the women would be going home in this state, and he didn't even know where they lived anyway.
They'd have to crash here until they sobered up. Once they stopped clinging to him, he could move them to bed.
While he was quietly finishing the food, a faint light shimmered on the floor. A small magic circle opened—and a familiar figure crept out.
"Master," said Virgo, appearing with her usual deadpan face, "is this… a threesome? You've really gone big this time."
"Did you seriously come out of the Celestial Spirit World just to throw shade?" Kazuma gave her a flat look. "Or were you hoping to join in? Make it a four-person party?"
"Are you trying to harass me, Master?" Virgo replied expressionlessly, though for some reason her tone sounded oddly suggestive. Probably just his imagination.
"Relax," Kazuma said, tossing her a bottle from his treasury. "Have a drink."
Virgo caught it midair, blinking. "This wine… it's infused with magic. It must be valuable. Are you sure I can drink it?"
She hadn't actually come to drink—she'd just wanted to help clean the dishes and tidy up. That's what a maid-type spirit was for, after all. Ever since she made her contract with Kazuma, she'd taken that role seriously.
"It's fine. I've got plenty. Besides, sharing a drink with you is worth more than a bottle of wine."
"After all, you're still a pretty girl. A bit perverted, maybe—but still a girl."
Virgo blinked again, then smiled faintly. "Then I'll gladly accept."
She poured herself a small amount and took a sip. It was good—really good—and the magic inside even helped replenish what she'd spent summoning herself.
"Master," she said suddenly, tilting her head, "you're not planning to get me drunk and then do those things… and those lewd things… and those super rough things, are you?"
"If I wanted to do all that," Kazuma said dryly, "why would I bother getting you drunk first? I knew your personality."
"Don't overthink it. I just saw you come out and figured you might as well join the barbecue. You're not just a tool I summon—you're part of the guild now, too."
As he said that, a few shadow soldiers shuffled over and pointed toward the door. The repair was finished.
"Mm?" Virgo glanced between the soldiers and Kazuma, silently asking with her eyes, Did you really mean that?
"These guys are different," Kazuma explained. "They're just shadows—no soul, no feelings, just magic constructs. Pure tools."
He waved his hand, dismissing them. They melted into the ground and vanished.
"I could tell," Virgo nodded. "Thank you for clarifying… and for your kind words. But, um, you really don't want me to warm your bed tonight?"
She'd meant it as a joke—as always—but Kazuma apparently had no sense of humor.
"I don't need to," he said with a grin. "But if you insist, I won't stop you. Go ahead—strip down and start warming it."
"…I'm sorry, Master, I was being rude. I'll return to the Spirit World now."
Virgo turned beet red and vanished in a flash of light. Talk big, flee faster—that was her style.
"Relax, I was joking," Kazuma called after her, laughing. "Next time, don't wait until the end of the party to show up. Come join in from the start. There's always a seat for you."
Virgo turned briefly before fading completely, and for a split second, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
It felt… nice. To be acknowledged like that. Maybe next time, she'd really join the fun instead of watching from the sidelines.
After she left, Kazuma quietly finished eating, then carried his two "accessories" back to bed.
...
By the time morning came, he was woken up by a very familiar, very stern voice.
"Wake up. Why am I lying on the floor? And… this is your house, isn't it, Kazuma?"
Erza stood there, arms crossed, looking entirely too serious for someone with a hangover.
"Ah, morning," Kazuma yawned.
Mira stirred beside him, rubbing her eyes. "Morning already? Hmm… why am I here too?"
She looked around, confused, finger to her lips.
"First of all," Kazuma said, sitting up, "yes, this is my house. Second, you're both fully clothed. Third, you came here to drink. Erza got drunk and kept forcing me to drink more, and Mira got drunk and cried while hugging me. That's all. Clear now?"
He flopped back down, clearly intent on sleeping more.
"Right… I think I remember the drinking part," Erza muttered. "But why wasI on the floor?"
She glanced at the bed—Kazuma and Mira looked way too comfortable there. Something must've happened.
"You punched me in your sleep," Kazuma said flatly. "So I kicked you off."
Honestly, it was a miracle he hadn't ended up with a concussion.
"I… did?" Erza frowned. She didn't remember ever hitting people in her sleep—though, to be fair, she always slept alone. So maybe she just never noticed.
After sorting things out, both women prepared to leave. Kazuma got up to see them off, still half-asleep.
But just before stepping out the door, Mira turned back and smiled.
"Don't look so half-dead. Smile, will you? Today's your big day—you're an S-Class mage now."
"S-Class jobs are rough, you know. No matter how tough things get, remember to keep smiling."
She reached out and lightly pressed her finger to his cheek, pulling his lips upward into a grin before giggling and running off.
She probably didn't even notice it herself—but her gaze toward Kazuma had softened, warmer than before.
She had to head to the guild early to help the master prepare for the announcement that Kazuma was becoming an S-Class mage.
"Erza definitely blacked out last night," Kazuma muttered as he watched them leave. "But Mira? That one's a real witch in disguise."
He shook his head, smirking.
After a quick wash-up, he grabbed his gear and headed for the guild.
Time to officially take his place among the S-Class.
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Starting this week, daily updates will be one chapter instead of two, but each chapter will be over 2,000 words.
There'll also be a bonus chapter for every 200 stones this week.
I hope you're all enjoying the story — thanks for your support!