The moment that name was spoken, the eight serpent heads shattered into particles of light, then spun rapidly and merged at the center of the summoning circle.
From that light, a figure slowly took form—a young girl with long black hair.
Her skin was pale like porcelain, yet faint patterns resembling flowing scales covered parts of her body, as if traces of an ancient power had not fully faded.
She wore a kusari katabira, a light chain armor fused with ritual garments, giving her an appearance that was both elegant and dangerous.
Parts of her body were covered with cloth and sealing ornaments, including a covering over her left eye that seemed to restrain something sealed within her.
Her aura was calm… yet beneath that calmness, there was a pressure like a giant serpent that had just opened its eyes.
Kuro froze for a moment at her appearance, especially noticing the increasingly familiar pattern—another female Servant.
He raised his right hand and slowly massaged his temple.
"Sometimes this system really can't be handled with logic…" he muttered softly.
On the other hand, the girl slowly opened her eyelids. Her deep violet irises shimmered faintly, as if she had just returned from something extremely distant and heavy.
The first thing she did was raise her right hand and stare at it.
Her expression was beautiful, yet briefly empty—confused… then slowly shifting into relief.
As if something that had been pressing on her mind and tearing at her body and soul had finally stopped.
She gave a small, gentle smile. Soft. Almost like someone who had just been pulled out from drowning.
"Ahem…"
A clearing of the throat broke the silence.
Instantly, the girl snapped back to awareness.
Her movements changed—quick, controlled.
She immediately knelt gracefully on the ground, her posture becoming formal and sharp, like a blade freshly drawn from its sheath.
"Kōga Jonin," she declared firmly, her voice steady yet disciplined. "True Name… Mochizuki Chiyome."
She lowered her head slightly.
"Assassin-class. I apologize for the delayed response and my brief distraction earlier. I… am ready to serve you, My Lord."
Kuro didn't respond immediately. He took another drag from his cigarette, holding it for a moment before slowly exhaling.
The white smoke lingered in the air, swirling faintly before vanishing without a trace.
"Accepted," he said calmly. "And my name is Kuro Tokito. From now on, protect me going forward."
Chiyome lowered her head slightly, her posture still rigid.
"Chiyome will always be the eyes, ears, and sword of Lord Master."
Kuro gave a faint smile. He took the cigarette hanging from his lips, then casually flicked it toward Chiyome.
In midair, the ember transformed—turning into a butterfly of light.
It flew briefly before landing on Chiyome's shoulder, and in an instant transformed into a thin layer of fabric that wrapped around her body, covering the areas that had previously been too exposed.
"Don't be too formal," Kuro said casually. "And… your outfit earlier was a bit excessive. It looked like you weren't even trying to dress properly."
"Kōga-nin do not choose their equipment," Chiyome replied flatly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kuro let out a soft chuckle.
"But now you're mine, right?" he said lightly. "And you're also a woman. So wear something more appropriate."
He paused for a moment, then added in a relaxed tone:
"And one more thing—tone down the formality. I don't bite."
Chiyome fell silent for a moment.
Then slowly, she lifted her face. Her violet gaze was now steadier—no longer as rigid as before.
"…Understood," she said more softly. "If that is Lord Master's will… I will adjust accordingly."
Kuro gave no further response. He turned around and walked away as if the conversation had already ended.
Noticing this, Chiyome immediately stood up from her kneeling position and followed behind him.
Her movements were light, almost soundless—like a shadow faithfully trailing its source of light. Every step was measured, without excess.
Her violet eyes scanned the surroundings.
The world around them felt… wrong.
The horizon looked fractured and folded, the sky no longer a straight line but layered like shattered glass forcibly pieced together.
In the distance, massive chunks of rock hung upside down, suspended without falling—as if gravity itself was merely a suggestion in this place.
"…This space is distorted," Chiyome murmured softly. "Yet it remains stable. It doesn't feel like genjutsu… it's more like reality itself has been forced to obey a single will."
Her tone remained calm, but a faint trace of caution lingered beneath it—the instincts of a shinobi accustomed to reading hostile terrain.
Kuro's steps slowed slightly upon hearing that.
"This is the Mirror Dimension," he replied without turning back. "And it's not your original world. In short, we're in a different reality… with different laws."
Chiyome paused.
She lowered her head slightly, processing his words without showing much expression.
But her eyes moved again—this time sharper, deeper. Not merely observing, but analyzing.
"…You are correct. There is no familiar flow of spiritual energy," she said slowly. "However, my existence remains stable… the contract with the Master is functioning without disruption."
She raised her hand slightly, staring at it for a moment—as if confirming that her body was truly anchored within this reality.
"If this is a different world, then… my existence here depends entirely on you."
Her tone was still formal, but calmer. No confusion remained—only cold, measured acceptance.
Kuro simply shrugged lightly.
"Let's just leave it at that."
He paused briefly, then glanced back at Chiyome with his usual relaxed expression.
"Oh, right… one more thing."
"In the Mirror Dimension, you're free to move however you want."
He let out a small yawn, then continued in an indifferent tone:
"It's been seven days since I last took a bath. So I'm going to soak for a bit."
Chiyome fell silent for a moment.
For the first time since being summoned, her expression looked slightly… disturbed. Not in refusal, but at the way the command was spoken.
But only for a moment.
She lifted her face again, her violet gaze steady and calm.
"…If permitted," she said quietly, "allow me to serve Lord Master."
Kuro's steps stopped immediately.
He came to a complete halt, then slowly turned around. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at Chiyome with a surprised expression.
"Serve?"
Chiyome did not waver.
"Your body shows signs of fatigue," she replied calmly. "Tension in the shoulders, unstable breathing rhythm… and forced prana flow."
She lowered her head slightly.
"If Lord Master allows… I can assist. Massage your back, assist during bathing, and relieve accumulated fatigue."
Kuro fell silent.
There was no objection.
The statement… was accurate.
Over the past seven days, he hadn't slept. His body was sustained by prana, but his mind had still been worn down.
On top of that, continuous mana usage without rest had left his condition far from ideal.
He let out a quiet sigh.
Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"…Alright," he said casually. "Serve me until I'm satisfied."
Chiyome fell silent once more.
But this time, there was no disturbance in her expression.
"...Understood."
She lowered her head deeply.
Without hesitation, she stepped closer.
Her movements remained light, almost soundless—but she was no longer keeping her distance. She stopped right in front of Kuro, then slightly adjusted her position, ready to follow wherever he moved.
"I will ensure that Lord Master's condition recovers completely."
Her voice was calm. Firm.
Not merely obedience—but commitment.
***
Warm steam filled the air.
The bathing pool lay quietly amidst a stretch of rocky hills as far as the eye could see.
The landscape felt real, yet subtly wrong—as if this world existed just outside the rules that should have bound it.
The Mirror Dimension.
Everything felt… slightly displaced.
In the middle of the pool, Kuro sat with half his body submerged in warm water.
Thin steam rose from the surface, wrapping the atmosphere in a calm silence.
Behind him, Chiyome gently washed his back.
Her movements were soft, careful—like she was tending to something far more valuable than just a physical body.
Kuro gave a small smile.
"Chiyome," he said casually. "Or… how about I call you Chi-chan?"
Chiyome's hands paused for a split second, then resumed moving.
"…You are free to call me whatever you wish, My Lord," she replied calmly.
Kuro let out a soft laugh.
"Didn't I already say it?" he said. "Don't be so formal. Think of it as just a normal conversation."
A brief silence followed.
Only the sound of gently rippling water and cloth brushing against skin remained.
Chiyome's movements stayed steady, but this time slightly… hesitant.
"…Very well," she said at last, her tone shifting slightly—no longer as rigid as before.
She took a small breath, as if organizing her words.
"Then… may I ask something? Something that might be improper for me to ask."
Kuro opened one eye slightly.
"What is it?"
_______
Author's note:
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