Izumi spent quite a while teasing Mai Sakurajima before finally deciding to let her off the hook.
By the time he stopped, Mai's face was completely red, and she looked ready to bury herself underground from embarrassment.
Patting her lightly on the head, Izumi smiled.
"Alright, alright."
"I'll stop teasing you."
"Come with me. I'll show you around."
"You seem pretty curious about this place anyway."
With that, he turned and began walking.
Although Mai was still somewhat dissatisfied, she followed after him.
...
As they walked through the enormous estate, Izumi casually introduced various locations.
Mai listened carefully, fascinated by everything she saw.
This place was unlike anything she had ever imagined.
The only problem...
Was her outfit.
The bunny suit stood out far too much.
As a result, many of the young girls living under Izumi's care couldn't help staring at her as she passed.
Soon enough, one of them approached.
It was Kohina.
The small girl stared at Mai with wide eyes before turning toward Izumi.
"Izumi-oniichan."
"Is this another new sister-in-law?"
The innocent question instantly made Mai realize something.
This guy is absolutely a serial womanizer.
Her face twitched.
How am I supposed to explain this?!
Izumi simply patted Kohina's head.
"Not yet."
"But it probably won't take long."
"This bunny girl seems pretty interested in your Oniichan."
Mai nearly choked.
"W-Who's interested?!"
Unfortunately, Kohina had already ignored her protest.
The little girl frowned seriously.
"Interested in Oniichan?"
"Then she's a bad person."
"Can I cut her?"
"The stupid rabbit should be eliminated."
Mai froze.
"...Huh?"
A vein appeared on her forehead.
Who are you calling a stupid rabbit?!
She glared at Kohina.
The little girl glared right back.
"Stupid rabbit!"
Just as Mai was about to retaliate—
A furious voice suddenly rang out nearby.
"How rude!"
"Hina-chan, who are you calling a rabbit?!"
A moment later, another small girl charged in and delivered a flying kick.
Bam!
Kohina was sent rolling away.
The newcomer was Enju.
Kohina immediately exploded.
"You little brat!"
Drawing her twin blades, she rushed forward without hesitation.
Enju met the challenge head-on.
The two girls instantly began fighting.
Mai stood there, completely stunned.
"..."
"...What?"
The two lolis were seriously fighting.
Right in front of her.
She turned toward Izumi in disbelief.
But he looked utterly unconcerned.
As though this happened every day.
Which, in fact, it did.
Izumi simply shrugged.
"Let's go."
"Ignore them."
"We'll continue the tour."
Then he calmly continued walking.
Mai glanced back at the two girls exchanging attacks.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
This place is insane.
Yet Izumi didn't seem worried at all.
Kohina and Enju argued constantly.
They fought whenever they met.
But despite appearances, they actually got along surprisingly well.
Neither side would seriously hurt the other.
Because of that, nobody paid much attention anymore.
...
Leaving the two behind, Izumi eventually brought Mai to another section of the estate.
A quiet residence.
As soon as they arrived, a girl stepped outside.
It was Megumi Kato.
Megumi blinked in confusion upon seeing Izumi arrive with an unfamiliar woman.
"Hm?"
"What's going on?"
"And who is she?"
Izumi immediately introduced them.
"This is Mai Sakurajima."
"She has exceptional Assassin potential."
"Very similar to you."
"So I'm leaving her with you."
"Get acquainted."
After dropping that bombshell, he turned around and walked away.
Without another word.
Leaving the two girls staring at one another.
...
Just then, another girl emerged from inside the house.
Her hair was tied into a neat bun.
"Megumi-oneechan?"
"Do we have a guest?"
Megumi nodded.
"Yes."
"This is Mai Sakurajima."
"Izumi brought her here."
Then she introduced the newcomer.
"And this is Aoi Akane."
"My apprentice."
"Come inside, Mai-san."
Mai hesitated before following them indoors.
At the same time, she quietly studied Megumi.
The more she looked, the stranger it felt.
Megumi's presence was faint.
Extremely faint.
Almost invisible.
Just like her own condition had been.
So this is what Izumi meant...
Someone similar to me.
The realization made her increasingly curious.
...
As they sat down and began talking, Mai explained everything that had happened.
Her mysterious invisibility.
The strange fragment.
Meeting Izumi.
And having her problem resolved.
After hearing the story, Megumi finally understood.
"So that's why he brought you here."
"It really is similar."
Mai nodded.
"In a way."
"Though yours seems natural."
"And mine was caused by something external."
Megumi smiled.
"That's true."
"But perhaps that's why we'll get along."
...
The conversation continued for hours.
Megumi patiently explained many things about the Dimensional City.
She also introduced various abilities, equipment, and combat techniques.
Most importantly—
She taught Mai about the Assassin path.
Considering Mai's naturally low presence and stealth-oriented traits, she was practically born for it.
The more Mai listened, the more interested she became.
She absorbed every lesson seriously.
...
And so, under Megumi's guidance, another talented Assassin quietly joined the ranks.
From that day onward, many of the female Assassins within Izumi's world would eventually find themselves connected to Megumi in one way or another.
Whether as students, companions, or successors.
It was a rather amusing development.
Though for Izumi...
It was simply another ordinary day in his ever-growing world.