Morning light pressed weakly through the curtains.
Yuăn woke already too warm.
It's too early…
The borrowed clothes clung to her skin, soft and stifling in a way armor never had been.
Wait…how long was I out?
She scanned the room at once.
No traps—or traces of bloodlust.
She pushed herself up from the futon with a quiet scowl.
Footsteps padded softly across the floor.
A frost blade pointed toward the noise.
I knew it, they have me—
"Yuăn? Breakfast is ready," a familiar voice called.
She went still.
So it was real after all.
Yuăn let the frost blade melt away, more from necessity than trust.
I wasted mana doing that…
Warm air and the scent of food waited beyond the doorway.
Yuăn stepped through the doorway and into the living area, wary of what passed for a morning routine in this house.
Mika had already set the table with four trays of food. "You should eat before we go out. Winter isn't kind to empty stomachs."
I'm used to being besieged. I've gone weeks without food.
Her stomach betrayed her thoughts.
Mika's mouth curved faintly. "I see someone's hungry. Go on, eat."
Yuăn inclined her head once, then sat and reached for the utensils.
Stupid human stomach.
Mika moved back to the kitchen. "Groceries first. Then I need to stop by the clinic. And if I'm already out, we can check on—"
"Yuli, stop running!"
A small blur shot past the table.
Was that the—child?
"I'm late!" she declared, sprinting past the table.
That foam is 'Wolfin'. Did it get cursed?
"You are not late, it's a Saturday!" Haruto chased after her. "Brush your teeth properly!"
Yulisha zigzagged, narrowly avoiding capture, laughter bubbling around the toothbrush.
Mika didn't even look up, "Yulisha. Sink. Now."
The girl skidded to a halt.
"…Okay," she mumbled, trotting off toward the bathroom.
Haruto straightened, breathing hard. "One day she's going to outrun me."
"You'll survive," Mika replied calmly.
Wolfin was a minor hex—white froth spilling from the mouth until the victim could barely speak.
A child's prank at best, a punishment spell at worst.
So this is how humans raise their young…
Mika finished checking off the last item in her notebook and turned toward her.
"So," she said casually, "what are you planning to do today?"
Yuăn stilled.
Today?
Usually I'd be training the troops.
She looked at Yulisha.
I can't train a child—I'm not like those humans.
Then what? Defend the domain?
She had always had an answer to that question.
But there was no front to hold. No orders to give. No enemies to prepare for.
"I… do not have plans," Yuăn said at last.
Mika nodded, accepting that answer without judgment. "That's okay. I have errands to run. You're welcome to come with me if you'd like. No pressure."
No pressure?
This is a perfect opportunity.
"…I will observe."
Mika smiled. "Good. I just have to get you a change of clothes."
Yuăn tilted her head.
"Why can't I go out in this? It's already plenty warm."
Stifling at that.
Mika disappeared down the hallway and returned a moment later with a heavier coat draped over one arm, a scarf looped over the other, and gloves tucked beneath her elbow.
"You'll need these too," she said.
Yuăn stared at the pile.
More?
"That is excessive," she said.
"It's winter," Mika replied simply, as if that explained everything.
It didn't.
Yuăn took the coat first.
Thick. Heavy. Unnecessarily padded.This long fabric makes even less sense.
"What is this for?" she asked, lifting it between two fingers.
Mika blinked. "Your neck?"
My neck is not in danger.
Before Yuăn could say that aloud, Yulisha appeared at Mika's side and reached for the scarf with both hands.
"I can do it!" she declared.
"No running," Mika said automatically.
Yulisha ignored her and jumped on the couch. She rose to her toes as she wrapped the scarf once, then twice, around Yuăn's neck.
The child is too close. Unafraid of me.
Yuăn went still.
"There," Yulisha said proudly. "Now you look normal."
Normal?
Yuăn lowered her eyes to the scarf.
"It is constricting, and hot."
"It is not," Yulisha said with the absolute certainty only children possessed. "It's cute."
That word again.
Mika hid a smile behind her hand. "Leave the scarf on."
I can't believe I have to leave this thing on.
Yuăn exhaled through her nose.
The gloves were worse. Her fingers resisted them, catching awkwardly in the lining.
How do these humans function?
This is too much.
Mika stepped forward with a quiet, "Here."
Yuăn stiffened as Mika took her hand and adjusted the glove properly, smoothing the fabric over each finger with quick, practiced movements.
Such a casual touch.
No command. No ritual. No hesitation.
Mika stepped back as though there had been nothing strange in it at all. "There. Better."
Yuăn flexed her hand once. The glove dulled sensation immediately.
Unpleasant.
She moved toward the door, only to stop when she saw the line of shoes waiting neatly in the entryway.
A formation?
Where are my boots?
Her gaze dropped to her own feet, then to the boots Mika had placed beside the door.
"I had to throw those boots out," Mika said, catching the direction of her stare.
"They were not in good shape."
How dare—
She stopped herself, remembering the state of them.
Never mind…
Yuăn looked down at the socks on her feet, then back at the boots.
Different coverings for different territories.
Of course humans would have boundary rituals.
She crouched and reached for the boots. By the time she straightened, Yulisha was already watching her again with open delight.
"She's really going with you?" the girl asked.
Mika slipped on her own shoes and reached for her bag. "She is."
Yulisha beamed at Yuăn as if this were somehow good news.
Why is that good news to her?
But when Mika opened the door and the winter air slipped inside, she found herself stepping forward without being told.
The streets were alive in a way Yuăn hadn't expected.
People moved past wrapped in thick layers of cloth and padding, scarves wound tight around their necks, gloves on their hands, hats pulled low.
Is this the norm?
The roads were mostly clear, the snow pushed aside as if the city had no intention of yielding to it.
It's like everything here was built to endure winter, not challenge it.
Yuăn glanced down at herself. Mika had insisted on the same treatment—long coat, thermal layers, boots built to bite into the snow instead of slipping.
This clothing is excessive. Too warm. But useful to blend in.
Humans in this world dress for survival, not display.
That's what magic is for.
The crowd thickened as they approached the shops.
These humans are too close.
Yuăn's shoulders tensed on instinct, her awareness flaring, counting distance and movement.
She exhaled slowly and forced herself not to step aside.
"Too many people?"
Yuăn nodded once. "They stand too close."
Mika blinked—then smiled gently. "That's normal here. No one's trying to hurt you."
Inconceivable. Everyone is trying to hurt you.
Mika turned into a small store.
Why is the store so small? Is it a konbini?
Heat hit her the moment she stepped inside.
Even here?
The scent of food, plastic, and something faintly sweet mixed together hit her nose. She watched Mika move ahead.
Is this a bazaar? There's so much food here.
Yuăn let out a slow breath.
…they would've stuffed their faces till they popped.
Mika moved through the aisles without hesitation, plucking items from shelves and dropping them into a basket with practiced ease.
Yuăn followed half a step behind, eyes flicking from the rows of neatly arranged goods to the other humans weaving past them.
Everything had its place. Nothing was shouted over. No one guarded the food with a blade.
Absurd. What kind of world stores its provisions like this?
At the counter, Mika placed a couple of small, colored rectangles down.
Yuăn's gaze locked onto them.
What is this?
She watched closely as the person behind the counter exchanged the rectangles and metal disks for other ones—each one stamped and numbered.
These things must be an agreed-upon value system.
Yuǎn leaned closer to Mika. "Paper?"
Mika smiled as she grabbed the money from the tray. "This is Yen, the currency of Japan."
"These notes make it possible to buy goods like apples and bread."
Yuăn studied the money in Mika's hand.
This…yen looks fragile. Flammable. Easily destroyed.
In Des Monae, merit was proven by force.
She straightened slightly.
To live here… I must understand this system.
And perhaps—participate in it if I want to go back home.
They completed Mika's other task after leaving the store. The brown bags swung lightly at both of the women's sides. The crowd thinned, replaced by quieter streets and the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots.
Mika slowed, then spoke carefully.
"So… Fuyu," she said after a moment, not looking at her. "I don't mean to pry, but—what's your plan right now?"
Yuăn tilted her head.
Fuyu? Who the hell is that supposed to be?
Mika noticed her expression and winced a little, "Sorry, I-I wanted to give you a nickname. Was that bad?"
Yuăn stared at her.
Fuyu is…me?
I—uh…
She shook her head. "N-no, that's… okay. What do you mean by plan?"
Mika smiled. "I mean… your plan for living. Food, clothes. A place to stay long-term."
Yuăn considered the question.
Food, clothing, lodging— those are basic provisions.
Why was she asking as if I were expected to secure them for myself?
Is that what humans call a life?
She looked away.
"...I have no such plan."
Mika smiled gently. "That's okay, we'll figure it out."
Yuăn looked back sharply. "You would provide help without expecting a return? Inconceivable."
Mika smiled faintly. "People do that sometimes."
Yuăn studied her face.
She wasn't like the humans of Des Monae. There was not a trace of falsehood in her words.
"This world is…inefficient."
Mika laughed. "Yeah. It is."
Yuăn didn't smile.
She kept her eyes ahead as snow crunched beneath their boots.
The bags swung lightly at Mika's side, her words still echoing in Yuăn's mind.
People do that sometimes.
She had spoken of them as though they were simple things.
What kind of system survived on that?
The house came into view through the falling snow.
Mika adjusted the bags at her side as they walked up the path, her steps slowing only slightly near the door.
"You know," she said after a moment, glancing toward Yuăn, "once you're settled, we could see if there's any work for you."
Yuăn's gaze shifted to her.
Work?
Yuăn slowed half a step.
Mika reached the door and shifted the bags to one arm. "Something simple to start," she added, fishing for her keys. "Just until you figure things out."
"Work? Me?"
Mika nodded. "Or if you want to study, we have local colleges. You're clearly intelligent."
She unlocked the door and stepped inside. Yuăn paused just inside the doorway.
"To learn…while being provided resources?" She asked.
Mika smiled as she slipped off her shoes. "That's one way to put it."
Seriously?
Tutelage while being fed?
Remain in the domain while being clothed and sheltered?
No orders from the Demon King?
No payment demanded?
Unacceptable.
There had to be terms.
Her gaze drifted through the house.
A small domain. One entrance. Narrow approach. Civilians inside.
If they insist on keeping me here, then my job is obvious.
Protect the domain.
Yuăn's eyes sharpened with sudden clarity.
"Then I will defend this domain."
Mika blinked. "Pardon?"
"I will defend the domain. Any threat—social, physical, or otherwise—will be eliminated. In exchange, I require food and shelter."
Silence.
Yulisha, who had been pretending not to listen from the living room, slowly peeked around the corner.
"…Is she a knight?" she whispered.
Mika stared at Yuăn.
"…That's not how jobs work, Fuyu."
Yuǎn frowned. "You just described a system where humans exchange labor for sustenance."
"Yes, but not—" Mika gestured vaguely, "—life-binding oaths."
I, a demon lord, just offered to defend their domain.
And was refused?
Unacceptable.
"…I require clarification on acceptable forms of labor."
Mika laughed despite herself.
"Okay," she said. "We'll start there."
Haruto emerged from the back room, drying his hands on a towel.
"I heard something about 'binding oaths' and figured I should intervene," he said mildly.
Mika sighed. "She offered to become our household's sworn protector."
Haruto looked at Yuăn.
She met his gaze, completely serious.
He nodded once. "That looks like something you'd say."
Then he reached into a drawer by the counter and pulled out a thin stack of papers.
He slid the top one across the table toward her.
What are these? Sigils?
"This is a job application," he said. "A night shift spot at the local convenience store. I was going to apply for it myself, but… I think this fits you better."
Yuǎn stared at it.
Lines and symbols I don't understand?
One word caught her attention.
"This is… a summoning contract?" she said.
"No," Haruto replied. "It's worse."
Mika shot him a look.
Haruto shrugged. "You fill it out. They decide if they want you. If they say yes, you get paid."
Yuăn picked up the paper carefully.
"So my worth is evaluated before resources are provided?"
"Pretty much," Haruto said. "But don't overthink it."
Yulisha leaned over the table, peering at the form. "Does she have to write her name there?"
Mika nodded once. "Yes, that's right, Yui."
Yuăn stared at the empty line.
Easy.
Her hand moved before she fully thought it through.
Baal Yon—
She stopped.
No.
That name had no place here.
Even if half of it is true…
She swallowed once, then began again.
藤 崎 ,远 (Fujisaki, Yuăn).
She then stared at the next line.
Date of Birth.
She lifted the pen, then froze.
Wait… Des Monae measured time by cycles of harvests or eras of reign. Not numbers tied to a human calendar. The truth would bring more attention...
She put the pen down.
"…That one's tricky?" Mika asked gently.
Yuăn nodded. "I'm… not sure of my age."
Mika didn't laugh.
"…Okay, what year were you born?"
"2000," Yuǎn softly replied. "September 7th."
Mika exhaled. "That makes you about 25."
Yuǎn wrote it down, then stopped.
Her hand tightened around the pen.
Work experience? I led armies, managed supply lines, and enforced law. Even negotiated treaties—wait.
No.
I can't reveal that.
"I…don't know what to write here."
Mika studied her for a moment, then nodded. She pulled a chair closer and sat beside her.
"Okay, then don't."
"What?"
Yuăn froze.
What is this human doing? Is she going to attack?
"I'll do it," Mika said, already reaching for the pen. "You just tell me if something sounds unacceptable."
Yuăn hesitated.
She was…reaching for the pen.
"…Very well."
Mika leaned closer, pen poised over the form.
"Let's see," she murmured. "You lived with your family. You helped out. You're organized. You don't panic. And you clearly know how to follow procedures."
Yuăn blinked. "Those are… generous assumptions."
Mika smiled faintly. "They're also safe ones."
Yuăn watched the words appear. Unease curled low in her chest.
"This implies subordination."
Mika paused. "Is that a problem?"
These humans lie—
To make themselves usable?
Unbelievable.
"…No."
Mika continued.
"Any customer service?" she asked.
Yuăn tilted her head. "I was able to live by myself for two months without being discovered."
Mika sighed. "That's… not what I was asking, but I can work with that."
Yuăn's eyes moved to the next line.
Current Address.
Current Address?
I cannot claim one.
Mika noticed the pause and followed her gaze. "That one's easy, you're staying with us, right?"
Yuăn grabbed her arm.
"I am here temporarily, I do not wish to claim something that is not mine."
Mika softened. "It's not a claim. It's just… where you are."
Yuăn looked away.
In Des Monae, territory was seized, defended, bled for.
Territory belonged only to those who could hold it.
I don't defend their domain, so I have no right to call it mine.
Haruto leaned against the counter. "If it helps, think of it as borrowing."
Yuăn hesitated—then nodded once.
Mika wrote their address as Yuăn watched the ink dry.
"And the final one, which is 'Emergency Contact'."
Mika scribbled her name, then Haruto's.
Yuăn froze.
I didn't agree to that.
But before she could say anything, Yulisha tilted her head, peering at Yuăn. "Mom… can I call her my big sister?"
Big sister?
Yuăn blinked, caught off guard again.
She glanced at Mika, who was still focused on the paper, then at Haruto, who looked no less surprised.
Was the child speaking to me?
Yulisha leaned further over the table, eyes bright with expectation. "You're staying here, right?" she asked. "So can I?"
Yuăn opened her mouth, then closed it again. That title sat strangely in her chest.
A human being 'family' to me?
Inconceivable.
"I am not—" she began, then stopped.
Not what?
Safe?
Human?
Yulisha must have mistaken the pause for hesitation rather than refusal.
"You could help me with homework," she offered helpfully. "And if bad people come, you can scare them away."
Mika pressed her fingers briefly to her forehead.
"Yuli…"
Haruto coughed into his hand, poorly hiding a smile.
Yuăn looked down at the form again.
Emergency contact.
Address.
Now this.
The child was watching her as if the answer mattered.
My kin sibling is—
Forget it… it's in the past.
"…If you wish," she said cautiously.
Yulisha didn't wait for permission beyond that.
She slid off her chair and padded over, tugging lightly at Yuăn's sleeve as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Then you have to sit next to me. Big sisters sit next to me."
Yuăn stiffened at the contact.
She looked down at the small hand gripping her sleeve. Warm. Unafraid.
"…Is this required?" Yuăn asked, quietly.
Yulisha nodded with complete certainty. "Yes."
Haruto snorted softly into his tea. Mika shot him a look, then glanced at Yuăn.
She hesitated. Then moved one seat over.
I don't get her.
Yulisha beamed and climbed back into her chair, close enough now that their shoulders almost touched.
Mika resumed stacking the papers, as if nothing remarkable had happened, but her mouth curved just slightly at the edges.
"So," Yulisha said, swinging her legs, "do you like sweet things?"
"Sweet… things?"
Yulisha gasped, scandalized. "You've never had sweets?"
Yuăn shook her head.
Yulisha leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I like strawberry mochi. Mom says I can only have it sometimes, but big sisters are different."
Yuăn's gaze flicked instinctively to Mika.
Mika met her eyes, amused. "Big sisters don't overrule parents," she said lightly.
Yulisha pouted. "Not fair."
"…Strawberry," Yuăn repeated quietly.
Yulisha's pout vanished instantly. "You'll remember?"
"Yes."
Satisfied, Yulisha leaned back in her chair and began humming to herself.
Yuăn lowered her gaze to the table, fingers curling slightly against the wood.
…This world is dangerous.
Yuăn turned her head slightly toward Mika.
"…What labor does she perform?"
Mika blinked. "Labor?"
She glanced at Yulisha, who was busy swinging her legs again.
"She doesn't," Mika said simply. "She's five. She goes to school."
Yuăn frowned. "School, like what you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes. That's her job right now. Learning."
Yuăn looked back at Yulisha.
Mika sighed softly, "speaking of which… Yuli, did you finish your homework?"
Yulisha froze mid-swing.
Slowly, she looked up. "…I was going to."
Mika crossed her arms. "That wasn't an answer." She glared at Haruto.
"And daddy was supposed to make sure you did your homework, correct?"
Haruto lifted his hand. "I reminded her."
Yulisha nodded eagerly. "He did!"
Mika's temple twitched faintly.
Yuăn recognized the expression.
Is she going to cast them into the abyss? Exile them? Remove their inheritance?
Mika closed her eyes for a moment and sighed.
"Okay," she said at last.
She turned to Haruto. "Homework. With Yulisha. Now."
Yulisha groaned dramatically. "But I—"
"Now."
Haruto raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Come on, Yui."
Yulisha slid off her chair, dragging her feet the whole way. "You're mean…"
"I'm making sure my Yuli grows into something grand," Mika replied, already turning away.
"And you," Mika continued, "you're coming with me."
Yuăn straightened. "For what purpose?"
"To drop off your application," Mika said, reaching for her coat. "And maybe grab lunch on the way."
"…Understood," Yuăn said.