Before the car fully stopped, Mei jumped out. Kiana hurried after her, but the car doors locked automatically.
"You…"
Michael didn't turn, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. After a moment, he said, "Kiana-san… thank you… for what you did… in the classroom."
His words were hesitant, carefully chosen, yet they sounded disjointed to Kiana, reflecting his own inner turmoil.
"Um… what should I call you? Big bro? Mister…?" He looked young, but the adoption agreement and his role as Mei's father suggested otherwise.
"Michael is fine."
"Ah… okay…" Kiana, usually fearless, felt strangely nervous around Michael, her voice softening, her demeanor more subdued.
But she could overcome it. She took a deep breath, regaining her usual bubbly tone. "Hmph! It was nothing! Even if Mei's father made a mistake… I mean, even if Mr. Ryōma did something wrong, it's his problem, not Mei's! Why should she suffer for it? Those girls were just bullies!"
Michael continued tapping the steering wheel, Kiana's words giving him pause. He shook his head. "Everyone understands that, but people rarely act according to what they know. So, Kiana, thank you."
"Eh?"
"The first 'thank you' was on Mei's behalf. The second one is from me." He turned, offering a meaningful smile.
Only he knew how much of that "thank you" was for Mei, and how much was for something else entirely.
Kiana, sensing something amiss, couldn't pinpoint what it was. The feeling quickly faded.
Thinking of Mei, she explained shyly, "Actually, Mei helped me first…"
She recounted the events of the previous day. "Since my father left, no one has been so kind to me. Mei treated my ankle, shared her bento… I accidentally ate it all, but she wasn't angry. And this morning, she defended me… She didn't even know me, yet she helped me so many times. I didn't need a reason to help her back."
Her narrative was simple, almost childish. Michael, knowing everything that had transpired between them, couldn't help but smile.
He shook his head, the rear passenger door unlocking.
He had more to say, but Kiana jumped out.
"This kid…" He didn't stop her. He knew she'd be back.
She took a few steps, then stopped, looking around, lost, then returned.
"Hey! Michael! Is this… Mei's house?"
"Yes."
"Um… could you… give me a ride home? Hee hee…"
Michael facepalmed. Only Kiana would realize this now.
"Kiana, that's what I wanted to ask you."
"Eh? What?"
"Mei's not in a good state. I have things to deal with and can't stay with her. Could you keep her company this afternoon? Make sure she doesn't do anything… foolish?"
"Ah? Sure!" She was already here, and she had no other options. She didn't know Nagazora City well, and without money, getting back to her apartment would be difficult. But she didn't mind. Secretly, she was delighted. She could spend more time with Mei.
Michael chuckled, easily reading her thoughts. "I might not be free to take you back tonight. Why don't you stay over with Mei?"
"Stay… over?" Kiana stammered. Michael smiled inwardly. "Is there a problem? We have plenty of toiletries, and you can borrow Mei's clothes."
"Borrow… Mei's…" Seeing Kiana blushing, Michael stopped teasing her. He got out of the car, his demeanor suddenly colder, and entered the villa without waiting for her reply.
Kiana followed. Two men sat stiffly on the living room sofa. A round face peeked out from the kitchen, then quickly retreated.
Michael recognized the men: Komatsu, whom he'd met earlier, and Grigori, head of Ryōma's "security department."
The face in the kitchen belonged to Ryōma's chef. With Ryōma arrested, he assumed he was out of a job and was packing his bags when the other two men arrived. Unsure of the situation, he'd hidden in the kitchen.
"Where's Mei?" Michael's tone, though calm, betrayed his concern.
Grigori and Komatsu exchanged glances. Komatsu spoke. "She's in her room."
"Oh." Michael patted Kiana's shoulder. "Go keep her company."
Kiana, sensing the tense atmosphere, understood this was what Michael needed to "deal with." She smiled, about to introduce herself, when Michael patted her shoulder again.
She was a child, and children should be like this, retaining their naive kindness despite their experiences.
As she took a step forward, Grigori asked sternly, "Who is she?"
"She," not "you." He wasn't asking Kiana. Kiana glared at him, but his gaze was fixed on Michael.
"Kiana, Mei's classmate. When I arrived at the school, Mei was being bullied. She was the only one who helped her." Michael emphasized "only," but the two men seemed not to notice. Komatsu jumped up, exclaiming, "What? Mei-sama was bullied? Who did it? I'll…"
"Ahem!" Grigori interrupted. "Lower your voice! Do you want Mei-sama to hear?"
Michael shook his head. "It's taken care of. The bullies lost an arm each. The ringleader… well, she'll be bedridden for life."
Kiana stared at him, shocked.
"Just kidding. Go keep Mei company. Hurry!"
Assured of Kiana's "safety," Grigori and Komatsu didn't stop her. Secretly, they were relieved Mei had made a true friend.
Ryōma's security department wasn't part of ME Corp, but his personal guard.
Its existence was somewhat redundant. Ryōma, a kendo master enhanced by Anti-Entropy tech, could handle most threats himself. In situations requiring backup, tactical mechs were more effective than human guards.
But it still served a purpose: protecting Mei and providing Ryōma with an independent force should his interests clash with ME Corp or Anti-Entropy.
In Grigori's eyes, this was such a situation. Although Ryōma hadn't given any orders, the security department had mobilized, neglecting Mei's protection. He was relieved nothing serious had happened.
"Th-that serious…? Will there be trouble?" The chef's sudden appearance startled them. Resigned to his fate, he'd brought them glasses of juice.
"Possibly. Should we take care of it?" Grigori's eyes narrowed. Michael understood his meaning, but he shook his head. "No need. I can handle it. No one died. What trouble could they cause?"
The words hung in the air. Michael paused, his expression darkening.
He'd been too harsh. But more importantly… He'd once agonized over using the Herrscher of Sentience's powers to read his comrades' minds. Five hundred years ago, he'd wept before Elysia's memory, steeling his resolve. Now, he could cripple a girl, not entirely innocent, but certainly not deserving of such punishment, without a shred of remorse.
He clenched his hand, then released it. "I'll… have her hospitalized for a week. Deal with the rest later."
He'd told a half-truth. Chiba Academy was prestigious. Even Ryōma respected it. Michael's actions would cause complications.
He could resolve it with his powers, but that would involve manipulating too many people. He'd do it if necessary, but it wasn't needed.
This involved the future second and third Herrschers. Their secrets were hidden from most, but not from the higher-ups of Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent. Chiba Academy was filled with their spies. They wouldn't let this incident escalate, to ensure the girls followed their predetermined paths.
Oh, and a fourth party. He'd seen Gray Serpent today…
The thought gave him a headache.
But that was for later. He had to deal with the present. He didn't believe Grigori and Komatsu were here for juice. He knew what they wanted. Child's play, really.
He sat across from Grigori, sipping his juice. "Good juice. Get some for Mei and Kiana as well."
The chef hurried to the kitchen, then took two glasses upstairs. The men remained silent.
Well, not entirely. Michael didn't need to speak, Komatsu wasn't allowed to, and Grigori was waiting for the chef to leave, not wanting Mei to overhear a single word.
Grigori finished his juice, placing the empty glass on the coffee table.
"Michael, it's been eight years since we last met."
"Indeed." Michael's tone was neutral. Connecting with Ryōma had required… unconventional methods, to prove his identity and secure the deal.
"I was present for that transaction. As per the agreement, you're Mei-sama's guardian now."
"Yes." Michael casually swirled his juice, watching it drip down the glass, seemingly more interesting than Grigori.
Grigori didn't mind. Michael's presence here was a sign of respect.
He got to the point. "Ryōma was framed by Cocolia. We intend to make her pay and rescue him. Michael, as Mei-sama's guardian and Ryōma's friend, I expect your assistance."
His tone was blunt, almost a command.
Michael shook his head slowly but firmly.
Komatsu started to get up, but Grigori stopped him. "Michael, may I ask why?"
Michael glanced at him, not wanting to explain, but also not wanting to complicate things. "Simple. That wasn't part of our agreement."
"We can make a new deal…"
Michael waved his hand dismissively. "I already received what I wanted eight years ago."
"I see…" Grigori clenched his fist, knowing Michael's decision was final. He stood up to leave.
But Komatsu, losing his patience, jumped up, grabbing Michael's shoulder. "Michael! Everyone knows Ryōma-sama was framed! He's helped you! You won't even lift a finger to help him? Do you have no conscience?!"
Michael didn't reply, simply taking a breath.
"First, Ryōma and I aren't friends. He hasn't done me any favors. Our relationship was purely transactional. Second…" Michael smiled contemptuously. "What is a conscience? I don't have one."
"You…"
"Komatsu, let's go." Grigori, unsurprised, pulled the reluctant Komatsu towards the door. As they opened it, Michael spoke.
"A word of advice: don't provoke Cocolia."