Kanna glanced around the cramped apartment with a slight frown. "This lair is kinda small…"
Kobayashi looked away, a little embarrassed. "It's not a lair, Kanna-chan. It's called an apartment."
"I know," Kanna said innocently. "Shiro Sakamaki's lair is called an apartment too!"
Shiro Sakamaki: "…"
"Well, if you really want to, you can come with me," he said with a soft smile.
"Yay! Then… I'll just call you Thor from now on, okay?"
Thor narrowed her eyes, still trying to figure out what exactly was so special about Shiro.
She examined him from head to toe again—yes, he was strong for a human, but to a dragon? Still not quite enough.
She sighed. "Well, since Kanna chose to go with you, I won't object. But if I ever find out you bullied her…"
Her pupils, slit like a beast's, shrank. A dangerous, overwhelming wave of magical pressure suddenly filled the room.
"I'll kill you."
Shiro didn't flinch. He smiled and gently lifted Kanna into his arms.
"How could I ever bully someone this cute? Right, Kanna-chan?"
"Yep!"
Kobayashi cut in, deadpan: "You really are a lolicon, huh."
"At least I'm not a lesbian," Shiro shot back casually.
Their banter faded as Kanna officially chose to go with Shiro. Before they left, Thor pulled him aside.
"Bring Kanna back for visits. Only Kanna."
The subtext was clear. Kanna was welcome. Shiro… not so much.
He could only smile wryly, not quite understanding the deep hostility Thor had toward him.
---
On the way home, Kanna sat proudly on Shiro's shoulders, her stubby legs swinging as her eyes darted around curiously.
Given Kanna's size, none of the daily essentials at home suited her. Shiro figured it was a good time to stop by the store and grab everything they'd need.
At the supermarket, Shiro picked out the necessary items while Kanna's attention was entirely captured by the snack section. Her eyes sparkled like jewels at the mountain of treats.
"Kanna-chan, let's get the basics first. We'll grab snacks afterward, okay?"
"Can I eat anything I want?"
"Of course. Pick what you like first, and we'll come back for snacks later."
"You're the best, Shiro!"
They worked their way through the aisles, starting with bathroom essentials. From shampoo and towels to a tiny toothbrush and slippers, they grabbed everything.
Once done, Shiro pushed the cart toward the snack section, where Kanna climbed into the little seat. Faced with an entire wall of goodies, her eyes gleamed with desire.
She picked up one, then another, arms full—before looking at the already-stuffed cart and pausing, conflicted.
While they were mid-selection, a familiar voice called out behind them.
"Is that you, Shiro Sakamaki?"
He turned to see a girl in supermarket work clothes standing beside a shelf.
The uniform looked a little oversized, but it couldn't hide her elegance. Tall, with her long hair tied into a neat ponytail, it was unmistakably Nanami Aoyama.
"Ah—Nanami-san. Good afternoon."
Shiro looked her over briefly. "You look a lot better today."
Nanami blushed slightly. "I'm sorry about last time. I caused trouble for you."
"Not at all. You've changed jobs again?"
"No, no," she said, waving her hands quickly. "The store manager was nice enough to lend me here temporarily. This place's boss used to help me out too."
She hesitated, fiddling with the hem of her apron.
"I-I also told my manager I'd help clean your place tonight."
"Oh, no rush," Shiro said lightly. "If you're busy, take care of your own stuff first. The apartment isn't that dusty."
Nanami's face flushed, clearly flustered. She hadn't expected to run into him, especially after agreeing to visit his home—and now he'd seen her doing something else. She looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.
Just then, a voice called from another aisle: "Nanami-chan, I need help over here!"
"Coming!" she replied, almost too eagerly, as if it was her saving grace.
"I'll be going, Shiro-kun. Please excuse me!"
"Sure."
She gave a small bow and hurried off, ears pink and hands clenched nervously at her sides.
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