Sophie and Yugiri were walking around the city, both holding a small bouquet of flowers, laughing and giggling.
Meanwhile, Senzo was carrying all the bags and boxes they had bought during the day already.
"So what's the next destination?" he leisurely inquired.
The princess turned to Yugiri and crouched down a little. "Do you want to have some tea at that cafe next?"
"Okay."
Senzo could only smile at the sight; the little girl that had been so timid was now finally being an actual kid and just enjoying herself.
"Heeey!"
All three of them turned toward the person that had just shouted toward them.
Andy came running toward them, waving his arms wildly to grab their attention.
"Isn't it about time you all head back? The princess's life is still being targeted, you know," he said, looking straight at Princess Sophie.
Senzo just rolled his eyes, and Yugiri started pouting. "No! The major said I can play as long as I want as long as Senzo is here!" She resolutely stated, grabbing Senzo's sleeve.
And with puppy eyes she looked upwards at him, trying to get him to do something about Andy.
The princess also turned toward Senzo, a sad smile on her face. "I beg you. Please watch over me just a little bit longer."
"I will, don't worry. You heard what Yugiri said, right? As long as she wants to play and I'm here, she can play."
Then he turned to Andy, rolling his eyes slightly. "Get out of here; you're ruining it for them. And I'm here, so there's literally nothing to worry about."
After he said that, the three left the stunned Andy standing there, his mouth hung open slightly, and he stared at their backs.
"I..."
"I was just looking out for her safety?! Why am I getting treated like this?" He couldn't understand it; all because a little kid wanted to play outside during a mission, they let her?
"You're way too clueless."
Andy suddenly heard; turning his head sharply, he saw Momiji standing there leaning against the wall.
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you think the major sent Senzo with them? It's not just for fun, you know; Senzo is about as powerful as the major and probably the best guard in the entirety of Pandra."
Momiji casually said, glancing at the three that had just gone around the corner, a slight pout appearing on her face for a second.
The gears were slowly turning in Andy's head. He was that powerful?
He had known Senzo was powerful, also seeing his superiors' reaction, but that powerful? That's insane; Hyoubu is the highest-level esper on the planet, and that guy was just as powerful.
"So he sent Senzo specifically to let her play as long as she wants?" he asked, scratching his head.
"Yes, for that and some other reasons you don't need to know. So just let her be; she deserves it after everything she has been through." Momiji stated, a somber look appearing on her face.
"Well now you know a little; just let them be with Senzo, and everything will be fine. Oh yeah, the major ordered you to return to the hotel. See ya."
"No!"
But before Andy could get another word in, Momiji teleported away.
"..."
"For God's sake, take me with you! I now have the limiter on so my powers don't work!" Andy grumbled, clenching his fist; after taking one last look at the trio leisurely enjoying their tea, he heaved a heavy sigh and started walking back toward the hotel.
Sitting at an outside table, Sophie and Yugiri were enjoying their tea, and Senzo sat at a table a little further away, making sure their perimeter was safe at all times.
"Hehe, it's the first time I've walked around the city so freely!" The princess enthusiastically exclaimed, her expression so peaceful. Senzo was mesmerized for a moment.
"Are you having fun too?" She asked the little girl sitting across from her.
Yugiri nodded with the large cup in her hands while she was sipping her drink.
"Hehe, I'm glad."
"Hey, is there anywhere you'd like to go in particular? I'd like to express my gratitude to you for protecting me today." She suddenly asked the little girl.
When Senzo heard that, he knew it was about time for it to happen.
Yugiri slowly put her cup down, staring straight at the princess.
"..."
She was silent for a while and glanced at Senzo, but she saw him nod with a smile on his face, and after seeing that, she had made up her mind.
"Mmh, there is."
***
Minamoto and Sakaki sat across from the chief and his aides, with different, grave expressions on all their faces.
"In other words, the Esper criminal organization Pandra kidnapped the princess in order to protect her? Is that what you're saying?" The chief asked, raising an eyebrow at the unbelievable story he had just heard.
"Yes." Minamoto resolutely replied.
"There were also residual thoughts from the assassin in the ceremony hall."
When he said that the chief became outraged, slamming his hands on the desk in front of him with full force, he glared at the two Japanese officials.
"Are you suspecting me, the chief of security of the Kingdom of Monarch's security force, to be an assassin?!" He screamed.
"..."
Minamoto glanced at the chief, and with a sigh, he tried to calm him down.
"I did not say that. After all, Chief Degas. You were investigating on your own the whole time. To protect the life of the princess. Or am I wrong?"
"You already knew even that. It seems you aren't in Babel for nothing."
Hearing Minamoto say that calmed him down, and he sat down again, a sad look appearing on his face.
"The princess stands for protection of espers. So she has plenty of enemies, which makes protecting her all the harder." he said, clenching his fist.
Now Minamoto looked straight at him. "Even inside the government?"
"That's right. And that makes it even harder to find them." Degas replied.
"There should be someone among the people in the security force that guided the assassin; do you know who that might be?"
Chief Degas closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about what Minamoto had just asked, and then he turned toward his assistant that stood behind him.
"Where is Sisley?"
"Mr. Sisley received a phone call a while ago and left." The assistant casually mentioned, readjusting her glasses.
Minamoto and Degas looked at her in shock, then without hesitation Sakaki jumped up and rushed to the phone.
He put his hand on it and read all the residual thoughts; what he saw left him stunned.
The princess is at the old orphanage.
Understood, there is no need to report to the rest.
"Shit! This is bad, Minamoto!" Sakaki exclaimed.