The Rider, of course, was the transformed form of Touka Akatsuki, named Idunn. The name was taken from the Norse goddess responsible for guarding the golden apples.
After confirming that her target had successfully collapsed, she turned, opened a crack, and departed.
"Raven-san is truly amazing. Just one bite from him and all the side effects of my Helheim erosion are completely gone."
Returning to the café using Helheim as a transit point, Touka spoke with genuine feeling.
She immediately prepared to report her daily progress to Raven. Thus, without even taking off the black female investigator uniform she was wearing, she walked up to Raven's room.
"Raven-san, may I come in?"
"Come in."
Raven, who was inside the room, had already noticed Touka's return and called out to her.
Touka pushed the door open and entered. She was still wearing the brand-new, one-piece investigator uniform, complete with a pair of black high-heeled boots.
This uniform was slightly different from the one she wore in the original show. It was more figure-hugging, glossier, and sexier. It even had a zipper, making it very convenient for bathroom breaks and, well, for other business...
"You didn't reward them, did you?"
Raven was a little stunned himself. Going out dressed like that—it was a good thing it was dark out. Otherwise, any man would have been unable to look away.
"Of course not. I stayed hidden in the shadows, and only transformed to attack. And besides you, no one else has seen me like this..."
Touka smiled faintly. To make a better impression on Raven, she had deliberately swapped the uniform she originally prepared for the one she was currently wearing.
It seemed the effect was good. Now, her main task was to serve Raven and please him. Attacking Yggdrasill personnel was secondary.
So, she walked with a model's cat-like stride, swaying her hips provocatively as she approached Raven. Then, she turned her back to him and bent over. She placed one hand on the zipper and slowly pulled it down.
At that moment, Raven instantly transformed into the wicked capitalist he was, preparing to invest several billion in funds into Touka Akatsuki.
The next morning, Raven woke up.
His maid, Touka, had risen even earlier and prepared his breakfast. She gave him another surprise: her outfit had changed from the investigator uniform of the previous night to a maid uniform.
The training Touka received while growing up in the Kureshima household included both maid service and secret agent work. Both outfits looked completely natural on her.
"Why are you dressed like this so early? If she comes, I won't be able to explain it," Raven said, slightly worried.
Although he had already won over Akira, he wasn't yet at the point where he could be as brazen as he was with Yuka and Saya.
But despite his words, his eyes remained fixed on Touka. Both the investigator uniform and this maid outfit highlighted her straight, shapely legs. Who wouldn't want such a smart, capable, and sexy maid by their side?
"Raven-san, Miss Kazuraba doesn't arrive until 9:30. It's only 8:00 right now, so please relax," Touka said. Her legs, beneath the maid's miniskirt, were wrapped in black stockings, which were incredibly eye-catching.
She carried the pan-fried steak from the kitchen to the dining table. She had meticulously prepared everything for him, and then stood aside, watching Raven eat.
"Since that's the case, then you sit down, too."
Raven felt a little uncomfortable with Touka standing right beside him.
"No, that's the rule. A maid cannot dine with her master," Touka replied instinctively. These rules were deeply ingrained in her mind.
"Then sit here." Raven patted his lap and said to her.
"Alright..."
Touka's face immediately flushed. She didn't hesitate and sat on his lap, sideways.
The tantalizing breakfast was soon finished. It was almost time to open the store.
After Touka cleaned up the dishes, Akira arrived at the shop. Touka had changed out of her maid uniform into the shop's uniform, and except for the black stockings she was still wearing, no one would notice anything amiss.
Akira, unaware of the situation, embraced Raven in a warm hug, bumping him affectionately as was her custom. A night apart felt like three years. Akira missed him terribly and was looking forward to moving in with Raven soon. After all, her younger brother was grown up now and could more or less take care of himself.
"Touka, are you comfortable staying here these past few days?" Akira asked Touka.
"Yes, the environment here is very good, and Raven-san is also very kind and takes good care of me," Touka said to Akira.
Hearing the word 'care,' Raven felt a little unnatural. He was indeed quite 'caring.' He had invested several billion in funds—how could he not be caring?
Akira had known from the beginning that Touka was living at the shop. She had even been the first to agree to it. After all, the upstairs room was empty, so they might as well let Touka save on rent. It showed how truly kind-hearted she was.
At that moment, Touka's gaze toward Akira was filled with a trace of apology. The other woman was so kind to her, yet she and Raven were...
However, she had no choice. She had no intention of interfering in their relationship; she just wanted to be a maid who served Raven by his side.
Meanwhile, having learned that Sid had been attacked and seriously injured, Takatora rushed from his home to the company early in the morning.
"How is Sid's condition?" Takatora asked Yoko Minato, who was scurrying toward him after he stepped off the elevator.
"He's badly hurt. From the nature of the attack, we can basically confirm it was the previous attacker," Yoko replied.
"Even if the enemy caught him off guard, I didn't expect Sid to be completely helpless," Takatora said, perplexed.
"Chief, you should also be careful."
"Don't worry about me. On the contrary, if the enemy targets me, this whole thing might be resolved sooner," Takatora said confidently.
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