Seeing Haruhime feel guilty for not being helpful, Takumi reached out and pinched her soft, fair cheeks.
"You can do plenty for me~"
"Can Haruhime really help Takumi-sama a lot?"
Not understanding the deeper meaning in Takumi's words, Haruhime blinked blankly, those long lashes fluttering.
"Sign this contract with me, and you can stay by my side—always."
Like a suspicious onii-san coaxing a child, Takumi unfolded a [Master–Servant Contract].
Haruhime didn't hesitate in the slightest and agreed at once.
A pink, heart-shaped collar sigil bloomed against the snow-white column of her throat.
The power slumbering in Haruhime stirred and surged forth. Under Takumi's gaze, her status panel transformed drastically.
[Name: Haruhime Sanjouno]
[Class: Renard Mage]
[Level: 1]
[Traits: Myriad-Treasure Mallet (Blue), Renard Bloodline (Blue), Fortune's Favored (Blue) …]
[Myriad-Treasure Mallet (Blue): You may select someone other than yourself to raise their power by one tier. Lasts 15 minutes. Cannot target an existence with an excessive power gap.]
[Renard Bloodline (Blue): Fox-beastkin with rare talent for magic.]
At the [Myriad-Treasure Mallet] entry, Takumi immediately signaled to Haruhime. "Haruhime, feel the change within you and try using this power on me."
"Eh… U-Understood. I'll try, Takumi-sama."
Feeling the magic roiling inside, Haruhime began to chant.
"Grow. That power and that vessel. Breadth of wealth and breadth of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion."
"Grow. Confine divine offerings within this body. This golden light bestowed from above. Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you."
"Grow"
As the incantation ended, the magic within Haruhime wove into streams of gold and poured into Takumi.
In an instant, Takumi's aura spiked by nearly three tiers.
The surge startled him. By rights, the gap between him and Haruhime was no smaller than that between an ant and a human—yet the buff was still this high.
"A divine technique. If not for the restrictions, this would be a straight Purple, even Gold, Trait."
The look he gave Haruhime burned hotter.
Haruhime's enhancement wasn't as explosive as the Gauntlet's Boost, but it was comprehensive—and it stacked with Boost. Most crucially, Haruhime's uplift put no strain on his body. That was something the Gauntlet's stacking boosts could never achieve.
Under that heated gaze, Haruhime's weak expression blossomed into a happy smile. Being of use to Takumi—that was her greatest happiness now.
As she swayed on her feet, Takumi slid an arm around her slender waist.
"[Heal]."
In the next moment, Haruhime's stamina and mana were restored to full.
Revived, she bowed at once. "Many thanks, Takumi-sama."
"No, I should be thanking you, Haruhime."
He patted her little head, laughing heartily. This support was too good—at clutch moments, it could flip the board.
Haruhime's cheeks glowed rosy; she wore the shy look of a little bride.
After walking a while at Takumi's side, she finally asked, "Takumi-sama, where are we going?"
"Orario. That's where I'm headed."
The instant she heard the destination, Haruhime's eyes widened in surprise.
"Orario… the land of the gods… Takumi-sama, you're going there?"
"Mm. The two adoptive mothers who raised me are in Orario. It's been a while since their last letter. I'm going to track them down."
His brief explanation left Haruhime flustered, not knowing how to comfort him. At last, she squeezed his hand and murmured softly. "Takumi-sama, your two mothers will surely be alright."
"I'll borrow your luck, Haruhime. Still… the way you're working so hard to comfort me feels very motherly~"
"Mm—m-motherly… you flatter me, Takumi-sama." Her voice shrank to a whisper, bright eyes sneaking a careful peek at him.
For some reason, a thought flashed through her mind—If I could have a child with Takumi-sama, then…
"Mm-mm! How could I think that—that's too naughty!" Haruhime shook her head at once, scolding herself.
Seeing her mutter such a random line, Takumi didn't pry. He'd spent enough time around girls to read some of their hearts—let alone a pure one like Haruhime. If he dug now, he'd only embarrass her.
Because Haruhime had joined him, Takumi's travel speed dropped for half a day. Seeing night fall, he decided against a forced march.
He brought Haruhime straight into the Interdimensional Realm.
Spotting a newcomer, Anna greeted her with a warm smile. "A new little sister? Come, sit here—I'm Anna."
"Hello, Sister Anna!" Haruhime bowed respectfully, her manners impeccable.
Seeing Haruhime's gentle temper, adorable looks, and that she was Renard too—after hearing her story from Takumi—Anna couldn't help but dote on her.
"Guren, stop sleeping. You've got a sister!"
Takumi, on the other hand, eyed the ball curled up and snoring in her nest—Guren.
She'd shifted back into a little fox, snoozing in the most disarming pose.
This girl slept all day every day; Takumi itched to say, "Keep sleeping and I'll fuck you."
Jolted awake, Guren lifted her small head, exasperated.
"I got manhandled like that by you, Master—can't I at least nap? Besides, I just awakened as a divine beast, okay? My body's still growing—sleeping is normal!"
She stretched lazily, grumbling under her breath. Her whole attitude screamed, play if you want, I'm still going to sleep.
But when she noticed the fox girl beside her, Guren roused a little spirit.
"Same species as me? Sniff Sniff No… hmm."
After sniffing Haruhime and realizing they weren't the same, her interest evaporated.
Haruhime blinked curiously at the talking little fox. "Takumi-sama, is this Miss Guren? She's so cute—may I pet her?"
"Of course."
"Hey~ don't agree for me!" Guren protested, but didn't actually stop Haruhime's hand from reaching over.
Watching a fox-girl pet a little fox, Takumi clicked his tongue. Something felt off—like Goofy walking Pluto on a leash.
One thing at a time, though; he didn't interrupt their bonding. After enjoying a dinner cooked by Anna, he yawned and headed to bed.
Once he entered the bedroom, Anna and Haruhime settled in for some earnest girl talk in the living room.
"Haruhime, do you like Takumi-kun?"
Faced with Anna's blunt question, Haruhime's ears flushed crimson, surprise on her face.
"Eh? You mean Takumi-sama… mm… I… like him~" She murmured the words in a tiny voice, then shyly nodded.
At that, Anna's smile turned meaningfully teasing. She leaned to Haruhime's ear and began whispering softly.
As the whispers went on, Haruhime's cheeks grew redder and redder, and her bashful gaze kept flicking toward Takumi's bedroom door…
...
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