Girls are scary...

   Sakura crossed her arms with a playful smirk. “I understand that I said I wanted to return the favor one day, but I didn’t think you’d call so quickly.”

   We were standing in the middle of the shopping mall. Shoppers moved around us, carrying bags and chatting animatedly.

   I smiled at Sakura’s comment. “I’m glad you managed to come on such short notice. Thanks for making the time.” I gestured toward Lilith, who stood to my side. “Oh, by the way, let me introduce you two. This is Lilith, first daughter of the Vermillion clan. And Lilith, this is Sakura, the person I mentioned before.”

   The moment my words sank in, Sakura’s eyes widened as if she’d just been told she was standing in front of royalty—which, in a way, she was. 

   “Y-you’re the first daughter of the Vermillion clan?!” 

   Her voice cracked slightly, making her own surprise even more obvious. Her gaze darted between Lilith and me.

   I glanced at Lilith, raising an eyebrow. “I had a feeling this will happen, but being a member of one of the 13 clans seriously makes people react this way, huh...”

   Lilith gave a small nod. “Yes, but I didn’t expect it to be this big, especially since she already knows you, the future successor of the Naberius Clan.”

   “Wait… what?" Sakura blinked rapidly. "Noah is the future successor of the Naberius Clan?!”

   “Ah… right. I forgot to mention that last time. My bad.”

   "..."

   But there was no response. Sakura stood frozen.

   “Um… Sakura?” 

   No reaction. She was completely still, her face went pale. It was only when I leaned forward that I realized—she had fainted while standing up.

   “Sakura?!” 

* * *

   After a tense moment, Sakura’s eyelids fluttered open. She blinked rapidly, looking around in confusion. 

   “Where... am I?”

   “Glad you’re awake,” I said with a sigh of relief. “You okay?”

   She nodded slowly, still processing everything. “Yes… it’s just… I never expected to meet such important people in person. And two at the same time, no less.”

   I scratched my cheek awkwardly. “Sorry again for not mentioning that earlier.”

   “It’s fine, please don't worry... Mister Noah?”

   I groaned. “No need to be formal. We’re friends, remember?”

   “And you don’t have to use polite language with me either.” Lilith chimed in.

   “I see…” Sakura said, her tone easing a little. She turned to Lilith, offering a small bow. “My name is Sakura. Nice to meet you.”

   Lilith returned the gesture with a composed nod. “Likewise.”

   With introductions out of the way, I clapped my hands lightly. 

   “Alright, now that we’re all acquainted, I have something important to say.”

   Sakura tilted her head. “Important?”

   "Yeah, the problem is..." I turned toward Luna, who had been standing quietly behind me. “Luna needs new clothes.”

   “Master?!” 

   “Listen Luna. You only ever wear your maid outfit. That's such a waste. So, we’re going to fix that today.”

   Lilith frowned and whispered to my ear. “Noah, weren’t you supposed to be helping me with my problem?”

   “Relax, everything’s under control. Besides…” I added with a mischievous smile, “you have the opportunity to dress this lovely girl in whatever you want. Do you really want to waste such an opportunity?”

   “Master. Thank you very much for the offer, but as your maid, I don’t need anything beyond my working attire.”

   I turned back to Lilith. “See—?!” 

   But, Lilith was no longer standing there.

   In the blink of an eye, she reappeared on Luna’s left, while Sakura had moved to her right. Together, they held Luna firmly under her arms, preventing any chance of escape.

   “Oh, no. That’s not right.” Said Lilith.

   Sakura chimed in enthusiastically, “Exactly! A cute girl like you actually has a duty to dress nicely.”

   “C-cute?!” Luna’s face flushed a deeper shade of red.

   Watching the scene unfold, I couldn’t help but smirk. Luna had always been sensitive about her appearance, because of her past experience. A genuine compliment like that would throw her completely off balance.

   Just one more push…

   I approached Luna, leaning slightly to catch her gaze. “Besides, visiting local clothing stores and trying on local fashions is also a great way to sightsee, right?” 

   I turned toward Sakura and Lilith, looking for backup.

   “Noah is right. It won’t harm.” Sakura nodded enthusiastically.

   Lilith smirked, adding, “Exactly. It will be fun.”

   But Luna still hesitated. “Even so, it’s unbecoming of a maid—”

   “Bel! I choose you!” 

   Before she could finish, I summoned my strongest companion. 

   Bel ran up to Luna and hugged her tightly. He looked up at her with his innocent puppy eyes and said in the sweetest voice imaginable, 

   “Please, big sis.”

   In my head, I couldn’t help but pat myself on the back. When logic and reason fail, deploy the secret weapon: Bel. Few could resist the charm of a polite, pleading child. Add the fact that he’s part puppy? Resistance becomes futile. I could practically see the walls of Luna’s resolve crumbling.

   “W-well...” Luna stammered, her resolve clearly wavering. “All in all, it won’t hurt anything.”

   I grinned triumphantly and turned toward Sakura and Lilith. “Did you hear that? She’s in your hands. Have fun! Bel and I will go check out the video game store—.”

   As Bel and I turned to make our escape, suddenly, we both felt hands clamp tightly around our collars.

   A chill ran down my spine as I heard Lilith’s voice from behind. “And where do you think you’re going? Of course, you two are coming with us.”

   I twisted my head slightly, only to see Lilith with a look that could make a predator blush. 

   “B-but—”

   “You’re coming with us.” Sakura cut me off.

   Bel and I exchanged a silent, mournful glance. Resistance was futile. A refusal in this situation could only end in disaster.

   “...Okay.”

   Lilith and Sakura smiled triumphantly in sync. “Great!”

   Still holding Luna under their arms and now dragging Bel and me by our collars, they marched toward the nearest clothing store.

   As we were towed along, I couldn’t help but think that, when it comes to clothes, women can be very, very scary. This is probably the first time since I came to this world that I’ve been genuinely afraid.