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 it in so quickly.”

   We were standing in the middle of the bustling shopping center. The sleek design of the building reflected Vermillion’s balance of technological advancement and aesthetic charm. Shoppers moved around us, carrying bags and chatting animatedly.

   I smiled at Sakura’s comment. “I’m just 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 like she was trying to confirm whether this was some sort of elaborate prank.

   I glanced at Lilith, raising an eyebrow. “Is that the typical reaction?”

   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.”

   Sakura blinked rapidly, her surprise intensifying. “Wait… what? Noah is the future successor of the Naberius Clan?!”

   I rubbed the back of my head, suddenly remembering. “Ah… right. I forgot to mention that last time. My bad.”

   But there was no response. She stood frozen, almost unnaturally still.

   “Uh… Sakura?” I tried again.

   But Sakura didn’t respond. 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. 

   “W–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...” she said, though she gave me a faint glare. “Mister Noah?”

   I groaned. “You don’t need to call me that. We’re friends, remember?”

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

   “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?”

   I turned toward Luna, who had been standing quietly behind me. “Luna here needs new clothes.”

   “Master?!” 

   I nodded sagely. “You only ever wear your maid outfit. That’s not practical for every occasion. 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?”

   I raised a hand, signaling for her patience. “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?”

   Luna’s cheeks reddened as she stammered, “Master, as your maid, I don’t need anything beyond my working attire.”

   I turned to Lilith with a raised eyebrow. “See?” 

   But before I could say anything else, Lilith was no longer standing beside me.

   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.

   Lilith shook her head with a look of mock disapproval. “Oh, no. That’s not right.”

   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. Good play, I thought to myself. 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.

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

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

   Luna hesitated, her face a mix of uncertainty and embarrassment. “Even so, it’s unbecoming of a maid—”

   Before she could finish, I raised my hand dramatically and shouted, “Bel! I choose you!”

   Bel, catching on immediately, 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. Meanwhile, 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. The grip was firm—unyielding.

   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. 

   “But—”

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

   Bel and I exchanged a silent, mournful glance, the kind that needed no words. Resistance was futile. A refusal in this situation could only end in disaster.

   “...Okay,” I finally relented.

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

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

   As we were towed along, I couldn’t help but think to myself, 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.