Once Takeo Samejima and Mashiro Hinata had departed.
In a room within the high-rise condo that Taito Imiki—better known as the Headshot Yakuza—called home.
Mito, who had gone to the entrance with Obito to see them off, returned to the living room and let out a teasing, knowing chuckle.
"You certainly seem to have taken quite an interest in Samejima-kun, Obito-sama. Could it be... that you two were already acquainted?"
"……Met him for the first time the other day. Even if we had been acquaintances, the current me wouldn't remember anyway."
"Ah, that is true. Even if you treated him like an old friend, it would only serve to confuse the boy.……Still, you’re being remarkably kind to him, aren't you, Obito-sama?"
"…………"
Obito offered no reply, merely sinking his weight into the back of the sofa.
It had only been about half a year since Mito started living with him, but she could still perceive a slight, disgruntled twitch in his expression—one so subtle it would have been indistinguishable from his usual blank mask to anyone else.
"Ah, please don't misunderstand. I wasn't being sarcastic. At this point, I have no complaints about you saving Samejima-kun. Indeed, as you said at the time, Obito-sama, he possesses the potential to become a collaborator for us."
I no longer have any doubts about that, she continued.
"He does hold the Battle Junkie Title, after all. When it comes to combat, his instincts and grit are likely second to none. It’s also quite fascinating that he evolved his Goblin Killer Title into Goblin Slayer; I am curious to see how that influence will manifest.……However, I wonder if Samejima-kun himself has noticed?"
"……"
Obito shot a brief glance at Mito.
Seeing the reaction, Mito smiled, sensing he could no longer ignore her.
"No ordinary young man could slaughter that many people and remain so composed, even if they were trying to kill him…… Yet he shows no sign of unease regarding his own level-headedness—or the fact that he can stay so calm. I cannot tell if it is a change to his Spirit caused by the Title or an innate abnormality, but at this rate, the seal I placed on him is only a matter of time."
"……"
She looked at Obito. She couldn't feel a shred of agitation from him. In other words, Mito thought.
(Does Obito-sama believe it won’t turn out that way……?)
Wondering if there was something more to that young man, Mito cut off her train of thought. Pondering it wasn't likely to yield an answer, and in the first place, it wasn't Takeo that Mito should be concerned about.
Mito's role was to support Obito.
To do that, she needed to know what he was thinking, but the man was so laconic he rarely spoke of his own accord. It was almost unheard of for him to vent his inner thoughts.
"Well, very well. I certainly feel that those two have the potential to conquer the dungeon and perhaps even reach the Master."
"……Both of them?"
Obito murmured the question.
In response, Mito tilted her head as if puzzled—then realized why he was asking.
After finishing the procedure on Takeo and moving to this apartment, she had spoken with Mashiro Hinata at length to ensure her silence and explain the situation. Obito hadn't been there at the time, having left the explanations and secrecy to Mito.
"Ufufu, does that seem strange to you? That I also think highly of Hinata-san."
"……"
"The reason is………… a secret♪"
"……"
"Ufufu, please don't look at me like that. I do have enough discretion not to speak lightly of another woman's privacy. Still, what I can tell you, Obito-sama…… is that Mashiro Hinata appears to be a woman with a very strong sense of obsession. As long as that obsession remains, she will likely endure even the harshest of environments."
"……"
"Even if you glare, I won't tell you any more. It's a maiden's secret, after all♪"
"……"
"My, my, ufufu……! Please don't pout. Surely…… no, most likely…… yes, she is not the kind of person who would harm Samejima-kun, whom you care about, Obito-sama…… right……?"
"Hey."
"No, no, truly. She isn't a bad girl. It's just that…… her thoughts are a bit radical."
"……"
Obito looked at Mito with an expression that was clearly wary.
In the character profile Mito was describing, there didn't seem to be a single point that offered any peace of mind.
"Ah, that's right! Obito-sama, please be careful."
"……About what."
"If Samejima-kun comes to respect you too much………… Hinata-san might just stab you out of jealousy, you know?"
"……"
Obito fell silent for a moment.
He wondered if that polite, quiet-looking woman was truly capable of such a thing.
However, even if Hinata really was that kind of person, Obito's answer was already decided.
"That's…… impossible."