The presentation of my special permit at the Royal Castle concluded without a hitch. In truth, it was such a formality that I basically just showed up, took it, and left.
With that out of the way, I figured the only thing left on my plate was tomorrow’s housewarming party, but as soon as I got home, Anima approached me with a request for advice.
Apparently, my parents want to find work. It seems they can't quite stomach the idea of being supported by their own son.
My first reaction was that they were overthinking things—they really are too serious for their own good—but then I remembered that I’d asked Alice for almost the exact same thing. Like father, like son, I suppose; we share the same stubborn streak.
Regardless, I could sympathize with how they felt. The problem was that I couldn't think of a solution. Even Anima, who had been in this world much longer than me and was supposedly making quite the name for herself in the business world lately, was at a loss for ideas.
I couldn't just leave my mother and father to worry, though. That left me with only one person to rely on: Kuro.
Not only was she the Honorary Chairman of the world’s largest trading company with connections in every imaginable field, but she was also the easiest person in the world for me to talk to.
"……I see."
"Do you have any good ideas, Kuro?"
True to form, party or no party, she was lounging in my room, cutely hugging a cushion on the sofa. I sat down and told her exactly what Anima had told me.
After listening to my story, Kuro wore an expression as if she were considering something, then sat up with a bright, beaming smile.
"Oh, I have just the thing for that!"
"Just the thing?"
"Yep! My company actually started a new initiative about a year ago. To put it simply, it’s a training plan designed to turn people with zero experience into magic tool manufacturing technicians."
"O-Oh..."
Just hearing that made it sound very promising; it felt like it matched my parents' situation perfectly. As expected, consulting Kuro was the right choice.
"The Human Realm has always lacked skilled magic tool craftsmen compared to the Demon Realm. Remember how I taught you magic, Kaito-kun? That experience gave me a good idea of how humans study magic and where they usually get stuck. I designed this training plan based on those insights. It doubles as a way to fix the staffing shortages at our Human Realm branches, too."
"……I see. So it’s really okay for someone who knows absolutely nothing to start there?"
"Mhm. I’ll go over the details when we meet after the party, but basically, they spend a full year learning everything from scratch while they work. We ran a trial at a few smaller branches a year ago and it was a huge success, so we're launching Part 2 now. The Sinfonia Royal Capital Branch is next on the list, and since I was just about to open recruitment anyway, the timing couldn't be better."
It seemed the timing truly was the best it could be. If it was a training plan Kuro had devised, it was trustworthy, and above all, it seemed there were already results. From what I heard, it sounded similar to what we’d call a technical intern back on Earth.
"Since we’re still at the stage before recruitment begins, if Kaito-kun's parents want it, I can use my authority to reserve slots for them at the Sinfonia Royal Capital Branch. We’re going to recruit about ten people for that branch... so as Kaito-kun's parents, it'll probably be easier for them to work if there are others at the same starting line, right?"
"I’m really grateful for that, but will it be a bother?"
"It’s fine! It’s a request from none other than Kaito-kun, after all. You can just leave it all to me! Well, provided that Kaito-kun's parents actually want to do it, of course."
"Thank you, Kuro."
"Ehehe, you're very welcome."
In response to my thanks, Kuro returned a lovely smile. I felt a sense of pride, thinking about what a wonderful lover I had... and then I spoke up to change the subject.
"……By the way, can I ask you something?"
"Hm? Ask what?"
"……Kuro, why are you wearing pajamas?"
"Oh, this? N-No deep meaning at all! I just, uh... right! I've been busy lately, and I was feeling a little tired, that's all!"
Ever since she had appeared in this room for some reason, she had been dressed in baby castella-patterned pajamas. When I asked her about it, Kuro looked away and spoke in a somewhat flustered voice.
How should I put it... she was far too bad at lying. Even while looking away, she was stealing glances at me, making her intentions incredibly obvious.
"……Um... are you staying over?"
"I can?! I mean—ahem. Right, it wouldn't be good if I overslept and missed the party tomorrow, so staying here would definitely be safer! Since you're offering, I'll take you up on your kindness, Kaito-kun!"
"……"
Mind you, this little girl demon was the same person who previously said the last time she had slept was several thousand years ago. But I wondered what her goal was.
To be honest, this flow wasn't very Kuro-like. Usually, if I asked about her pajamas, she would probably just respond bluntly with something like, "Hm? Because I’m planning to stay at Kaito-kun’s place today!"
As I was thinking that, Kuro muttered something in a voice so small I could barely catch it.
"……So, um... I-I read some books and... did a lot of studying... so, if Kaito-kun wants to..."
"Hm? Sorry, what did you just say?"
"!? !? I-It's nothing! Look at the time! We need to get to bed early!"
"Eh? No, it’s only 9 o'clock—"
"Now, now! Kaito-kun has an early start tomorrow too, so come on, come on!"
"Wait!? Kuro? What are you—I mean, you're strong!?"
In the end, my questions went unanswered, and I was literally tossed onto the bed by a bright red Kuro, forced to go to sleep much earlier than I had imagined.
The next morning, I woke up feeling strangely drained and sleepy. After washing my face, I headed out to the garden, which served as the venue for the party.
The start itself was scheduled for 10:00 AM, but eager guests might already be arriving, so I needed to check on the preparations.
Anyway, many things had happened... but finally, my housewarming party was about to begin.
Serious-senpai: "Aieee!? The main heroine?! Why her?! Why her right now?! The party still hasn't even started!!"
???: "……Apparently, it's because someone said there was a lack of sugar."
Serious-senpai: "Don't go showing off that weird pride of yours!! Think about me, the one who has to take the hit from these sneak attacks!!"