“Then you know… Anya Harts.” Moaler sighed, saying her name aloud.
“Hah.” Ivak laughed lightly. “A few years ago, she broke the highest all-time score at Heaven’s Angel Training Center. Last year, she was named Best New Angel.”
“You do know quite a lot, huh.” Moaler smiled wryly.
“She was on all the papers back then… and seeing that it was an old friend’s daughter, of course I remembered. Nothing else.” Ivak shrugged. “So?”
“…Exhausting.” Moaler’s expression darkened.
“Raising a daughter like that must be exhausting.” Ivak poured himself some more drink. “You sure you don’t want some?”
“No, you know how my family is,” Moaler waved his hand. “It’s not about raising an outstanding daughter that is tiring. Anya herself is exhausted… I don’t want an exceptional daughter; I just want my daughter to be happy, but…”
“I understand…” Ivak pushed his glasses up. “Your family… never mind, I won’t say anything.”
“…Ivak.” Moaler looked straight into Ivak’s eyes. “I’ll be honest with you…”
Ivak watched the seriousness etched in his old friend’s face like it was carved from stone.
“I don’t want to go looking for Anya at all.”
Ivak pulled out two cigarettes, intending to offer one, then thought better of it, shoved one back in, couldn’t fit it back, and ended up lighting both to smoke.
“…I know how much pressure Anya is under, how exhausted she is.” Moaler exhaled heavily. “I’ve talked to my family countless times; every time, they refuse to let go of the ‘Best New Angel.’ I really…”
“That kid’s been put through hell, huh.” Ivak exhaled double streams of smoke.
“Far more…” Moaler ground his teeth. “Sometimes, when I’m alone with Anya… I can feel all the emotions she’s been suppressing…”
“I remember, she’s a Blessing Angel,” Ivak said.
“Yes… a Blessing Angel… the happier she is, the stronger her blessings. But…” Moaler clenched his fist. “How could she be happy like that? And yet she’s still so outstanding… Ivak, she’s draining the happiness she’s born with just to reach that level.”
“…“ Ivak flicked the ash from his cigarette.
“This time she’s missing… I,” Moaler looked Ivak in the eyes, “I’m actually glad.”
“Glad she’s free, huh.” Ivak raised both cigarettes to his lips.
“Exactly.” Moaler gazed at the ceiling. “She’s finally not overworked anymore. Really… I just want Anya to be happy.”
“…Then why come to me? Tell me.” Ivak tossed the cigarette butts into the fabric piles. “I might have a guess.”
“Two things.” Moaler cleared his throat. “The first is to tell you… your shop… can’t stay open.”
“Tch.” Ivak frowned. “Explain.”
“You know better than me how many things in Heaven aren’t supposed to exist… You’ve been careful all these years, which is why nothing happened, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe.” Moaler’s expression grew serious. “If things continue like this, the higher-ups will start looking within Heaven.”
“I’m not afraid of those old geezers.” Ivak smiled. “But you’re right.”
Moaler nodded. “At least consider that dragon girl, and… you probably don’t want to go back to wandering around like before, right?”
“…Well, roughly speaking.” Ivak sighed.
“Enough…” Ivak laughed. “I’m just a lazy tailor now, selling odd little things occasionally.”
“Yeah, but the clothes you sell aren’t ordinary. They can completely erase an aura. That’s not something any tailor can do.” Moaler smiled.
“Cough.” Ivak choked slightly. “Thanks for the compliment.”
“…I’m not complimenting you. Selling dangerous things to my daughter and not getting blamed is enough.” Moaler frowned. “Anyway… that’s the first thing.”
“So, my shop can’t stay open in Heaven.” Ivak chuckled bitterly. “Where am I supposed to go?”
“That’s the second thing.” Moaler looked uneasy. “I want to ask a favor… move the shop… to the mortal realm.”
“…It’s not impossible, but why?” Ivak laughed lightly, a teasing edge. “I think I understand what you mean.”
“…I don’t want Anya to be found. The only person I know who can make that happen… is you.” Moaler turned his gaze away. “So I’m asking you to take care of her a bit when you move to the mortal realm.”
“That’s not just ‘taking care.’ Keeping Anya hidden isn’t easy.” Ivak still wore that inscrutable smile.
“That’s why I’m asking you,” Moaler said. “We’re old friends…”
“Stop, stop. I get it. I can help with this.” Ivak narrowed his eyes. “When Miss Harts came here, I already decided to help her.”
“You…” Moaler was momentarily taken aback.
“Couldn’t stand seeing my old friend’s precious daughter suffer like that.” Ivak smiled.
“…Thanks.” Moaler lowered his head. “You always help me when I don’t even realize it.”
“Tch, saying that.” Ivak thought for a moment, then grinned like a merchant. “If you feel guilty… how about this…”
Moaler tilted his head, puzzled.
“…It’s been a while since I went to the mortal realm. I know how it’s developed now, but I have no savings. How would I even open a shop there?” Ivak smiled.
“…“ Moaler rubbed his forehead. “I see.”
“Mm.” Ivak stood. “…It’ll take a while to pack.”
“Yes… it’s about time to return. Ah… do you know where Anya is?” Moaler stood as well.
“Of course.” Ivak folded his arms. “The cloak has my personal spell. When I sold it to Miss Harts, I inscribed it. I can track her.”
“Huh.” Moaler nodded. “Once you find a suitable spot in the mortal realm, send me a message with the old carrier pigeon spell. I’ll give you the money.”
“Mm, take care.” Ivak smiled. “When I’m settled, don’t forget to find time to visit.”
“I’ll try.” Moaler forced a smile, wrapping his white robe. “I still need to figure out how to deal with the family…”
“…Good luck.” Ivak shrugged. “Farewell, old friend.”
“Farewell…” Moaler smirked. “Vuraen.”
“Get lost—”
~~~~~~~~
Evening at Lirina’s House
“Uh… Anya…” Lirina fiddled with her fingers. “If we don’t go buy ingredients soon, we can’t make dinner.”
“…Buying groceries will take forever, right?” Anya muttered. “Why not just get a few more of those breads and drinks you bought me this morning? Quick and easy.”
“Ah… those are treats, not meals,” Lirina frowned. “We need proper food.”
“…Fine.” Anya moved aside. “…How long will it take?”
“I… I don’t know… not sure if the convenience store is crowded…” Lirina muttered.
“…Then I’ll go with you.” Anya said, following Lirina.
“No, no, your foot’s not healed yet!” Lirina waved her hands anxiously. “I won’t take long, trust me…”
Anya stared at Lirina.
“…Hmm.” Lirina averted her gaze, realizing she wasn’t punctual today…
After a moment, she had an idea. “Uh… Anya, how about this… you tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll buy it and make it?”
“Hamburgers.” Anya replied immediately. “Uh… ramen bread works too.”
Right… she’s only had these and the rice porridge I made her last night.
“…Then I can buy hamburger patties and make hamburger rice bowls!” Lirina’s eyes lit up.
“What’s that?” Anya asked.
“Hehe, something really tasty!” Lirina grinned. “Just wait and see, Anya. I’m off to buy them now~”
Anya watched Lirina leave happily, words flowing so smoothly she forgot to stop her.
…She’s quiet now, thankfully.
Anya leaned against the wall, counting the patterns in the wooden floor.
Hmph. If that “calcium leak explosion rice” isn’t good, you’re not getting away.
Luckily, it was Sunday; many office workers and students were eating out or ordering delivery, so the convenience store’s ingredients section wasn’t crowded.
Thinking of how Lirina would eat the food she made heartily, Anya felt her mood lift.
“Humhum~ hummm~” humming off-key, Lirina picked eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, and more.
Suddenly, she spotted a figure far away.
Tall, about half a head taller, white hair in a casual ponytail, wide-brimmed hat, cropped jeans, and a lavender shirt.
Unable to see her face clearly, but there was a strange aura…
Not… human! That lady…
Lirina stared at Reese, uneasy.
“Mr. Ivak, look! These candies… look so good…” Reese called out to the daydreaming Ivak.
“Ah…”
Seeing Ivak, Lirina felt even stranger.
This man… also not human.
Could he be here to take Anya?! But his aura is different… he’s not an angel.
Lirina decided maybe she was overthinking; perhaps he was just visiting the mortal realm.
She carried her basket and continued picking ingredients.
Meanwhile, under the gold-rimmed glasses, Ivak’s half-lidded eyes slowly opened.
Little succubus, huh… this aura, oh… the little princess of the succubus queen, hmm.
Seems the mortal realm might get lively.
“Mr. Ivak, this… looks so tasty too…”
“Oh-oh…”