Chapter 18: You're the Best Kid

“Hmm, I see.”

After listening to Phaga’s shortened account, Rina finally grasped the gist of what had happened.

“Phaga truly lives up to being our honored guest. It looks like Victoria Housekeeping will now have two combat specialists.”

Rina pressed her palms together beside her face, her eyes narrowing in a smile.

“Combat... specialists?”

Phaga slowly turned his head, glancing strangely at the shark sprawled across the sofa.

Ellen immediately puffed out her cheeks in protest. “Hey, what’s that look supposed to mean? The only reason I wasn’t carrying weapons was because the school forbids it!”

“I didn’t mean to question you.” Phaga shook his head slightly. “I just suddenly understood what your role is within Victoria Housekeeping.”

Ellen ground her teeth but eventually dropped it. She had the vague feeling Phaga was mocking her—but with no proof.

“Hmph!”

Rina floated closer, softly humming as she crouched to arrange the cups from her tray. She looked up at Phaga.

“Phaga, what kind of coffee do you prefer?”

From “guest,” to “Mr. Phaga,” and now simply Phaga.”

Rina’s shift was quick. The distance between them was closing—she was already treating him as one of their own.

“I don’t usually drink coffee, but I’ll try it. Just... hopefully not too bitter.”

“A beginner’s preference? Understood. Ellen.”

Rina patted Ellen’s back, signaling her to sit properly.

Pouting, Ellen reluctantly climbed off the sofa and sat upright.

Once she did, Rina continued, “Mr. Lycaon, would you mind turning on the TV? Let’s take a good look at our new member’s heroic figure.”

Lycaon obeyed immediately, picking up the remote and turning the TV back on.

Soon, voices filled the room again.

Phaga glanced up. The interview about the school and the Hollow disaster had already ended.

Now, the host was ranting about Fourteenth Street, where another Hollow had suddenly appeared.

But unlike Phaga and his group, who had been focused on escaping, the New Eridu Public Security in the Janus District seemed to be hunting down people inside the Hollow.

He’d heard of gangs like the Red Fang and the White Lords.

Still, none of it mattered here. Rina lowered the volume, letting the sound serve only as background noise.

She clapped her hands happily, her face alight with joy.

“That wraps up the introductions. Student Phaga’s resume meets Victoria Housekeeping’s requirements. As Head Maid of Victoria Housekeeping, I officially welcome our new colleague, Phaga.”

“Applause, everyone!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Lycaon began clapping.

Ellen had planned to clap lazily, but one sharp look from Rina made her break into vigorous applause.

Only three people were present, but the room rang with thunderous clapping. Phaga felt both touched and a little puzzled. “Resume?”

“Yes, resume.”

Rina pulled out her phone and showed Phaga a photo of him online.

Phaga frowned at the sight, then noticed the comment section beneath it.

Driven by curiosity, he swiped down.

【Whoa, a vampire! Do you think he sneaks out at night to eat people, like in those old tapes?】
【No way. Didn’t they say he saved a whole class?】
【Who says it’s impossible? I’ll tell you a secret—there’s a reason vampires are so scarce in New Eridu these days.】

Phaga’s expression darkened.

Rina noticed immediately, snatching the phone back. Malicious speculation and baseless slander filled the screen, cutting into her heart like knives.

She glanced at Phaga, then back at the comments.

Without hesitation, she hurled the phone.

Crash!

The device flew from the second floor to the ground below.

Phaga flinched, whipping her head around.

But the phone was gone. Only the sharp echo of its impact remained in her ears.

From that height, the back cover must have popped off by now.

Yet Rina showed not the slightest regret. She seized Phaga’s face with both hands, forcefully turning it toward her.

Phaga struggled briefly, but Rina held him firm, locking her gaze onto his eyes.

With a sharp clap of her hands, she shattered his last attempt to avert his eyes. His trembling pupils finally met hers—eyes as soft as water—as she spoke, each word deliberate:

“Listen. This is the best resume. And you are the best child. Don’t waste another thought on that nonsense.”

“Rina speaks the truth. A gentleman has no need to concern himself with outside opinions.”

Lycaon stepped forward, his tail swaying slowly.

Rina released her grip. Phaga glanced at Lycaon, whose expression carried some embarrassment—but also firm reassurance.

After a pause, Lycaon spoke. “My view is the same as Rina’s. You’ve already given us the most sincere resume possible. If Victoria Housekeeping hesitated even a little, it would only mean a lack of professionalism on our part.”

He extended his palm. Despite his fierce werewolf appearance, his smile was gentle. “Welcome to Victoria Housekeeping, Phaga.”

Phaga reached out, then stopped midair.

She looked up.

Lycaon’s smile hadn’t changed. His gaze lowered slightly in encouragement, his hand still patiently outstretched.

Like family—always waiting.

He’s reliable.

Phaga thought so, and with a deep breath, she looked around, taking in everything: a Shark-Thiren, a Wolf-Thiren, and a woman who might as well be a ghost.

Then she exhaled, her eyes clearer, her guard dropping. She extended her hand and clasped Lycaon’s.

Here, no one discriminates against vampires.

“It’s an honor, Mr. Lycaon.”

Phaga smiled. Against her pale skin, her dark pupils shone like stars.

Rina broke into applause, then patted Ellen’s shoulder and borrowed her phone to take a picture. A bright flash captured the moment.

Ellen didn’t protest. Resting her chin in her hand, she simply watched. A faint smile curved her lips, her eyes glimmering with unspoken thought.

Suddenly, the TV blared with the voice of a furious reporter.

【Damn it all! I’m a reporter at this station, and I can’t stand it anymore! Those criminals should be—】
【The moment we find them, we should just—That’s right! Take them out and—wipe them off the map!】

Click!

Ellen grabbed the remote and switched the TV off.

Rina shrugged helplessly. “Television really knows how to ruin the mood today.”

But she quickly brushed it aside, pulling Ellen up from the sofa and nudging Phaga forward.

“Alright, let’s forget that awful noise. Ellen, you’ll take our new member to his room and get him a fresh set of clothes.”

Pushed against Phaga, Ellen looked back in surprise. “Why me? Shouldn’t it be L—”

“You brought him here.”

Rina’s eyes narrowed as she smiled, her tone carrying a firm edge.

Ellen had no choice but to give in. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Perfect!”

Rina clapped her hands and floated off toward the kitchen, calling back, “To celebrate our new member, I’ll prepare dinner tonight.”

Lycaon’s eyelids twitched at this. He quickly followed after her. “Rina, maybe I should handle the cooking tonight.”

Ellen, ever eager for mischief, leaned against the railing and shouted, “Let Rina cook! Phaga and I both want her food!”

She flicked her tail against Phaga’s back to hurry him along. “Come on, Phaga! Rina’s cooking is amazing!”