Chapter 26: 10:53 AM

"There we go. Phew, what a pain."

In the alley behind the Ahnenerbe Cafe.

Avenger, the man with full-body tattoos, was taking out the accumulated garbage.

Currently, Ahnenerbe is run by three people: Avenger, Magical Amber, and Caren, with heavy lifting being Avenger's responsibility.

Caren was absolutely terrible at physical labor like this, and Amber was busy cooking.

Therefore, Avenger, who was in charge of serving, had to handle all the general chores, and he was starting to feel quite exhausted.

To make matters worse, it was the time when the morning rush had ended and they were transitioning into the lunch hour. It couldn't be helped that he was chasing after these miscellaneous tasks despite the serving job alone being demanding.

Since roles were somewhat divided—Caren on the cash register and Amber on cooking—it wasn't like a certain beef bowl chain where one person had to do everything. However, it was still undeniably overwork.

"Seriously, when is that so-called magical girl's backup going to arrive?"

Thus, Avenger grumbled since there was no one else around.

Just as he wondered if he would even get paid for today's work, he sensed a person's presence.

Normally, Avenger wouldn't mind. The problem was that the aura emanating from that person was not that of a decent, ordinary citizen.

Yes, they were wrapped in an extremely dense, demonic atmosphere.

"Tch... Hey, hey, starting trouble this early in the afternoon... Wait, what?"

He reflexively turned around, materializing Zariche (Right-Tooth Grinder) and Talwie (Left-Tooth Grinder). Although he was a Servant who considered himself the weakest, he still had his pride and prepared for battle.

He was ready to confront the opponent the moment they showed hostility toward him, but Avenger was dumbfounded.

The atmosphere was certainly not that of a decent person.

But for some reason, the person was wearing a Shima-○-rou mascot costume.

"...Could you be Avenger?"

A voice leaked out from the Shima-○-rou mascot. The age and gender were unknown, but it seemed to be a girl.

The people who knew him and this form, which he rarely showed in public, were limited. So, who was this girl who correctly guessed his name right from the start?

Avenger felt both wariness and doubt welling up inside, but his thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

"Ah, Yumizuka-san, you've arrived!"

Amber, or Kohaku, poked her head out from the back door and called the girl's name.

It seemed the girl in the mascot costume was the helper Amber had mentioned. Avenger was astounded, momentarily forgetting his own status, that someone with such a powerful demonic aura would be a cafe helper.

"Oh, Kohaku-san. Even if this allows me to walk around during the day, you were totally aiming for this outfit, weren't you!!"

"Of course! It suits you perfectly!"

Ah, come to think of it, her voice doesn't just resemble Shima-○-rou's, it's exactly the same, Avenger realized. Seeing her being nicely played with by the apron-clad devil made him instantly think of his own relationship with Caren, and a feeling of camaraderie sparked within him.

Yes, it's Satsuki Yumizuka, finally getting her moment in the spotlight again.

Kagetsu Tohya, where Shiki was hitting on a little girl and I was honestly disgusted.

Melty Blood, where I met Egyptian Kneesocks, and things got complicated because I knew too much.

There have been various things like that, but currently, I'm staying at the Tohno household. I'm essentially the Tohno family's exclusive handy-person, starting as Kohaku-san's test subject and moving on to night patrols, resolving underworld disputes, cleaning the mansion, and so on. I'm truly having a busy life doing all sorts of things.

No, seriously, a lot has happened...

Arcueid-san didn't seem to mind when she found out Shiki had made a move on Len, but Ciel-senpai was absolutely furious and chased Shiki around with a Black Key, and I, who got caught up in it, became a victim of Shiki's lucky pervert moments...

Furthermore, in Melty Blood, because I had extra knowledge, Sion, viewing me as a factor of instability, seriously tried to kill me, and Wallachia used my knowledge to strengthen himself—it was a nightmare.

Wallachia's ability recreated the Servants from Fate, and because I fought them head-on, both my arms were sliced off. It was pure luck that my head didn't separate from my body then—something I really never want to remember again. Well, recreating ancient heroes continuously exceeded Wallachia's capacity, so he eventually self-destructed.

But even though he self-destructed, it was still our victory because we managed to stall until that point. That night, we celebrated the victory at the Tohno mansion, and I forged a friendship with Sion, who had initially tried to kill me.

She is the only original character who knows that I am a transmigrator. And we became comrades who shared that secret, promising to aim for an unseen future together.

But, the very next day, Sion was in Shiki's bed!

She was naked, there was a red stain on the sheets, and it clearly looked like the aftermath of a Bed-War Opening. Thank you very much. While the ladies who gathered after Hisui-san's scream were ready to hang the virile glasses-wearing pervert, Sion said:

"As a magus, it is my duty and responsibility to leave descendants. I intend to incorporate his exceptional talent into the Eltnam lineage. Besides, well... I've fallen in love with him as a woman. So, please accept Shiki as my husband, Akiha."

With a blush and the most triumphant look possible, her words left a strange impression on the faces of everyone, including the bewildered Akiha-san.

Seriously, Sion-san, in the original story, you were supposed to leave Misaki Town with a gentle crush! Why are you so aggressive now?

After that, a huge, serious fight erupted, naturally opposed by the other ladies. Black Keys pierced the walls, vampire claws smashed pillars, and the raging Oni broke the floor. When the remnants of TATARI joined in, it became an incomprehensible mess. I had no choice but to concede that this must be what the "Witch's Cauldron" meant.

Man, a lot has really happened...

Oops, this is the place.

Let's see, I've been here a few times, but the back entrance of the Ahnenerbe Cafe is... wait, who is that guy?

He's dressed like an Ahnenerbe waiter, but his entire face is covered in tattoos.

No, wait.

Black hair tied back with a bandana, or rather, a red cloth.

And his height is exactly like the person I saw once at Ahnenerbe. If that's the case...

"Tch... Hey, hey, starting trouble this early in the afternoon... Wait, what?"

Before I could voice my conclusion, he turned around. He pointed dangerous objects in both hands at me, and then immediately looked dumbfounded.

Ah, yeah.

I feel that pain.

After all, my current appearance is that of a tiger mascot from a certain educational program.

It's honestly not normal to see that in the middle of town. But it's necessary for me, a vampire who would instantly turn to ash if I basked in the sun. It can't be helped, I suppose, but Shima-○-rou? Kohaku-san, you knew, didn't you?

Anyway, let's put that aside.

The name of the young man who is currently dumbfounded in front of me is, maybe...

"...Could you be Avenger?"

Ah, looks like I was right.

Avenger reacted to my words. But it seems he doesn't know me and is wary.

...Damn it, I've never met Avenger, so of course he's cautious.

More precisely, under normal circumstances, he and I shouldn't have met at all. One is a vampire who can only move at night; the other has no connection to such phantom-like beings. Furthermore, we live in completely different places: Misaki Town and Fuyuki.

But the fact that we've met like this...

Should this be called the miracle of the Ahnenerbe Cafe, where all conveniences are permitted?

"Ah, Yumizuka-san, you've arrived!"

Just as I was immersed in that thought, Kohaku-san, who called me here, came out. She was wearing a black cape over her shoulders, cat ears on her head, and a strangely short-hemmed, modified Japanese-style dress. The absolute territory between the thigh-high socks and the hem was dazzling... No, right now, Kohaku-san looks like Magical Amber.

"Oh, Kohaku-san. Even if this allows me to walk around during the day, you were totally aiming for this outfit, weren't you!!"

"Of course! It suits you perfectly!"

Tch, she was aiming for it after all, that beast!

Well, I came here because the pay is good, but I guess it's time to find out her real intention.

"So, I don't think you called me here just to be a cafe helper, Kohaku-san. What's the real reason?"

"Oho, you've guessed correctly. Even Hisui-chan can help out at the cafe, you see~"

Kohaku-san smiled cheerfully, as radiant as a sunflower. But I know that her heart is as dark as a witch's cauldron, simmered until it's charred black. And Kohaku-san is a person who causes trouble and enjoys it, so she is definitely planning something.

"Actually..."

Immediately after, a sound of destruction boomed from the cafe.

"Wha!?"

"Hey, hey, what was that?"

"Damn it! I didn't think they'd come so fast...!!"

I, Avenger, and Kohaku-san reacted in that order.

Wait, what does "I didn't think they'd come so fast" mean?

"Explanations later! Those hateful monster cats who are trying to steal the heroine's spot have come again!"

Monster cat? Bake-neko? Bake-nuko, Bake-neko... wait!

"You mean Neco-Arcーーー!!"

I've never seen them, but they exist?! In fanart, they looked like doodles, but what do they look like in three dimensions!!? People said they were disgusting or creepily cute (only Riesbyfe).

Besides, they're more of a mascot or a creature-class entity than a heroine. Why would they aim for the heroine's spot...?

"Come on, Yumizuka-san! Let's go defend the heroine's spot!"

Saying that, Kohaku-san pulled a broom from somewhere, held flamboyant, primary-colored syringes between her fingers, and struck the well-known Magical Amber pose.

"Kaka, I'm in the protagonist slot, but I'll lend a hand. I was getting tired of serving anyway; a little killing will be a nice change of pace."

Avenger grinned broadly. He was holding grotesquely twisted and ominous-looking weapons in both hands, clearly eager for a fight.

Sigh, seriously.

Getting caught up in trouble as soon as I arrive is such a pain.

However, if I think of this as part of the job Kohaku-san asked me to do, it makes me feel better.

Therefore, there is no reason to refuse.

"So, I'm allowed to go all out, right, Kohaku-san?"

"Of course! That's why I called you! Oh, and don't worry, all claims for damage to the shop will be pushed onto the monster cats and Akiha-sama!"

"Keke, nice, nice, that's the best!"

Alright, it's settled.

"Got it, let's go."

"Yes!"

"Oh yeah."

And so, the three, a bizarre and unique group—the Shima-○-rou mascot, the man with full-body tattoos, and the cosplaying girl—charged into the chaotic world of the Ahnenerbe Cafe.