Chereads / Moonlight Mile / Chapter 20 - Chapter XVIII: A Prelude to Hardships.

Chapter 20 - Chapter XVIII: A Prelude to Hardships.

Somewhere near the homes of the rich within the city of Tokyo lies the Shiroyama Estate, a massive private land surrounded by large tracts of wood and trees, there in the center of it is a western-style mansion and lush bushes that are stylized into the logo of the Shiroyama Industries and a large marble fountain with intricate designs lies in front of the mansion as parked armored SUVs and other luxury-brand cars sat there like no one's business.

Inside Akihiko Shiroyama's private office, it had a western-styled décor as a large dark oak desk was placed in the center, and around them is a coffee table with a fine white silken sheet shaped in an intricate pattern and a vase with beautiful iris flower inserted on it and three black premium leather seats surround the table.

And above the walls are pictures of him and other important figures in the world of business and commerce shaking hands or receiving awards at events. And a large white banner sat above his desk and it was written in Japanese: "Resolve and Ambition."

And on the desk are two pictures, one is of a young Akihiko in an officer's uniform of the Knights as his face stone-cold and serious with the flag of the Org behind him, and the other photo, he was with a familiar-looking girl as they smiled and worried about nothing and looked so happy and the girl beside him strongly resembled Yue; for it was actually Himari and Akihiko in their younger years. There he was doing his last bit of paperwork for the night as he glanced at the photo of his ex-lover and he held it then placed it down. As his cellphone begins to ring, he picked it up and said, "Speak." "Ah, care to report about something Reaper-san?"

And on the other side, a modulated voice softly replied, "Akihiko Shiroyama, former Division Commander of the Far-Eastern Branch's 8th Division."

And Akihiko without batting an eyelid scoffed at what he said, "That's all in the past now, Reaper-san. Once I served the Knights with utmost loyalty and diligence and now I still am, although indirectly now."

And added, "Hmph, well enough small talk... anything to report about my daughter?"

He grunted, "I do." And he told him what happened to her in the past 12 hours. "So... she stirred up a hornet's nest with a gang of low lives that overwhelmed her? If not for your intervention she most likely would've been..."

He sighed and shook his head and immediately canceled the thought, "N-No... Never mind. What's important is that she is safe and you rescued her, you have my gratitude."

And the Reaper added the rest of his report.

"Hmm..." he rumbled his throat in distaste. "How can you be so sure that they are out for my daughter?" and the Reaper replied, "I did what I had to do first: I had to confirm it by approaching them."

"And when I confirmed it, I now have all the reason to kill them... and proceeded to hunt down the rest of their group."

The Reaper sighed and shook his head in a disappointed manner, "I still have to connect the dots in my head." (As there are too many irregularities and inconsistencies regarding those who'd harm Takahashi-san.)

And Akihiko replied, "When I named her to be my Heiress... Needless to say, the Board of Directors of my company are... obviously against me naming the child I've never met as my heir, panic-stricken but unable to say in opposition."

The last part of what Shiroyama-san said made the Reaper remember something, "That reminds me..." and he asked, "Shiroyama-san... As to how the information of your daughter... How was it leaked exactly?"

(A line has been connected. Yet at the same time, it doesn't make any sense. Those scum wanted to kidnap Takahashi-san and use her for ransom. But at the same time, why would an assassin be hired to kill her in the first place?) and Mr. Shiroyama asked, "Ah, that? To be honest, I don't know. I do not know who would leak sensitive information to the outside or who'd hire an assassin out for my daughter's head." and added, "But... I suppose those who are against me in naming her to be my Inheritrix are the ones I should suspect first."

"I would intervene to end this threat by pulling its roots, however, I cannot hunt down those who'd do harm to your daughter."

The Reaper added, "My mission is to safeguard her, if I leave her be and she gets... hurt then that would be counterproductive." (Yet at the same time taking a reactionary approach is never my forte... But I have no choice, I'm playing guardian after all.)

And Shiroyama-san sighed in reluctance, "You raise a very good point. So, what will you do?"

The Reaper paused momentarily before answering, "Let them come to us; her would-be assailants. Do not take this the wrong way, but your daughter would make excellent bait in drawing out who placed the bounty in the first place."

And Shiroyama-san rumbled his throat in distaste at that notion, "In all logic and common sense, you being near my daughter would be the best if we are to ensure her safety." And the Reaper interjected, "Is it not why you employed me in the first place? Make no mistake, I signed the contract and I intend on fulfilling it. I will protect your daughter Shiroyama-san, you have my word."

And with those words, Shiroyama-san felt a wave of reassurance and sighed, "Thank you for such reassuring words, Reaper-san. Very well. If you need anything that may be of aid to you in protecting my daughter, just ask, I do have my connections." And the Reaper nodded, "Understood."

Now the Reaper is at a tall skyscraper that overlooks the hustle and bustle of the nighttime cityscape and puts away his cellphone, there he felt the cold biting wind blowing past his face, his cowl flowed with the strong breeze, and the moon gazing down on him, he took a deep breath then removed his mask and sighed as the moment he took it off, (As much as it annoys me so, I can't afford to leave Takahashi-san's side. Especially from that attack earlier. Now I know what's at stake here. And now I know what they're capable of. That necklace I gave her... it will only do so much.)

(Now, a good defense is a good offense. Her assailant knows what her protector is capable of too – what I am capable of – now, what's the next step...?)

A day passed and a Tuesday lunchtime, in a café situated near the neighborhood, its doors swung open and a tolling of miniature bells is heard inside. In a leather seat portion of the café sat a familiar man in his early 20s, he wore dark shades fine and expensive light blue suit and trousers, his white dress shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his hair glistened the color of snow and is sipping a cup of black coffee. There Siegfried sat opposite to him, facing the man who is none other than Heinz Weber and spoke in English.

"Ah Freddie, glad you make it sorry for the hold-up but I got that thing you asked me to get two days ago. Including your request from last night."

He slid two brown sealed envelopes across the table towards Siegfried, "Getting Akihiko Shiroyama's information and history is a cakewalk considering he formerly served for the Org."

He sipped his coffee, "But Takahashi Himari?" he set his coffee on the table and scratched his head, "Hoo-boy, that... is a bit more difficult to dig up. Hence the short delay. But our informants found traces and connected the puzzles. It was a total pain in the ass but somehow it worked out."

Siegfried picked up one of the envelops and replied, "The informants and intelligence teams have my gratitude, Herr Heinz." He chuckled in confidence, "Damn straight, Freddie. Anyway, turns out your client's mother used to work as an Enforcer of the most dangerous and violent Yakuza Syndicate at the time in '95-98. She used to be the muscle behind the clan. She was so violent and feared both by rival Yakuza Clans and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police that they gave her the nickname: The Crimson Lioness of Shinjuku." And added, "And that's not even the best part."

And Siegfried reviewed the information background of Himari Takahashi, "She's married...?" "Fiancée more accurate to Former Knight Division Commander of the Far-Eastern Branch's 8th Division: Akihiko Shiroyama. As to how their falling out, well only they know. We connected the dots since any criminal information of Ms. Takahashi was completely purged both from the local Knight and Tokyo Police, he had that influence and capability since he is the son of a powerful businessman who is also one of the backers and benefactors of the Knights at the time."

Siegfried glanced at Heinz who was leaning his back at the leather cushion, "Isn't purging of information goes against Section 45, Article 2 of the Black Codex of the Knights of Night?" And Heinz had a cynical expression, "Rightly so after it was learned that he was responsible for the purging, then-Division Commander Shiroyama was heavily punished for that action but wasn't dishonorably discharged from service. But it did stain his otherwise clean record."

And after reviewing Himari Takahashi's background and history, Siegfried remarked, "Quite the bloody reputation this Crimson Lioness has built." And Heinz recalled one of the lines on the dossier, "She once took on 50 members of a rival Yakuza clan and annihilated all of them. In a single night. She is infamous for her brutality, martial savagery, and love for using her fists and legs than using a weapon." and moaned in satisfaction, "Mmm... Feisty. Women like that rare y'know and a huge turn-on."

And added, "Yeah, with her looks and her capabilities I can see why Shiroyama became smitten with her. Y'know, I love the kind of woman that can kick my ass, Freddie."

And Siegfried stared at him with a glint of disappointment in his eyes, "Was? Ich erinnere mich nicht, dass Sie nach Ihrem Vorzug für den gegenteiligen Geschlecht gefragt haben, Heinz." (I don't remember asking for your preference for the opposite gender, Heinz.) In Siegfried's mind, Himari Takahashi a patient, hard-working, warm, understanding, supportive mother as a savage, brutal, and cruel Enforcer back in her younger days is something of a hard time believing.

"I met the Crimson Lioness personally..." and Heinz raised his brow, "Oh? Did you now?" Siegfried nodded, "Needless to say, long she has left that bloody life full of crime. And sought redemption." (Everything that describes Takahashi Himari-san here is now the complete opposite of her present self. Is it possible...? For me too...?) and he later shook his head and abandoned the thought, and Mr. Heinz added, "Oh yeah, about that assassin that attacked you last night. You said that assassin's name is Dawn wasn't it?" he nodded, "Indeed so." And Mr. Heinz got down to business, "Dawn or Akatsuki. Here's what we know according to the informants of the Knights, Dawn is a highly accomplished hired killer. His feats made him well-known in the criminal underworld as an efficient and silent killer. They say he got the name Dawn or Akatsuki for they finish the hit quickly before the dawn comes. When you want someone gone, he's your man for the job."

And Siegfried asked, "He? He's male?" and Mr. Heinz shrugged, "I don't fucking know. According to the informants, the criminal underworld collectively decided that it's a dude." And Mr. Heinz asked, "Well, you did fight him. What did you think?" and Siegfried thought for a second before answering, "Good. But not good enough... They did force me to release my Limiter to Level 1." And Mr. Heinz whistled, "That good, eh?" Siegfried grunted in disapproval, "Have I decided to kill him right then and there would lessen my headaches." "

Oh, why's that? Why didn't you snap his neck?" Siegfried replied, "I initially made a proposition. He would tell me who his employer is, he gets to live. But that didn't happen as I got caught off guard and he ran away..." he stood up grabbed the envelopes and thanked Mr. Heinz, "Thank you, I owe you plenty, Heinz." And Heinz waved his hand dismissively, "Nah, just helping a fellow Knight requires no praise, Freddie boy. Besides a little info gathering is nothing when our information network is unrivalled." He glanced at the café owner and raised his cup in commendation, and the owner notices this and slightly bowed to acknowledge the praise coming from Heinz.

"This is but one of many shops and establishments acting both as an information hub and safehouse for Knights Operators and members. A safe haven for those who dwell in the light."

And Siegfried went back on track, saw the Yakuza Family Himari Takahashi was formerly affiliated to, "The Mishima Clan..." and Heinz reaffirmed, "Yep, the most powerful crime family in Japan..." then he finished his coffee, "Welp, look at the time. Lunch break's just about over, I need to get back to work, otherwise, my senpai'll get mad at me."

As Heinz is about to take his leave, Siegfried beckoned his attention, "Heinz." He glanced back, "Hm?" "Thank you." And Heinz grinned, "Anytime and viel Glück, Siegfried."

At the same time at Uwajima High, Yue is on the rooftop of the school's main building, there she ate lunch with Akari as they gazed at the clouds and the sky above.

"Holy fucking shit, you got ambushed!?" Akari exclaimed, and Yue winced when she yelled, "Y-Yeah..."

In a panic Akari asked, "L-Like when!? W-Where? How and who and why!?" and Yue averted her gaze away from her best friend's gaze as she ate, "Uhh... Yesterday..." and she quickly added, "D-Don't worry 'bout it, Akari-chin. I'm fine! I can take five guys at once! Matter of fact, I've beaten 'em all up by myself!" and told her all about in great detail, and all that Akari can say is, "Goddamn..."

And Yue scratched her head embarrassingly, as Akari placed down her bento box then pinched both of her cheeks and pulled them hard, "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! Akari-chin...!" "Does your mom know about this?!" she scolded, and Yue whose cheeks are still being pulled replied, "About when I got jumped...? N-No..."

Upon hearing that Akari pouted and intensified the pinching, "YEOUCHHHH!!! A-Akari-chin...!" and when she relented Yue's cheeks turned red, "Tch... Meanie..." Yue muttered as she pouted.

And Akari took a closer look at Yue's face, "Well, having a closer look, you don't have any injuries on your face."

Then promptly sighed and said, "Well, I know you like beating up bullies who pick on the weak. That's like hella noble of you Yue-chin, but keep that up and that's gonna come back and bite your ass." And Yue silently said, (Heh, it almost did Akari-chin. It almost did...)

"I know you're strong Yue-chin, there's no doubt about that. But everyone's got their limits, even you. But if those bastards came back with more to overwhelm you, then..." Akari had a grim look of silence on her face, "I just... I'm just glad you're fine, Yue-chin, and not too seriously injured."

Then Akari stared at the silver chain wrapped around her neck, "Hey, I've been meaning to ask, Yue-chin." She said while having food in her mouth, "Since when did you buy a necklace?" she swallowed, and added, "I didn't take you as the accessories type a gal." Then Yue fished it out of her chest and revealed the design to Akari, "Whoa..." and had a disappointed look, "...that looks cheap, Yue-chin. LOL, like what the hell is that? Did you buy it?" And Yue rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Ugh, no I didn't buy it. Someone gave it to me."

And she raised her eyebrow, "Gave it to you? Who?" Yue shrugged, and Akari's expression immediately turned into a teasing one, "Oh...? Oh my! Oh my, oh my, oh my!" and she teased, "Looks like Yue-chin's got a secret admirer! Yue's got a secret admirer!" "Gah, goddammit! I don't! I don't have a secret admirer! Besides is there any guy that likes girls like me?!" And Akari just stared while smiling emptily at Yue and thought to herself, (Oh my sweet summer child, if only you knew... if only you knew you dense-ass fitness freak...)

"Well, who or where's it from then!?" And Yue didn't have much choice and spilled the beans, "Okay, keep it down will ya! It's from my tutor. He... gave it to me..."

"Oh, he gave it to you?" She nodded, "Y-Yeah..." "He said it's to thank me for accepting him as my tutor." And Akari blew air out of her nose, "Huh. How thoughtful. For a hot second there I thought he's one of those godforsaken fuckboys." And made a gesture that mimicked vomiting, "Urgh!"

"Say... speaking of your tutor how is he? Is he bothering you while teaching you? Is he good at tutoring? If he's bothering you can tell me and I'll ruin his life through social media."

A sinister glint appeared in Akari's eyes and Yue recoiled away in fear, "Dude, that is scary... and one question at a time! Jeez..." "And no, he's not one of those perverts who chase other chicks. At least... that's what his vibe is telling me. He's soft-spoken." "And he's smart! Super smart, like he's super knowledgeable on our subjects and the way he teaches me... he's patient and if I don't get it, he goes over it over and over until I do."

(Oh wow, I've never seen Yue describe a guy this detailed before...) And he Akari nodded her head in approval, "Good. Good. He's not a good tutor if he's not patient with his students, am I right?" "Also, I fought him once." And Akari nodded her head before realizing, "Uh-huh, like yeah, wait no, what the fu—"

And Yue added, "Yeah, I agree and, he informed my mom that we'll have a session later. And I'll go home once I'm finished with our club meeting." Akari nodded in an understanding tone, "Hmm... all right." and asked, "Well, can I drop by?" "Huh?" and she repeated, "I repeat: Can I like drop by?" And Yue knowing Akari, she must have some ulterior motives, as she narrowed her eyes and cautiously said, "Why...?" and she retorted, "Like, what the hell are ya looking at me like that for? I wanna see him for myself if he's worthy of the great Yue." And in she sighed at her answer, "Fucking called it."

But she waved her hand dismissively, "Yeah, yeah, like bruh you're always welcome to drop by." And she raised and waved her bento box in the sky, "Yay! Man, like it's been a while since I last crashed at your place, Yue-chin. Let's go walk to your house together, can't wait!" and added, "Ah, don't worry I'm not gonna bother your tutoring session." She grinned, "I promise!" and Yue said, "All right you can drop by on Thursday then." And she protested, "Whaaaat...?! Why? Why on Thursday? Why not now?" and she explained, "I don't think he'll appreciate having someone over so abruptly without warning..." and Akari shrugged, "Yeah that kinda makes sense like I don't wanna make things awkward for the guy just doing his job."

"Also, I don't have any session with him tomorrow, cuz y'know we're going shopping, remember?" "Ah, yeah, I cleared my schedule for that!" she giggled in excitement, "Oh man, can't wait!"

The talk between the two is a nice distraction from Yue's personal life, but it's time to face reality as hours passed and it's time for students to go home, and the duo is walking together amidst the wet and damp streets as the rain bombarded them, "Man...! This weather is like such a killjoy, it friggin' sucks! Don'tcha think so, Yue-chin?"

And Yue remarked quietly, "Y-Yeah..." and Akari knowing Yue's current situation, blew air out of her nose knowing she did all she could but wanted to do more, but all she could do now is to be moral support for her sister and best friend. "So, yeah, your old man's henchmen visited your home, eh? If they're harassing you can always call the cops on 'em."

Yue shook her head, "N-No, actually if I'm being honest, they're being respectful as I told them to give me space and time." "Hell, they haven't been bugging Mom since their visit." (Which is kinda suspicious cuz I thought they'd be a lot more defensive at that.)

And Akari shrugged, "Well, your old man is their boss maybe you have authority over them, but I'm surprised he honored your requests." And she chuckled, "Heh, yeah. Same here."

"So, um, you don't need to answer this, Yue-chin but, when are you meeting your old man?" Yue slouched her shoulders, sighed, and muttered, "This Friday... I guess?" knowing that, Akari's expression changed to a pained wince, "Like, that soon?" Yue calmly nodded, "Yeah. That soon."

And Akari asked, "Well, how're you feeling?" and Yue shot her with a helpless look, "Honestly, nervous as hell. But I feel more angry than nervous." And Akari balled her fist and gave Yue a love tap by colliding her fist onto her cheek as she painlessly dug them in, "Hm?" and Akari smiled widely, "Once this thing blows over, Yue-chin. We're gonna celebrate ok?! Promise?" and this reassured Yue as she gave her a warm and confident grin, "Hehe, promise!"

And soon the two parted ways for now and while Yue was walking down the street, she pouted and sighed and was now in a foul mood, "Tch, damn this rain. Because of this, practice was cancelled." And added, (Well, at least Akari-chin and I walked home together for once. Oh, and guess she'll be dropping by tomorrow too, huh?) "This Friday... Bring it on, there's no point in delaying the inevitable dammit."

Then while she was walking absent-mindedly, the rain began to slow down and soon ceased, she folded her umbrella, shook it to remove the excess water, carried and continued walking, then she waltz past a brown box that had a pink, adorable cat-themed umbrella sheltering it, then heard a squeak beside her, "Huh?" she paused then she heard it again, "Mew!" the squeak was tiny, weak and scrawny, and then took a closer look and peered inside of the box, inside was a small kitten sitting on top of some old rags for warmth, its fur jet-black; like the color of the night sky, it's eyes pure, innocent and unsullied, and green like jade, its ears round and unfurled, the kitten couldn't have been more than two weeks old.

When the kitten looked up and gazed at Yue with curiosity and squeaked, it immediately tugged Yue's heartstrings, "Shit..." and squealed, "Holy shit, you're so cute!!!" Her foul mood immediately changed when she saw that pitiful and lonely kitten, slowly she knelt beside it, and cautiously she held out her hand towards it, and the kitten didn't do anything as she touched and felt the kitten's soft and warm fur, and proceeded to coo the small cat, "Aww... Shh... There, there..." and purred in response to her, "Aww, you're so precious..." and picked up the small kitten and placed it near her bosom, "Crap, how the hell am I supposed leave this poor thing be?"

Then she heard the sound of footsteps stepping across the puddled streets, "Nya?" there when Yue turned, she locked eyes with a female foreigner with wavy pink hair that is tied in a high ponytail, she wore a striped white-and-pink long-sleeved top that exposes her midriff, a green-and-yellow outdoor jacket and hood to cover herself and her head from the elements, a ripped denim short-short, black thigh-highs and pink-and-yellow rain boots and on her hand a bowl filled with food, presumably for the kitten.

And when Yue saw the food she gave her a warm smile of gladness, "Ah, you gonna feed this kitten?"

And the pink-haired foreigner grinned and nodded in agreement, as she spoke fluent Japanese, "Nya! That's right, nya!" and she breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm so glad...! Cuz, I didn't know what I was supposed to do."

She approached Yue and took off her hood and Yue tilted her head in confusion and repeated the last thing the pink-haired foreigner said, (N-Nya...? W-What does she mean by that?) silently wondered by a confused Yue, and noticed something strange on her head as it blended with her hair before perking up and to Yue's surprise they resemble a cat's ears, and the foreigner approached her to have a closer look on that kitten, and with a gentle expression, gently caressed the kitten's head, "Nya, he's so precious isn't he?" and Yue asked her, "It's a boy?" and the pink-haired foreigner chuckled, "Nya, it's super-duper obvious, that he's a boy. Couldn't you tell?"

And Yue noticed something protruding from her jacket in the back, and soon the foreigner revealed a long pink tail that curled excitedly, and Yue was surprised even more when the foreigner revealed that she wasn't human, "Y-You're a Non-Human?" and she glanced at her, "Non-Human...? Ah! You mean a Monster? Hehe! Sure am!"

And she set down the bowl of milk inside of the box and so too did Yue place the kitten down, and soon the little kitten began to drink from it like there was no tomorrow.

As the two watched the kitten feeding, the foreigner turned her head and flashed the Yue with a wide and cheery grin, and introduced herself, "I'm Lily, Lily Whiskers! You can call me, Lily! It's nyaice to meet you!" and Yue did the same and gave Lily a cheery grin, "Takahashi, Takahashi Yue! It's nice to meet you too, Lily-san!"

And soon the two hit it off, "Lily-san, you look so cool! The tail, the ears, you're like a cat!" Yue's eyes glittered with excitement and curiosity but Lily wasn't prepared for that compliment which took her by complete surprise, "R-Really, nya?" and she turned red as she laughed and scratched the back of her head with embarrassment, "Yeah, I've always wanted to talk with a Non-Human. This is so cool!" "What species are you, Lily-san?" and Lily placed her finger on her chest, "Who, me? Well, I get that question like a bajillion times, I'm a Nekomata, a Felynne subspecies from Adamas! And... uh... um..." and she fidgeted a little before Yue asked, "And...?" to which Lily replied, "And human! I'm a hybrid, my dad is a human, my mom is a Nekomata."

"Holy...! That's so cool!" Yue's eyes continued to twinkle in excitement before composing herself and quietly saying, "Uh, um, is it all right for you to tell me that?" Lily tilted her head, "Nya? About what? About me being a half-blood?" she chuckled at Yue's polite prospect before saying, "Pfft! Uh, yeah? I don't mind telling people about my heritage. Don't worry about it, though I appreciate the politeness, Yue-san."

And Yue had a perplexed look when Lily called her by her first name then Lily realized, "Ah, is it cool if I call you, Yue-san? I'm much, much comfier on a first-name basis. And besides, you called me by my first name." And Yue thought, (Heh, fuck it. I don't really mind. She's from another culture, I actually like this casualness that foreigners have.) "Hell yeah, why not, right?"

And she asked while watching the kitten still feeding from the milk bowl, "Lily-san?" "Nya? What's up?" she said as her tail swayed back and forth, "What's the deal with this kitten?" "Who would abandon it like this?" Lily shrugged with a pained-filled expression, "Nya, I actually don't know... I just found him like this in his box." And she patted the umbrella sheltering the box with the kitten inside, "This umbrella's mine actually! Though as much as I want to bring this kitten home with me, I'm not sure if my Host will allow me to bring strays home..." and Yue had a dejected tone, "Ah... yeah... Don't wanna bother your elders." And Yue cried out, "God, I wanna bring him home!"

And Lily suggested, "Nya, why don't you ask your mom?" and Yue exhaled with a dejected expression, "I wish. But I'm not so sure if my mom's gonna be so approving...."

A FEW HOURS LATER...

"A stray cat? Yeah sure. As long as he's neutered, we can take care of him." Himari said in a casual tone.

Dinnertime in the Takahashi Residence, the two were eating their dinner as per usual, and Yue just stared at her mom with great uncertainty and a dumbfounded look, "W-What...?" and Himari glanced at her daughter as she was eating her dinner, "Why're you looking at me like that?" Yue blinked repeatedly and replied, "I... I wasn't expecting you to be so approving so easily, damn it I was so ready to get down on my knees to beg."

And Himari waved her chopsticks around and chuckled at her daughter's reaction, "I like cats too, we hadn't had a pet for a long time. So, I kinda expected this to happen sooner or later." And Yue's eyes glittered with hope and smiled widely in excitement, "Woah! Thanks Mom!" she chuckled, "So long as you take good care of him, m'kay sweetie? Raising a pet takes a lot of responsibility, I'm already raising you so I don't need to add that to my list." "Wha—!?"

And on the Silverstein Residence, the four were also having dinner together, when Lily told the story of what happened earlier in late afternoon, "Nya, I met this kind and cool girl who sympathized with the kitten I found on the street, earlier."

And Mina who eating her meal asked, "Ooh... Is that so? What happened, what happened!?" Ivanna asked, "Did you ask for her name?" and Lily began describing her, "She was about my height although a few inches shorter, a second-year high-schooler, her skin was slightly tanned, and she was really, really pretty, and pretty stacked too, nya!" and Mina and Ivanna nodded, "Mm-hmm, go on." "Oh, and she had this distinct fiery red hair and fierce crimson-colored eyes." Siegfried who was eating in peace thought to himself, (Hmph, it can't be... It's almost like she's describing—) "Her name's... Yue! Takahashi Yue!"

When Lily said that name out loud it caused her Host to choke on his dinner and cough uncontrollably, thereby attracting the attention of the three, "S-Siegfried! What happened? Here, some water for you!" He drank the water that was offered to him by Ivanna, "Thank you, Ivanna, and forgive me, I choked on my dinner." He cleared his throat and went back to eating, pretending he knew none of that name that came out of Lily's mouth, (Mother of the Dark, help me...)

"Nya, she and I talked for a bit, and she's really cool, and really friendly too!" and Siegfried nodded, "That sounds... wonderful, Lily." And when Lily heard that she gave her Host a wide and cheerful grin, "Hehe!"

*End of Chapter*

Current information bestowed for the public, provided by the Knights of Nights.

Subject: Knights Police Force

"As previously stated, when the Cultural Exchange Program started, humans were not allowed to harm monsters and vice-versa. As such, traditional human policing was deemed impractical and that's where we, the Knights of Night, come in.

Where human police forces uphold law and order for humans, we the Knights, provide the same but for monsters and sometimes humans as well (with permissions and jurisdiction of governmental police forces).

Each branch in each nation performs a variety of roles, and policing, peacekeeping, anti-terrorism, and upholding law and order. As such the Knights and the Governments of each nation have come to an agreement to allow Knights to perform their domestic police and law enforcement in their stead. Many were obviously opposed to that notion but by the time we, the Knights, are writing this, no law has passed that allows Monsters to integrate into government law enforcement to remove the need for the Knight's services. The MRPA (Monster Rights and Protection Agency) is a Knights Organization Child Agency that falls into the jurisdiction of the KoN and the Police Force within their respective nations (with limited capacity). And thus with this unique circumstance, the Knights are able to operate law enforcement alongside with the nation's respective nation."