“Is that because you're a mage? You're okay with doing that in plain sight of a guy?”
“A guy? Who? I don't need to think anything of being watched by my familiar.”
What the heck. That's exactly how you'd treat a dog or cat. Saito grabbed the blanket, threw it over his head, and turned away. He decided to revoke any and all thoughts he'd previously had about her cuteness. She just really got on his nerves. Being that girl's familiar? Yeah right.
“Oh, and these. Wash them for me tomorrow.” Several items came flying over to land softly beside him. He picked them up, wondering what they were.
A lacy camisole and matching panties. White, too. What exquisite and delicate pieces , Saito thought as his face began to flush. He clenched them tightly as a mix of indignation and delight welled up.
“Why do I have to– Your underwear?! Wash them?! Frankly, I'm both flattered and offended!”
He bolted upright, without even realizing he'd done so. Louise was pulling a large nightgown over her head. And in the dim light thrown off by the lamp, he could see the outline of her figure. While he couldn't make out any other details, it didn't seem as though she was embarrassed. It was kind of disappointing. He felt as though his masculinity were being denied.
“Who do you think is going to support you? Who do you think is going to give you food? And just whose room are you going to sleep in?”
“Uhh…”
“You're my familiar, right? Laundry, cleaning, other menial tasks – they're naturally your job.”
Saito pulled the blanket over his head again.
This girl is hopeless, he thought. She just doesn't see me as a guy at all.
I want to go home. I miss my room. I miss my parents.
The feeling of homesickness was overwhelming.
…When will I be able to go back?
Is there even a way to go back?
I wonder if my family is worried about me right now…
I need to find some way of returning…
What should I do? Should I try running away from here? But then what?
Maybe I'll try asking someone. But from what Louise told me earlier, nobody even knows another world exists, so there's no way they'll believe me.
No, I need to think this through rationally. In any case, struggling won't get me anywhere. I don't have any clues, and even if I escaped from here, there's no guarantee that I'll even find a way back.
I don't even have relatives in this world. There's nobody I can rely on besides a conceited girl by the name of Louise.
Guess there's no choice. For now, I'll be her familiar. At least she said she'll keep me fed.It'll be tough, since I'm not much more than a familiar to her.
Sure, she's a bit arrogant, but at least she's fairly cute. I suppose I can just imagine I made a girlfriend. Someone I happened to meet through the dating site. Treat it as if I came overseas just to see her. Or as if I came as a foreign student. Actually, that's better. Yeah, that's what I'll think. Hah, I'm so simple like that. It's great.
Okay, thought Saito. It's not like I've been stranded on a deserted island. Moping will achieve nothing.
I'll live as a familiar, and in the process, I'll look for a way to return home.
Now that his plan was set, he felt noticeably sleepy.
No matter the situation, Saito's amazing adaptability had always saved him. Where anyone else would've panicked and crumbled, Saito came through thanks to his flexible personality.
Louise snapped her fingers, and the glow of the lamp died out.
The lamp is magical too? I guess that means there really is no need for electricity, Saito reasoned.
A shroud of darkness descended upon the room.
Outside the window, the two moons shone down mysteriously.
Mrs. Hiraga, your son Saito has arrived in a world where there are wizards. He will not be able to attend school for quite some time, nor will he be able to study. Please forgive him.
And so began Saito's life as a familiar.
Chapter Two: Louise the Zero
When Saito woke up, the first sight to greet his eyes was the underwear that Louise had stripped off.
It had somehow ended up in his line of sight, having been carelessly tossed away. Louise was still asleep in bed, snoring gently. Her sleeping face was simply cherubic. Now she seemed a lot more childish. She was a loud and annoying girl when she spoke — “noble” this, “magician” that — but, while she slept, she was cute. Saito almost wished that she would stay that way forever.
Then reality sank in. So, last night really wasn't a dream. He had thought he would find himself back in his own room, but, obviously, it hadn't happened. He felt dispirited.
Still, it was a refreshing morning. Dazzling light shone down into the room.
Saito's characteristic curiosity was reawakened. Now that I think about it, this is kinda like a sightseeing tour. I wonder what kind of world this is? While I don't like the idea of being the familiar of a rude magician girl who snores her head off, I should try to make the most of it, in any case.
First things first, he flung the blanket off Louise.
“Wh-What? What's going on!”
“It's morning, Milady.”
“Huh? O-Oh… Wait, who are you!?” Louise yelled in a slurred voice. Her expression was vacant as she trailed off into a pitiful mumble.
Is this girl okay?
“Hiraga Saito.”
“Oh, the familiar. That's right, I summoned you yesterday, didn't I?”
Louise got up and yawned. Then, she ordered Saito:
“Clothes.”
He tossed her the uniform that had been draped over a chair. Louise began to sluggishly undress.
Saito quickly turned the other way to hide his blushing face.
“Underwear.”
“G-Get that yourself.”
“They're in the lowest drawer… Of that closet… Over there.”
It seemed she thoroughly planned to make the most out of Saito.
Holding his tongue, he went and opened the indicated drawer. Lo and behold, it was packed full of underwear. It was the first time he had seen women's underwear, except for his mother's. Grabbing a pair at random, he threw it over his shoulder without looking back.
Once Louise had put them on, she mumbled again.
“Clothes.”
“I just gave them to you.”
“Dress me.”
Don't push it. Saito turned to object angrily, only to find Louise sitting sleepily on the bed wearing nothing but the underwear he had thrown at her. He suddenly didn't know where to look.
Louise pouted in displeasure.
“You must not know because you're a commoner, but nobles will not dress themselves if a servant is available.”
That irked him.
“You can at least dress yourself.”
“Right then. As punishment for being a disrespectful familiar: No breakfast,” Louise declared, raising a finger triumphantly.
Reluctantly, Saito picked up her blouse.
When he left the room with Louise, he saw three identical wooden doors along the wall. One of them opened, and from inside appeared a girl with flaming red hair. She was taller than Louise, roughly the same height as Saito. She gave off a strongly flirtatious aura. Her face was attractive, and she sported a captivating bustline. Her breasts were like melons.