Lately, I feel like I’m not sure who’s supposed to be the master anymore.

Technically, I should be the one in charge of Starreader’s Staff-kun. I’m the Master, after all, and that should come with certain rights and privileges.

And yet, lately, there’s been some major disrespect going on.

…No, I don’t mean tongue-licking. I mean attitude-wise.

Just now, she totally threw out a comment that was oozing with disdain.

“――Let me ask again. What did you just say?”

There I was, sitting on my bed in my room, and in front of me was Starreader’s Staff-kun in her Zero form, kneeling politely.

She? held a small tank in her hands and said:

“I want to keep an angel.”

“Have you lost it?”

Today was a peaceful day, just three days out from the Hinotsuchi Cultural Grand Festival.

Fectom Academy had no major events, so I was having a relaxing day when Starreader’s Staff-kun suddenly dropped a bomb on me.

What happened to your pride as a Demonsgear?

“But look, it’s totally harmless, right?”

“Just the fact that it’s an angel means it’s not harmless. Wait, this is the creature you wanted to introduce me to?”

“Come ooon it’ll be fine I’ll take good care of it~”

“Are you five?”

This isn’t the same as keeping a dog or a cat.

“Isn’t it kinda cool, though? A Sorciera who’s got an angel under her control. Wouldn’t that add to the mystery?”

“Hmm… but that’s a sea turtle. A mysterious beauty… with a sea turtle?”

I pointed at the small turtle swimming gracefully in the tank.

Why is your familiar a sea turtle?

It’s definitely not a strong character choice for a familiar.

“I-I think sea turtles are good, though. …Come on, say something.”

Starreader’s Staff-kun tapped the tank.

The turtle turned to me and said:

“I’ve come to study beautiful girls.”

“Are you a foreign exchange otaku?”

Seriously, how do you say something so creepy with such fluency?

Ignoring my stunned reaction, the angel continued.

“I spent many years alongside the young Sorciera. In our peaceful days together, I felt something indescribable bloom within me. Yes… it was love. I wish to unravel the truth of this love. What did I feel for that girl, and what did I see in her smile? When I meet her again, what should I do? I’ve come in search of that answer.”

“……????????”

I tilted my head and looked at Starreader’s Staff-kun.

She was nodding along in agreement with the angel’s monologue.

“Umm, can I ask a question…?”

“Of course, my Lord.”

“I’m not your Lord… anyway… you said you spent time with young Sorciera… what?”

“The days we spent together on a hill overlooking the sea. That girl loved my quiche.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

This is scary.

This angel’s seeing hallucinations.

Was the Third Angel like this…?

I thought it was more of a formidable, cyber-type enemy…

“Look at that, our partner is frightened. That expression… also adorable.”

“I see.”

“Well, at least we’ve identified the root of the problem.”

I stood and faced Starreader’s Staff-kun.

Then, I grabbed and tugged at her cheeks.

“You deranged Demonsgear…! Angels are a no-go! They’re humanity’s enemy! Which means they’re the enemy of beautiful girls!”

“B-but even angels should have the right to enjoy beautiful girls. Besides, the trope of the evil monster becoming a beautiful girl is basically a classic at this point…!”

“…………Angel, can you become a beautiful girl?”

At my question, the angel swam and answered:

“I cannot.”

“Then throw it out!”

“Please no!? I swear I’ll manage it properly. And it can’t rebel against humans anymore! I rewired it that way!”

That’s… a ridiculously outrageous thing to do so casually.

“I just want someone I can tell about how great you are! Someone I can pour these feelings into!”

“That’s more gross than sweet.”

“Rude! I listened to my partner and picked someone who’s not a beautiful girl or a human! You shouldn’t have any complaints!”

“You’re so persistent. No means no.”

Angels are seriously dangerous.

It’s honestly safer to dismantle this one and turn it into a weapon.

Just as I moved to snatch the tank from Starreader’s Staff-kun based on my original story knowledge—

“Please, Sorciera.”

“!”

Right as I got close to the tank, Starreader’s Staff-kun whispered into my ear in her beautiful girl voice.

Since she was originally Sorciera, the voice felt like divine music.

Pleasure shot through my brainstem, and I collapsed where I stood.

“Alrighty, time to go to bed~＾＾”

“S-stop it!”

She whispered into my ear and lifted me up toward the bed.

Then, after laying me down, she looked at the tank and said:

“What you’re about to witness is ZeroxSor. The source of the world and the absolute truth. Burn this into your overly competent circuits.”

“Understood.”

“Wait, hold on—I’m not playing the bottom here—” “But this is kind of peak beautiful girl content, right?” …Ugh.”

She had a point.

Right now, I’m… pretty irresistible as a beautiful girl.

If this were happening to someone else, I’d stop it deadpan. But if it’s me…

『Are you recording this?』

『From every angle.』

『Geez… just this once♥』

『Yeah♥』

A telepathically coordinated yuri assault theater—begins.

I transformed into Sorciera’s outfit and glared sharply at Zero.

“St-stop…!”

“Nope. …Now then, naughty girls deserve punishment~”

No, you’re the naughty one here.

“Why did she suddenly change clothes…? What does it mean? Also, why did the entire tide shift from just a whisper…? Incomprehensible—”

A flat voice echoed from the tank.

I initiated a new telepathic conversation with Starreader’s Staff-kun.

『Looks like it doesn’t get it.』

『But you can tell it’s trying to understand. And by now, even you know—it’s not a threat anymore.』

『Actually, I think you’re the bigger threat right now.』

『Thanks♥』

『Wasn’t a compliment♥』

Zero whispers in my ear while Sorciera writhes.

And in our minds, the Beautiful Girl Conference continues.

Everything proceeds with calm solemnity.

『It could function as an excellent processing system. As a support part, it’s well-qualified.』

『That’s true.』

Still… a sea turtle, huh.

『Also, we need a backup. In case I’m neutralized, we need a separate path of power.』

『If you’re neutralized, it’s probably game over anyway.』

『The angel is evolving to counter Sorciera. We must evolve too.』

That was unexpectedly sincere.

I thought Starreader’s Staff-kun’s crazy love was just doing missionary work.

As expected of a Demonsgear.

She’s prepared to swallow both purity and corruption to confront calamity.

Then I too must respond accordingly.

『…If you’re saying all that, fine. Alright.』

『Thank you＾＾』

『But we need to put a shackle on the angel.』

『A shackle?』

Starreader’s Staff-kun had already ensured the angel couldn’t rebel on a system level.

So I’ll bind its heart instead.

『Which is why I’m about to fry the angel’s brain.』

『Leave it to me＾＾』

To the angel, Sorciera is probably someone it must protect. Likely from its time with Loli-ciera.

Then let’s show it that the object of its protection is now getting ruined and melted in front of its eyes.

It’s fine. Even for an angel, it’s still just a pure little child.

R-15 will be enough.

Prepare yourself, angel…!

Our yuri assault is gonna resonate just a bit!

『Let’s kiss too＾＾』

Starreader’s Staff-kun looms over me.

And just as we were about to engage in cross-cultural communication with the angel—

Suddenly, the door flew open and someone entered the room.

“Kei, look at this! I think this is a fake Sorcie—”

“Hey! Please don’t stop there! Clam, are you listening!? If you freeze at the entrance, I can’t get in!”

Rushing in was Clam-chan.

Behind her, Hikari-chan was flailing around.

“K-Kei… are you okay?”

『Oh crap.』

What now, Starreader’s Staff-kun!?

This is bad!

『You could’ve locked the door!』

I don’t lock the door. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of with beautiful girls.

『That noble honesty just backfired! Well, I’ll handle it for now.』

With that, Starreader’s Staff-kun tilted her head dramatically and looked at Clam-chan.

“…Honestly, if you’re going to enter a room, at least knock. Basic manners.”

“You…! Get away from Kei!”

“Fine, fine. Loud humans.”

She then kissed my hair and disappeared in a cloud of glowing particles.

Oh, she ran away!

『Close call＾＾』

『Barely made it.』

Angel, you ran too!?

Wait, I thought I sensed a second presence in my head for a while—was that you!?

『Quit worrying about us and go talk to Clam already.』

Just as Starreader’s Staff-kun said, Clam-chan rushed over to me.

Her eyes were fully wide open.

“Did something happen? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Hehe, you’re such a worrywart.”

I gave a cool smile and patted Clam-chan’s head.

When it comes to mysterious beautiful girls, taking control of the conversation is easy.

“So, did you need something?”

“Oh, right! Kei, this is bad! Your—” “A fake Sorciera! It’s Dark Sorciera!” …Well, that sums it up.”

I see… a fake Solciera, huh.

…Well, I already know who’s behind it.

『It’s not me.』

Huh?

『You’re probably thinking it’s me, so I’ll say it now—it’s not me.』

…What!?