[MF] Ch 16: Puppet Avatars

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Touko and Kaito sat down at the low table, and—surprisingly—Touko herself poured tea for him.

This was the "proper" way she received guests at her office. After their earlier conversation, Touko had apparently decided Kaito wasn't connected to the Mage's Association and hadn't come to arrest her.

At least, not on the surface. And so, on the surface, her attitude shifted; she even put her glasses back on.

A quick note: Touko's set-up includes a kind of split personality tied to her glasses. When she wears them, she's warm, personable, and her tone is soft. Without them, she turns cold and cutting, her voice distant and sharp.

Of course, that's more of a public-facing "mode switch" than an actual disorder. Glasses on meant she was in "business mode."

Like now—she smiled, polite and attentive, projecting the perfect image of a welcoming, professional woman hosting a client.

The dramatic shift in tone wasn't just because her suspicion had faded. It was also because Kaito had started telling his "backstory," and Touko was completely hooked.

People might assume someone like Touko wouldn't indulge in gossip or drama. That's not true. She just isn't interested in everyday nonsense. But if something catches her attention, she's all in.

And Kaito's story? A juicy tale about "the last heir of an ancient supernatural family." That was enough to not only flip her into full business mode but to get her pouring him tea herself.

In other words, she was fully invested in the drama.

Who could blame her? Kaito was spinning his story like a master.

He'd basically taken the plot of a future-era web novel—family decline, broken engagement, fiery comeback—and made it his own: a boy from a fallen family, orphaned after his parents' death, mocked and rejected by his fiancée, crushed under humiliation and rage. Then he claws his way back up, vowing to reclaim everything he's lost.

Kaito told it all in first person, slipping into character with practiced ease. He even left certain parts vague, projecting the image of someone with dark, untold stories.

The drama and conviction in his voice fascinated Touko. She found herself staring at him with growing admiration—and a faint sense of kinship.

Because, honestly, his story wasn't so different from her own. The details varied, but the shape was the same: a prodigy crushed in their youth, thrown into a downward spiral. She'd lost to her sister, Aoko, in their fight over the family legacy. She'd even been humiliated in an actual physical confrontation, exiled from her home, and hit with the Association's Sealing Designation.

Misery stacked on misery. Her life, too, had hit rock bottom.

And yet, like Kaito, she hadn't quit. She'd sworn to claw her way back, to reclaim what she'd lost and reach the top again.

Kaito's words echoed her own resolve. It made something in her stir, a spark of long-buried fire.

That was when she understood, in her own way, why Kaito had come proposing marriage. Their lives mirrored each other so closely. Two exiled, abandoned lone wolves. Of course there'd be a strange pull between them.

If she'd met him right after her defeat and exile, she might honestly have considered saying yes.

She even realized why his approach—showing up and proposing right away—had seemed so bizarre. In old families like his, arranged engagements and sudden proposals weren't unusual. If the match fit, the deal was struck. Kaito might live in the modern world, but as the heir of an ancient house, of course he'd carry the old customs.

And the truth was, they did fit. Two talented, fallen heirs from old bloodlines. On paper, they were a perfect match.

But that time had passed. Years had gone by. Touko had found her footing again, forged her own plans. She was still in her low period, but she knew she'd survive it. She was becoming something new: a free, solitary witch.

So, no—she wasn't going to marry Kaito. But after this conversation, she liked him more. Enough, at least, to give him what he wanted.

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[Ding~]

The "fun" counter in Kaito's system had racked up 158 points. On top of that, an achievement popped up, rewarding him with another 120 points. The icon showed Kaito sweet-talking Touko, paired with the scene of his initial marriage proposal.

The achievement's name? {"Give a Puppet Maker a Taste of the Internet Age's Absurdity."}

It was fitting. Touko wasn't the type to swallow everything he said, but the shock had landed. And that was enough for Kaito.

Now it was time to get down to business.

First, he let out a small sigh about not being able to marry her. Then, as Touko watched him with a complicated expression—half about to speak, half silent—he pulled out a stack of documents.

"Even though we can't get married, Touko," he said, "I think we can still work together. Please take a look at these first. Once you've gone through them, we can talk about the next step."

He held them out with both hands.

Touko raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. She took the stack and glanced at the cover. Her pupils contracted.

"The Path of Puppet Avatars — Clone Technique Data."

She quickly flipped through the pages. Three in, she looked up at Kaito, her face a mix of shock and puzzlement.

"These documents are…?"

Kaito produced the explanation he'd prepared, blending it with a few flourishes unique to this world's lore. "This is one of the techniques my family has guarded for generations. Legend says it traces back to Age of Gods. But that's just legend."

"Here, I've compiled everything I know, but making it work is no simple task."

"That's why I came to you," he continued. "Touko, from what I've learned, you're far ahead of others in puppet research. You have a unique expertise. And since you're not tied to any old-guard factions in the magical world—you're an independent—you're the ideal collaborator for me."

Touko had suspected something like this, but hearing it out loud still left her stunned.

She set the papers down, her index finger tapping rhythmically on the table as she thought. Finally, she spoke.

"Why me? With material this detailed, you shouldn't need the woman who just turned down your proposal to do the job for you."

Kaito nodded, utterly calm. "You're right. But I'm not like those Western magi. I follow my tradition—business is built on trust. More friends means more roads ahead."

He smiled slightly. "Besides, with this information, you'll be able to advance your own research faster. And I, for one, want to see the brilliance you'll show when you complete your work."

"And when I'm ready to go back and reclaim everything," he added, "you'll be a key ally for me. Won't you?"

Touko held his gaze for a long moment, then laughed softly. "You really do know what to say… Honestly, if you'd come a few years earlier, I might not have minded marrying you."

She extended her hand. "As things are now, being friends and partners sounds just fine. What do you think, Mr. Kurobane?"

Kaito smiled and shook her hand. "It would be my honor. And please, call me Kaito, just like I call you Touko."

And with that, their partnership was sealed.

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