The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 14: A Foolish Little Star

"Hah! This again? And a magician? Really?" Gillian sighed, tired, turning her attention to the man with a flat, uninterested expression. "Please, if she is with you, reason with her before she does something she regrets. If it's not necessary, I don't want to wreck a pretty face like hers — It would be a waste."

"Tch! Don't underest..."

"Mertinia..." The man raised his voice, stopping the girl on her track. "We are not here to start a fight. Not yet..."

"But she is...!"

"Mertinia! No..." Some glare and an exerted pressure were enough to make the girl back away from her intent.

"Tch! Fine..." The gathered might have started to disperse, but the girl named Mertinia still glared at Gillian intensely. "I will take care of her later." She muttered under her nose.

"Sure, you will." Gillian teased her before turning her attention back to the man. "Now, as it is solved, what can I do for you, Mr. Fallen?"

"Oh! So you recognized what I am?" Removing his hat, the ghostly pale man smiled serene — almost deceivingly friendly.

"Of course, I saw your kind around here before." Neither he really tried to hide what he was. "You know, I have many customers from all kinds of people. Amongst them, devils, fallen, human, even a few werewolves who live in this town — they are quite nice and clean, actually, don't believe the rumors."

Sona and Rias' group really outdid themselves recommending this place for the Supernatural community of the town. Thanks to them, her regular customer base all but doubled.

"Well, I need to stay open at night a few times a week — as there are creatures of the night too. But... oh well, I can't sleep anyway, and they bring money and good stories. It is a worthy investment."

"I see, interesting."

"Though, the Fallen came here before causing quite a ruckus, so, forgive my caution." Gillian sighed, shaking her head disapproving. "They made quite a bad impression."

"Hmm, no offense taken. Some of my comrades tend to act... quite uncivilized." The man seemingly smiled hearing this, already aware of the reports indicating that a few lower-class Fallen caused an "accident" not long ago. "I apologize in their name too."

"Nah, it's not your fault." The girl waved away the apology. "Ah! But how impolite I am not even introducing myself! You may call me Gillian. I am the owner of this maid café. Gillian O'Dyēus." She bowed slightly. "At your service."

"Kokabiel, my name is Kokabiel." Grinned the man proud as he returned the gesture. "And she is Mertinia."

"Well, it is good to see you both."

The nod and friendly smile Gillian gave the girl only received a disgusted shrug as an answer — signifying she was still angry after the "journey" the player sent her on.

"Tch!"

"Hmm..." Dismissing her attitude, Gillian turned back to Kokabiel, seemingly already forgetting the ban she issued to the girl. "If I may ask, what brings a man like yourself here? And of course, his alluring companion?" Gillian prepared some coffee and cake, placing it before the two without them asking. "Business? Vacation? Or pleasure? Or all three? Neither?"

"Business and pleasure." Kokabiel tasted the coffee, putting some milk and sugar in it. "Tasteful..."

"Ah! Finally, a man who likes his work! Nowadays, it is rarer and rarer to find this combination."

"Exactly..." Kokabiel sighed with a low chuckle before his expression returned to normal. "And that's why exactly I am here. Around two days ago, my... companion pursued a man here — quite vile with bad intentions who stole something from us. She almost got him when she encountered your "barrier" around this shop — a barrier I did not sense coming here..." Giving a strict look to the girl on his side, Mertinia lowered her head pouting.