Night fell on Danberu's fortress. The moon of the spirit world bathed a library window in light. Inside, Danberu laid his bulk across carpet. Ripped books and parchment littered the floor; an oaken desk split into two. Danberu's stomach began to shake.

Down the hall hiding in a cupboard, Renya heard laughter. She got the sense that the tanuki lord wasn't in a good mood. Renya occupied herself with the books she made away with before Danberu got to them. Reading in total darkness was easy for a homunculus like her. In fact, she preferred it.

The door to the cupboard opened. Renya shielded her eyes, wondering who it could possibly be, and then as she acclimated to the bright light of the hallway she saw the grey haired maid.

Right away, she put the book down and stood up and bowed. Renya couldn't fathom why Fubuki was here. Fubuki put her hand on Renya's shoulder.

"Did the 'maid knight' think she did alright today? Every tanuki down but one."

Renya didn't like the tone. How was she going to get out of this one? She wasn't. The math was clear. Fubuki plus Renya equals not happy Renya. Renya knew that, so she began to adjust her expectations for the future.

Renya took a knee to her stomach and fell to the ground, making sure to grunt out for Fubuki's satisfaction. However, her tone came out flat and fake, which encouraged Fubuki to lay into her harder. Renya chuckled under the blows.

"Frankenstein had his monster, and I have a Fubuki."

Fubuki stopped. She picked Renya up by the scruff of her neck, stood her up and straightened her out.

"Because you mixed me into being doesn't mean you created me. You took pieces of the world and arranged them and you liked, and it came out like me. Does Renya believe herself my creator?"

Renya waved her hand at Fubuki.

"If someone doesn't explain the mathematical proof of their own thinking, then there's no way I'd be able to figure it out without their input."

Fubuki sneered at her. The girl with the cat ears and two tails was always nothing but trouble.

"You're always like this. Stop trying to avoid the question. You aren't able to avoid everything."

"Don't be stupid, I'm sure I'll be able to avoid any question of yours for the rest of my life at least."

Fubuki gaze softened. Renya noticed and her interest got peaked. Usually, this would be the part where she took a hard hit the face and skidding across the ground into a wall. She had learned something from Fubuki. Fubuki turned away from Renya. Her hand went to her chin as her other arm supported her elbow.

"You will, won't you?"

"You're taking my words unexpectedly serious this time."

Fubuki put her hands at her sides. Her eyes went to the books on the cupboard floor.

"Learning about the spirit world, are you? That's useful of you. Do you plan to share that information with us?"

"If you ask, I wouldn't mind answering simple questions. We do live in the same area after all, neighbor."

"And still she doesn't consider herself my underling. Talking to Renya is worse than talking to air, the air listens."

The punch came as expected. Renya's math was correct.