[FMMISM] Chapter 24: Harmonious

'Huh, what's going on?'

Ragna, with wrists and neck adorned with various shopping bags, emerged from the women's underwear store looking utterly bewildered.

He glanced ahead at the figures of Morgan and Manaka.

The two beauties, more radiant than flowers, walked arm in arm through the mall, chatting and laughing like sisters.

"Japanese underwear sizes are just too small. I can never find something that's both suitable and pretty." Morgan remarked, touching her face somewhat regretfully.

While in the underwear store, the store clerk suggested Morgan check out the maternity section next door, given the limited options in her size. Naturally, she found this suggestion quite embarrassing and insulting.

After spending a long time searching, she finally managed to pick out a few styles that were passable and fit her size.

"No way, Miss Caster, that black bra with blue roses you bought just now is pretty." Manaka consoled her.

"No, no, I still prefer the white lace trim one that Miss Manaka bought." Morgan replied humbly.

"Heehee, really? Do you think so too? I thought it looked great after trying it on. It's no wonder you recommended that style." Manaka tilted her head, smiling brightly.

'What the fuck...'

This scene was so surreal and absurd that Ragna was too stunned to grasp the situation.

Here was the current scenario—Morgan and Manaka, who were at odds just moments ago, have now become quite close after shopping for underwear together. Moreover, they seemed like long-time friends who got along well.

Wasn't Morgan bringing Manaka to the underwear store just to mock and tease her?

After all, as far as Ragna knew, Manaka either went braless or wore a tank top like an elementary school girl up until today.

Yet, once they entered the underwear store, Morgan actually dragged Manaka along to pick out adult underwear.

Since it was Manaka's first time in such a store, she was extremely excited.

And so, leaving Ragna, the only man aside, the two women earnestly started discussing their choices.

'So, the clown turned out to be me...' Ragna thought speechlessly.

Did Morgan bring Manaka here just to improve relations with her?

Did this mean that, even though Manaka was the Root Princess, connected to the Root since birth, omnipotent and omniscient, she was ultimately just an easygoing teenage girl who was easy to get along with?

No, that was not the case.

In fact, Manaka regained her humanity after meeting Ragna, which was why she was like this at this moment. If she had never met him, none of this would have been possible.

Undoubtedly, Manaka was becoming more human-like and alive, just as she was today—easily swayed by Morgan's favor, breaching the high walls around her closed heart.

'Hmm... is this also part of your plan, Morgan? Oh well, Morgan probably doesn't have any bad intentions.'

Truthfully, Ragna should probably thank Morgan. If Manaka spent the whole day feeling down because of him, he wouldn't be happy either.

Looking at the results, everyone was obviously happy.

At long last, in the winter of her 17th year, Manaka graduated from the children's undershirt to the proper AA-cup bra.

It was a small step for her personally, but a significant step in principle.

"Miss Caster really helped out a lot today."

"...Oh no, you're too kind."

Manaka and Morgan exchanged a knowing glance and gave sweet smiles to each other.

"Heehee, next time we're free, how about we go out for a drink together?" Manaka cheerfully suggested.

"Sure, I have a feeling it'll be a delightful afternoon tea with Miss Manaka." Morgan agreed with a slight smile.

Seeing their interactions, Ragna smiled faintly.

[Thanks.]

As Ragna spoke to Morgan telepathically through their Master-Servant contract, she glanced back at him over her shoulder.

[It's nothing, just a reward for you being willing to come out with me, my little knight. But more importantly, I wonder why I haven't heard someone's opinion on the underwear I bought...]

Upon hearing that, Ragna rolled his eyes.

[Duh, how can I give an opinion if I haven't seen you wear it?]

[Fufu... fair point.] Morgan smiled warmly. [Well then, look forward to our next date, just the two of us, Master.]

===

A week later.

It was a peaceful morning, with bright sunlight streaming in through the window.

At half past eleven in the morning, Ragna woke up from a hangover. Feeling a throbbing headache, he stumbled out of his room and walked into the living room.

As he arrived, he quickly turned on the television and instantly sank onto the couch.

"Good morning. You're up quite early, Master."

A somewhat warm greeting suddenly came into his ear.

Ragna looked up to see Morgan wearing an apron passing through the living room.

Morgan in an apron? It was definitely something worth capturing on a smartphone if he had one.

"It's all because you kept me up half the night yesterday. Hmph, you're such a woman who's never satisfied." Ragna retorted.

"Miss Caster."

Just as Morgan was about to retort back, Manaka poked her head out from the kitchen and called out.

"I've got everything ready over here."

"Coming." Morgan quickly headed into the kitchen, leaving Ragna alone in the living room.

"Miss Caster, you put too much salt in there."

After a while, a faint voice drifted from the kitchen.

"Oh? Really... I measured it according to alchemical standards, thought it was just right."

"No, no, Ragna shouldn't have too much salt. It weakens him if he eats too much."

"Bruh, how can too much salt weaken me? I'm a Beast, not a Japanese demon..." Ragna muttered, his mouth's corner twitching.

Since the incident at the women's underwear store, Morgan and Manaka had grown quite harmonious living under the same roof.

Today, it seemed they were preparing lunch together again.

Around 1 AM last night, Morgan had dragged Ragna home from a nightclub where he had fallen asleep with his head on a hostess's thigh and locked him in his room.

It was because she wanted him to become her food tester, and he was supposed to taste her test lunch later.

"Hmph, sisters? More like plastic sisters. They'll probably turn on each other soon enough..." Ragna muttered to himself. {T/N: Plastic sisters mean a relationship that appears to be in harmony on the surface, but in fact, both people hate each other or try to compete with each other in secret.}

Ever since Manaka and Morgan had grown closer, Ragna couldn't shake the feeling of being sidelined.

Wasn't this supposed to be a typical harem story centered around him?

"Hahhh..."

Ragna sighed and glanced at the calendar, realizing there were still two weeks before he departed for Fuyuki.

In his final moments of leisure, he decided to fully embrace his lazy persona.

"Manaka, could you grab me a cold beer?" Ragna sprawled lazily on the couch, shamelessly calling out to his busy mother in the kitchen.

Ten seconds later, Manaka entered the living room with an opened beer can in hand.

"Drinking so early in the morning. Next time, I won't spoil you like this again, okay?" Manaka scolded with an adorable pout as she handed the beer can to Ragna.

"Oh, thanks~" Ragna whistled happily as he took the beer.

Sure enough, this was a harem full of beauties, all centered around him.

"Ragna, it's lunchtime!"

Upon hearing Manaka's shout, Ragna snapped out of watching television and glanced at the clock, realizing it was already twelve o'clock.

Walking to the dining room, Ragna found a feast laid out before him, fit for a king.

"So, how come we can make Beijing Duck in our family kitchen..."

Ragna remarked while pulling out a dining chair without formality.

"Anyway..."

Ragna looked up at Morgan, who stood hesitantly behind him, still not seated.

"About what you said last night... What's your proudest specialty dish?"

"It's that one."

Morgan raised her delicate, fair hands, her beautiful face glowing with pride as she pointed to a modest bowl among the spread of dishes.

Curious, Ragna took a closer look and then felt his heart sink.

As expected of Britain's princess, it was mashed potatoes after all.