[FMMISM] Chapter 22: A Trio Outing

'Oy, oy, oy, isn't this Manaka? Where've you been these past few hours...'

In the doorway, after thinking with a slight panic, Ragna greeted Manaka with a warm smile.

"How come you're back?"

As far as he remembered, Manaka was supposed to be in the downtown area attending a Chinese cuisine cooking class today.

Usually, she wouldn't be back until late evening, so why was she back so early today? Could it be something had happened?

"Well, during the middle of our class, a middle-aged guy suddenly barged in and climbed up to the window, threatening to jump. Because of this, the police sealed off the area and evacuated all the housewives from the classroom, so I came back early."

It was as if Manaka could read Ragna's inner thoughts, she explained slowly in detail. However, she kept staring down at Ragna's and Morgan's hands while speaking.

"...So that's what happened." Ragna's eyebrow faintly twitched. 'What a bizarre turn of events... Mom, you didn't actually set up that suicide scene, did you?'

Manaka glanced up at Ragna, then turned her face toward Morgan beside him. Staring at Morgan's expressionless face, she blinked her deep blue eyes before speaking softly.

"Good morning, Miss Caster... You look so pretty today. Where are you planning to take Ragna?"

===

Although Ragna was unusually heavy-hearted, he wasn't a god, unable to let his mood affect the weather.

It was a delightful noon, perfect for lifting spirits.

At this moment, the lively Tokyo streets bathed in the warm winter sun swept away the gloom of the past few days.

Morgan, Ragna, and Manaka walked side by side in this subtle order from left to right, heading towards the subway station.

Their heights were 170cm, 150cm, and 160cm respectively, creating an 'indentation' in the composition.

Upon hearing Morgan's desire to buy clothes, Manaka happily expressed her own wish to shop for new clothes too.

As a result, a shopping trip for two turned into a trio outing.

"I hope I'm not intruding on you two..."

While glancing at Morgan, Manaka remarked, her hands behind her back as she leaned past Ragna.

"Nope, not at all."

Ragna cut in before Morgan could speak.

"I was actually thinking we could swing by the cooking class to pick you up and then the three of us could shop together. But you came back early, so that plan went out the window."

"Hmm..." Manaka made a cute hum, neither confirming nor denying his statement.

Since they left home, Manaka had been talking to Morgan rather than to Ragna.

Ragna couldn't help but feel subtly ignored by his mother today.

Was it worth getting so angry over?

He had spent plenty of time with other ladies before, and she was fine with that, so what was different about today?

He truly couldn't understand what had made her angry.

"That's right, Manaka, you really saved us by coming."

Ragna spoke and stole a glance at Manaka.

"Morgan, listen to me. Manaka has such great taste in clothes. y'know. Her dresses are all so pretty. Unlike me, I don't really understand women's fashion."

"That's for sure." Manaka raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "Our Ragna at home is the kind who claims stomachaches, headaches, and toothaches whenever his mom asks him to go shopping."

'Shit!' Ragna shuddered, feeling a chill down his spine. 'So she's mad because of that…'

Without a doubt, there was really only one word for it.

"Deserved..."

Muttering so, Morgan suppressed a smile at the corner of her mouth.

===

Although Manaka often threw small tantrums at Ragna, they usually didn't last more than twenty minutes.

However, today was a record-breaking day—it lasted a full half hour.

Thirty minutes after leaving the house, his mother finally forgave her wayward child.

Emerging from the subway, the three arrived at the streets of Shinjuku, where the density of people surged.

Since Morgan had deactivated the magecraft that usually suppressed her presence before leaving, their appearance in the bustling district caused quite a stir.

Passersby were drawn to the three by their appearances, making way and casting countless curious glances their way.

Although inwardly a playboy, Ragna had the exterior of a cold, aloof handsome boy.

Manaka, shining like a fairy tale princess come to life, exuded an otherworldly charm.

Morgan, a natural queen who perfectly blended innocence, allure, and dignity, despite their conflicting elements.

The three were unfazed by the crowded and gawking surroundings, deeply engaged in what seemed like a 'casual' encrypted conversation.

"Miss Caster, your makeup is truly amazing." Manaka remarked with a smile as she glanced at Morgan's face.

'I'm moved... Mom actually has a decent conversation with Morgan. At first, I thought they were like water and fire...' Ragna sighed with relief as he watched their interaction.

'Huh...? Is this girl mocking me that I'm old?'

On the other hand, Morgan narrowed her eyes, interpreting Manaka's words differently. Without much thought, she calmly responded to Manaka's 'compliment'.

"I never thought I'd run into someone like Miss Manaka, whose family roots go all the way back to Britain, here in Japan of all places. It's truly a pleasure to meet you."

'Yeah, I totally thought she was Japanese at first.' Ragna nodded inside his mind.

'Britain? England is England and Britain is Britain. Your country was already destroyed by you 1500 years ago, Miss Fairy.' Manaka remarked inwardly, a smile always gracing her face.

And so it went.

Unbeknownst to Ragna, in a place far from his awareness, two women with the most powerful minds smiled at each other suspiciously.

A few minutes walk from Shinjuku-sanchome subway station, they reached their destination for the day known as Isetan.

Established in 1933, it was a Shinjuku landmark for over 60 years, standing as one of Tokyo's most high-end department stores.

Upon entering the women's fashion section, the two women ceased their subtle animosity.

Despite their vastly different bodies, both Manaka and Morgan exuded a fierce aura akin to knights heading into battle.

Perhaps due to the weekday afternoon timing, the mall was quiet with few people around.

Not far away, a saleslady was awkwardly conversing in a foreign language that the two women couldn't understand with guests dressed as tourists.

"..."

Taking in the dazzling array of colorful women's clothing around her, Morgan sighed softly, her lips parting lightly.

"First time in a place like this?" Ragna asked, silently observing the witch suppressing her emotions, her blue eyes flickering with vibrant lights.

"Yeah, despite being fed knowledge by the Holy Grail, seeing it firsthand is... quite something..." Morgan said with a complex expression.

Evidently, she was a witch who, despite having lived until now, had confined herself to the confines of her garden.

Ragna was about to say something when a clear voice interrupted his somewhat melancholic thoughts.

"Ragna, come take a look at this!"

Not far away, Manaka cheerfully waved at him.

"I'll—"

As Ragna began to speak and moved to see what was happening with Manaka, his words stopped when Morgan suddenly reached out from behind and tightly grabbed his wrist.