Multiverse Gacha

In the end, events unfolded much as they did in the original tale.

Astarte, having committed crimes on Itogami Island alongside Rudolf Ostach, was found guilty.

Yet Natsuki stepped in to vouch for her—partly thanks to August's influence. After all, few dared to cross the mercurial August lightly.

Thus, August's household gained an emotionless maid. Under Natsuki's tutelage, she even mastered the art of brewing exceptional tea.

"Astarte, a cup of black tea."

"Yes, Master."

"Astarte, fetch me some pastries."

"Yes, Master."

"Astarte, get me…"

And so it went, a routine playing out before Natsuki's eyes. With Astarte at his beck and call, August morphed into a complete sloth—lying down if he could, sitting if he couldn't stand.

Having a maid who obeyed every command without question? It was a luxury he relished.

He'd even given Sayaka a break, sending her off to hang out with Yukina Himeragi.

Click!

"You bastard—are you paralyzed? How lazy can you get?"

Natsuki glared at August, her irritation boiling over.

Food, drink, necessities, entertainment—everything was provided. Astarte catered to his every whim without a single protest.

"Saving Astarte took a lot out of me. I need to recharge."

"Get lost. Your life force is practically limitless. Plus, you're already sustaining a familiar yourself."

"Exactly. That's why I'm so drained."

"Astarte, come here. Ignore this idiot."

Natsuki snatched Astarte away, her own longing for a maid bubbling up.

Astarte's arrival had fulfilled that quiet desire—except she belonged to August, not her.

She'd tried several times to poach Astarte, only to be rebuffed.

"Natsuki-chan, she's my Astarte."

"I say she's mine."

"Fine, yours."

August caught the icy glint in Natsuki's eye and wisely backed off. Now wasn't the time to push his luck.

Astarte didn't mind. This tug-of-war had become a daily spectacle, and she harbored no dislike for Natsuki. Serving her felt natural enough.

In the end, under Natsuki's "threatening" stare, August slunk out of the office.

He'd barely gotten to enjoy his hard-won maid. It made him miss Hildegarde and Yuluda—back when they were around, he'd lived like an emperor.

"Hm? Isn't that Natsuki-senpai's boyfriend? Kicked out again?"

August turned. Of course—Misaki Sasasaki. He was frequently booted from Natsuki's office, and seven or eight times out of ten, he'd run into her. He'd long suspected she was stalking him.

"You again, Teacher Sasasaki."

"Come on, we're past formalities. Just call me Misaki."

"Alright, Misaki. What are you doing here?"

"Just passing by. I finished class and was heading back."

August glanced at his phone. Eleven sharp. Less than half an hour until lunch break, and nearly thirty minutes since the last class ended. Just finished class?

Misaki squirmed under his skeptical gaze, a touch embarrassed.

Even she didn't buy her own excuse, but it was true.

She'd just be wandering, and somehow, she'd always stumble across August after Natsuki evicted him. Once or twice was coincidence, three or four times luck—but now? It was downright bizarre.

She couldn't explain it herself. Frustrating, to say the least.

"By the way, how are Koyomi and Yukina doing?"

"Oh, they're great. You wouldn't believe how popular those two are. Koyomi's the saint of the middle school division, and Yukina's the angel."

"Angel? You mean Yukina?"

"Yep. She's so adorable, I can't help wanting to pinch her cheeks."

"Got it. I'll pass that along—and tell Yukina to steer clear of you."

"Tattling's not cool."

"Tch. You're the teacher here."

"Hmph!"

With a huff, Misaki strode off on her long legs.

Their odd encounters had forged a decent rapport—a sort of playful rivalry.

Wandering aimlessly, August found himself at the gymnasium out back. Inside, pairs of boys and girls trained at tennis—or rather, flirted under the guise of practice.

Anyone could see this was less about tennis and more about PDA.

"Hm? What are you doing here?"

A voice broke his reverie. Turning, he saw Asagi Aiba.

Unlike her usual self, she wasn't in her school uniform. Today, she wore a light pink tennis outfit, her charm amplified by the sporty look.

"Just strolling. Ended up here by accident."

"Strolling? Don't tell me Natsuki-chan kicked you out again."

"Ahem, no way. I'd never get kicked out. The office was just boring, so I stepped out for a walk."

"Oh, really?"

Asagi's gaze was knowing, but August held firm, preserving his dignity.

Like Misaki, he often crossed paths with Asagi at Saikai Academy. A black forest cake he'd once given her had sparked their acquaintance.

Over time, they'd become friends—food friends, to be precise.

"So, what's this about? Some kind of PDA competition?"

August gestured at the couples, boys copping feels under the pretense of "training."

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"The Saikai Academy sports festival is in a few days."

"Sports festival? Natsuki-chan mentioned it, I think. I wasn't really listening."

"Ugh, you've got it easy as a teacher's aide. No responsibilities, coasting along, still getting paid. Meanwhile, I'm slaving away for pocket change, pulling overtime."

"Spare me. One of your commissions out-earns my salary for months."

August called out Asagi's faux humility.

As a former corporate drone from the Dragon Kingdom, enduring the 996 grind, he envied her cushy gig. She had no idea how good she had it.

---

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pat reon, https , // www .pat reon. com /XElenea