Little Monster Miracle Orphanage (Day 23)

You made it home safe, and sound, but before you do anything else; you decided to take a peek in Chloe’s bedroom, and found both Chloe, and Ceres sleeping both soundly. Heading back downstairs you catch Elly nodding off on the couch, the Television still on with the menu screen of a romantic comedy playing on repeat.

“Morning~” Elly yawned, the effects of staying up all night was quickly apparent.

It was also apparent that Elly made herself comfortable, forsaking her pajama pants, and setting it aside. Even her distinct mamono features were present, perhaps too tired, or lazy to keep the guise. Reminding you that despite how human she appears, she was still an Alp.

“Morning sleepy head how were the kids?” You asked.

“Like little angels, until we started playing board games, then they were devil incarnate-*giggle*” Elly laughed.

“The monopoly game?” You ask.

“Yup” Elly nodded

“Well, make yourself comfortable if you want to sleep a little, I was gonna do the same myself, I’ll bring you a blanket, and pillow” you offer.

“Y-you don’t have to do all tha-*ya~wn*” Elly’s exhaustion was saying otherwise.

“Come on, I trust ya, besides you dragged me to your strip club in the same manner, just giving you a taste of your own medicine” you grin.

“Oh no~ you’re so evil Anon…thanks” Elly grinned.

The last deed your body was willing to commit to, as even with the large mug of coffee you had to stay awake, it’s effects were quickly draining, and the bed was too welcoming…you take notice that the girls won’t wake up for another few hours so you decide to take a small rest while you can.

It was a dreamless sleep, nodding off to the darkness for what felt like a second until you were woken up by Ceres and Chloe jumping on your bed.

“Food! Food! Food! Food!” The girls chanted.

“Oh yeah, it’s past breakfast isn’t it?” You reply exercising a large chunk of patience for their not so subtle method of waking you up.

“Don’t worry, I can make us something real quick” you respond.

“Yay~ food!” Chloe and Ceres cheered as they jumped off the bed and rushed downstairs.

“Hey-hey no running down the stairs…or flying!” You call back but they were already gone.

You sigh heavily, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, guess it has been a while since you’ve done this, thank goodness it’s only temporary. You put on some fresh clothes, and meet them downstairs to cook them a meal, but you were surprise to find Elly already hard at work cooking pancakes.

She turns to you with a smile as bright as the sun, still in her sleepwear, and still not wearing, or rather forgetting about her pajama pants.

“Don’t worry about a thing Anon, I got this, go take a shower, but make it quick, you haven’t lived until you tried my chocolate chip pancakes” Elly grinned.

You finish your shower as quickly as she requested, putting on your shirt just in time to receive a phone call from your sister. Hopefully an update to the little incident not too long ago.

“[Anon? Good news! We’ve finally calmed mother down enough that she no longer wishes to lay waste to the school]” Lisa declared.

“Well that explains why I haven’t heard anything about a school turned to rubble” you muse.

“[Yes, but mother still wished to punish the principal who hurt Chloe’s feelings, she wouldn’t budge from that]” Lisa stated.

“Oh crap, there’s really no way to talk her out of it?” You ask.

“[It’s already been done I’m afraid, I’ve had Yotaka sneak a certain substance inside the principal’s refrigerator…something that will lead her to make bad decisions-and before you say anything! I guarantee you this drink is perfectly legal, and sold in many stores]” Lisa said.

“What did you do?” You ask.

“[See for yourself, it’s starting actually, turn on your T.V and go to your favorite show]” Lisa said.

“…What?…” you murmur.

You click the television on from your room, making it just in time. The same narrator, and host of a show you’re far too familiar with, a solemn frown on his face as he tells yet another tale of weakness and mistakes.

“[We’re back! With White Trash! And in Trouble!]

“One more day, one more incident of misuse, when will we as a society-no as a species! Learn not to underestimate the power of Pabst Blue Ribbon?” The narrator said.

“…Lisa? Why am I watching this?” You ask.

“[Just wait!]” Lisa insisted.

“No matter what occupation, no one is safe from it, your goals, your hopes, and dreams, everything you strive for gone in an instant. No matter what beliefs, no one is protected. For it is written, those who partake in this forbidden ambrosia, god has no room in his heart for thee. Here is one such case” the narrator begins.

The writers of this show sure like to stretch the drama to unnecessary degrees…

The camera cuts to a shot of a lovely looking two story home in a safe, and private neighborhood.

“Here in this seemingly safe haven lies a malevolent force, a force known as Pabst Blue Ribbon!” The Narrator declared. “A woman, a principal of a prestigious school now drunk with power, but mostly drunk went into a paranoid frenzy as she suddenly, and forcibly expelled several young girls of her school after binge drinking, and claiming them all to be monsters in human skin. She then retreated to her home, locked herself in, and is in the middle of building…a meth lab on her back yard. Police arrive at the scene to put a stop to her drunken rampage” the narrator continued.

You see a video footage of the same woman who made Chloe cry not too long ago, she was filthy with messy unkempt hair, a moo-moo blouse, and currently trying to attach PVC pipes to a glass over a propane tank.

“A-and this was how long ago?” You ask.

“[Just this morning, did you forget that your show sometimes airs arrest almost the same day?]” Lisa reminded you.

You see a Lizarman in a tight fitting but very appealing police uniform drag herself towards the principal. She appeared as if she would rather be doing anything but arresting drunk idiots who pose no challenge.

“Come on miss, time to go, we have a nice jail-cell for you to sober up in” the Lizardman sighed having done this many times before.

“…You could be a little more alert don’t you think?” Her partner responded.

“N-no! No! Thish ish my meth! Aish~ nuud it ta see da monsters in hooman shins~” the principal slurred.

“…Goddamn it, I already know how this is gonna end up, you take her legs, I’ll hold her arms…” the Lizardman sighed.

“Ma’am we’re gonna need you to come with us” the second officer insisted.

“I’m white trash, and I’m in trouble!” The Principal shouted for no reason.

“Wow, we didn’t even ask her to do it…” the Lizardman sighed.

The next thing you see is the Principal spouting gibberish as she was carried away to the patrol car and taken to the police station.

“…How many more will fall victim to the dulcet tones of Pabst Blue Ribbon…tune in next time-*bzzt*” The narrator was interrupted by static as Chloe suddenly fazed through the television.

“Dad! We’re waiting for you! What’s taking so long?” Chloe curiously asked.

“Nothing, nothing! Anyways, what did I tell you about fazing through the television? You know what happens to when you touch them” you gently scold as for some odd reason her ghostly body puts certain electrical equipment on the fritz. Luckily your phone and computer are both up to date and can deal with her ghostly touch.

“Sorry daddy” she sounded genuinely upset.

“Don’t fret Chloe, I know it’ll start working again soon. Now I’m wondering why I liked that show all of a sudden…well I gotta go now sis, and thanks for the update!” You thank her

“[Of course, we are family after all, anyways our mother is also preparing arrangements for Chloe to go to a more appropriate school for her. Of course this means I’ll have to tell her about your second addition, or perhaps you would like to do it?]” Lisa asked.

“I think so, the sooner the better right?” You reply.

“[Of course, take care brother, me and Veronica will try to cheer mother up and bring her up to good spirits before you tell her the news]” Lisa said.

“Thanks for that” you thank her.

“[Anything for my darling little brother~]” Lisa teased before hanging up.

“Alright, come on Chloe, let’s head downstairs so I can tell you, and Ceres the good news” You turn to Chloe waiting patiently in front of you.

She nods, and this time walks down the stairs with you following closely behind her. Once in the kitchen, and having a bit of Elly’s pancakes yourself you finally tell them the good news.

“Your summer vacations are going to end soon, mom’s gonna enroll you two to her school, just have to wait for a call back from her” you reveal.

“So Ceres is coming with me!? That’s great!” Chloe cheered.

“School huh? I wonder how that’s going to be like…” Ceres was hesitant to show her excitement, and you were quick to notice.

“Don’t worry about a thing, it’s a great place to learn and meet new friends, and if it’s anything like the school my mother took me too, you’ll have a great time” you assure her.

“Well…okay! I’ll give it a shot! Do they teach methods on fighting Vampires?” Ceres asked.

“…I think they have a martial arts club” you recall.

“That works too” Ceres agreed.

“Hey Elly, thanks again for all the help, even cooking this delicious breakfast, I really owe you for this” you reply.

“Nothing to it! Besides you helped me out way back then, I’m just returning the favor…oh shoot! I forgot, I have a meeting to get to!” Elly said.

“I thought you said you had the day off today?” You ask.

“Yeah I do, but this meeting is super important-and it’s not like it’s going to be boring! It’s a trip to the spa with a sponsor interested in my little shop, if things work out well, I might be able to expand it!” Elly said.

“Ah~ I see, well I won’t keep you, and let me know how that turns out, always nice to have a friend like you to keep in contact with, or share a drink” you reply.

“Can do man! See you Anon, see ya kids! Next time I won’t go so easy on you when we play!” Elly smiled.

The girls waving farewell to their new friend as she spreads her wings, and takes off from your back-yard to wherever it was she needed to go. Suffice to say Elly really proved herself to be a bro.

Once breakfast was done, and the plates washed you decide to take the kids out for a field trip to the Shrine of Ryu, perhaps the quiet peacefulness of the eastern inspired shrine can be good for them, and Ceres was very new to the location herself so introducing her to everyone there would be a good thing. Chloe changed into her casual shirt, and shorts while Ceres had favored an outfit you purchased that resembled more of a costume of a famous character than…well anything a normal person would wear in public.

Apparently Ceres had this preference of wearing outfits resembling strong swordswomen in fiction, and one just happen to pop out while you were out shopping with the two of them yesterday.

…

The sword was sold separately, she also had a pension for collecting blades, real, or otherwise.

“We have to climb a~ll the way up there!” Ceres pointed out.

“Yup, better get moving” you tell her.

You and Ceres get to climbing up the stairs, halfway up Chloe passes the two of you as she slowly flies higher, and higher to the shrine.

“Hey! No fair!” Ceres cried out as she gave chase to Chloe.

The two girls giggled, and chased each other up, and down the stairs until the three of you reach the top.

“*Huff-puff~* suddenly I’m really tired~” Ceres wheezed.

“It gets easier, every time we come here Ceres, it really does help with your stamina after a while” you assure her.

You find a shrine maiden, or more accurately the shrine maiden finds you, a woman with long ebony black hair; straight, and reaching past her ankles. Her outfit more open and loose compared to the more modest maidens working at the shrine.

“Hey there handsome. I notice you were looking around and figured you might be lost. I’m new here myself…maybe we can help each other out?” The woman asked.

You take notice that her hair was already starting to trickle slowly towards your feet, her inviting eyes, and pert lips forming a radiant smile was a rather welcoming gesture. No doubt a woman of such beauty won’t be lonely here for long.

“N-no no that’s okay, I know exactly where I’m going” you reply to the Kejourou shrine maiden.

“Ah~ a regular…well I suppose this means you’re quite the experienced partner…now I’m even more eage-” she began.

She was suddenly splashed by a bucket of water. She screeched, and recoiled practically several feet, her body shivering as whatever plans she had were all washed out.

“Oh~ my apologies, I seem to have completely missed the flower bed, my mistake” a passing Inari spoke out carrying a wooden pail that was once full of water.

“Towels! I need my towels!” The Kejourou cried out as she ran away.

“You’ll have to forgive her, she’s new here, wanted to become something more than a prostitute, but some old habits are hard to break. You’re here for our Lady Ryu correct?” The Inari asked.

“Yup, that’s me, is she around?” You ask.

“Of course, our Lady Ryu had just recently asked us to pay extra attention upon your arrival…it seems she’s growing fond of you” the Inari revealed.

“W-we’re just friends that’s all” you reply.

“Of course, if I may make a suggestion, our lady Ryu may be powerful, but she is a woman who prefers a…delicate touch, take it nice, and slow for our dear lady” the Inari told you with a wry smile.

“I-I’ll uh-so usual spot!?” you ask her.

She nods her head and leaves to grab another pail of water as she stifles her giggling.

You glance down at your children and see Chloe smiling knowingly at you, while Ceres was distracted by all the sights.

“All the houses here look different than what I’ve seen before. Are we in another country?” Ceres asked.

“I always thought those red arc things are like magical gates that took you to another dimension” Chloe said.

You had to be impressed with Chloe’s imagination on that one.

“Hey Chloe? Why don’t you show Ceres around, there’s a lot of interesting things here you probably know” you advise.

“Oh! Yeah! Come on Ceres let me show you around!” Chloe was ecstatic as she immediately pulled Ceres into one of the shrines.

With the two distracted you take your trip to Kosame’s room. You notice the shrine maidens all occasionally giving you a second glance before returning to their work some giggling to themselves, others nodding in approval, suffice to say; you’re becoming quite the popular regular around here.

Knowing your manners you tap on the paper thin door, and soon the sliding door slides open revealing the woman you wanted to see.

“Hey Kosame, are you doing well?” You greet her

“Anon, yet another pleasure to see you, come and enjoy the changing of the seasons with me, you’re just in time” Kosame greets.

The Ryu smiles and gestures at your usual hang out spot.

You walk to her back porch and marvel at the sight. It was as Kosame said, the forest was changing colors before your eyes. Several of the trees were wearing yellow, and orange leaves, the sky a shade of pale blue in a cloudy sky.

“I know I shouldn’t be picking favorites, but I find Autumn to be a wonderful time of year, though I must admit I’m not a fan of the coming cold” Kosame confessed.

No doubt that explains her more modest attire, granted she doesn’t need anything, but those natural bedroom eyes of hers to garner any sort of sex appeal.

“I’m sure Katy’s thinking of a lot ways to get warm herself” you muse.

“*Giggle* that she is, I should count my blessing having someone like you close at hand…only a handful of things can really warm a lady like myself, and you’re definitely one of them. Did you know, back when I use to work at the Orphanage, I would let her borrow an old Kotatsu I had with me. You know what those are right?” Kosame asked.

“Yeah, those heated fans under a table to keep warm on cold days right?” You answer.

“Right! Well the thing is, as proud as she is for having such a long tail, the poor dear always winds up hogging the whole thing. We can’t seem to find a Kotastu big enough for her to use, and share with others, and the ones we do are just out of our price range. It’s actually kind of sad really, when I showed it to her, she was excited to have staff meetings with everyone huddling together under the Kotatsu, but well-uh…this is going to be embarrassing to admit. We’re rather large bodied women, and thus we have special needs at times” Kosame reluctantly confessed.

“It’s not your fault, but I think I understand, my mother hated how most of her favorite restaurants closed early, before she woke up, and she would complain of having to drag herself out bed to spend time with us when we go out” you recall.

“Your mother…goodness Anon, if you’re talking about your mother to me, does that mean you wish to introduce me to her?” Kosame teased.

“Haha! Well if I did, I’m certain she would have no complaints if it was you, you’re such a great host, and a very talented woman, I’m sure she would welcome you with open arms, my sisters on the other hand are a little more on the jealous side…but that’s a different story” you reply.

“I see, I better be careful then-*giggle*” Kosame giggled.

Her smile, and laughter send ripples of warm fuzzy goodness that you’re shocked you would receive from such a voluptuous woman.

“Well enough about all that, Anon how have you been. It’s been some time since our last chat” Kosame asked.

“I’m sorry Kosame, I want to visit more often, but I’m pretty busy with work, and when that’s stopping me…well~. There’s some sort of new drama happening at the gym I’m at…oh! I also just adopted another little girl off Katy! Her name is Ceres. She’s a Dhampir like my sister, and so I figured I had enough experience to take care of her right” you tell her.

“Sounds like you’re having quite the emotional ride, our lives are full of ups and downs that it feels like we’ll get dizzy, and sick just thinking about it. I’m glad to see that you’re toughening it out, especially when you have children to raise” Kosame was impressed.

“Yeah, you have a point. And you Kosame, you’re not feeling drained or anything yourself are you? I feel like I wouldn’t be nowhere near as capable if I didn’t have your support.” You ask.

“Oh? Why Anon, a question like that sounds like there’s an ulterior motive behind it…what if I was? Would you help a poor, maiden in her time of need?” Kosame asked with a knowing smile.

“I-I swear I didn’t mean it-” you were saying until you notice Kosame covering her mouth to stifle her giggling.

“I’m just teasing you Anon, but thanks for worrying about me. I can tell you this much, my power does not drain so easily, otherwise our kind wouldn’t be so worshiped now would we? No, I still have much to share before that time comes” Kosame answers.

“Well I’m glad you’re feeling that way Kosame” you tell her.

“…Anon? Perhaps there’s really is something more to your question?” Kosame asked.

“Well, besides seeing you again, I’d like to know more about your blessings. Can you give more than the usual amount?” You ask.

“Oh dear, Anon you’re not being greedy are you?” Kosame asked.

“No-no I’m not, it’s just…well I got into a new position at the orphanage and I figured I could use a little more luck than usual” you reply.

“Well I can’t think of any position that is really that dangerous…unless of course it involves watching over the orphanage’s most extreme, and wild mamono kept at the bottom…most basement…at night…” Kosame said.

She stared into your eyes as the silence the two of you shared said it all.

“Oh dear you’re serious!? Honestly that Katy I swear, always pushing people beyond their capabilities” Kosame said.

“Yeah, but…I like to think of it as a challenge, besides I made it through one night, what’s two, or four more?” You reply.

“…Anon, I’m telling you this as a friend…I think you should stop while you’re ahead” Kosame said.

“W-what? Why?” You ask.

“Anon, getting molested by girls like that…it-it changes you, not for the better, and you won’t be recovering any time soon. In fact I heard in some cases that their molestation is so strong and so potent that men usually end up with Stockholm Syndrome. They know they’re captive, they know they were handled very inappropriately, but their minds are too warped in the pleasure to care. I don’t know what children Katy is keeping in there at the moment, but even as young as they are, they can still have that effect on you, albeit you might, resist, but that’s a slim chance” Kosame explained.

“But I have to try, I signed up for this knowing of the dangers, and Katy promised me I would be able to raise more intricate and exotic children after this…like a Ryu for example” you explain.

“Ah!? W-well yes, having a child like myself can be tricky, and I suppose if you can get through this, you can raise just about anything, but I would still be very careful, bring whatever measures you feel necessary, and be sure to improve yourself for the better. I’m sorry to say I can’t give you a bonus, but I can still perform my duties and bless you as I always have” Kosame said.

“That much I’ll be happy to receive, thanks again Kosame” Anon replied.

“Anything to help” Kosame purred.

She brought herself closer, resting her head on your chest at first, her nose nuzzling and rubbing your shirt as she slowly brought herself higher. When she reached your neck she began licking a spot on your left side before planting her soft kisses. You can’t help, but wonder if she has a particular fondness for certain parts of your neck, and chin.

Her draconian arms enveloped you closer to her large, supple, and warm bosom as you let yourself relax in her arms, and even responded to her embrace by gripping her waist and massaging her back. Her kisses became more appealing as she now started suckling and licking away at your neck, really going at it, and also most likely giving you the most noticeable hickey to date.

Her lips finally made contact with yours, slick, and velvet soft. Her warm breath smelled unnaturally sweet, but just as you were savoring her company she pulls back bringing her lips close to your ear and whispering in her sweet voice.

“Come back to me Anon, as soon as you finish…don’t lose yourself out there, please” her voice was soft, pleading and perhaps even quivering?

“I promise” you reply.

She cuddles herself close to your chest as the two of you stared off into the distance watching the sky turn orange. Kosame is the only person you know so far that can make cuddling pass the time so quickly, you almost wonder why there is never enough hours in a day to hug her for longer periods.

“Oh! By the way Kosame, I might need a favor” you suddenly bring up.

“What is it Anon?” Kosame asked.

“Can you watch my kids while I’m at work? I mean, can they spend the night here since it’s closer to my job?” You ask.

“Why of course they can! We have several guest bedrooms for weary travelers, and often some schools would wish to take their children here for a field trip, we’re prepared to house a classroom of children including those that come from the Orphanage. We will set up their rooms in no time, but if that’s the case, I would be delighted if you stayed a little longer, and have dinner with us” Kosame asked.

“Yeah, sure I would love to have dinner with you” you agree.

Kosame was giddy, clapping her claws together like an ecstatic school girl as suddenly shooed you out her room as she got herself ready. You look for Chloe, and Ceres and find them sitting on large boulders in a small rock garden.

“Hey, guess what? In a strange turn of events we’re going to be spending the night here” you explain.

“H-huh!? But wait, I didn’t bring my pajamas” Ceres said.

“I bet they have some spares you can borrow Ceres, anyways they’re giving us something to eat too, so let’s grab some dinner” you declare.

“Really!? This is so cool! This will be my first sleepover ever!” Chloe cried out.

“It’s long overdue, and I’m glad you’re taking this so well, trust me it’ll be good for all of us in the long run” you reply.

“I can’t wait! you guys go, I’m gonna find my friend real quick and tell her the news!” Chloe declared zooming out someplace else.

You and Ceres were escorted to a large hall in one of the sizable shrines where you were treated as guests of honor enjoying simple, yet delicious Eastern meals with Ceres. Chloe rushing towards your side with her ghostly fox spirit companion sitting beside her as well to which she was quick to introduce her to Ceres. Then there was Kosame who looked even more gorgeous than usual as she sat beside you, a permanent smile to her face, and an overly eager tail that would wiggle, and wag whenever you share eye contact with her.

“Dear Lady Ryu, you’re positively glowing today” one of the Inari complimented.

“Well it is a special occasion, we don’t get too many guests spending the night with us” Kosame answered.

“But my Lady, forgive me saying this, but aren’t you wearing a bit too much make-up for our guests?” a second Inari noticed.

“O-oh! Am I!? I~I haven’t even noticed until now!” Kosame was quick to blush for some reason.

“Well I think you look gorgeous right now” you compliment.

Kosame is quick to turn even redder and attempts to compose herself as she suddenly could not stop grinning, her tail swinging with glee as the rest of the shrine maidens gossip, and giggle among each other at the obvious reasoning behind this.

After a quick hug good-bye you leave Chloe and Ceres in the care of the shrine maidens, and Kosame and drive towards your nearby orphanage. Once again you arrive early only to stock up on the necessary coffee, and anything else you might need.

“Can’t believe I didn’t bring you along in the first place” you reply to your flashlight, feeling safer already.

You notice you were given a bit of a mercy this time around as it would appear as if Mizari had volunteered to take over mid-way to your night-shift granted that meant you had to show up earlier to cover her patrols of the underground caverns.

“(I feel like this is the only Orphanage in the world that can have an underground cavern without being too immediately suspicious…)” you muse to yourself as you take the elevator to the first level basement.

The cavern-and you can’t believe you’re calling it that, but it really did feel like a cave system in here. Structurally sound, and kept alight with long incandescent lighting dimmed to a low setting. Enough that your eyes had to adjust before you can set about looking around.

You recall the last time you were here it was with Mizari during the day meaning there was very little activity, exploring very little, but the absolute essential areas, and it was only for a small minute of time.

Now you were all alone! Tasked to explore every nook, and cranny, for a very long period of time…during it’s most active time of the day…

…

You’re starting to think Katy was not in fact doing you a favor.

Walking along the stone, noticing the lighting was intensified via reflections of the occasional randomly set piece of gemstones.

Suddenly one of the bedroom doors opened, you shield yourself cursing at yourself for not double belting your jeans when a lumbering tiny Zombie girl groaned, and moaned out of the room walking aimlessly towards you. Hair a silver white mess, skin a pale blue, eyes tired, and lacking the light you see in the living, and wearing a thin blouse, and shorts.

“(Oh gods please no, I’m saving myself for marriage!)” You cry in your thouhts.

“…Good night…” she murmurs with a tired smile before walking aimlessly past you to do whatever it is Zombie orphan girls do.

Suddenly you realize these girls were already more than ready to greet the people of the world.

Mizari’s consolation being a huge part in their therapy to adjust themselves to the outside world once their turn to adopt comes. You know of this, because chatting with a few of them they always turn the conversation to Mizari.

“She’s nice…too bad she’s always so lonely, I can’t make her life more harder…” another passing Zombie girl said.

“Mizari works really hard…she wants us all to be adopted…just as we want her to find a boyfriend” an Arachne child commented.

“We can relate with her a lot…not too many people like to look around the basement to see us…she’s been through it longer than we have…” a passing mummy groaned.

…

You’re starting to wonder if these girls just feel really sorry for her rather than admire her…then again the pity seems to be helping them cope with their own loneliness, and negative dispositions. The rest of your patrol ended rather…monotonous. You were almost disappointed; you were half expecting a sort of spooky scary skeleton level scenario…

Well there was a Skeleton, a little quiet one who would stick her head out of the corners to stare at you, then hide behind them when you turned around…cute little thing seemed rather shy, not spooky, scary in the slightest.

With your patrol finished you once again head to the elevator.

“Bye-bye~” the little skeleton at last spoke as she poked her head out of the corner once more, a skeletal hand waving slow moving hand side to side.

The elevator doors close shut before you can respond in kind, and you are headed down once more to the lower most section of the building. Taking your seat, turning on the touch screen you resume your work here once more.

A message awaiting you on the recorder for some odd reason. You’d think they’d explained everything the first time.

“[Hello? Oh! Wait is the little light thingy blinking? Okay-right-well if you’re listening to this Anon then congrats, you did your first night without a hitch]” Katy’s voice congratulated you.

“So far so good” you mutter.

“[Only things might not go so easy for you now, see this morning Mizari had informed us that the girls are acting up even more so than usual. I think they’re starting to catch on that a boy is in the vicinity. You to be exact]” Katy revealed.

It was then you realized what you saw at the last minute just before you left the orphanage on your first night.

“[We might have forgotten to take into account their powerful noses, truth be told if you sprayed yourself with a lot of strong perfume, something that a girl will absolutely love, you might have fooled them, and now…that was the thing I forgot to tell you about…sorry.]” Katy apologized.

Not really feeling up to accepting apologies now…

“[But don’t worry, we’re going to help you settle into your new office lickety split. First we’ll explain the room itself, Rin if you please-]” Katy said.

“[Katy, I must inform you that the item you are using has been expired since the nineties. I understand those were one of your better decades, but we have improved so much since then]” you heard Rin’s voice.

“[I am quite aware of that!…Now then me and Rin are going to give you a quick brief on your office, we basically built this whole system ourselves so we know just about everything about it, but since it’s important to stay focused on the job we’ll make our explanation quick, in fact if I were you, I’d be looking at the cameras]” Katy said.

You quickly do so, and browse through the every camera screen. You find the Oomukade and Will-o-the-Wisp were playing a game of tug of war with a random plush dog. The Ghoul can be seen in the large central play area suckling away at her own fingers which seemed to be covered in food. But what really caused you to worry were the Ushi-Oni and the Hellhound who were once again together and whispering among each another.

“[Now if I remember correctly the bulk of the expenses came from the walls and doors themselves. They’re reinforced stainless steel alloy with a bit of nickel, chromium, and what-not. It’s several inches thick and as far as we know the only thing that these children cannot break through…at least not yet. Rin I believe there is more to them that you added as well?]” Katy said.

“[As thick as the walls are, a phantom, or spirit, even something like the Will-o-the-Wisp can faze through it with minimal difficulty, thus I had placed several protective talismans and charms to ward off spirits. In simpler terms, ghosts can’t faze through your wall]” Rin said.

You felt safer already.

“[Now I bet you feel safer already, but-well see here’s the thing, because we blew so much money on just the walls, doors, and charms alone, we kind of had to skimp out on everything else. Your entire equipment is all hand-me-downs, and the generator is even worse]” Katy said.

“That explains why some of this stuff looks so old…at least the fan is working” you murmur as you couldn’t imagine working here without that metal fan spinning as it was now.

“[Correct, the generator itself was in worse shape than it was before me and Kaitlyn-]” Rin began.

“[Katy!]” Katy interrupted

“[…Purchased it, let me briefly explain. We modified the generator to generate both electrical, and magical energy to power both the doors and the talismans…without it, everything will shut down, and the talismans would lose their magical properties, it’s not like they generate their own energy…those are also very expensive]” Rin explained.

Donations must not be coming as often as they use to…

“[In any case using these too long will shut the whole system down, and in a last second fail-safe all the doors will open and the talismans disabled. We did this so none of the children will be trapped here, the only thing running would be the elevator to safely evacuate anyone on the basement levels, but don’t think that will save you…eh~ you see, by the time the elevator even opens it’s doors, the girls would most likely get to you first. It was actually a genius idea until you came along…no offense. Honestly my sister never had a problem like this since she always left the doors open, ‘accept all challenges’ she always said.]” Katy recalled.

“[Wait! I just recalled a technique that will require very minimal power and could last Anon the entire night so he can safely do his job]” Rin declared with little enthusiasm.

“Well tell me” speak into the voice-box.

“[All you have do is-*END OF MESSAGE*]” Rin ran out of time to explain.

Okay now you’re starting to think they’re doing that on purpose!

You sigh to yourself, and start another night of sitting around waiting.

As Mizari had volunteered to cover the other half of the night shift, you only had to stick around till three in the morning, technically only three hours passing by just glancing at cameras, glancing at your phone, watching Nekomata videos on your phone.

Listening to live streams on your phone.

Sending messages on your phone.

…

You suddenly hear a loud pounding of padded paws rushing towards you.

The cameras!

You glance down, and sure enough the Hell-hound makes a sudden dash towards the left-hand hallway and you act accordingly, but not before shrieking like a little girl of course.

…Because then they wouldn’t suspect a boy being there.

All strategy!

The door slams shut with a loud bang and just in time as the footsteps cease right behind the door. You huddle in a fetal position shaking like a leaf when suddenly you heard soft knocking coming from the metal door.

*tap-tap…tap-tap*

You browse through the cameras and see the Ushi-Oni crawling towards the other door, and you quickly lock that, this time managing not to scream out loud.

*Tap-tap-tap*

“(Gotta go to my happy place, gotta go to my happy place)” you think to yourself.

But you quickly snap out of it, firstly because the tapping stopped, you look to the camera and see the Hellhound retreating back to the main play area as she excitedly explains the situation to the rest of the girls. Knowing she’s far away from the door you leave it open once more to conserve power, but then there’s the other door, the Ushi-Oni was rather quiet the whole time. You see the reinforced window panes and you decide to use your handy-dandy flashlight to peer into the darkness from the other side, at least this didn’t waste the generator’s battery.

You flash your light on, and immediately regret it. It was the Ushi-Oni, her face squashed against the window pane with a big toothy smile, her tongue lapping at the glass as she saw you for the first time, she was breathing so heavily she had fogged the glass, covering her entire being.

You shut the flashlight off and hear her banging against the window causing it to shake and rumble. For now the only thing you can do is rely on the strength of the walls and glass, and focus on the rest of the children. Suddenly the banging stopped and you flash the light again at the window and find the Ushi-Oni was gone.

Back at the cameras, the Hell-hound is now pressing the Will-o-the-Wisp to do something, and she agrees, and flies straight up to the camera, the last things you see are her sapphire eyes, her small hand grasping at the camera and suddenly all you see is static, you just lost all visual.

“(I forgot Chloe’s not the only one than mess with electrical equipment!)” You panic in your thoughts.

It seems like all ghosts types have an advantage over electrical components, like some sort of RPG game mechanic.

You heard loud stomping from the right again, possibly the Hell-hound thinking she has an opening, but you quickly dash her hopes and shut the door, and you’re thankful for everything that the doors are still working. You hear her cry out in frustration, but before you can celebrate that victory you hear loud clicking noises coming from the left again, keeping that door closed, and just in time as you flash the light once more and find the Ushi-Oni slamming her shoulder against the glass wall.

You glance down at your power level, and your heart sinks as it dwindles lower, and lower, now down to fifteen percent and dropping as both girls slam their bodies against the seemingly impenetrable walls.

But then a miracle happens, through all the noise, and tears you shed, ready to say good-bye to your normal sex drive, you hear the pleasant tones of the elevator behind you opening.

“J-just like I practiced Mizari, you spent all day repeating it!” Mizari repeats to herself as she approaches Anon.

“G-g-good-g-g-good! M-m-morn-mornin-” Mizari stutters.

Unfortunately you don’t have time to wait for her to finish as you make a mad dash towards the elevator, and rapidly push the button to get back to the first floor. You see the office doors slide open and the Ushi-Oni, and Hell-hound rush at you as the elevator doors slowly close, but Mizari quickly, and amazingly stops both of the with her very long millipede body. The last thing you see is her wrapping both of them up tightly around her lower half, though struggling she keeps them from ambushing you.

You take a huge sigh of relief as you felt luck was really on your side today, and try to catch your breath as you wait for the elevator to take you to safety. Your heart beating a mile a minute, your adrenaline making you forgot you just pulled an all-nighter, and the sheer thrill of it all kept you pumped! It was almost worth having to do this three more nights…almost.

“Oh yeah!” You suddenly remember.

You take out your smartphone and give Mizari a quick text as she had just become your new lord and savior if only for a brief time. Still you felt like she deserved some praise.

Mizari finally subdues the children and their retreat to the play area disgruntled and unsatisfied. She suddenly felt her phone vibrate and finds she got a new message from Anon.

Breathing heavily, her smile wide, yet nervous she carefully reads every word Anon sent her.

[Anon: Good morning to you too, thanks for the save, you’re amazing!]

Mizari couldn’t believe it, someone out there, a boy for that matter thought she was actually amazing!

She wept tears of joy as for the first time she now felt what it was like to be praised by the opposite gender. She quickly pulled out her diary and began writing several notes of all her feelings on this joyous day!

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