“If even a spirit sensitive to energy detection reacts like that, there must definitely be something suspicious.”

“The problem is we can’t know right away…… We should keep an eye on that aspect, but for now, it’s better to focus on the people around. We don’t know who might try to harm the female lead.”

Kana unconsciously touched her forehead with her finger as she spoke with a sigh in her voice. Kiriel gently patted her back and casually mentioned.

“I’ve already left marks on the coffee house owner and the female protagonist.”

“……Already? What kind of marks?”

“It’s a method that uses mana delicately. Think of it as magic that lets you know the target’s location, movements, and whether they’re alive or dead.”

Kiriel explained kindly while shrugging his shoulders. He displayed well-founded confidence and composure. Kana startled involuntarily and asked.

“Wow, that was possible too?”

“Of course. I just haven’t used it much normally.”

“Is there any risk of it being visible or the targets noticing?”

Kana focused coldly on the task. Kiriel nodded and answered with a confident attitude.

“No. People who are sensitive and carry energy might notice, but I’m not such an amateur mage. Besides, this is a world where magic doesn’t exist, so there’s even less chance of detection.”

“Wow, that’s reassuring. Then it’ll be easier to understand the cause and situation if something happens.”

Kana’s eyes sparkled as she clenched her fist. Seeing her brightened expression, Kiriel smiled softly and wiggled his finger.

“Right. That’s why I plan to mark everyone around the female protagonist.”

“Good. Then I’ll also leave wind energy using my spirit stone. Though it’s not as versatile…… Ah, is it okay if different energies overlap?”

“Yes, don’t worry and do as you like.”

He encouraged her affectionately. Feeling at ease, Kana said with a gentle smile.

“Now we need to naturally build a friendship with the female lead. If we’re close, we can stay near without raising suspicion and learn more.”

“Like how you gradually became closer to Her Highness the Crown Princess while taking care of her in our world?”

“Exactly. First, it would be good to frequently run into the female lead during commutes while working at the jewelry store.”

Kana counted on her fingers. If coincidences pile up, she might be wary at first, but if she doesn’t sense danger from the other person, there’s a high chance she’ll become friendly.

Kiriel nodded seriously.

“I see, so we create points of contact to make her familiar with us.”

“Yes. But we shouldn’t be too pushy. Even though she’s soft-hearted and weak-minded, she’s still a runaway female lead. She’s reluctant to reveal personal information to others, enough to leave the male lead and go to another country.”

“Ah, I understand. Let’s go with your planned direction.”

Kiriel readily accepted while nodding his head. Kana bent and straightened her fingers as she added with an expressionless face.

“Yes. We just need to build deep connections and understand details in the early stages…… If the female lead dies and we have to repeat the situation, it might be better to take any means necessary for a more efficient approach.”

“Right. Though it would be nice if things could end quickly without the female protagonist dying even once.”

As he glanced outside while speaking languidly, she gave a bitter smile while coldly imagining the situation.

“I hope for that too, but nothing in life is easy. It would be fortunate if we succeed before the 10 chances are used up.”

“We’ll definitely succeed. With both of us working together.”

He lightly flicked his finger. His confident tone and assured purple eyes were quite reassuring. Especially since it wasn’t just empty words but backed by real ability. Kana’s eyes curved prettily.

“Yes, I’m glad to be with you.”

“I feel the same way.”

Kiriel smiled pleasantly before lightly kissing her forehead. She startled for a moment before smiling and letting it pass.

While they chatted lightly, very few customers came and went.

Contrary to her worries, Kiriel handled the customers naturally. After the last customer left, he muttered with an indifferent expression.

“There are hardly any customers even though we just opened.”

“Well, jewelry store customers are usually people with some wealth or those looking for accessories for special occasions.”

“Hmm.”

Kiriel touched his chin with a strange expression. The magic tool shop he indirectly operated was always full of customers, and he was used to having plenty of jewels when needed, so the empty scene felt unfamiliar.

Kana roughly guessed his psychological state. It was only because Kiriel had the setting of being competent that he was handling it well—others would have panicked and been at a loss.

She patted his back and spoke carefully.

“This is actually good for us. If we were busy, it would have been difficult to focus on the mission.”

“……True.”

His response overlapped with the image of a supporting character first entering the novel. Kana hesitated a bit before seriously advising.

“Kiriel, out of concern, don’t get too immersed in your assigned role. We’ll eventually leave this world anyway, and we have our own world to live in.”

“……Have you always maintained that mindset while working?”

“Yes. Otherwise, it’s just painful for me. It’s better for my mental health to just think of it as collecting necessary star ratings to achieve the final goal.”

Her face remained detached despite the heavy words. Kiriel gently patted her shoulders while carefully adding.

“You must have had a hard time.”

“Well, it gets better once you adapt. Even when you think you can’t do it, you end up managing when things actually happen.”

Kana snickered while reminiscing about her experience working in novels. Kiriel stared at her enlightened expression before asking out of curiosity.

“Then were you originally sociable and outgoing?”

“Ah, not at all. I’m actually introverted and quite shy around strangers.”

Kana waved her hands and laughed. It was a common misunderstanding she often received due to her assigned roles, but reality was different. Kiriel slowly blinked and said.

“Really? I definitely felt that you think a lot and don’t easily reveal your true feelings, but since you actively participated in social gatherings and got along well with the ladies, I thought you were outgoing.”

“That’s because it was my assigned role. The work persona doesn’t necessarily match the real personality.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Kiriel’s lips parted slightly. Kana smiled brightly and joked.

“Do you like me less now that I’m different from your impression?”

“Of course not. I like you as a person, so I don’t care about that. The essence is the same, you just have different aspects.”

“That’s touching.”

Kana’s lips curved into a soft line. Kiriel tapped her hand resting on the counter while grinning.

“I’m also happy. An introverted person sharing their inner thoughts in detail means they trust the other person that much. Right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Kana affirmed with a fresh smile.

As time passed and the female protagonist came out of the coffee house across the street, the two exchanged glances and naturally left the jewelry store arm in arm.

Elina noticed them approaching and stopped awkwardly. Kana smiled brightly and spoke casually.

“Miss Elina, are you heading home?”

“Yes. Are you two also going home?”

“Of course.”

Kana maintained a kind attitude with a smiling face, walking at a slight distance so the female protagonist wouldn’t feel pressured. Naturally, since they were set as neighbors, they lived right next door and walked together the whole way.

She deliberately widened her eyes and exclaimed.

“Wow, we’re going the same direction.”

“Yes. That’s interesting.”

Elina awkwardly smiled at the couple who seemed friendly despite being strangers. Kana brightly spoke up to lift the sinking mood.

“I was feeling unsettled in this new area, but I’m glad to meet a neighbor.”

“I was also curious about who would move in, and I’m glad it’s someone I know.”

“Let’s at least greet each other when we meet from now on.”

“Sure.”

Elina greeted them and went inside first. Kana watched her before pulling Kiriel along.

“There don’t seem to be any peculiarities. Let’s go inside too.”

“Okay.”

They went into their house. They thoroughly checked the interior which they couldn’t examine earlier due to being overwhelmed, and found everything they needed. The kitchen even had an appropriate amount of groceries.

Kana murmured in admiration.

“Wow, quite a thoughtful provision.”

“Yeah.”

“Since we found groceries, let’s have dinner. Do you know how to cook?”

“Ah, I rarely had to cook for myself……”

Kiriel trailed off embarrassedly. He usually ate food brought by servants, and when focused on research, he ate very simply.

Kana nodded and picked up cooking utensils.

“I understand. Then I’ll do it.”

“Okay. I’ll clean up after we eat.”

“Good.”

Kana skillfully set the table. Just bread, soup, roasted meat, and water.

They sat facing each other at the table. Kana picked up her spoon and said sheepishly.

“The setup makes this more modest than what we ate in our original world.”

“It’s fine. I’m not picky about food. I’ll enjoy it.”

After finishing the meal, Kiriel lightly flicked his finger. The empty plates, spoons, and knives instantly became clean and neatly returned to the shelves. Watching the process, Kana gave a standing ovation.

“Wow, magic is really useful in daily life. Though of course, only you could utilize it to this extent……”