And so, the next day arrived. Inari descended once more into the now-familiar streets of Akihabara.
She arrived early in the morning again, but this ti was different: the stares she received from passersby were sharper, more nurous—and overwhelmingly positive.
“Hey, that’s gotta be her, right?”
“Yeah, that’s definitely Inari-chan. Wow, so that wasn’t CGI…”
“Doesn’t look like so kind of illusion skill either. Incredible…”
Judging from the chatter, these people clearly knew of “Kogami Inari from FoxPhone.”
Voices calling out “Inari-chan” echoed from all directions.
Well, Inari didn’t particularly mind being looked at fondly. But the “Inari-chan” nickna felt a little itchy—tingly in a strange way. Still, it didn’t feel right to go around saying “Please don’t call that.”
Inari believed that unless there was clear malice involved, how people chose to address you was sothing to leave up to them.
Besides, “Inari” wasn’t even a na she chose herself—it was one assigned by the system. So who was she to nitpick how it was used now?
And really… she could understand why people were attaching a cute “-chan” suffix to her na.
The main reason was the massive FoxPhone billboard plastered across Akihabara.
Inari Recomnds It! The Latest FoxPhone Style!
Choose this noble device as your faithful companion on the path of greatness! ♪
That ad featured a huge photo of Inari holding the newest FoxPhone model. For the record, she never said that line. When asked how the ad should go, she simply said, “I'm but a novice. I leave such things to you.”
And this… was the result.
“Well… seeing that, I can understand why people would call ‘Inari-chan’…”
As she strolled along, trying not to dwell on it, a voice called out.
“Um, excuse !”
Two young girls—both Awakeners. One looked like a swordswoman, the other a magic-based ranged dealer. What business could they have with her?
If they were going to ask her to join their team, Inari planned to decline. Still, she turned to them politely.
“Dost thou have business with ?”
The reply, however, took her by surprise.
“C-Could we take a picture with you!?”
“What!?”
“We saw you on the FoxPhone site and thought you were so cute! We even switched our Awakener Phones to FoxPhone!”
“Please! We won’t post it on social dia or anything!”
“O-Oh… is that so? I thank thee kindly.”
Social dia… Inari didn’t know what that ant. They hadn’t taught her about that at FoxPhone yet.
Anyway, it was clear the girls were fans. If they even bought FoxPhones because of her, how could she possibly refuse? As both a person—and FoxPhone’s mascot—it would’ve been wrong to brush them off.
Well, she wasn’t technically a person, but that’s beside the point.
With a gentle smile, she turned to the two girls.
“Well, a photograph would be no trouble. But if 'tis a group photo, soone must take it, must they not—?”
“Need help with that!?”
“Nu!? That voice…!”
It was a voice she knew far too well. When Inari turned to look—there they were.
Five maids.
“In tis of trouble in Akihabara!”
“Soone gentle, soone reliable!”
“Bringing peace to your weary daily life!”
“Perfectly balancing hobby and practicality!”
“Out to save the world again today!”
The five maids struck synchronized poses with fluid motion. Even their gazes were crisp and locked in unison—evidence of thorough training.
“““The Maid Squad from Servant Uniform Workshop—reporting for duty!”””
The surrounding crowd exploded with cheers. Applause, whistles—everyone clearly knew the routine and had been waiting for this.
“Good morning, Miss Inari!”
“Mm… lively as ever, even in the morning.”
“Well, it is part of the job! Oh, and congratulations on becoming FoxPhone’s mascot!”
These were Eri and her fellow maids from Servant Uniform Workshop. Judging from their equipnt, they all had different jobs—but to Inari’s eye, they seed to possess combat prowess on par with Eri herself.
In other words, they were seriously trained.
“Aye, I thank thee. Now then, erm… where were we?”
“Pictures, right!? Allow us to capture a photo that’s not just good, but moe-better, a lasting mory for all!”
“We don’t say ‘best’ because that’d be presumptuous! That’s the maid way!”
“U-Umu.”
Inari wisely did not ask what moe-better ant. She had a feeling it was best to go with the flow.
Besides, if she had said it aloud, Eri probably would’ve misheard it as “moe butter,” gotten hyped for no reason, and possibly launched a whole new product line.
Inari’s instincts had, once again, served her well.
“Would you two young ladies like a photo as well? We’d be delighted to help you make a mory!”
“Eh—um… yes please!”
“That would be amazing! A-and, um, could we take one with all of you too?”
“We’d be honored, my ladies!”
“Everyone! If you wouldn’t mind helping these young ladies make a mory, we’d greatly appreciate it!”
And so, under the careful guidance of the maid squad, the girls captured a treasured mory.
More importantly, thanks to that sa impeccable coordination, Inari managed to slip away before soone else chid in with a “ too!” and things spiraled out of control.
“Hmm… I’ve ended up indebted to them again, haven’t I…”
Murmuring to herself, Inari finally made her way toward FoxPhone HQ.
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