Chapter 7

Thomas settled well in Akutame's house, the other employees treated him well, and the maids adored him.

Darling was quietly dozing on the tatami in his room when a figure flashed through the parchment wall, neither tall nor short, with a long sword on his belt.

The interested boy quickly and quietly approached the door and opened it a crack. A man was walking down the corridor, dressed in a white raincoat and black trousers, with a tati* hanging from his belt, the scabbard of which was covered with a beautiful pattern that reminded Thomas of snow. Thomas couldn't see his face, but his hair was snow-white on one side and black as coal on the other.

The man with black and white hair went around the corner, somewhere further away, on the next floor, there was Akutame's office, where the gentleman spent most of the day.

Thomas instantly jumped out of the room and ran after the man.

When the boy caught up with him, Kuroyukihime was already entering the office.

— Oh, August! - the voice of the gentleman was heard from the room.

— Navaki-chan! - Kuroyukihime grinned.

— How are you doing? What have you come for? Tea? Maybe sake?

— What is sake?

— Then definitely sake! Thomas!

The boy, delighted with such a good opportunity, ran to the office.

When he entered, an incredibly handsome guy was sitting in front of Akutame. Turquoise eyes and masculine, yet not devoid of softness, features and a smile, either kind, or cunning, or maybe mocking.

— Meet Thomas! My best employee.

— Hello, boy, - the guy raised his hand and smiled even wider.

— Thomas, bring us a bottle of sake and two glasses.

The boy left with an indifferent face, but as soon as he came out, his eyes sparkled. He had never seen such people in his life, there was a sense of pathos from chernosnezhny, but at the same time his look and smile were so kind that you wouldn't even say that he had ever used the tati hanging on his belt.

After bringing sake, the boy went out and stayed outside the door.

— August, how are Joe and Edward?

— Yes, well, however, like everyone else.

— And you? You know, I've been waiting so long for you to come!

— Hah, I'm incredibly pleased to hear this, but don't you think it would be easier to come yourself?

— Yes, so that I lose the bet!

— Ah, the bet...I forgot about him, you know.

After taking another sip of sake, August said,

"You know, this sake of yours is a good thing," Thomas could not see, but his kind smile became slyly drunk.

"Heh, heh, heh, I have the best sake!" If you want, I can give you some bottles.

— That would be nice. And also...

then Thomas realized that August was coming to the door. The boy's heart sank. He sped up and hid behind a corner, trying not to breathe.

The guy looked out of the door and looked around.

After a few seconds, he came back in and sat down.

— This boy... - he said in a whisper.

— Who? Thomas? Don't even think about it, I won't give it back!

— That's not what I'm talking about. At him...there is spiritual energy.

- what?

— The cursed Spirit. I can feel him. An incredibly strong cursed spirit.

— And... so you're saying that Thomas can become a member of Stein's squad?

— If. This spiritual energy is not simple. Akutame's

eyes widened, he turned pale and dropped the glass.

— I will advise you this. Better cover him up as soon as possible. Otherwise, you and he may have consequences.

"But how can I hide him?"

— Take this, - August handed Navaki a dagger, - it will open a portal to the world of people for you.

— I understand!

- And most importantly...not a word to the other members of the squad.

— good.