chapter 26:hurtful

"W-Wow...I guess you are involved..." Takeshi quietly said while owlishly blinking at this.

"So hurtful with all the doubt, you know?" Lubbock said with a mock hurt tone, all the while giving a friendly smile.

"N-No, I'm just trying to take in the fact that my close friend of all people is involved in the supernatural world as I am. Though, Kiyome-chan came first..." Takeshi muttered, making Lubbock grin.

"Oh yeah, that other friend of yours with the impressive knockers. She and her family have a reputation in the supernatural world. I'm surprised that you didn't know of her reputation." Lubbock said.

"Well, I was busy training to become a Magician, so stuff like that didn't really concern me..." Takeshi said with a slightly embarrassed look.

"Eh, whatever. So anyways, I suppose we should properly introduce ourselves now, considering that we've kept this a secret from the both of us." Lubbock said. This made Takeshi blink upon realization as he finally noticed something.

"Wait, how did you find out that I am a Magician?" Takeshi asked.

"Oh, it's simple really. Do you honestly think that recent incidents in this town won't go unnoticed? I mean, Stray Exorcists and Fallen Angels were running around town. It was to my surprise when I caught you of all people getting yourselves involved with them. Especially that hot red haired chick." Lubbock said with a knowing smirk.

"You mean Erika-san?" Takeshi pointed out.

"Oh, that's what her name is? Cool, now I don't have to worry about asking her name. And to answer your question, let's just say I have my sources." Lubbock said with a chuckle as he took of sip of his drink. "Anyways, I suppose we're getting off topic here. I'll start things off."

"Just call me Lubbock. I'm the fourth son of a wealthy trading business family who happens to have strong business with the supernatural. Customers can be all types of species, be it Angels, Devils, Fallen Angels, anybody. and we'll be able to deliver it. I run this little shop of mine to start my own little business with the supernatural." Lubbock introduced himself.

"Well, I'm Takeshi Fuyushima, Magician in training and proficient Enchanter. It's nice to meet you as well." Takeshi properly introduced himself. After hearing each other's greetings, the two then chuckled together.

"Oh yeah, speaking of introductions..." Lubbock said as he turned his head towards a certain door.

"Hey Lisbeth! We got a guest!" Lubbock shouted to the door.

Takeshi then heard a bunch of loud rustling noises and metal clangs, and his ears picked up a voice from the other side of the door.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Hold on for a moment!" shouted a voice from the other side of the door.

Some loud noises later, the door was open and revealed the person.

It appeared to be a girl around their age. She had short brown hair that had a white hairpin to keep the bangs out of her eyes. She currently wore some sort of blacksmith uniform which sort of resembled a waitress. It had a dark red top with puffed sleeves and a flared skirt of the same color as well as a pure white apron over that and a red ribbon atop her chest.

She was currently a bit dirty, with a few smudges here and there. She walked into the room while giving Lubbock a slightly annoyed look.

"Geez, I was in the middle of crafting something and here you go calling me out all of a sudden." the girl complained to Lubbock, causing Lubbock to chuckle.

"Well I didn't know. Besides, I wanted to introduce to you a good friend of mine." Lubbock said as he patted on Takeshi's shoulder. Lisbeth turned to Takeshi and gave him a good look, while Takeshi just blinked at her while not saying anything. After a short moment, she turned to Lubbock.

"So, anything special about him?" the girl asked curiously.

"Oh yeah. Turns out he is this town's resident Magician." Lubbock told her.

"Oh? That's surprising." the girl said, before she turned to Takeshi and gave a small friendly smile.

"Well, I haven't really introduced myself, haven't I? My name is Shinozaki Rika, but you can just call me Lisbeth." the girl, now known as Lisbeth, introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Takeshi Fuyushima, Magician in training." Takeshi introduced himself. "So Lisbeth-san, you're occupied with the supernatural as well?" Takeshi asked.

"That's right. My family and I run a blacksmith business. Our weapons are pretty top notch, and many supernatural factions actually come to us in interest for our weapons and our rather good deals." Lisbeth said it with pride.

"Yeah. And seeing how my family specializes in training, our two businesses struck a good partnership." Lubbock explained to Takeshi, who nodded in understanding.

"Ah, now I get it. That explains why she is here. Because you two are working together due to family business." Takeshi stated.

"That's right. Lisbeth and I run a little business together. Granted, we're not getting much progress, but considering that we're a small business and the reputation isn't known, I suppose it's only natural." Lubbock said with a shrug.

"Well, I'm sure you two are going to make it far. Every successful business starts small." Takeshi said with an encouraging smile.

"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way." Lubbock agreed with a small smile on his face.

"The bromance sure is strong between you two." Lisbeth said with amusement as she crossed her arms.

"Well of course. Lubbock is practically my male best friend." Takeshi said with a small grin.Really now? No female friends?" Lisbeth asked curious.

"Oh yeah. He's close friends with a girl named Kiyome. And I gotta say, you chose the right friend to be with." Lubbock said as he playfully elbowed Takeshi.

"You haven't changed at all Lubbock." Takeshi replied with a smile.

"So harsh..." Lubbock said with a fake hurt tone, before he turned to Takeshi. "Well anyways, that's what we basically do around here. I figured it was best to get all of this stuff out of the way. We're rarely hang out anymore."