Three days later, Yasuno came to personally deliver a blue card to Inari.
The card, a stunning sapphire-like shade, was Inari’s new Awakener registration card. Just as Inari reached out to accept it, Atsuage stepped forward solemnly, took the card with great ceremony, and then gently passed it to Inari herself.
“Um… what’s going on with Atsuage?”
“Mm. I’ve been givin’ it a wee lesson on manners and decorum, seein’ as we live in human society.”
“It’s slowly reverting to its usual self, though it probably won’t last long,” Inari added with a mutter.
Yasuno didn’t understand the context at all, but since it wasn’t the main issue today, she brushed it aside. She just watched quietly as Atsuage, now carrying a teacup, walked over to serve Inari.
Yasuno gave a light cough.
“Uh, right. That is your new card, Miss Kogami. I’ll be collecting your old one.”
“Mm, here ’tis.”
Inari pulled out her white card, and Yasuno took it and punched a hole in it. That rendered it void. All that was left now was to bring it back and dispose of it properly. Relieved, Yasuno noticed Inari staring intently at her new blue card.
Concerned, she asked.
“Is something wrong?”
“Nay, just wonderin’ what’s different aside from the color.”
“Ah, I see. Well… to be honest, not much really changes.”
The Association doesn’t provide a salary, so other than the color, there aren’t many practical differences. However, a card upgrade does serve as official recognition of one’s power—a certification of sorts.
It’s easier to get loans, and civilians are more likely to trust you. Even for jobs offered through the Association, card color plays a big role.
“The ranks from top to bottom go: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Black, Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, and White. Blue means… hmm, you’re generally seen as a veteran or someone decently strong.”
“But I’m a beginner.”
“Your strength clearly isn’t, Miss Kogami. And after what happened at Akabane Port, it became a problem to leave you as a White Card…”
Inari had no objections. If she were being burdened with some unpleasant duty, it’d be another matter, but this seemed harmless enough.
“Um, and also—I’m terribly sorry to say this…”
“Mm?”
“To divert criticism from the Association, we’ve been publicly crediting you and Miss Shikishima for your achievements. Things are going to get pretty hectic around you again. Please bear with us…”
“Shikishima… ye mean the maid, Eri?”
“Eh—you didn’t know? Yes, that’s Miss Eri, the maid.”
“So her name was Shikishima Eri, was it…”
Inari nodded in understanding, while Yasuno privately thought, “I thought they were close, but maybe not?”
In truth, Eri simply hadn’t used her family name out of habit, and Inari, unfamiliar with surname conventions, hadn’t thought to ask. A harmless little misunderstanding—not sad, just mildly amusing.
“Aye, I’m not quite used to these surname customs. Forgot to ask, is all.”
Just then, Inari let out a little “Ah.” If Eri had been mentioned in the official statement, didn’t that mean she had also become quite well-known now?
Since Inari had dragged her into the Merman fight, she was now worried whether Eri was alright.
“Eri must have her own troubles now, eh? I had a tough time last I was swarmed…”
“Ah—she’ll be fine. The Servant Uniform Workshop already had idol-like tendencies anyway. Their team has great internal cohesion and media experience. Actually… if FoxPhone had turned you down, that was our backup choice for your affiliation.”
“Oho… now that’s a curious twist of fate.”
“Exactly. If that had happened, you’d be a fox maid instead of a fox shrine maiden right now.”
Inari, quietly sipping tea, didn’t mention that a photo of her in maid uniform was already displayed at that shop. She briefly wondered what Eri would send her as a thank-you gift. But… whatever it was didn’t matter. The gesture was what counted.
“Personally, I think a fox maid sounds great. A bit cliché, maybe, but it’d make for a beloved mascot.”
“I’m not a maid to begin with, though…”
“Well, yes, that’s true.”
Still… in a different timeline, that might’ve happened. Had she been asked, she likely wouldn’t have refused. She might’ve even struck a pose with Eri and the others.
Thinking that…
“Aye… perhaps 'twas for the best I ended up with FoxPhone.”
It’s not surprising Inari would think like that.