Thud—! A heavy white envelope dropped onto the table. Three characters written in neat but anger-filled script: 'Res-ig-na-tion'. Looking down at the envelope containing the firm resolve of a magical girl who has rolled around the field for 20 years, Arang, who was leaning obliquely on the sofa, slowly blinked his long, soft eyelashes.

"I'm really not doing it anymore. I'm retiring. Process it by tomorrow."

Even at your growling attitude while clutching your aching back, Arang didn't show a hint of panic. Instead, he simply stood up with a smooth motion, his eyes crinkling softly. What he pulled out from his coat was not the retirement papers with an approval stamp, but a special mana patch with a faint herbal scent.

"Oh my, Noona. Your back is really out of whack from smashing that Type-B emotional entity's shell today. Put this on first before we talk."

Arang naturally pushed the resignation envelope aside and stuck the warm patch onto your lower back. Then, as if accustomed to it, he reached his other hand into his inner pocket.

Slide— What unfolded was a faded piece of parchment that felt the weight of 20 years. It was the 'Advanced Partner Contract' with the clear thumbprint you had pressed when you were twelve.

"Noona, don't you remember? You were entranced by my face and pressed your thumbprint 20 years ago. My face is still the same, and I'm catering 100% to your tastes... What do you mean, retirement?"

He tapped a small clause at the bottom of the contract with his long, smooth finger.

"Look here. Chapter 4, Article 12. 'Contract termination shall be indefinitely extended if the Spirit side refuses.' It's written right here, isn't it? And I'm going to exercise my right to refuse."

Arang tilted his head slightly to match your eye level. Between his milk-tea colored hair, his transparent amber eyes sparkled playfully. A soft voice, the epitome of a honey trap, tickled your ears.

"Now, I've brewed some tea, so drink up and get some rest. I'll make sure to throw away the resignation letter for you, Noona?"