"Do I look like a babysitter to you?"

Eijiro shrugged, tilting his head toward his apprentice. "I don't know. Does that look like a baby?"

Per usual, Donny's relatives were gathered around Melia, talking excitedly. They crowded around her as she sat on a barstool, taking requests. A young dishwasher with dark hair described something in her native language. Donny's niece, Aria, translated.

"She's asking for lillies," she explained. "Like the plastic ones on the piano."

Melia glanced in that direction, studying the synthetic white flowers. Then, with a nod, she pressed her fingers against the counter behind her. Gasps rippled through the employees as a lily plant appeared there, sporting eight blooms the same size and color as the ones on the piano. While they were the same shade of white, Melia's somehow seemed more vibrant; real in a way that plastic flowers could never be.

Her smile widening, Melia plucked the flowers and Withered the greens. She bundled them carefully and held them out.

"Here you go," she said.

The young dishwasher looked overwhelmed as she took them. "Grazie, signora! Grazie!"

Melia smiled, looking embarrassed. "Don't worry, it is nothing." She turned to Carolina. "What was the word for that? Di niente?"

Eijiro laughed. "If anything, I'd say she's the one babysitting your lot."

Donny shook his head. "And to think I'm signing their paychecks."

In spite of his words, Eijiro could tell he wasn't upset. The corner of his mouth tugged up in a smile as he sipped his coffee, watching Melia Grow a rose bush for one of his cooks. It occurred to Eijiro that this could be dangerous–getting favors from Donny. Who was to say he wouldn't try cashing them in someday, or retaliating if Eijiro didn't look the other way when he committed a crime?

At the same time, Eijiro wasn't sure he had much of a choice. Kelly was still in the hospital. The Silverfangs were escorting Sayuri. And while Kairos could probably find someone if he asked, Eijiro knew Melia trusted the Vitale family more. That had weight.

Donny's gaze turned serious. "So, the kid found Miliare?"

Eijiro grimaced. "More like Miliare found her."

"And he's meeting you today?"

"That's the plan."

Donny took another pull of his coffee, thinking. "I could send a few men with you," he offered. "You know, acting as backup since I'm sure the Mages don't know about this."

Eijiro considered it. The thought of having someone on his six was comforting, even if it was someone hired by Donny. But that could get messy. On top of it being another favor, it would complicate things with Miliare. If Donny sent a tail, Miliare would send a tail for that tail. Which meant that Donny, in turn, would have a tail for that tail. Conflict was bound to break out that way.

"Thanks, Donny," Eijiro said, "but I think it's better if I go alone. I don't think Miliare will try anything. Like you said, he wants an audience. This, if anything, feels like a backstage meeting."

Donny nodded. "A way for him to get his two cents in before the game. I can see that." He reached into his suit pocket, pulling out another earpiece like the one he wore. He set it in front of Eijiro. "Take this with you, then."

Eijiro opened his mouth to protest, but Donny cut him off.

"If you won't take my men, at least give us a way to stay in touch with you. C'mon, Eiji. You owe me."

"I–alright." Eijiro picked up the earpiece, making a face as he tucked it into his left ear. He'd never liked the things. But he forced a nod. "Thank you."

Donny raised his mug to him, then glanced at Melia. "You'll come back for her when you're done?"

"If that's alright. I can always take her to headquarters."

Donny snorted. "Yeah, good luck getting her away from them now."

Now done Growing flowers, Melia was taking requests for fruit. A little girl held out a pomegranate. Melia turned it over in her hands, studying it. Then she motioned for everyone to give her room and stomped on the ground. A tree appeared there, but instead of pomegranates it sprouted lychee.

Melia made a face. "Dispiace," she apologized.

She was the only one disappointed. Everyone else was amazed. With Melia's permission they plucked the fruit from the sagging branches, moaning in pleasure at how sweet it was.

Two children brought handfuls of fruit to Donny and Eijiro. The boy giving Eijiro his was bashful, offering the lychee to him before ducking away. But the little girl talking to Donny jabbered excitedly, motioning for him to try it. Donny complied, splitting one open before popping it into his mouth. He closed his eyes, giving an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction.

"È spettacolare!" he declared, setting the seed into a napkin. Then to Melia, "Thank you, sweetheart."

Behind them the double doors opened and a redheaded boy shuffled through. He stumbled with a cane in his right hand and had an aunty supporting him on the left.

Melia beamed. "Alfred!"

She hopped off the barstool and rushed over to him. She looked like she wanted to tackle him in a hug. Then, remembering how frail he was, she stopped short and kissed him on the cheek. Which, ironically, turned into a hug because Alfred fell into her arms; he was so excited.

Donny laughed. "She's good for this place, Eiji. We're happy to have her. Somehow she even makes you less annoying by comparison."

Eijiro grunted. "Yeah, she does that."

He set his lychee on the counter, hating himself for his sour mood. It was good to see Melia happy. She looked like she belonged in this kind of environment–surrounded by a tribe of people to rally behind her. She never complained about it just being the two of them, but still. Eijiro was one man. He couldn't give her this.

What would he do if she decided she wanted this more? To live a regular life instead of trailing after her decrepit mentor?

Donny's comm rang. He thumped his earpiece to answer it.

"Bernardo," he muttered, "è qui?"

He paused as he listened, nodding occasionally. Finally, he uttered what Eijiro assumed was a goodbye and thumped his earpiece again to hang up. He drained the rest of his coffee.

"Miliare is here," he said. "About two blocks east. Mid-tier. My men won't let him get closer than that."

Eijiro let out a slow breath, replacing his moodiness with resignation. He looked back at Melia, who sang while Alfred played the piano. She bobbed her head in time with the music, not a care in the world. In that moment Eijiro realized he would do anything to protect that smile–to create a world where she'd never have to worry about men like Miliare ever again.

Be safe, kusogaki, he thought. Then he wrapped two coils around his wrists, thanked Donny one last time, and slunk out of the Beatrice.