“Album will now enter a contract with me, Mell Risurisu.”
“I accept!”
Once they both expressed their agreement, a magic circle appeared above Album’s head before it burst apart with a snap. The contract was successfully put into place. But this time, Album didn’t feel the same servitude like he felt toward Marquess Lichtenberger.
“This is…a contract…?”
It was like he was enveloped in something warm, something comforting.
“Let’s make the best of our contract, Album.”
“Yeah! We’ll have a great contract, Pancake Girl…I mean…Mell!”
“Yes!”
It was the first time he ever addressed Pancake Girl by name. He’d felt too shy to do it before this point.
“Thank you for forming a contract with little ol’ Album, Mell.”
“Thank you too, Album.”
That was how Album and Mell came to enter a contract together.
Before anything else, they had to inform Amelia and Rih of the news.
The mere thought of doing so made Album feel a bit awkward. He was already well aware that Rih didn’t think very highly of him.
When they went out to the courtyard, looking for the griffin pair under the tree where they usually napped, they stumbled across an unbelievable scene.
“Kreeeeeeh!”
Amelia sent Rih flying with a kick. The two griffins were usually nuzzled up against each other peacefully, but it seemed Mell and Album arrived in time to witness their very first fight. Rih was letting Amelia get her attacks in without any resistance.
“Hey, Amelia! What are you doing?!”
“Kreh, kreeeeeeh!”
Amelia explained that Rih had said something unacceptable, so she was now directly punishing him instead of leaving it to God.
“Punishment? What for?”
“Kreh, kreh kreh, kreh!”
Rih, jealous of the weasel fairy, had been saying cruel things to him.
“Jealous of Album? Did he really say that stuff to you, Album?”
“Ah, um, yeah, I guess.”
“Kreh kreh kreh, kreh, kreeeeh.”
“Oh my!”
Amelia revealed how Rih resented Album for hogging Mell all to himself, even though the two weren’t even in a contract together. Rih, probably embarrassed and never wanting anyone else to know this, covered his face with his wings in shame.
“But I don’t brush Album, and I tried giving you thorough brushings to make up for the fact that I couldn’t be with you all the time…”
“Krrrrreeh…” Rih shyly voiced an apology.
“Say it to Album, not me.”
The griffin peeked his eyes out from behind his wings. This time, he apologized to Album.
“Kreh, kreeeh…”
“Ah, yeah, it’s okay.”
“Kreh?”
“I was jealous about how Mell always brushes you, too.”
“You were? But with your short hair, you’d go bald if I brushed you.”
“Eek…!”
A sad realization came to Album that he would probably never get the brushing he so desired. He certainly didn’t want to go bald, after all.
“Please get along, you two. Okay?”
“Kreh.”
“Okay.”
After the apology, Mell announced that she’d entered a contract with Album. Amelia and Rih both accepted this, which was a huge weight off Album’s shoulders.
That was the tale of how Album and Mell’s contract came to be. Album would never have to live alone in the forest again. He also wouldn’t have to sneak his way into her bag again.
“Mell!”
“Yes?”
“We’ll be together forever, won’t we?!”
“Together forever might be a bit too much…”
“Aww! That’s mean!”
Despite the same old rude treatment, Album’s heart was jumping for joy. He was truly happy to have finally become a full-fledged member of the group.