Turning to look behind them, Ren Amamiya and Raiden Mei saw a graceful young woman.
She had ash-blonde hair, eyes as rich and beautiful as red wine, and a captivating beauty mark like a teardrop just at the corner of her right eye. Her features were exquisite and striking, exuding a mysterious and alluring charm, like a rose with thorns.
"...You are?"
As if surprised that someone would approach her, the Raiden family's young lady, currently at the center of scandalous rumors, right in front of the Raiden estate, Mei paused for a moment. Then, she instinctively asked the beautiful ash-blonde-haired girl who had appeared before her.
"As you can see, I am a professionally trained maid. Whether it's laundry, cooking, or cleaning, I can handle any household chore with ease, ensuring my clients have a perfectly comfortable and unforgettable experience."
Dressed in an elegant black and white maid outfit, with a katyusha hairband adorned with sheep horns and roses on her short ash-blonde hair, Rita gracefully and composedly lifted the hem of her skirt.
She curtsied slightly to Ren and Mei—a textbook-perfect, standard curtsy—and introduced herself, her voice as sweet and enticing as honey.
"My name is Rita Rossweisse. I am currently at leisure, without any work commitments. If this young lady, Miss Raiden, would be willing to offer a humble woman a temporary employment opportunity, Rita would be immensely grateful."
Rita lifted her lovely face, her smile radiant. With hands clad in soft, delicate black lace gloves, she offered a name card to Mei.
In addition to Mei, the potential employer, Rita also very politely and thoughtfully held out a second name card with both hands, respectfully presenting it to Ren.
"Nagazora City Maid & Housekeeping Services? Maid Dispatch Service?"
Ren looked at the exquisitely designed name card in his hand, his eyebrows arching slightly.
In the past, Ren would have gladly accepted the services of this elegant and beautiful maid.
But the past was the past, and now was now.
Ren and Mei were currently being targeted by Cocolia's Anti-Entropy organization, constantly at risk of being attacked by her subordinates.
This maid, who called herself Rita Rossweisse, had appeared at an incredibly opportune moment.
Although her appearance and reasons seemed plausible, it didn't stop Ren from feeling wary and suspicious of her.
Ren didn't attempt to call the housekeeping company number on the card to verify Rita Rossweisse's identity.
After all, if Rita truly was an assassin sent by Cocolia, then the housekeeping company would have already been infiltrated or even be a subsidiary of Anti-Entropy.
Regardless of whether Rita's identity was genuine, if Ren called, he would likely only receive a positive confirmation from the company.
In that case, there was no need for Ren to deliberately try to verify her in front of Rita, lest he alert the enemy.
"Do you do massages? I've been quite active lately, and my body is feeling a bit stiff and tired. If you can do massages, we could hire you for a housekeeping session."
Ren raised a hand to his shoulder, stretched his neck slightly, and then asked the maid.
If Rita Rossweisse truly was an assassin sent by Cocolia, and possibly a powerful Persona user...
Then, rather than exposing her identity on the spot and having to guard against a hidden assassin's attack, it was far safer and more controllable to keep Rita under his own observation.
Ren deliberately requested a massage. If Rita was an assassin, she would undoubtedly agree without hesitation and attempt to attack Ren's vital points during the massage.
With Yae Sakura and Kallen keeping watch for him from within his heart, Ren could completely relax without worry.
The moment Rita Rossweisse showed any killing intent towards Ren, Yae Sakura could manifest Jizo Mitama's power in an instant, promptly stopping and countering Rita's attack.
This kind of "fishing" interrogation method was a perfect plan for Ren, who possessed Jizo Mitama and Personas.
"Of course, that's no problem at all. Rita has a profound understanding of the human body. After Rita's massage, I am confident the esteemed guest will experience a sensation of being reborn, feeling light and refreshed."
The smile on Rita's beautiful face grew even brighter. She narrowed her eyes pleasantly, her tone elegant and confident as she replied to Ren.
"Huh? Um... Ren, I also have some knowledge of acupressure massage. If you want a massage, you can just ask me..."
Seeing Ren actually consider letting this beautiful, self-recommending maid massage him, Mei, after a period of internal struggle and hesitation, finally mustered her courage and stammered her words to Ren.
If it were Hare, that would be one thing. After all, Hare was here first. If she wanted to massage Ren, Mei couldn't really say anything.
But compared to Rita, she, Raiden Mei, was here first! She had known Ren longer!
Mei hadn't massaged Ren yet. She didn't want to see some strange maid she just met on the street get ahead of her.
And this maid was the type with exceptional looks, manners, and charisma, possessing an extremely strong attraction for men!
A strong sense of crisis welled up in Mei's heart.
Due to her kendo training, Mei also had some understanding of human acupressure points and was quite proficient in methods to relieve physical fatigue. She believed she could definitely make the tired Ren feel comfortable herself.
"It's alright. Let's let this young lady try. Mei, it must be tiring for you to manage the whole house alone. We have more important things to do than tidying up."
Ren shook his head gently. After meeting Mei's gaze, he spoke to her with a firm attitude.
"Ah, this... I understand..."
Realizing the firmness in Ren's attitude, Mei's assertiveness immediately deflated. She nodded, somewhat dejected.
However, recalling the unwavering bond of partnership between herself and Ren, a bond Rita couldn't replace, Mei's spirits lifted again. She proactively invited Ren and Rita into the Raiden estate.
Rita, her demeanor elegant and dignified, followed behind Ren. Facing away from Mei and Ren, a subtle, satisfied smile touched her lips.
Rita's slender fingers casually, yet intentionally, brushed against the golden bracelet she wore on her wrist.
The surface of the exquisite, beautiful bracelet rippled like water.
'Infiltration plan perfectly successful. Next is to find a way to place this Soulium bracelet in a hidden corner of the Raiden estate and await Overseer Otto's consciousness upload into this Soulium body.'