Saiko Killer, Qu'est-ce Que C'est (IzukuxSaiko)

11: Iron Hand, Soft Touch

*THUNK*

"Wowwww, you're so much more skilled with a knife than I remember Lady Saiko! It's been so long since you've joined us in the kitchen my memory fails to remember how proficient you are."

"Mm." Intelli hummed coldly as she cut apart a carrot into thin pieces over a cutting board, discarding the top and pushing the rest into a large pot on the side. Grabbing another carrot from a nearby stack the second year swiftly-

*THUNK*

And perfectly cut the top again, her knife efficiently moving towards the end of the long vegetable. "Hmph."

"If I may, how go your studies Lady Saiko?" A maid with a brown bun asked. "The day of your induction ceremony grows ever closer, and I worry if your studies may at some point amount as too much-"

"There is no point for you to concern yourself over my studies, Head Maid Yadomaru. There is no material too difficult nor any task too tedious for me to overcome. When the time arrives for me to assume leadership of this House I will do so properly and without shackles."

*THUNK*

"My word is bond."

"I see, forgive me for assuming there would be any issues in your curriculum, Lady Saiko. I was merely hoping that everything is going smoothly for you so far, I see now that it is."

"Mm."

"Have you been given the opportunity to speak with any of representatives from the support companies yet?" The maid asked. "From what your mother says it seems some of them have been voicing their opinions about your appointment ahead of time."

*THUNK*

"Inevitable." Intelli answered. "It should not be taken as surprise that some if not many voice disdain or disapproval about my assumption as the Head, I'm merely a second year taking over the seat of my mother who has years of experience under her belt. Whether they voice approval, or disapproval makes no difference. I intend on leading those support companies appropriately, not only for the benefit of the company but for the benefit of those that our services reach out to as well. If we fail so do the heroes that depend on us for reliable equipment, and if the heroes fail then we have failed the people whom those heroes protect. My age will hold no factor in how I lead this House, merely my own will."

"Well said, no words have ever been directed true to the heart of it. Certainly in time and with good results they'll see you are as just a leader as your mother."

"Mm."

"If I may also ask, there is something I've noticed these past few days. At first I thought it was a mere trick of my mind, what with this Estate being so large sometimes the grand halls can feel like your senses are slightly altered hm-hm. But only yesterday was I able to be certain that it was no trick and there really is an absence of a specific aspect, or rather, someone. What ever happened to that young man who came around here frequently?"

*THUNK*

"Young man?" Intelli repeated, her eyes remaining on the cutting board with knife's edge clean against the wood. "Are you referring to...Midoriya?"

"Yes, that's correct." The maid nodded. "If I remember correctly, last I saw him it was nearly a week ago when the delivery truck came to drop off what your mother had ordered. After that, I never noticed his presence around here anymore. Is everything alright with him-"

*THUNK*
"How should I know? Rather, why should I know? Wherever Midoriya chooses to go is entirely up to him, I have no control over where he's allowed or isn't allowed to go. If he chooses not to come around here anymore, fine-"