AN: Or, as an alternative name, Kurosawa-san no Aidorugon.

When Kanan first came to this world without dragons, she had no idea she'd be so taken with it. After all, with no dragons, that meant the dominant creatures of this world were... humans. The very thought had made her lip curl in disdain, even as she took on a human form to better explore this new world.

But after spending time in this human world, Kanan grew to love it. Instead of constantly skirmishing against human paladins and sentinels from heaven, she could be lackadaisical, lounging around on an inflatable flotation device in human guise as she sipped lemonade under the sun. The fact that her magic vastly overpowered anything this world could throw at her was awesome too.

The best part however, was that Kanan could explore the deep blue seas whenever she wanted, hunting fish without any sort of competition from her peers.

For her, this place was paradise.

So it was little wonder that one of the few dragons she kept in contact with on the other side decided to cross over to join her.

"Shiny!"

Kanan chuckled in amusement as her blonde friend ran into the crowded streets of Tokyo like a kid in a candy store, eyes wide and filled with amazement and wonder. It was quite the contrast to her initial reaction to this world.

Mari hadn't exactly been impressed with the white sandy beach she'd first crossed over to, but a quick train ride to the heart of the nearby metropolis had completely changed her perspective.

"I thought you might like it," remarked Kanan as she joined her excited friend. "Human city life in this world is so much more fast paced and glamorous than human city life back home. I think you'll fit right in. Anyway, I know a nice little place nearby where we can get food. Want to see what a restaurant is?"

She turned to look at Mari, only to notice that the blonde had stopped in front of a giant TV screen as it played video footage of a concert.

"Oh? Do you like the idols? They're apparently some up and coming group that's been making the rounds for a couple months."

"...idols?"

Kanan nodded. "Yeah. They're like the human bards from our world, but actually likable."

Mari stared at the screen with stars in her eyes. "I want to be an idol!"

"Please Kanan! Can't I stay with you?" pleaded Mari as the pair continued through the city streets.

"Mari, I literally live in the ocean, and you don't like getting wet nearly as much as I do," stated the blunette. "There's no way it would work out for you."

Mari pouted but yielded the point. "Can't you at least help me find a place then? You've been here a while, surely you know how this world works."

Kanan hummed in concern but didn't say anything as the pair stopped for a crosswalk.

"It doesn't have to be a long term solution," pressed Mari, "A quick fix is fine for now, just until I make it big and can find a place on my own!"

The blunette fixed her friend with a sideways stare, noting the desperation gleaming in those golden irises. Sighing in resignation, she began to think.

"Let's see..." pondered Kanan aloud, "Today's Saturday, so... Okay!" She turned back to Mari with a grin. "I've got an idea. Follow me!"

Mari couldn't help but marvel at the way Kanan guided her effortlessly through the crowded streets of Tokyo, streaming through the sea of people as readily as she would an actual sea. She did her best to observe and learn from the experience. After all, when she became a famous idol, avoiding crowds would become a necessity.

Twenty minutes of walking and three train rides later, Kanan led her to a small third-floor apartment in one of the city's nicer wards. The blunette knocked casually, even going so far as to lean against the door frame.

The door opened to reveal an elegant woman with piercing emerald eyes and streaming raven hair.

"Dia!" greeted the blunette with a winning smile.

Dia blinked. "Kanan-san? This is certainly a surprise." Her eyes briefly flickered to Mari. "I see you've brought a friend. Please, come in."

Dia listened attentively as Kanan explained.

"This is my good friend Mari. She needs a place to stay for a while and I was hoping she could live with you for a bit."

"Excuse me?! You bring a stranger to my home and ask me to let her live here?!"

"Yeah," nodded Kanan as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "So? How about it?"

"No! Why would I even consider such a ridiculous notion?"

"Please? She really has nowhere else to go. She doesn't even have money for a hotel."

"What's a hotel?" chimed in Mari.

"It's like a fancy inn except without the nightly brawls," answered Kanan.

"Why can't she stay with you?" demanded Dia.

"I've told you before. I sleep underwater in my dragon form. Mari can't do that."

Dia scoffed in disbelief. "Yes, yes, you and your dragon peculiarities," she said dismissively. "Look, even if I was willing, this is not a two-person apartment. It's barely a one-person apartment!"

"Yeah, what's with that anyway? I've seen enough to know you can seize a larger dwelling anytime you want, given how large your familial dwelling is."

"For the last time, it's not that simple," growled the ravenette as she prepared yet another lecture on the intricacies of human society and economics.

"Excuse me," interjected Mari. Piercing emerald eyes were drawn to the blonde, focusing intently as they sized her up. "Dia, was it? I realize this is a lot to ask from you, but I swear on my scales and on my pride as a Gold Dragon that I shall repay your kindness a thousandfold once I have made my fortunes as a genuine Tokyo idol!"

Dia narrowed her eyes at the blonde before leaning towards her. "Hmph. You claim to be an aspiring idol then? You think you can simply enter the entertainment industry with nothing but shallow greed and a pretty smile and rise to the top without even a shred of knowledge of what real idols must endure?"

Mari was taken aback. "...you think I have a pretty smile?"

An anger mark appeared on her head and Dia snarled aggressively. "How dare you presume yourself to be idol worthy?! Do you even know of the nine great Muses of the idol world? How nine young women simultaneously took the entertainment industry and the streets of Akihabara by storm with their charm, their poise, and their sincerity?! I doubt someone as naive as you has even heard of Honoka Kousaka, the humble baker's daughter with a heartmelting smile of gold, Umi Sonoda, the prim and proper heiress of a dojo with sensible maturity and streaming indigo hair..."

Mari leaned over to whisper to Kanan. "How long is this rant going to go on for?"

Kanan shrugged. "I couldn't tell you. But hey, at least now you know you both have something in common. Idols."

"She certainly seems passionate."

"I know right? It's one of my favorite things about her."

They returned their attention to Dia.

"...and the greatest of the nine Muses, Eli Ayase! With her radiant aura of warmth and kindness, and her flawless sense of style and dancing!" She slammed her hands on the table and leaned in over them intimidatingly. "And you seek to share their glory? Absolutely ridiculous."

But Mari remained unphased. "I can do it. All I need is a place to stay while I make my debut and I'll become the number one idol in all Japan."

"Impossible," dismissed Dia.

"Well then. Why don't you let me stay? After all, if it's really impossible than it doesn't matter if I try," said Mari.

"I am NOT letting you stay with me."

The blonde stuck her lower lip out in an exaggerated pout. "Oh I see how it is. You're just afraid because you know if you give me the chance I'll dethrone your favorite idol."

"As if that would ever happen! Eli's greatness extends far above the fame and brilliance of her peers! In the idol world, she is legendary, the holy ground, the holy scripture, the origin of life equivalent to the universe! We are but insects beneath her divine radiance!"

Mari grunted with offense. "So you say, but that's not really true, is it? You're afraid," she taunted, "You just don't have faith in your beloved Eli to keep her crown against all challengers. If this Eli person can't even inspire unshakable faith in her most ardent follower, then I guess she's not so great after all..." She sniffed derisively. "What a fake."

"You dare?!" howled Dia.

"I dare!" challenged Mari.

A long silence stretched as Dia and Mari glared at one another, neither willing to give an inch. Between them, Kanan sipped her tea nonchalantly.

"Fine," said Dia eventually. "I'm willing to let you stay. But!" she snapped, preempting Mari's victory cheer, "I have two conditions."

"Name them," replied Mari with a smirk.

"The first is simple. Eli required five years before her numerous, wondrous charms were rightfully recognized by the world and she was elevated to the glorious position she so richly deserves. But since you're not Eli... you must make some worthwhile progress within one year. If you cannot do so, you will be evicted."

"Easy," bragged Mari, flipping her hair dismissively. "I'll become so famous and loved that at year's end, I'll take her place as your number one idol."

Dia's nostrils flared in offense but she didn't respond. "As for my second condition, I refuse to host a freeloader. I won't expect you to acquire a regular job, but I will expect you to pitch in with the housework; clean the floors, cook meals, do laundry. In essence, you'll become my live-in maid."

The blonde merely raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"So? Will you accept my terms?"

Kanan and Mari exchanged a glance, before the latter offered up a pleased grin. "It's a deal!"

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OMAKE:

After concluding their deal, Mari still had one question. "So do I get to wear a sexy maid outfit?"

Kanan and Dia looked at her with judging stares.

"Mari-san, how is it that you've been in this world for less than a day and you know about sexy maid outfits?" asked Dia.

The blonde shrugged. "I once kidnapped a princess and her handmaid while they were in the middle of their foreplay. It was a very informative abduction."