"I see"
Kawasaki Saki looked crestfallen but still held out hope:
"Then do you know anyone else who does?"
""
Yukinoshita unconsciously glanced at Miura Yumiko. In their group, she was the only one.
"Well, yes. I do."
Yumiko raised her hand, golden light gathering at her fingertips. She aimed at the tabletop:
"Zztt!!!"
A beam of light shot forth. Everyone stiffened, their minds rocked, as they saw that ray punch a hole through the desk.
"Eh?!"
Yui's mother sprang to her feet, staring in shock at the desk, which now had a hole:
"Th-this How is that possible?"
A moment ago, she'd assumed it was all teenage fantasies or "chuunibyou." Yet they'd just demonstrated something real. Her mind went blankso it was all true.
~~~
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Chapter 205: Mrs. Yuigahama's world view collapses, Saki's new Job?
She forced a stiff smile and asked Yumiko awkwardly,
"Isis that magic?"
"Huh?"
Yumiko raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Yui, are you kidding me? You know I have this abilityso why ask something like that?"
She blinked at "Yui."
"Seriously, Yui, you're acting really strange today."
"!!!"
Yui's mother, in Yui's body, tensed up. She definitely didn't want anyone finding out about her body-swap situation. Then something flashed through her mindhad she forgotten she herself wasn't Yui? This body swap itself was already proof that the world wasn't normal. Meaningwhat they were discussing might actually be true?!
While Yumiko was about to press Yui further, Kawasaki Saki suddenly grabbed Yumiko's hand.
"Hey, youcould you teach me your superpower?!"
"Uh"
Yumiko felt awkward under her intense gaze, so she temporarily forgot about Yui's odd behavior.
"Sorry, I can't teach you. I only have these abilities because Rei Ao-kun granted them."
"Him?!"
Kawasaki Saki remembered very clearly the person who had saved her life, so of course she couldn't forget Rei Ao.
Yumiko waved her hand.
"Anyway, if you want that kind of thing, only he can give it to you."
"Before we go any further," Yukinoshita Yukino cut in coolly, "please don't casually use your power on our desks and chairs, Miura-san."
Luckily, it was only a small hole in the table. If she'd gone overboard and destroyed school property, they'd have a big headache explaining it.
"Yeah, yeah, I get itwhat a pain."
Yumiko knew she was at fault for damaging the desk, so she didn't try to argue.
"Um Yukinoshita-san?" Kawasaki Saki spoke up hesitantly.
"Could you or someone here help me get in contact with Rei Ao-kun? I want to thank him properly, and also talk about learning some kind of self-defense power."
"Well"
Yukinoshita and Yumiko glanced at each other.
In the Group Chat
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Rei Ao, something has come up that concerns you."
Rei Ao: "Oh? Something about me? Let's hear it."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Remember Kawasaki Saki, the girl you saved before?"
Rei Ao: "That was only a few days ago. I'm not that senile yet."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Sorry, I read that overindulging in certain desires can lead to memory loss."
Rei Ao: ""
He sensed Yukinoshita's subtle jabapparently referencing his, shall we say, very active romantic life.
Rei Ao: "All right, let's get to the point."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Kawasaki Saki wants to meet you. She chose to learn the truth, so I've told her what you said I was allowed to share."
Rei Ao: "It's her choice, so we should respect it. Where is she?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "At the Service Club."
Miura Yumiko: "I'm here with her and Yui, too."
Rei Ao: "I'm there."
He really was. And his sudden appearance startled Yui's mother so badly she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Waaah!!!"
She let out a shriek, stumbling backward. Seeing someone appear out of nowhere like that was enough to scare her half to death.
"Mm?"
Rei Ao quickly grabbed her arm before she fell, pulling her into his arms so she wouldn't topple over. But then he gazed at "Yui's" eyes, as if peering into her very soul, making Yui's mother blush fiercely. She hastily escaped his arms.
Yumiko blinked. She definitely noticed how "Yui" reacted. She's acting super weird today
"Rei Ao-kun?!" Kawasaki Saki stared in shock. A moment ago, there'd been no one in that spot, and now he was justthere!
How did he do that?
Rei Ao withdrew his strangely probing look from "Yui" and turned to Kawasaki:
"I heard you wanted to see me?"
"!!!"
Kawasaki remembered her purpose here, pressed down her confusion, and bowed low:
"Rei Ao-kun, thank you so much for saving me the other day. I didn't even get to say thanks properlyI'm sorry!"
"Apology unnecessary," Rei Ao said, waving it off. You were in shock at the timeI totally get it."
Having your worldview collapse was rough, after all. Calmness alone was admirable.
"Anyway, let's talk about your current business. I heard from Yukino you needed me for something, and it's probably more than just a thank-you, right?"
"If it's to erase your memories, I can do that right now."
"?"
Hearing that last line, Yui's mother felt her mind spin again. Erasing memories?! He can do that?!
"N-No!"
Kawasaki Saki quickly shook her head. She definitely didn't want to lose those memories.
"Ium"
After gulping anxiously, she mustered her courage:
"Could you teach me how to learn superpowers?"
"Learn superpowers?" Rei Ao repeated, genuinely surprised.
"What forself-defense? So you can keep working as a bar hostess?"
"No,"
Kawasaki said with a bitter smile,
"I already quit that part-time job."
After the terrifying experience she'd had, she realized the danger. She also wanted more time at home, so she let it go.
Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow: "Does that mean your family's financial problems are fixed?"
Kawasaki shook her head.
"Not at all. But there's not much more I can do for them. I hope my parents can hold out somehow."
Rei Ao stroked his chin thoughtfully and suddenly asked:
"Do you know how to handle household choreslike cleaning, tidying?"
"Huh?"
Kawasaki had no idea why he asked, but she answered politely out of respect for her savior:
"Yes, I'm very confident in my domestic skills."
"In that case," Rei Ao proposed, "I might have a safer job for you to make some money. If you're free on weekends, you can come by my place and handle household chores. My house is pretty big."
"Eh?!"
Kawasaki's eyes went wide.
"And about the paywhatever you earned in a week at the bar, I'll match that."
"Ah?!"
Kawasaki blurted out in disbelief. Doing housework for that much money? If that was real, of course she'd be interested.
~~~
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Chapter 206: Mrs. Yuigahama (Bonus Chapter)
Hearing that Rei Ao was going to hire Kawasaki Saki, both Yukinoshita and Yumiko glanced over at him simultaneously.
Their eyes were filled with suspicionlike they suspected "Maybe he's got his eye on Kawasaki Saki?"
This wasn't baseless: after witnessing Rei Ao's pattern of "fall for one person after another," it was a very logical conclusion.
Moreover, they guessed right. Rei Ao had simply taken a liking to Kawasaki Saki. His home didn't really need any household help. With his abilitiesand Tohru arounda quick spell was all it took to tidy up the place.
He only made that job offer to have her around long-term, making it easier to make his move. That face, that figurehe saw no reason not to claim her. And he certainly didn't lack for money, while Kawasaki desperately needed it.
Kawasaki Saki said solemnly, "I'd like to give it a try."
Rei Ao: "We can talk more after we've exchanged contact info. Now about the other thingyou wanted to learn superpowers?"
"Uh"
Kawasaki Saki scratched her head, embarrassed.
"I just want some self-defense skills. Isis that possible?"
"Of course. No problem,"
Rei Ao replied lightly,
"But there's a price."
"A price? Money?"
Money was the only thing Kawasaki had in mind. She was still too nave.
Rei Ao just smiled without answering.
[Ding! You have chosen to invite "Kawasaki Saki" into the group chat sub-group!]
"Huh?"
Kawasaki Saki looked puzzled, then went blank, dazed on the spot. Yumiko immediately realized something was going on. Opening the group chat app, sure enough, she saw that Kawasaki Saki had joined. Only Yui's mother (in Yui's body) looked clueless.
"Whatwhat's wrong with her?"
Yumiko sighed, rubbing her forehead: "Check the group; another new member has joined."
She was exasperated that, sure enough, Rei Ao had set his sights on yet another girlright in front of her, no less.
"A group?"
Then, under Rei Ao's gaze, Yui's mother (still in Yui's body) fished out her phone, presumably to look for some app.
Rei Ao nodded slightly. Then he said to the others:
"Yumiko, Yukino, please explain the 'trade' business to Kawasaki Saki. As for me"
He glanced over at "Yui."
"I need to have a word with Yui."
At those words, Yui's mother paled. Nonetheless, Rei Ao grabbed her hand and led her away from the Service Club.
"???"
Yukinoshita frowned. "When did Rei Ao and Yui get so close that they hold hands like that?"
She looked at Yumiko for an answer. Yumiko just shrugged in annoyance:
"Don't look at me. Yui doesn't tell me anything. I have no clue."
She had no idea why they were suddenly hand-in-hand, either. Yui was definitely acting strange today.
...
"Rei Ao-san, where are we going?"
Yui's mother asked nervously as he led her down the hallway. Her heart was pounding. They came to a deserted stairwell, where Rei Ao finally stopped. Before she could react, he gave her a forceful kabe-don against the wall.
"Ah! Re-Rei Ao-san, w-what are you doing?!"
Such close proximity left Yui's mother in a panic. Rei Ao, however, wore a deeply amused expression.
"Yui, why did you call me 'Rei Ao-san'? Until now you'd been calling me 'Rei Ao-kun' but much more familiarly after confessing your feelings to me."
"Eh?"
She stared at him, eyes wide. Yui's mother hadn't known that her daughter had already confessed.
"I mean, Yui, I'm saying I accept your confession. So shouldn't we do what couples do?"
"!!!"
What couples do? Yui's mother froze, watching Rei Ao's face draw closer. What should I do???
Her mind went blank. That move clearly signaled a kiss. If this were truly her, she would dodge or push him awaybut the moment she had that thought, it vanished. She remembered that this body didn't belong to her; it belonged to Yui. Right now, she wasn't Yui's mother, she was Yui. Rei Ao accepted Yui's confession and wanted to kiss. If she dodged, how would Rei Ao see Yui then? Might it ruin her daughter's relationship? Would Yui resent her for it?
In the end, Yui's mother decided: if she was Yui at this moment, she had to act like Yui. Her heart hammered like mad.
Rei Ao assumed this "fake Yui" would drop the charade. He had known from the start that this wasn't the real Yui. He was just testing how far she'd go. He'd even paused, expecting her to pull away. Instead
"!"
Contrary to what he expected, the fake Yui leaned forward and initiated the kiss herself.
"?"
Rei Ao felt a flicker of surprise, but quickly complied with his usual approachgiving every woman who "falls for" him a thorough kiss. She was clumsy and anxious at first, but under his patient guidance, she gradually became more natural, even putting her arms around him and surrendering to the moment.
Honestly, Rei Ao's kissing skills were "tried and tested" beyond measure; subduing an unpolished newbie was child's play.
Moments later
"Mm"
Returning to her senses from possibly the most intoxicating first kiss of her life, Yui's mother was left breathless and lightheaded, face as red as a ripe apple. Pleasure was swiftly replaced by an avalanche of embarrassment and guilt. What on earth am I doing? I kissed a teenage boy until we were both gasping for air!
Before she could steady herself, Rei Ao spoke in a strangely amused tone:
"Whoever you are, disguised as Yui I realize I'm not exactly ugly, but you sure seemed too enthusiastic, huh?"
"Eh???"
She stiffened. Did that meanhe knew she wasn't Yui?!
"So, may I ask for your name, Miss, and why you're posing as Yui?"
""
He'd figured her out. Yui's mother bowed her head, speechless. Rei Ao had a plan, though. He messaged Yui directly through their private group chat:
Rei Ao: "Yui, where are you right now?"
Yuigahama Yui: "Eh, I'm at school, of course."
Rei Ao: "Heh, Yui, Yui, when did you learn to lie? Then who's this?"
Rei Ao: "[Image]"
"Ehh!!!"
In the body of Yui's mother, actual Yui screamed, popping up from the couch. The photo showed her own body, head hanging in guilt, the precise moment of discovery. So Mom had been found out!
Yuigahama Yui: "S-sorry, Rei Ao-kun, I lied."
Rei Ao: "All right, tell me everything."
Yuigahama Yui: "Wellthat's my mom."
Rei Ao: "..."
He wasn't really shocked. With his "True Sight," he had gleaned some data:
[Name]: Yuigahama Kyou
[Level]: 0
He'd guessed it had to do with Yui, but not that it was her mom. Thinking back on that just-finished kiss He didn't personally mind. If anything, he found it kinda thrilling. But for Yui's mother, it must be terrifying.
She was all fluttery, and Yui, in her mother's body, apologized:
Yuigahama Yui: "I have no idea how or why this happened, or what to do."
Rei Ao: "It's probably some kind of supernatural phenomenon. I have a hunch, but I need your mom here to confirm it. I'll come by your house after school."
Yuigahama Yui: "Huh? You're coming to my house? Then I'll pick up some groceries so Mom can make a big dinner!"
Rei Ao: "You don't sound worried at all."
Yuigahama Yui: "Hehe, I'm excited you're coming over, Rei Ao-kun. Besides, it's just body-swapped with Mom, not a total stranger."
Rei Ao: "You're way too casual about this."
Rei Ao sighed. Letting out a breath, he backed off a step, giving Yui's mother some personal space. He said gently:
"Yuigahama-san, I've heard the full story from Yui. You two have swapped bodies, correct?"
"!!!"
The mother's eyes widened.
"You mean Yuitold you everything?"
"Yup."
