"That's okay!", Mrs. Mizusaki was overjoyed.
Although her daughter would still remain a bound spirit, being imprisoned at home versus outside, how could those be the same?
As for damage to life energy
As long as she wasn't possessed frequently, even if there was some damage, it would be limited and not life-threatening.
After informing Mizusaki Aki of this, the ghost girl no longer intended to pass on and become a princess.
If she could stay with her mom, even being a bound spirit would be something to look forward to.
What came next was simple.
Kaito helped Mizusaki Aki move to a new home and also took a drop of Mrs. Mizusaki's heart's blood and dripped it onto the piano, establishing a connection between the two.
After doing all of this, Kaito left amid Mrs. Mizusaki's countless expressions of gratitude.
The commission payment had already been transferred to his account: a full twenty million yen, twice the previously discussed amount.
Converted to dollars, it was nearly two hundred thousand or so, definitely very sincere.
Although Kaito didn't particularly value money, he also didn't mind having more of it.
The only flaw was that, because this commission didn't involve exterminating an evil spirit, there was no merit reward.
Leaving the villa area
"Today's experience really was full of ups and downs"
Although Yumiko said this, her beautiful eyes sparkled brightly.
To witness the other side of the world with her own eyes and even participate, this feeling was simply addictive.
"Although there were some twists, the outcome was good in the end," Nagasaki Soyo gently brushed the hair beside her ear, her smile warm, "It's all thanks to Kaito-kun."
"It was just a transaction," Kaito didn't take credit. Glancing at the sky, dusk was already falling.
Soyo also realized it was getting late. Normally, it wouldn't matter, but tonight her mom had already mentioned coming home early to rest. Though regretful, she still said goodbye.
However, before leaving, she still deliberately exchanged contact info with Kaito.
Looking at the contact list and the cute pink stuffed cat avatar, Soyo seemed lost in thought.
Normally speaking, one's avatar and ID can reflect their preferences.
After all, no one would use something they hate as their avatar, right?
'So that means Kaito-kun actually really likes cats?'
Secretly noting down this bit of information, the smile at the corner of her lips grew deeper. Like a delicate flower holding dew, soft and fragrant.
[The Next Day]
It was lunchtime. Friendly students took out their lunchboxes and gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing about recent fun topics.
In a corner seat, the stunning black-haired, blue-eyed girl also took out a bento from her desk. Even though she was all alone, her back remained perfectly straight.
It had been more than half a month since the new semester started.
Japan is a country with a strong tendency toward cliques, and as a microcosm of society, schools are no exception.
Usually, within just a few days of the new term, people with similar personalities and interests would form their own circles. It was very difficult for outsiders to join halfway through.
As a transfer student who had only arrived a few days ago, Yukinoshita Yukino, though remarkably beautiful, had a rather cold demeanor.
Because of this, few dared to approach and talk to her.
Yukino had long been used to a solitary life.
When she was young, her looks were so cute that they stirred jealousy and isolation from the girls around her.
Now, she already had the power to protect herself, but still had no interest in making friends.
Especially after encountering Yukitan, her attention was more focused on that cat.
Thinking of the clever and well-behaved cat at home, Yukino's gaze softened without her even realizing it.
For most pet owners, raising a cat or a dog is not much different from raising a child.
You have to worry about its food, water, and toilet needs, and also its health.
Thankfully, Yukitan was really very well-behaved.
It never randomly hissed, and more than that, Yukino only taught it once how to use the toilet, and it had learned how to do it, and even knew to press the flush button afterward with its paw.
When bathing it, it didn't resist or cry. It just quietly crouched there. Anyone who saw it would praise it as an excellent cat.
'I already filled the food bowl this morning, and added water too.'
'I wonder what Yukitan is doing now?'
Yukino sighed, 'I still have two more Japanese literature classes this afternoon. What a torturous day.'
Just as she was preparing to wash her empty lunchbox in the water room, a shy classmate came up to talk.
"Yukinoshita-san, Teacher Hiratsuka asked you to come to the office."
"Alright," Yukino nodded and thanked the messenger before heading to the office.
"You're here?", Hiratsuka Shizuka was still in her familiar white lab coat, currently munching on a piece of bread.
Hearing the door open, she quickly stuffed the remaining crumbs into her mouth, chewed a few times, then grabbed the cola next to her and took a huge gulp, finally letting out a satisfied burp.
"Buurrp~ So full!"
Yukino: ""
She already knew the word "lady" didn't apply to Hiratsuka-sensei, but this eating manner was simply too wild.
She sighed and got straight to the point, "Hiratsuka-sensei, why did you call me here?"
"Just wanted to check on you."
Hiratsuka Shizuka also sighed, "After all, you're living far from home, studying alone out here, and you're such a pretty girl. It's worrying."
"This was my sister's request, right?", Yukino's mood was a bit complicated. When it came to Yukinoshita Haruno, her full-blooded older sister, she couldn't say she hated her, but she definitely didn't like her.
Thanks to the teachings of that strong and cold mother, the relationship between these two sisters had never been close since childhood.
At least, that's how Yukino saw it.
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Chapter 29: Theres a Demonic Aura
"Well, well, it's not entirely because of your sister," Hiratsuka Shizuka clicked her tongue. She and Yukinoshita Haruno were once university classmates and had always had a good relationship. Even after graduation, they stayed in touch.
The two of them would occasionally go out for drinks. Haruno would complain about her eccentric clients, and Shizuka would vent about the weird men in the arranged marriage market.
Often, after getting completely drunk, a lot of stress would be relieved.
Because of this relationship, Haruno's younger sister, in Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes, was no different from her own little sister.
Adding to that, since Yukino was also her student, whether in public or private matters, she wouldn't leave the lonely Yukino unattended.
"I understand your good intentions, Hiratsuka-sensei, but it's really not necessary," Yukino had a bit of a headache. She thought Hiratsuka Shizuka was still not giving up and wanted her to make more friends and integrate into the class quickly.
But she truly wasn't interested in useless social interaction. These days she didn't even have enough time to pet her cat, let alone chat with others.
"Don't overthink it," Hiratsuka Shizuka scratched her head. "I called you here purely out of concern, and also to ask if you've encountered any difficulties in your daily life"
Little Yukino's personality was actually a bit stubborn. She hated being forced to do things she didn't like.
Hiratsuka Shizuka had also come to understand, 'As long as Yukino isn't being bullied, then no friends means no friends. With me around to look after her, even if trouble comes up, there'll be someone to help.'
"I'm doing fine," Yukino nodded slightly. Hiratsuka Shizuka chatted with her a bit more, simply asking about her daily life, and was about to end the conversation.
But
She frowned, staring at the faint dark circles under the girl's eyes. If she hadn't observed carefully, it would have been easy to miss.
"Did you stay up late last night?"
Yukino shook her head, "No, I went to bed early."
In an era where most college students still follow the motto "If the moon's not sleeping, neither am I. I'm the little treasure of King Yama," she was one of the rare few who didn't stay up late.
She paid attention to her routine, always maintaining the good habit of going to bed early and rising early.
"If not, then not," Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't think much of it. Aside from the faint dark circles, Yukino seemed to be in good spirits.
Besides, she was still young, pulling an all-nighter was normal. Even she herself stayed up late at times.
That should've been it.
But Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
As the days passed, Yukino's dark circles didn't fade, they grew darker.
Even her spirit started to slump. She even dozed off twice during class.
Falling asleep in class might be normal for other students, no big deal.
But for Yukino, who had always excelled in both character and academics since childhood, it was practically unheard of.
Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't sit still anymore. She once again called the girl to the office, but this time her expression was much more serious, "Yukino, what exactly have you been doing lately? You're even nodding off in class now?"
Only a few days had passed, but Yukino looked noticeably more haggard.
Her originally smooth and shiny black hair had now lost its luster, appearing dull.
Although still beautiful, with a kind of fragile beauty like a sickly heroine, her overall mental state was clearly not good.
If she didn't trust Yukino's character, Hiratsuka Shizuka would have started to suspect the girl might be sneaking out to go skating or something.
Otherwise, it made no sense.
"I really haven't done anything," Yukino rubbed her temples, looking somewhat tired. Her daily life was the same as usual. Resting at ten at night, waking up at six the next morning, washing up quickly, preparing her lunch, and refilling the empty food and water bowls for her cat
But she could clearly feel her energy draining.
It was like she'd overused water magic(mast*rbation). Powerless, with back pain and weak legs, constantly groggy, and all she wanted was to sleep deeply.
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Hiratsuka Shizuka was still a little suspicious.
But with Yukino in this state, she definitely couldn't let it continue unchecked.
So she simply drove her to the hospital, intending to get a full-body check-up.
Unfortunately, the results were minimal.
They took all kinds of scans. When the test results came back, the doctor didn't find any serious problems.
He just assumed Yukino wasn't getting good rest and prescribed her some sleep aids.
"Looking at your current state I'll request a few days off for you," After leaving the hospital and starting the car, Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed, "Don't go to school for the next few days. Rest well at home."
Yukino hesitated for a moment, but didn't refuse. She softly said, "Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei."
"If anything comes up, make sure to call me," After reminding her a few more times, Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't say much more and drove her home.
On the way, Yukino was very quiet.
Only when they arrived in front of the apartment building did Hiratsuka Shizuka unfasten her seatbelt and turn her head.
Only then did she realize. At some unknown point, the girl had already fallen asleep.
She woke Yukino up, and the two of them went upstairs together, soon arriving at an apartment on the twenty-ninth floor.
Opening the door, a soft "meow-meow" sound rang out.
Looking down at the fluffy little creature, Hiratsuka Shizuka was a little surprised, "You have a cat?"
"Mm"
Though her eyes were so tired she could barely keep them open, at the mention of her cat, Yukino still showed a happy smile. She squatted down and rubbed the little head of "Yukitan."
"I named her Yukitan," The kitty wasn't shy at all. It widened its curious eyes, staring at the stranger in the white coat with a puzzled expression.
Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't have much feeling toward pets, neither fond nor annoyed.
Seeing Yukino looking so exhausted, she helped her to the bedroom, poured her hot water, tucked her in, gave her a few more reminders, and left the apartment so as not to disturb her rest.
As she left, the little cat named "Yukitan" followed her to the door as if to see her off, stopping only when it reached the entrance. It even gave her two "meow-meow" calls.
Hiratsuka Shizuka was a little surprised, 'Are cats these smart nowadays?'
In the end, she couldn't resist reaching out to scratch the little one's chin, which made it purr in satisfaction.
'Not bad, it feels pretty nice.'
'No wonder Yukino loves cats so much,' Even Shizuka was a little tempted to get one for herself.
'But thinking it over it's already hard enough taking care of myself. Adding a cat?'
'Forget it. Can't afford it. Goodbye.'
She went downstairs, got into her sports car, started the engine, all in one smooth motion.
On the way back to school, Hiratsuka Shizuka several times thought about calling Haruno. After all, Yukino was her little sister.
But thinking about it carefully, Yukino was just lacking in energy. Even the doctor couldn't find anything unusual. Calling Haruno suddenly felt like making a fuss over nothing.
Besides, Haruno seemed to be busy with a very important major project recently.
Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't want to disturb her friend's serious work and distract her.
In any case, she'd observe for a few more days first.
However, this thought was quickly shattered after returning to Shuka High.
"Hiratsuka-sensei?", Coincidentally, she bumped into a familiar figure in front of the school building. Kaito's eyes narrowed, "There's a demonic aura on you."
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