"N-No way we're that unlucky... right?", Yukino was a little dumbfounded.
Whether it was the physique or those gigantic scissors that seemed capable of slicing someone in two, it was clear this woman wasn't ordinary.
But that wasn't the unluckiest part.
The trench coat woman seemed to have been attracted by their presence and slowly turned around, revealing a face covered by a mask.
Clearly, they were still more than ten meters apart, yet in an instant, she was gone.
Yukino blinked once, and the woman who had just been under the streetlight was now standing right in front of them, her pleasant voice asking, "Am I pretty?"
As she approached, a thick malice seemed to take physical form and rush at them.
Ordinary people would just feel short of breath, a chill through their body, and their mind going blank.
But for Kaito, the Slit-Mouthed Woman in front of him also emitted a strong stench. Like someone forcing you to smell something awful while asking, "Does it smell good?"
With a frown of disgust, he lightly waved his hand and flicked out a spark of fire.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, the spark turned into a lifelike flaming dragon, swallowing the Slit-Mouthed Woman whole, leaving not even ashes behind.
Though it was a famous urban legend in Japan, the Slit-Mouthed Woman wasn't actually that powerful. She never displayed any notable abilities in the stories, at most just being very strong.
Unlike ghosts, which are spiritual beings, she was more like a type of yokai and had a physical form. So even ordinary people could see her.
Yukino watched as the tall Slit-Mouthed Woman turned to ash before her eyes, the massive scissors in her hands also devoured completely by the fire dragon.
A single Slit-Mouthed Woman had given Kaito a sesame-sized bit of merit.
To him, this was just a minor yokai casually suppressed, not worth mentioning.
But for Yukino, it was her first time seeing a supernatural power that belonged to humans.
Though she had long known that Kaito's identity couldn't be simple. After all, their first meeting had scared Kirara into an explosion. Even though she was a yokai, she had no pride and immediately bowed.
'Still... to casually summon a fire dragon. That scene was just too shocking.'
'Was it onmyodo?'
'No, no, Kaito-senpai is from China. Then it must be Daoist?'
For ordinary people, it was natural to be curious upon their first encounter with legendary supernatural powers.
Yukino was no exception, like a hundred claws scratching her heart, she really wanted to ask clearly.
But she also understood clearly that her relationship with Kaito wasn't that close. At most, just classmates.
It would be rude to ask a bunch of nosy questions like some curious baby.
This conflicted emotion lasted a long time.
Finally
"We're here," They stopped in front of a standalone house. Kaito led her inside. After changing into indoor slippers at the entrance, they entered the living room, and he softly called out, "Kirara."
A silver-colored cat shot out from an inconspicuous corner like an arrow, circling around his feet nonstop, letting out soft, cooing meows.
Yukino's gaze was also drawn over, finally remembering the purpose of her visit today.
Kirara clearly still recognized this old friend.
The long-separated girl and cat quickly regained their former closeness.
It was a rare visit, and Yukino happily indulged in petting the cat. So much that she forgot the time.
When she came back to her senses, it was already quite dark outside.
"Sorry... I ended up bothering you for so long!"
The girl was a little upset, 'Will Kurumizaka-kun think I am a girl with no sense of boundaries?'
"I don't particularly mind."
Kaito shook his head, "But your constitution isn't strong to begin with. Being around Kirara too long might have some effect on your body."
"S-Sorry", Yukino looked a little embarrassed. Like a girl who had eaten too many ice creams and got caught red-handed by her dad.
"If you don't mind, stay for dinner."
It was already 8 p.m. Kaito stood up, getting ready to cook something in the kitchen.
Yukino was originally planning to decline. But at that moment, her stomach let out a loud gurgle.
Her pretty face turned red with embarrassment. She could no longer bring herself to say no and mumbled, "Then... I'll trouble you."
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Chapter 40: Small Ones Are Cute Too
Dinner, as usual, was Kaito's native cuisine. Because there was a guest, Kaito made four dishes and one soup.
Yukino had always been skilled in cooking. She always got full marks in home economics class, and even the teacher couldn't stop praising her dishes.
Even today's dinner still surprised her with its taste.
It was only because of her good upbringing that she maintained an elegant eating posture, but her eating speed was not slow at all.
However, she soon put down her chopsticks.
It wasn't because she was full, but because she noticed the eager-looking Kirara beside her.
Since dinner started, the corner of the cat's mouth hadn't stopped drooling.
That look of longing made Yukino find it both cute and funny, and she couldn't help but ask, "Can I feed it a little something?"
If it were an ordinary cat, because of their sensitive digestive system, they couldn't eat human food, especially food with additives and seasonings.
But Kirara was a Yokai, not so fragile. Even if she ate some, it wouldn't matter.
Kaito just nodded and didn't refuse.
Getting his permission, Kirara was obviously very happy and planned to jump into Yukino's arms.
Maybe she was too excited, and accidentally used too much strength, jumping directly onto the dining table. Her little white-gloved paw just happened to knock over the plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes closest to the girl, splashing soup all over Yukino.
Yukino: "..."
The girl was both angry and amused. Looking at the guilty culprit shrinking back, she couldn't help but bite her silver teeth.
Then she looked at Kaito beside her, a bit embarrassed, and said, "Sorry I'll clean it up later. May I borrow your bathroom?"
The smell of scrambled eggs with tomatoes on her wasn't the biggest problem. The key thing was that a lot of soup got on her clothes, making her body feel sticky too.
For someone as clean as Yukino, she couldn't stand even a second more in this state.
"Borrowing the bathroom is no problem, but I don't have any clothes suitable for girls your age."
Kaito thought for a moment and said, "But I do have two unopened bathrobes."
"Bathrobes are enough," Yukino sighed in relief. After apologizing, she quickly took the bathrobe and walked into the bathroom.
Once her back disappeared from view, Kaito looked at the cat in front of him.
Kirara obviously realized she had caused trouble, looking a bit guilty as she came over, sticking out her soft pink tongue and licking his fingers in a flattering way.
"A Yokai, and you knocked over a plate because of too much strength?"
Kaito remained unmoved, lifting the cat by the scruff of her fate, speaking in annoyance, "Say it, did you do it on purpose!"
Kirara returned an innocent look, 'What bad thoughts can a cat possibly have, nya~'
Arguing with this silly cat made him feel like he was becoming dumb too.
Kaito sighed and still dutifully helped her clean up.
For him, it wasn't really troublesome. With one cleansing spell, no matter how messy the scene was, it would become squeaky clean.
However, just after tidying up the messy table, a somewhat suppressed voice came from the bathroom.
"Kurumizaka-kun, could you come over for a moment?"
Yukino was feeling quite annoyed right now.
Maybe she had spent too long petting the cat earlier, and the Yokai energy had entered her body. Not long after entering the bathroom, she started feeling a bit dizzy.
If it were just that, it wouldn't be so bad. But Yukino quickly discovered her body suddenly couldn't move.
Other than that, there were no other abnormalities. She just felt completely powerless, not even able to lift a pinky.
God knows how long this situation would last
After hesitating for a while, Yukino decided to ask Kaito for help.
After all, Yokai energy was something she didn't understand at all. Maybe, like a disease, the longer it dragged on, the worse it would get?
In a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, before she completely lost mobility, Yukino barely managed to wrap herself in a bathrobe.
Although, since she hadn't changed into a clean bra, it felt rather chilly inside, but it was still much better than being completely naked.
"It's indeed an aftereffect caused by the Yokai energy invading your body," Kaito quickly made a diagnosis.
Yukino's physical fitness was just too poor. Among all the girls he knew, she ranked near the bottom.
No need to mention Yumiko. She'd been in the tennis club since middle school, with outstanding athletic ability.
Bocchi practiced guitar at high intensity every day. Without excellent stamina to support her, she wouldn't have lasted this long.
Even the once delicate ojou-sama Togawa Sakiko, who used to not lift a finger, had done a lot of part-time work after falling into hard times. She was no longer that weak and fragile heiress.
As for Hiratsuka Shizuka?
A humanoid mother tyrannosaurus. A prime candidate for body cultivation. She was in a whole other category.
Compared to these people, Yukinoshita, who would be out of breath after running just ten meters, really was a small fry.
Yukino blushed and said nothing.
She was only wearing a white bathrobe. Though the design wasn't too revealing, quite a bit of snowy skin was still exposed. Coupled with the debuff of total body weakness. She was just like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
'If Kurumizaka-kun really wants to do something to me'
Though she knew that was very unlikely, Yukino still couldn't help but get nervous.
Seeing the girl tense up like a drawn bowstring, Kaito shook his head.
'The bathrobe outfit may be breezy, but it also depends on the person.'
'Yukino is indeed pretty. Her features are upright, with a face so cute it feels illegal.'
'But as for her figure'
'Oh well, small ones are cute too.'
'Even with an A cup, she is doing her best.'
Somehow Yukino felt that Kurumizaka-kun was thinking something very rude?
Her gaze was a bit suspicious. The sixth sense of a girl was activating.
Facing the girl's probing gaze, Kaito kept a straight face and simply reached out, tapping her forehead lightly.
"Nn"
'W-wait a second, this feeling!'
It was like something warm entered her body.
Yukino clenched her teeth, almost using all her willpower to stop herself from making any weird noises.
To her relief, that warm feeling came fast and left just as quickly.
In just a short moment, her body that had been attacked by Yokai energy recovered its strength, back to full HP.
"Thank you very much," Feeling her arms and legs regain strength, Yukino breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Her current posture was way too embarrassing. She immediately tried to get up, but forgot that although she was wearing a bathrobe, she had only wrapped it around herself, the belt at her waist wasn't tied.
With the sudden movement, the bathrobe couldn't handle the strain anymore and slid down along her smooth snowy shoulders.
Even the air went quiet.
Kaito: "..."
Yukino: "..."
The girl, as cold as ice and snow, seemed to turn into a stone statue.
Although Kaito had turned away immediately, his photographic memory still firmly engraved that glimpse deep into his mind.
'Even though Yukinoshita-san's figure is a bit flat'
'Still, her long legs and slender waist makes up for those shortcomings.'
'Moreover'
Kaito's expression turned a bit subtle.
'I never expected that Yukinoshita-san was a rare mythical beast?'
Yukino quietly squatted down, put the bathrobe back on, and after a long time, finally whispered, "Kurumizaka-kun could you, please turn around first?"
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Chapter 41: Heavy Rain
Kaito turned around.
It wasn't that he hadn't considered offering some comfort, like, ["Actually, I've always been extremely nearsighted. Can't tell people from animals beyond three meters."]
Or perhaps, ["Due to some indescribable mysterious power, the holy light just now blinded my eyes, so you don't need to worry about it."]
But such excuses were too clumsy, there really was no need to say them.
Yukino fell silent again, faint rustling sounds came from behind, probably from her getting dressed.
After a while, she softly said, "Kurumizaka-kun, sorry, can you let me be alone for a bit?"
Under the absolutely correct snow, she would never do something like taking her anger out on someone else.
She knew very well that this accident had nothing to do with Kurumizaka-kun, it was only her own carelessness.
But, though she could accept it rationally, emotionally, she still couldn't avoid the shame.
In this current awkward situation, the only thing Yukino could think of was to bury her head in the ground like an ostrich and temporarily escape from reality.
Kaito, of course, didn't refuse, leaving the space for her to be alone.
.
.
.
[Half an Hour Later]
The bathroom door was opened again. Having adjusted her mood, Yukino stepped out, the bathrobe tightly secured.
A faint blush still lingered on the girl's pretty face, and her sapphire-blue eyes were slightly evasive, never daring to meet the boy in front of her directly.
Seeing that Kaito didn't bring up the earlier accident again, Yukino obviously breathed a sigh of relief, and simply treated it as if nothing had happened.
As for the dirty clothes she had taken off earlier, they had already been tossed into the washing machine, and would probably take all night to dry, so she could only stay over for the night.
After chatting a bit in the living room and playing with Kirara for a while, Yukino quickly found an excuse to rest and returned to the guest room.
As for Kaito, he also didn't stay long and brought the cat back to his room to sleep.
