'Lunatic!'
Togawa Kiyotsugu cursed in his heart but didn't dare provoke him. He could only answer honestly, "It hurts, it hurts a lot!"
Another punch.
This time it landed square on the bridge of his nose. Togawa Kiyotsugu's head snapped back from the blow, hot liquid flowed from his nasal cavity, and he seemed to see a kindly old woman before his eyes.
"How about now?"
"It doesn't hurt! Not at all!", He nearly cried, hastily changing his words.
"Good, you're a tough guy," Kaito nodded in approval and delivered a fierce knee strike, ruthlessly smashing into his lower abdomen.
Togawa Kiyotsugu let out a muffled groan.
His once handsome features were now twisted in agony, too pained to speak, his stomach churning violently.
But it wasn't over yet.
Kaito flicked his fingers, and a surge of invisible energy burst into the man's limbs and bones.
This energy wasn't fatal, but it was like a thousand ants devouring his heart, making life worse than death.
Togawa Kiyotsugu rolled on the ground in agony, blue veins bulging under his skin. It felt like invisible worms were crawling all over inside. Within moments, he was drenched in sweat, his suit pants soaked with a yellow, foul-smelling liquid.
This torment lasted about five minutes or so.
Seeing the time was about right, Kaito crouched down and patted his face, "Where's the money you used for gambling?"
"Gone I lost it all!", Togawa Kiyotsugu looked like a wild dog with a broken spine, eyes filled with the desire to live, "But my daughter has money! My daughter is still very pretty! I'll sell her to you! You can do whatever you want with her!"
"Please, spare me. I really know I was wrong now"
"You don't know you were wrong," Kaito shook his head, "You just know you're about to die."
He stood up and turned to leave. Spiritual power surged around him; though the rain poured, it was completely blocked outside.
He had no intention of killing Togawa Kiyotsugu, after all, the man was Sakiko's biological father.
But sometimes, death is actually a release.
With energy surging through the body, every two hours he would endure pain like being cut by a thousand knives, incurable.
Even a man made of iron wouldn't last three days before collapsing into a pile of mush, begging for death.
If Togawa Kiyotsugu really had the will to cling to life even while suffering worse than death, Kaito might look at him with some respect.
The wails behind him continued, echoing in the dark alley.
But clearly, he didn't have that kind of courage.
"No Don't!"
Togawa Sakiko woke from her dream in a panic.
Once again, she had seen that ferocious father, as if ready to devour anyone.
Those pupils the same color as her own no longer showed the gentleness of the past, no guilt or pity for his daughter, only calculation and greed.
Sakiko stared in a daze for a long time, her expression gradually dimming. She wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her little head deep in her arms.
'Dad No, Togawa Kiyotsugu.'
'That man, just when did he start to change?'
Maybe it was the day he lost his position as a councilor, or maybe it was after being kicked out of the Togawa family.
To this day, Sakiko still didn't understand why her mother had ruthlessly driven him out of the house.
She could've stayed in the Togawa family, continued being a carefree young lady, but she was willing to leave with that man.
'Because Dad used to be such a good person.'
He would patiently teach little her to play the piano, tell bedtime stories, and secretly buy her the cake she'd been craving, behind her strict mom's back.
"Why did it turn out like this?"
Click!
The dim room lit up as someone casually flipped the light switch, illuminating the lonely girl.
Sakiko looked up, and the first thing she saw was a familiar envelope, followed by a calm and reassuring voice, "Returning this to its rightful owner."
Seeing the girl remain motionless, seemingly still dazed.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, "If you don't snap out of it, I might just pocket this for myself"
He had intended to make a joke to lighten the mood, but suddenly paused.
Sakiko didn't take the envelope. Instead, she lunged into his arms, tightly hugging the boy's bamboo-like waist.
She didn't speak, but her tears quickly soaked through the fabric of his chest.
Kaito sighed, but didn't push the girl away. He gently stroked her soft, blue long hair, "It's okay now. It's all over."
Sakiko was a very strong girl.
But precisely because she was too strong, used to bearing everything alone, her emotions rebounded more intensely once she had someone to rely on.
The stifled crying lasted a long time.
When she finally left the warm embrace, her doll-like delicate face had already become a messy, tear-streaked little kitten.
Sakiko hesitated, then still softly asked, "Dad Togawa Kiyotsugu, that man what happened to him?"
"I had a nice, friendly chat with him. He deeply realized his mistakes."
Kaito shrugged, "He felt too ashamed to see you again, decided to live somewhere else, and should already be on his way now."
'Still lying to me.'
If a friendly chat could really make that man suddenly repent, Kaito would've long been qualified to apply for a job as a confessional priest, right?
Sakiko carefully held his right hand, where a faint trace of blood stained his knuckles.
"Does it still hurt here?"
'Careless. I should've checked before coming back.'
Kaito coughed lightly, "Doesn't really feel like anything."
After all, it wasn't his blood.
"Sorry for troubling you again."
Sakiko pushed the envelope back, "This money please let Kaito-kun keep it. It's fine if you spend it."
"Are you worried about Togawa Kiyotsugu?"
Kaito thought the girl was afraid the money would get stolen again, "Don't worry, I'm quite confident in my negotiation skills. He won't drag you down anymore."
After this incident, that man was already finished.
Even if he miraculously survived, the rest of his life was only worthy of becoming a stray dog with no home to return to.
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Chapter 44: Soft and Mellow Little Sakiko, Grand Revival
"No, it has nothing to do with that," Sakiko gently shook her head, those amber-colored eyes shimmering with a moist glow, revealing a faint smile.
'I just... found something much more important.'
"If that's the case then"
Kaito thought for a moment and suggested, "How about we treat this money as rent? The tenant in the next room recently went abroad, so you could move in."
"Though it's a bit small, it's more than enough for one person to live in, and the rent is cheaper. Only thirty thousand yen a month."
Actually, he had considered inviting Sakiko to live with him.
After all, a 3LDK apartment was meant for a family of three, and living alone was a bit too spacious.
But thinking it through, this kind of behavior wasn't much different from cohabitation. Even if he didn't mind, that didn't mean Sakiko wouldn't either.
Sakiko hesitated for a moment but didn't refuse.
The apartment she was currently renting was not only small, but the water and electricity were unstable. It was hard to even take a proper bath. The only advantage was its low cost, but even so, it still cost her nearly twenty thousand yen per month.
Now with this scholarship, she no longer needed to live so tightly like before. She could totally afford a better living environment.
"Oh right," Kaito paused and then added, "There's one more thing that might need your help."
Sakiko immediately perked up, straightened her back, and looked serious, "Please say it. As long as it's something I can do, anything is fine."
Having received so many favors, she now desperately wanted to repay Kurumizaka-kun and had made up her mind.
Only, it was unexpected.
"Interested in becoming my secretary?"
Hearing that, Sakiko was briefly stunned.
'Secretary?'
'Is it the kind of secretary I imagine, the kind that does all sorts of tasks?'
"I'm planning to open a spirit-exorcising agency. One person might not be able to handle it all," Kaito briefly explained his plan, "Calling it a secretary is more like an assistant, helping with some miscellaneous tasks. Of course, it's best if it's someone I know well."
Actually, he had previously considered asking Yumiko and Bocchi for help.
But then thought better of it. Not to mention the former, even just Bocchi
The shy little girl couldn't even talk to him without stuttering, let alone go out and run errands.
Compared to that, Sakiko was obviously more suitable for the 'assistant' role.
She had rich part-time job experience, had worked in customer service, and knew how to communicate with people.
She used to be a young lady, so she wasn't lacking in personal connections either.
"You're the most suitable candidate, and I also believe you can handle the job."
"The monthly salary will be set at 300,000 yen for now, with eight days off per month. Regular holidays will also be observed. If your performance is outstanding, a raise can be considered."
"The daily work includes contacting clients and selecting commissions you find suitable."
"What do you think? Want to consider it?"
'What generous pay!'
Toyokawa Sakiko found it hard not to be tempted.
Her current part-time customer service job was exhausting and full of scolding, yet she could only earn a few tens of thousands of yen a month.
And her manager was not easy to get along with either, a middle-aged woman in her 40s going through menopause, always finding excuses to deduct bonuses and wages. It made her want to smash her headset into that mean face.
"Such benefits are too good," Sakiko gave a slight bitter smile, "I bet if you just spread the word, there'd be a ton of people lining up to apply, right?"
Not only was there no overtime, but the boss was also a stunningly beautiful young man. Even without salary, many would be willing to work just for his looks.
"Posting a recruitment notice is too much trouble."
Kaito sighed, "You said you'd do anything, and now you're rejecting such a simple request?"
A very basic provocation tactic.
But Sakiko had no way to refute and could only weakly respond, "Even so the salary is too high."
A monthly salary of 300,000 yen was on par with a white-collar worker at a large company, and the work even sounded easier.
This money burned in her hands.
"You mean to say?"
"I'm fine with just 100,000 yen"
That amount wasn't too much and was more in line with what an assistant should be paid.
Having seen many part-timers dissatisfied with their salary, he'd never seen someone proactively lowering their own wage.
'What a naturally born workhorse saint.'
'Might as well stop calling her Togawa Sakiko and rename her Camel Sakiko.'
"I'm not some black-hearted boss who squeezes employees dry."
Kaito crossed his arms, "I said 300,000, and not a yen less. If you talk back again, I'll raise it to 400,000."
Having seen black-hearted capitalists who squeezed every penny, it was the first time seeing someone use a raise as a threat.
'Kurumizaka-kun really is a weirdo.'
Under the softly warm white light, tiny glimmers fell onto Sakiko's fair cheeks, where even fine fuzz could be seen.
Droplets still hung on the girl's long eyelashes, like a baby bird had flown into her heart, warm and soft.
"...Kurumizaka-kun, please take care of me from now on."
"A promising child," Kaito nodded with satisfaction, then suddenly changed the subject, "What do you call me?"
Sakiko froze for a moment, hesitated briefly, then tentatively asked, "Boss?"
"Just kidding."
Kaito's lips curled into a smile. He casually reached out and rubbed her silky blue hair, "No need to be so formal. Just call me whatever you like."
Being head-patted by someone of the opposite sex for the first time aside from family, Sakiko could feel her cheeks heating uncontrollably.
Soft and mellow Little Sakiko, grand revival.
"S-Since that's the case, Kaito-kun, please don't call me Togawa-san anymore. It sounds too distant."
The girl pretended to be calm and brushed her hair by her ear with her small hand, using the motion to hide her true feelings. "Just call me by my name."
"You mean like this?"
Kaito feigned seriousness, "Sakiko? Or maybe Little Saki?"
"Little Saki" wasn't an uncommon nickname. Back when she was in a band, everyone in the group used to call her that.
But
A name she had long grown used to suddenly felt incredibly embarrassing when called by Kaito.
Her pretty face flushed like she was drunk, but the soft and mellow Little Sakiko forced herself to say, "Since I'm now your employee, Kaito-kun, I'll resign from my current part-time company as soon as possible."
"As for now l-let's exchange contact info first, so we can keep in touch"
Kaito had no objections, of course. Although they'd known each other for some time, their relationship had always been platonic, so they never deliberately exchanged contact info.
Setting the boss's account as pinned and specially cared for, Sakiko put away her phone, already entering work mode.
"As for the agency's business, what exactly does it include?"
"Hm? A spirit-exorcising agency, of course it's spirit exorcising."
Kaito thought for a moment and added, "Professional ghost-catching, exorcisms, slaying monsters, and banishing demons. As long as a client confirms they've encountered a supernatural event, we can take the case."
"Eh?"
Sakiko looked at him a little blankly. She had focused all her attention on that 300,000 yen monthly salary earlier and hadn't noticed the "spirit-exorcising" prefix of the agency at all.
'But do evil spirits and monsters really exist in this world?'
'Could Kurumizaka-kun have been deceived by a scam group?'
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Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining. You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
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Chapter 45: It Feels Great to Be a Hands-Off Boss for a While
"Don't overthink it," Kaito didn't even need to read her mind. Just looking at the sudden nervous expression on the girl's face, he knew she was definitely misunderstanding something.
