The light in the dimly lit rental room was stingy.
Changshi God opened his palm. Between his fingers, a purple Medal floated eerily, with the faint glow of a screen projected in the air.
His face didn’t look good.
On the old computer monitor piled up in the corner, a few lines of text were displayed:
[Lion Dance: The new parasite intercepted in Osaka was killed. Two cultists from the Osaka Branch returned their souls to the Screen of Truth]
[Changshi God: Who did it]
[Lion Dance: Osaka police, and that genius’s three student friends, Saiyonji, Yamanoi Yayoi, Kaori Onishi]
[Changshi God:….]
In Japan, the only one who could be called “that genius” was Yuki Asahi!
There was no grievance with that kid to begin with…
A trace of malice flickered in Changshi God’s eyes.
No. To be precise, the grudge had already been formed.
Not to mention having Saiyonji go undercover in the Society of Truth, and the killing of subordinates (in Changshi God’s view, Yuki Asahi was the real boss of the supernatural division).
Most importantly, his wealthy little girlfriend had previously cooperated with the Light Extinguishers to send Ayaka out of Japan.
Changshi God had originally thought that Dawn Resources Group wouldn’t have much influence in Asia.
He sent a team of subordinates to board the ship and snatch people—the outcome was rather miserable.
This new and old hatred, naturally, was all counted on Yuki Asahi, her man—in Changshi God’s logic, there was always a lingering touch of chauvinism.
It’s here……
Seeing the Mercedes S-Class suddenly appear in the image on the screen, the long-awaited Changshi God curled his lips into a smile.
Choosing this time, at the West Nest Duck Station only a few hundred meters from Tokiwagi High School… it was all to wait for you!
In the pocket of the “Society of Truth Sect Leader,” a new Medal was gathering momentum.
The energy contained in this Medal far surpassed those before.
If fully activated, it could bind the threads of surveillance to the target for a hundred days.
As long as there was contact with Yuki Asahi, within a hundred days, all his movements would be revealed.
At that time, finding a flaw and taking his life would be as easy as turning a hand!
Everything proceeded according to the script.
The man feigned defeat, easily subdued by Yuki Asahi.
At the moment when Yuki Asahi was distracted by Jiang Jian Yue, the time to use the Medal had arrived!
The man pointed his hand toward his pocket to reach in…
And in the next instant—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three crisp gunshots, as sharp as a guillotine falling, instantly shattered both the scene on the screen and the smile on Changshi God’s face.
Changshi God, who was gulping water with his head thrown back, suddenly choked, spluttering with a spray.
He froze, staring blankly at the yellowed, peeling wall, his mouth slightly open, unable to close it for a long time.
How could this be?
Broad daylight, in front of everyone… is there no law at all?
***
The response of Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu was nothing short of godlike—arriving at the scene within three minutes.
When the site’s barricade was set up, the patrol car from the nearby police station had only just turned the corner.
Two shots to the chest, one to the forehead—the suspect probably had no chance to get up and run.
Director Matsumoto of the Special Intelligence Analysis Unit hesitated to speak.
After confirming that the deceased was indeed the “Sect Leader” of the Society of Truth, Director Matsumoto bit his teeth even harder.
The smile he forced out was uglier than crying.
“The use of firearms completely complies with the threat elimination clause of the Special Security Act.”
Morita Aoya wore a mask, his voice muffled through the fabric, calm and without a ripple.
“At the time, this person clearly posed a continuous deadly threat. We determined he was of extremely high potential danger, so we took necessary measures.”
“If you have any objections, feel free to submit an official diplomatic note to the DRG embassy, or contact the diplomatic agency of any random country in Central Africa as well.”
How arrogant can you get!
For the first time, Jiang Jian Yue personally witnessed Butler Morita show such a sharp and domineering side, and she inexplicably felt a bit of sympathy for the people of Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.
They must really want to beat Morita Aoya up, right?
Director Matsumoto’s veins bulged slightly, his chest heaving a few times.
In the end, his clenched fist slowly relaxed, leaving only a deep sense of helplessness.
“By the way.”
As if suddenly remembering something, Morita Aoya’s tone remained flat.
“My lady asked me to remind you additionally: this guy intended to be captured alive by you… As for what secrets are hidden within, we are not in a position to comment. Just… please make sure Yuki-kun’s reward is issued in full and on time.”
A reward too?!
Matsumoto nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Of course, the reward would be given—rules were rules.
But with the other party’s attitude… he could only suppress his frustration, turn away, and roll his eyes fiercely at the air.
As the ancient sages said: Hey, can’t your attitude be a little better!
Morita Aoya’s attitude seemed to be made just to offend people.
Morita said nothing more, neatly opened the passenger door and sat inside, fastening his seatbelt and signaling the driver to depart.
***
In the spacious and quiet rear seat of the smoothly moving Mercedes S-Class, Yuki Asahi’s head rested on Jiang Jian Yue’s closed legs.
His breathing was even and long, clearly in deep sleep.
The girl’s slender fingers unconsciously threaded through the soft black hair, gently combing it.
She spoke.
“You… acted so harshly on purpose?”
Morita Aoya didn’t usually let his sharpness show like that.
“My lady is too easygoing. At times like this, we subordinates need to be a little more intimidating. On the other hand, if we’re not firm, more and more people will try to take advantage… It’s the same all over the world.”
Morita Aoya took off his mask, rubbing his ear.
He recalled how the new President Kawasaki couldn’t sit still after hearing some rumors online—younger people still need to learn a bit.
Me?
You say Jiang Jian Yue is easy to talk to?
I’m obviously cool and ruthless, all right!
Suddenly, Yuki Asahi frowned on her lap, as if sleeping uncomfortably.
Jiang Jian Yue’s fingers, playing with his hair, unconsciously became gentler, and the hand on his arm lightly patted.
Hm?
Something felt strange.
Jiang Jian Yue’s fingertips paused for a moment, then continued as if nothing had happened.
“Should we send Yuki-kun home?” Realizing she’d spoken a bit loudly, Morita Aoya lowered his voice.
“Mm.”
Jiang Jian Yue replied, her gaze falling on the scenery rushing past outside the window.
***
A dozen minutes later, the car smoothly entered a quiet residential street in a certain part of the Tokio North District, stopping in front of a typical Japanese-style single-family house.
The Amuro Residence entrance.
Funae Amuro was running home with her schoolbag on her back.
From a distance, she saw a strange black car blocking her house and immediately frowned.
She rushed forward and rudely kicked the tire.
“Hey! Cars aren’t allowed here! What are you doing?!”
Clearly, Funae Amuro, a middle school girl, had no concept of the price of the car.
Morita Aoya stepped out, his tall figure and meticulously tailored suit exuding an invisible pressure.
Funae Amuro’s arrogance was instantly doused by more than half.
She instinctively shrank her neck and her gaze darted away—the moment she kicked, she regretted it.
This guy looked like the kind who’d actually use violence!
A… a gangster!
Naturally, Morita didn’t bother with a middle school girl. He walked to the rear seat and opened the car door.
The moment the door opened, Funae Amuro’s head poked over with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Then she was petrified.
The afterglow of the setting sun slanted into the car, outlining a scene that froze her mind:
Yuki Asahi was peacefully resting his head on the lap of a long-haired, ashen-gray girl.
The girl’s eyes were lowered, her profile exquisite in the play of light and shadow, one hand even placed on her brother’s shoulder, gently patting!
Wh—what was going on?
“Yu…”
Funae Amuro’s voice rose sharply, then was instantly silenced by the sharp gaze Jiang Jian Yue shot over, her throat feeling as if it were being gripped.
She only stared wide-eyed.
Suddenly, she remembered seeing this girl before.
The one who had come to their house late at night, then stayed the whole night in the same room with Yuki Asahi!
Could it be?!
“Morita.”
Jiang Jian Yue ignored Funae’s inner drama, glancing at Morita Aoya.
“Yes, my lady.”
Morita Aoya understood, bent over to help Yuki Asahi up as gently as possible, carefully supporting his arm.
Yuki Asahi swayed, drowsily opening his eyes a crack, and mumbled:
“Senpai…?”
“We’re home. Go sleep.”
Jiang Jian Yue’s voice was softer than usual as she watched him being helped to stand.
His feet touched the ground, and the cool evening breeze made Yuki Asahi shiver, shaking off most of his drowsiness.
He looked at the Amuro Residence’s nameplate, then at Morita supporting him, then at Jiang Jian Yue sitting in the car… and belatedly, a faint blush spread across his cheeks.
“Se… Senpai! Mr. Morita! Thank you for bringing me home!”
He hurriedly stood up straight, trying to free himself from Morita’s support to prove he was fine, but his leg went numb and he wobbled again.
His leg was asleep.
“No need to thank us. Please rest well, Yuki-kun.”
Morita let go and bowed slightly, hanging Yuki Asahi’s bag on his shoulder.
Jiang Jian Yue nodded from inside the car.
“Let’s talk on LINE.”
“Ye—yes! Good night, Senpai! Good night, Mr. Morita!”
Yuki Asahi bowed quickly, almost bumping his head on the car door frame.
The door closed quietly, shutting out the siblings’ figures outside.
The black Mercedes started silently, merging into the flow of traffic, heading into the deepening twilight of Tokyo.
***
“Hey! That woman… who is she?”
Funae Amuro gathered herself, but a strange sourness lingered inside, making the girl grimace as she asked.
Her eyes didn’t leave the receding taillights for a long time.
Yuki Asahi didn’t look back, just replied casually:
“She’s a senior from school.”
“Nonsense!”
Seniors don’t act that intimate.
They even slept in the same room before!
This wasn’t a so-called senior—it was… a girlfriend, wasn’t it?!
Yuki Asahi looked confused, glancing at Funae Amuro, who was suddenly angry for no reason.
He wanted to open her head to see if her brain was constructed the same way as his.
“Ridiculous!”
Yuki Asahi threw this out and turned toward the house.
It seemed time to start thinking about moving out.
After spending the last New Year at the Amuro Residence, he’d pack up and look for a place to rent.
If possible, Yuki Asahi wanted to move somewhere closer to Jiang Jian Yue—it would be nearer to school that way, too.