Chapter 25: Want to Come Up and Sit?

Sakurajima Mai got off after four stops. As she left, she didn’t look back, departing like a stranger until her figure vanished into the hazy night. Luo Yun got off three stops later at the entrance to a high-end residential area. As mentioned before, Nangong Nayue was a wealthy woman, and just how wealthy was evident the moment one stepped into her home. The furniture was almost entirely handcrafted by masters. Kasumigaoka Utaha also got off, trailing behind Luo Yun. “Why are you following me?” After getting off, Luo Yun turned and asked. When he looked, the shadow of her long hair draped over the girl’s face, making it hard to discern. Only when she heard the question did Kasumigaoka Utaha lift her head, a delighted smile spreading across her face: “…I just moved here last week. I didn’t expect Junior-kun to live here too.” She didn’t let Luo Yun see her furrowed brows. “Hm, I’ve lived here for years.” Luo Yun nodded, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. The neighbourhood was eerily quiet, with only faint insect chirps audible. Orange streetlights stretched one by one into the distance, illuminating the darkness. The shadows of the two walking side by side overlapped and intertwined on the ground. Luo Yun and Kasumigaoka Utaha walked and chatted. Both tacitly avoided mentioning the earlier incident, and Kasumigaoka Utaha didn’t pry into Luo Yun’s affairs. They spoke of trivial things and… Luo Yun’s relationship with the blonde girl from earlier (Lan Yu Qiancong). Of course, it was only mentioned subtly. They walked until they reached an apartment building at the edge of the complex, where Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped. “Is this where you live?” Luo Yun asked. “You live alone?” “Yeah, my parents work on the mainland. I transferred to Genkami Island’s girls’ school in high school.” Kasumigaoka Utaha stood on the steps, speaking softly. “Living alone must be tough.” Luo Yun looked at the long-haired girl. The cool night breeze stirred her fringed hair, and she lightly brushed the strands from her forehead. “Sometimes, it feels a bit lonely. Do you live alone too?” Kasumigaoka Utaha was a bit curious. “A few years ago, yeah.” Luo Yun sighed slowly. When he first crossed over, he was in Europe’s demon sanctuary. Back then, he was alone, struggling in an unfamiliar world and country. Until he met Agulola, until Nangong Nayue took him in. Kasumigaoka Utaha noticed that, for a moment, Luo Yun seemed like a different person. But it passed quickly. “If you need help, just call me.” Luo Yun shook his head and smiled. A lot had happened in the past, teaching him many seemingly profound but actually simple truths. “Kasumigaoka-san, good night.” Luo Yun smiled at the girl and turned to leave. But at that moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly stepped down, her gaze turning sly and hesitant. “…Knowing I’m home alone, doesn’t Junior-kun want to come up and sit?” Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned forward slightly, her figure—more developed than her peers—exuding a mature allure. She lightly tapped her lower lip with her finger, a slight curve forming at the corner of her mouth. Luo Yun paused for a moment. A lone girl inviting a guy to her place at night surely meant more than just chatting and tea. But soon, he shook his head with a smile. “Good night.” Kasumigaoka Utaha expected to be teased, but she never imagined this response. She could only watch him walk away. Then, expressionless, the girl turned and entered the apartment, taking the lift to her room. She turned on the light, removed her shoes, and changed into slippers. The moment she closed the door, she leaned against it, covering her face with her hands, slowly sliding down to sit on the floor. Through the gaps in her fingers, a faint glimpse of her flushed face was visible. On the other side, Luo Yun, riding the lift, didn’t reject Kasumigaoka Utaha’s invitation because he was too dense. Kasumigaoka Utaha was a campus goddess, tall and curvaceous, fuller rather than slender. Simply put, she had curves where it counted and not an ounce of extra fat where it didn’t. Such a woman held great appeal for men. If possible, Luo Yun wouldn’t mind spending the night with a girl like her. But was that realistic? Though Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed mature and charming, it was all a façade. Her maturity masked her inexperience, a shield to protect herself. And if Luo Yun had actually gone up to “sit,” it likely would’ve been just that—sitting, drinking tea, and leaving. If he tried anything, the girl would probably call the police immediately. Rather than doing something thankless, he’d rather go home and rest. Taking down the ghoul consumed less energy than that day, especially since the incident involved three female leads, greatly boosting the recognition he gained. Plus, there was another fated opportunity. Who knew what good thing he’d get this time. With that thought, Luo Yun heard the lift go “ding” and reached his door. He unlocked it with his key and stepped inside. The living room’s lights were brightly lit. …

Footnote 1: Lan Yu Qiancong (Lan Yu Asagi): A character referenced earlier, implied to be the blonde girl seen with Luo Yun during the day