CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 17

The third-floor lobby of the entertainment building was still sparse, mostly filled with stacks of new furniture and decors awaiting installation, giving the space an echoey, utilitarian feel.

The girls were seated together on a salvaged leather couch, the trauma of the fight slowly giving way to the dizzying, compelling reality of the supernatural.

Although they were curious about what Seijirou and Retsu wanted to talk about, they ultimately resisted the urge to eavesdrop and decided to simply talk about Karyoku and the types of powers they might acquire if they ever made a contract.

Yukina clenched her fists, her excitement overriding the fatigue. "If I ever made a contract with a supernatural, I hope it’d be something focused on raw physical power! Something like a dragon, or a giant, or maybe even an Oni! Something that could give me supreme, unstoppable strength!"

With that said, she turned toward Emi, eager for her opinion. "What about you, Emi?"

Emi shrugged, her expression as blank as ever, but her mind was clearly sharp and focused. "I don’t wish to prolong fights. Fights create unnecessary collateral and witnesses. So, probably someone that can instantly defeat an opponent. Like an assassin, or a ninja spirit. A single-strike kill or incapacitation."

Yukina nodded approvingly. "That’s so like you! Why engage in a messy, long fight when you can just kill them instantly? You thinking about your fave anime character, Eriya Kimitsugu?"

"Yes. Something like that."

Suzune blinked, turning towards Emi, "I didn’t know you watch Anime, Emi. New hobby?"

Emi nodded, "As of recently, yes."

"And you bully that otaku when you’re an otaku yourself?" Suzune looked at her with exasperated expression.

"I didn’t bully him, it was Yukina." Emi pointed at her friend, "But I do like watching him getting bullied. He’s making us otaku look bad. Not all of us had a terrible odor, okay? Not all of us refuse to care for hygiene, and most importantly, not all of us are pedophiles. I feel embarrassed talking about my hobbies because of him."

Suzune hummed, thinking that it made sense. "...I think I’ve seen Seijirou also getting interested in Anime recently as well."

Emi’s usually dull eyes brightened instantly. "Really?"

"Yep. You should ask him."

"I will!"

"Alright! Alright! Enough of that anime talk," Yukina clapped her hands as she then turned toward Suzune. "Okay, Suzu-chan, what kind of power would you want to get?"

Suzune tilted her head in thought, her expression earnest. "Anything powerful enough to be of reliable help to Seijirou-kun. I don’t care about the type, just the efficacy."

"Very Suzune-like," Yukina chuckled, recognizing her selfless motivation.

She then addressed the remaining three girls, who were still outside the current plan but fascinated by the topic. "What about the rest of you? Touka-chan, Haruka-san, Rei-chan, what are your dream powers?"

Touka answered first, fidgeting slightly with her uniform hem. "I don’t really have any plan on getting one, since I don’t see the necessity as I’m not good with fighting. But if I did, probably something to give me consistently good luck."

"Luck? Why?" Yukina asked.

Touka replied simply, "Luck is great for business. It ensures success, avoids pitfalls, and helps with investment growth."

"Understandable," the others murmured, nodding at her pragmatic choice.

Even in a fantasy scenario, Touka prioritized commerce. As expected of their business prodigy!

Rei spoke next, her tone laced with the fear she still felt. "I don’t want to see others get hurt like that again. So if possible, something that can heal—like a minor healing deity’s power. Or maybe something like being able to make a barrier to protect others from harm. That would be very useful, right? It’s safer."

"Very useful." Yukina nodded, before turning towards the Haruka, waiting for her answer.

Haruka then gave her answer, delivered in her usual matter-of-fact monotone. "I can make do with anything, as long as it enhances utility. But I would prefer being able to clone myself."

"Why?" the others asked, genuinely curious.

Haruka answered, "If I can clone myself, then I can simultaneously attend class, manage the household accounts, learn new programming languages, and research Karyoku countermeasures, and many more, all at once, without wasting any time."

"Very practical! So Haruka-like!" The others chuckled at her choice, finding her extreme focus on efficiency amusing.

The group’s attention then collectively turned toward Rindou, who was seated silently beside Suzune, deep in a visible contemplation that had nothing to do with their supernatural wish fulfillment.

"Rindou-chan?" Suzune called out gently.

Rindou snapped out of her thought, turning toward them with a small, confused smile. "Yes?"

"Were you thinking about the truth of your family being involved in the supernatural?" Suzune asked.

Rindou sighed, running a hand across her forehead. "Yes, I was. I just... I don’t know why they decided to hide it from me. All my life, they told me we were just your average, successful, but ultimately ordinary family. Who knew they were actually part of some massive, hidden organization that safeguards humanity from the shadows?"

Suzune placed a comforting hand on her arm. "I’m sure there must be a good reason, Rindou-chan. After all, they are your parents. They must have been protecting you."

On the other side, Haruka crossed her arms, a cold bitterness entering her thoughts after hearing Suzune’s words.

’Not all parents have the best interests of their children at heart,’ she thought, her mind drifting to her own father.

’He sacrificed us, used us as a bargaining chip to escape justice and move to another country!’

She wondered how he was abroad now? Probably living his comfortable, selfish life and must have already found a new, stable family to spend his life with now.

Unknown to her, her father’s new life to another country didn’t even start before it was broken.

He had already become a food for the fishes in the ocean before he can even take a single foot out of the country’s soil.

After all, no one messes around with the Kageyama Family’s core assets—namely Hakari—and comes out unscathed to enjoy their freedom.

Seijirou’s family organization was ruthless in its cleanup of anyone who threatened their interests.

Just then, Seijirou and Retsu, having already finished their conversation, climbed to the lobby with them.

The girls immediately observed the duo intently.

Retsu was walking composedly beside Seijirou, and the two seemed to have resolved whatever tension existed between them.

From the looks of it, they were still close, their proximity suggesting their seemingly unbroken bond.

This was a relief to the girls. As cruel and terrifying as Retsu’s methods were, her actions were undeniably driven by a fierce, protective zeal for Seijirou.

A few of them, however, couldn’t shake the lingering question: Exactly how are Retsu and Seijirou connected? Even Suzune, who had known him the longest, doesn’t know anything about this.

Just then, breaking the reflective silence, Seijirou addressed the group. "So, girls, who among you needs to head home right now? Retsu’s heading back, and you can go with her. She will accompany you home to ensure your safety."

"A-Ah!" Rei instantly stood up straight, realizing the gravity of her neglect. "I forgot to inform my parents about everything that happened! They are probably worried sick! I need to go home now!"

Seijirou blinked, slightly puzzled by her extreme panic. "You were gone for a while, sure. But just message them that you’re on your way already."

Rei chuckled nervously, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. "My phone... it broke during the whole stalker incident, remember? I haven’t bought a new one yet."

"Oh," Seijirou nodded in understanding. "No wonder. Well, you better hurry and go home then. Don’t worry your parents any further."

"I should be going too," Touka said, standing up and patting her skirt smooth. "I told my parents I’d be late, but they will probably still worry if I don’t return soon."

"I also want to go home as well," Rindou announced, standing up. She had a lot of urgent, serious questions she needed to ask her family about the Grand Order.

"Anyone else?" Seijirou asked. No one answered.

He nodded, securing the arrangement. "Alright, Touka, Rei, and Rindou, Retsu will take you home."

"Alright, girls," Retsu smiled gently—a genuinely kind expression, though it was now laced with a potent sense of dread for the three girls, remembering her earlier actions and willingness to cut someone open. "Let’s go."

With that, she turned and headed toward the stairs as Rei and Touka quickly followed.

Rindou, however, hesitated.

She stared at Suzune, who just tilted her head in confusion, then looked at Yukina, Emi, and Haruka.

She knew, with certainty now, that all four of these girls were involved with Seijirou, and from what she had observed, they probably already knew about each other and accepted the situation.

So with a deep breath and a surge of boldness inspired by the day’s chaos, Rindou took a decisive step forward and closed the small distance to Seijirou.

She then quickly placed her hands on his chest and planted a swift, firm kiss on his lips.

Just a peck, but it was definite, as if to show her stance.

She pulled back and immediately turned to face the four seated girls and sighed in relief seeing them only raising an eyebrow, but didn’t react any further.

She then pointed her finger at them, her eyes shining with defiant pride.

"I did it with him too!" she declared loudly.

With her statement hanging in the air, she bolted, turning and running down the stairs, following Retsu and the others before anyone could react.

Seijirou blinked, his lips still tingling from the unexpected contact, but he soon shook his head slowly, a wry smile forming on his face.

Yukina chuckled, highly amused. "How cute. I didn’t know that gorilla had such a cute, territorial side."

Emi offered a rare, single nod of agreement.

Suzune smiled serenely. "I’m a great judge of character, Yukina-chan. I already knew Rindou had a cute, sweet side long ago."

Yukina immediately laughed, pointing a finger at Suzune. "You might be a great judge of character, but you’re completely color blind! We told you Retsu-sensei was a walking red flag and a psycho, and you wouldn’t believe us!"

Suzune’s smile remained unshakeable. "She did it for Seijirou-kun. In the end, that devotion doesn’t count as a flaw, and therefore, not a red flag."

"You... You..." Yukina pointed her finger at Suzune, unable to articulate her frustration at Suzune’s unflinching defense of Retsu’s interests.

She eventually rolled her eyes dramatically. "Whatever! I’m not even gonna talk to you right now!"

Seijirou interjected, breaking the budding squabble. "Alright, let’s stop the bickering. If the four of you wanted to stay here a little longer, we should probably order dinner first. What would everyone like to eat?"

And with that, the four of them immediately told their order, wanting to enjoy a warm dinner with Seijirou.