Chiba — Outskirts — Chiba Village
After finishing the battle and surveying the surrounding forested mountains, Yukinoshita Akira found no further traces of demons.
Thinking about it calmly, that made sense. A Lower Rank Five and an Upper Rank Four had already appeared in this area. It would be unreasonable for any other demons to be lurking nearby.
By the ti he returned to the campsite, evening had fallen—and it was ti for dinner.
Throughout the afternoon, with the help of the supervising teachers, the group of elentary students had spent a cheerful day learning how to cook outdoors.
They now sat in neat rows, each holding a plate of curry, their small faces glowing with excitent and their mouths stained with sauce.
anwhile, the adults had begun preparing their own als as well.
"You've got so nerve, you brat. Disappear when there's work to be done, and show up just in ti for food. You really know how to pick your monts, don't you?"
The mont Hiratsuka Shizuka saw Yukinoshita Akira return, she let out a long, irritated sigh.
Who could bla her? When the group had climbed up the mountain earlier, he had vanished without a trace. Tasks had been assigned, but his share went unfinished. Now that everything was done and everyone was exhausted—he showed up right as dinner began.
The remaining work had been divided among others, and at this point it couldn't be changed. Inevitably, most of the burden had fallen on her shoulders.
Back when she was a student, she was always the one working the hardest. Now that she was a teacher, sohow that hadn't changed.
So yes, her glare was fully justified.
"Ah, sorry, Sensei. I wandered a little too far while walking around the mountain. Lost track of ti."
"You—"
Hiratsuka Shizuka was about to continue scolding him, but as she stepped closer, she caught a faint scent—blood.
Her expression stiffened.
Even without using Breathing Techniques, her instincts as a fighter were sharp.
This scent… she knew it well.
And her eyes imdiately noticed the faint, dark-red stain along the edge of the katana sheath hanging at his waist.
There was no mistaking it. He had just co back from a serious battle.
"…Forget it. What matters is that you ca back safely. Even if this place is relatively safe, we're still deep in the mountains. Don't wander off carelessly."
"Understood, Sensei. By the way, what's for dinner?"
"Curry and seasoning soup."
"Ugh…"
At that, Yukinoshita Akira turned to look at the table. Sure enough—simple curry and a bowl of thin soup awaited.
It wasn't that he disliked it. But after being spoiled by Yukinoshita Yukino's precise cooking or Busujima Saeko's refined ho-style dishes, his palate had grown accustod to food made with skill and care.
Compared to that… this was humble, to say the least.
When Akira finally sat down, the atmosphere at the table subtly shifted. The so-called "popular group" instinctively lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact.
Especially Hayama Hayato—his usually calm gaze now held a flicker of unease, maybe even fear.
On the other hand, Yukinoshita Yukino approached with quiet composure, carrying a plate of curry.
Her movents were smooth and practiced, almost like a wife serving dinner to her husband after a long day.
The two of them acted as if it were nothing unusual—but to everyone else watching, it was… complicated.
Among all those seated, only one person's gaze hadn't wavered since Akira's return—Hikigaya Hachiman.
He knew Yukinoshita Akira well enough to tell that he didn't do anything without reason. Going into the forest imdiately after arrival… there was clearly sothing behind it.
And he, too, had noticed the faint trace of blood along the katana's sheath. Fresh blood—still dark and moist before fully drying.
Combining all that with Akira's mysterious background… there could only be one explanation.
Could it be… those creatures exist here too?
The thought made Hachiman uneasy.
Almost reflexively, his eyes shifted toward his younger sister, Hikigaya Komachi, who was happily eating her curry with a big smile.
No matter the situation, she was always his first concern—more than anything else in the world.
"Hmm? What is it, Onii-chan? Why are you staring at Komachi like that?"
"Komachi, tonight you'll sleep with Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui, understand?"
"Eh? Sleep with Yukino-nee and Yui-nee? Why? Don't tell —you're trying to get closer to them and want Komachi to be your spy? Stealing Akira-nii's girlfriend is bad, but if it's you, Komachi supports you with all her heart!"
"This has nothing to do with that! Just do as I say. I'd never put you in danger."
"Onii-chan… you're hiding sothing from Komachi, aren't you?"
Komachi's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
As much as Hachiman understood his sister, Komachi understood her brother just as well.
That tone, that look—he was hiding sothing big.
"Komachi… it's not the right ti yet. But when we go ho, I'll tell you everything. I promise."
"…Okay then. If Onii-chan says so, Komachi will listen. For now."
"Good girl."
Seeing his sister finally relax made Hachiman exhale quietly—but Komachi's curiosity only deepened.
Just what could make her usually unflappable brother this tense?
"How did it go?"
Not far away, Yukinoshita Yukino, who had just finished serving the food, asked softly.
"It's over," Akira replied.
"Over?"
"Yes. There's nothing left to worry about."
"I see… thank goodness."
Yukino's shoulders loosened with relief. If there truly had been a demon nearby, it would've been disastrous.
Especially since their group was surrounded by children—fragile, defenseless, and completely unaware of the danger that could've claid their lives in an instant.
Dinner went on peacefully after that—or at least, it tried to.
But with Yukinoshita Akira's arrival, the atmosphere had changed.
The students, driven by an unexplainable sense of tension, quickly finished their als and dispersed into small groups.
"It seems soone here really doesn't have any friends."
Yukino observed calmly, then glanced sideways at Akira with a teasing smirk.
"We're the sa, Yukino."
"Not quite. At least I don't terrify my classmates into silence."
"Oh? Bold words. You've forgotten how your first-year sesters went, haven't you?"
"…Tch."
Yukino fell silent, pouting slightly before grabbing Yuigahama Yui by the hand and walking off.
And just like that, Akira was left alone.
Well—almost alone.
"Got a minute?"
Hikigaya Hachiman approached, having waited until everyone had left. He'd sent Komachi ahead and now stood beside Akira with a serious look.
"It seems you have sothing to say. In that case, I've got ti," Akira replied, smiling faintly.
"Good. Then co with —to the small grove over there. We'll talk there."
"Sure."
Akira's smile deepened slightly.
He could already tell what this "great detective" wanted to ask.
Hachiman's instincts were sharp. Not just sharp—he had undoubtedly noticed sothing that others hadn't.
Sothing that could no longer be explained away with re coincidence.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Read ahead and support the story on Patreon:
🔗 patreon/FaaanzKun
✅ 115 chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ 2 new chapters every day (Monday–Saturday), exclusive on Patreon
Thank you all so much for your amazing support 💖
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
User Comments
0 comments from readers