On an ordinary day after school, Yutsuki went alone to the bookstore in the shopping district. Under the resentful stare of the bookstore clerk, she read the newly published manga magazines, leaving the bookstore with the satisfaction and sense of accomplishnt of having read for free.
Suddenly, she received a call from Shido, who was at ho.
"Pacific saury?"
Yutsuki asked, sowhat surprised.
"Mhm. Tohka saw a recomndation on a food program on TV today and said she wanted to eat Pacific saury."
"I see. Co to think of it, now is indeed the season for Pacific saury."
Looking around slightly, Yutsuki indeed saw many discount ads and food stalls featuring Pacific saury.
It's currently autumn, which is the peak catching season for Pacific saury. This fish is cheap, its at is delicious, and it's rich in nutrients. Whether grilled, pan-fried, stead, or boiled, it tastes top-notch. To exaggerate a little, Pacific saury is the ingredient that represents Japan's "Autumn of Appetite."
"So, how do you plan to cook it? Stead? Pan fried? Or sashimi?"
Yutsuki's face was full of anticipation.
"Charcoal grilled. If I rember correctly, there's a charcoal stove for smoking in the storage room."
"Ooh! The royal Japanese way to eat it."
Yutsuki was very excited. Just imagining the crispy, charred body of the charcoal-grilled Pacific saury and its incredibly enticing aroma... just dipping it in a little soy sauce would undoubtedly make it a supre delicacy.
Let alone Tohka, even Yutsuki felt her mouth watering just thinking about it.
So, Yutsuki nodded readily.
"Got it. I'll just go to the fish market and buy Pacific saury on the way back, right."
"Ah, while you're at it, buy so salt and soy sauce too. Could you cover the cost first? I'll pay you back when you return."
"Yeah, yeah~"
Ending the call with Shido, Yutsuki changed direction and arrived at the fish market.
"Yo! Isn't this Yutsuki-chan?"
Seeing Yutsuki arrive, the fishmonger uncle greeted her very enthusiastically.
"Buying ingredients for dinner again today? Isn't your boyfriend, Shido, with you today?"
"No, Shido and I are not a couple..."
Yutsuki couldn't help but smile bitterly. Since she took on half the cooking duties for the Itsuka household, Yutsuki often ca to buy ingredients like a housewife. She was quite popular among the uncles and aunties in the shopping district. Coupled with the fact that Yutsuki and Shido were often seen shopping together recently, everyone in the shopping district mistakenly thought Yutsuki and Shido were dating.
'Though, if Shido actually intended to, I wouldn't refuse', she thought.
"Boss, do you have any fresh Pacific saury?"
"Of course! Just brought in from the fishery this morning. Guaranteed fresh."
Yutsuki looked at the frozen Pacific saury on the fish stand. After observing for a mont, she picked out the freshest ones one by one.
"Boss, this one, that one, and the ones over here... please wrap these up for ."
"Buying quite a lot, are you having guests over?"
"More like my family is just that big to begin with."
Yutsuki smiled bitterly. Putting aside the others, Tohka's portion alone had to be counted as ten people's worth.
After paying, she carried the heavy bags from the fishmonger uncle. It was a good thing Yutsuki had the strength of a Spirit, or else she wouldn't have been able to lift them.
"Boss, since I'm buying so much, could you give a little discount?"
"Haha, for a cute girl like Yutsuki-chan, of course."
"Haha... thanks..."
Although she showed a subtle expression when called a "cute girl," getting a discount so easily from the boss was still a win...
"Then, next is soy sauce and salt. To the supermarket, the supermarket~"
"ow~"
Just as Yutsuki was on her way to the supermarket, a cat's ow suddenly ca from under her feet. Yutsuki looked down and saw a pure black cat standing right by her feet.
"This is rare... a cat actually approaching ."
Yutsuki looked at the black cat in surprise. Ever since she beca a Spirit, her body had completely inherited Mikoto Misaka's properties. Even with her Spirit power sealed, her body still emitted faint electromagnetic waves. Generally speaking, small animals wouldn't co near her at all.
Yutsuki crouched down slightly to observe the cat. It wasn't wearing a pet collar around its neck, and its fur didn't look like it was carefully grood. It was probably a stray cat wandering around this shopping district.
"ow~ ow ow~"
The black cat wasn't scared off by Yutsuki's sudden approach. Instead, it looked at the Pacific saury in Yutsuki's bag and let out several ows.
Yutsuki took out a Pacific saury, and the cat's slit pupils were imdiately drawn to it.
As she swung the Pacific saury back and forth in the air, the black cat's head bobbed along with Yutsuki's movents.
"You want to eat it?"
Yutsuki tried asking.
"ow~"
The black cat owed coquettishly, its tail wagging very cheerfully.
Yutsuki placed the Pacific saury in front of the black cat. Just as the cat was about to take a bite, she suddenly pulled it back.
"ow, ow!"
"Don't get mad. I just thought eating it raw might not be good for you. Let process it a bit. Mhm... this level should be fine."
After slightly soothing the bristling black cat, she made sure no one was around. Yutsuki took a deep breath, and faint electric sparks flashed on her left hand holding the Pacific saury.
Manifesting only a tiny fraction of her Astral Dress, she used electrical heating to simply process the Pacific saury. Although it was a bit of a waste of ingredients, it was much better than eating it raw.
The fish skin gradually beca crispy, and the unique, rich aroma of Pacific saury faintly seeped out, instantly making the previously angry black cat's eyes light up.
"ow ow——"
"Wait, it's too hot, you can't eat it yet."
Considering that a cat's tongue is sensitive to heat, Yutsuki gently blew on the Pacific saury to cool it down. Only after the surface temperature dropped did she place a flyer on the ground and put the electrically grilled Pacific saury in front of the black cat.
"Alright, enjoy."
"ow~"
With a cheerful sound, the black cat lowered its head and began to eat with relish.
"Well, what a weird cat."
Chuckling softly, Yutsuki patted the black cat's head slightly, then picked up the bag of Pacific saury and left.
After the small interlude on the road ended, Yutsuki went to the supermarket and bought salt and soy sauce. Then, she suddenly rembered that dipping charcoal-grilled Pacific saury in lemon juice was also a Japanese way of eating it. Thinking that Shido probably didn't have any at ho, she bought so on her own.
"This should be about it."
Confirming she had bought all the ingredients and seasonings Shido asked for, Yutsuki thought of the plump, tender Pacific saury she would enjoy when she got back, and couldn't help but hum a light tune.
"Pacific saury~ Pacific saury~"
Whether as a chef or a diner, Yutsuki seed a bit impatient. So, she walked into an alleyway on the street, taking a shortcut ho.
However, the scene before her left Yutsuki in silence.
In front of Yutsuki was a girl wearing a mysterious dark gothic Lolita dress. Black hair, porcelain like skin, bangs covering her left eye—the girl known to humans as the most evil Spirit, Tokisaki Kurumi.
Right now, she was standing with her back to Yutsuki, leaning forward, gently rubbing the soft belly of a calico cat with her fingers.
"Hehehehe. The so called lone wolf of this alley, Satou-san, is only this much after all. After eating cat food spiked with silvervine(catnip), can you still maintain your aloof and arrogant posture?"
"owwoo..."
Probably because of the cat food scattered on the ground, the calico cat acted as if it were drunk, exposing its defenseless belly while lying on the ground. Under Kurumi's stroking, it let out comfortable, unpromising purrs.
"Hehehehe.Satou-san, this spot seems quite sensitive~. You're making such comfortable moans..."
"ow... ow..."
"Ah? You want to linger on that spot a bit longer? Hehe, I can do that,Satou-san, as long as you beg with an even cuter whimper."
Kurumi said things that would make anyone who didn't see the scene imagine sothing entirely different. She held the defenseless cat in her arms, rubbed her cheek against the cat, and showed a joyful smile.
Yutsuki broke into a slight sweat. Honestly, she felt like she had seen sothing she shouldn't have.
But thinking carefully, it wasn't that strange. No one ever decreed that the most evil Spirit couldn't like cats. Even if it was Kurumi, having one or two maiden-like hobbies wasn't strange. It even had a bit of gap moe.
Kurumi seed to still be imrsed in the gentle embrace of the cat and hadn't noticed Yutsuki's presence. Naturally, Yutsuki wouldn't purposely let herself be discovered. First, considering the other party's image; second, if discovered, the other party might suddenly get excessively embarrassed and decide to silence her to protect her secret. Even if Yutsuki had nine lives like a cat, it wouldn't be enough.
Kurumi obviously wouldn't want her secret discovered either.
Yutsuki decided to silently bury the scene before her deep in her mory and leave without a sound.
However, for so reason, an empty can fell from the top of the wall. It made a loud 'Clatter!' sound.
"Who's there!"
Hearing the noise Yutsuki caused, Kurumi turned around warily.
Then, Kurumi and Yutsuki made eye contact.
"..."
"..."
An eerie silence suddenly fell over the alley.
"Ah... ah—co to think of it, we seem to be a bit short on soy sauce, I should go buy so more. The alley is too dark, I didn't see anything, haha—"
Bang—!
Alright... seems like bluffing her way out won't work.
Looking at the hole smoking slightly in the wall next to her, Yutsuki sighed helplessly and turned back to face Kurumi.
"Ara, what a strange encounter,Yutsuki-san."
"Mhm, I'm also very surprised we could et so coincidentally. Anyway, Kurumi... could you put down the Angel in your hand first?"
Looking at Kurumi, who had already changed into her Astral Dress, pointing Zafkiel at her, Yutsuki tried to speak in a friendly and gentle tone.
"Well... I can't do that. If I just put it down, Yutsuki-san will definitely just run away, won't you."
Completely correct.
A chilling smile appeared on Kurumi's face. However, Yutsuki noticed a bead of sweat sliding down her forehead.
"It would be very troubling for if people misunderstood like this. Before I clarify this misunderstanding about liking cats, please stay right there and listen carefully to my explanation,Yutsuki-san."
Say, Kurumi, didn't you just out yourself?
"I believe with Yutsuki-san's wisdom, you wouldn't think that I plan to use this catnip-laced pet food to subdue all the cat factions on this street, and then establish a cat habitat on earth—the Tokisaki Kingdom or sothing like that!"
"What the hell, you actually have a plan like that!??"
"..."
There was too much to retort to, and she accidentally blurted it out. Realizing she ssed up, Yutsuki couldn't help but cover her face with her hand.
"No, absolutely wrong! It's definitely not like that! I will explain exactly what happened just now, so you better listen to eeeeeeeeeee!"
Kurumi roared as if trying to drown out all other sounds. The calico cat, nad Satou-san, who was previously weak from the catnip, was already terrified and nowhere to be seen.
—Bang, bang, bang!
"Hey, girl, put the gun down first! Friendly fire from that kind of firepower is no joke!"
While dodging Kurumi's bullets while holding her shopping bags, Yutsuki swore in her heart that she would absolutely never take shortcuts to save ti again.
Just as Yutsuki was struggling to figure out how to resolve the situation before her, she suddenly felt sothing land on top of her head.
"ow~"
ow?
Hearing this ow, Kurumi, who had already entered a berserk state, suddenly quieted down. Looking at the top of Yutsuki's head, shock revealed itself in her eyes.
Kurumi's reaction made Yutsuki tilt her head in confusion. She put down the shopping bag with the Pacific saury, reached up with both hands, grabbed the unknown creature resting on her head, and held it in front of her.
"Oh? You're the cat from earlier?"
"ow~"
Leisurely wagging its tail, the black cat owed in Yutsuki's hands, then stuck out its tongue and licked Yutsuki's palm.
Yutsuki was startled by the black cat's action at first, then realized her hand probably still slled like electrically grilled Pacific saury. She couldn't help but look speechless.
"Still want to eat Pacific saury, huh... you really have a big appetite."
"ow!"
"This is... the mysterious black cat that suddenly appeared in Tengu City, subduing the forr street boss-Toramaru-san—in just one day... completely dismissing silvervine cat food... The biggest hidden boss the Tokisaki Kingdom must face to be established, the aloof noble of the dark night—Kurokichi-san."
Kurumi's voice was trembling. She hadn't even noticed that she accidentally revealed the facts she had been desperately trying to hide. She looked extrely shaken.
Yutsuki really wanted to ask, were these bizarre nas and settings rumors from the streets, or did Kurumi make them up herself?
By the way, Toramaru is an adult tabby cat that loiters around this shopping district. Because it often sneaks into the shops to steal fish or other ingredients, you can often hear the uncles and aunties complaining about it.
"You're quite capable, taking down that big cat."
"ow~"
Looking at the black cat nad Kurokichi rolling around and acting spoiled in her arms, honestly, Yutsuki couldn't imagine that this was actually the hidden boss of the cats on this street.
Imagine for a second.
... Kurokichi (Serious): "Minions, as your new boss, today I will teach you the essential knowledge to survive in this shopping district!"
Cat Mob (Excited): "Ooh!"
Kurokichi (Earnest): "That is—follow your instincts! Reject temptation! Flee from danger! And most importantly—fawn over the strong."
Cat Mob (Admiration): "Oooooooohhhhh!" ...
Eh? Surprisingly, that seems plausible. Yutsuki thought as she scratched Kurokichi's chin.
"Yutsuki-san, could you answer one question? How did you get so close to Kurokichi?"
At this point, Kurumi had given up trying to hide anything from Yutsuki, and asked her in a very serious tone.
Or rather, the other party's eyes seed to only see the black cat in her hands now.
"Well... I just happened to give it a Pacific saury on the way..."
Yutsuki said, sowhat unsure. After all, her constitution naturally repelled cats, so she didn't have much chance to interact with them to begin with. However, Kurumi nodded as if she suddenly understood everything.
"I see... Pacific saury... that is indeed a blind spot... 'We'..."
Following Kurumi's low muttering, Yutsuki seed to see shadows in the alley silently dispersing in all directions. If Yutsuki wasn't mistaken, those must be clones Kurumi created with her ability.
This level of proactive action, even greater than when searching for the Second Spirit, made Yutsuki feel a deep sense of obsession.
"Um... Kurumi, do you want to pet it a little?"
Yutsuki asked tentatively.
Kurumi finally snapped out of her fanaticism and let out an awkward, dry laugh.
"Ara ara... What are you talking about,Yutsuki-san? You don't actually think I ordered my clones to gather all the Pacific saury in the market to bribe Kurokichi so I can enjoy the feeling of its paw pads, do you?"
Despite saying that, Kurumi's bright red eyes never left Kurokichi's body.
Isn't that exactly what you're doing?
Yutsuki couldn't help but think.
If this were yesterday, Yutsuki might still believe Kurumi's excuses. But now, having seen Kurumi's cat-loving maniac side with her own eyes, Kurumi's defense sounded no different from outing herself to Yutsuki.
"Go, Kurokichi! Paw Pad Slap."
"ow!"
Yutsuki tossed Kurokichi from her hands right at Kurumi's face. Kurokichi also seed to understand Yutsuki's intention, baring its fangs and claws as it pounced on Kurumi, who hadn't reacted yet.
Because it was too sudden, the defenseless Kurumi had her cheeks pressed by Kurokichi's two elastic front paw pads.
"P-Paw pads..."
The chubby sensation transmitted through her cheeks to her brain, making Kurumi instantly lose her ability to think. Her foot slipped, and she was actually knocked to the ground by a flying cat projectile with almost no impact force.
"Ah... so soft..."
Watching Kurumi's expression of blissful satisfaction, as if she could die without regrets. Yutsuki couldn't help but think: if, when Kurumi appeared in the human world, the AST and DEM fired barrages of cat paw pad missiles instead of magical bullets. This so-called most evil Spirit to humanity would probably have been defeated long ago.
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