"Demonic Aura?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's mind was full of thoughts about Yukino. Upon hearing this, she looked confused, "What Demonic Aura?"
"Of course, I mean it literally."
Kaito was also a bit curious, "Demonic Aura means the aura of a Yokai. Where did you go? How did you get tainted with this kind of thing?"
In this world, spiritual energy was already quite scarce, and it was not far from the end of the Dharma age. Yet, in this tiny Japan, there were both ghosts and Yokai.
'And, as always, the Demonic Aura is weak.'
'It is probably just a little Yokai that hasn't even taken human form yet. Not worth worrying about.'
"Yokai?", Hiratsuka Shizuka was startled. If it wasn't Kaito saying this, she would have thought the person had gone crazy from fever.
She couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh,."In the real world, where would there be Yokai?"
'Kaito looks reliable on the surface, but is he actually some kind of weird chūnibyō?'
"Just think of it as chūnibyō."
Kaito wasn't angry, only raised an eyebrow slightly, "Hiratsuka-sensei, may I ask, what did you just come from, what did you do?"
'The Demonic Aura on sensei is still very faint. This means she has come into contact with that little Yokai not long ago.'
"What I did?", Hiratsuka Shizuka hesitated. If any other student dared to pry into her private life, she'd definitely give them a taste of her iron fist.
But facing that face, she felt no one could say no, "Yukinoshita seemed to be sick, so I took her to the hospital for a checkup, then drove her home to rest."
Didn't sound like anything was wrong.
Kaito continued asking, "During that time, did anything strange happen?"
"I don't think so?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka pinched her chin, thinking, "The hospital was normal, Yukino's home was normal too, and there was a really cute kitten there."
"When I was leaving, that kitty even walked me to the door," Speaking of this, her expression was a bit odd, "It felt all fluffy to touch, no wonder so many people like to keep pets."
'Kitten?'
'Seems like I found the culprit.'
"What, are you really that interested in Yukino's illness?"
Seeing his pensive expression, Hiratsuka Shizuka simply suggested, "I'll be going to her place again after school. Since you're curious, why not come along and check on her?"
'Though Yukino always says she is fine on her own, the look in her eyes when she first saw Kaito was definitely not fake.'
'If Kaito can visit her, Yukino's mood might improve a bit too?'
"Then I'll be in your care, Hiratsuka-sensei," Kaito thought for a moment and didn't refuse.
He was also quite curious, 'What differences might there be between the Yokai of this world and those from the cultivation realm?'
The afternoon class just so happened to be Hiratsuka Shizuka's classical literature lesson.
———
After school, the two went together to the parking lot and stopped in front of a silver-gray Aston Martin Vantage.
Vroooom!
With the thrilling sound of the engine roaring, Hiratsuka Shizuka gripped the steering wheel with one hand and used the other to dial Yukino's number.
"Hello? Yukino."
"You're already awake… What, my call woke you?"
"Ahem! Don't sweat the details. I'll be at your place in a bit. Anything you feel like eating?"
"No appetite? Sorry, I can't seem to buy anything called 'no appetite,' so I'll bring you a large bowl of tonkotsu ramen."
"Alright, alright. That's it then. See you later."
Listening to the repeated busy tone in her ear, Yukino felt a little helpless.
Hiratsuka-sensei was the same as always, doing things her own way.
But she didn't mind too much, just shook her head and put her phone back on the bedside table, intending to nap a bit more.
———
Half an hour later—
The car stopped in front of a high-end apartment building, "This is the place."
Hiratsuka Shizuka turned off the engine and got out of the car, carrying the tonkotsu ramen she just bought at a roadside shop, and led Kaito to Yukino's door on the 29th floor.
Ding! Dong!
After pressing the doorbell, they waited about half a minute before sounds came from inside.
Yukino rubbed her eyes and weakly opened the door, "Hiratsuka-sensei… and Kaito-kun?"
Faced with her surprise, Kaito didn't reply.
He simply cleared his throat and subtly turned his gaze away, as if something indecent lay before him.
The girl was only wearing tight-fitting pajamas. Though the design wasn't too revealing, maybe because she just woke up, her appearance was a little disheveled.
Yukinoshita—her slightly exposed skin was just like her name, as flawless as fresh snow.
The only minor flaw was the overly flat curve of her chest, flat enough to land a plane on.
Hiratsuka Shizuka's personality was always straightforward. She didn't notice anything inappropriate, carrying the ramen straight inside.
As she entered, she spoke, "Ran into Kaito-kun when I returned to school. Heard you were sick, so we wanted to check in on you."
"So that's how it is," Yukinoshita slightly nodded, but her pretty face flushed faintly.
Only then did she realize her current outfit might be a little improper. After settling the two in the living room, she returned to her room to change into more conservative loungewear.
"This is the ramen I brought for you. Eat some while it's still hot," When the girl came out of the bedroom, Hiratsuka Shizuka pushed the takeout box toward her and urged her.
Actually, Yukino was a bit hungry too.
But leaving guests aside to eat by herself, that would be far too impolite.
"By the way… where's your cat?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't press her, just looked around curiously. But there was no sign of that fluffy creature anywhere, which was odd.
"It was in my room just now. Should've followed me into the living room."
Yukino found it strange too.
She was sure she'd seen Yukitan by her feet just after changing. Why had the kitty suddenly disappeared?
A bit worried, she searched around and finally found it in an inconspicuous corner of the kitchen.
"So you were here!", Yukino let out a breath of relief. She thought the kitty had slipped outside while she wasn't paying attention.
She was about to pick up Yukitan when the usually obedient cat avoided her hand.
Instead, it let out a string of urgent meows, its soft fur bristling like needles, and those glowing green eyes stared unblinkingly at something behind the girl.
As if… it had seen its natural enemy.
"Yukitan?", Yukino was a little worried. She subconsciously turned to look behind her, but aside from Hiratsuka-sensei and Kaito-kun, there was nothing strange.
Her worry deepened, and she was just about to say something to calm it down when the kitty suddenly darted forward in quick little steps, running up to Kaito-kun. First, it affectionately rubbed against his leg, then lay on its back, belly exposed, in a completely unguarded, submissive posture.
Yukino: "…"
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "…"
This series of smooth actions made the two feel, for a moment, like they could see the kitty practically begging, "If my lord does not abandon me, this kitty is willing to swear allegiance as an adopted child!"
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