At Gosha Academy, the trio had been going around asking the students anything to learn about Muroi. It hadn't been fruitful, even the students didn't know much about him. So they asked the teachers, but that hadn't been fruitful either. Not one teacher had befriended or gotten close to Muroi.
They regrouped on the rooftop, the afternoon sun doing nothing to lighten their mood.
Yukikaze broke the silence. "Great. No one, not even the teachers, knows anything."
Rinko nodded. "He's isolating himself. Makes it harder for anyone to catch him."
Tatsurou rubbed his temples. "But that doesn't make sense. Eventually, someone would notice something wrong about him."
Yukikaze shrugged. "They haven't yet. His idea is working."
Tatsurou sighed, scratching his head. There was no other choice, he had to get close to him. "I'll get close to Muroi and learn something about him."
"You don't have to do it," Rinko said. "Let me get closer to him."
Then Ryuji's words came to Tatsurou's mind. 'I don't think she's good when it comes to social situations, and there's a possibility she might just attack him. I'm sure Muroi would see through her act.' Tatsurou shook his head. "Not a good idea, sis. I'm the better choice for this."
Rinko's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
“Yes I’m sure.” Ryuji's words appeared in Tatsurou's mind again, a conversation during their journey to the Academy.
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"Senpai, please tell me you're joking. I am not seducing him."
Ryuji laughed. "Relax, I'm kidding. But there is a way." His voice shifted, suddenly cold, analytical. "Appeal to his empathy. Or to be more accurate, make him pretend he has some."
"I-I don't understand." Tatsurou shrank back, intimidated by the sudden shift.
"Tell me, Tatsurou. Why do some animals, like cats, expose their bellies to people?"
The sudden question threw him. "Uhm… because it wants to be petted?"
"It shows respect. They're willing to show their vulnerability to someone. You have something inside you, right? That vulnerability."
Tatsurou's mouth opened, but no words came.
"You grew up with two talented Taimanin. Yukikaze a novice with powerful Lightning Art, and Rinko the prodigy with the potential to be on par with Asagi. In fact, you feel ashamed of being so weak, don't you?"
"S-Senpai, please… I don't want to hear it." Tatsurou was scared and frustrated. But what he feared most was that Ryuji knew. Knew he was weak. Knew he didn't deserve their friendship and care.
"That's your vulnerability, Tatsurou. Your weakness. Expose this to him, and he'll pounce on it like a fish to bait. Force to act as this kind doctor."
Then Ryuji took a pause to let Tatsurou sink in.
"If you think you can't do it, I understand." That cold, calculative tone shifted to something warm and empathetic. "Just talk to him, alright? Don't go that far and… I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
Tatsurou shook his head. "No. I'll do it. I won't let you down, senpai."
Ryuji smiled, genuine and warm, and draped an arm over Tatsurou's shoulders. "I know you won't little brother. And again, I really am sorry."
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Tatsurou gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. ‘How long had he known? Did he see right through me the day we met? Is this what a prodigy really is? Compared to him, Yukikaze and Rinko were nothing.’
The signs were there, if he looked. Ryuji knew exactly how to handle Shiranui in the Sanctuary. He'd claimed to understand because he'd been through something similar. Unless that was a lie.
What if Ryuji's past, his history, was all fabricated? That cold, calculating look in his eyes… Tatsurou couldn't shake the feeling that something dark lurked beneath the surface.
But Tatsurou didn't believe Ryuji held any malice. Ryuji had shown nothing but kindness, nothing but humility. He never displayed arrogance, he remained humble. Tatsurou couldn't help but compare him to his sister Rinko. Yet Ryuji was far more approachable. While Rinko didn't brag or show arrogance, she could be… hard to approach, especially compared to Ryuji's welcoming presence. But what if that was all an act, just to get closer to them. Is it really a coincidence that Ryuji was in Yomihara during the infiltration mission?
He turned to Yukikaze. "Hey. What's Ryuji like at your place?"
Yukikaze raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Just want to know more about him."
"Well…" Yukikaze thought for a moment. "He cooked dinner the night Mom finally came home. Does housework. Watch TV like a normal person." She paused. "Oh, and this morning, he took some statues out back and prayed to them."
“Statues?" Rinko and Tatsurou exchanged glances, curiosity piqued.
Yukikaze held up her phone. "See for yourselves."
Rinko leaned in, studying the image. "Is Ryuji's clan some kind of warrior monks?"
Tatsurou said nothing, his gaze fixed on the screen. He analyzed the statues, the symbols, the postures, the craftsmanship, but came up empty. Clearly these were Japanese statues but what were these deities called? It doesn’t matter, these were just statues. Probably some traditions of Ryuji’s clan.
He handed the phone back. "So Ryuji practices his clan traditions. Still… feels like we don't really know him."
Rinko frowned. "What do you mean? He's been open about everything."
"That's the thing." Tatsurou's voice was quiet. "He's too open." 'It shows respect. They're willing to show their vulnerability to someone they trust.' His senpai's words echoed. They fit Ryuji perfectly.
Rinko looked confused. "I don't follow."
Tatsurou shook his head. She wouldn't get it, she hadn't seen what he'd seen. Lunch was ending anyway.
"I'm going to injure myself during training to get closer to Muroi."
The girls' eyes went wide.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." After all, his senpai had given him good advice. Tatsurou still believed Ryuji had the best intentions for them and the village.
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Back at the Agency, Asuka had claimed Kyousuke's lap as her rightful throne. She clung to him like she'd never let go. "Dad… why did you leave? Was it Asagi? Did she make you go?"
Kyousuke's hand settled on her head, stroking gently. He could see why she'd think that, but he shook his head firmly. "No. Asagi had nothing to do with it." He paused, the memory still heavy. "Something happened in the Chaos Arena. My awakening as the Sword Saint… it changed things."
Sakura leaned forward, confusion etched on her face. "I don't understand."
“I can explain it.” The voice was Ryuji. “Of course, if you're okay with it, Kyousuke-san.”
"I'm okay with it."
"Alright, let's start with the Sword Saint's origin. I'll make this simple. Thousands of years ago, monsters, demons, and fairy tale creatures walked the earth. In that era, heroes emerged. The Sword Saint was one of them, the chosen student of Susanoo-no-Mikoto. We don't know the Sword Saint's real name. Anyway, the most notable characteristic of the Sword Saint was his hatred of demons. I mean, the guy really hated demons. So much so that he radiated an aura that made any demon who got close feel their skin burn according to the myth."
"I don't understand. If this guy hated demons, what's wrong with that?" Asuka said, not noticing Kirara's eyes filled with hurt at her best friend's words. Ryuji noticed it but dismissed it.
"You know that Taimanin have demon blood inside them, which explains their Taima Particles."
"Uh, yeah," Sakura said.
"He'd kill you on sight. No questions asked. The old Sword Saint was obsessed with purity. anyone with demon ties, he saw as nothing but filth to be erased. Even if good people like you."
Asuka's eyes went wide. She turned to Kyousuke, her voice small. "Dad… you wouldn't… would you?"
Kyousuke was silent for a long moment. Then, quietly. "It crossed my mind. More than once."
The words hit Asuka and Sakura like a physical blow. The man they loved most in the world had thought about ending them.
Ryuji's voice cut through the heavy silence. "It's normal. For a recently awakened Sword Saint reincarnation, those feelings are instinctive. But with training, they can be controlled. Even completely suppressed. So don't be sad, alright? Considering he hasn't shown any signs of wanting to attack you, it seems his training to suppress them is already complete
Asuka's face lit up. "Does that mean you'll come back to the village?!"
Sakura's eyes sparkled with sudden inspiration. "Oh! You can meet Asagi-neesan and marry her!" She clasped her hands dreamily, already picturing the ceremony.
“No I won’t. I don’t deserve it.” Kyousuke words struck through their hearts.
Kosuke stood up, his voice firm despite the crack in it. "I won't accept that. Brother… please. Just visit the village. Talk to Asagi. I can't keep watching you be sad every day." He clenched his fists. "You work so hard. Controlling those impulses, training with the sword, going out to save Taimanin. You deserve to go back."
"I agree." Ryuji's tone was measured, professional. "Don't let guilt run your life. You're not the only one carrying it." He studied Kyousuke, such a good man. Time to use that. "You think Asagi doesn't feel guilty? She probably blames herself every day for pushing you away."
"That's… that's not her fault."
"Does she know that?" Ryuji pressed. "She doesn't have the full truth, does she? You weren't exactly honest with her when you left."
“He's right.” Sakura said. “Big sis blames herself for you leaving.”
Kyousuke closed his eyes, letting the weight of it settle.
"Dad, please come home. Just this once, I want to go back to how things used to be." Asuka's voice cracked with emotion.
"Just go, you idiot." Gin's voice cut through the silence. "Stop thinking. Start doing. If you're scared, big brother Gin will help you reunite with your girlfriend. I'm planning to visit the village."
"And I'll come too." Oiwa stepped forward, voice warm. "Your best friend, the great necromancer Myouga Oiwa, shall help with your reunion with your beloved."
Chung Ae pushed forward, indignant. "I am his real best friend! Lord Kyousuke, take me! I'll prove I'm your most loyal and most dependable friend!"
Shoot crossed her arms. "You made a girl cry, Kyousuke. If you don't fix this, I'll kill you myself."
The British man placed a hand on his shoulder. "We all have to go home eventually, Kyousuke. Even when it hurts."
Koguma snorted. "You're a man, aren't you? Making a girl cry, what kind of man does that?"
Gouriki stops looking from his laptop, sincerely. "Go. Unfinished business doesn't wait forever."
One by one, they spoke. And Kyousuke felt the walls around his heart crumble.
"Guys…" He smiled, overwhelmed.
Then the chant started. "Kyousuke! Kyousuke! Kyousuke!"
He laughed. "Alright, alright! I'll go!"
"YEAH!!!!" The room erupted. They grabbed him, and suddenly he was airborne, a celebratory toss in full swing.
Ryuji watched from the sidelines, letting the chaos wash over him.
"Using guilt to make him visit the village? A dick move." Gin appeared beside him, voice low.
Ryuji shrugged. "You weren't doing anything. Someone had to take the lead."
"I'm not judging. Some of them use the same playbook, just softer." Gin glanced at him. "Still. How'd you know Asagi feels guilty? She told you?"
"No. Simple deduction." Ryuji kept his eyes on the celebration. "Sakura's story. Kyousuke's expression. The way he carries that guilt. He didn't leave on good terms. That was obvious."
Gin chuckled. "Heh. You haven't gone soft."
Ryuji's voice went quiet, serious. "I won't let his sacrifice be for nothing, Gin. I’ll make sure in this life, he gets a happy ending."
"You're a good kid." Gin paused. "Oh, right. I almost forgot. I've got gifts for you. From your dad."
Ryuji's eyes widened. "Dad? He's here?" ‘This is where he's been all these years?’
"Patience. Let them tire themselves out first.
The door burst open. "Hello everyone! Olaf has arrived!" The Russian man scanned the room, spotting the chaotic celebration. "None of you invited Olaf?! You celebrate without me?!" He charged in, ready to join the chaos.
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Gin set down two large boxes and a small one. "Here."
Ryuji eyed them suspiciously. "Why do these look like they've already been opened?"
Gin shot a look at Carl. "A certain British man couldn't keep their curiosity in check."
Carl's face went red and spoke with a gushing excitement. "I'm sorry! But it's your father's work, it could be anything! A railgun sword! A spear summons wolf spirit! A boomerang axe! I had to know!"
Ryuji shook his head, amused despite himself. "I knew you were a fan of my dad, but this is a whole new level." He turned his attention to the box and opened it.
Inside there were gloves. Sleek, red and black with a bold X design. A mix of fabric and metal that felt surprisingly comfortable as he slid them on.
But this was his father's work. There had to be more. He channeled his magic into the gloves, and flames burst forth, obedient and intense.
Ryuji's eyes widened. He moved his hands, shaping the fire into a Chinese dragon, a butterfly, a bird. All of them are alive, and moving. "These are incredible. The conductivity is perfect. I don't even need hypermode to control my flames properly in combat."
A butterfly fluttered toward Kirara. She swatted and missed. It circled once, then landed triumphantly on her head. Nearby, a bird perched on Sakura's outstretched hands, and the dragon curled around Kosuke and Asuka's necks like a warm, glowing scarf.
Though Kosuke felt uncomfortable as Asuka kept getting closer, trying to escape was in vain. Surprisingly, a dragon made of weird fire was much harder to break free from than it seemed. Especially with Asuka beginning to cling to him.
"Alright, what next?" Ryuji opened the other box, revealing a thick European longsword with magic runes on the blade. It is surprisingly light. "He does know I use a katana, right? Not a European longsword?"
"Clearly your dad took some creative liberties." Gin chuckled. "Probably inspired during his time on the crusade."
"I'll learn to use it," Ryuji said quietly. "I was average with a katana to begin with so changing swords won’t change much. A longsword will take some time to learn and get used to. But I don't want to waste Dad's gift."
One gift remained. A small box. Inside, a simple ring and a note.
Ryuji slipped it on and channeled magic into it. The gloves vanished. Another pulse, they reappeared. He tried the sword. It flickered in and out of existence. His eyes widened. "Spatial magic. This ring has its own dimensional space."
Carl leaned in, seizing Ryuji's hand for a closer look. "Fascinating. A pocket dimension on your finger. This is ancient magic, lost to time. How did your father manage this?"
Ryuji's thoughts drifted. "The Sanctuary. That dimensional space my ancestor created. He must have studied it, learned how to replicate the properties.”
He unfolded the note tucked beneath the ring. His father's handwriting.
[Ryuji, this is your father. Sorry for being a deadbeat dad, but this time I'll be a proper father and support you however I can. I can't do it now, I'm busy with work. But these gifts I created for you will definitely help. Once this is all over we’ll be a proper family. A father and son.]
Tears welled up, and the note began to crumple in his grip. "That shitty dad of mine. Where is he now?!"
"It's best you stay ignorant of that, Ryuji." Gin's tone was calm, trying to de-escalate and steady him.
Ryuji took a deep breath and exhaled. "I need to go to the bathroom." And so he did, rushing away with tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto the floor.
"Ryuji-kun?" Sakura tried to follow but was stopped by Shoot.
"He needs to be alone." Shoot's expression was angry. "That piece of shit of a man, married my best friend and couldn't take care of her kid properly."
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Once Ryuji had let out everything in the bathroom and calmed down. They went to investigate the missing children. Sakura and Asuka walking side by side with Kosuke. The little brother they hadn’t seen for a long time.
"Hey, Kosuke-kun," Asuka said. "Where did you go to school?"
"Midoribashi Academy. It's known for its sports clubs."
"Ehhh." Sakura tilted her head. "Did you join a club?"
"No, I'm too busy training to be a Taimanin."
"Taimanin, huh?" Asuka said. "So you plan on becoming one? Once you graduate from Midoribashi Academy, are you going to join the Gosha Village?"
"No." The answer surprised both of them. "I'm planning to continue working with the Agency."
"So you plan on becoming a rogue Taimanin?" Asuka's voice dropped low. "Do you know how dangerous that is? The Gosha Village doesn't tolerate them."
"I know." Kosuke had accepted it. "But I don't want to leave the Agency."
"Then once I graduate, your big sis will join the Agency with you." Asuka's tone was bright, resolute.
“Eh?” Kosuke and Sakura were surprised.
"Those guys at the Agency are fun people. I’m sure it is a nice place to work. What about you, Sakura?" Ask Asuka.
“I'll just stay in the village." Sakura shrugged gently. "I'm not comfortable leaving home for too long, especially since I don't like being apart from big sis."
Behind them, Ryuji and Kirara walked in silence. Ryuji scrolled through his phone, curating a playlist that ranged from Rage Against the Machine to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, from Metallica to obscure video game soundtracks. Kirara kept pace beside him, quiet. She watched the siblings ahead, their voices warm and she felt like an outsider. This wasn't her moment to interrupt.
Ryuji finally pocketed his phone. The destination was still far. He glanced at her. "Hey, Onisaki-san. How have you been?"
Her answer was clipped. "What do you want?"
His voice dropped, sad and honest. "I want to know why you hate me. Did I do something wrong?" A pause. "I mean, obviously I did. You didn't like being stared at. That was stupid of me."
Kirara's jaw tightened. "Because…" She looked away.
Ryuji nodded gently. "It's okay. Must be personal." After a moment, he tried a different angle. "I noticed you've got some Western features. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Gosha Village has a lot of colorful types, but you still stand out. Your round eyes especially."
This made Kirara freeze. The fear of being found out as half-breed was becoming real. "S-shut up!"
"It's beautiful. You must have beautiful parents." This surprised Kirara. But the mention of her parents, especially her father, churned her stomach.
"You want to know why I hate you so much?" Kirara paused, making sure Ryuji was paying attention. "Because my father killed my mother. I've hated men ever since that day."
Ryuji's reaction was nothing. "Alright."
"What's with that lackluster reaction!"
"You're not the only one who had to deal with shitty parents." His voice was quiet. "My dad, he didn't deal with the grief of my mother's death well. So he erased her from memory. Got rid of every picture and video of her. I don't even remember her face anymore.” A pause. "And I didn't become a misandrist jerk."
The words struck Kirara like a physical blow.
"Tell me," Ryuji continued, his voice softer now. "Did your father erase your mother? Make you forget the sound of her voice? The feel of her skin? And the comfort of her face? Did he take away everything about her until you had nothing left to remember by?"
Kirara couldn't answer. Because the truth was different. Every morning, before she left for the academy, she passed the shelf by the home phone. And every morning, the picture of her parents together was still there. Her father had never taken it down.
Maybe the rumors were wrong. Maybe he hadn't killed her.
Still, Kirara resented him for keeping the truth of her mother's fate a secret.
"Your father's still alive, isn't he?" Ryuji's voice was quiet.
A long pause. "Yes."
"Does he care about you?"
She thought of Hajime. Distant, yes. Silent, always. But he'd raised her. Fed her. Sent her to school. Never let her want for anything. "Yes. Where are you going with this?"
Ryuji nodded slowly. "Then spend time with him. As much as you can before it is too late." His voice dropped. "Because some of us don't get that chance. Some people in this world never will. You can resent him and still love him like me with my father."
Kirara took her time digesting what he'd just said. But she still wouldn't, not until she got answers about her mother's disappearance. Until then, she would never give him a chance.
Still, she felt comfortable with Ryuji now. Maybe it was because he'd shared parts of his past with her. Kirara still didn't know why he'd been so honest, but an idea crossed her mind a few times. That he might have feelings for her, and each time, it made her blush.
She was sure, though, that if Ryuji knew the truth, he would hate her. But she wanted to know, what were his opinions on demons?
"Ryuji, do you hate demons?" Why, just why. Of course he would say yes.
"No, as a species, I don't." Ryuji said nonchalantly.
"You… don't…?" Kirara’s eyes widen and gaze to Ryuji.
Ryuji's tone felt saddened. "No. If anything, I pity them. Imagine living in a world full of suffering. Forced to become monsters just to survive."
That wasn't the answer she'd expected. Not even close. "Then… What if you befriended one? How would you feel about that?"
His response came without hesitation. "I'd be happy to befriend one. A good one. There's something beautiful about a demon fighting against their nature, choosing to become human."
Beautiful. The word echoed in her mind. Would he think her horns were beautiful?
The more she talked to him, the more she noticed it. A certain resemblance to her father. Not in looks, but in manner. When Ryuji let his guard down, when he showed that friendly side, it reminded her of Hajime. Of all the times he'd made her cringe with terrible dad jokes in front of his friends. The way he’d been spending time with her mother and charming her. The same unguarded sincerity. The same quiet kindness.
To Ryuji, he was slowly winning Kirara over and finally becoming her friend, though he didn't care about the friendship itself as long as her opinion of him was positive. He didn't want enemies. He was determined to build a proper reputation as a Taimanin, to make sure his life would be easier in the long run.
"Hey, Ryuji.” Kirara's voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Your fire, what is it really?"
He met her gaze. "My fire… It's a bloodline ability, not ordinary magic. It possesses high purity, enough that if a demon or dark magic practitioner gets too close, it will hurt them terribly even to their very soul."
"I see," A pause. "Have you used it on a demon?"
"Plenty. Although I do sometimes use it to calm them down." Ryuji extended his hand toward her. "Do you want the full experience?"
Kirara hesitated. The memory of yesterday was still clear. But there were moments when he used his flame, like in the cafeteria and on the dropship, and it hadn't hurt. Maybe it required a strong enough flame to cause pain. Still, she wanted to try. Slowly, she extended her hand to Ryuji.
Ryuji gently took hold of Kirara's hand, afraid she might pull away if he was too rough. Slowly, he held it firm and let the soothing warmth flow into her.
Kirara was surprised at first as the gentle warmth entered her. She understood now why Asuka and Sakura enjoyed Ryuji's presence. It was comforting, addicting. They stayed like this until they arrived at their destination. Then, quickly, they let go, fearing they might notice they'd been holding hands
“We're here." Kosuke's voice cut through his thoughts. "This is where the children went missing."
Ryuji looked around and frowned. "A park?" It was bustling with people. Families, joggers, kids on swings. "What time did it happen and how many disappeared?"
"In the afternoon. On a Sunday. Around 20 went missing on that day."
"That doesn't add up." Ryuji scanned the crowd. "Weekend afternoon is prime time. The place should be packed. How do you lose multiple children in broad daylight with this many witnesses?"
"Ooh! This is just like a detective story!" Sakura's eyes sparkled.
Ryuji held back from commenting on Sakura's childish excitement. It wouldn't help, since there were no enemies around. "Any testimony from witnesses? Parents, other people in the park?"
Kosuke shook his head. "That's the strange part, senpai. Everyone was asleep when the kidnapping happened."
Asuka's eyes widened. "All of them?"
"Have they been tested for drugs?" Ryuji asked.
"Yes, but they came back negative. However, witnesses reported hearing someone singing right before they passed out."
Ryuji nodded slowly. "Pied Piper scenario. Pretty bold to do this in the middle of the day. But why and how? It must be a ritual conducted in the area of the park for mass hypnosis, but doing it in broad daylight. I don't understand."
"Do we have to search the area for the materials they used for the ritual? I think it's a waste of time. I already have an idea where they took the children."
"Then explain, Kosuke-kun."
"Very well, senpai. I think it's the sewers. It's the only way they could have discreetly moved the children. We already checked the security cameras and found no vehicles like trucks nearby. It's the only explanation."
"But would the children and kidnapper still be there? Today is Thursday, so four days have already passed."
"It's still our only lead."
"Very well. Before we leave, I have a way to speed up the search. I need to concentrate first to extend my consciousness across the city."
The area was too vast for ordinary methods. He needed mana amplification to Third Eye. Ducking into the trees, he drew a knife and sliced his palm. Blood welled up, and with it, he traced a circle on the earth. Inside it, an eye took shape.
He settled in the center, dipping his finger in fresh blood to mark the same symbol on his forehead. Then, eyes closed, he began to chant.
"Omoikane, grant me foresight. Lend me your wisdom. Let my mind see through all veils hidden beneath.”
His eyes snapped open, glowing amber. The blood shone and burned with fire. The ritual had worked, better than expected. Power thrummed through him, sharp and clear.
Nearby, the others waited. The girls wrinkled their noses at the blood and chanting. For Kosuke, it was an opportunity to witness a ritual in action. He'd never gotten a chance to see one before.
Ryuji's awareness expanded, stretching across the city. His head pounded, but he pushed deeper, forcing his senses down into the sewers. The filth made him want to gag. The stench, the scurrying rats, the labyrinth of tunnels. But beneath the disgust, he found something. Multiple human life signs, and one presence that had a humanoid shape but was unmistakably non-human.
Then that non-human looked directly at him, snapping him out of the ritual.
The enemy knew they were being watched, a downside of the ritual. Though that didn't mean they knew anything else, and Ryuji intended to take advantage of that. "Sakura, Onisaki. You're with me. Kosuke and Asuka, you two stay on the surface.” The rest of the group agree.
Before they begin Kosuke stops. "Wait! here." He pulled out a small device. "A tracking device."
"You carried a tracking device?" Ryuji raised an eyebrow, echoed by the others.
"Of course! How else are we supposed to track a suspect who keeps running away?" Kosuke said. "Anyway, we can use these to track you in the sewers."
"Ah, smart." Ryuji gave an approving nod. "Then we each take one. Make sure you watch our movements properly, you two. Because when things get serious, we'll need the element of surprise from you."
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The girls changed into their Taimanin suits which is something he would never get used to. While Sakura's was fine, Kirara's, on the other hand, was very revealing. It was more like she was wearing a swimsuit, leaving a lot of skin exposed.
Kirara noticed Ryuji staring, and Ryuji expected her to get angry.
Instead, she just… ignored him. It looked like he'd successfully improved Kirara’s view on him.
The three moved through the sewers. Sakura at the front, Ryuji in the middle, Kirara at the rear. The girls were not comfortable in the sewers constantly avoiding the dirty walls and wet liquid occasionally appearing. Though Ryuji didn’t act disgust and simply stayed focused. Using his flame to light the path though making sure the flame would be low as possible to continue their invisibility in darkness.
Sakura glanced back, curious. "Hey, Ryuji-kun? Why am I in the front?"
"Because you're the vanguard," Ryuji said simply, his tone professional.
"Uh… that means?" Sakura tilted her head.
"It means your job is to scout ahead. With your Shadow Art, you can easily blend into the cover of darkness and see through the dark."
"Oh! Got it!"
"Then what about me?" Kirara asked. "What role do I get to play in this?"
"Your job is to watch our rear and create ice walls. That way we avoid getting surrounded and flanked."
Kirara was surprised. She had suspected it was because of favoritism toward Sakura, her friendliness with Ryuji, or because of his possible feelings for Kirara herself. She couldn't help but feel disappointed that his reasoning for assigning her role was so purely practical.
They pressed deeper into the sewers. Then Ryuji stopped. A cold unease crawled up his spine. There was a door. He reached out with his senses and found nothing. No rats, no bugs, no life at all. Something was wrong. He pushed harder with his Third Eye. Still nothing. Whatever was ahead, it was hiding. Erasing its presence.
His voice dropped to a whisper. "There's nothing alive up ahead. That means there is a possible enemy is there. Sakura, use the darkness. Scout ahead. Do not engage until I give the word."
Sakura nodded. “Okay Ryuji-kun.” And so she did, melding in with the darkness.
“Onisaki-san, stay close with me.”
“Alright.” Kirara gave a simple answer and got closer to Ryuji.
Ryuji and Kirara waited for Sakura to respond over their earpieces.
"Hello? There are no bad guys, but I found the children trapped in some kind of weird slime thing."
"Are you sure there are no hostiles?" Ryuji needed confirmation.
"I'm sure."
"Alright. Kirara, watch the door. If you spot anyone, answer me first, okay?"
Kirara nodded. They both entered the room, and she stayed close to the door, watching. Ryuji inspected the space. It was surprisingly clean, except where the children were being held. There, moisture dripped down from the shell-like structures encasing them.
Ryuji approached the children. They were indeed covered in some kind of slime. He touched it. Moist and hard, acting as a shell that trapped them. It looked like something a wasp or bee might have made.
Still, something worried him. He couldn't sense whether the children were alive or not. He pressed his finger to one of their necks and felt a pulse. Alive. But why hadn't his Third Eye detected them? Even now, standing in the room, he still couldn't sense their life force. That meant the material itself was blocking his senses.
Whatever they were facing, it was an expert in hiding. And if that was true, then there was a possibility it was in this room right now, hiding. Perhaps with a camouflage ability.
Then he felt it. Bloodlust. Directed at… Sakura!
Ryuji dashed forward, shoving Sakura out of the way just as the floor where she'd stood was violently scratched.
"Onisaki! Freeze that area, now!"
Kirara did as she was told. Ice spread across the spot, and a figure crystallized within it—larger than a person, with eight spider-like legs. Its upper body had a feminine form: breasts, a slim waist, long hair. Behind it, a stinger curved upward.
Then the ice shattered, and the camouflage dissolved. Despite the monstrous lower half, the feminine part was striking. Alluring, even.
"Well, well. Lost children, are we?" The monster licked her lips. "Though I prefer them younger."
Great. Already a monster, and now she was targeting children. Ryuji forced himself to stay calm. Reason first. Understand her. "Sorry for breaking into your home. We're just here for the missing children. Most of them fit that description perfectly. Would you let us take them and leave?"
"But why would they leave?" Her tone was motherly, almost tender. "They're here with me, with their mother?"
Mother? It sounded genuine. Caring, even. She wasn't right in the head. Which meant there was no reasoning with her. Still, he had to try.
"Let them go. Please." His voice was calm and steady. "These children still have futures. You're a mother, do you really want them to grow up in a place like this?"
"What do you know?" Her tone dropped, low and dangerous. Anger began to simmer. "You dare lecture me on how to raise my children!"
She was truly far gone. Ryuji drew his guns and fired. She responded by whipping her tentacles with speed and precision, deflecting every bullet.
Then the door burst open. Men clad in something similar to the children's cocoons raised machine guns and opened fire. Kirara reacted instantly, freezing them mid-action before a single shot could land.
"Retreat! We need to leave, now!" Ryuji's blade flashed, shattering the frozen guards to clear a path.
Sakura's voice cracked. "Ryuji, the children! We can't leave them!"
"We have no choice. We're at a disadvantage. The sewers are their territory, they have home advantage. We need to reposition somewhere better. Luckily, I know a place. Sakura, go ahead of us. Eliminate every enemy in our path. Onisaki, create ice walls behind us to slow them down."
The girls followed his orders. Sakura used her shadow art to quickly ambush and eliminate any enemy on their path, while Kirara created ice walls at every corner, slowing their pursuers.
As they continued their run, they spotted a ladder leading to the outside world. "There, that ladder."
Kirara's voice was tight. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I memorized this place during the ritual. That's where we'll make our stand."
They climbed, one by one, emerging into gray light. The warehouse was a wreck—rotting walls, shattered windows, garbage piled in corners. Outside, the streets were cracked and empty, a forgotten slice of the city.
Ryuji's voice was sharp, commanding. "Hide. Take positions. We'll ambush them when they follow."
Before they could move, the ground erupted. Ryuji had underestimated the demon's sheer strength and tenacity. His senses flared, a warning directed at Kirara. He lunged forward, extending his left hand to push her out of the way.
The demon's stinger sliced through his arm.
Blood sprayed. Ryuji focused his magic on the stump, sealing the wound to stop the bleeding and prevent blood loss. Then he drew his sword and raised it in a defensive stance.
Kirara's eyes went wide. Her heart clenched from the guilt, and something else she couldn't name. Anger rose.
The demon smirked, revealing multiple stingers making it eight now. She launched a relentless assault, trying to overwhelm him.
Ryuji could only defend, parrying and dodging, buying time. Some strikes broke through his guard, but they only managed to leave scratches. He kept hoping his allies would recover quickly and help him.
Kirara stood up and dashed forward, gathering ice to her right fist and forming it into a gauntlet.
The demon started to focus some of her stingers on Kirara. Only to find them suddenly slow, sluggish. But the demon didn't panic. Her protective shell, covering much of her body, would shield her.
Then Kirara's punch landed.
It shattered through the carapace, tearing into the soft flesh beneath. The demon flew backward and crashed into the warehouse wall.
Ryuji and Sakura's jaws dropped at Kirara's sheer strength. Ryuji, in particular, was stunned. She had somehow slowed the demon's tentacles, as if bending time itself. And the power behind that punch? Just… wow.
"Ryuji! Your arm!" Kirara's voice broke through his shock. She was at his side in an instant, eyes wide, hands hovering over his wound. "I-I… What should we do?"
Ryuji managed a smile, trying to reassure her. "Just freeze my lost arm. It was a clean slice, so there's a chance it can be reattached." He loosened his tie and began tying it around the stump. "This'll stop the bleeding. Save my mana."
"Really? Okay then." Kirara focused, and ice formed around Ryuji's severed arm, preserving it.
"Sakura! Attack the demon quickly, while she's down! Sever her stingers, gouge out her eyes! Attack her soft spot!"
"Okay, Ryuji-kun!" Sakura launched a relentless assault. She targeted parts of the demon's soft spots. The broken armor where Kirara had struck, and the eyes.
The demon screeched, thrashing around and forced to defend as Sakura pressed her advantage.
Ryuji turned to Kirara. "Onisaki-san, are you ready?"
Her eyes lingered on his severed arm. "What about your wound?"
He smirked, trying to lighten the moment. "I've still got one good arm, haven't I?"
Kirara's jaw tightened, but beneath the sternness, there was a tremor of concern. "Just don't push yourself too hard… Ryuji."
Sakura was forced to retreat back to them. One of the stingers had grazed her. Just a scratch, nothing serious. "Oh guys, the demon's friends are back! And there are a ton of them!"
As if on cue, dozens emerged from the broken hole. More appeared from the surrounding streets. Some in cars, others in vans. They were surrounded, guns pointed at them.
The demon laughed, clutching her wounded stomach and the socket where an eye used to be. "What will you do now, Taimanin?"
Ryuji smirked. "Always hide your cards."
The demon's laughter faltered. Confusion flickered across her features.
Asuka and Kosuke burst from cover. Kosuke's hand shot out, magnetism flaring. Weapons torn from grunts' grasps, clattering uselessly to the ground, away from them. At the same moment, Asuka vanished, Wind Art screaming as she blurred across the battlefield.
The demon barely had time to register the attack before four of her stingers fell, severed clean. Behind her, a half-dozen grunts crumpled.
The demon's servants lost their will to fight and quickly scattered, leaving the demon alone with the Taimanin.
"Surrender, demon." Ryuji stepped forward, calm despite everything. "Let's talk about this."
"Ryuji, what are you saying?!" Asuka's voice was sharp with disbelief. This was the creature that had attacked them and had severed his arm."We should just kill her."
"And lose the only trace of the other missing children?" Ryuji's tone hardened. "This isn't the first time you've kidnapped children, is it, demon? How many kids did you take? Where are they?"
"You won't take them!" The demon's voice rose to a shriek. "YOU WON'T TAKE THEM AGAIN!"
She went on a rampage, lashing out with her remaining stingers in a frenzy. Her hands twisted, becoming claw-like. Destroying everything in her path.
"Onisaki, Sakura. Slow her down!"
Kirara nodded. Ice surged forward, freezing the demon's legs. The creature shattered the ice and kept moving, but Kirara froze her again, and again, relentlessly.
Sakura joined in, her Shadow Tangle wrapping around the demon's legs and torso, binding her. Another ability Ryuji hadn't known about. Frankly, he really needed to learn their Ninja Arts sooner.
"Kosuke, Asuka! Flank her! Sever the stingers and legs!"
The two moved as ordered. Kosuke on the left, Asuka on the right.
Asuka activated her Ninja Art, her speed blurring as she sharpened her blades and sliced through the demon's stingers.
Kosuke threw multiple shuriken at the demon's legs. They exploded on impact, causing severe damage and making her lean to the right.
"Had enough? Stop this. Please." Ryuji's voice was calm, almost gentle.
The demon growled, then lunged forward.
Ryuji raised his sword, ready to defend—
Until Kirara appeared in front of him. She launched a kick straight to the demon's face, sending it flying into another warehouse wall.
Ryuji stood there, sword in hand, feeling utterly useless. He'd done almost nothing. His allies had carried the fight.
Then it hit him. For the first time since arriving in this world, he'd faced a truly difficult opponent, and he hadn't once activated his Hypermode. Maybe that was a good thing. No more headaches after the fight.
The demon recovered and launched another lunge. Asuka's blade found her throat. Blood sprayed.
Asuka braced for anger. Instead, Ryuji just looked… sad.
"You did good, Asuka." His voice was soft, genuine. The praise caught her off guard.
He approached the dying demon as she bled out on the broken ground. "That's enough. Stop fighting. You did a good job protecting them." Ryuji gently took her hand, slowly emitting warmth into her.
"N-no, I-I didn't." There was sadness in her voice.
Ryuji stayed silent for a moment. "You're right. You failed them. But you can still make this right."
Her eyes glanced at him.
"Where are the rest of them? The children. They still have futures and as a mother, you want them to have good ones, hopeful one. You need to tell me where they are." He wrapped his other hand around hers, a gesture of connection rather than force.
A shuddering breath. "S-Senzaki… They're in Senzaki."
Ryuji held her hand a moment longer. "Where are you from? What happened to you?"
Her voice was barely a whisper now. "K-Kyoto… Amidahara… Barde…"
Then nothing. She was gone.
Ryuji gently closed her eyes and bowed his head. "May you find peace with your children."
Then the sound of vehicles approached, both military and ordinary. Military police emerged, followed by Gouriki.
Gouriki walked up to them. "How are you guys doing?"
"We're doing fine, Gouriki-san." Kosuke answered.
"Yeah, we're d-doing f-fine—" Sakura collapsed mid-sentence.
"Sakura!" Asuka rushed to her side.
"Let me check her." Gouriki knelt beside Sakura. As he inspected her, he noticed a small wound on her abdomen. "What hit her?"
"One of its stingers," Ryuji said. "There must be poison in it."
Gouriki examined her further. Sakura was burning up, her body restless, and her hand was drifting toward her crotch. Gouriki let out a tired sigh.
"Aphrodisiac poisoning." His voice was flat, resigned.
Ryuji's eyes widened. "Wait, doesn't that mean I'm also…" He gritted his teeth as heat surged through his body. "Damn it! Not again!" He quickly forced himself to calm down. "It's fine, right? It just makes her horny, that's all."
"Ryuji-kun." Gouriki's voice was heavy with resignation. "She'll die."
The others' eyes went wide. Ryuji's composure cracked. "What?! It's a poison that makes you horny! How can it kill you?!"
"It's better if Oiwa explains it to you."
"There's a cure, right?" Ryuji's voice was desperate now.
"Yes. Oiwa-sensei developed a cure for the aphrodisiac. But it's at the Agency."
Ryuji spun to Asuka. "Asuka, you're the fastest. Carry her to the Agency. Now."
"What about you, senpai?" Kosuke asked.
"I'll run."
"No need." Gouriki stepped forward. "I'll drive you there, Ryuji."
.
.
.
By the time they arrived, Sakura was already stable. Asuka hovered nearby as Oiwa finished administering the cure. He turned to Ryuji with an apologetic shrug.
"Bad news, Ryuji-kun. I'm out of the cure."
Ryuji's heart stopped. Just for a second. Then he started mentally preparing for the end.
Oiwa cleared his throat. "There is another option. You could have sex. It somehow cures the poison. How? Don’t ask."
Ryuji stared at him. His expression didn't change. "... No." The word was flat, final. "I've survived this poison before. I'll survive it again."
Oiwa blinked, then tilted his head, genuinely curious. "Huh. Now that you mention it, you're not even close to passing out. Your poison resistance must be through the roof."
Ryuji's mind flashed back. To his father hiding poison in his food to build his resistance, to the countless enemies who'd tried to kill him the same way. ‘Dad… thank you for your harsh training.’
"Well, all that's left is to reattach your arm," Oiwa said.
"When can we do it?"
"Right now. Let me prep the room. Sterilize it, prepare some equipment." With that, Oiwa left.
Ryuji turned to find Sakura, still pale but awake. He crouched beside her. "How are you doing?"
Sakura smiled weakly. "I'm doing fine. But what about you? You got poisoned and lost your arm."
"Eh…" Ryuji shrugged. "Apparently I have strong resistance, though I'm still feeling a little hot. And for the arm? Surgery to reattach it."
.
.
.
The operating room was sterile, cold. Ryuji sat on the bed, watching Oiwa move methodically around him, preparing instruments.
"Hey, Oiwa." Ryuji's voice was casual. "You've had aphrodisiac poisoning before, right?"
"Mm." Oiwa didn't pause.
"So you must have… you know. Done it with someone." Ryuji pressed. "You mentioned it earlier. Who was it?"
Oiwa's hands stopped moving. When he spoke, his voice was low, dangerous. "Why do you need to know that, Ryuji-kun?"
Ryuji met his gaze without hesitation. "It's Murasaki, isn't it?"
A scalpel clattered to the floor. Oiwa sighed. "You must have noticed in the village, huh?"
"She seemed very interested in you."
Oiwa chuckled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Heh. Well, she and I go way back."
"You haven't stayed in contact with her?"
"What's the point? It's not exactly a good thing between us."
Ryuji hesitated, then pressed on. "Do you know she already has a daughter? Name Fuyuki" Despite what Asagi had said, Ryuji believed Fuyuki was Murasaki's daughter. The resemblance was too strong.
"WHAT?!" Oiwa's jaw dropped. "D-did s-she mention w-who the father is?"
"Well, no. But Fuyuki did describe him. And her description resembles you."
"Oh fuck." Oiwa was devastated by the revelation. "I'm a piece of shit. I'm a rapist, just like my father." He mumbled the last part quietly to himself. Ryuji barely heard it.
"Oiwa?" Ryuji started to regret this.
Oiwa forced himself to calm down. "Enough. Let's start the surgery." He injected Ryuji with anesthetic, and Ryuji slipped into unconsciousness.
.
.
.
With the surgery done, Ryuji sat in the main office with a cast on his left arm. He felt intimidated by Oiwa now. The man was generally really nice, but he could be terrifying. Oiwa approached Ryuji with a magazine, a small bottle, and an… onahole?
"Uh, what's that for?"
"You're still suffering from the aphrodisiac, right? Here." He handed them to Ryuji. "Porn magazine, sex toy, and alcohol. I know you're too prideful to pleasure yourself, so the alcohol will help you loosen up. Use them to take the edge off so you can sleep." He turned and walked away before Ryuji could respond.
Ryuji stared at the items in his lap.
"Uhm, Ryuji?" Sakura approached him, followed by Asuka, Kirara, and Kosuke. "Are you okay?"
"Yup. My left arm got reattached. Now it's just the poison that's the problem."
Sakura's face turned crimson. "U-um… I heard that… that s-sex is the best cure for it." She buried her face in her hands, then peeked through her fingers. "So… maybe I could help?" The words tumbled out in a rush.
Ryuji blinked. "What?"
"I'LL HAVE SEX WITH YOU!" Sakura shouted, then immediately looked mortified.
Kirara's jaw dropped. "W-what the hell are you saying?!"
Asuka waved her hands frantically. "Y-yeah! Ryuji's obviously fine! You don't need to do that!”
Gin's voice cut through the chaos. "Alright, what's going on here?" He took in the scene. Ryuji with his cast, Sakura bright red, everyone flustered. "Ah, Ryuji. Good work out there."
Ryuji nodded, trying to regain some dignity. "Thanks, Gin-san. But we still have the missing children in Senzaki to deal with."
"Tomorrow." Gin waved a hand. "If you're up for it."
Ryuji looked at the girls. Sakura and Asuka gave him the same pleading eyes. "Yeah, sure."
"Alright. Let me show you where you'll be sleeping."
.
.
.
Gin owned a whole apartment building near the Agency. Most of the apartments were small, one-bedroom units, and mostly empty, save for Chung Ae. Tonight, Ryuji had his own room. The aphrodisiac was building, his resistance weakening. He sat on the edge of the bed, fumbling one-handed with his belt, then with the magazine Oiwa had given him. The toy sat nearby, waiting.
He'd always prided himself on control. Money? Meaningless. Girls, status, temptation. None of it moved him. Sweets were his only weakness. But this… this was different. Doing it consciously, felt like a betrayal of his training. That's why the alcohol was there. To quiet the voice in his head.
So he chugged the alcohol quickly. The taste was bitter, hard to swallow. Then he felt the effects. His mind is sluggish, his vision blurry. Now it was time.
A weird shadow started to form near the door. Weird. Must be the alcohol.
Then the shadow took on a feminine shape, looking like Sakura. Huh. What kind of alcohol was this?
"Ryuji?" Sakura's voice came softly. Then her gaze dropped to his crotch. His cock throbbed, hard and exposed. She blushes. “I want to help.”
“Sa… kura?” Ryuji could barely say it. “Sure grab my cock and make sure you stroke it hard.” He said casually.
“Eh?” Sakura was surprised, and didn't expect him to accept it immediately. “Uhm sure.” Then she grabs it and starts to stroke up and down.
“Ah!” Ryuji moans. “You have such a soft hand.”
“You like it.” Sakura then smiles. Ryuji was enjoying her touch.
“Ne Sakura?” Ryuji spoke softly. “Use your mouth.”
“W-what?” Sakura eyes widen. “I-I’m not good-”
“Sakura, do it please?” His plea turned seductive. “I don’t care if you are not good at it. I want my hard cock to feel inside your warm mouth.”
Sakura was nervous, but if it was for Ryuji she would do it. So she kisses his cock and licks it. It tasted weird. Then slowly enter the tip of his penis into her mouth. Following the girls from the porn videos she would occasionally watch. Never deep in her mouth, too scared, too afraid.
Ryuji moans, feeling the pleasure of her warm mouth and her tongue occasionally lick. But he wants more. So he grabs Sakura’s head and pushes his cock deep in her mouth.
Sakura gag, tears well up. She couldn’t breath and wanted to push away but Ryuji had a hold of her and continued to thrust and pull.
“Sakura! I-I’m coming.” Then with a final shove he pushed deep into her and cum inside her mouth right to the throat.
As Ryuji pulls out, Sakura coughs up semen from her mouth and greedily takes in air. The semen tastes awful and she wants to drink some water. But before she could get up and leave. Ryuji pushed Sakura down.
“R-Ryuji!” Sakura was afraid but something inside of her was burning. She then felt something hard rubbing her clit. “W-we can’t do it! You need to use protection.”
“Protection?” Ryuji smirked. “Don’t worry, I’ll just pull out.”
“B-but…”
Then Ryuji pull down her pants and underwear revealing her wet pussy dripping down. Then rubbing his fingers to it. “You wanted it. You perverted girl.”
“I-I’m not a pervert! Hng!” Sakura stifles her moans. Her pride as an Igawa, as a Taimanin. And to Ryuji, someone she views highly, she won’t show it to him. Sakura will not let Ryuji view her as a pervert.
“I can’t wait anymore.” Ryuji hovers his cock at Sakura entrance pussy.
“R-Ryuji?” Then Sakura realized, why didn’t she escape using her Shadow Art? Maybe she wanted this. She wanted Ryuji. “Do it.”
Then Ryuji thrust it inside her. Feeling her warm, wet flesh clenching his cock.
“Hnnng!” Sakura covers her mouth, stifling her scream. Fearing someone could hear them.
‘PLAP, PLAP, PLAP.’
Ryuji performs a rhythm, pull and push on repeat. Begin to sweat by this activity. Feeling Sakura's tight pussy clinging to him as if it wants it to stay inside as Ryuji pulls.
Sakura couldn’t hold it anymore and moaned. “Hah! hah! Ryuji…” She grabs Ryuji’s head and kisses him on his lips deeply. Their tongues push each other, playful.
The kiss was long but Ryuji pulled away. “Sakura I’m about to cum.”
Sakura’s eyes widened. “Not inside please.” Her voice was quiet. Ryuji barely heard it. Sakura starts to question if she wants it inside.
Then Ryuji pulls out his cock from her pussy and releases his cum on Sakura. Spraying Sakura with white liquid. The fishy smell invades her nose and its stickiness clings to her skin and hair.
Both Ryuji and Sakura collapsed, breathing heavily. Sakura stood up and grabbed some tissue to wipe away the sticky cum.
Ryuji turned off the light and slipped into the futon. He smirked. "Sakura, sleep with me." He raised the blanket, inviting her in.
Sakura blushed and did as she was told. She crawled under the blanket and lay close to Ryuji, feeling the warmth of their sweaty bodies pressed together.
"N-ne, Ryuji… did you enjoy it?"
"Yeah. I did." Ryuji was very close to her now, their faces inches apart.
"T-then…" Sakura's voice trembled. "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
"If it makes you happy, I'll do it." Then Ryuji fell asleep, his head so close to hers.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. Euphoria burst inside her chest.
Unbeknownst to her, Ryuji had been drunk the whole time. As for Ryuji, this whole act they'd shared was nothing more than a dream.