Back on Yuki's side.
Ryo walked beside him as they continued toward STARRY.
"That kid earlier was pretty interesting. And so cute." Ryo still seemed amused by their encounter with Yoshino. "But are you sure it's okay to let her go off on her own like that?" she asked, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"She'll be fine." Yuki gave a confident nod.
Ryo's worry came from seeing Yoshino as a small child—someone who might be tricked or lured away by strangers. But that was just the surface. Yuki knew exactly what Yoshino was. Even though she looked like a thirteen-year-old, Yoshino's true age was around thirty-nine. She didn't need protection from being deceived. And besides—she was a Spirit. There wasn't much that could hurt her in the first place.
So Ryo's concern, while kind, was unnecessary. Seeing Yuki so sure, Ryo dropped the subject. Instead, she brought up the rabbit puppet.
"A kid that young knowing ventriloquism? That's amazing." She clearly thought the puppet's voice came from Yoshino herself.
"Heh, yeah." Yuki just smiled and didn't elaborate.
He knew the real story behind Yoshinon. Yoshinon wasn't ventriloquism—it was a separate personality born from Yoshino's own psyche. Because she was so timid and afraid of interacting with people, she developed another personality that was the complete opposite. That personality then used the puppet to speak and communicate with the outside world. Yoshinon existed independently of Yoshino herself, anchored by her Spirit power.
Five minutes later, Yuki and Ryo arrived at STARRY.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw PA, the woman working at the front counter. The moment she spotted Yuki, the purple-black-haired woman's face lit up with a smile.
"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Landlord. What brings you here today? And with Ryo-chan, no less." PA walked over to greet them.
"Ryo invited me."
"Oh? Ryo-chan did? Interesting. Has she finally come to her senses?" PA looked surprised, then turned to Ryo with a knowing glance.
Ryo caught the implication immediately. Her response was to look away with her usual blank expression. "I just needed his help with something. Don't get the wrong idea."
She tried to explain, but PA felt there was something off about Ryo's reaction—something she wasn't being told. Not that it was any of her business.
"I see. There's a band performing here today. You and Nijika should watch and learn, Ryo-chan," PA nodded and gave Ryo some advice. She then turned to Yuki. "Mr. Landlord, you're welcome to stay and enjoy the show too."
"Sure thing." Yuki smiled and nodded in response. "But maybe drop the 'landlord' thing. It feels weird—makes me sound like I'm here to collect rent." He shrugged, looking a little helpless.
"Hah! Honestly, I hope your visits aren't for collecting rent. Preferably never!" another female voice chimed in before Yuki could say anything else.
Turning toward the voice, a woman with blonde hair and red eyes walked over to them.
"In your dreams, Seika." Yuki rolled his eyes at her.
This was the owner of the place—Ijichi Seika.
"Tch." Seika clicked her tongue. "Come on in. The usual?" She turned and headed toward the counter.
Yuki and Ryo followed.
"Yep." Yuki nodded.
Seika started making his drink. Ryo ordered her usual coffee as well.
"Seriously, Seika, do you actually want me to waive the rent?" Yuki smiled at her as she worked behind the counter.
Ryo perked up at that, sipping her coffee while quietly listening to their conversation.
"Of course I do! The rent here is insane. Almost seventy percent of what I earn every month ends up in your pocket. Of course I want it waived!" Seika shot him a glare, huffing.
"Not impossible." Yuki rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Huh? You serious?" Seika stopped what she was doing, looking at him with sudden excitement.
"Dead serious. But do you remember what I said last time?" A mischievous grin spread across his face as his eyes ran over her.
Last time? That would mean…
When Ijichi Seika heard Yuki's words, she quickly recalled what he meant. Back when they used to chat, he would often joke about it. He'd constantly drop hints about her becoming his woman. Seika would always roll her eyes and brush it off. And Yuki never pressed the issue—he treated it like a joke.
But today, seeing him say it so seriously, she couldn't help but feel like maybe he meant it.
"D-Don't joke around like that!" Seika's heart fluttered, and she stammered nervously.
"Whether I'm joking or not, you already know. Of course, take your time and think it over." Seeing her flustered reaction, Yuki didn't push any further. He'd just drop the hint for now and let her sit on it.
Seika's heart pounded at his words. Was he serious?! Does he actually have feelings for me?! A strange sense of joy bubbled up inside her as her imagination started running wild.
But before she could dwell on it any longer, Yuki turned his attention to her younger sister, Ijichi Nijika. Nijika had come out shortly after Yuki and Ryo sat down. When she spotted them, she hurried over to greet them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Ryo-chan, you finally made it!" Nijika jogged over to Ryo, then turned to Yuki. "And Yuki-kun, hello." She gave him a polite little bow.
Yuki nodded in response.
Even though this wasn't her first time seeing him, Nijika still found herself momentarily stunned by how handsome he was. The little angel of Shimokitazawa was briefly lost in thought. But she quickly snapped out of it and led Yuki and Ryo to the back lounge.