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While taking a bath, Kisaragi Rin scrolled through his phone, which was already filled with messages on Line.
Shiina Mahiru: I heard from the landlady that the apartment's ownership has been transferred to you? Confused.JPG
Kisaragi Rin: That's right.
Shiina Mahiru: Could Kisaragi Rin be some rich young master who suddenly inherited the family business? Puzzled.JPG
Shiina Mahiru: Do I have to pay this month's rent again?
Kisaragi Rin: No, I'll get this month's rent from Ms. Asou.
Shiina Mahiru: Ms. Asou will cry if you do that.
...
Mafuyu Kirisu: Missed call...
Mafuyu Kirisu: Missed call...
Mafuyu Kirisu: Missed call...
Mafuyu Kirisu: Even if he's not at school, Kisaragi shouldn't be like this.
Mafuyu Kirisu: Where did you go? I saw a strange person come out of your room.
Mafuyu Kirisu: I need to talk to you.
Mafuyu Kirisu: I need to talk to you urgently.
Mafuyu Kirisu: Next class, I won't call your name.
Mafuyu Kirisu: Please. Humiliated.JPG
"What does Mafuyu want from me?" Kisaragi Rin scrolled through the messages curiously, planning to go next door after dinner. Given Mafuyu Kirisu's social habits, she must be lying at home right now.
Continuing to scroll down, Kisaragi Rin was surprised to find that Kato Megumi had also sent him a message. Usually, they only spoke at school.
Kato Megumi: I was at the Great Deer Parade yesterday, Kisaragi Rin, and you seemed to be having a lot of fun. Photo.JPG
When the photo opened, it showed Kisaragi Rin attempting to ride Chopper, a terrified deer, Ganroji Mitsuri trying to stop him from the side, and Koshi Torako still with her antenna hair, complaining non-stop.
Regardless of composition or lighting, Kato Megumi had taken a flawless photo.
"Nice shot, it's mine now."
After typing and sending the message, the remaining messages were all quite casual.
Kankuya Shinji sent his goodbyes; he had decided to go to the mainland to pursue his dream of becoming a manga artist.
Koshi Anko finally remembered Koshi Torako's pure white bowl and asked Kisaragi for its whereabouts.
There was even a party invitation from a middle school friend...
After replying to them one by one, Kisaragi Rin dried himself, changed his clothes, and walked out of the bathroom.
Sitting at the table, Kisaragi Rin asked curiously, "Where did Shizuka go?"
"She's still asleep," Busujima Saeko explained helplessly, "She watched too many unseen TV shows and went to bed very late."
"I hope she doesn't lead Mitsuri astray," Kisaragi sighed.
The internet brought convenience and entertainment, but also a nuclear strike to pure innocence.
He couldn't even imagine Mitsuri encountering internet trolls; she would probably cry in Kisaragi Rin's arms.
After dinner, Kisaragi Rin went out and arrived at the door of room 201.
Knock, knock, knock.
No response. Kisaragi Rin took out his phone and sent a message to Mafuyu Kirisu.
"Mafuyu, open the door quickly."
The Line notification sound rang from inside the door, and Mafuyu Kirisu hurriedly opened the door, but still only poked her head out, looking left and right.
Seeing no one else, Mafuyu Kirisu quickly pulled Kisaragi Rin inside.
The room was impassable, covered with garbage bags of all sizes and instant noodle containers.
Kisaragi Rin probably knew why Mafuyu Kirisu had called him. Ever since he had stumbled upon Mafuyu Kirisu's room when he moved in, he had gained a part-time job: helping her with house cleaning once a week.
Today was Sunday, and it was time for their arrangement.
Mafuyu Kirisu said with a serious face, "My sister is coming to my apartment, Kisaragi. I need you."
"But I don't need this part-time job anymore."
Kisaragi Rin's answer was like a bolt from the blue to Mafuyu Kirisu.
Thinking of her sister, who would arrive soon, Mafuyu Kirisu felt dizzy and was about to collapse.
"Unless."
The turning point in his words gave Mafuyu Kirisu a glimmer of hope. She vigilantly protected herself and hesitantly asked, "Unless what?"
"Unless you really stop calling my name in class from now on, otherwise, what did you think, Mafuyu?"
"Humiliation…"
After sending Mafuyu Kirisu out of the room, Kisaragi Rin directly pulled out a small flag.
It was the Banner of Demons, worth 9600 Paradise Coins. The first effect of this equipment allows the use of some shadow, soul, and fallen domain spells.
Under the Transparent World of the Heavenly Eye, shadows covered the house. When they receded, all the garbage and dirt inside had been precisely dissolved, and several pieces of black fabric were found, neatly folded, and put back into the cabinet.
Adeptly pouring himself a cup of tea, Kisaragi Rin picked up the teacup, took a sip, and waited quietly. After a while, he got up again, opened the door, and walked into the apartment corridor.
There, he found Mafuyu Kirisu observing the situation outside.
"Mafuyu, it's all cleaned up."
"It's finished so quickly?" Mafuyu Kirisu asked with some surprise.
Mafuyu Kirisu felt that today's speed was faster than usual, but after returning to the room and seeing the clean-as-new environment, she completely relaxed.
Her confidence in facing Kisaragi Rin increased significantly. Seeing Kisaragi Rin about to leave, Mafuyu Kirisu hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed him: "Wait a moment, Kisaragi."
"Is there anything else? Are you perhaps asking me to stay and meet your sister?" Kisaragi Rin asked jokingly.
Mafuyu Kirisu quickly shook her head and denied, "How could it be something like that? I wanted to say that Ai-chan needs to find a school, right? How can you just leave her alone at home?"
Haibara Ai being alone at home yesterday had left Mafuyu Kirisu a bit bothered.
"School?"
Kisaragi Rin pondered. Sending Haibara Ai to school wasn't a bad idea. Last night, she was idle and wanted to research the Demon King Bloodline on Black Sun.
"I know school teachers. Leave this matter to me. After it's handled, I'll just take Haibara Ai to school…"
"Then I'll trouble Mafuyu."
"Don't call me Mafuyu."
Mafuyu Kirisu, having no requests, was full of defiance.
"Mafuyu, Mafuyu…"
But so was Kisaragi Rin.
Bidding farewell to Mafuyu Kirisu, Kisaragi Rin planned to approach Yukino Mifuyu, the resident of room 104.
According to Miyuri Asou, Mrs. Yukino was a widow who rarely interacted with people.
If possible, he would prefer her to move out soon. After all, the rooms above, below, and to the left of 104 were all Kisaragi Rin's territory. Having a stranger sandwiched in between felt very odd.
"I'm the new landlord of the apartment. Is Mrs. Yukino home?"
Kisaragi Rin lightly knocked on the door. After a moment, a beautiful woman opened the door.
It must be said that Yukino Mifuyu in reality was much prettier than in photos.
Her face was charming and captivating, with white hair tied into a matronly hairstyle. Unlike the white of Spider Mother, Yukino Mifuyu's white hair leaned more towards blue, and her eyes were an alert ice-blue.
Especially her figure; a white knitted sweater couldn't completely restrain her ample bosom, and below, alluring black pantyhose were nervously clamped together.
Kisaragi Rin looked at Mrs. Yukino with a subtle expression.
Yukino Mifuyu lowered her eyes and asked softly, "Is there anything?"
Kisaragi Rin's lips curved into a faint smile, and he changed his original plan, saying calmly, "This month's rent is due."
Yukino Mifuyu was somewhat taken aback, and her ice-blue eyes lifted. "But I already paid this month's rent to Ms. Asou. Even if the apartment temporarily changed owners, I shouldn't have to pay again, should I?"
Seeing Kisaragi Rin's unchanging expression, Yukino Mifuyu grew more anxious. She was already unable to bear the burden of an extra month's rent.
"Won't you invite me in for a seat?" Kisaragi asked her.
...
"I'm sorry, this is all I have."
Yukino Mifuyu brought Kisaragi Rin plain water and sat uncomfortably in front of him, occasionally averting her gaze.
"It's fine."
Yukino Mifuyu's room was even more spartan than Kisaragi's previously. Kisaragi Rin saw a photo of Yukino Mifuyu and another woman, which was wiped remarkably clean and bright.
Kisaragi Rin asked thoughtfully, "What kind of work does Mrs. Yukino do?"
Clenching her fingers nervously, Yukino Mifuyu replied in a low voice, "Part-time sales at a convenience store."
She only hoped this new landlord could be understanding.
Kisaragi Rin continued to ask her, "Does Mrs. Yukino have friends?"
This made Yukino Mifuyu somewhat unbearable. She frowned and sighed, "Mr. Landlord, this is already harassment, isn't it? I will gather the rent; please don't do this anymore."
"So, that means you don't have friends, right?"
Kisaragi Rin said to himself, reaching out and lifting Yukino Mifuyu's doll-like foot, encased in black silk. Her perfectly rounded toes trembled uneasily in Kisaragi's palm.
Suddenly touched by Kisaragi Rin like this, Yukino Mifuyu's body stiffened, and her face showed disbelief.
Before she could react, Kisaragi Rin felt the coolness of her foot and said sincerely, "Mrs. Yukino, you don't seem to be human."
Shadows spread through the room, covering the windows and door cracks...
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