After school, Nanashi didn't go home with Yukino and the others.
Instead, he found Benio Adashino alone.
"I'm heading to the Yin-Yang Company. Want to come with me?"
"Back to the Yin-Yang Company?"
Benio was surprised that Nanashi had come to her with this invitation.
She assumed he probably had something important to discuss with Lord Arima.
"I'd like to!"
Benio nodded eagerly. She was curious about what was happening.
Ever since the filth and divine power had disappeared, she hadn't known what to do with herself.
"Alright, let's go."
"How are we getting there?"
The Yin-Yang Company was still quite far from the school.
Just as Benio finished speaking, her vision blurred.
When her surroundings stabilized again, she found herself standing inside the Yin-Yang Company.
Tsuchimikado Arima, seated on the main throne with his eyes closed in meditation, suddenly stirred. Sensing a presence, he opened his eyes—and upon seeing Nanashi, he immediately dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.
"Lord Nanashi."
"!!!"
Benio stood frozen.
Lord Tsuchimikado Arima—bowing? Addressing Nanashi so respectfully?
Nanashi nodded calmly. "Summon the Twelve Guardians as well."
"Yes, right away!"
Arima turned to give the order, but Nanashi raised a hand.
"No need."
With a single thought, he scanned the space and sensed each Guardian's position.
In an instant, all twelve were transported to the room.
"An enemy?!"
The guardians instinctively activated their spell gear, entering full combat mode, eyes scanning the room.
But the moment they recognized the familiar setting of the Yin-Yang Company—and saw Nanashi—they quickly deactivated their cursed armor.
Just like Arima, they all dropped to one knee in unison.
"Greetings, Lord Nanashi!"
"!!!"
Benio's head buzzed.
Lord Arima... The Twelve Heavenly Guardians... These were the top-ranking figures of the Yin-Yang Company. And they were all kneeling to Nanashi with reverence—as if in the presence of a god.
She fidgeted nervously, unsure if she should kneel as well.
Sensing her unease, Nanashi smiled gently and patted her head. "We're classmates now. No need to be so formal."
"O-Okay…"
Her face turned red as she nodded, lowering her gaze and obediently standing to the side.
Arima's eyes sparkled at the interaction, though he quickly composed himself.
Nanashi scanned the room and began to explain the situation regarding the ghouls.
Seigen Amawaka, with dark circles under his eyes like a tired office worker, muttered, "So creatures like that really exist…"
Subaru Mitejima, a refined noblewoman, narrowed her eyes coldly. "Twisted beings that only consume humans should be eradicated."
Nanashi glanced at her and nodded. "That's precisely your mission. Deploy all Yin-Yang Masters. Find the ghouls preying on people in society—and eliminate them. Understood?"
"We will carry out your orders without fail!"
"Excellent~."
Later…
"Do you live here?"
Benio looked up at the luxurious apartment complex, her expression unreadable.
The Yin-Yang Company truly had deep pockets.
"Yeah. It's close to the school."
Benio's thoughts were a whirlwind.
In the blink of an eye, they'd traveled from school to the Yin-Yang Company.
He summoned the Twelve Heavenly Guardians in an instant.
He bent the power of space to return them to her home.
And every elite in the company bowed before him.
This man… was mysterious. Powerful.
Benio blushed as she remembered what Arima had whispered to her before he left.
Nanashi noticed her troubled expression and sighed inwardly.
What's going on?
Arima had merely asked Benio if she was willing to try serving him—like a maid.
He hadn't pressured her at all. He left the choice entirely up to her.
And yet... somehow, she agreed.
Was it gratitude? Because he had avenged her?
Benio looked down, fidgeting nervously, and whispered, "Lord Nanashi… would you like me to serve you now?"
Nanashi chuckled. "Don't call me 'Lord.' At least at school, we're classmates."
She lifted her eyes, glistening with emotion. "Then… Nanashi-kun, would you like me to serve you now?"
"No, I should head home."
He patted her head again with a gentle smile. "You should, too."
Benio took a deep breath, gathering her courage. Her cheeks were as red as apples.
"Then… if Nanashi-kun ever needs me, please let me know. No matter where or when!"
"…"
Though he didn't say it aloud, he was a little moved. As a man of culture (SP), he wasn't immune to charm.
So, acting on impulse, he kissed her soft, trembling lips right then and there.
Benio's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't resist.
As a complete novice, she was no match for the experienced Nanashi—and soon melted completely into his embrace.
When they finally parted, she collapsed into his arms, dazed and breathless.
Nanashi whispered close to her ear, "Shall I carry you to your room?"
"…Mm."
Her flushed face pressed against his chest. Nanashi gently lifted her in a princess carry.
After carefully bringing Benio back to her apartment, he left quietly.
There'd be plenty of chances to enjoy these moments in the future—no need to rush.
After parting with Benio, Nanashi didn't teleport home right away. Instead, he chose to walk.
The distance to his home wasn't too far anyway.
He believed that no matter how powerful one became, ordinary life shouldn't be abandoned. Otherwise, life would only grow dull and meaningless.
"Nanashi-senpai and... Benio-senpai?"
A pair of eyes had witnessed their moment of intimacy.
Utaha Kasumigaoka, who lived in the same building as Benio, had seen everything from her window.
"Nanashi... and Benio…"
Leaning against the windowsill, she softly repeated their names, lost in thought.
Night fell.
The city slowly lit up.
Buildings, shops, and streets shimmered with colorful lights, brimming with life and energy.
Rows of streetlamps lined both sides of the road, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the way for passing pedestrians.
The lights filtered through tree leaves, casting dappled shadows on the pavement, creating a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.
Shops and high-rises glowed with neon signs, vibrant LED lights, and decorative displays—some shaped like constellations, others like blooming flowers.
People bustled through the streets in all kinds of outfits. Some wore stylish hats, others snapped photos on their phones, while some wandered in search of food down narrow alleys.
Laughter. Conversations. Footsteps echoing on the pavement.
A seemingly normal evening. A seemingly normal life.
But not everyone felt that way.
So tired. So tired. So tired. So tired.
I want to die. I want to die. I want to die.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.
Negative emotions spun on loop in someone's mind.
"Ah!"
Nanashi was walking along the sidewalk when someone bumped into him.
"S-Sorry!"
The blonde girl lowered her head and bowed quickly in apology.
When she looked up, she met a pair of golden eyes. The sight of the boy in front of her shocked her.
So familiar.
She'd been thinking about him a lot lately without realizing it.
Nanashi's expression stiffened as he glanced behind her.
A faint black aura clung to her back—a demon, feeding on her emotions and expanding her despair.
He looked down at the girl again.
Her eyes were clouded with exhaustion.
She was teetering on the edge of a breakdown, swallowed by negativity.
Nanashi calmly raised his hand and pinched the demon's head between his fingers.
With a faint shimmer, the creature dissolved into particles of light.
"You alright?" he asked casually.
"...?!"
She didn't know why…
But Hayasaka suddenly felt... lighter.
The suffocating darkness that had clouded her mind—gone.
So strange.
Why was she even out here alone?
Wasn't she supposed to be with her young lady?
Did I really just consider ending my life?
As the demon vanished, the overwhelming negativity in Hayasaka's heart faded, returning to more normal levels.
When she didn't respond, Nanashi didn't press her. He simply walked away, unbothered.
Moments passed before Hayasaka snapped out of her daze.
Wait—Nanashi!
"This is the perfect chance to get closer to him!"
She turned and spotted him in the distance. He wasn't trying to hide—he walked calmly ahead.
She quickly followed after him.
But then she noticed something strange...
Nanashi had entered a deserted neighborhood.
Late at night.
It reminded her of the bizarre things that had happened to the Paranormal Research Club recently.
For a moment, Hayasaka hesitated. Maybe... she should just go home.
But before she could turn back—
"I can see you, you know."
Nanashi's voice suddenly rang out.
"Hello. I'm Nanashi."
He looked into the shadows, smiling faintly.
"A god who specializes in killing demons. Heh. Interesting."
"You look like someone who needs help."
"…"
Hayasaka stood frozen.
Was he... talking to her?
No—he was talking to the air.
But could the air really contain—
"Ah!"
Her eyes suddenly stung.
She blinked and rubbed them hard.
When her vision cleared again, she gasped.
There really was something there!
"What... what is that?!"
A moment ago, the street had been empty.
Now, a grotesque monster stood in the open—its body swollen and tumor-ridden, with black-green skin, human arms, and a bird-like beak.
And then—
A man in sportswear, wrapped in a white scarf and wielding a short blade, was leaping through the air, skillfully dodging the monster's attacks.
But the blade was too short. He couldn't get close enough to land a hit.
"Yato. That's my name."
The man grinned mid-air, his teeth gleaming.
Yato?
It suddenly clicked. The man was Yato, the stray god.
"Got it," Nanashi replied coolly.
"…"
Yato glanced Nanashi's way again.
His expression was unreadable, but deep down, he was thinking:
Why do I feel like I've seen him before...?
But I can't remember at all...