Watching Yuki Nonaka leave, Takumi turned and spotted Mio Naruse sitting alone in the corner, her face buried in guilt.
"My cute little Mio, not only did you eavesdrop, but you're overthinking again, huh?" He walked up behind her and tapped her lightly on the head.
Startled out of her guilt, Mio's face flushed instantly. "I-I wasn't eavesdropping…"
The moment the words left her lips, a sweet warmth surged through her body, making her shiver. A delicate scent filled the air, brushing past Takumi's nose and lifting the corners of his mouth.
"Still saying no? You can't even hide how guilty you feel."
"N-no, I wasn't!"
Her face crimson, Mio began chanting in her heart This isn't eavesdropping. I didn't betray my master. I was just worried about him. She repeated it several times until that sweetness faded away like the tide, leaving her body trembling slightly.
When her heart finally calmed down, guilt still lingered on her red cheeks. "It's all because of me… If I just disappeared, you wouldn't get into trouble. Why are you so good to me? You could've just thrown me away."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
At that moment, Takumi stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against his chest. The pressure of his embrace made Mio's body jolt as if all of her belonged to him.
"You're my Mio—my sister, and my slave. No matter which identity it is, whether as your onii-chan or your master, I'll protect you. That's both my responsibility… and my wish. I won't let anyone take you from me!"
His deep, domineering whisper shattered the guilt in her heart.
"Onii-chan♡~~" Mio let out a soft, trembling moan. Even though that familiar sweet sensation didn't return, her body grew hot all on its own.
Even here, in such a public place, she could hardly contain her emotions anymore.
"I don't want to become the public enemy of every girl in school. I'll… satisfy you later."
He gave her chest a teasing squeeze before pulling away, leaving her dazed and flushed. If he stayed any longer, she really might lose control right there in front of everyone.
With trembling legs, Mio adjusted her skirt and quietly made her way toward the restroom.
Meanwhile, Takumi stepped out of the cafeteria—and ran straight into Miko Yotsuya, who was walking with a friend.
The girl beside her had short orange hair, a bright and innocent face, and an irresistibly cheerful aura. She was small like Miko, but her body was far more developed—and with every step she took, her curves bounced conspicuously.
Though not as grand as Mio's, they still belonged in the upper alphabet range. The energetic aura radiating from her made anyone near her feel lighter inside.
Takumi immediately recognized her—Miko Yotsuya's best friend, Hana Yurikawa.
His Jade Eye glowed faintly as he checked her information.
[Name: Hana Yurikawa]
[Level: None]
[Traits: Life Energy (Blue), Fortune's Favored (Green), Physically Robust (White), Glutton (White)]
[Life Energy (Blue): Possesses a unique constitution that converts consumed food into powerful life energy, highly effective against negative entities.]
Through his sight, Takumi could even see the aura surrounding her—a blazing field of life energy burning like fire, radiating vitality and strength.
"With that level of energy… she could probably hold off a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit for a few seconds."
It was astonishing, considering Hana was just an ordinary human right now. If she ever trained, she'd easily be able to fight above her level.
Unaware of his scrutiny, Hana rubbed her stomach and groaned, "I'm hungry again… I can't wait to eat!"
Beside her, Miko sighed helplessly. "You literally just ate three loaves of bread on the way here."
"That was just the appetizer! The real meal starts now!"
As Hana declared this, her life energy flared even brighter. Miko couldn't help muttering, "You really have a bottomless stomach, huh."
She knew her best friend's appetite was at least four or five times her own.
And yet, despite eating like that, Hana never gained weight—the only fat part of her being her chest.
She was living proof of the phrase: thick in all the right places. Miko couldn't help but feel a mix of envy and admiration.
Still, she was mostly relieved. Because of her spiritual sensitivity, school life used to be a nightmare of cursed encounters. But now, with the protective charm Takumi had given her, she hadn't been approached by a single Cursed Spirit.
Even here in Kuoh Academy, there wasn't a trace of one. The feeling of safety—of not constantly fearing for her life—was almost enough to make her cry with joy.
Just as she turned around, still smiling, she froze. Walking toward her—was Takumi himself.
"Master~" she blurted instinctively, then quickly corrected herself, "T-Takumi-san, you're… the only male student here!?"
She'd heard rumors of a single boy enrolled at Kuoh Academy, but hadn't been curious enough to check. Now realizing that the mysterious exorcist who'd helped her was him, she was completely stunned.
Takumi chuckled. "Yo~ nice timing, Miko. I was actually just about to find you."
His gaze shifted to Hana Yurikawa, their eyes meeting for the first time—and a spark of connection flowed between them.
Hana blinked, momentarily forgetting her hunger. "You're… that male student? Are you a friend of Miko's?"
Her tone was bright and curious, eyes shining with excitement. That pure, lively energy of hers was contagious, and she started chatting easily as if they'd known each other for years.
Takumi smiled and said, "You could say that. Miko and I aren't just friends—she also happens to owe me quite a bit of money~"
"Money? What do you mean?" Hana asked, blinking in surprise.
Miko's face went scarlet as she looked down, mortified. She couldn't possibly say she owed him millions after signing a slave contract!
Takumi leaned closer and whispered just enough for Hana to hear, "I'm an exorcist. I performed a purification ritual for her once… and, well, it came with a price."
"Whoa, you're an exorcist!?" Hana's eyes sparkled with genuine wonder. She hadn't expected the only male student at school to be that kind of person.
Takumi simply smiled, leaving her impressed and Miko silently relieved.
...
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