"W–Wow, you're really strong!"
Rikka Takanashi, who had just been hauled up from outside the balcony by Lin Zhi, stared at him in shock. Her cherry-colored lips parted slightly, and her jewel-like eyes shimmered with dazed admiration.
"Yah!"
Lin Zhi brought his hand down in a sharp karate chop to the top of her head, earning a small yelp of pain from the girl.
With a face full of dark lines, he glared at her. "Don't say things that make people misunderstand!"
"Uuu…"
Rikka crouched down, clutching her head in both hands, pouting pitifully at him.
Lin Zhi took a deep breath, fixing her with a serious look. "Why on earth did you have to come down like that?"
"Hmph!"
Rikka straightened up, crossed her arms over her chest, and flashed a triumphant grin. "That's the descent ritual of the Wielder of the Wicked Eye! Cool, right?"
Cool, my ass.
Lin Zhi was speechless. His gaze flicked up to the rope still swaying outside his balcony, and his eye twitched.
Her sister must have nerves of steel—this is the third floor! Was she really okay with this? If he hadn't been here, the girl would've splattered on the pavement by now!
Meanwhile, having recovered from her near-death experience, Rikka peered curiously into his room, her tone brimming with theatrical mystique.
"Hoho, so this is the Servant's dwelling—your secret domain?"
"Domain?"
Lin Zhi blinked, then shook his head and grabbed her by the arm. "Alright, that's enough. You should get going. Don't you have class tomorrow?"
"Eh? But I haven't finished inspecting your domain yet, Servant!"
Rikka tried to resist, but Lin Zhi dragged her toward the door anyway.
When she realized her thin arms and legs were no match for him, her eyes began darting around his room instead.
"Stop looking around!" Lin Zhi groaned, exasperated.
"Why? Are you afraid I'll find your stash of 18+ magazines?" she teased. "Don't worry, as your Master, I understand!"
Still dangling by the back of her collar, she kept chattering away nonstop.
"As a hero whose true name has been lost to time… as a proud, lonely warrior without friends, I can sympathize with—"
You're the one without friends!
Lin Zhi's face darkened completely.
Click!
The door to Room 302 of Aoyama Apartments swung open.
A black, tangled mass was unceremoniously tossed out into the hallway. The owner of the room stared down at it with a cold expression, then shut the door without a word.
Bang!
Moments later, the neighboring door opened.
"Eh? Rikka, what are you doing?" asked Umaru Doma from Room 303, blinking in confusion.
"Hmph, nothing much. My Servant was in a foul mood and cast me out of his domain, that's all."
"...Huh?!"
Umaru could only let out a baffled sound.
The next morning.
After finishing breakfast, Lin Zhi left right on time. Umaru and Gabriel also headed out soon after.
Meeting up again with Shouko Nishimiya at the same spot as yesterday, the group walked toward their respective schools.
"Tenma, you look tired. Didn't sleep well last night?" Umaru asked, noticing Gabriel yawning repeatedly.
"Ah, that… yeah, didn't sleep much," Gabriel replied with an awkward smile that only made Umaru more suspicious.
But neither Umaru nor Lin Zhi pressed further. After a few days together, they'd already gotten a decent sense of Gabriel's personality.
How to describe her… probably as angelic, in every sense of the word.
That was Umaru's thought.
Lin Zhi, on the other hand, couldn't help but sigh inwardly—because she literally was an angel.
When they reached the intersection where they usually split up, they waved goodbye and went their separate ways.
The sky was clear, a brilliant blue stretching endlessly overhead.
Japan, being an island nation, was always kissed by the sea breeze. Compared to landlocked countries, the air here felt fresher, lighter.
Of course, with every advantage comes a drawback.
For instance, the streets here were often narrow, crowded with cars and throngs of students walking in groups—laughing, chatting, radiating youth.
Shouko Nishimiya walked closely beside Lin Zhi, communicating with him in sign language.
Her eyes shone with surprise and delight as she realized how much he'd learned.
When she gestured a question, Lin Zhi chuckled. "Yeah, I looked up a few signs online last night. Still not that good at it, though."
Shouko shook her head frantically, waving her hands to say otherwise.
"You mean I'm doing well?" Lin Zhi guessed.
She nodded eagerly, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
"Well, it's nothing special." Lin Zhi rubbed his nose, embarrassed. His skin wasn't exactly thin, but he still couldn't handle that kind of sincere admiration.
If it were sarcasm, he could've fired back easily. But this girl meant every word.
They walked through a quiet residential area. The road led straight to school, lined with other students in crisp uniforms and lively chatter.
Then, Lin Zhi suddenly stopped. He turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing as if sensing something.
Shouko paused too, following his gaze behind them, puzzled.
Lin Zhi's expression stayed calm. "It's nothing. Let's keep going."
They took a few more steps before he abruptly spun around again.
From a narrow side alley, a small figure froze mid-step—like a statue caught red-handed.
People nearby began whispering, pointing. The air grew awkward.
"Rikka Takanashi?!" Lin Zhi raised an eyebrow. When had she started following them?
Then he noticed her wearing the same school uniform. His expression changed slightly.
"You go to the same school?"
"Fufu, so the Servant has discovered my secret… ow!"
Before she could finish her dramatic line, Lin Zhi's hand chop landed squarely on her head again. He glared at her darkly and hissed, "Look around you. Don't you feel the slightest bit embarrassed?"
Rikka turned her head, seeing the people staring and whispering. Her face flushed bright red, and she stammered helplessly.
"Alright, come on," Lin Zhi said at last, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
So she did know how to be embarrassed after all.
----------
T/N:
Joining is completely free. Come check it out!
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:
[email protected]//animetraveler