Chapter 242: Swimming Class
Crack!
With a single punch, the shikigami summoning array shattered completely, the glowing sigils splintering like glass under the sheer force of Kouya's blow.
The spirit that had just reached out a twisted, clawed hand had barely enough time to release a furious, echoing roar before its entire form dissolved into shadow and vanished.
Suzuki Ninosuke staggered backward, a guttural groan escaping him as blood gushed from both nose and mouth. The protective jade pendant hanging at his chest cracked with a clear, brittle snap, scattering pieces that fell and clinked against the icy stone ground.
He reacted instantly—grabbing a pitch-black stone from his coat pocket and slamming it into the ground. Black smoke burst outward, cold as winter air. Without even looking back, he spun around and bolted, his trench coat flaring wildly. The man ran faster than a stray dog set on fire, vanishing into the shadows in the blink of an eye.
Kouya didn't chase him. The moment the stone hit the ground, a chilling energy erupted like an unseen wave. The air temperature plummeted by more than ten degrees in an instant, a visible mist rising as frost spread rapidly across the courtyard tiles.
A spine-chilling shriek cut through the air as a ghostly shape formed—pale, violent, and twisted by hatred. The creature's distorted face lunged toward Raphiel, its mouth opening impossibly wide.
Kouya raised an eyebrow, calm as ever, and reached out. His hand clamped around the ghost's head like an iron vice, ignoring its claws that raked helplessly against his arm.
Just as he was about to crush it, Raphiel stepped forward and said softly, "Kouya-kun, let me handle this."
Her tone was calm, but her eyes were filled with an ethereal light. She brought her hands together, fingers interlaced, and began to murmur a quiet prayer. A pure radiance bloomed around her—a soft, holy glow that spread across the frosted ground. The ghost froze, its features slowly softening. The violent howls turned into a faint, trembling sob.
Under the blessing of light, the monstrous shape melted away, revealing the faint form of a young boy. His empty eyes flickered with gratitude as he bowed deeply toward them before dissolving into drifting motes of light that sparkled like fireflies in the night air.
"Haa… thank you, Kouya-kun~" Raphiel said cheerfully, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. Her smile bloomed like a delicate flower beneath the moonlight, so radiant it seemed the night had softened just for her.
Kouya said nothing. He crouched and picked up the black stone left behind, feeling its strange chill seep through his fingertips.
It was cold and heavy—heavier than it should've been—and though it looked unremarkable, just a dull black pebble, he recognized the strange aura pulsing within. It was the same kind of soul stone he and the shrine maiden had found before.
"So… it's connected to that same organization," Kouya murmured to himself. His gaze darkened slightly before he straightened, sliding the stone into his pocket. "Whatever they're planning, it's not my problem—as long as they don't cross me."
He exhaled lightly, and the frosty mist faded from his breath.
...
After entering the villa, Kouya and Raphiel found the path ahead eerily calm. No more traps, no more enemies. The heavy tension that had hung over the grounds seemed to dissolve as they stepped through the grand hall doors.
Inside, the room was warm and bright. The chandelier cast golden light over the polished floor. On a sofa sat Alice, dressed in a frilly pink princess dress, sipping from a glass of fruit juice with delicate poise. Beside her stood a middle-aged man with glasses, dressed like a butler. His polite smile was stiff, and unease leaked through his calm expression.
"Shiraha-sama!"
Alice's voice broke the silence as she spotted Raphiel. Her eyes sparkled with relief. She jumped up and ran over, throwing her arms around Raphiel's arm and rubbing her cheek affectionately against it. "I knew Shiraha-sama would come save me!"
Hey, come on! Don't just steal my credit like that! I'm the one who did the fighting! This angel didn't lift a single finger except to pat a dog!
Raphiel giggled quietly, her smile gentle and sweet as she lifted a delicate finger and pointed at Kouya.
Alice blushed instantly, glancing awkwardly at him. "Um… thank you, Kouya-san. I'll definitely repay you someday. But—!" She puffed up her cheeks. "I'm not letting you take Shiraha-sama away!"
Kouya's mouth twitched. 'Who even said I wanted her?'
Raphiel only smiled, clearly enjoying the misunderstanding.
Turning toward Hideaki Koike, Raphiel's tone softened. "So, this man here… he's your ojisan?"
Alice hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering uncertainly before she nodded. "It's complicated… I already called my mom. She'll be here soon."
Not long after, Ryoko Nagasawa arrived, looking flustered but composed. She thanked Kouya and Raphiel deeply before pulling Hideaki into the study for a private talk. Whatever was said behind those doors remained a mystery, but ten minutes later, she emerged looking exhausted.
"Alice, let's go home," she said quietly, then offered a polite smile to the two teens. "Let me give you both a ride first."
...
Twenty minutes later, the sleek car pulled up in front of Kouya's apartment.
The city was quiet, the streetlamps glowing faintly as the night deepened. It was already past nine, and the only sounds were the distant hum of passing cars.
Ryoko thanked them again, promising to treat them to dinner the next day. Then she left with Alice, the taillights of her car disappearing into the night.
As Kouya and Raphiel walked toward the apartment building, Raphiel finally spoke, her voice light as a whisper. "Kouya-kun, thank you again. You really helped us today."
The cool night breeze caught her silver hair, making it dance. A faint blush colored her cheeks as she reached out and tugged gently at the hem of his jacket, her usual mischief replaced by something softer.
"You're not heading home?" Kouya asked, glancing at her sidelong.
"I'm waiting for you to walk me home, of course." She blinked innocently, her lips curving into that familiar teasing smile.
Kouya exhaled. "No."
"So mean~" Raphiel pouted, puffing out her cheeks. "What if I get attacked by a bad guy on the way?"
'Yeah, right.' In this part of town? The only danger would be the poor fool who tried to mess with her—and she'd probably flatten him before the police even arrived.
As they walked, a familiar sound reached Kouya's ears: the chatter spilling out from a nearby izakaya. The door slid open, and out stepped a familiar woman.
Oh, no.
Kouya instantly turned to leave, but a voice rang out from behind him, clear and slightly slurred.
"Hey! Don't you walk away when I'm talking to you! Kouya-kun, where are you off to this late?"
It was Shizuka-sensei.
'Oh, come on!' Why her, and why now?
Kouya stopped in resignation. Raphiel tilted her head curiously.
Shizuka Hiratsuka approached, dressed casually in a white sports hoodie and sneakers. Her long legs looked even more striking in the streetlight, and her ponytail swayed as she walked. Her cheeks were flushed from alcohol, her eyes half-lidded but sharp as ever.
"Good evening, Sensei," Raphiel greeted politely, her posture graceful again.
Everyone at school knew Shizuka Hiratsuka—"Iron-Fist Shizuka." The woman who solved classroom disputes with one punch.
"Good evening, Shiraha-san," Shizuka replied with a half-smile, before turning to Kouya. "Not bad, kid. Out on another date?"
Her voice was teasing, but her clenched fist and twitching brow betrayed her irritation.
"Careful, or I'll give you a little 'three-day-bed-rest' buff," she said sweetly.
Kouya's face went black. 'Keep pushing, and I'll give you a 'ten-months-no-menstruation' buff myself!'
Raphiel stepped in smoothly, her voice gentle. "Shizuka-sensei, you've got it wrong. I asked Kouya-kun for help today—it's not a date. Though…" She giggled, eyes glinting. "I wouldn't mind if it was."
Shizuka paused, blinking. "Oh? I see." She crossed her arms, nodding slowly. "Well, as long as you two aren't doing anything… questionable."
She smiled faintly, but a sudden vibration came from her phone. Her expression shifted, seriousness returning. "Tch. Duty calls."
With a brief wave, she turned and strode off into the night, leaving a faint scent of alcohol and perfume behind.
Raphiel watched her go, then sighed softly. "She's kind of cool, huh?"
"Cool and terrifying," Kouya muttered.
The two walked the rest of the way in silence. The night air was cool, the sound of distant traffic steady and calm. Raphiel glanced up at the moon, a faint smile on her face.
By the time they reached the apartment, she gave a small wave. "Good night, Kouya-kun."
"Yeah. Night."
...
The next day, Alice's mother hosted a dinner as promised. Kouya couldn't really refuse—especially with Raphiel insisting—so he went along.
During the meal, he learned that Hideaki Koike was a distant relative of Alice's father. He had tried to take advantage of the family's business connections, and while he hadn't directly hired the onmyoji, he had cooperated once approached. A perfect example of greed meeting opportunity.
Kouya tuned out halfway through the explanation. Schemes and human ambition didn't interest him in the slightest. All he cared about was whether any of this would come knocking on his door again.
When dinner finally ended, he walked Raphiel home through the soft glow of streetlights. The angel hummed quietly beside him, a content little smile on her lips.
By the time he returned home, the city was asleep.
The weekend finally came to an end.
Monday morning.
As he prepared for school, Kouya rummaged through his drawers, searching for the swim trunks the school had issued.
From early June onward, swimming class would be held twice a week—a small, rare relief from the usual dullness of school life.
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