Chapter 59: Haruno's Curiosity, Announcement from the Metropolitan Police Department
Although Haruno didn't know what kind of place the Otherworld was, she could roughly guess from the change in Miko's expression that it definitely wasn't a good place to be.
"Th... That's no good, right?"
Miko frowned, her attitude resolute.
"We can't just kill innocent people because our abilities were discovered. If we did that, wouldn't the meaning of our actions be completely inverted?"
"Mmhmm, you make sense. I agree."
Hearing Yoru's words, Miko breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she also felt that he was definitely joking.
But what if?
When Yoru was fighting the evil spirits just now, his mental state looked somewhat unstable.
What if he really lost control?
Fortunately.
After the banter with Haruno just now, and seeing his familiar lazy and frivolous tone and demeanor, Miko was 100% certain.
Yoru was still the same Yoru she knew.
As abstract as ever.
"Then you go handle the 'Door' first, to avoid further complications."
"Okay."
After Miko turned and walked away, Yoru squatted down, looked straight into Haruno's eyes, and remained silent.
Being stared at like this, Haruno wasn't nervous at all. Instead, she showed a smile and took the initiative to speak.
"What, fell in love with me at first sight?"
As an Isekai traveler, Yoru naturally recognized the identity of the woman in front of him.
The eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family, Yukino's older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno.
Meeting her here was truly unexpected.
After all, this was Kyoto, not Chiba.
Seeing Yoru still silent, Haruno frowned slightly. She maintained that smile, which didn't seem fake but was still a facade, and looked at him with a grin.
Yukinoshita Haruno had a very special skill.
Within a few seconds, she could judge the personality of someone she met for the first time and switch her tone and demeanor to the most advantageous image for interacting with them.
Commonly known as: Speaking human language to humans, and ghost language to ghosts.
However, up until now, Haruno still hadn't figured out what kind of personality Yoru had, or what stance she should take to interact with him.
"You..."
After a long while, Haruno looked at the blood dripping from Yoru onto the ground and couldn't help but ask.
"You're bleeding. Doesn't it hurt?"
"Oh right, I forgot."
Hearing Yoru's words, Haruno was speechless.
No way.
You can forget even this?
With so many bloody holes on your body, a normal person would be dying of pain...
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Yoru wave his hand, and a faint layer of black mist enveloped his body.
The dozens of bloody holes pierced by the evil spirits' fangs healed at a speed visible to the naked eye within a few seconds after being covered by the black mist.
"Wh... What is this...?"
Haruno opened her lips slightly, a look of disbelief on her face.
Healed just like that?
Those wounds several centimeters deep—even at a hospital, just stitching them up would take a long time, right?
And they healed in just a few seconds?
The question Haruno doubted now wasn't whether Yoru was a normal person.
But whether he was human at all.
"Look at you, acting like you haven't seen the world."
Yoru teased the stunned Haruno and extended his right hand, palm facing up.
Haruno was puzzled: "What do you mean?"
Yoru replied righteously: "What else could I mean? Where's the reward?"
Haruno was even more confused.
"What reward?"
"You aren't as smart as I imagined."
Yoru shook his head and explained somewhat impatiently.
"You should understand by now that the consecutive construction accidents recently weren't coincidences but the work of evil spirits, right?"
"Uh..."
From a rational perspective, Haruno was a firm materialist.
How could things like evil spirits exist in this world?
But what she witnessed with her own eyes just now left her with only two choices.
Either admit that this world had a side she had never heard of.
Or admit that she had mental problems and was hallucinating.
Between shallow knowledge and having her head caught in a door, she had to choose one.
Haruno chose the former.
"Perhaps... that is so."
"What do you mean perhaps? It is so."
Yoru continued.
"Then, which company does the construction project of this building belong to?"
"Our family's... Yukinoshita Construction Company."
"Then the question arises: Who helped your family's company solve the problem of evil spirit infestation?"
"It was... you?"
"Bingo."
Yoru nodded with satisfaction and waved his right hand in front of Haruno.
"So, where's the reward?"
Hearing this, Haruno finally understood.
She didn't object; instead, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, good.
He wants money? Isn't that simple?
At least since she met Yoru, this was the point where he acted most like a normal human being.
"Sure. Name a figure."
To Haruno's surprise, Yoru waved his hand uninterestedly.
"I don't need money."
"Then, what is the reward you speak of?"
Haruno realized that from the beginning of the conversation, her rhythm had been completely disrupted, and she was being led by the nose by him.
It couldn't be helped.
Negotiation depended on the chips held by both sides.
She had no idea what Yoru wanted. It was also her first time encountering something that overturned her worldview, so she couldn't come up with any effective measures or take control of the conversation.
"The reward I want is simple. Never reveal what you saw and heard today to anyone forever. Can you do that?"
Hearing this request, Haruno relaxed and nodded with a smile.
"No problem. Even if I wanted to tell someone, no one would believe me. I don't want to be treated as a mental patient."
Speaking of this, Haruno pulled a business card from her pocket and placed it in Yoru's hand.
"My name is Yukinoshita Haruno. This is my contact information. If you need anything, call me. Within my capabilities, I will do my best to repay you for saving my life."
Yoru accepted the business card without even looking at it and put it into his pocket.
"Alright (Chi Chu)."
...
Five minutes later.
As Miko poured high-purity alcohol onto the "Door," lit it with a match, and watched it dissipate into black smoke amidst the flames, the area was finally successfully cleared.
This situation was different from the last time at Yui Yuigahama's house.
Last time, she and Yui were pulled into the Otherworld by Hachishaku, who couldn't control the power of the "Door" properly.
This time, because the "Door" had opened to a certain extent, this entire floor had merged with a floor in the Otherworld.
If they had been a week later, this building in the physical world would have completely merged with the building in the Otherworld.
By then, entering this area would mean no distinction between Inside and Outside worlds. Even if the "Door" were dealt with, the area wouldn't return to normal.
Fortunately, it was resolved in time.
After the "Door" was burned to ashes, the power merging the two worlds disappeared, and the building returned to normal.
"OK, perfectly solved."
Looking at the lazy-looking Yoru, Miko wanted to ask about the ability to combine the Pale Ghost Hand with his body just now. But with an outsider like Haruno present, she suppressed her curiosity for now.
"Mmhmm, let's leave here quickly."
After Yoru and Miko left, Haruno forced herself to stand up and left the unfinished building.
Seeing her actually walk out of the building, the persons in charge of the construction team were overjoyed.
As expected, accidents were just accidents; there were no evil spirits at work.
They had been worried since Miss Yukinoshita had been up there for nearly an hour without coming down. They hesitated about whether to call the police.
Fortunately, it seemed they were overthinking.
Looking at the persons in charge, Haruno parted her lips slightly and uttered two words calmly.
"Resume construction."
"Understood, Miss Yukinoshita."
Watching the respectful demeanor of the staff, Haruno suddenly felt like a lifetime had passed.
This should be the normally functioning world in my eyes.
....
When she returned home, Haruno bumped into Yukinoshita Yukino putting on her shoes.
"You're going out?"
Yukino's answer was very plain.
"Yes, to the library."
"Don't come back too late. You must have heard how bad the security in Kyoto is recently."
"I know."
Just as Yukino was about to leave, Haruno suddenly called out to her.
"By the way, construction on that building has resumed."
"Is that so."
Yukino's expression didn't change at all; she wasn't surprised, nor was she interested in the family business.
Her sister Haruno was an excellent person, one who could be called a genius.
Whether in studies, horseback riding, Aikido, or social skills, she was stronger than Yukino, the younger sister.
Because of this, Yukino couldn't understand.
Why would such an outstanding sister accept the fate arranged by their mother?
Clearly, like herself, she didn't like such things.
Why did she have to pretend to be a fake version of herself?
Yukino disliked fake relationships.
And in her eyes, her mother and sister were synonymous with "Fake."
She admired Haruno and wanted to catch up to her, but at the same time, she resisted becoming Haruno.
"There is something I want to ask you. Do you know two students from Sobu High?"
Hearing this, Yukino turned to look at Haruno and said faintly.
"You're asking me about this kind of thing?"
Haruno froze, then laughed self-deprecatingly.
"True. Given your personality and style, you probably don't even remember the faces of your classmates."
"There's just no one worth caring about."
After saying this, Yukino left the house.
After she left, Haruno took out her phone, looked at a familiar number, hesitated for a moment, and finally dialed it.
Beep... Beep...
After two rings, the call connected.
Haruno's tone instantly became upbeat and cheerful.
"Hello, Shizuka-chan, it's me."
From the other end came Hiratsuka Shizuka's grumpy voice.
"I say, even if you are a university student now, I was still your teacher. Isn't calling me 'Shizuka-chan' a bit awkward?"
"Whatever, don't mind the details."
"Sigh."
Shizuka sighed helplessly.
"So, are you calling to check on your sister's situation? A parent's call?"
"Although I care about little Yukino too, I'm calling for another matter."
"What is it?"
"Is there a male student in your school who is very handsome, has black hair and black eyes, about 1.8 meters tall, and a girl with dark blue long hair, golden eyes, and quite cute looks?"
Haruno was just asking tentatively, but to her surprise, Shizuka on the other end froze for a moment and gave an affirmative answer.
"You mean... Yoru and Yotsuya from my class, right?"
"Eh, are those their names?"
Hearing Shizuka's confirmation, Haruno was very surprised.
She thought Yoru had just made up a lie to fool her.
Unexpectedly, he was telling the truth?
Those two were really students of Sobu High?
Two mysterious people fighting evil spirits appeared in the building my family is constructing, and coincidentally, they are from the same school and same class as my sister.
Is it really such a coincidence?
Seeing Haruno silent, Shizuka frowned and asked puzzledly.
"What, did you meet these two students?"
Haruno didn't deny it. Of course, she couldn't tell the whole truth either.
"Mmhmm, Yoru-kun and Yotsuya-san did me a favor. I owe them a debt of gratitude."
"Hah? A favor?"
Shizuka laughed dumbfoundedly.
"What favor can two high school students do for you? Are you pulling my leg?"
Haruno didn't reply, pondering silently.
She and Shizuka weren't just former teacher and student; they were also good friends in private.
She knew this older unmarried woman's personality very well—she spoke her mind.
Even if she lied, she couldn't do it so naturally.
It seems this teacher doesn't know about Yoru and Miko's special abilities.
High school students fighting against supernatural existences in the shadows to protect the city's safety...
Why does it feel... kinda cool?
"Forget it, just asking."
Haruno didn't continue the topic and just smiled cheerfully.
"I'm done with my work and going back to Chiba tomorrow. Are you free tonight? Want to hang out?"
"Sure. Send me the address later."
"Okay, see you later."
After hanging up, Haruno sat on the sofa, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes as she murmured.
"Yoru... what an interesting guy."
....
On the other side, on the street.
"That ability of yours just now... what exactly was it?"
Miko couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked.
Yoru didn't intend to hide it and waved his hand casually to explain.
"Oh, you mean that? Actually, it's not hard. It's just recombining the manifested soul with one's own body. Think of it as sacrificing the mobility of the soul's autonomous action to strengthen one's individual capabilities."
Just listening to this sentence, Miko felt her brain overloading.
The manifested soul can recombine with the user's body?
Wouldn't that be equivalent to not summoning it at all?
"Of course, in this state, one has to bear some negative effects."
Hearing this, Miko looked enlightened and nodded.
"Just like you before, going crazy (going dian)?"
Yoru: "...I think you are going a bit crazy."
"The negative effect I mean is that one's own negative emotions will be amplified many times."
"Negative emotions?"
Miko muttered the term and asked in confusion.
"But I felt you were quite happy back then?"
"You bet. My negative emotions surged, but I killed to my heart's content. Could I not be happy?"
"Oh, true."
"Anyway, when you can use this ability, you'll naturally know."
"Really?"
Miko looked bewildered, then did something Yoru didn't expect.
"Open your eyes, Hyakume!"
After Hyakume appeared, Miko leaned in front of her and asked righteously.
"When can I combine my soul and body to strengthen my individual power?"
Hyakume's six eyes were filled with big question marks.
Little girl, do you want to listen to what nonsense you are saying?
"Speak up."
Facing Miko's questioning, Hyakume could only shake her head honestly.
"I don't understand."
Hyakume's tone and demeanor were like Siri on a phone being asked an absurd question.
"Siri, check for me if I need to go to the hospital after getting shot in the head?"
"Okay, based on your question, here is some content for reference."
"No need for treatment if shot in the head. The most urgent thing is to hire a chef first. You need an experienced master chef to hold a good funeral banquet (Xi)."
Hyakume: Please, Miss Yotsuya Miko, stop being crazy here.
LMAO (Le).
Miko didn't dwell on this question.
Anyway, Yoru said it.
When she could do it, she would know how to do it.
Before she could do it, thinking about it was useless.
Following the routine, the excellent investigator of Super-Quant Club and the Employee of the Week, Hachishaku-sama, teamed up to investigate areas with frequent supernatural events.
If they found evil spirits and "Doors," they solved them directly.
As for Yoru?
He was sleepy and went home to sleep first.
Small matters like this could just be left to his subordinates.
....
The peaceful and pleasant weekend passed just like that.
Another new day, another familiar Class A classroom.
Yoru sat on his exclusive Throne of Kings, took out his phone, and listened to the news playing on the screen.
"Due to the recent continuous rise in crime incidents, crime rates, and crime severity in Kyoto, Soichiro Yagami, Bureau Chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, advises citizens to try not to go out after 10 PM to avoid danger."
"At the same time, Bureau Chief Yagami expressed his firm determination to fight crime to the end at this press conference."
"Cities across Sakura Prefecture will temporarily lend manpower to reinforce the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, increase patrol intensity, and conduct a thorough cleanup of Kyoto with the philosophy of never letting any criminal go."
"The above is the solemn promise made by Bureau Chief Soichiro Yagami to the general public."