Does helping someone need a reason? Utaha admitted that when she heard this, she was somewhat shaken. So there were still such pure people in the world. She had been looking at others with tinted glasses, almost forgetting that there were still more good people than bad.
Utaha took a deep breath, bowed to Marin and Saki, and said: "Thank you, thank you for being willing to help me."
Marin waved her hand, saying it wasn't necessary, then asked: "Senpai, what trouble have you encountered? Could you tell us everything?"
Utaha said: "Even if you didn't ask, I would tell you. It was a few nights ago…"
As a high school student, Utaha had excellent grades. Her mind was sharp, and she could easily grasp any subject. So she had plenty of time to pursue her hobbies—like writing. Though she hadn't yet written a proper novel, she already had ideas. So a few days ago, last Sunday, she went to the library to research writing techniques.
She became so absorbed that when she came to her senses, it was already dark. Even the library was closing. Leaving the library, she went to a nearby fast food restaurant for dinner, then headed home.
Near her house, she had to pass through a small road with only one streetlight. She had walked this road many times and was very familiar with it. But this time, she felt the road had become longer. Normally, it took her only two or three minutes to cross. But this time, she walked for five minutes and still hadn't reached the end. It was strange.
Just as she began to panic, she suddenly found herself at her doorstep. She thought it was a false alarm and didn't pay attention. But when she opened the door, she found an injured kitten lying there. Feeling pity, she took it in and cared for it all night.
The next morning, the kitten was gone. She assumed it had run away. But that night, when she fell asleep, she encountered a strange figure.
"Strange? How strange?" Marin asked.
Utaha said: "He looked human, but had cat ears. And his eyes were exactly like a cat's."
Marin said: "Could it be that the kitten you saved was actually a cat demon?" She glanced at Kael.
Kael neither confirmed nor denied, and asked: "Go on. What did that figure do to you?"
Utaha said: "He didn't do anything strange. He just told me that soon he would come to marry me, and that I should obediently become his bride."
"So, did you agree?"
"Of course not!!" Utaha denied firmly, then gave a bitter smile. "After I refused, he left. I thought he would disappear. But every time I sleep, he appears in my dreams, asking me to be his bride. No matter the time or place, as long as I sleep, I meet him. In my dreams, he proposes again and again. No matter how many times I refuse, he won't give up. Now I can't sleep well and I'm becoming more and more exhausted."
She gave a bitter smile. "I should have ignored him from the start."
Marin quickly said: "It's not your fault. You were kind. He's just too stubborn, not knowing when to stop."
Kael said calmly: "Haven't you heard the saying, 'Even the strongest woman fears a persistent suitor'? To you, he seems stubborn, not knowing when to stop. But to him, it may be persistence. If he keeps trying, perhaps one day the clouds will part and the sun will shine. That's why he keeps pursuing you. It's like taming a hawk—when you can't endure anymore, you'll naturally agree."
Utaha's heart trembled. In fact, she had already begun to feel worn down. She even thought of agreeing. If Kael and the others had come later, she might have accepted. He was too persistent. She was afraid.
Marin said: "But isn't this method too despicable?"
Kael said: "First, understand—he's not human, but a cat demon. Don't judge him by human morals. In my view, the fact that he didn't simply abduct you as his wife shows restraint. Using human standards to judge yokai is laughable."
Marin glared at Kael. "Whose side are you on?"
"I'm just stating the facts," Kael said calmly.
"Fine, then, fact-stating Renjou-kun, could you drive away the cat demon bothering Senpai?" Marin asked.
"This isn't up to me. It's up to her."
He pointed at Utaha. "From what I see, he doesn't want to harm you. He wants to marry you. A romance between human and yokai can be romantic. If you marry him, you won't worry about illness or money. You might live happily ever after. But if you don't want that, I can drive him away."
Utaha said firmly: "I don't want that. Please drive him away."
Kael was surprised by her decisiveness. "Alright, give me your hand."
Utaha extended her right hand. Kael took it, infused mana, and erased the mark the cat demon had left in her body. That mark was the key to her dreams. As long as it remained, she would keep dreaming of him. Once erased, she was free.
"Now, you can sleep well."