The rooftop in the afternoon was gently wrapped in a breeze, and sunlight spilled through the clouds in mottled patterns of light and shadow.
Kanjuro stood by the railing, hands casually resting behind him, gazing at the continuous school buildings in the distance.
Reika Kitami stood quietly behind him, her golden long hair fluttering gently in the wind.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with a bit of apprehension.
Kanjuro turned around, his handsome face appearing exceptionally soft in the sunlight: "This is the place where we first met. I miss those times very much."
His gaze fell tenderly on Kitami's face, complex emotions swirling in his amber eyes.
"Then why... did you have to be with other women?" Kitami's voice trembled slightly. "I was clearly the one who met you first."
A look of pain appeared on Kanjuro's face: "I have my reasons, I had no choice."
"Tell me," Kitami stepped forward, gently stroking his cheek, "as long as you say it, I'm willing to believe you."
"The president of the Occult Research Society took an interest in me and forced me to help her recruit female members." Kanjuro shook his head with a bitter smile, "If I didn't comply, she would kill me."
Kitami's face suddenly turned pale: "Are you talking about... that Green-haired woman?"
"You know her?"
"She once confessed her feelings to me." Kitami then smiled with relief, "So that's how it is... I was wondering why you seemed like a different person; she's been threatening you. Kanjuro, I knew you weren't that kind of person."
Kanjuro's heart stirred, and he unconsciously reached his hand into her skirt.
Kitami's body trembled slightly, and a blush rose to her cheeks, but she didn't push him away.
"You're bullying me again..." she chided softly, her eyes filled with an unmistakable infatuation.
"Do me a favor, okay?" Kanjuro pleaded in a low voice.
"What do you want me to do?"
"The president likes you very much, but I must find a way to deal with her." Kanjuro made a throat-slitting gesture, "Otherwise, she will never let me go."
Kitami stepped back half a step in shock, looking at him in disbelief.
The idea of "killing someone" was completely beyond her scope of understanding.
"I know this is asking too much, but if I don't do this, the one who dies will be me." Kanjuro's voice carried just the right amount of vulnerability.
Kitami took a deep breath, her kind nature making it impossible for her to refuse: "What should I do?"
Kanjuro pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her back: "I'll take you to see the president and say you want to join the Occult Research Society."
"She invited me before, but I refused," Kitami whispered. "I don't like the way she looks at me—so fanatical, so... terrifying."
"So this time, we're going to put on an act." A flash of excitement gleamed in Kanjuro's eyes, "There will be a special ceremony; you just need to cooperate with me."
Kitami nodded gently: "Even though I don't know exactly what needs to be done, I trust you."
Kanjuro was secretly surprised.
He hadn't used a physical relationship to control Kitami like he had with the other women. Why did she still trust him so much?
This kind of pure emotional dependence was something he had never experienced before.
"Then it's settled." Kanjuro planted a deep kiss on the corner of her mouth, "Go back first; I'm going to the Occult Research Society."
Kitami's face beamed with a happy smile: "As long as it's your request, I'll agree. Because I believe in you."
"One more thing," Kanjuro feigned hesitation, "if the president says anything to you, try to be a bit nicer to her. I know you hate people like her."
"Okay." Although Kitami looked hesitant, she still agreed.
"Thank you," Kanjuro said sincerely.
This thanks was genuine, because he knew that the outcome of this conspiracy would likely cost Kitami her life.
In the Basement of the Old School Building, a faint scent of blood lingered in the air.
The green-haired president was standing before an ancient mirror, slowly turning around after hearing footsteps.
"I didn't expect you to be so proactive." She raised an eyebrow, sizing up Kanjuro, "Back so soon to serve me?"
"I heard that Madam President is very interested in Reika Kitami," Kanjuro said bluntly.
The president's gaze suddenly became sharp: "I've heard you two had a past relationship. However, I'm not interested in your emotional entanglements."
Kanjuro let out a feigned, heavy sigh: "Precisely because Kitami is such a pure and kind person, I want her to participate in our ceremony."
The president's body visibly stiffened, her voice as cold as ice: "You're even willing to sacrifice her?"
"Is the president unwilling?" Kanjuro countered, "If Kitami is the best vessel for the dark bible, would you let her go?"
The president's expression wavered slightly: "Since you've asked this much, I won't hide it from you. After the dark bible merges with the sacrifice, the user can attach their soul to the sacrifice and completely control the power of the dark bible. A new body is needed every twenty years."
Kanjuro realized: "So if Kitami is the sacrifice, you would sacrifice her too."
"Correct," the president admitted frankly. "However, it's impossible for Kitami to be the sacrifice, because such a coincidence is absolutely impossible."
"Regardless, I want to complete the ceremony with Kitami," Kanjuro insisted.
The president sneered: "That's fine too. Let Kitami see your true colors; it'll save me from being jealous."
Despite her words, a flash of triumph crossed her eyes.
Kanjuro was secretly pleased; this was exactly the result he wanted.
In the president's understanding, Kitami could never be the sacrifice;
But as a transmigrator, Kanjuro knew very well the connection between Reika Kitami and the dark bible in the original story.
"I'll bring Kitami over tonight." Kanjuro turned to leave.
"I'll be waiting." The president smiled meaningfully, watching his back disappear into the stairwell.
After he left, she muttered to herself in the mirror: "A pervert who can even sacrifice his beloved... when the time is right, I will definitely get rid of you."
She stroked the mirror obsessively, as if caressing Kitami's face: "Dear Kitami, after you see his true face, will you love me a little more?"
As dusk deepened, Kanjuro walked along the path between the school buildings, his white breath dissipating in the cold air.
Amidst the swaying shadows of the trees, a figure with brownish-black hair quietly appeared.
"How are the preparations?" Aozaki Sakuya stepped out from the shade of the trees, her Magician's robes swaying gently in the evening breeze.
"It's happening tonight." Kanjuro stopped in his tracks.
A flash of excitement gleamed in Aozaki Sakuya's eyes: "I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of power you'll possess after awakening."
"I won't disappoint you." A dangerous curve hooked the corner of Kanjuro's mouth.
Night slowly fell, and a gamble concerning life, death, and power was about to unfold.
On this night full of lies and betrayal, everyone was fighting for their own purposes, and the gears of fate had already begun to turn quietly.