Kanjuro looked at Imari Kurumi's blushing cheeks from his invitation, as if admiring a piece of art that was about to be his. He suggested in a gentle tone: "After school, shall we head back together? I know a nice dessert shop nearby."
Imari Kurumi's eyes lit up, clearly interested in the dessert, but then she showed a troubled expression: "Ah, thank you, Mr. Kanjuro! But... usually I go home with Mizunurai..."
Kanjuro had already expected her to say this. A trace of subtle regret appropriately appeared on his face, but his tone carried a guiding insight: "Classmate Mizunurai? However, I saw him today... he seemed preoccupied and didn't pay much attention to you." His words were like fine needles, gently pricking the small grievance of being ignored in Imari's heart.
Imari froze for a moment, recalling Mizunurai's impatient attitude during the break and his obvious avoidance after school. Her eyes couldn't help but dim a little. Kanjuro's words had accurately struck the insecurity in her subconscious.
"How about this," she said as if making a decision, looking up at Kanjuro with a forced smile, "I'll go ask Taki first and see if he wants to join today. If it's not convenient for him..."
"It's fine," Kanjuro took over considerately, his smile tolerant and charming. "I'll wait for your news."
Imari Kurumi nodded vigorously, as if a burden had been lifted. She turned and jogged toward the classroom. Kanjuro stood in place, watching her youthful and energetic back, his gaze gradually becoming deep. He was in no hurry; hunting required patience, especially with pure prey like this. Watching them walk into the trap step by step was where the fun lay.
In the classroom, most of the students had already left. Minase Taki was still hunched over his desk, his eyes fixed on the holy bible of light hidden in the desk drawer. His fingers traced the faintly glowing runes as he muttered under his breath. His face was a mix of fanaticism and a distorted confidence born from power (even if it was borrowed).
"Taki!" Imari Kurumi's voice interrupted his immersion.
Minase Taki was startled and slammed the book shut, looking up with some displeasure: "Kurumi? What is it?" His tone carried the impatience of being disturbed.
"Um... after school today, do you want to head back together?" Imari Kurumi asked expectantly.
Mizunurai frowned. His mind was currently full of how to test a new spell he had just understood; how could he have the heart to accompany his childhood friend home at a leisurely pace? He didn't even notice the subtle anticipation and unease in Imari's eyes.
"I have something to do today, I'm very busy. You go back first." He waved his hand, his gaze already falling back into the depths of the desk, his tone perfunctory.
The light in Imari Kurumi's eyes completely went out. Looking at Mizunurai's obviously distracted and even somewhat disdainful profile, a wave of bitterness washed over her heart. She nodded silently, whispered "Okay, then you get busy," and left dejectedly.
Hearing the sound of Imari's departing footsteps, Minase Taki didn't even look up. His mind was now completely occupied by dark desires. (Power... I need more power! With this, who would dare ignore me? All those who looked down on me will pay the price!)
The faces of several classmates who had once mocked him flashed through his mind, finally settling on Kanjuro and Yuigahama, who was close to him. (Kanjuro... the way he looked at me today... and Yuigahama, they're all in it together!) A malicious thought coiled around his heart like a poisonous vine. (If... if I can make Yui Yuigahama make a fool of herself in public, Kanjuro will definitely be in pain, right? Yes! I'll use this spell!)
A distorted and excited smile appeared on his face. His fingers trembled slightly with excitement as he focused more intensely on studying that soul-manipulating incantation with its strong humiliating nature.
In the shadows of the teaching building, Kanjuro stood silently. His Demon-Breaking Eye and Eye of Truth had long since seen through Minase Taki's petty, filthy thoughts and the restless light magic on his body (which had been polluted and made impure by his dark aura). He could even 'hear' the malicious calculations in Minase's heart.
(The target... is Yui?) A cold arc curled at the corner of Kanjuro's mouth.
Just then, a cold female voice carrying absolute loyalty sounded from the shadows behind him, like an echo in a secluded valley:
"Master, he doesn't seem to realize one thing."
Kanjuro didn't turn around; he knew who it was. Jeanne, the eighth Servant from the Holy Grail War Kanjuro had previously participated in, had won the Holy Grail War along with Kanjuro. She was one of Kanjuro's subordinates, loyal to him unto death. This was because, in her fallen darkness, she had always yearned to meet a truly dark person, and Kanjuro was exactly such a man.
"Oh?" Kanjuro's tone was flat, as if discussing the weather.
The shadows fluctuated slightly, and Jeanne's voice, carrying chilling killing intent and mockery, continued: "As your blood descendant, the blood of your power flows within Miss Yuigahama. She may not have actively used it, but any power originating from a magical system, whether light or dark, will be immunized and dispersed by the 'Demon-Breaking' trait she unconsciously inherited from you the moment it touches her body and essence. That fool's spell will be nothing more than a breeze to her, unable to even cause her the slightest notice."
Hearing this, Kanjuro laughed softly. Indeed, Minase Taki, that pathetic worm, had no idea what kind of existence he was trying to provoke. Yui, his daughter and one of his collectibles, had long been marked by him with his Authority. How could she be shaken by such half-baked borrowed power?
"The ignorant are fearless," Kanjuro commented indifferently, but his eyes had already turned completely cold. Minase Taki's malice toward Yui had touched his reverse scale. Originally, he just wanted to give this arrogant thief a small lesson, but now it seemed a more 'profound' teaching was required.
He glanced at Imari Kurumi, who was walking toward him looking lost, and put on that gentle and charming mask once again.
"Mizunurai said... he's busy," Imari's voice was a bit low.
"Is that so? That's quite a pity." Kanjuro stepped forward and naturally took the school bag from her hand, his movements considerate in every detail. "Then, shall the two of us go? I heard the Strawberry Parfait at that shop is very delicious."
Looking at Kanjuro's handsome face so close and his gentle smile, the disappointment Imari Kurumi felt because of Mizunurai seemed to be diluted. She nodded and let Kanjuro lead her toward the school gate.
Behind them, in the empty classroom, Minase Taki was still excited about his 'great plan,' completely unaware of the terrifying fate he was about to face. Darkness had already spread its net, ready to swallow this clever moth.
The setting sun dyed the sky a warm orange-red, and students leaving school walked home in groups of twos and threes. Yui Yuigahama, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Miura Yumiko walked side by side, their outstanding looks and temperaments drawing frequent glances from passersby. They were recognized as prominent figures in the school, but few knew of the deeper connection between them—they were all Kanjuro's daughters, with extraordinary traits originating from the dark bible flowing in their blood.
At an alley entrance not far away, Minase Taki hid in the shadows, his hands tightly clutching that holy bible of light, trembling slightly with excitement and anticipation. He looked at those three slender and moving backs, his eyes burning with distorted desire and the pleasure of revenge.
(Kanjuro... everything you have, I will take away! Your women will soon become mine!) He roared crazily in his heart, excited about the 'great power' he was about to display. Following an Advanced Charm and Mind Control Composite Spell from the book, he clumsily and with all his might urged the bit of mixed and impure light magic in his body (which had long since been unknowingly polluted by dark aura) and 'pushed' it violently toward the three!
A pale golden light, difficult to see with the naked eye and interspersed with fine black strands, like a twisted snake, silently attacked the backs of Yui Yuigahama, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Miura Yumiko.
However, at the moment that light was about to touch the three—
Yui Yuigahama only frowned slightly, as if feeling an insignificant cool breeze pass by.
A flash of realization crossed Yukinoshita Yukino's ice-blue eyes, and then she regained her calm, not even pausing her footsteps.
Miura Yumiko curled her lips impatiently, as if shooing away a non-existent flying insect.
That powerful sorcery, enough to instantly make an ordinary person lose their mind and become a puppet of the caster, let out a soft "hiss" the moment it touched the three girls' bodies (a sound only they could perceive), like a drop of water falling into a scalding oil pan. It evaporated instantly, dissipating into nothingness without stirring even a single ripple.
"Hmm?" Yui Yuigahama instinctively wanted to turn back and look.
Beside her, Yukinoshita Yukino gently held her arm, a faint and slightly mocking smile on her face as she whispered, "No need to look, Yuigahama. Just tell Dad later."
Yuigahama blinked her large eyes and quickly realized what was happening. She nodded, her tone a mix of helplessness and matter-of-factness: "Mm! Daddy Kanjuro must have encountered new enemies again. Although I really want to help... it seems this time's enemies aren't particularly powerful." She even felt a bit of pity for that unknown attacker.
Upon hearing this, Miura Yumiko let out a characteristic, haughty cold laugh and brushed her long blonde hair. "Hmph, we are Daddy Kanjuro's daughters, after all, inheriting his bloodline and physique. This low-level Black Magic isn't even worthy of scratching an itch for us. Truly laughable."
Their conversation was light and casual, as if the malicious magical attack they just encountered was merely an insignificant interlude. The three continued walking forward, chatting and laughing, as the setting sun stretched their shadows long.
At the entrance of the alley, Minase Taki was completely frozen. His eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the three targets ahead who showed no reaction. The scene he had envisioned—the three girls turning around with dazed eyes and walking toward him infatuatedly—had not happened at all!
They didn't even... slow down their pace?! It even seemed like... they said a few things? Were they mocking him?
"Impossible... This is impossible!" Minase Taki muttered to himself, his face turning from an excited flush to a deathly pale, and finally to a dark green. He suddenly looked down, frantically flipping through the holy bible of light in his hands, his fingers trembling violently from anger and frustration.
"Dammit! What kind of trash is this holy bible of light! It doesn't work at all! It's a lie! It's all a lie!" he growled, feeling like a complete clown as all his expectations and fantasies collapsed in an instant.
A massive sense of loss and humiliated rage overwhelmed him. He shoved the bible back into his schoolbag as if fleeing from the place that made him feel utterly ashamed. He turned and rushed deeper into the alley shadows, his heart full of resentment and indignation. He only wanted to get home quickly, crawl into his room, and continue studying that book he both loved and hated, swearing he would find a more powerful and effective spell!
He was completely unaware that his actions just now were like throwing stones at the edge of a sleeping dragon's nest. What he coveted and provoked was a dark existence he couldn't possibly understand, let alone contend with. And just how much 'light' power that holy bible of light in his hand could exert against Kanjuro's true Dark Authority remained a massive question.
Night was about to fall. And Minase Taki's nightmare might have only just begun. The highly recommended dessert shop was exquisitely decorated, the air filled with the sweet scent of sugar and cream. Kanjuro ordered a luxurious parfait topped with fresh strawberries and icing for Imari Kurumi, along with several cute macarons, while he only asked for a cup of black coffee.
He spent money with natural lavishness, not even looking at the prices when ordering. This indifference toward money formed a subtle contrast with his status as an Eternal High School Student, making Imari Kurumi feel slightly uneasy even as she enjoyed the delicious treats.
"Feeling better?" Kanjuro stirred his coffee, his gentle gaze falling on Imari's face. The afternoon sun shone through the glass window, casting a soft light on his handsome profile, making him look so perfect he didn't seem real.
Imari scooped up some ice cream with a small spoon. As the sweet taste melted in her mouth, she nodded vigorously, a sincere smile appearing on her face. "Mm! Much better, thank you, Mr. Kanjuro. Actually... it wasn't really a big deal." She was referring to the little tiff with Mizunurai; with the delicious desserts and Kanjuro's company, it really didn't seem that important anymore.
Kanjuro watched the pure, cloudless smile bloom on her face again. That pure and warm aura, like the finest warm jade, seemed to cause a tiny, imperceptible tremor in the power of the dark bible within him. (The perfect vessel... so bright, so pure...)
He sneered inwardly, yet his outward appearance became increasingly gentle. The time seemed ripe. He set down his coffee cup, his slender fingers naturally reaching across the table to gently cover the back of Imari's hand resting there.
The touch was slightly cool, but it carried an unmistakable intent.
Imari Kurumi's body suddenly stiffened. Like a startled small animal, almost instinctively, she quickly pulled her hand back and hid it under the table. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, but in her eyes, besides shyness, there was a clear sense of rejection and being at a loss.
"Ye... Mr. Kanjuro... I'm sorry..." She lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, yet carrying an unmistakable firmness.
Kanjuro's outstretched hand paused in mid-air. The gentle expression on his face froze for a moment, and a flash of swift surprise crossed the depths of his eyes, which then transformed into a deeper, playful, and evaluative coldness.
(Rejected?)
This was interesting. He, Kanjuro, possessed an almost demonic charm and eternal youth, combined with deliberately displayed wealth and thoughtfulness. It was hard for ordinary women to resist his approach. Yui Yuigahama, Yukinoshita Yukino, Miura Yumiko... they might have struggled at first, but they all eventually sank into the dark web he wove. Yet this Imari Kurumi, a seemingly ordinary, even somewhat simple high school girl, actually expressed rejection so clearly the moment his hand touched hers?
Money was ineffective, and his charm seemed to have hit a snag?
Instead of being annoyed, a barely perceptible curve formed at the corner of Kanjuro's mouth. (Interesting... truly interesting.) This 'purity' that wasn't easily obtained only further confirmed her specialness and stirred an even stronger desire for control within him.
(Kitami, oh Kitami,) he whispered in his heart to the figure that had haunted him for eighteen years, (it seems you aren't meant to die yet. This sacrifice is even more 'qualified' than I imagined.)
The more she resisted, the more it proved her soul's purity was untainted. To defile, twist, and finally sacrifice such an extreme purity would bring back a feedback of dark power—and the twisted 'repayment' of extending Kitami's life—the mere thought of it made the dark power within him boil slightly.
He withdrew his hand, his posture remaining elegant and composed as if the awkwardness from just now had never happened. The smile on his face became deeper, carrying a mysterious air of seeing through everything.
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