Cael's pupils flickered.
Wait. What the hell is happening?
His luck had been perfectly fine at 100, so why had it just dropped by ninety points? Had he broken some cosmic law?
"Don't worry, I won't bother you two any longer. Goodbye!"
Higashiyama Kobeni waved as she left, cradling the injured Nyan-ko.
Cael stared at the sudden change in his attribute panel. Losing ninety points at once… how the hell was he supposed to handle that?
Then, almost immediately, the panel flickered again.
Luck: 100
Huh?
The points had returned just as suddenly as they'd disappeared. Glancing at Kobeni's retreating figure, Cael's mind raced. Holy crap. Could it really be her?
"Akai! Come here for a second!" Cael called out.
"Yes!" Kobeni froze, then instinctively jogged back, holding Nyan-ko tightly. Her eyes darted around nervously. "Cael, is… is there something you need?"
Before he could answer, the panel reacted.
Luck: 100 → 10
Uh…
So that was it? The change in his luck was triggered by her presence?
Cael wasn't dumb enough to say it aloud. Instead, he fished a small stack of bills from his pocket. "Here. Ten thousand yen. Take it, Akai."
"Eh?!" Kobeni's eyes widened in shock. "No, no! The cat's treatment is covered by public funds!"
"I know," Cael said, still stuffing the money into her bag. "Consider it a fee for the errand that delayed your work. Just take it."
He hadn't even realized the effect this gesture would have on her. Her heart raced as if the cash were on fire. A side payment like this sent her into near-panic mode.
Because of her complicated family situation, Kobeni had an unusual fixation on money.
Swallowing hard, she stammered, "Is… is this a bribe? I really can't take it. If anyone finds out, will I get fired from Public Safety?"
Cael laughed. "Ten thousand yen is nothing. It's not worth scaring you like this. Think of it as compensation for your work, or me buying you a meal."
"If anyone's getting fired over this, it's me," he muttered.
"And if they fire you anyway, you can come work at my funeral home."
Finally, Kobeni accepted it. Her nose stung, her eyes blurred, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. She sniffled, bowed deeply, and sobbed, "Thank you! I really need money! You're so good to me!"
"Cael! Asa! Don't worry, I'll finish the mission!"
Kobeni wiped her tears and walked away, cradling the cat. About fifty meters down, Cael watched as his Luck stat flickered again.
Luck: 100
Well, that confirmed it. Kobeni had caused the shift in luck—but why? A contract with a Bad Luck Devil?
Setting that aside, her attachment to money was… remarkable. Ten thousand yen had moved her to tears.
Asa Mitaka whispered softly, "I can understand that."
She had grown up without wealth, receiving only compensation after her family was killed by devils. Scholarships supplemented her modest allowance of about fifty thousand yen a month—not much compared to the working class salary of three hundred thousand yen.
For a student, self-sufficiency was admirable, but indulgence was impossible. She saved twenty thousand yen a month, so ten thousand yen was indeed a significant sum.
Then again… Kobeni was a Public Safety Devil Hunter. Base salaries for her rank would easily surpass eight hundred thousand yen. How could she be so desperate? Asa wondered, "Maybe she's the only one in her family able to work?"
Cael shook his head. "Every family has its secrets. Let's drop it."
He crouched down, gently poking Asa's leg. "Your walking looked off. Did you sprain your ankle?"
Her cheeks warmed. He'd noticed her injury. So gentle… her heart fluttered. A sly glint appeared in her eyes.
"It really hurts… especially when I walk."
Her ankle was only slightly uncomfortable, but it wasn't unbearable.
"I see. Let's go to a doctor first," Cael suggested.
"Uh… no," Asa said, shaking her head. "I want to ride the ferris wheel first. I feel like my foot will get better on it."
Cael laughed at her childish stubbornness. "Fine, but if it still hurts, you're seeing a doctor, got it?"
"Mm."
"Wait here," he said suddenly, sprinting off.
Moments later, he returned with an ice pack and a large roll of gauze. Carefully, he helped Asa sit on a bench and applied the ice pack to her ankle. Wrapping extra layers around her sock, he ensured she wouldn't get frostbite.
"There aren't many people at the ferris wheel now. Perfect time," Cael said, crouching before her. "It'll be inconvenient for you to walk, so hop on. I'll carry you there."
She leaned forward, arms wrapping around his neck. Exactly what she wanted.
After a few twists and turns, they finally reached a gondola. Slowly, it rose into the sky.
The amusement park stretched below them. Despite the recent devil attacks, people still laughed, oblivious to the chaos.
Asa's cheeks burned hotter. The ice pack did nothing to cool the heat in her chest. Cael's scent filled the gondola. His profile—handsome, intimidating, just slightly pungent—made her heart thump.
She waited for the peak of the ride, ready to act.
But before the gondola reached the top, Yoru couldn't resist. "Asa, are you thinking of confessing to him?"
"What I want to do has nothing to do with you!" Asa snapped, embarrassed.
She did intend to confess, but prolonged proximity to Cael had left her lightheaded.
Yoru hesitated. "I can help you."
"Huh? You… help me? You're not going to turn him into a weapon, right?!"
Yoru smiled wickedly. "Not at all. I just can't stand how indecisive you are."
"If I just kiss him… I'll win him over for sure!"
"Yeah, with your courage, Asa… you definitely wouldn't dare."
Asa bristled. "You're saying I wouldn't dare?"
"Exactly," Yoru said mockingly.
"Asa, watch me!"
The gondola hadn't reached the top yet.
Asa suddenly stood, pressing her lips to Cael's cheek.
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