Before long, the two cars arranged by Yukino's father arrived.
Luo Yu and Ranni entered the first vehicle, with Yukino joining them. Yukino's father, mother, and Haruno boarded the second car. The two vehicles then set off toward the five-star hotel where the Yukinoshita family was staying.
Inside the car, Yukino's mother rubbed her temples before turning to Haruno.
"Haruno, how much do you know about Yukino's classmate?"
Haruno had already expected this question. After thinking for a moment, she answered calmly.
"I don't know too much about him specifically. But academically he's excellent. He doesn't have many close friends at school, though he's quite popular among the girls because of his appearance."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"As for his relationship with Yukino, I heard from Shizuka that the two of them suddenly became much closer about a week after the semester started. Something must have happened during that time."
"Regardless, it's a good thing for our family."
"Otherwise, today could have ended in disaster."
Her expression turned more serious.
"Mother, I think we should thank him properly. A single meal definitely isn't enough."
After a short pause, Haruno added another observation.
"There's something else I'm not sure you noticed."
"When that sorcerer received orders to take Yukino away, I clearly saw Yukino's eyes change. They shifted from normal pupils to vertical ones."
"And the weapon she pulled out—its design was extremely unusual."
"It didn't look like something an ordinary person could even use."
"I also have no idea where she was hiding it."
"Vertical pupils… her eyes? As for the weapon, that's true."
Yukino's mother frowned slightly.
"Are you saying Yukino has really obtained some kind of power beyond ordinary people?"
Haruno nodded confidently.
"I believe so."
"Otherwise there's no way to explain why Yukino suddenly became so close with a boy."
She deliberately kept quiet about the times Yukino had been leaving the house at night.
After thinking for a moment, Yukino's mother glanced toward the car following behind them.
"Once we reach the hotel, let's ask Yukino directly."
Meanwhile, in the car behind them.
Luo Yu and Ranni sat side by side while Yukino, still dressed in her evening gown, sat across from them.
Luo Yu smiled slightly.
"I didn't have the chance to say it earlier, but that outfit really suits you."
Yukino pressed her lips together softly.
"Thank you. Unfortunately, a lot of things still happened during the banquet."
"I really didn't expect them to bring a Special Grade cursed spirit."
Luo Yu chuckled lightly.
"It was only a Special Grade cursed spirit. Not much of a threat."
"If a full battle had broken out, I could have sent all of you to the Roundtable Hold first."
"Then I'd be free to fight without worrying about anything else."
Yukino blinked.
"What about the other people?"
Luo Yu shrugged casually.
"That's not something I need to worry about."
"I'm not a saint who saves everyone."
"Giving them time to escape would already be generous."
He looked at her with a faint smile.
"What do you think? Too cold-blooded?"
Yukino shook her head immediately.
"Not at all."
"This was never your responsibility."
"Of course I don't like the idea of innocent people dying, but I would never blame that on you. That would be unfair."
After a brief pause, she continued.
"After today's events, I've realized something about those powerful families."
"Many of them care only about profit."
"Even during the banquet—after you appeared, defeated the two sorcerers, and demonstrated the power to confront the Time Vessel Association—I noticed something."
"Many of them started looking at you the same way they had looked at the Shinomiya family earlier."
"I'm certain they were thinking the same thing."
Luo Yu laughed softly.
"That's completely normal."
"That's how the world works."
"Most people—especially those in powerful families—place profit above everything."
"Whoever can bring them benefits becomes their ally."
"Even an enemy from one moment can become a friend the next."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Believe it or not, within two days the Shinomiya family will probably send someone to deliver money and gifts, hoping to build a good relationship with me."
"Large families and conglomerates never put all their eggs in one basket."
"Even if they're cooperating with the Time Vessel Association, they'll still keep other options open."
"They might even be secretly maintaining contact with the Jujutsu Association as well."
Yukino's eyes widened in surprise.
"Really? People can actually do something like that?"
Ranni spoke calmly from the side.
"As the King said earlier—profit above all else."
"Similar things have occurred in the Lands Between as well."
"This mentality exists in every world."
"The only difference is that some people have choices, while others do not."
Yukino fell silent.
Once again, her worldview had been shaken.
She had been far too naïve before.
Then another thought crossed her mind.
"Oh, right."
"That ability that allowed ordinary people to see cursed spirits… if the Time Vessel Association controls something like that, isn't it dangerous?"
"You mean this?"
Ranni raised her hand.
A cluster of pitch-black particles floated inside a sphere of magic, drifting aimlessly while contained by her power.
Luo Yu examined it briefly.
"Interesting method."
"It allows ordinary people to see cursed spirits."
"But there's no need to worry too much."
"There are likely many ways to achieve the same effect."
"This isn't anything unique."
Yukino nodded.
She still lacked knowledge in these areas.
Since Luo Yu didn't consider it important, there was no reason for her to worry about it further.
Instead, she should focus on improving her own abilities.
Soon, the car arrived at the five-star hotel located in the city center.
Haruno had already made arrangements.
After entering the hotel, they collected their room cards at the front desk and took the elevator upstairs.
Once they opened the room, Haruno handed two key cards to Luo Yu.
"Here you go, Luo Yu."
"You two can rest for a bit. I'll have the hotel prepare dinner."
"We'll eat later at the restaurant on the top floor."
"Thanks."
Taking the key cards, Luo Yu entered the room with Ranni.
Meanwhile, Haruno turned toward her sister and gestured for her to follow.
The two of them headed toward their parents' room.
Once inside, Yukino's mother sat down and looked at her daughter seriously.
"Yukino."
"Can you explain your relationship with Luo Yu now?"
At this point, there was no reason to hide anything anymore.
Especially since Luo Yu had already mentioned things briefly earlier in the car.
So, in front of her stunned parents and sister—
Yukino transformed into her Nekomata form.
A pair of cat ears appeared atop her head.
Behind her, two tails swayed gently.
Yukino's mother's eyes widened in shock as she stood up abruptly.
"This… what exactly is this?"
Yukino's father studied her carefully before speaking thoughtfully.
"Two tails…"
"Doesn't that resemble the legendary Nekomata?"
Yukino nodded.
"That's correct."
"It really is the power of a Nekomata."
"After helping those cats fulfill their final wishes, the power that had once controlled my body remained with me."
"It became my own."
"With this power, my physical abilities have been improving every day."
She then carefully explained everything that had happened to her.
As Yukino spoke, her mother's gaze kept drifting between the cat ears and the two tails.
Her daughter…
Had turned into a cat yokai?
The shock of that reality was difficult for her to process.
After hearing the entire story, Haruno suddenly nodded in understanding.
"So that's how it is."
"No wonder your relationship with Luo Yu became so close."
"It's not just because he's handsome, then."
The moment she finished speaking—
Yukino glared at her.
Her golden vertical pupils carried a faint pressure.
Haruno immediately felt a chill.
…This was bad.
Her little sister had become much stronger.
It seemed her authority as the older sister might not survive much longer.
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