Chapter 89: The Tricky Request136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzIuM5mldS
"H-Hero!" Takanashi Rikka’s trembling voice came from the other end of the line, small and hesitant. "I… I want to sleep at your place tonight... I can’t sleep alone..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvUIHZTFfc
What did you just say?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwAwn5cHfm
Sleep at my place?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ysm2uA6Jy
Absolutely not! Not happening!136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewr4umXawu
"No." Kouya cut her off immediately, his tone sharp and absolute.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmv1EtYfoA
"B-But… I’m all by myself… and every time I close my eyes, I feel like that dark creature will suddenly crawl out from under the bed… or the closet… or even the toilet!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJivRldbhf
Unbelievable!136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYDK5X5YJX
That guy was just a biker! A driver! His only “crime” was walking his dog at night! You think he’s got the free time to crawl out of your toilet to grab you?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY9LigqtRO
Under the bed, fine. Closet, maybe. But the toilet?! What kind of twisted horror movie logic is that? Do you think he’s some unspeakable, tentacled creature from the depths?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC6WUiyDzb
Kouya pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. "Gabriel lives right next door. If you’re that scared, go sleep at her place."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6NTWjvUam
"O-Okay..." Rikka’s voice fell, small and disappointed. "B-But… I’m too scared to go alone... it’s dark... and creepy..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk49ZF2Oz4
Kouya groaned, dragging a hand down his face. He stood, slipped on his shoes, and walked down the hall to Gabriel’s door. The faint sound of clicking keys and digital explosions leaked through the wall.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNws7WrAPe
Of course. Gaming. She was probably mid-boss fight.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsH7t1vwVk
He rang the doorbell.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H7L8C2hjS
After a few seconds, the door cracked open. Gabriel appeared, bleary-eyed and disheveled, her long blonde hair messy, her T-shirt collar slightly stretched, pajama shorts loose on her slender frame. Her bare feet padded lightly on the wooden floor.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbHVHDeA75
Her eyes—lifeless, ringed with light shadows—narrowed in suspicion. "What do you want?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Th1vyLYo
Kouya took a breath and explained the situation clearly, his voice steady.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6INzK0p2G
"Ugh… such a hassle..." Gabriel groaned, rubbing her temples. "Fine, fine, bring her here. But if she bothered me while I’m playing, I’m kicking her out."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyd3aZTWJy
Kouya gave a faint nod. As expected.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNkIX2MpgJ
This lazy angel might have fallen into the abyss of gaming, but under that pile of energy drinks and crumbs, she still had a decent heart. Occasionally.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M9QbF2Zsr
Then Gabriel’s tired expression shifted into a mischievous grin. "But since I’m helping you, you owe me one. Don’t forget."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhO1gKWRZd
"..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzMRqkanZ1
Scratch that. You’re not a lazy angel—you’re a cunning devil with Wi-Fi.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0isQlVwbb
…136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvavlnICeH
After finally settling Rikka’s little crisis, Kouya returned to his room, stretching his neck. Just as he sat down, his phone buzzed again.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3JJnNrpsc
The caller ID: Shrine Maiden.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkOqaUrdpr
He frowned slightly and answered. "Yeah?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv9LTi0DUM
"Hello? Kou-kun?" came the familiar gentle voice, laced with hesitation. "Sorry to call so late, but… there’s a problem."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMraA4PGRC
"A problem?" Kouya leaned back lazily. "What kind?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpq5MeTApV
"It’s… tricky. The job we took today turned out to be more complicated than expected." Her tone was careful, each word chosen. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "The client increased the payment. If we complete it, it’s twenty million yen (130,000$)."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd3oURiowV
Kouya blinked once. That number had his attention.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGi56JtAKn
Twenty million. Enough to live comfortably for a while. His last payout had already been half-spent—food, rent, and a few “incidentals.” Twenty million would give him another stretch of quiet, peaceful living.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVEyvfgFde
He thought a moment before replying. "Where?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyfDPqTb0R
"No need. I’ll send someone to pick you up," she said quickly, sounding relieved.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUDPqmHFyf
"Fine," he answered.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLkXkAJxie
…136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kom9nP5HM
Twenty minutes later, the deep hum of an engine echoed outside. A sleek black sedan glided to a halt beneath the streetlamp.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo33dkPpkJ
The door opened, and a small figure jumped out. Cat ears twitched under the dim light as she waved enthusiastically. "Hurry up, nya!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg91fLgGIqt
Kouya raised an eyebrow. "You again?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSttodHNQNi
"Big Sister sent me, nya! She said you’d probably get lost, nya!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qp8ZFiyfc
He got in, and the suited driver wordlessly restarted the car. The sedan slipped through the city, headlights slicing the darkness like a blade.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0lXq4BL8L
The night outside was quiet—too quiet. Buildings thinned, replaced by trees and winding roads.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdXnVnC7W0
"Big Sister’s hurt, nya!" the catgirl blurted suddenly, tail drooping. "I was worried you wouldn’t come, nya..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0il5Jcmyha
Kouya’s gaze sharpened. "Explain."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlxeGaoIUd
Rina’s small hands fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. "Nya doesn’t know all the details. Big Sister took the commission herself, nya. I just fight the bad guys, nya!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBWEkOfBRj
He snorted softly. "You? Fight? You’d probably be the first one to run."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ydluBTer4
Rina’s face turned red. "D-Don’t look down on me, nya!" She raised her tiny hands, fingers curled like claws. "See? I’m fierce, nya!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmHFrQLL0u
Fierce? Not even close. With her round face and twitching ears, she looked like a plush toy trying to be scary.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRkixvpEbU
Kouya stared blankly. "Do you want me to trim your claws for you?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzkMBwieEg
Rina puffed her cheeks, pouting. "You’re bullying me, nya!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoVfyEkW2F
"Keep talking and I’ll pull your tail."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR49HBfpmS
"Nooo, nya!" she yelped, clutching her backside protectively.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwi0KWpXOB
Their playful bickering filled the car, easing the tension.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE7aukuowL
The driver stayed silent the whole ride, focused entirely on the road. His professionalism bordered on eerie—no music, no chatter, just the steady hum of the engine as the city gave way to forest.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85fBUkA8HY
Finally, the sedan slowed and stopped. The driver stepped out, opened the door, and said quietly, "We’ve arrived, Mr. Kouya."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ABBtuzEf7
Kouya exited and looked up.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27AGqZbTjl
The estate was massive, nestled halfway up a low mountain. Lanterns lined the winding path, their glow soft and pale. Modern stonework fused with traditional wooden beams and paper screens, creating an elegant, haunting beauty.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nkS50QKO6
The night air smelled of pine and damp earth. Somewhere in the distance, water trickled from a mountain spring.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPStVYba0tZ
The moon was bright, silver light spilling over every surface. The leaves shimmered faintly in the wind.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4zPoHb8X8
And yet—no sound of birds. No insects. Nothing but the whisper of the breeze.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMw4FnvYqQ
The silence pressed down like a weight. The mansion, bathed in moonlight, stood still and watchful, as if something ancient lingered within its walls.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlZCC00hMg
"You’re here," the shrine maiden said, approaching from the entrance. Her robes fluttered faintly in the night air, her expression both relieved and weary.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn0pamS7lF
Kouya’s sharp eyes immediately noticed the faint stain of dried blood on her sleeve. "You’re hurt?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JM6s6oQTM
"It’s fine," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just a small wound."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnigQmPBojS
He didn’t believe her but didn’t press the issue. She turned and began leading him through the courtyard as she spoke.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFKhkYKPfT
"The client’s a wealthy man, a collector of rare artifacts. Lately, strange things have been happening here—his guard dogs died mysteriously, the birds in the aviary as well. Food from the kitchen disappears overnight, as if devoured by invisible hands."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzhUnByTDh
"At first, he thought it was theft. So he hired more guards, even installed motion sensors. But the more he did, the worse it got."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO5S1O1Aof
Kouya’s brows furrowed slightly. "And?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrAdygDuZT
"He placed cameras around the estate. What he saw terrified him—distorted shadows slipping through the halls. Every time they appeared, the video signal glitched. The shapes didn’t look human at all."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoB193CtSf
"How predictable." Kouya’s voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Let me guess—he tried calling an exorcist."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfvkaA2EbK
She nodded. "Yes. An onmyoji. But the man ran away the same night, leaving behind his tools and wards."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZjsBEc9zd
Desperation flickered in her voice as she continued. "The client contacted everyone he could. Finally, through Hirata Sachiko, he reached out to us at Chiba Shrine. He’s paying twenty million yen for the job."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd0Ky0DgBO
Kouya listened silently, his gaze scanning the quiet courtyard. The air here felt heavy, thick with something unseen.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO1wITF46B
After a moment, he asked, "Why hasn’t the client just left?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kb1CVOnro
The shrine maiden hesitated. Her eyes darkened. "Because he can’t."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tc5VGtoF7
Kouya frowned. "Can’t?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5j1drOiG6
"Yes. The family can’t leave the property. The servants, drivers, guards—they can go freely. But every time the family tries, something happens. Tires explode, engines die, trees fall and block the road. Every time. As if something wants them trapped here."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L5Rv4UCxD
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