Chapter 89: The Tricky Request137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn2I09cCC6
"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..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3xXqkkMhY
What did you just say?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagzCoy9APa
Sleep at my place?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0Y4po2ymf
Absolutely not! Not happening!137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYafPwgOTRo
"No." Kouya cut her off immediately, his tone sharp and absolute.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjJovBI9En
"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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlJ6Sk76Qw
Unbelievable!137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpagancDcXy
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?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyw7RwQVFL
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?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwx2RZEruS
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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vvNPeaqpS
"O-Okay..." Rikka’s voice fell, small and disappointed. "B-But… I’m too scared to go alone... it’s dark... and creepy..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI4ubJ69Cr
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECLyQVkjwl
Of course. Gaming. She was probably mid-boss fight.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4r0hTTQYz
He rang the doorbell.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqhWcGMvhj
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjb8PMU9cb
Her eyes—lifeless, ringed with light shadows—narrowed in suspicion. "What do you want?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl497BvSB9w
Kouya took a breath and explained the situation clearly, his voice steady.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBzcIfe2QJ
"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7vdd0fUKO
Kouya gave a faint nod. As expected.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCpjOlbj2l
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALQm5ZivBV
Then Gabriel’s tired expression shifted into a mischievous grin. "But since I’m helping you, you owe me one. Don’t forget."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwWcUqXX7S
"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPiKjeYqu8
Scratch that. You’re not a lazy angel—you’re a cunning devil with Wi-Fi.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllUx6DbCCI
…137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLSA0TKR9V
After finally settling Rikka’s little crisis, Kouya returned to his room, stretching his neck. Just as he sat down, his phone buzzed again.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJBT4x7So9
The caller ID: Shrine Maiden.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVCbvEIXZ8
He frowned slightly and answered. "Yeah?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKfhFy28T7
"Hello? Kou-kun?" came the familiar gentle voice, laced with hesitation. "Sorry to call so late, but… there’s a problem."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m03zpgXB7
"A problem?" Kouya leaned back lazily. "What kind?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErI96qbaKj
"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$)."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cpQR5Yz2t
Kouya blinked once. That number had his attention.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9weCiuoHW0
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrV9jLj362
He thought a moment before replying. "Where?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM60EWWkRn
"No need. I’ll send someone to pick you up," she said quickly, sounding relieved.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyczeXWA4k
"Fine," he answered.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb4w1GkNZ0
…137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMQm4dRZTB
Twenty minutes later, the deep hum of an engine echoed outside. A sleek black sedan glided to a halt beneath the streetlamp.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL57w3Rj1LB
The door opened, and a small figure jumped out. Cat ears twitched under the dim light as she waved enthusiastically. "Hurry up, nya!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL6Z330PXa
Kouya raised an eyebrow. "You again?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN9s0rpAyt
"Big Sister sent me, nya! She said you’d probably get lost, nya!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6rwDaiy0V
He got in, and the suited driver wordlessly restarted the car. The sedan slipped through the city, headlights slicing the darkness like a blade.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5KshDL1bE
The night outside was quiet—too quiet. Buildings thinned, replaced by trees and winding roads.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81H1UZEdWY
"Big Sister’s hurt, nya!" the catgirl blurted suddenly, tail drooping. "I was worried you wouldn’t come, nya..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPILlmtOpE
Kouya’s gaze sharpened. "Explain."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYkH0CJSuJ
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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLGgVQIwcn
He snorted softly. "You? Fight? You’d probably be the first one to run."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OxDDO0mNC
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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbrqclHk7f
Fierce? Not even close. With her round face and twitching ears, she looked like a plush toy trying to be scary.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEEoRdyFBM
Kouya stared blankly. "Do you want me to trim your claws for you?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DKYO15HkK
Rina puffed her cheeks, pouting. "You’re bullying me, nya!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXAOCerpGI
"Keep talking and I’ll pull your tail."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNMeI94I4B
"Nooo, nya!" she yelped, clutching her backside protectively.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59xZlHlNH4
Their playful bickering filled the car, easing the tension.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLKxCMWCNM
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttNw00Jpda
Finally, the sedan slowed and stopped. The driver stepped out, opened the door, and said quietly, "We’ve arrived, Mr. Kouya."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9EUWEstmq
Kouya exited and looked up.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqLrjJMQLP
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bOcfA38Pv
The night air smelled of pine and damp earth. Somewhere in the distance, water trickled from a mountain spring.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR81qJpeaO
The moon was bright, silver light spilling over every surface. The leaves shimmered faintly in the wind.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjA0QpQCO4
And yet—no sound of birds. No insects. Nothing but the whisper of the breeze.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg61AJfQEM
The silence pressed down like a weight. The mansion, bathed in moonlight, stood still and watchful, as if something ancient lingered within its walls.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaWYSBIqHa
"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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly5ikCOyhA
Kouya’s sharp eyes immediately noticed the faint stain of dried blood on her sleeve. "You’re hurt?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4B7wXJ9Y7
"It’s fine," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just a small wound."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWdkVUfho0
He didn’t believe her but didn’t press the issue. She turned and began leading him through the courtyard as she spoke.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3fGBzgd5P
"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhwSoxX0qi
"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF4x5C92LZ
Kouya’s brows furrowed slightly. "And?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQANLff1V3r
"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9GnuP0xXX
"How predictable." Kouya’s voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Let me guess—he tried calling an exorcist."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTAk51cnse
She nodded. "Yes. An onmyoji. But the man ran away the same night, leaving behind his tools and wards."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcxP1HuQwK
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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsivszge2xI
Kouya listened silently, his gaze scanning the quiet courtyard. The air here felt heavy, thick with something unseen.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfl6WgdmnB
After a moment, he asked, "Why hasn’t the client just left?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zFc6lVkyx
The shrine maiden hesitated. Her eyes darkened. "Because he can’t."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pa1I9bCsE
Kouya frowned. "Can’t?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxOXIs2Wt4
"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDAAETLlt3
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