*Chapter 521 – Official Fiancés*
Until now, neither Kaiser nor Yoshino had ever truly thought about discussing their engagement.
Because there had never been a need to.
Kaiser's attitude toward the sudden engagement had always been one of quiet observation. At that time, he still needed to uncover the secrets hidden within Hoori, and the Tomotake Family was his best entry point. Since Genjuro Kurama had also asked him to temporarily accept the arrangement, he simply went along with it. He never once considered that the engagement would actually come to pass.
Yoshino, on the other hand, had always viewed closeness with others as a kind of sin. She feared that anyone who got too involved with her—especially Kaiser—would end up hurt or dragged into unnecessary trouble. So she'd always kept everyone, including Kaiser, at arm's length. Marriage? That was never even on her radar.
Kaiser understood Yoshino's mindset. Yoshino might not have fully known his, but she'd been firm in rejecting him. In her eyes, no matter what, this engagement had to be dissolved.
But now, things were different.
"Kaiser-san... you really don't like this engagement, do you?" Yoshino asked softly.
Though she could be slow on the uptake, she wasn't stupid. From his behavior up to now, she could tell—he didn't seem invested in it at all.
And she was right.
"It's not that I dislike it," Kaiser said honestly. "I just don't think it matters much."
"From the very beginning, this engagement felt... sudden. Out of nowhere. Unreal, even. Later, after hearing from Yasuharu-san about his reasoning—how he had arranged it on his own—I understood that it was a formality. You never really intended to fulfill it. You just wanted to use it to accomplish something."
"With that in mind... how could it ever truly happen?"
So even though Kaiser regretted how he'd phrased things yesterday, he didn't think his overall stance was wrong.
This engagement had been born from all sorts of circumstances. Its nature had already changed—it was never meant to be real.
Yasuharu Tomotake had realized that too. That was why he'd apologized to Kaiser yesterday, asking him to forget what had been said before, to reconsider the engagement from his own point of view.
He wanted to make amends.
Because his words and intentions had altered the nature of the engagement so much that Kaiser had never taken it seriously—which in turn had only made things harder between him and Yoshino.
So, Yasuharu had done what he could to correct that.
"What exactly was Father thinking?" Yoshino murmured. "I asked him too—why he had to use something like an engagement to make you stay—but his reasons always felt... fake to me."
She hadn't been completely convinced, of course. Otherwise, she wouldn't have even temporarily acknowledged the engagement. But no one knew her father better than she did, and she could tell that his explanations weren't his true feelings.
She'd always known that.
"He was worried about you," Kaiser said quietly. "As a father, he had to watch his daughter fight against a curse alone for years. To watch you bear that burden by yourself—how could that not hurt?"
"Even if he couldn't tell anyone the truth about it, he still wanted you to have someone by your side. Someone to rely on."
"He didn't want you to be alone anymore. He wanted you to have someone who could stand with you."
Mako Hitachi fit part of that role, but she was a protector, not an equal. Yoshino's position was too solitary—always carrying the weight alone.
Until Kaiser appeared.
He was someone who could draw the Divine Blade Murasame-maru, someone strong, reliable, and capable of fighting beside Yoshino as an equal.
No wonder Yasuharu saw him as the perfect match.
After long hesitation, he had chosen to act selfishly for once—for his daughter's sake.
"...So that really was it," Yoshino whispered, unsurprised. She had suspected as much.
"You already guessed?" Kaiser asked.
"Just a little," she admitted, lowering her eyes. "Ever since Mother passed away, Father's always looked at me with this... pained smile."
That was enough to tell her how much he worried—how much he pitied her.
She had always known, but she never thought to change anything. Because she truly believed that letting people get close to her would only hurt them.
"Kaiser-san," Yoshino said after a pause, "did you want to dissolve the engagement because Father told you the truth? Because you felt... used?"
Kaiser chuckled softly. "Not really. It's not that deep. I honestly just didn't think it mattered. Since it began for a specific purpose, it didn't seem strange to end it the same way. That's all. It was just a practical suggestion at the time."
"I really didn't expect you to take it so hard."
Hearing his straightforward words, Yoshino's expression turned apologetic.
"I'm sorry. It was our family who forced you into this engagement. It's only natural for you to feel uncomfortable about it. I should've realized that."
"Didn't I already say it's fine?" Kaiser sighed, smiling wryly. "I don't resent it. I just don't think it's realistic."
After a moment's thought, he decided to be more candid.
"I've never been good at being social. I wasn't into games or sports like other kids. I preferred martial arts—swords, blades, discipline. People thought I was weird, a loner."
"My family's nothing special, either. Just ordinary. I've always seen myself as a regular guy."
"Then suddenly, I pull a strange sword from a stone, and now I'm supposed to be engaged to the local princess? That's the kind of thing that only happens in fairy tales."
"I'm long past the age of believing in that kind of dream. So I've never once thought that a girl like you—beautiful, graceful, and from such a prestigious family—would ever marry someone like me."
He gave a small smile. "To put it bluntly, I just never thought you'd be interested in me. So I didn't expect anything."
And without expectations, there was no fantasy.
Without fantasy, it was easy to suggest breaking things off.
To him, it was inevitable that the engagement would end sooner or later. Why not just make it official and spare them both the trouble?
That was all there was to it.
"How could you say that?" Yoshino finally understood his perspective—but couldn't agree.
"Kaiser-san, you're an incredible person. You're strong, calm, mature, far more composed than I could ever be. I'm the one who's been a burden—who's almost gotten you killed more than once."
"I don't have any reason to think someone like you would ever like me."
Her voice grew softer, tinged with sadness.
"The Tomotake Family isn't as great as you think. Maybe we have a special position in Hoori, but outside of this town, we're just a rural household—a minor noble family from the countryside."
"Even if we were once administrators of this land, in the modern era our influence barely extends beyond Hoori. To outsiders, we probably look like nothing more than backwards villagers."
"You're giving us too much credit."
In a sense, she wasn't wrong.
To the people of Hoori, the Tomotake Family held sacred importance. But to the outside world, Hoori itself was considered cursed—a land tainted by superstition and misfortune.
The Tomotake name was a stain, not an honor.
Yoshino knew this well. She had never felt proud of her heritage.
If anything, she carried deep shame—believing her family to be a cursed lineage, one that brought misfortune to others.
So to her, the thought of someone like Kaiser—strong, capable, unbound—being tied to her felt impossible.
He was the one blessed by fate, the kind of person people called gifted.
She was the one dragging behind.
This wasn't modesty. She genuinely believed it.
Kaiser could see that—but he smiled anyway.
"But you're gorgeous, smart, graceful, and way out of my league," he teased lightly. "If you showed up in a big city, the line of guys wanting to date you would probably stretch all the way to Paris."
"...You think being pretty makes someone worth more?" Yoshino frowned. "I don't like that way of thinking."
"It's just the truth of the world," Kaiser said calmly. "People always have strong feelings about beauty. Some want to possess it, some envy it, some worship it, and some want to destroy it just to prove they can. That's human nature."
"If you're beautiful, it's an advantage—and a burden. People notice you, for better or worse."
"You said I overestimate you, but I think you underestimate yourself."
Yoshino fell silent for a long moment, then asked quietly, "Then... would Kaiser-san ever like someone like me?"
Kaiser blinked in surprise.
"N-no! That's not what I meant!" Yoshino panicked, her face turning red. "I didn't mean that kind of like! I just—um—"
She stumbled over her words in embarrassment.
"I do like you," Kaiser said suddenly.
Yoshino froze, completely still.
He smiled faintly. "At the very least, I like your dance. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen."
"And even when you're stubborn or cold enough to make me want to pull my hair out... I don't dislike you."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have saved you from falling off that cliff—or bothered getting up early to train with you."
Her face turned bright red, glowing like an apple.
"A-anyway," Kaiser said, clearing his throat, "I've told you how I feel about the engagement. What about you? What do you think?"
"Me?" Yoshino still looked flustered, but her voice grew steady as she spoke from the heart.
"I know I'm difficult. I overthink everything and always make a mess of things."
"If this were before, I'd want to end the engagement immediately."
"But now... I don't want to anymore."
That didn't mean she was ready to accept the relationship completely—but she didn't want to throw it away, either.
"...I see." Kaiser's lips curved into a smile.
"In that case," he said, turning his gaze forward, "why don't we just try? Let's see what happens if we actually spend time together as fiancés."
"What do you say?"
Yoshino understood exactly what he meant.
He wasn't making promises—just suggesting they take the first step.
"If... you don't mind," she murmured.
"Then please take care of me," Kaiser said with a small grin.
"And you of me," Yoshino replied, smiling back.
Their eyes met, and both of them laughed softly.
From that moment on, they were officially engaged.
Neither knew what the future would bring.
But for the first time, both Kaiser and Yoshino found themselves looking forward—to the days ahead, and to whatever that uncertain future might hold.
### Chapter 522 – The Feeling of Getting Back on Track
Time passed quickly—before anyone realized it, the two-day weekend had quietly come to an end.
A new week began, and the students of Ukayama Academy once again put on their uniforms, ready to return to their studies.
Meanwhile, inside the Tomotake Family's living room, the atmosphere was… oddly tense.
"Today's breakfast is delicious. It's perfect for restoring energy after a workout. Yoshino-san, you should eat a bit more."
"Alright. Would you like some soy sauce, Kaiser-san?"
"Just a little, thanks."
"I'll get it for you."
"Appreciate it."
Kaiser and Yoshino sat side by side, eating breakfast and chatting as if no one else existed. Their interaction wasn't exactly intimate, but there was a certain quiet ease between them—like two people who had known each other for years.
Across the table, Yasuharu Tomotake and Mako Hitachi exchanged baffled looks.
"…What's up with those two?"
Even Murasame, floating in midair, tilted her head in confusion, staring suspiciously at Kaiser and Yoshino.
Everyone's expressions were equally strange. The atmosphere between those two was way too suspicious.
"Kaiser-sama, Yoshino-sama," Mako finally spoke up, unable to hold back any longer. "You two seem a lot closer all of a sudden. Did something happen between you?"
The moment she said that, everyone's ears perked up.
Yasuharu aside, Mako and Murasame both remembered that two days ago, after Yoshino came back, Kaiser had followed her and spoken with her privately.
No one knew what they had talked about, but ever since that night, their relationship had changed—more natural, more comfortable, more… in sync.
It had already been noticeable yesterday, but today, it was impossible to miss. Their faces practically said, "We're totally fine now."
Yet, both Kaiser and Yoshino gave the same evasive answer.
"Did something happen?" Kaiser blinked innocently. "Not really."
"Right," Yoshino added, trying to hide the faint embarrassment in her voice. "Kaiser-san and I have always been like this, haven't we?"
Everyone fell silent.
"…Really?"
"Not long ago, you were acting all cold, like you couldn't wait to kick him out of the house," Murasame deadpanned. "Now you're acting like an old married couple. Do you really expect anyone to buy that, Yoshino?"
"Wh-what old married couple? Don't say weird things, Murasame-sama!" Yoshino's cheeks flushed bright red as she glared up at the spirit.
Her reaction, however, only confirmed Mako's suspicions.
"Don't change the subject, Yoshino-sama," Mako said, eyes glinting with curiosity. "Did you two maybe do something you can't tell others about? Ah! Don't tell me you secretly kissed already?"
Pffft—!
Kaiser, who had been calmly sipping miso soup, immediately choked on it. He barely stopped himself from spitting it out across the table.
"Are you okay?!" Yoshino panicked, the embarrassment gone from her face as she hurriedly pressed a handkerchief to his lips and patted his back.
Her instinctive concern made everyone else's jaws drop.
"…They really are close now," Yasuharu muttered under his breath. "Yoshino being this naturally affectionate with a guy—unbelievable."
He wasn't wrong. Yoshino had always kept her distance from others. Not just from men—she rarely even spoke to people in general.
For her to touch a boy this casually was something no one had ever seen before.
Watching her help Kaiser so naturally, Yasuharu felt both surprised and quietly relieved.
"I'm fine," Kaiser said at last, smiling awkwardly when he caught Yasuharu's meaningful look. He suddenly felt like he was being scrutinized by his future father-in-law. "Come on, no need to be so suspicious. Isn't it a good thing our relationship's improving?"
"Of course it's a good thing."
Yasuharu laughed heartily, no trace of irritation at all, even though his "cabbage" was clearly being "stolen."
"Seeing you two getting along like this makes me happier than anyone."
Those words were heartfelt.
"Father…"
Yoshino bit her lip, wanting to say something but stopping halfway.
She had already realized that Yasuharu's decision to arrange her engagement had been for her own good. Hearing him say this now filled her with emotion.
Mako and Murasame exchanged a knowing glance before nodding in unison.
"It's great to see you two getting along."
"Mmhm, feels like things are finally getting back on track," Murasame said with a small grin.
To them, this was how it should've been all along.
Kaiser and Yoshino were bound by fate—and engaged, besides. The way they'd been keeping each other at arm's length before had been unnatural.
The Tomotake Family's curse had lasted for centuries. Now that Kaiser—the man who could draw the Murasame-maru—had appeared, things should've been looking up.
Yet because their relationship had been frozen in awkward distance, nothing had progressed.
Now, at last, things were changing. It was a huge step forward.
Yasuharu was so delighted he couldn't help blurting out,
"Since you're getting along so well, that means we can finalize the engagement, right? No need to cancel it anymore! Have you thought about when to get married? After high school? Or later? Honestly, I think right after graduation would be perfect—"
"Absolutely not, Dad!" Yoshino jumped up, her composure gone. "Even if Kaiser-san and I are on better terms, that doesn't mean we're suddenly ready to get married!"
"Oh?" Yasuharu blinked. "So you're still planning to cancel the engagement?"
"T-that's not what I meant…" Yoshino faltered, her confidence vanishing. "I just think… it's too soon to decide…"
Murasame swooped down, smirking. "Heh. So you are planning to get married, huh?"
"N-no! That's not it!" Yoshino's face went scarlet as her voice rose. "We just want to take things slowly! We're… going to keep spending time together and see how it goes!"
In the end, she blurted out their true intentions.
"Well, well…"
Murasame grinned, about to tease her again—only for Kaiser to grab her.
"Don't you start," he said darkly, covering her mouth. "Keep pushing, and I won't hold back."
"Mmmph!"
Murasame wriggled and kicked her little legs helplessly, but Kaiser's grip was firm. Held like a squirming pet, she couldn't break free or say a word.
"Congratulations, you two."
Mako smiled warmly. "Reaching this point is already worth celebrating."
She wasn't exaggerating.
As far as she could remember, no man had ever gotten along with Yoshino Tomotake like this—much less talked about the future with her.
Because of her status, Yoshino had been introduced to numerous suitors once she came of age. But almost all were rejected outright before they even met her.
The few who did get a meeting never made it past a single polite conversation before being shut down cold.
Yoshino never wanted to get close to anyone, let alone marry someone she barely knew.
When Kaiser first moved into the Tomotake household as her fiancé, she'd treated him coldly too. Still, she couldn't drive him away completely, not when he was necessary to their family's curse.
That was more than she'd ever given anyone else.
For her to now get along with him naturally, even thinking about their shared future—it was completely unprecedented.
No wonder Yasuharu was so thrilled.
He smiled softly, looking utterly content.
"So then, it's settled. We don't need to cancel the engagement, right?" he said with a chuckle. "And Kaiser-kun, you won't be saying anything about ending it anymore, will you?"
All eyes turned toward Kaiser—including Yoshino's.
"My apologies," he said honestly, rubbing the back of his neck while still holding a squirming Murasame in one arm. "I didn't think things through before. Sorry for troubling everyone."
"No, no, I should be the one apologizing," Yasuharu replied quickly. "I was the one who said things that could've been misunderstood. I'm just glad things didn't get out of hand—otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to face Akiho—ah, Yoshino's mother."
"Dad…" Yoshino's eyes softened with guilt. "I'm sorry for making you worry so much because of me."
Yasuharu smiled kindly.
"As long as you can be happy, that's all that matters," he said gently. "That's all a father like me can hope for."
Everyone knew what he truly meant—the Tomotake Family's Curse, and the Tatari-gami behind it.
His daughter had been fighting that curse all her life, risking everything again and again, while he could do nothing but watch.
He must've wanted desperately to help, even a little.
"Alright, enough heavy talk for the morning," Yasuharu said, quickly changing the subject.
He looked at Yoshino, then at Kaiser again, his smile growing wider by the second.
Yoshino had gone through plenty of arranged meetings before, some even set up by him, but he'd always known none of those men were right for her.
Until Kaiser appeared.
Watching the two of them sitting together now, he felt—for the first time—that things might truly work out.
He was completely satisfied. Kaiser wasn't just someone who could help Yoshino fight the Tatari-gami and purify the Filth—he was someone who could stand beside her.
"So," Yasuharu said, bringing up the unresolved topic, "since you're not canceling the engagement, what should we tell people when they ask?"
After all, the last time they discussed it, they hadn't come to a conclusion.
Over the past two days, people had kept visiting to ask about Yoshino's engagement, and rumors around town were getting harder to control. Even tourists had started to notice.
It had to be handled carefully.
Kaiser understood—and this time, he already had a plan.
"Here's what I suggest, Yasuharu-san," Kaiser said calmly. "It's still better not to make the engagement public just yet, or it might cause problems later."
"But regarding our current situation—you can tell people that Yoshino-san and I are getting to know each other with the intent of a possible engagement. That's it."
"Basically, we're spending time together to see if we're compatible. Like any normal arranged match."
"Once enough time has passed, if we both feel it's right, we'll make it official."
Everyone nodded immediately.
That really was a solid plan.
"What do you think, Yoshino?" Yasuharu asked.
"I think that's fine," Yoshino replied earnestly. "That way, people won't find it strange if Kaiser-san and I are seen together."
"Exactly," Mako agreed. "We'll just say you're in the middle of a formal meeting phase. Nothing to hide."
Murasame raised her hand as if to agree, though her mouth was still covered by Kaiser.
"Then it's settled," Yasuharu said with a laugh.
"I'll make the announcement myself."
### Chapter 523 – A 98 Percent Chance
Yasuharu Tomotake moved quickly. No—more accurately, the elders of Hoori Village, who had always been deeply concerned about the Tomotake Family's princess, moved even faster.
Barely after Kaiser and the others had finished discussing their plan—and before they could even make it to class—the old folks had already come rushing over to the Tomotake residence, eager to pry into the matter of the Engagement.
Days had passed, yet these people were still this persistent. Kaiser honestly wanted to ask them: why were they so obsessed with someone else's marriage prospects?
If they had this much free time, shouldn't they worry about their own kids instead? Maybe find out whether they planned to get married anytime soon?
But no—the level of concern they showed toward someone else's daughter's Engagement was downright impressive.
Regardless of how much Kaiser complained in his head, the visitors kept coming. In fact, there were more than ever. The Tomotake residence was so crowded it looked like they were hosting another festival.
Some even wanted to meet Kaiser and Yoshino Tomotake in person to question them directly, and if Yasuharu hadn't stepped in, Kaiser would've been hounded to death by nosy elders.
Previously, Yasuharu himself had found this situation exhausting. He'd had no idea how to answer their endless questions and had to stall for time again and again, which was both mentally and physically draining.
But now, things were different.
With his daughter and Kaiser getting along better—and with a clear plan to follow—he welcomed the visitors with a smile and repeated the story Kaiser had come up with.
After hearing Yasuharu's explanation, the elders of Hoori finally understood.
"So it's just like before—another formal introduction meeting, huh?"
"What a shame. I thought the Lady Miko finally had a settled fiancé."
"I don't know, I'm actually relieved. Even if it's not official yet, the Lady Miko being willing to spend time with the young man who drew the Divine Blade is a great sign."
"True. She used to reject every single suitor outright. The fact that she's willing to try getting along this time—it's a huge step forward."
"His name's Kaiser, right?"
"His mother's from the Kurama Family, isn't she? Could it be the daughter of Master Genjuro—Miss Tsuko?"
"That's right!"
"So that means the one who drew the Divine Blade is technically half one of our own?"
"Who would've thought…"
The elders quickly shifted their focus to gossiping about Kaiser's background.
A few reclusive ones didn't know much about him, but most of the well-informed villagers had already investigated his origins. Ever since word spread that someone had drawn the Divine Blade, the curious had been digging into everything about him.
And in Hoori, that was no small event—especially for those who knew even a fraction of the village's secrets. The one who drew the Divine Blade was not someone they could ignore.
As a result, many already knew who Kaiser was. Only a handful were still catching up.
Now, with rumors of his Engagement to Princess Yoshino Tomotake, his name had spread even faster. His popularity in Hoori was nearly equal to Yoshino's.
The proof came the next morning.
By the time Kaiser and Yoshino arrived at Ukayama Academy, the story that they were "spending time together with the goal of a possible Engagement" had already reached the school. Every teacher and student knew.
So when Kaiser walked into the classroom—he was immediately surrounded.
"We heard, Kaiser!"
"It's true, right? You're involved with the Lady Miko!"
"Not officially engaged, but you're dating her with that in mind—right?"
"As expected from the guy who pulled the Divine Blade!"
A crowd of excited boys gathered around him, chattering nonstop. From their enthusiasm, anyone watching would think they were the ones marrying Yoshino, not him.
At least, that's what Rentaro Kurama thought as he stood outside the circle.
"You guys are getting worked up over nothing," he muttered. "It's basically just a formal introduction phase. If you knew they were already engaged, you'd probably drop dead from shock."
As one of the few people who actually knew the truth, Rentaro couldn't help but smirk. Kaiser and Yoshino weren't just "testing the waters"—they had already signed an actual Marriage Contract.
They were even living together now. His dear cousin was under the same roof as the Lady Miko herself. Who knew how many wonderful things happened between them every day?
That wasn't "getting to know each other." That was "practicing married life."
The thought made Rentaro's eyes sting with jealousy.
"Damn it," he groaned. "My cousin snagged the princess of Hoori, and I'm still single! When's it my turn?"
His heart burned with restless energy. He almost wanted to skip class and hit the streets to flirt with tourists.
As for trying his luck with the local girls? Yeah, no thanks.
His reputation at school was already beyond saving.
Ukayama Academy was small, and so was Hoori. Practically every girl his age in town studied there. Which meant that his bad reputation had spread to all of them.
He was effectively banned from the local dating pool.
That left only one option—foreign visitors. If he couldn't charm them, he was doomed to a lifetime of loneliness.
"No problem," Rentaro whispered to himself, puffing up with determination. "Kaiser and even his dad both got charmed by local women, right?"
"By that logic, the probability of me hooking up with a beautiful foreign lady must be at least 98 percent!"
"Everything depends on effort. After school, I'm hitting the streets. I'll make it happen!"
He clenched his fist with renewed vigor—completely ignoring the fact that his current success rate with foreign tourists was still zero.
Meanwhile, Kaiser had no idea that his cousin was busy daydreaming again.
He was surrounded by a crowd of excited classmates, trying his best to keep up with their rapid-fire questions, while glancing toward Yoshino's side of the room.
She, too, was swarmed—this time by a group of equally excitable girls, all talking at once. Yoshino looked overwhelmed, clearly struggling to keep up.
Kaiser couldn't really help her. All he could do was silently wish her luck.
Thankfully, Mako Hitachi was by her side, helping block some of the questions. Without Mako, the calm and composed Lady Miko might've panicked and revealed her less mature side to everyone.
And so, both Kaiser and Yoshino found themselves at the center of even more attention than before.
Still, the commotion didn't last long.
Once everyone had gotten their fill of curiosity—and convinced themselves that they now "understood the situation"—the excitement finally started to die down.
The rumors that had been growing wilder by the day began to settle.
And soon enough, the buzz surrounding Kaiser and Yoshino was replaced by something else entirely.
At least, in Kaiser's class, that was the case.
"I'm Lena Liechtenauerr, from Northern Europe! I transferred here because I love Japanese culture. I hope we can all get along!"
When the homeroom teacher, Hinami Nakajo, entered the classroom with a cheerful blonde girl and announced that there would be a new transfer student, everyone sat up straight.
The girl's bright voice immediately drew attention—and her stunning looks sealed the deal.
"Whoa!"
The classroom erupted. Boys and girls alike gasped in excitement.
"A new transfer student?!"
"And she's from Northern Europe?!"
"A blonde beauty!"
"That figure… holy crap!"
The girls gawked in awe; the boys stared like they were seeing a dream come true. Rentaro-kun, sitting beside Kaiser, nearly popped his eyes out of their sockets, drooling like a pig.
No one could blame him. The new girl's figure was, frankly, impossible to ignore.
Even Kaiser, having seen her before, couldn't help but sigh internally.
"As expected… Lena ended up in our class."
The beautiful blonde girl standing at the podium was, of course, the same Lena Kaiser had brought back to Shinato-sou two days ago.
Now dressed in Ukayama Academy's uniform, Lena still couldn't button her blazer properly—her chest made that physically impossible—so she'd tied it around her waist instead, giving off a bit of a gyaru vibe.
Yet her bright, innocent smile made her seem anything but intimidating. She looked kind, approachable—impossible to dislike.
A busty blonde who was both cheerful and pure-hearted? Of course she set the entire class on fire.
Lena waved and laughed as she greeted everyone enthusiastically, answering every question like she was at a fan meet, just as Kaiser had done when he'd first transferred in.
At one point, her blue eyes met Kaiser's from across the room. She broke into a radiant smile that made him half-expect her to wave if it weren't for the setting.
And sure enough, as soon as her introduction ended and the teacher left the room, Lena dashed straight over to him.
"I'm here, Kaiser-san! I'm so happy to see you again!"
Her cheerful, outgoing energy instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby.
"You two know each other?" Rentaro was the first to rush over, shocked. His question made everyone else glance their way—including Yoshino and Mako.
"Don't look at me like that," Kaiser said, raising a hand helplessly. "I only met Lena two days ago."
"I'm working part-time at Kaiser-san's grandfather's inn!" Lena announced brightly. "It's called Shinato-sou—does anyone know it?"
"W-what?!" Rentaro froze, eyes bulging. "That's my family's inn!"
"Huh?" Lena blinked in surprise. "Your family's? Shinato-sou?"
"That's right," Kaiser confirmed, amused. "He's the owner's grandson—Rentaro Kurama. My cousin."
"Oh!" Lena's eyes widened with realization. She looked at Rentaro curiously and said, "So you're the grandson the boss told me to be extra careful around?"
"W-wait, what do you mean 'be careful around'?!" Rentaro panicked. "What did Grandpa say about me?!"
"Don't worry, nothing bad!" Lena said cheerfully. "He just told me his grandson is very flirtatious and unreliable, always chasing girls, and that he even hit on guests at the inn once. So he warned me not to fall for your sweet talk!"
The moment she finished, the entire class turned to stare at Rentaro with open disdain.
"How is that not bad?!" he yelled, desperate. "Don't believe him! I'm actually super reliable!"
"Booo!"
The classroom erupted in a chorus of jeers, especially from the girls, who now looked at him like he was radioactive.
"Don't trust him, Lena-san."
"He's the least reliable guy in all of Hoori. If there were a ranking of untrustworthy men, he'd be number one."
"Kurama-kun's right about one thing—you should be careful. Don't let him fool you."
"He lives to trick girls."
The girls closed ranks around Lena, fiercely protective, while Rentaro's complexion turned ashen.
"It's over…" he muttered miserably. The rare chance to meet a gorgeous blonde had been destroyed before he even made a move.
He hadn't even started flirting yet—and he was already sentenced to death.
Was there no justice in this world?!
"This is what you call karma," one of the boys said, patting his shoulder.
"Yeah, you had it coming," another added sympathetically.
"Cheer up, man," Kaiser said, giving him a consoling pat.
### Chapter 524 – Not at That Stage Yet
There was no denying it—Lena's cheerful, open-hearted personality made her instantly likable. Within a single day, she had completely blended into the class and won everyone over.
Even Rentaro Kurama—whose reputation as a shameless flirt had long since ruined his chances with local girls—was touched by how friendly she was to him. Despite all the gossip and dirty looks he got, Lena still treated him with a bright smile and genuine warmth.
Unfortunately for him, every time he tried to approach her, the girls in class would intercept him before he could even speak. They'd glare at him like he was some pest, throw a few cutting words his way, and send him packing. It was enough to make him grind his teeth in frustration.
"Was that really necessary? Was it?!"
Rentaro complained to Kaiser about the girls' cruelty—but got no sympathy in return.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Kaiser said dryly. "Lena works at Shinato-sou. Grandpa went out of his way to get her hired. If you mess with her, he might just pull out the family heirloom sword and cut you down himself."
That single sentence turned Rentaro's face pale on the spot.
Because he knew Kaiser wasn't joking.
His grandfather was that strict. If Rentaro ever laid a hand on one of Shinato-sou's employees, "cleaning up the family disgrace" wasn't just a metaphor.
And the worst part? Their family really did have an heirloom sword. A blade passed down since Genjuro Kurama's great-grandfather's time—nearly three hundred years old.
Grandpa treasured it dearly. Aside from himself, the only person who'd ever been allowed to touch it was Kaiser—the grandson he'd chosen as his successor.
Rentaro's father had once told him that the sword had been used for kaishakunin—as the final stroke for family members who committed grave sins and were required to perform seppuku. The head of the household would use that very sword to end their suffering swiftly.
Just thinking about it made Rentaro's teeth chatter.
"All I wanted was to flirt a little! How did we skip straight to ritual decapitation?!"
He screamed in despair—but after that, he wisely shut up. The idea of his terrifying grandfather suddenly appearing behind him with a blade was enough to kill any desire to hit on Lena ever again.
Dying over a few pickup lines was absolutely not worth it.
Lena, of course, had no idea she'd just been unintentionally protected from disaster. She continued cheerfully making her rounds through the classroom, greeting everyone she hadn't talked to yet.
Even Yoshino Tomotake and Mako Hitachi were included.
Mako was her usual easygoing self and quickly hit it off with Lena, while Yoshino—who still wasn't used to being approached so openly—was polite but distant. Having spent her whole life keeping people at arm's length, Yoshino still preferred not to involve others in her affairs.
Still, she wasn't as cold as she used to be with Kaiser. She managed to respond properly, maintaining a courteous tone, though she clearly didn't intend to get too close.
Lena misunderstood, of course—she thought Yoshino disliked her. That is, until Kaiser quietly explained Yoshino's background.
"Wait—Tomotake? As in the Tomotake Family?!"
Lena nearly shouted. "She's the princess of Hoori?!"
"You know about that?" Kaiser blinked.
"Mhm! My grandfather told me," Lena nodded eagerly. "His father—my great-grandfather—used to live in Hoori. He told Grandpa a lot of stories about this place. That's why I got so interested and wanted to come here myself!"
So that was how it started.
Her fascination with Hoori had been passed down through generations.
"I-I just spoke casually to a real princess?! Oh no, oh no… is that treason? Do I have to apologize with my life?!"
Lena panicked so much that even her Japanese started breaking down.
"Calm down, calm down," Kaiser said quickly, trying not to laugh. "Technically she is a princess, but the Tomotake Family hasn't ruled Hoori for a long time. They still have status, sure, but talking to her isn't disrespectful. Just treat her normally."
"You sure?" Lena asked uncertainly. "There won't be a problem?"
"What problem?" Kaiser said easily. "I talk to her all the time, and I'm still alive, aren't I?"
That comment earned him an immediate chorus of protests from nearby classmates.
"Don't listen to him! He's not like the rest of us!"
"We're just regular people—we should still show proper respect to the Lady Miko."
"He's different, okay? He's her official suitor. The only one she's ever acknowledged!"
"He might even end up being her husband someday, so of course he can talk to her like that! Don't copy him, Lena-chan!"
A few nearby students—Rentaro included—jumped into the conversation.
"Huh?!" Lena's eyes widened as she looked at Kaiser in shock. "So you're Lady Miko's partner?!"
Across the room, Yoshino's cheeks immediately turned red.
Mako, meanwhile, couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"It's not like that," Kaiser said with a laugh, amused by Lena's exaggerated reaction. "Anyway, don't worry about all this nonsense. You're not from Hoori, so just interact with Yoshino-san in your own way."
"Yes, sir!" Lena replied in mock-seriousness, saluting like a loyal soldier. Her over-the-top act sent everyone nearby into laughter.
Thanks to her, the rest of the school day passed in high spirits.
By the time classes ended, Lena was the first to pack her bag. After waving goodbye to everyone, she dashed out of the classroom.
Her shift started right after school—and continued through the weekend. It was far from easy work.
Running an inn was demanding both physically and mentally, full of rules and routines. Even Kaiser found it tiring. As for someone like Rentaro? He'd rather die than do it. That was why Koharu Kurama had gone to work at Tadenshiya instead, helping Roka Maníwa rather than staying at Shinato-sou.
Balancing school and work would definitely be tough—but with how energetic Lena always seemed, she'd probably manage just fine.
One by one, the rest of the students went home. Even Mako smiled and waved goodbye to Kaiser and Yoshino before leaving the room alone.
She had already made it clear that she didn't want to play third wheel anymore.
Her role had originally been to serve as Yoshino's bodyguard—but now that Kaiser was around, she felt perfectly comfortable letting the two of them handle things.
So Mako had declared that, unless there were special circumstances, the time after school would belong to Kaiser and Yoshino alone. She'd go shopping, handle housework, make dinner, and do her homework—anything to give them privacy.
Murasame had agreed as well, saying with a mischievous grin, "If I were to accidentally witness something inappropriate, it would be… most regrettable."
Her sly smile paired with Mako's teasing expression had made the perfect tag-team.
Yoshino, naturally, had turned bright red, sputtering in embarrassment while the two troublemakers laughed and slipped away.
"Honestly, Mako and Murasame-sama are being ridiculous," Yoshino huffed as she and Kaiser walked home together. They'd taken a quiet back street to avoid the crowds. "They could've just stayed with us."
"Don't take it seriously," Kaiser said with a shrug. "They're just messing with us. Besides, we still spend most of the day together anyway. Once they get bored of teasing, they'll stop."
"Still… Mako looked really happy about it," Yoshino muttered under her breath. "Is she that glad to get away from me?"
"That's not it," Kaiser said gently, glancing her way. "She's just looking out for you in her own way. Aside from your father, I'd say she's the person who cares about you most."
He didn't mention Murasame—because both of them knew her situation was different.
Murasame often disappeared quietly, avoiding times when everyone else was together. She couldn't eat with them, couldn't sit at the same table. Watching others enjoy things she couldn't partake in clearly made her uncomfortable.
And since only a few could even see her, it was hard for Kaiser or the others to talk to her in public without looking like they were talking to thin air. That sort of thing tended to cause rumors.
So Murasame often kept her presence to a minimum—or slipped away entirely.
No one knew where she went when she did. It always left an odd sense of distance, as though she belonged to another world and could never quite exist in this one.
Yoshino and Mako had once told Kaiser something that stuck with him:
"Ever since you came, Murasame-sama's been a lot more cheerful."
"She shows up more often when you're home, Kaiser-san."
Remembering that, Kaiser suddenly felt a pang of concern.
Now that he was spending more time with Yoshino, he was inevitably spending less time with Murasame.
Back then, she had joined him for morning training, afternoon practice, even sat quietly nearby while he studied.
But lately, Yoshino had joined their training sessions, and Murasame rarely appeared anymore. After school, when it was supposed to be "their" time, she stayed away on purpose so as not to intrude.
What was she doing during those times?
Was she lonely?
"…I should talk to her soon," Kaiser thought.
"I think everyone's worrying too much about me," Yoshino said, unaware of his thoughts. "I'm not a kid anymore. They don't have to treat me like I'll break."
A few months ago, she would never have said that to him.
But now, she was slowly learning to share her thoughts—to open up, even if just a little.
"If only I could be more like Lena," she murmured. "So confident and outgoing…"
"She actually thought you didn't like her," Kaiser said casually.
"That's not true—!" Yoshino started to protest, but then suddenly stopped.
"Ugh… wh-what's—?!"
Her expression twisted in pain. She froze in place, breathing unevenly, panic flickering in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Kaiser's tone sharpened instantly.
Yoshino knew exactly what was happening.
"Again… it's happening again…" she gasped, her breathing ragged.
And then—
"Ah!"
A soft cry escaped her lips as a pair of white, fluffy beast ears popped out from the top of her head.
Her breathing slowly steadied, though her cheeks were flushed and her eyes glistened faintly with moisture.
"Kaiser-san…" she whispered, looking up at him, her expression almost painfully delicate.
Of course, it wasn't what it looked like—this always happened whenever her beast ears manifested.
"You okay?" Kaiser asked softly, supporting her by the shoulders.
"I'm fine," Yoshino replied, shaking her head. But her tense expression said otherwise.
Kaiser sighed quietly. "Looks like we'll have to head out again tonight."
"Mm." Yoshino nodded firmly, determination shining in her eyes.
They'd been training together for a while now. She hadn't become much stronger yet, but her resolve had never once wavered.
"This time," she said quietly, "I won't hold anyone back."
That was her only wish.
*Chapter 525 – A Very Bold Idea*
The sky was gradually growing dark. When night finally blanketed all of Hoori, a few figures were moving quietly through the pitch-black mountains.
Naturally, they were Kaiser, Yoshino Tomotake, and Mako Hitachi.
Kaiser had changed into clothes suitable for movement, Yoshino was dressed in her miko robes and chihaya, and Mako wore her ninja outfit. Each of them carried a weapon in hand as they made their way deeper into the mountain.
Kaiser led the way at the front, with Yoshino and Mako following close behind, both serious and alert.
No—there was one more.
Floating behind Kaiser, unseen by anyone else, was another presence.
"W-Where is the Tatari-gami anyway? Why hasn't it shown up yet?"
Murasame clutched tightly onto Kaiser's clothes, glancing around nervously as she shivered.
"Hurry up and come out… hurry up and come out… hurry up and come out already…"
Her muttering sounded like a curse, thick with fear—creepy enough to make the darkness around them seem even more ominous, like some ghost whispering a grudge.
"…Didn't I already tell you there are no ghosts around here?" Kaiser didn't even look back. He just kept walking, eyes half-lidded in that dead-fish stare of his.
"Who says? What if there are?" Murasame trembled harder, her voice high with anxiety. "If things like Tatari-gami can appear in these mountains, then a ghost or two would be totally normal, wouldn't it?"
Pretty normal, huh. You're the one who looks more like a ghost right now.
Kaiser glanced back at her floating form with a sigh. "Why don't you head back first? We can handle things here."
After all, he could channel his Divine Power into Murasame-maru even if Murasame wasn't present. Her being here didn't really make much difference.
But no sooner had he said that than Murasame puffed up in protest.
"Murasame and Murasame-maru are one! Where the sword goes, I go!"
Then maybe stop wandering off around Hoori and leaving Murasame-maru behind all the time…
Kaiser didn't even have the energy to argue anymore. He just trudged onward, hoping the Tatari-gami would hurry up and show itself.
"Mako, anything yet?"
"No. I can't sense the Tatari-gami at all. What about you, Lady Yoshino?"
"I haven't felt anything either…"
"Guess we'll have to go deeper."
Yoshino and Mako spoke quietly, every movement cautious. Compared to Kaiser and Murasame's casual bickering, the two girls were the very picture of tension—ready for battle at any moment.
They couldn't afford to take things lightly.
For them, Tatari-gami were deadly threats—one mistake could cost them their lives. That fear had been honed from countless exorcisms over the years.
Both girls had their own worries too.
Yoshino still doubted her own strength. She was terrified of holding everyone back again, so she kept herself completely focused.
Mako was strong, but she didn't possess a direct way to exorcise a Tatari-gami. She could only support from the side, which made her cautious.
Only Kaiser, with both overwhelming power and the ability to purify Tatari-gami himself, could afford to remain calm and even relaxed.
In truth, Kaiser didn't even see Tatari-gami as a threat anymore.
Why would he? He could kill them instantly now. How could he possibly take them seriously?
He was the definition of "fearless because of skill."
And right now, that fearlessness had given him a very bold idea—one he intended to put into action the moment the Tatari-gami appeared.
"Let's hope this works…"
Kaiser murmured under his breath and adjusted the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder.
That motion immediately caught Murasame's attention.
"By the way, Master, why'd you bring a bag up the mountain?"
She tilted her head curiously. Sure enough, Kaiser had a single-strap bag hanging from his shoulder, bulging with who-knew-what inside.
"What's in there?" Mako asked, seizing the chance to finally voice her curiosity. "Don't tell me it's some kind of secret weapon?"
"No way," Yoshino said, doubtful. "What kind of secret weapon could you even use against a Tatari-gami?"
Besides, Kaiser didn't need one. He could wipe them out instantly—why bother with a secret weapon?
But to everyone's surprise, Kaiser actually nodded at Mako's guess.
"In a way, yeah. You could call it a secret weapon."
His grin only deepened their curiosity.
"What could possibly beat Murasame-maru? You already have the best weapon!" Murasame huffed, her fear momentarily forgotten.
"You'll find out soon enough," Kaiser said lightly. "No spoilers."
Yoshino and Murasame wanted to press him further, but Mako suddenly froze mid-step. Her expression hardened.
"It's here!"
The words had barely left her mouth when a rustling sound came from the brush ahead.
The air that had felt almost playful a moment ago turned heavy, tense—suffocating.
"Master!"
Murasame didn't hesitate this time. Before Kaiser could even draw his sword, she vanished in a flash of light.
Kaiser immediately felt it—the familiar surge of spirit within Murasame-maru, as if the blade itself had come alive in his hand.
Murasame had entered the sword, her spirit fusing with it once more.
She wasn't about to let Kaiser fight alone like last time. Determined not to be left behind, she poured her energy into the blade, making it hum faintly with divine resonance.
Meanwhile, the rustling ahead grew louder until something emerged from the darkness—a shapeless shadow, blacker than the mountain night itself.
Its body oozed like flowing mud, shifting and pulsing grotesquely.
The creature burst forth without warning.
"Whoosh!"
In the next instant, its body liquefied into sludge, then snapped forward like a slingshot. Midair, it reshaped itself into a beastly form and lunged straight for Kaiser.
Faster than before—much faster than any Tatari-gami they'd faced.
"Wait… can Tatari-gami learn?"
The thought flickered across Kaiser's mind as his body moved on instinct.
"Thud!"
His still-sheathed sword slammed into the creature's head mid-flight, both of them recoiling from the impact.
"Mako!" Yoshino shouted.
"On it!"
Mako shot forward without hesitation, her sprint a blur of motion—arms low, body steady, just like a true ninja. Her Kunai flashed, striking toward the reeling Tatari-gami.
"Thud!"
But it wasn't the sound of impact—no, the creature had already melted into sludge again, reforming in an instant. It recovered faster than Kaiser did, and its black tendrils lashed out toward Mako, clashing against her Kunai in rapid succession.
"Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!"
Strike after strike—Mako deflected each blow, sparks flying, neither side gaining ground.
"Take this!"
Yoshino lunged in next, thrusting her Hoko-suzu straight at the Tatari-gami. Her movements were sharper than before—a clear sign that her training hadn't been for nothing.
"Slash!"
Her weapon pierced the creature's body, making a chunk of it evaporate like smoke.
"—!"
The Tatari-gami's hollow eyes glowed with rage and pain as it turned on her, tendrils whipping through the air.
"Look out!" Mako cried, but Yoshino was already ducking low, the attack slicing harmlessly overhead.
The moment her Hoko-suzu hit, she'd remembered something Kaiser once told her.
"Your Hoko-suzu can hurt Tatari-gami, but not as effectively as Murasame-maru. If you don't strike the core, it won't die. So even if you land a hit, never let your guard down—always be ready to dodge or retreat, or it'll counterattack."
That was during their morning training sessions—when Kaiser would actually chase her around with a jump rope, forcing her to dodge on reflex.
It paid off. She'd reacted instantly, ducking the attack with perfect timing.
At the same time, the sound of running footsteps approached—Kaiser, charging in. He swung his still-sheathed sword like a club and smashed it into the creature.
"Thud!"
The blow sent the Tatari-gami flying, crashing into the ground before reforming almost immediately. Its soulless eyes fixed on them, unblinking and eerie.
"You okay, Lady Yoshino?" Mako ran to her side.
"I'm fine." Yoshino shook her head, gripping her Hoko-suzu, faintly exhilarated. She could tell—she was improving. Maybe not much, but enough to keep up.
Meanwhile, Kaiser stood off against the creature again, his mind tuned to the indignant voice echoing in his head.
"Why didn't you draw me, Master?!"
If Kaiser had unsheathed Murasame-maru, the Tatari-gami would already be dead.
When Murasame saw him charging, she'd expected that same breathtaking iai strike as last time—one clean kill.
But instead, he hadn't drawn his sword at all. Just knocked it away.
Murasame was furious. She'd wanted to prove she could help this time—not just float around uselessly.
Unfortunately for her…
"I never planned to exorcise it," Kaiser said flatly, eyes locked on the monster. "I plan to capture it alive."
That made everyone freeze.
"W-What?!"
Yoshino, Mako, even Murasame all cried out in shock.
Capture it… alive?
The Tatari-gami?
That had to be a joke.
"I'm not joking."
Kaiser could practically feel their stunned stares behind him, but he stayed calm, voice steady.
"If we just exorcise it like always, nothing changes. We'll purify the Filth, erase the Curse, and then what? A new Tatari-gami appears, the impurity returns, and the cycle starts all over again."
"That kind of temporary fix won't solve anything."
"To end the Tomotake Family's Curse—to free Yoshino from her Curse—we need to change our approach."
That was the thought that had led him here.
"To truly break the Curse, we need to understand what Tatari-gami really are. Their structure, their secrets. And to do that…" Kaiser's eyes narrowed. "We need one alive."
The impact of his words left Yoshino and Mako speechless. For exorcists who'd spent their lives purifying these things, the idea was nothing short of heresy.
"B-But how could you even capture a Tatari-gami? That's impossible!" Murasame's panicked voice echoed in his mind.
And she had a point. Tatari-gami had no true form. Their bodies melted, shifted, and reformed at will. No blood, no flesh—just writhing, defiled darkness.
How could you ever hold something like that? Chains would slip right off. A cage wouldn't work either.
"Don't worry."
Kaiser smiled.
"That's exactly what I came prepared for."
He reached up, unshouldered the bag he'd been carrying all along—
—and pulled out his secret weapon.
(End of Chapter)