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Chapter 36: A New Routine
Why does she have such a strong "wife" aura?
Hachishaku changed her clothes today, opting for a floral print dress. It must have been custom-made; otherwise, a size that large wouldn't be available in standard shops. It looked good, but I felt it lacked the specific charm of yesterday's white dress... Ryusei Kiryu shook his head and headed to the bathroom for a cold shower. A young body is efficient in every way, though it can be a bit overactive.
After the shower, Ryusei felt much more relaxed. Although he hadn't spent the day gutting fish, he had been busy. Giving Eriri ten rounds of the Eye Protection Exercise had left his arms sore. However, the afternoon tea at that restaurant had been delicious, so he figured it wasn't a total loss.
Sitting on his bed, he tested the sports camera he'd purchased. The footage looked promising. If the path of a street magician didn't work out, he considered that he could always try parkour. With his Double Jump ability, he wouldn't have to fear falling from great heights; the second jump would reset his momentum entirely.
His phone rang—Kotoha Katsura had sent a message.
[Kotoha Katsura: Ryusei-kun, are you home?]
Ever since he had checked on her during the earthquake, Kotoha had become more proactive. Over the past two days, she had been sending timely good morning and good night messages and sharing interesting snippets of her day. That afternoon, while he was with Eriri, Kotoha had sent photos of her practicing calligraphy. Her handwriting was delicate and refined.
Ryusei sent her photos of his afternoon tea, openly mentioning he had been in Akihabara with a senior. There was nothing to hide; he and Eriri were just friends, and the same was true for him and Kotoha.
[Ryusei: I'm back. Let me show you the computer and camera I bought today.]
He sent over the photos.
[Kotoha: Looks good.]
They chatted leisurely until Kotoha sent one last message before bed.
[Kotoha: Ryusei-kun, next time, could you accompany me to Akihabara? I've never been.]
[Ryusei: Of course.]
After replying, Ryusei performed a set of Eye Protection Exercises and drifted off to sleep.
As soon as Eriri returned home, she found her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, engrossed in the latest anime. An old-school otaku through and through.
Sayuri turned around with surprise. "Eriri, why are you back so early?"
"It's half past four."
"Have you had dinner?"
"No."
"Why didn't you eat with Ryusei? Did you two have a fight?"
"How could that be!" Eriri instinctively denied it.
Sayuri gave her a meaningful smile. "Then it seems your date went quite well."
Eriri lowered her head to change her shoes, offering no reply. Sayuri sat up straight on the sofa, leaning in curiously. "So, where did you go on your date?"
"I told you, it wasn't a date," Eriri sighed. "We just went to Akihabara. He needed to buy a computer, a camera, and a costume..."
Sayuri's eyes lit up. "A costume? Is he into anime? No wonder you two get along."
"Not anime. It's for a Kaito Kid cosplay."
Sayuri pondered this. "Kaito Kid... well, he is at that age. Wait, why are you empty-handed? Didn't I ask you to buy me merchandise?"
Eriri looked away guiltily. "There were too many people."
Sayuri narrowed her eyes, smiling faintly. "You didn't even go to the store, did you?"
Eriri remained silent for a moment before saying, "I'll buy them next time," and retreating to her bedroom.
Sayuri watched her go, surprised. This wasn't like her daughter's usual stubbornness. Was it the transfer student's influence? She stepped into the garden and made a call.
"Hello, Detective Mouri? I want to know what my daughter did in Akihabara today."
She knew Eriri was smart but incredibly naive. As a mother, she felt the need to look out for her. The report came back: a computer store, a camera shop, a costume shop, pizza for lunch... and then two separate hospitals for eye exams.
Sayuri frowned. Hospitals? She had briefly worried she might be a grandmother, but eye exams were a strange choice for a date. Hospitals protected patient privacy, so the detective couldn't get more details.
"I understand. Thank you. I'll transfer the fee shortly." Sayuri hung up, tapping her lip. "What should I eat tonight..."
That night, Hachishaku mopped the floor of her apartment while Mifuyu Yukino and Sadako were at work. Back in her room, she examined her white sun hat under the light, noting the damage with a soft sigh.
She looked out the window. Sayuri's room was dark, but Hachishaku could sense the "scent of desire" coming from it. Mifuyu had already explained the landlady's identity: a succubus who had sealed away most of her power. This was why Sayuri remained so petite. Because she hadn't broken any laws, the Special Case Department only monitored her.
Ryusei woke up around five o'clock after a particularly vivid dream involving his neighbors. He sat up, contemplated life for a moment, and then went to the bathroom to wash up. He checked the news and found reports on the "Beika Library" case.
The police had reportedly arrested a gang leader involved in an illegal trade dispute, who had confessed to poisoning Tsugawa Shuji. The library's official website announced they would resume normal operations today.
Since that's the case, I'll take a trip to Beika Library today, Ryusei decided.
The alarm rang, and he went out for his morning run. When he returned with groceries, he knocked on his neighbor's door. Hachishaku opened it.
"Thank you, Ryusei-kun."
Ryusei maintained his composure despite his awkward dream. "You're welcome. By the way, I'm going to Beika Library today. Is there anything you'd like to read?"
Hachishaku thought for a moment. "If they have Balzac's The Lily of the Valley, please borrow it for me."
"I'll remember that."