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"Um… umm… Mr. Onmyoji, may I sit here?"
Yuuko glanced at the empty spot beside Asher and asked timidly.
Hearing her, Asher lifted his head. His handsome eyes narrowed slightly.
"Of course."
"R-really? Thank you, Mr. Onmyoji!"
After getting Asher's approval, Yuuko instantly beamed and sat down beside him.
She looked up at the sky, already dyed in the colors of dusk, her eyes filled with quiet longing.
At the same time, she could feel Asher's presence right next to her.
Yuuko's cheeks flushed faintly, her heartbeat picking up without warning.
In all these decades, this was the first time she had ever sat this close to someone of the opposite sex.
Today was destined to be an unforgettable day for her.
After decades of solitude, she had finally met someone new. Maybe even her only friend. And more than that, she had been given companionship, something she'd almost forgotten existed.
At this moment, the only emotion filling Yuuko's heart was gratitude.
After a while, once she'd gotten used to her racing heartbeat, Yuuko slightly turned her head and carefully let her peripheral vision settle on Asher's profile.
"Um… Mr. Onmyoji…"
"Could you tell me what the outside world is like now?"
She asked him softly.
Yuuko didn't know exactly how many years she had been trapped in the old school building.
But it had been at least several decades.
All that time, she had never left the building. The only people she ever saw were students who came exploring because of campus ghost stories.
Just from watching the changes in their school uniforms over the years, Yuuko knew the outside world must have changed beyond recognition.
At some point, without even realizing it, she had started yearning for that world.
But for all those years, she hadn't made a single friend.
Her desire to understand the outside world could only be buried deep in her heart.
Now, though, after finally forming a friendly bond with Asher and Hotaru-gusa, that longing resurfaced once she calmed down after playing around with Hotaru-gusa.
Faced with Yuuko's question, Asher smiled slightly and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"Since you're friends with Hotaru-gusa, you can just call me by my name."
"My name is Asher."
"Is it okay if I call you Yuuko?"
Asher's sudden words made Yuuko freeze. She stared at him, disbelief written all over her face.
"R-really? I can?"
Whether it was her first impression of him or how she felt now, Asher had always seemed somehow above her. So without realizing it, she always felt nervous around him.
But hearing him say that made her suddenly realize something.
Even though Asher was an incredibly powerful onmyoji, judging by his appearance, he was still just a teenage boy.
That realization left Yuuko feeling unexpectedly flattered.
Seeing her reaction, Asher simply smiled.
"If you don't mind, then of course."
"Th-then… I'll call you Mr. Asher from now on."
Asher nodded at her words.
Then he picked up where they had left off.
"Yuuko, the outside world has really changed completely."
"For example, this thing here…"
As he spoke, Asher took out his phone.
"This little box can do things people never could have imagined before."
"You can make calls, watch movies…"
He began explaining it to her.
Back when Yuuko was alive, even landline phones were rare, let alone mobile phones.
As for televisions, only big cities had black-and-white sets.
And after becoming a bound spirit, she had lost all memories of her life.
Everything Asher described felt astonishingly new to her.
As she watched him explain things so earnestly, Yuuko's wine-red eyes shimmered with an emotion even she didn't fully understand.
She probably didn't even realize what kind of expression she was wearing right now.
"…"
After Asher had explained a lot about the modern world, Yuuko took a deep breath.
She rested her chin on her hands and gazed out across the grass.
The sun was nearly gone, and the light had begun to fade.
"It sounds so wonderful…"
"If only I could go out and see it for myself."
"Even just once. If I could see the world Mr. Asher described with my own eyes… even disappearing as a ghost wouldn't feel like such a big deal…"
Her words were filled with longing.
Asher looked at her yearning expression and smiled softly.
"Maybe someday. Who knows, you might really get the chance to go out."
"Hehe, thank you for the good luck, Mr. Asher!"
"If I really can leave this place someday and go to the outside world…"
"Mr. Asher, would you be my guide?"
As she spoke, Yuuko looked at him with a gaze that carried a quiet meaning.
It was a simple request, and Asher didn't refuse.
"If that day really comes, then sure."
"Ehehe, thank you, Mr. Asher."
"Hey… Mr. Asher. We're friends now, right?"
Yuuko asked, her eyes full of hope.
"Friends? I guess so."
"Then from now on… can you and Hotaru-gusa come visit me?"
"I mean… only if you have time. Anytime is fine. Even just once in a while…"
Realizing her request might be rude, Yuuko's voice grew softer and softer toward the end.
If Asher didn't have good hearing and if they weren't sitting so close, he probably wouldn't have caught it.
After understanding what she meant, Asher simply nodded.
After all, Yuuko's range of movement now covered the entire campus.
And since he was a student at the comprehensive high school, if Yuuko ever wandered around out of boredom, she would definitely find him.
Seeing his response, Yuuko's stunning face lit up with another beautiful smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Asher!"
"You're really too kind!"
…
No one knew how much time passed. By the time night had fully fallen, Hotaru-gusa, who had been sleeping with her head on Asher's leg, slowly woke up.
She pushed herself upright and rubbed her eyes with her small, delicate right hand.
"Mmm… that was such a comfy nap~"
"Big brother, Big Sister, Yuuko…"
"…Eh??"
As soon as Hotaru-gusa called their names and turned her head, she froze on the spot.
Because she saw them.
Asher and Yuuko leaning against the big tree, apparently resting.
And what stood out the most was Yuuko, who had her head tilted and was resting on Asher's shoulder.
A faint smile curved her lips, like a sleeping kitten. Her expression was incredibly peaceful.
Hotaru-gusa sat there on the grass, staring blankly at the two of them.
No, wait. She only took a short nap. What in the world happened?
How did Big Brother Asher and Big Sister Yuuko end up like this??
A flood of questions instantly filled Hotaru-gusa's not-so-bright little head.
Maybe because the confused Hotaru-gusa made a bit too much noise, Yuuko, who had been lightly dozing, slowly opened her eyes.
She rubbed the corner of her eye and finally noticed Hotaru-gusa sitting in front of them.
"Mmm…"
"What's wrong, Hotaru-gusa?"
Hearing this, Hotaru-gusa didn't answer.
She just looked back and forth between Asher and Yuuko.
Seeing her strange behavior, a question mark practically popped up over Yuuko's head.
After calming herself a little, Yuuko suddenly remembered what she had just done.
She had… fallen asleep leaning on Mr. Asher's shoulder…?!
Ah… what did I do?!
The moment she realized it, Yuuko's face turned bright red.
"Um, Hotaru-gusa, I can explain. It's really a misunderstanding, do you believe me?"
"I just fell asleep by accident, and then accidentally leaned on Mr. Asher's shoulder…"
"Huh? Big Sister, Yuuko, what are you talking about?"
"Leaning on big brother's shoulder isn't a big deal."
Hotaru-gusa tilted her head and looked at Yuuko in confusion.
After all, what could a kid her age possibly understand?
Especially something as complicated as relationships between men and women.
"Ah? Th-this…?"
Hearing Hotaru-gusa say that, Yuuko was completely stunned.
Leaning on Mr. Asher's shoulder wasn't a big deal?
Does that mean girls do this all the time?
So Hotaru-gusa's just used to seeing it?
All sorts of thoughts flashed through Yuuko's mind.
But the very next second, Hotaru-gusa's explanation shattered all of them.
"Because this is the first time I've ever seen big brother this close to a girl~"
"Of course, not counting me."
As Hotaru-gusa's words sank in,
Kanoe Yuuko suddenly froze.
So… she was actually the first girl to have close physical contact with Asher?
Uh…
That was just—
Way too embarrassing!
Once the realization hit her, Yuuko's face instantly flushed bright red.
After a while, she cleared her throat twice and sneaked a glance at Hotaru-gusa.
"Um, little Hotaru-gusa… could big sister Yuuko ask you a favor?"
"Hm? What is it, Sister Yuuko? You can tell me."
"Well, um… could you maybe not tell Mr. Asher about what just happened?"
"Otherwise… I really wouldn't know how to face him anymore…"
Even though Hotaru-gusa didn't really understand why something as simple as falling asleep on someone's shoulder would make Yuuko feel so flustered around Asher,
The kind-hearted girl still nodded in agreement.
"Okay. If that's what Sister Yuuko wants."
"Hotaru-gusa, you're the best!"
Yuuko immediately pulled Hotaru-gusa into a hug, happily rubbing her cheek against the little girl's head.
Hotaru-gusa burst into a string of bell-like laughter from the ticklish affection.
"Haha! Sister Yuuko, that tickles!"
"…"
While Yuuko and Hotaru-gusa were playfully fooling around,
Asher—who had been leaning against a tree and sleeping—was slowly stirred awake by their noise.
The first thing he saw was the two of them laughing right in front of him.
Still groggy from a comfortable nap, Asher stretched lazily.
"Oh, Hotaru-gusa, you're awake."
"Sorry, I must've dozed off without noticing."
Sensing that Asher was awake, the two girls quickly separated.
Hotaru-gusa smiled brightly at him.
"It's okay, big brother. Hotaru-gusa only woke up a little while ago too."
"Is that so?"
Asher nodded, then stood up and checked the time.
"It's getting late, Hotaru-gusa."
"We should head home."
"Okay, big brother!"
Hotaru-gusa immediately walked over and naturally took Asher's hand, clearly used to it.
"Eh? You're leaving already? I'll walk you out."
…In the end,
Kanoe Yuuko only stopped once she had escorted Asher and Hotaru-gusa all the way to the school gate.
After reluctantly saying goodbye, she stood there watching their backs as they gradually disappeared down the street beyond the gate.
About half an hour later,
Asher and Hotaru-gusa arrived back at their apartment building.
They had just reached their front door and were about to unlock it—
When the door next door suddenly opened, and a small head with wine-red twin ponytails peeked out.
The moment she saw Asher in the hallway, the chubby-cheeked girl lit up with a smile.
"Mr. Asher!"
Hearing the voice, Asher turned his head.
"Oh?"
"Isn't that Nana? Good evening."
"Good evening, Mr. Asher!"
Ebina Nana replied politely.
Her gaze then shifted to the adorable little girl standing beside him—Hotaru-gusa—and her expression turned curious.
"Huh? Mr. Asher, this little girl is…?"
At Nana's question, Asher smiled and replied,
"Let me introduce her. This is my younger sister, Hotaru-gusa."
"She's also a shikigami."
"A sister? Oh, I see!"
Nana immediately understood.
Hotaru-gusa also politely greeted her.
"Hello, big sister! I'm Hotaru-gusa!"
"Hello, Hotaru-gusa!"
Nana smiled and nodded.
Then, looking a little shy, she turned back to Asher.
"Um, Mr. Asher… it's pretty late. Have you had dinner yet?"
Asher shook his head.
"Just got back. Haven't eaten yet."
"That's perfect!"
"I just finished making dinner! How about you and Hotaru-gusa come over to my place and eat together?"
Nana quickly extended the invitation.
As for whether the meal had just been made… well, only Nana herself knew the truth.
In reality, since she had the day off from her part-time job, Nana had already planned to invite Asher over for a meal as a proper thank-you for saving her the first time they met.
Unfortunately,
She'd knocked on Asher's door several times that afternoon, but no one was home.
Guessing that he had gone out on business, Nana came up with this plan.
After all, Mr. Asher was an onmyōji. If he wasn't home, he was probably out exorcising something, right?
And if he was out fighting demons, there was a good chance he'd come back late… and hungry.
Clearly, this time, Nana had guessed right.
Seeing how sincerely hopeful she looked, Asher thought for a moment before nodding.
"In that case, we'll take you up on the offer."
"Thank you, Nana-sister!"
Hotaru-gusa followed Asher's lead and thanked her politely.
Nana just smiled and waved her hand.
"It's no trouble at all."
"Having Mr. Asher and Hotaru-gusa come over is an honor for me!"
After a bit of polite back-and-forth,
Asher brought Hotaru-gusa along as they went to Nana's apartment.
The moment they stepped into the living room,
Hotaru-gusa's little nose twitched.
Then she let out an excited sound.
"Wow!"
"It smells like dango!"
"....."