Kael didn't refuse and escorted Saki home. But this time, at Saki's doorstep, he encountered her mother.
She was the woman who, upon discovering her daughter had been violated by her beastly father, not only failed to blame him but vented all her anger on Saki and drove her out of the house.
Madam Yoshida seemed to have just returned from grocery shopping and happened to meet Kael as he brought her daughter home.
"Yoshida-san, this is…?" she looked curiously at Kael and asked.
But Kael had no goodwill toward this woman. Through his conversations with Saki, he learned her mother was a full-time housewife with no job. That explained why, when her husband assaulted their daughter, she blamed Saki instead of him.
After more than ten years as a housewife, she had become completely dependent on her husband. If she opposed him, her life could collapse. Divorce would mean losing everything, even survival becoming a huge problem. So between husband and daughter, she chose her husband without hesitation—chose to protect herself.
Unable to earn money, she sacrificed her daughter to safeguard herself. In short, she was selfish. Naturally, Kael felt no affection for such a woman.
But for Saki's sake, he remained polite. "Hello Madam Yoshida, I'm Renjou Kael, Yoshida-san's classmate."
She chuckled. "So you're Saki's classmate. Good afternoon. Judging by the look of things, are you dating our Saki?"
When her interests weren't threatened, Madam Yoshida acted kindly, like a typical good wife and mother, hiding her selfish nature. Many people were like that—appearing friendly until their true face was revealed under pressure.
Saki hadn't realized her mother's true nature. Hearing her teasing, her face flushed red. "Mom…"
She quickly said goodbye to Kael and pulled her mother inside, afraid she might embarrass her.
Kael didn't dwell on the incident. After leaving Saki's home, he went to St. Juliana Hospital.He had said he would deal with Jinguji Narumi. But after consuming too many evil spirits, his mana had swelled uncontrollably, forcing him to postpone dealing with her until he refined it. Now that was resolved, he naturally moved her case up his list.
Concealing himself near the hospital, Kael entered. No one could see him, not even the cameras. He walked boldly into the director's office.
It was afternoon, so Narumi was at work. Opening the door, Kael was surprised to find another person inside besides her. A man with shoulder-length hair and square glasses. Kael recognized him instantly—the protagonist of Night Shift.
Hirasaka Ryuji.
Well, as the saying goes, timing is everything. Kael hadn't expected to encounter him here.
When Kael entered, both Narumi and Ryuji looked toward the door. But they didn't see him—only the door opening by itself.
"Didn't you close it?" Narumi snapped at Ryuji, assuming the wind had blown it open.
"Strange," Ryuji muttered. He remembered closing it.
Maybe he was mistaken. No matter.
He shut the door and returned. "Let's continue. You're sure you want me to handle this plan?"
Narumi replied: "Isn't this your specialty?"
Kael stepped closer and saw papers on her desk detailing a special ward plan. Its core was to have nurses provide "special services" to certain powerful patients. It wasn't about drugs or gambling—just lust. To prevent resistance, Narumi had enlisted Ryuji to "educate" the nurses. Once trained, the plan could proceed.
Ryuji adjusted his glasses. "I accept. I'll use my methods to educate them. Don't interfere."
Narumi crossed her arms, emphasizing her figure, and said coldly: "I only care about results. I won't ask about the process."
Ryuji laughed gleefully. "Deal. Give me a month, and you'll see results."
Narumi trembled. His smile reminded her of what he had once done to her. She forced herself to appear cold. "You'd better not disappoint me."
Ryuji laughed even more wildly. "You know better than anyone whether I'll disappoint you."
Narumi's heart raced, her body nearly trembling. She pinched her arm to steady herself and forced a cold snort. "See that you don't."
But just seeing his face brought back memories of their past. She had to get rid of him. Narumi resolved to dismiss him. "You may lea—"
Before she could finish, she froze. Because she clearly saw Ryuji, laughing as his head suddenly fell from his neck.