Marin nodded and said: "Yes, it's that senior, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
"What happened to her?" Kael asked.
"She seems to be entangled by something," Marin replied.
Entangled by something? That surprised Kael. In the original story, nothing like this happened. Oh right—this isn't Saekano's world, but a crossover world. So such things aren't strange.
"What exactly is she entangled by?" Kael asked.
Marin shook her head. "I don't know. But the last time I saw her, she looked exhausted, her eyes bloodshot. More importantly, I felt an aura around her that made me very uncomfortable. Every time I got close, my hair stood on end, like something dangerous was watching me."
Saki nodded. "I felt the same. So we suspect this senior has been entangled by something unclean."
Kael stroked his chin. "From what you're saying, I agree—she must be targeted by something unclean."
Marin asked: "So what should we do? Should we save her?"
"You want to save her?" Kael asked.
"Of course. This is a human life," Marin said firmly.
Saki nodded in agreement.
Kael said indifferently: "If you want to save her, then save her."
Practicing demonic arts, Kael had already killed many. Human life no longer held much value to him. But Marin was his girlfriend. Since she wanted to save someone, he wouldn't refuse. Especially since the one to be saved was Utaha.
With Kael's approval, Marin immediately said: "Then after school, let's go find her."
She sought Kael's consent because he would be the one to act. She and Saki had trained with him, but only briefly—barely two sessions—and hadn't learned exorcism techniques. Facing trouble, they could only rely on Kael.
Seeing him agree so readily, Marin beamed with joy.
…
After school, Marin eagerly pulled Kael and Saki to the senior corridor, finding Utaha's classroom.
"Excuse me, could you call Kasumigaoka-senpai for me?" Marin asked a girl leaving the classroom.
The girl looked surprised but went back inside and called out: "Kasumigaoka-san, someone's looking for you."
Soon, Utaha—wearing stockings—walked out. Seeing Kael's group, she frowned. "You? What do you want with me?" She crossed her arms, looking puzzled.
Kael studied her carefully. Though she wore makeup, faint dark circles and bloodshot eyes showed her exhaustion. More importantly, a strange aura surrounded her. It hadn't harmed her yet, but it was as obvious as a torch in the night. Kael realized immediately—she was marked by a yokai. The yokai had left its imprint, declaring her its prey.
Ordinary people wouldn't notice, but Marin and Saki, having trained with Kael, had heightened senses. They felt it clearly.
"Senpai, may we speak privately?" Marin asked.
Utaha hesitated. "Let's go to the rooftop."
They walked to the rooftop. Once sure no one else was around, Marin asked: "Senpai, you haven't been sleeping well lately, have you?"
Utaha frowned. Was this why they called her here?
Impatient, she said: "Even with makeup, I can't hide everything. If you brought me here just to say that, I'm leaving."
"No, no." Marin quickly shook her head. "I asked you here because I want to help you."
"Help me?" Utaha was stunned.
Saki added: "Kasumigaoka-senpai, you've been entangled by something, haven't you?"
Utaha's eyes widened in disbelief. "You know?" She had never told anyone.
Marin explained: "Because when we're near you, we feel a dangerous aura. But last time we met, it wasn't there. So we suspect you've encountered something unclean, and it's latched onto you."
Utaha fell silent, but a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes. "So… how do you plan to help me?"
Marin and Saki turned to Kael.
Utaha's gaze followed. "You? You can help me?"
"Yes," Kael nodded.
"Do you have any conditions?"
Her expression was complicated. She hadn't forgotten mocking him here half a month ago. Surely he wouldn't help her for nothing.
"No conditions," Kael said. But she looked doubtful.
He explained: "Honestly, it's not me who wants to help, but my two girlfriends. I just don't want to disappoint them. So I have no demands of you. I'm only responding to Marin and Saki's expectations."
Utaha turned to Marin and Saki, hesitated, then asked: "Why do you want to help me?"
Marin replied: "Do you need a reason to help someone?"