As the afternoon sun filtered through the window frames, Kanjuro sat alone in the classroom, flipping through club materials.
When he saw only two names on the Tea Ceremony Club roster—Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui—a playful smile curled the corner of his lips.
"A Tea Ceremony Club with only two people..." he whispered to himself, his fingertips lightly tapping the table.
As a high school student, he really should find a club to pass the time.
At the other end of the classroom, Yukinoshita Yukino was frowning as she stared at a file.
Today she was wearing a light green kimono, her ink-black hair loosely pinned up with a plain silver hairpin, making the lines of her neck look exceptionally graceful.
"Seiga, why do you look so preoccupied?" Yuigahama Yui asked as she leaned in, her pink hair fluttering slightly in the breeze.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked up, her gaze passing over Yoko's shoulder to land on Kanjuro nearby.
Her slender fingers lightly stroked the edge of the file folder, her eyes filled with scrutiny and caution.
"Some people, without careful investigation, you'll never see through their past," she said softly, the sleeve of her kimono sliding down with her movement to reveal a section of her fair wrist.
"Where did you get these personal files?"
"The Yukinoshita family has some dealings with the police." Seiga smiled faintly, her fingertip tapping a certain spot on the file. "I didn't expect to find some unexpected surprises."
"What do you mean?"
Yukinoshita Yukino only shook her head, unwilling to involve her friend in this hidden undercurrent.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Kanjuro was holding Reika Kitami in his arms.
The girl's soft body was pressed tightly against him, and every kiss made her let out small whimpers.
She was wearing a white shirt today, which was now rumpled and messy, vaguely revealing the delicate skin underneath.
From the shadows, a pair of eyes watched all of this silently.
Kanjuro's lips curved upward as he whispered in Kitami's ear, "Help me."
Kitami's face flushed crimson as she obediently leaned down.
Her clumsy movements carried a pure temptation, just like the meaning of the name Kanjuro—Xiao, a musical instrument that needs to be played with a gentle breath.
A long while later, after seeing Kitami off, Kanjuro strolled along the tree-lined path of the campus.
He was planning to have Takashiro Hiroko take him to see the Occult Research Society President when he suddenly stopped.
"You've been following me for so long; it's time to show yourself." He turned around and met the other person's gaze.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood still under a cherry blossom tree, the obi of her kimono accentuating her slender waistline.
She had specifically changed into a deep purple Houmongi today, with an exquisite wisteria pattern embroidered on the lapel, making her aura appear even more elegant.
"Ye-kun, I have always admired China culture." She bowed slightly, her sleeves rippling with the movement. "So I really want to get to know you better."
"China culture is indeed profound and extensive; I understand your admiration very well."
"But the more I learn, the more I feel you are extraordinary." Yukinoshita Yukino took out the file, her fingertip sliding lightly across the pages. "There are many intriguing details in this file."
Kanjuro raised an eyebrow, sizing up this girl who might be the mother of Yukinoshita Yukino.
Her straight back and firm gaze both revealed an extraordinary background and upbringing.
"Your parents died in a car accident in Japan, and you were bullied while in the orphanage. But strangely, those who bullied you later died in the outskirts, their bodies covered in knife wounds."
"Bullies getting what they deserve—isn't that quite normal?"
"Bullying is indeed wrong, but that cannot be your reason for killing. I really didn't expect you to be like that at such a young age..."
"How could I possibly kill anyone?" Kanjuro put on an innocent expression.
"It must have been you!"
"Where is the evidence?"
Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath, the neckline of her kimono rising and falling slightly with her breathing. "No fingerprint evidence was found at the scene. But even more suspicious is that when you left the orphanage, a massive fire broke out. So many people died, yet you were the only survivor."
Kanjuro suddenly closed in, trapping her between the cherry tree and himself.
His devilish smile was exceptionally dazzling in the sunlight. Yukinoshita Yukino instinctively backed away, her back lightly hitting the tree trunk.
"I was only seven then; how could I have such ability?" He chuckled low and suddenly leaned down to capture her lips.
Yukinoshita Yukino struggled with all her might, the sleeves of her kimono tracing messy arcs in the air.
Kanjuro held her even tighter until she gradually stopped resisting and gazed at him with eyes full of resentment; yet every time she saw his handsome face, doubt would flicker in her heart.
Why is such a good-looking man so morally and ideologically corrupt?
"It seems you enjoyed your first kiss?"
He raised an eyebrow frivolously, his gaze sweeping over her slightly open neckline. "You look truly tempting in a kimono; I'd love to know what you're wearing underneath?"
"Shameless!" Yukinoshita Yukino raised her hand to strike, but he nimbly dodged.
He blew a gentle breath into her ear. "Sooner or later, I'll make you lie on my bed willingly."
With that, he turned around coolly, leaving her standing alone amidst the falling cherry blossoms.
Yukinoshita Yukino lightly touched the corner of her mouth where his scent still lingered, her heart filled with humiliation and conflict.
That kiss, that devilish smile, this demon-like man... she must bring him to justice!
In the afternoon, Kanjuro took his completed club application form to the Tea Ceremony Club classroom.
Yukinoshita Yukino was absentmindedly wiping the tea sets while Yuigahama Yui watched her with concern.
"Seiga, you've been unhappy all day. If something is bothering you, you can tell me."
"It's nothing," Yukinoshita Yukino replied softly, but her eyes instinctively followed Kanjuro's figure.
She vowed in her heart that she would uncover the true face this man hid beneath his handsome exterior.
As evening fell, the twilight descended.
Takashiro Hiroko looked at Kanjuro beside her, a hint of worry in her voice. "The President wants to see you; I'll take you there now."
"Mhm," Kanjuro responded simply.
"But you must remember," Takashiro Hiroko lowered her voice, "the President knows Mind Reading and can use Black Magic." She paused and added, "And... she already knows about what happened between us."
"Oh." Kanjuro remained nonchalant.
"I'm worried about you," Takashiro Hiroko couldn't help but show a hint of dissatisfaction.
Kanjuro turned a deaf ear to this and did not respond.
The two arrived at the basement where the Occult Research Society was located. The evening wind blew coldly, and outside the door was a desolate patch of grass. This building had been abandoned for years, and now that it was chosen as the base for the Occult Research Society, it appeared even more eerie in the twilight.
A group of women dressed in medieval-style cloaks gathered in front of the door, their faces deeply hidden by hoods. They all held crosses and knelt at the entrance, as if preparing for some mysterious ritual.