Chapter 4

"Hmm! As I thought, my room is the best."

Midnight, who had woken up on the bed, stretched her upper body. Sleeping in her familiar room was comfortable. Out of habit from the other world, she had set up a strong defensive barrier to prevent anyone from entering. It would be impossible for anyone to break through this barrier unless they were an exceptional mage or demon.

"Really did come back, huh."

In her perception, four years had passed.

"Today, I might go to Mag's and have a hamburger. It's hard to pass up the fries, shake, and nuggets too."

Anyway, she would enjoy her original world for now.

Ding Dong

The intercom installed in the room rang. This was a personal 1LDK rental apartment.

Moreover, it was Saturday, and she should have been off from school.

"Is it the MHK collection?"

Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong

The intercom rang repeatedly. It was definitely not a normal person.

And Midnight had a good idea who would do something like this.

"Really. Is he still a kid? Alright, alright, I'm coming."

She unlocked the chain and the door, and as expected, the person she anticipated was standing in front of her room.

"Late! I came so early in the morning, and you should come out right away!"

The one puffing with anger was a girl with long, shimmering vermilion hair tied into twin tails with black ribbons.

She was tall for a woman at 170 cm, but her chest was modest. She had striking blue eyes and was a beautiful girl.

She was wearing a white top and black denim, showcasing her good figure.

"You're in high spirits early in the morning, Akane. And you came all the way here, but you live next door to me, right?"

Midnight said to her with a sigh.

Kazehono Akane. The girl who lived in the room next to Midnight. For Midnight, it was their first meeting in four years, and naturally, seeing her unchanged appearance, she couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

"Don't worry about the details! Besides, it's already nine o'clock. How long are you going to sleep?"

"It's Saturday, right? It's fine to sleep in on a day off from school, isn't it?"

"What are you saying! Precisely because it's a precious day off, every moment of the day is valuable! So, you're going to accompany me from now on."

"What do you mean by 'from now on'? I don't understand."

"Hmm. This kind and gentle Akane is going to train you. You should be grateful, right? I, the most talented woman of the Kazehono family, am spending my precious day off to accompany you."

"Sorry, but I don't need that kind of pushy offer. See you."

Midnight slammed the door shut. Akane, seeing this, had a blank look on her face, but immediately turned red and started to get angry.

"Hey! Why did you close the door!? I said I'm going to train you!? And today, there's a bonus of demon extermination as practical training!?"

"I don't see what there is for me to be happy about. Besides, it's all just a reason to pick on me. Isn't demon extermination your job? And don't shout such things so loudly in a place like this."

"It's fine! I've set up a barrier, so no one can hear!"

"That's a waste of talent and ability."

"It's fine! I can go demon hunting with such a beautiful girl and even get training! What's not to like!?"

"There's nothing to like! And don't call yourself a beautiful girl. It's too painful to hear."

"Who's the one who's too painful! Anyway, open the door! Open it now! Open it immediately! Just open it!"

Midnight thought the door might be kicked down if this continued, so she reinforced it with a talisman. Akane was pounding on the door with her hands.

She probably didn't intend to break it, but she might lose control in her anger, so it was better to be safe.

"Open it! Can't you hear me!? Hey!"

She raised her voice, but Midnight ignored it all.

"Ignoring me? Ignoring me!? You're going to ignore me!? Is it okay to ignore me!?"

"You're really energetic in the morning, you know."

She continued to shout from the other side of the door. Even with the barrier, it might disturb the neighbors.

"Is it okay to treat me like this!? Then I have my own thoughts too! Do you understand!? If I get serious, it will be a big problem! Is it okay!? Is it really okay!?"

Midnight sighed at her high spirits in the morning. She wondered why Akane cared so much about her. They had known each other since childhood, lived next door, and were both demon hunters, but she never expected their easy relationship to continue like this.

"One is a fallen Hoshimori, and the other is the daughter of the Kazehono family, one of the six families."

Muttering to herself, Midnight thought about the girl, Kazehono Akane, who was making a fuss on the other side of the door.

She had a Japanese-unlike appearance but was the legitimate daughter of the Kazehono family, one of the six demon hunter families.

She was the granddaughter of the current head's younger brother, and her mother was half Japanese and British, making her a quarter. However, her skills were among the top in the Kazehono family.

The Hoshimori and Kazehono families had a certain level of interaction. Among the six families, the Kazehono family had the strongest connection with the Hoshimori family.

Even so, for Midnight, who was called a fallen Hoshimori, it was a miracle to be on good terms with the daughter of the Kazehono family, even if they were old acquaintances.

Especially before returning from the other world, Midnight was so far behind in terms of strength that she couldn't even be considered in the same league.

They had a certain level of relationship since childhood, but she never expected that when she moved into this apartment a few months ago, she would end up being neighbors with Akane.

Since then, Akane had been picking on Midnight like this for various reasons.

"Hey! A little! Are you really going to ignore me!? What, what... Are you really going to ignore me? Is, is it okay? It will, it will be a big problem, you know? Is, is it really okay!?"

Her voice started to tremble, and Midnight realized she was starting to cry. Akane had a tendency to become weak when Midnight ignored her, her eyes would well up with tears, and she would start to shout. She thought her mental strength was quite weak.

But the problem was the subsequent spiritual energy outburst.

(In her case, it could really become a big problem. The higher her spiritual energy, the greater the damage when it goes out of control. Moreover, the Kazehono family is skilled in converting spiritual energy into fire. If she really goes out of control, the damage could be terrifying.)

As a member of the main family of the Kazehono clan, it was questionable that she couldn't control her power, but living alone as a young lady from a prestigious family was also related to this.

(Supposedly, it's for training. If I leave her alone, it could become troublesome, so I might as well deal with her. It's a rare day off, but it's been four years since I last saw Akane. I can indulge her a little.)

She might feel like taking care of a troublesome younger sister. They hadn't seen each other since yesterday, but for Midnight, it had been four years. She felt nostalgic.

"Alright, alright, it's my fault. Don't sulk and get angry in the morning."

"I'm not sulking. It's just that you're not accepting my invitation honestly."

Opening the door, Midnight started a conversation with Akane again, who turned her face away, blushing.

"Anyway, I just woke up, so I need to get ready. I haven't had breakfast either. I'll let you know when I'm ready, so wait in your room."

"Hmph! You're just saying that to escape while I'm not looking! That won't work!"

"No, what are you talking about?"

"So, I'll wait in your room until you're ready! Be grateful!"

"..."

Midnight smiled and closed the door again.

"Hey! Why are you closing it again!! Open it! Open it! Ah, you have something to hide, don't you! Mainly dirty books!"

"It's not true! Why would you think that!"

"Then let me in! Otherwise, I'll spread the rumor that Midnight has a lot of dirty books!"

"The damage to my reputation would be severe! ...Alright. If you insist, come in and check."

Opening the door, Midnight invited Akane in. The room was a bit messy, but there was nothing dangerous.

Midnight didn't have any erotic books. That kind of material was all on her computer, so it wouldn't be found.

The computer was locked, and even if the lock was removed and the contents searched, the hidden files required a password.

The file names were ordinary, so there was no way Akane could find them.

"Excuse me, I'm coming in."

Akane entered Midnight's room, looking suspiciously around.

"It's been a while since I've been in Midnight's room."

The fidgety Akane observed Midnight's room with great interest.

"Under the bed, there are no... erotic books, right?"

"I told you there aren't any."

"Then, how do you... Huh, could it be that you just randomly...?"

"How much do you want to belittle me?"

She couldn't help but glare at Akane, who was making her angry.

"That's not necessary. ...And Midnight, isn't the atmosphere different from usual?"

"Where?"

"How to put it... You seem more composed and steady. What's the right way to say it? Like your father or uncle?"

It seemed Akane was trying to say that Midnight had the aura of a strong person. Or perhaps she sensed an aura of a more mature adult.

(Spiritually, I'm close to twenty, so it could be considered mature. She has a good sense. Maybe a bit of killing intent mixed in? She might have sensed that.)

Akane's words might not be entirely wrong. From Midnight's perspective, Akane seemed more childish. Her fussing and the way she approached Midnight seemed endearing, like a child seeking attention from an adult, so she didn't feel annoyed.

"What's that look? Why are you smiling so fondly?"

"Nothing. Anyway, I need to get ready."

"Ah, right. I'll wait here then."

With that, Akane lay down on Midnight's bed.

"Hey, what are you doing on the bed?"

"Is it not okay? I think it's cleaner than the floor. I'll wait here, so hurry up and get ready."

"What a tyrant. Fine, just for today, I'll indulge your whims."

"Hmm. That depends on you, Midnight."

"What do you mean by 'depends on me'? Tsk. Sigh... I'm going to wash my face and brush my teeth."

Midnight turned her back to Akane and headed to the bathroom.

Meanwhile, once she confirmed Midnight was out of sight, Akane hugged the pillow on the bed and buried her face in it.

(Hehe. It's Midnight's scent.)

She enjoyed the blissful moment on his bed, being careful not to be noticed.

She always acted aggressively towards Midnight, but it was a reverse of her inability to be honest.

(But, did I come over too suddenly? Is Midnight really angry? But he's getting ready, so he's not that angry, right? But what if he is? Can I make it up to him later?)

She suddenly felt anxious. While it was common for her to tease and bother Midnight, she realized this time was a bit too forceful.

(But, I've had a bad feeling from my spiritual sense since yesterday, especially about Midnight.)

Akane's spiritual sense was sharp, and the intuition and instincts it provided were often accurate. Last night, she had a strange feeling and couldn't sleep well.

She considered rushing over to Midnight's place in the middle of the night, but decided against it to avoid bothering him. She waited until morning, choosing 9:00 to avoid waking him too early.

(The aura of Midnight's room at night was different from usual. I could tell he was there, but it felt strange.)

Due to Midnight's barrier, Akane couldn't sense his presence as usual. His barrier not only prevented external intrusion but also concealed any changes inside from the outside.

So, no matter how hard Akane tried to sense his presence, she only felt the usual, unchanged aura. Of course, Midnight was just sleeping, so there were no changes.

(Still, Midnight seems different from yesterday. He feels more reassuring, like he's enveloping everything. Wait, what am I thinking about 'enveloping'?)

She tried to steer her thoughts away from the strange direction they were heading.

(Anyway, today. I managed to get him to come, so I need to make sure Midnight gains experience! He's a Hoshimori, so he can definitely become stronger. He needs to get stronger, or I'll be in trouble.)

That's right. Akane wanted Midnight to become stronger at all costs.

They had met, and many things had happened. She had learned about his background. A fallen Hoshimori. She wanted to help him overcome that label.

The only way was for him to gain experience and become stronger. Even if he didn't reach that level of strength, accumulating achievements would prevent others from belittling him. Visible accomplishments would reduce direct insults, even if people still gossiped.

(If he gains experience and achievements, Midnight will surely gain more confidence! And he will definitely become stronger. Yes, my intuition tells me so!)

She believed in her intuition, which was why she insisted on taking Midnight on demon hunts.

(While it's ideal for him to become stronger than me, that might be too much to ask. But I want him to become at least a bit stronger.)

If he didn't, it would cause various problems. Thinking about the future, Akane clenched her fist firmly.

(Still, maybe I didn't need to worry. I had a bad feeling, but...)

Her spiritual sense still gave her a bad feeling, and she couldn't shake off the unease.

(Well, it's fine. If I spend the day with Midnight, I might figure something out. If something bad happens, I'll deal with it.)

With that thought, Akane lay on the bed, enjoying the scent of Midnight while looking forward to spending the day with him.

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