"..."
Hana blinked her big eyes, staring at Miko and Rei Ao standing there.
Suddenly, the protective charm in her own hands no longer seemed so appealing.
"Ugh~"
She exaggerated a dainty hiccup, then clutched her chest dramatically, eyes shimmering with faux sorrow. "Waah, Miko, why—why must you shower me with public displays of affection like this!"
Hana clutched her large chest—or rather, her heart—in dramatic sorrow.
"I shouldn't even be here; I should be under a car instead!"
"Pfft!"
That theatrical display made Miko, who was still flustered, break into laughter.
"Hana, stop talking nonsense."
"Haha."
Hana dropped the pretense. Yes, it had been over the top. She scratched the back of her head.
"I just never imagined that not only has Miko become an adult, but she's gone so far already. But either way, I'll be sure to congratulate you, Miko!"
Hana was unswerving in her support for her best friend.
"Hana…"
Miko felt deeply moved. Hana not only trusted her unconditionally, but also supported her unconditionally.
"Oh, right!"
Wishing she could do something for her friend, Miko recalled something.
"Rei Ao-nii, Hana could see that evil spirit earlier too. Was it something special about that spirit that made her see it, or did she awaken a Spirit Sight of her own?"
"Oh?"
Rei Ao cast another look at Hana.
[Name]: Yurikawa Hana
[Level]: 0
[Ability]: "Spirit Sight"
"Hana has awakened a Spirit Sight, too."
Hana tilted her head in puzzlement.
"Rei Ao-nii, how do you know I've awakened the same spirit-seeing eye as Miko?"
"Because my own eyes have special powers."
"Eh?"
Hana was surprised yet again, her curiosity on full display. "Then, Rei Ao-nii, do you have x-ray vision?"
That inquisitive expression stirred certain thoughts in Rei Ao's mind, but he simply nodded.
"That's right—I can see through things."
He eyed Hana with a mischievous grin.
"At this moment, Hana, I've seen everything there is to see."
"Eeeek!!!"
Hana reacted like most girls would: she tried to cover herself. But only a few seconds passed before she relaxed, letting her arms fall. Not only that—she stretched them wide, as though prepared to face whatever came.
"Go ahead and look!"
"What…are you doing now?"
It was Rei Ao's turn to be baffled.
Wearing a serious expression, Hana said, "Just now, I kinda saw everything about Rei Ao-nii. Now it's Rei Ao-nii's turn to see me. That way it's fair!"
"..."
An awkward silence spread.
Miko's mouth twitched a few times.
"Rei Ao-nii, please don't mind her. Hana is just…a bit dumb."
"Ugh, Miko's saying mean things about me again."
Hana pouted, cheeks puffed roundly. "I'm not dumb! If you don't believe me, ask super-sharp-eyed Rei Ao-nii!"
Rei Ao laughed. "Haha, I think it's kinda cute, actually."
"See, see? Rei Ao-nii says so, too! You're such a great guy, Rei Ao-nii—plus you've got that big chungus and you're a super nice guy!"
"..."
Miko's lips twitched again. Right—so she's not stupid?
…
Having settled things at the shrine, Miko hadn't forgotten the real matter at hand: a trade, and she needed to give her payment. The thought of what was about to happen made her blush as she approached Hana hesitantly.
"Hana, you should probably head home now."
"Huh?"
Hana shook her head vigorously like a rattle.
"No way, I want to see more of Rei Ao-nii's magic!"
"But…"
"It's fine, Miko. If Hana wants to watch, I'll let her. Let's just move somewhere else," Rei Ao said with a light chuckle.
Such a delightful, naive girl—he had no intention of simply sending her away.
…
A while later.
"Wow! What is this fancy hotel? It's my first time in a place like this!"
Hana pressed up to the huge floor-to-ceiling window in a tall building, looking off into the distance.
"It's the sea!"
They were in a luxury five-star hotel with an ocean view. Rei Ao had brought them here and set up wards against hidden cameras, wiretaps, peeping, even magical eavesdropping. Not a trace could be seen through the windows, even from the balcony.
Miko, still bashfully flustered, had gone to shower. At the moment, only Rei Ao and Hana remained.
After the initial excitement wore off, Hana asked, "Rei Ao-nii, what are we doing here?"
Rei Ao smiled. "Hana, do you know what I really am?"
"Um…a magician?"
Hana still clung to that idea.
Rei Ao nodded and then shook his head.
"Not quite right. The correct answer is that I'm someone from another world who was summoned here because Miko needed help."
"Whaaa!!!"
Hana showed not a hint of fear, only lighting up with excitement. Her eyes glistened like stars.
"That's so romantic!"
She saw it as a wonderfully romantic scenario.
But Rei Ao offered a dose of reality.
"Helping Miko is also tied to a deal. She has to pay a price for it. Which is why I brought her here."
"Huh? What price?"
Hana blinked her big, bright eyes. Apparently, Miko had said nothing to her about it. Rei Ao's lips curved slightly as he leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Instantly, Hana's face turned red so fast it could be seen with the naked eye.
"It—it's that?!"
She wasn't sure whether she felt shocked or embarrassed. Which meant Miko was giving herself over for both her own safety and Hana's too.
"Miko…isn't really doing it of her own accord?"
"No," Rei Ao answered, shaking his head. "As you saw, it was more like we took action first and formalized it afterward. And it turns out, in that regard, we suit each other pretty well."
Indeed, not that it started out that way, but under his destructive blow, there was no doubt it would end up fitting. Eventually she'd become the shape he required.
"No wonder Miko kept hurrying me to leave," Hana mused, as though she finally understood. Rei Ao went on casually, "That's why what's going to happen next isn't really something you should be here for, Hana. How about I take you home?"
"No!"
Hana refused outright, her eyes filled with resolve.
"This isn't just Miko's business. Rei Ao-nii saved me too, so it's my business as well!"
"Oh?"
Rei Ao gave her a slightly doubtful look. "And what exactly can you do?"
"I…I…"
Hana wracked her brain, realizing that aside from her talent for eating (and having a big appetite), she wasn't sure what else she could contribute. But then the sound of running water from the bathroom gradually stopped, and her eyes brightened.
"That's it! I can do the same thing Miko does with Rei Ao-nii!"
~~~
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