Chapter 88: Rikka’s Tears136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wM5cXnHGX
The dinner lasted well over an hour, filled with laughter, teasing, and the occasional roar of drunken nonsense. During it, Kobayashi finally gave in to temptation and drank with Takiya, transforming from a calm, emotionless woman into a full-blown, chaotic Lich King.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGow0sey7F
"Hahahahaha!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxSBo3JLTq
Her cheeks were flushed, her glasses slightly crooked, and a mischievous grin stretched across her face. Sitting beside lucoa, she reached out, shamelessly cupping lucoa’s enormous chest with both hands. Her voice was filled with drunken envy and disbelief. "Unbelievable! They’re huge! So heavy too! How do you even walk around like this without toppling over? People on the street must think you’re some kind of pervert dressed like that!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVmyMey9YM
"Eh? P-Pervert?" lucoa froze, her face turning red.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BUweAxziC
"Hmph! A woman who uses her massive boobs to tempt men into sin is a pervert, obviously!" Kobayashi declared proudly, still kneading without shame.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLDJSrD1zf
Don’t say that! You, who’s fondling someone else’s chest like that, are the real pervert here!136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tekfI6UFD
Meanwhile, Takiya, his glasses now askew, leaned against the wall with a goofy smile, mumbling drunkenly into Fafnir’s ear about nonsense that made absolutely no sense.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQwfzvejFR
The room was pure chaos. Laughter, slurred voices, and random drunken phrases overlapped into a mad orchestra of noise. Even Kouya couldn’t help but be amused watching the entire scene unfold—it was messy, human, and oddly warm.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIs34Tp4Fl
But amusement wasn’t happiness.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviUJsszm6t
That maid dragon, Tohru, had used distortion magic on him earlier, supposedly to “protect his worldview from corruption.” The spell did nothing—except irritate him. His mood soured every time he thought about it.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD754QjjBa
They were dragons. What was there to hide? As if he didn’t already know what they were. If they wanted to pass as humans, at least teach that blue-eyed baby dragon some basic manners! What kind of kid eats snacks nonstop all afternoon and still asks for more?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iBXmFfGft
When the clock neared nine, Kouya finally stood up. "Tohru, I’m heading out."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKMed26vyR
"Please take care, Kouya-sama." Tohru bowed politely, her tail twitching.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQSpbFu8DF
He waved her off and stepped into the night.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYQqDcTlxc
The wind outside was crisp and cool.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORzLKraSeN
The streets were quiet, painted silver under the streetlights. Kouya walked alone, his steps echoing faintly, savoring the quiet calm and the taste of solitude.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ48lfK7sEH
But as he neared his apartment complex, something caught his eye—a familiar silhouette standing beneath the glow of a streetlamp.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUDX3WerwZ
A petite girl with a single ahoge fluttering in the breeze, dressed in a gothic outfit she had clearly stitched herself—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTyzpnBW28
Takanashi Rikka.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZkfohv1WL
Kouya blinked, frowning slightly. "What’s she doing out here at this hour?" He considered calling out, but changed his mind, deciding to take a detour instead.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxna8KIj8Q
Before he could, Rikka turned her head sharply, her heterochromatic eyes scanning the surroundings. Then she spoke in a solemn, cold voice: "Come out. I already know you’re there."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAnBqVaYip
"Eh?" Kouya froze. Then he immediately shook his head. Nice try.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb6lprimzQ
You think I’d fall for that twice?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxGSFG0CJK
Rikka sniffed the air like a small animal, gripping her black automatic umbrella like a weapon, and began walking forward with an air of confidence that only made her look more ridiculous.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzkUU0mDgq
Kouya sighed and decided to follow quietly, keeping a few steps behind.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts6eca1sir
She reached a narrow alleyway, stopped, and lifted her chin, smiling faintly. "Creature of darkness, are you too afraid to reveal yourself?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyqlIu8Bld
The alley was empty. Only the soft wind stirred dust and leaves.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTStNSQPOZQ
Of course, her dramatic lines went unanswered.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPWTfUMGtU
"I am the agent of the Wicked Eye! I have traversed countless worlds to find you, destined one! Our battle shall shake the stars!" she declared grandly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3Jg9GySE5
Fight my ass! You’d just trip on your own umbrella swing!136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xHRogsVSG
Who does this in the middle of the night? Alone, talking about ‘destiny battles’? Her chuunibyou was in full bloom tonight.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkXyqWLS1z
Expressionless, Kouya turned to leave. Following her had been a mistake.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDif7znQgK
Then the sharp roar of a motorcycle shattered the silence. The headlight flared, and with a screech, it stopped right in front of Rikka.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs7fCuEamO
"Get on," a deep, cold voice commanded. The rider was tall, muscular, helmeted—his face hidden. His tone was that of someone used to being obeyed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYLHxrp8i0
Rikka froze. Even her ahoge shot straight up, like a cat’s tail bristling in terror.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dYC0Svv3I
Kouya stopped, frowning.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILONQVAbm5
Who the hell was this guy?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHKAhzia0h
Had she really managed to summon some kind of “dark creature”? No—there was no magic coming from him. Just an ordinary human.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9tht4dbdl
The scene was strange. An empty street. A quiet night. A trembling girl. A silent man on a motorcycle.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxx6E0AByj
Kouya suddenly remembered the news—stories of young girls going missing while walking home alone.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowb6nnC156
Could this be one of those scumbags? And Rikka his next target?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CZYBlyfqJ
The thought made Kouya’s blood turn cold. His eyes narrowed as he stepped out of the shadows.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNF0k1rtbb
"Move," the man ordered, voice hoarse and low like an owl crying in a graveyard.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnPmHfpZpi
Rikka shook, clinging to her umbrella. With a trembling hand, she pressed the button—“puff!”—the umbrella opened wide, a flimsy barrier between her and danger.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10JBtx98pU
Kouya was ready to act. His body tensed, heart steady.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRzIDuiuTp
Then—a sound broke through the night.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtohtFnEYtO
Footsteps. Fast ones. Accompanied by heavy panting.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWackXhTrN0
Kouya turned, his face twisting into disbelief.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ldnbSysZW
A husky came bounding out from the alley, tongue lolling, tail wagging, and without hesitation, jumped gracefully onto the motorcycle’s front pedal.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqmPwBg7Ks
The rider looked down at it. Then both man and dog turned their heads at the same time to stare at Rikka, their gazes eerily synchronized.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnrF2pWG6z
"……"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuPX3IHlqM
The air froze solid.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbQMrZTkOY
The silence was so thick it was painful.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEmD4s1rlp
Then, the motorcycle rumbled, spewing exhaust, and vanished down the street in a blur of taillights.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrdFSxGmb2
Kouya just stood there, lips parting, words failing him entirely.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTERFEBbX70
When the sound finally faded, Rikka collapsed into a crouch, clutching her head, her shoulders trembling violently. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Fear still lingered in every shiver.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nOnmjC76a
Kouya sighed deeply and walked over.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nzeHFtnAV
Hearing footsteps, Rikka looked up instinctively. The moment she saw Kouya’s face, her fear melted into relief, and the tears she’d held back finally spilled over.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoQZi77VRL
"Hero!" she cried, throwing herself against his chest, her small frame shaking. "I knew it! I knew the hero would come! You’d never leave me!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXemw4lrxl
Kouya stiffened, instinctively wanting to push her away. But seeing how fragile she looked, trembling like a scared kitten, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q9tVvXgUV
After a long pause, he asked quietly, "Why were you out here alone so late?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYtFzjpKYW
"B-Because… I was searching for dark creatures…" she whispered timidly, still clutching his sleeve.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnhDmAj1Ti
"And your sister? Doesn’t she watch over you?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpcjVwSlcy
"My sister’s the head chef at a hotel. There’s a big banquet tonight… she’s not coming home."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAvl3jgryt
Kouya sighed again. "Then stop wandering around at night. Come on, I’ll walk you back."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BnWbK8nOB
"Mm…" Rikka nodded, her teary eyes reflecting the streetlights, still damp but full of trust.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXVYmtbc2k
They started walking slowly toward the apartments. Rikka clung to him tightly, her grip firm, as if afraid he’d vanish.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv2dCloG04
"Let go," Kouya muttered, glancing down.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCKIMcKq07
"N-No!" she said immediately, pressing closer. "If I let go, the hero might disappear!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOrqqtGomD
You think I’m some teleporting angel who just goes ‘biu’ and vanishes into thin air? Really?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3hfQVMyfP
"Hero…"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMa5gBbNlc
"What now?" Kouya asked, raising a brow.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nSg7liSBB
"Kouya-kun," she said softly, puffing her cheeks like a pouting child. "Walk me all the way home, okay?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDDysX1Oox
"No."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIsDQBDW5y
"Kouya-kun, you’re so mean!" she whined, tears threatening again. "What if a monster grabs me on the way? Then what? You’d regret it forever!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRftvjvcrkj
Weren’t you the one challenging dark creatures ten minutes ago? Now you’re scared of walking home?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzo8Erl2iv
With a helpless sigh, Kouya finally escorted her to her building. Only after watching her go inside safely did he turn back toward his apartment.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf3qWHcy44
As soon as he stepped into his room, his phone rang, cutting through the silence.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqLVDJhJsL
He answered—and a frantic, panicked voice came through—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvj44v1b7T
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