From Chapter 57 onward, prepare for a major upgrade—writing, cleaner grammar, and a more immersive story!
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~ We're close to 200PS Bonus Chapter!
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Triggered by a single bamboo-shaped water bottle, Bokue Keikain's thoughts instantly flew back ten years.
———
"That outfit... oh, so you're from the Himejima clan's exorcist squad? Instead of teaming with those Jujutsu Sorcerers to purge curses, you come all the way out here to hunt down a kid—what's the idea?"
"Kill me, huh? Tsk tsk. You're pretty bold. If you really did kill me, the Entire Hero Village would probably thank you afterward..."
"…Hey, you all right? You want some water or something to eat?"
"You can bring this water bottle when you take the bullet train to Kyoto. Then go find the big-boobed fox lady at Yasaka Shrine—just show her this, and she'll know. She'll take care of you. It's safe there."
"My name's Bokue Keikain, the current acting head of Kyoto's Keikain family. Right now, I'm traveling alone."
———
Every line of those words from long ago floated back to mind, making Bokue's gaze sharpen with clarity.
He'd never been someone with a poor memory. He generally remembered everyone he'd ever met.
But he'd never imagined that the girl he'd casually rescued on that trip was actually Akeno standing before him now.
After all… in Japan, a child usually takes their father's surname, right?
Since her father was a Fallen Angel, presumably she'd have a Western-style name. The name "Himejima," while reminiscent of the five major exorcist families, didn't necessarily confirm that she belonged to the actual Himejima clan. Sometimes, people just shared the same surname by coincidence.
And the biggest mismatch was the difference in physical growth.
When they first met, that girl was so tiny, so frail, even her chest was… basically a blank slate. Compared to how big and full it was now, they seemed like two different people entirely.
Yes, how on Earth did she go from that scrawny little waif—looking borderline malnourished—to the busty Akeno we see now?
It was… an unimaginable leap.
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Coming back to the present, Akeno's face still showed sorrow.
She set down the bamboo thermos, took a step forward, and lifted her arms around Bokue's waist. In her violet-red eyes, little tears were starting to gather.
"So… do you remember now?"
"…Yeah. I do."
Bokue dipped his head slightly, indeed recalling it all.
In truth, it's not like he'd forgotten. He simply never made the connection. Who would have guessed such a drastic transformation over ten years?
Still, a bigger problem loomed: their current posture was far too intimate for being in a public supermarket aisle. Thankfully, for the moment, no bystanders were around. If a clerk saw them like this, they might assume a young couple was sneaking in some fun amid the groceries and kick them out.
And from the look of it, Akeno had no intention of letting go anytime soon. So…
"Bokue," Akeno whispered softly, hugging him tighter, as if afraid he'd vanish. Each syllable was laden with painful longing. "I just want to ask you one thing. Will you answer me honestly?"
"All right."
He agreed to her request. Without making a fuss, Bokue slid a hand behind his back and, with a flick of his fingers, ignited a bit of Spiritual Pressure, tossing out a miniature "Keep Away" barrier.
Sure, it was going to mess with the supermarket's foot traffic for a while—but at least no one would stumble upon them in this precarious situation.
Once that was done, Akeno's voice rose again:
"Tell me. You and Rias… is that for real, or are you just doing it because Rias asked you to?"
"Mm… if you want a ratio, maybe 70/30."
He didn't hide it—he laid it out plainly. Indeed, it all started from Rias's request, but he also personally had quite some fondness for her. Otherwise, he never would have agreed in the first place.
Like accepting a confession from a girl: you first have to have enough good feelings to cross that baseline. If any random woman asked, he wouldn't just say "yes." He wasn't some shared commodity.
"…I see."
Hearing that answer, Akeno's eyes flickered with momentary blankness.
"So you… truly love Rias?"
"Yeah."
"…Then what about me?"
Gathering her last bit of courage, Akeno forced out that question.
From Bokue's confirmation that he and Rias were in earnest, she'd all but admitted defeat; that her feelings were basically one-sided. Over the years, she'd stayed near him, but not as intimately as Rias. Still, giving up without even asking was impossible for her to accept.
She half expected a painful rejection.
But then she heard the boy's voice:
"Mm… I like you too."
…Huh?
Completely unexpected. Akeno's mind went blank for an instant, then her eyes shot wide.
"Wait—hang on. Let me re-check. Just now, I asked you what?"
"You asked how I feel about you, Akeno."
"…And you answered?"
"I said, 'I like you too.'"
Bokue responded matter-of-factly, tipping his head in confusion.
"Is there a problem?"
"I… but… that…"
Akeno's lips parted, but words failed. She was stunned. If Bokue already had a genuine thing with Rias—yet said he "also liked her"—then…
"Actually, Rias and I have already discussed that," Bokue clarified with a shrug. "Sure, it's complicated. But in the end, Rias said she doesn't mind…"
"Really?!"
Like winter thawing to spring in a single breath, Akeno's face lit up in euphoria. The sorrowful gloom from seconds before vanished, replaced by joyous disbelief.
Her beautiful violet-red eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"You mean it? Rias seriously doesn't mind…?"
"Mhm." Bokue gently patted the arms locked around his waist. "Long story. I can explain later—once we buy what we need."
"No, no, I want to hear it right now!"
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