tl/n: I'm going to change how she said "big brother" because "nii" or "nii-chan" is much nicer and more immersive than the latter.
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"10,000 yen as the condition, and I'll grant you demonic power."
The Zombie Devil proposed the terms.
This was actually something Chiya had instructed it to say. To get the yakuza creditor to agree to the contract on the spot, the condition couldn't be too harsh, but it also couldn't be nonexistent.
The yakuza creditor didn't hesitate at all and immediately pulled out a 10,000 yen bill. For someone like him, 10,000 yen was like pocket change.
As soon as the Zombie Devil accepted the money, the contract was established.
The yakuza creditor was instantly zombified. He didn't even know how he died, or perhaps he didn't even realize he was dead.
"Power… power…"
The yakuza creditor's mind, now eroded by the zombie virus, was left with only an obsession for power. He muttered to himself in a hoarse, guttural voice.
His face became increasingly grotesque and terrifying, his eyes bulging and bloodshot. Soon, he had completely turned into a zombie.
Following Chiya's orders, the Zombie Devil then commanded the zombified creditor to return and infect all his subordinates.
This was why Chiya had the Zombie Devil handle this instead of doing it himself.
Although he could have easily killed the creditor himself, it wouldn't have eradicated the problem entirely.
Despite the old man's senility, the yakuza group he controlled was still very powerful.
This yakuza group wasn't just active in Suginami Ward—its influence had spread throughout Tokyo and even all of Japan. It was likely one of the largest yakuza groups in the country.
If Chiya had acted personally, it would have been easy for the yakuza to figure out who had killed the old man, and Denji would have been targeted as well.
In that case, unless he wiped out the entire yakuza group, neither he nor Denji would have any peace in the future.
So having the Zombie Devil handle it was the best option. The old man's death by zombification wouldn't lead anyone to suspect Denji.
Chiya had also made the Zombie Devil swear to keep the truth a secret. The Zombie Devil didn't dare disobey his reasonable commands.
Moreover, the zombie's infection ability could be used to wipe out the yakuza members in Suginami Ward in one go. As for the yakuza members in other areas, they could be dealt with later.
"What's wrong with him…?"
At this moment, Denji peeked out from behind the Zombie Devil and saw the yakuza boss's condition, her face filled with shock and confusion.
She had been hidden behind the Zombie Devil the entire time.
"He's been zombified. He's as good as dead, and you no longer have to worry about your debt."
Chiya watched expressionlessly as the old man got back into his car.
Even though he had been zombified, he still retained the knowledge and skills from his life. The Zombie Devil just needed to give him orders.
"Oh, that's great!"
Denji was overjoyed.
She had suffered for so long because of her debt, living in constant fear. Now, she was finally free.
"Since you've packed your things, let's leave now."
Chiya made a slight change to the plan. "Zombie Devil, have that guy take Denji and me to Nerima Ward first, then carry out the original plan."
This would save them the trouble of taking the subway late at night.
"Got it."
The Zombie Devil replied.
Soon, Chiya and Denji got into the yakuza creditor's car and headed to Nerima Ward, where his apartment was located.
When they got out of the car, Denji stuck her tongue out at the zombified creditor inside. "Goodbye, old man."
These words were both a farewell and a final goodbye, as well as a farewell to her past life of suffering.
Of course, the yakuza creditor didn't respond. He no longer had any self-awareness.
"It's not far from my place now. Let's walk the rest of the way."
Chiya reached out his hand, ready to take Denji's.
Denji hesitated, looking embarrassed. "I'm so dirty…"
She didn't want to dirty Chiya-nii's hand, and she was also worried that he might dislike her for being so filthy.
"What's the big deal?"
With that, Chiya took off his jacket and draped it over Denji's shoulders. "It's gotten quite cold at night. Put this on so you don't catch a cold."
Denji was stunned, her heart filled with surprise.
This was the first time she had met someone who didn't mind how dirty and smelly she was.
She no longer held back and took Chiya's hand.
Big brother's hand was warm and strong, and it was also large, giving her a sense of security she had never felt before.
However, her heart was now pounding, beating a little too fast, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
[Ding! Host has unlocked the achievement "Denji's Favor (Lv. 3)." Attribute points gained: 8!]
This system notification made Chiya subconsciously pay more attention to Denji.
He was starting to realize that something might be off.
Wait a minute!
Could Denji have developed special feelings for me?
Although Denji was quite cute now, she was still young, at the age when romantic feelings first start to bloom.
Due to his sense of morality, Chiya didn't harbor any inappropriate thoughts about Denji. Instead, he saw her as a younger sister.
For now, he decided not to address it directly, as he wasn't entirely sure if Denji really felt that way. If Denji ever made any moves in the future, he would gently guide her.
As for the Zombie Devil and the yakuza creditor, Chiya didn't need to worry about them anymore.
The contract with the Zombie Devil would remain valid until it completed the tasks he had assigned.
...
About ten minutes later, they arrived at the apartment.
Chiya brought Denji and Pochita upstairs.
"This is my home, and it'll be your home from now on too."
Chiya pointed to the door in front of them.
"Wow~"
This was the first time Denji had ever been in such a fancy apartment, and she had no idea what the inside of an apartment suite looked like. She was both curious and excited.
As Chiya opened the door, Denji felt like she had stepped into a whole new world.
The living room alone was larger than her little shack, not to mention the kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms.
Denji was immediately fascinated, looking around in awe.
"Can I really live here from now on?"
Denji could hardly believe this was real.
"Of course, unless we move, and even then, it'll only be to a better place."
Otonashi Chiya said.
"Can I take a bath first?"
Denji was disgusted by how dirty and smelly she was. She wanted to take a long, hot bath.
"Go ahead. You can wear my clothes for now. Tomorrow, I'll take you to buy new clothes that fit you."
Chiya fetched a set of his own clothes for Denji to wear temporarily.
In the bathtub, Denji hummed familiar children's songs as she washed herself.
After a full half hour, Denji finally felt clean.
She looked at the clothes Chiya had given her. Whether it was because she had been soaking in the tub for too long or because she was shy, her face was flushed red.
These were clothes that Chiya-nii had worn… they carried his scent…