Chapter 30 – Building Closer Ties
After steadying his thoughts, Tatsuro pushed the door open once again. His once pale complexion had regained a bit of color.
"You're alright now?" Yuto Mi asked.
"Yeah, I had a bit of low blood pressure. Stepped out for some fresh air, I feel much better now."
"Wait… didn't you say it was high blood pressure earlier?" she asked suspiciously.
"…"
"Pfft!" From the side, Gardenia chuckled softly, her hand covering her mouth as her lips curved upward. "Stinky little brother, let's see how you talk your way out of this."
Tatsuro could only respond with an awkward yet polite smile.
He then turned to Yuto Mi and said, "As your personal bodyguard, I'll dedicate myself for the next fifteen days to eliminating any and all dangers to you or society."
As he spoke, his eyes flicked upward toward the curse lingering above her head.
The curse spirit currently resembled a gentle mother, as if lovingly combing her daughter's hair. There was no immediate danger now, but in the future? That was uncertain.
He could sense it—this spirit existed solely to protect her. But if she were ever harmed, it would likely go berserk.
The responsibility weighed on him.
But… why was he even justifying this to himself?
The system already gave him a mission.
It must be exorcised.
"Alright, let's go," said Yuto Mi casually.
She gently slipped off the silver ring from her left index finger and placed it beneath her pillow—watching it the whole time as if it were her most treasured possession.
To Tatsuro, it was clear: a black line of cursed energy connected the ring to the spirit floating above her. No doubt—this was the Curse Within the Ring the system referred to.
Still, now wasn't the time to provoke it. It was clearly on guard.
But he had time. Fifteen days. He'd make it lower its defenses.
Then, he'd finish it.
Tonight's focus, however, was learning martial arts from Shuuichi Idou. If he wanted to take on this curse alone, he needed real hand-to-hand skill.
"Miss, Tatsuro, take care out there," said Gardenia respectfully, holding the door open.
"Thanks, Gardenia. Take care of things here," Yuto Mi replied with a bright, carefree tone as she skipped outside. Her light-heartedness made Tatsuro reassess her. Initially, he'd pegged her as an airhead. Now? She gave off big-sister energy.
Once they exited the villa gates, Yuto Mi suddenly asked, "Do you think I'm pretty?"
"Hmm?"
Tatsuro looked her over. Though four years older than him, she was a bit shorter. Dressed in a simple white summer dress, she exuded confidence. Her bright eyes shimmered.
"Of course you're pretty. Honestly, I'd say you're the most beautiful woman I've seen. Gardenia comes in second."
"Haha!"
Yuto Mi laughed behind her hand. "No wonder Gardenia likes you. Guess she sees you like a little brother."
"Well, I've always had a thing for pretty older sisters."
With a smug grin, Tatsuro smoothly segued: "That ring on your left hand was really beautiful. Why didn't you wear it out?"
"That ring… it's very important. I'd be heartbroken if I lost it."
Her tone turned slightly bitter.
"But I'm here now. I'll protect you—and the ring. If it falls, I'll track it down. Even a stray strand of hair, I can recover it."
He wasn't exaggerating. With the Sharingan active, he could easily detect even a flake of dandruff.
"Maybe… it depends."
That ring was her mother's last gift before her death. Every time she wore it, she felt like her mother was still with her, gently kissing her forehead.
Losing it would break her.
"I see."
Tatsuro noticed her gaze had dropped, and her eyes glistened faintly with tears. She was clearly reliving a painful memory.
This just confirmed it: the curse spirit was indeed her mother.
If he wanted to exorcise it later, he'd have to build trust—with both Yuto Mi and the spirit. If the curse got used to his presence and scent, he could eventually take the ring.
That's the plan, he thought. But there's a problem—how to get her to wear the ring outside…
Using Sharingan the entire time she shopped? Impossible. Just half an hour would burn through all his cursed energy. And girls shopped for hours.
Forget it. Better to use the Sharingan for copying martial arts later tonight.
Women are complicated.
Maybe he should call Maki for advice sometime.
Anyway, he had a more immediate issue—the tail behind them.
They hadn't even been out fifteen minutes, and already two people were following them.
They weren't even subtle.
Tch. Are they looking down on me?
From the street mirrors and reflections, he could see two plainclothes figures tailing them carefully.
Tatsuro leaned in and whispered to Yuto Mi, "Up ahead, we'll stop by that alley. We've got a tail. If you're nervous, just close your eyes. I'll handle them."
Yuto Mi quickly wiped her tears and tried to act composed. "You saw nothing, alright? I wasn't crying. Just got something in my eye."
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say. I'll treasure that beautiful expression in my heart—forever."
Tatsuro leaned forward, as if offering a dramatic kiss—only for Yuto Mi to block him with her hand.
"Cheeky little brat! Where'd you learn all this flirt talk? How many girls have you messed with?"
"None! I swear! Heaven can bear witness!"
"They all say that."
"…"
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