this terrifying aura didn't last too long.
Kuzuha was closest to Fang Wuwei, so she was naturally affected the most. Even though it wasn't directed at her, she instantly felt dizzy and lightheaded, her body went limp, she felt nauseous and faint, and she shivered.
Fang Wuwei stopped instantly, and his aura receded.
However, it seems like...
Fang Wuwei suppressed his anger, his brow furrowing as he looked at the Imp above, who was completely unaffected.
It doesn't work on her... Forget it, she must be finished today.
Kuzuha felt a little uncomfortable, thinking she hadn't offered enough incense money... She fumbled in her bag for another coin, tossed it in, and clapped her hands again.
Soon, she felt much better... Is the Deity really a bit... greedy?
"Heh heh... Given how sincere this shorty minion is, I'll be merciful and transfer your bad luck to that unhygienic minion."
The Imp spun in a circle in the air, then came to Fang Wuwei's side, bringing her big head close to his mouth, wanting to hear his wish.
Then she heard four big words.
"You, are, dead, meat."
...What, a curse? Tsk~~
The Imp had no idea that this was directed at her. She thought he was cursing someone else through her. She relaxed in the air, clasped her hands behind her head, and slowly floated away.
"The shorty minion is quite nice, but she's made friends with such a narrow-minded, unhygienic, curse-loving stinky minion~~~"
The smile on Fang Wuwei's face softened a little. His mood had improved. He had already sentenced this Imp to death in his heart, so there was no need to get angry at a soul that was about to die.
Now, she was just a talking corpse.
"Brother Wuwei, let's go... Oh dear."
Kuzuha turned to leave, but still feeling a bit dizzy, her steps were unsteady. She missed a step while going down the stairs and almost fell.
Although it was only three or four steps, making a fool of oneself in public wasn't very graceful, and falling on one's bottom would hurt quite a bit. Fortunately, Fang Wuwei grabbed Kuzuha in time.
But at this moment, three more points of anger rose in Fang Wuwei's heart. He remembered the curse that Imp had placed on Kuzuha just now... It seems this scoundrel really has some ability?
And didn't she say it would transfer to me?
Fang Wuwei looked back and saw the Imp doing the butterfly stroke in the air, silently clenching his fists.
You'd better pray that Tsukuyomi works on you. That way, I'll only deal with you. If it doesn't work... then I'll flip your entire shrine over, physical exorcism.
The two gradually walked away. The Imp looked at their departing backs and clasped hands, then raised her own hand to look at it, a little lost...
"Did the shorty minion really have bad luck just now? I was just joking... And when did I get the ability to curse others? I clearly gave her a love blessing... Well, whatever, next one, next one~ Let me see what kind of minion the next one is~"
...............
After the Hatsuharu, everyone followed the belated Togashi, Totsuka couple, and Ikenouchi family out for a meal.
The first thing Ikenouchi Maki did after waking up was apologize to Kuzuha. Even though Kuzuha repeatedly waved her hands and explained, she continued to apologize non-stop.
It wasn't until she received a nod from Fang Wuwei, who was standing behind Kuzuha, that she let out a big sigh of relief.
Afterward, everyone went out for a meal together. Nibutani and Koushou, after getting permission from their parents, came to Yuta's home for dinner and then played wildly all day.
For a time, Togashi's small house was packed with people.
At Yuta's mother's invitation, Rikka's mother also came downstairs from upstairs, bringing some snacks to join the meal. The adults gathered around a large table of food and drinks in the dining room, eating and chatting.
However, during this time, the Totsuka couple and Ikenouchi couple knew not to say what shouldn't be said, only chatting about everyday life.
After all, no one would believe it if they said it, and if the children said such things, they would just be considered playing. They were all grown-ups; saying such things would only make them seem like idiots.
Of course, even without those topics, they still had plenty to talk about, and the atmosphere was naturally joyful.
The children, on the other hand, gathered in the living room, playing games around a kotatsu.
Since the kotatsu was too small, some people naturally had to be outside. Fang Wuwei was the one outside; or rather, he voluntarily went out.
Fang Wuwei sat on the sofa, holding the lively Chimera and Yumeha in his arms, a smile on his face as he watched everyone playing board games in the kotatsu.
The TV was on, and Fang Wuwei was facing it, but he had no intention of watching. Instead, he often looked out the window at the still clear sky, feeling a bit restless.
Kuzuha came from the kitchen, holding a plate full of juice. Seeing this, Fang Wuwei immediately stood up and took the plate of juice from Kuzuha's hand.
He was too scared. He was afraid that the 'bad luck for a day' that the Imp had mentioned would happen again...
Disregarding Kuzuha's objections, Fang Wuwei carried the plate to the others and set down the cups one by one.
One cup was missing, and even with Kuzuha's share, one cup was still missing.
"Hey, Brother Wuwei, this is yours."
Just then, Kuzuha came from the side, carefully holding a steaming hot cup of tea. She put it into Fang Wuwei's hand, then took her own cup of juice and sat down on the sofa.
She wasn't very familiar with the others, and it wasn't easy to jump into the game halfway through. Watching TV was also good.
Fang Wuwei also breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, nothing went wrong. He held the hot tea and also came to the sofa, sitting next to Kuzuha to watch TV with her.
Chimera naturally ran to his lap and squatted down, letting him pet her. Yumeha also ran over and hugged Kuzuha's leg.
"Hug!"
"Yumeha~~"
Kuzuha handed the juice in her hand to Fang Wuwei, bent down to pick up her sister, and with some effort, placed her on the sofa to watch TV together.
The three of them sat together, watching TV and laughing together.
"Togashi's wife."
"Hmm?"
Takanashi's mother looked at the three people sitting on the sofa, a smile on her face.
"You'd better keep a close eye on your children."
"Oh dear... We've watched Wuwei grow up since he was little. We're at ease leaving Kuzuha with him..."
The adults began to tease the few of them. The two children looked quite well-matched in their eyes.
Fang Wuwei ignored them, just silently drinking his tea, occasionally looking up at the sky, wishing for time to pass quickly. He was already getting impatient.
"Brother Wuwei."
"Hmm?"
"You're very strange today."
Kuzuha turned her head to look at Fang Wuwei, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"Me? What's wrong with me?"
"Brother Wuwei, I've told you before, you're not good at hiding your thoughts (Chapter Three)..."
Fang Wuwei fell silent, turning his head to look at the TV, no longer speaking.
Seeing this, Kuzuha also said nothing more.
The sky gradually darkened, the sun setting deeply. After dinner at Yuta's home, they continued to play wildly for a while, until late at night, when everyone finally said their goodbyes and left.
They came quickly and left quickly. After helping to tidy up the house and carrying several bags of trash, the guests all departed.
Only Fang Wuwei and the Togashi family remained in Yuta's home; even Rikka had gone back.
"Wuwei, why don't you stay tonight? You can wear Yuta's clothes for now."
Yuta's father, Mr. Togashi, spoke, inviting Fang Wuwei. It was Chinese New Year, and he didn't want Fang Wuwei to go back to that soulless house.
"Yeah, it's Chinese New Year, one more won't hurt."
Yuta himself agreed, nodding at Fang Wuwei, but his face inexplicably held a hint of sympathy and pleading.
Fang Wuwei couldn't hide things. Small matters might go unnoticed, but with big matters, it was practically written on his face. Their whole family had noticed.
Yes... Ever since his parents passed away, he was all alone in this world. On Chinese New Year, perhaps in the past, he would listen to the sound of fireworks and laughter outside, alone in his home.
A festival, so-called, is when happy people become happier, and lonely people become lonelier.
This year, with them, their family didn't want Fang Wuwei to live such a lonely and helpless life anymore, nor did they want him to sink into solitude and loneliness. They wanted to save him, to give him warmth.
This was a rather perfect misunderstanding, because Fang Wuwei didn't grasp the meaning behind the Togashi family's words at all. Instead, due to excitement and anger, his voice trembled slightly.
It's finally time... I've endured for a day, and the more I think about it, the angrier I get...
"Ah... It's fine, let's just leave it for today. I have some things I need to take care of... Well then, I'll be going now. Thank you for your hospitality."
Fang Wuwei put on his shoes, gestured to everyone inside, then turned and left.
After going downstairs and stepping outside, Fang Wuwei looked up at the moon. The cold wind blew against him, but he felt a burning heat.
A burning heat rising from the depths of his heart.
Time to get to work...
"Brother Wuwei!"
Fang Wuwei was about to summon Cavaliere when he heard Kuzuha's voice from behind him. He quickly stopped his motion and turned around, surprised internally though he didn't show it on his face.
"It's so cold, what are you doing out here?"
Kuzuha ran down and came in front of him. Before she could speak, Fang Wuwei took off his jacket and draped it over her. He wasn't afraid of the cold, but that didn't mean Kuzuha wasn't.
"Are you still going back?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes... This matter might be a bit troublesome..."
"Is that so...?"
Kuzuha looked at the somewhat puzzled Fang Wuwei, opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated, finally just smiling and saying to Fang Wuwei,
"Remember to come back. There will always be a place for you here."
Fang Wuwei was stunned in place for three seconds by these inexplicable words, then suddenly realized why the Togashi family's attitude towards him had been so strange just now...
He was even a little moved...
"Mm... I'll be back, soon."
Fang Wuwei raised his hand and, as usual, rubbed Kuzuha's head.
Then he suddenly pulled her close and hugged her.
Kuzuha: !!!
"Thank you."
After a brief hug, Fang Wuwei quickly let go, a genuine, happy smile on his face. He turned and left, disappearing into the night.
Kuzuha was left standing there, motionless, her small mouth slightly agape as she stared at the dark night sky, even after Fang Wuwei was out of sight.
After a long while, her face suddenly flushed. She took two steps back, then slowly placed her hands in front of her, feeling the lingering warmth still on them.
...You're welcome.