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As if by magic, the kitten began to purr loudly, nuzzling against Ryosuke's hand with complete abandon.
Sayuri's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… what?! He's never purred that loudly before! What did you say to him?"
Ryosuke flashed a wide grin and shrugged mischievously. "That stays between Yuri and me. Guys, you know, we've got our little secrets."
Sayuri shot him a glare, but her lips were already curling into an amused smile. She held out her hands. "All right, Mr. Kitten Charmer. Now hand him back."
Ryosuke burst out laughing and gently set Yuri in her arms. The kitten, still purring, rubbed his tiny head against Sayuri's chin, pulling a joyful laugh from the girl.
"Well," Ryosuke said as he straightened up, crossing his arms with a mock-serious air, "looks like even Yuri's finally found his normal state. Goes to show, it's never too late to make an effort. Right, Sayuri?"
Sayuri raised a brow, smiling. "If you're hinting at me, just so you know, I'm already normal enough as it is, big brother. You, on the other hand, are still as pretentious as ever."
Ryosuke stretched his arms casually, feigning indifference, and said lightly, "Well, I'm going to check on Mom. She must be feeling lonely downstairs."
Sayuri nodded softly, still nestled against her pillow with Yuri purring in her arms.
A mischievous grin crept across Ryosuke's face, and before Sayuri could guess his intentions, he leaned in and pinched her cheeks gently.
"You, on the other hand, try to get some rest, hamster!" he teased before pulling back quickly, narrowly avoiding the pillow Sayuri hurled at him with a cry of outrage.
"Hey! I'm not a hamster, you idiot!"
Ryosuke laughed out loud, opened the door, and shut it behind him, careful to dodge a second projectile.
"Missed!" he called cheerfully from the hallway.
But as soon as the door closed, his laughter faded like a flame in the wind. His cheerful face shifted into something dark, almost menacing. The sparkle in his eyes vanished, his features turning grave and cold.
He stood motionless for a moment in the hallway, staring into nothing. His hand slowly clenched into a fist.
No one touches my family…
---
The sun struggled to pierce through gray clouds, wrapping a deserted neighborhood in gloom.
Yuta tightened his grip on his katana.
"This is the first time we've all worked together," he said with a small smile, glancing at Maki, Toge, and Panda.
"You shouldn't be happy about it," Maki retorted, arms crossed. "That's not good news."
Yuta frowned, surprised.
"Why?"
"Because if they're sending several of us, it means the situation's bad," she replied curtly. "The curse outbreak rate has skyrocketed lately."
Toge simply muttered, "Salmon."
Beside him, Panda shrugged his massive plush-like shoulders.
"Basically, it means they're short on hands to handle all this."
Yuta's eyes fell on Panda, his brow still furrowed.
"Don't you think it's risky walking around like that? What if someone sees you?"
Maki, clearly annoyed, smacked him on the back of the head.
"You really are an idiot sometimes. Who would believe in a talking panda?"
"Uh… I mean…" Yuta stammered, embarrassed.
"Anyway, what you're thinking, others are probably thinking too. And besides, the barrier we'll deploy will block any prying eyes."
Just then, a black van with tinted windows pulled up beside them. Mr. Ijichi stepped out, looking grave and nervous, a map in hand.
"Are you ready?"
They nodded, their earlier lightness giving way to seriousness.
Ijichi spread the map.
"This district's been completely evacuated. Residents reported strange incidents, and detectors confirmed the presence of grade 4 curses… maybe worse. You're to cleanse the area. If anything goes wrong, do not engage in battle. Understood?"
"We'll handle it," Maki declared, drawing her weapon.
Yuta glanced at his teammates before nodding.
Maki checked her naginata. Toge's face remained unreadable, while Panda adjusted the strap of his bag, looking oddly relaxed.
Ijichi handed them the map.
"I'll stay back with the van. If things get out of control, remember this: retreat. Don't play heroes."
"Don't worry," Panda said. "It's Yuta you should keep an eye on. He kinda has the tragic hero vibe."
Yuta opened his mouth to protest, but Maki cut him off with a wave of her hand.
"Enough chatter. Let's go."
The group set off.
The streets were empty. The windows of the surrounding buildings looked dulled by years of dust, and the air carried a strange, metallic scent, almost suffocating.
"It feels like the whole neighborhood's dead," Yuta murmured.
Toge pointed to a shattered shop window where deep claw marks marred the surface.
"Bonito flakes…"
Maki nodded.
"Yeah. They're close."
The air shivered, like an invisible breath passing through.
Panda froze.
"Here we go… they know we're here."
A black silhouette emerged at the end of the street, its twisted limbs contorting like a living shadow.
Yuta immediately stepped up beside Maki, with Toge and Panda taking position behind them.
"I'll take the first strike," Yuta said, raising his katana.
Maki smirked.
"Try not to embarrass yourself."
The creature lunged forward with a piercing shriek, its claws slashing toward them. Yuta clenched his jaw and braced himself to strike.
The katana cut through the air, lighting up the dark street with a silver flash.
But the moment the blade struck the black, viscous body of the curse, it dissolved into a dense mist that evaporated into the air.
Yuta straightened, confused, searching for his enemy.
"Behind you, idiot!" Maki shouted.