The transition between dusk and night.
One could simultaneously observe the not-yet-fully-set sun and the faint outline of the moon.
After seeing Nanao Akane off, Hayato went straight home.
The moment his foot crossed into the apartment.
Takahashi Administrator, the building's manager, quickly stepped out.
"Xiaolin," Takahashi called him.
"Hm?"
Hayato noticed a somewhat ambiguous smile on Takahashi Administrator's lips.
He winked at Hayato, then beckoned him inside the apartment.
"What's wrong?" Hayato asked.
"I'll show you a treasure," Takahashi Administrator said.
"What?" Hayato subconsciously glanced at his crotch, wondering if this guy had awakened some special XP and was into men.
Did he want him to go to bed with him to look at a glow-in-the-dark watch?
But, clearly not.
After Hayato followed Takahashi Administrator down the apartment corridor for a while.
The latter suddenly turned around.
Followed by, raising his right hand.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about Takahashi Administrator's hand, except for a ring on his middle finger.
A strange ring.
The gem on the ring was shaped like a cat's vertical pupil, but it glowed with an ominous blood-red color.
"Please look at this!!" Takahashi Administrator said forcefully, as if holding his breath.
"…"
Hayato merely glanced at the ring, and then his dark eyes beneath thick eyelashes seemed to lose focus, becoming dim.
His hands also dropped powerlessly.
"…S-succeeded?"
Hayato's expression made Takahashi Administrator ecstatic—it really worked!
This ring truly had a miraculous effect!
He had actually found the real thing!!
Takahashi Administrator looked incredulously at his finger, and at the ring emitting a ghostly red light.
The story began several months ago.
That was when apartment "504" welcomed its new owner, Ms. Yukino Fuyumi.
He helped the newly arrived Yukino Fuyumi move furniture and other items to the fifth floor, and even called the gas company, the electricity department, and helped set up the internet connection for her.
These were not the responsibilities of an apartment manager, but simply because—
To put it nicely, it was love at first sight; to put it bluntly, it was lust at first sight. Yes, Takahashi admitted, he was indeed attracted by Yukino Fuyumi's beautiful face and graceful figure.
Ms. Yukino Fuyumi… no, she should be called Mrs., she once had a husband who died young.
But that didn't matter to Takahashi; a "widow" or whatever, it sounded quite exciting.
Moreover, a young wife who had lost her husband might be easier to approach.
Yes, being married was not the issue.
The problem was that Yukino Fuyumi had no interest in him whatsoever.
Takahashi painstakingly created coincidental encounters every day, just to say a few more words to Yukino Fuyumi.
He even advised her to move on from the pain of widowhood, hinting with words like "one must always look forward."
Yet, he never expected to not only fail to win her heart but also make her impatiently dislike him.
Takahashi was helpless, and this stalemate lasted for several months.
He and Yukino Fuyumi only managed to exchange a few words when collecting rent bills.
However, it was precisely the "rent bill" situation that made Takahashi see a turning point.
Yukino Fuyumi had always lived frugally, unable to pay rent on time, and always needed Takahashi to mediate.
Even if she could pay in a certain month, Takahashi would use the excuse, "Actually, there's an additional management fee, but the higher-ups waived it for you, Mrs. Yukino, because of my face," to make Yukino Fuyumi grateful to him.
After repeated instances.
Yukino Fuyumi's icy demeanor finally began to thaw, and now with the newly moved-in black brother Mike offering advice, he created multiple opportunities to invite Yukino Fuyumi to an izakaya.
However, each such opportunity was ruined by "Xiaolin."
Takahashi knew a lot about this "Xiaolin."
First, he was an orphan.
But his parents died very early; when Takahashi took office as administrator, only Hayato remained in the Xiaolin family.
Secondly, this guy was very gloomy.
Every time Takahashi Administrator greeted him, the latter would ignore him, and over time, Takahashi mentally labeled Xiaolin as "What the heck, this kid is too arrogant."
But recently, all of that changed.
Hayato would actually greet him proactively, and even his previous hunched back and cautious walking had completely disappeared.
His demeanor was confident, his speech calm, and his voice devoid of emotion.
He no longer had that awkwardness from before.
Takahashi Administrator took it as the kid finally changing his ways, but since he wasn't too familiar with Xiaolin, he didn't pay much attention to it.
He even thought it was a good thing.
Then he regretted it.
He didn't know when, in places he couldn't see, his admired Yukino Fuyumi had become very close with Hayato.
And what was this "tutoring"? He had never heard of such a thing before!
Takahashi Administrator began to calmly observe Xiaolin.
Gradually, he started to notice.
All the wickedness of the world was written on Xiaolin's face.
Takahashi Administrator considered himself not bad-looking.
"Not bad" meant it had little to do with "good."
And Xiaolin, who had shed his gloomy aura—Takahashi Administrator believed he could definitely make a living with that face.
When he became an adult and worked the streets of Shinjuku, his type of handsome guy would definitely be the most popular, and his business would surely be busy.
Not only that, during his observation of Xiaolin, he also found that Mrs. Yukino also secretly observed that boy multiple times.
Whenever she saw Xiaolin coming out of the beautiful lady's apartment across the hall, Mrs. Yukino would secretly get upset.
So that's it.
Takahashi Administrator immediately understood; so Mrs. Yukino really liked this type of handsome young man?
The feeling of jealousy, like sour lemon bubbles, spread wildly in Takahashi Administrator's heart, yet he had no idea what to do.
Takahashi Administrator would rather die than admit that he, a dignified adult, would lose to a high school student.
As he lay in his room, pondering a solution and idly rolling around, he discovered a box under the low table.
This seemed to be a relic left by his father.
Old Takahashi was also the apartment manager, and after his death, he passed the position to his son.
Dad's relic?
Takahashi Administrator found it strange; he thought he should have cleaned everything up by now.
A square box.
The box was covered with paper slips resembling talismans, and Takahashi even felt a sticky sensation.
Picking it up, Takahashi realized it was a wooden box.
He opened the wooden box with suspicion.
Inside lay a ring inlaid with a red cat's eye gem, its design quite eerie, giving a sense of unease.
On the inside of the ancient wooden box containing the ring, it was written:
"For anyone who enters your field of vision, by concentrating and praying, you can control their consciousness and perception through charm and suggestion."
Takahashi only saw this one line; the subsequent handwriting had decayed and rotted with age, rendering it illegible.
Naturally, at that time, Takahashi had no expectations for such "superstitious" things.
After tossing the box aside, he left the room as usual, preparing to patrol the apartment and incidentally ask Mike if he had any way to win her back.
Mike was eloquent, and he used to have beautiful women (Yuri Kaori Momoki) by his side, so he probably understood women better than someone like him.
Thinking this, Takahashi Administrator sighed.
His physical fitness was far inferior to Mike's; if he could be as strong as Mike, then perhaps Xiaolin would be afraid of him, and with a slight threat, he wouldn't dare to compete with him for Mrs. Yukino.
He had just descended the stairs to the first floor.
He happened to encounter Xiaolin walking in.
Seeing his indifferent yet handsome face, Takahashi Administrator's heart suddenly stirred.
He entered his fantasy time.
If the ring worked, wouldn't he be invincible?
Easily manipulating Xiaolin to give up Mrs. Yukino…
No, wouldn't it be even better to directly manipulate Mrs. Yukino?
However, after careful consideration, Takahashi Administrator decided to test it on Murae first.
Firstly, Murae was, after all, just a high school student, so even if it didn't work, he could play it off as a joke.
Secondly, if it didn't work, the situation would be quite awkward, and Takahashi at least didn't want to be embarrassed directly in front of Yukino Fuyumi.
Therefore, Murae was the best test subject.
"Look at this!!" Takahashi, in one breath, gave Murae the middle finger.
The next moment, Murae seemed to fall under control, his body lifeless and completely still.
Takahashi was stunned for a long time, but Murae still didn't make any movements or comment on his strange behavior.
It was as if…
He was truly controlled.
"Murae, you… spin around?" Takahashi said with some hesitation.
Hayato spun around as instructed.
"Take two steps?"
Hayato took two steps.
Takahashi was instantly overjoyed.
Holy cow, I got the real deal!!
Just as Takahashi was about to test how obedient Hayato could be, Yukino Fuyumi walked in from outside with a small handbag.
"Y-Yukino Fuyumi." Takahashi lowered his head awkwardly and greeted her.
Yukino Fuyumi nodded her head; they had met before.
Then, Yukino Fuyumi looked at the somewhat strange-looking Hayato, but she only puffed out her cheeks, then arrogantly raised her fair chin.
"Hmph~~~"
She turned her head and walked away.
Takahashi almost shed tears; Yukino Fuyumi… was indeed jealous of Murae!
He quickly leaned into Hayato's ear and hinted,
"Go quickly and tell Miss Yukino Fuyumi that you don't like her."
Hayato nodded quietly.
He walked towards Yukino Fuyumi like a machine, obeying his master's instructions.
Yukino Fuyumi was about to go up the stairs when she heard footsteps behind her.
She looked back and was startled.
Because the boy's handsome face was already close at hand.
Yukino Fuyumi gasped, instinctively stepping back, but her back hit the old wall.
The boy immediately grabbed her cold wrist.
"Don't go." Hayato's tone carried no emotion.
If it were an ordinary person, speaking in such a tone would be quite strange, but unfortunately, this was Hayato.
He always spoke in this indifferent manner.
"W-What?" Yukino Fuyumi was about to shake her hand off and yell "Let go," but she noticed that the boy's palm was wider than expected, yet slender.
His long, well-defined fingers gave a… sensual touch.
Her face flushed, and her movement to shake off his hand slowed.
"!!"
Oh no, Takahashi was in a hurry.
Just talk, why did this brat get physical? Was it because it was his first time controlling and he wasn't skilled, leading to such a blunder?
Watching Murae hold Yukino Fuyumi's wrist, Takahashi's heart ached!
He, he hadn't even touched her.
And… why did Yukino Fuyumi have such a conflicted expression, like "I look like I hate you touching me, but actually, I don't hate it that much"?
"I have something to tell you." Hayato said again.
"Eh?" Yukino Fuyumi was stunned, her icy blue eyes nervously tapped her toes, then looked at Takahashi, she seemed to realize something: "…Th-That, it's not good to talk about this here, is it? There's an outsider…"
Outsider, I'm the outsider!!
Takahashi couldn't hold back.
How did he feel like he had dug a pit for himself to jump into?
A-And, madam! Why is your face blushing like a teapot?!
Yukino Fuyumi's face was clearly flushed, and her formerly disdainful icy blue eyes now held a hint of budding affection: "W-Would you like to come to my room to talk?"
You motherf—
Takahashi almost swore, but, but it didn't matter!!
As long as Murae said the most important sentence, then he would have a reason to comfort Yukino Fuyumi and create shared memories for the two of them!
"No, I'll say it here." Hayato's attitude was firm.
"…Th-Then you say it, I'm listening." Yukino Fuyumi raised her hand and tucked her loose hair behind her ear.
"I…" Hayato began.
Yukino Fuyumi looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Don't like you." Hayato said.
"Eh?"
Yukino Fuyumi's eyes immediately fell into a void of emptiness.
It worked!!
Takahashi was instantly overjoyed! It worked, it worked, it worked!!
Hahahahahahahaha, now it's my turn!
Takahashi quickly walked towards Yukino Fuyumi; he wanted to help Yukino Fuyumi say a few words about Hayato.
"Murae—"
Hayato turned to look at him, and Takahashi was about to point fingers.
"Scram." Yukino Fuyumi only uttered one word.
"Yukino Fuyumi, please calm down…" Takahashi said with a fawning smile: "The child doesn't know any better…"
But, Yukino Fuyumi spoke again: "I told you to scram."
Takahashi: ?
At the same time, he shrunk his neck.
Is, is it because the air pressure is too low?
Why did he feel like the temperature here had dropped by several degrees?
"No, Miss Yukino Fuyumi…" Takahashi still wanted to say something.
"Shut up." Yukino Fuyumi said coldly.
"..." Takahashi could only shut up for now.
However, he thought, since things had come to this, Yukino Fuyumi must have lost hope in Murae, right?
Then, he saw Yukino Fuyumi's face flush crimson with indignation, her fair, rosy cheeks twice as puffed as before, her eyes glaring fiercely at Murae, with faint, unwilling tears welling up in her eyes.
"Who! Who wants you to like them! You!… Big~ Idiot!!" Yukino Fuyumi stomped her foot hard.
Then, her turn seemed to use all her strength, and she walked upstairs with furious steps.
"—Eh?" Takahashi always felt like something wasn't quite right.
Is, is this anger? Why does it feel more like pouting?
No, Yukino Fuyumi was still angry.
But the object of her anger was directed at… him, Takahashi.
What's going on!? Takahashi felt a bit of self-doubt, but he quickly composed himself.
This little setback was nothing.
What was important was that he already knew how to use this ring.
Ha, now Yukino Fuyumi was already in his grasp, wasn't she?
Takahashi looked at Hayato again, pondering whether to release his control over him first.
Takahashi had realized that the ring's so-called "control" was to suggest actions to the person, not truly turn them into a machine.
That is to say, when he didn't give suggestions, the "controlled" person still had basic behavioral logic.
For example, just now, Murae knew to grab Yukino Fuyumi's wrist first when blocking her actions.
When he heard footsteps, he would also look towards the source of the sound first—of course, his movements were far from as quick as when he wasn't controlled.
He would also have small actions like blinking or scratching an itch.
Looking at it this way, there's no need to release the control for now.
Anyway, let's go find Yukino Fuyumi first.
Takahashi thought this in his heart.
However, Takahashi didn't realize.
When he wasn't interacting with Hayato, someone else was giving him suggestive actions.
[—Host!]
The dazed Hayato heard this anxious voice in his mind.
[Quick! Use your! Right hand! To touch! Your head!!]
Upon hearing this inexplicable voice, Hayato was unable to ponder its origin, but simply, as if accepting her suggestion, raised his wrist and lightly patted the top of his head.
Then—
It was as if something's restraint had been broken, and there was a sound of shattering glass.
Takahashi was about to walk in Yukino Fuyumi's direction.
His right wrist was grabbed.
At the same time, the person's fingers brushed over the ring on Takahashi's hand.
Takahashi suddenly turned around, only to see Hayato smiling at him.
"M-Murae!?"
Takahashi looked as if he had seen a ghost.
"What's wrong?" Hayato asked with a smile.
He was no longer in the lifeless state he was in just now; whether it was his voice, demeanor, or actions, they were all much more natural.
"You're not—" Takahashi was about to say, aren't you controlled?
Just as the words were about to come out, he quickly bit his tongue; he couldn't say that!! "N-Nothing." Takahashi could only swallow his surprise and uncertainty.
Hayato, however, seemed oblivious to his disjointed speech, merely waved his hand and said:
"If nothing's wrong, I'll go home now."
"…Okay." Takahashi could only nod.
At the same time, a new question arose in his heart.
Could it be that the ring's control has a time limit?
He looked at his middle finger.
The ring still looked ominous.
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