"Excuse us, Renjou-kun." Marin strode in casually, glancing around as if inspecting the layout of Kael's home. Saki followed behind her, also saying "excuse us" upon entering the living room, quietly observing the house.
Kael's home was a standard ikkodate. An ikkodate is a detached house style that emerged during Japan's rapid economic growth in the 1960s. It was the original ideal of private housing in Japan.
In Japan, ordinary residences are generally divided into two types: apartment-style units and detached ikkodate homes. These two types often appear in anime. For example, Umaru Doma's home in Himouto! Umaru-chan, Mizuhara Chizuru's apartment in Rent-A-Girlfriend, or the Sakura Dormitory in The Pet Girl of Sakurasou—all apartment-style. Meanwhile, Kousaka Kirino's home in Oreimo, Masamune Izumi's house in Eromanga Sensei, Nobita's home in Doraemon, and Shin-chan's house in Crayon Shin-chan are all ikkodate.
An ikkodate is suitable for families, with areas ranging from about 100 to 300 square meters, resembling small villas. When Kael first saw in anime that everyone in Japan seemed to live in villas, he was surprised. Was Japan's income really that high? Did every family live in a villa?
Later, he learned that although ikkodate houses vary in appearance, most are built with wooden structures. Wooden houses are earthquake-resistant, durable, and quick to build—even a 300-square-meter villa can be completed in a month. Moreover, ikkodate homes aren't strongly tied to income. They are often in ordinary locations, older, and inexpensive. Since land is privately owned, if a house is inherited, families can live there for generations regardless of income. A typical "one house for three generations."
Kael's home was no different from others, with a simple layout. After a few glances, Marin identified the kitchen and led Saki inside.
"Renjou-kun, get ready. When we eat, we'll properly interrogate you about why you skipped school these past days. And don't make excuses." Before entering the kitchen, she pointed at Kael's nose and declared firmly.
Kael smiled and nodded. "Alright."
He wasn't angry at her tone, knowing she truly cared. It felt nice.
By noon, Marin and Saki had prepared four dishes and a soup, looking quite lavish. Kael had thought Marin couldn't cook, but he was wrong. In fact, both she and Saki cooked well—delicious and plentiful. This gyaru was not to be underestimated.
The three sat at the table, eating and chatting about ordinary topics. The core issue was left aside. The meal lasted over half an hour.
Afterward, none of them left their seats. Marin and Saki set down their chopsticks, staring intently at Kael, waiting for an answer.
Kael didn't hide anything. "The day I went to the library, I met Sakurajima Mai."
His words stunned them both. "Sakurajima Mai?" Marin's eyes widened. "You mean the famous child star on TV, Sakurajima Mai?"
Kael nodded.
Marin pressed further. "What was she doing in the library? Why didn't I know?"
A star like Mai appearing at the city library would have caused a commotion. But Marin remembered the library being quiet that day, with no sign of a celebrity.
"Because her presence had been stripped away by a god. Other than me, no one could see her."
Kael spoke the truth, but it left Marin speechless. Saki also stared in disbelief. This answer was beyond anything they had imagined.
Before coming, they had thought of many possible excuses Kael might give for skipping school—being harassed by delinquents, facing some difficulty—but not this. It was too outrageous.
Marin looked at him, exasperated. "Hey, Renjou-kun, do I look like an idiot to you?"
Kael knew she wouldn't believe him. To outsiders, it did sound absurd. "Marin," Kael called.
"Hm?" She looked at him curiously.
"Stand up and do a push-up."
As soon as he spoke softly, Marin stood up uncontrollably.
"Eh? Wh-what?!" she cried out in shock, unable to control her body. Only after completing a push-up did she regain control.
But the feeling of being controlled hadn't fully faded. Marin stared at Kael in disbelief. "Wh-what is going on, Renjou-kun?"
Saki was equally shocked—it was obvious Marin had been compelled.
"Just a small spell," Kael said, standing and pulling them both to the window. "Now, I'll show you the real world. Don't be afraid."
He lightly touched their foreheads, channeling mana into their eyes. Through it, they clearly saw the streets filled with wandering evil spirits. Grotesque spirits surrounded passersby, shouting: "You can see me! You can see me!"
The sight terrified them. Marin instinctively stepped back. Saki clung to Kael's arm, burying her head in his chest, too afraid to look outside. It was horrifying—truly horrifying.