Onee-sama—
The girl's anxious, tearful voice came from the phone, and a particularly chaotic sound could vaguely be heard from that end.
Togawa.
Sakurajima Mai's heart sank, and she involuntarily furrowed her delicate brows, her beautiful face showing worry as she said nervously:
Where are you?
The mist is very dangerous, don't go out! Inhaling the mist will make people lose their minds and turn into monsters!
…
Toyohama Nodoka.
Mai's half-sister, only one year younger than Mai… In other words, soon after Mai was born, her biological father got another woman pregnant. He could truly be called a scumbag.
Sakurajima Mai had quite complex feelings for this half-sister. From a rational perspective, the other party was "The daughter of the man who abandoned me and my mother and started another family." However, during occasional meetings, Sakurajima Mai could clearly see the light in her sister's eyes—a pure admiration and worship unmixed with any impurities.
Sakurajima Mai could never bring herself to dislike a sister who admired and looked up to her, after all, her father's mistakes had nothing to do with her.
Not only that.
Toyohama Nodoka often wrote fan letters to Mai when she was very young. Those letters were the spiritual pillars that supported Mai step by step, and they were also the reason behind Mai's confidence and hard work.
Mai had carefully collected and preserved every single letter.
This emotion might not be spoken aloud, but in times of crisis, it would burst forth all at once.
So, upon learning that her sister was in danger, Mai immediately lost her composure.
"Togawa, I'm coming to save you right away!"
"Sister, don't be impulsive."
Her sister's voice quickly rang out, "Everyone and I are at the agency. The typhoon was too strong last night, and we didn't have time to go home. We're very safe now…"
But before she could finish speaking, a thumping sound and the panicked cries of other girls came from the phone.
Our manager went out just now and came back acting very strange. We're hiding in the room, so you don't have to worry, Sister. My phone is about to die…
Before she could finish, the call abruptly ended.
"Togawa?!"
Sakurajima Mai bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth and quickly dialed again, but she couldn't get through anymore.
"Kitahara…"
Sakurajima Mai turned her head and cast a pleading look at Kitahara Makoto.
"Leave it to me."
Kitahara Makoto's tone was calm, and he asked softly:
"Does Mai know where your sister's agency is?"
The fastest way, of course, would be to have Mai's sister summon Hana, and after fulfilling the descent ritual, descend directly to her side.
Unfortunately, the situation was urgent just now, and there wasn't time to explain the ritual for summoning Hana. Now that contact was lost, they could only quickly travel to Mai's apartment and then head to the agency.
"I know."
Sakurajima Mai's eyes were firm, and she stepped over to Kitahara Makoto's side, "I'm coming with you."
Kitahara Makoto shook his head and said:
"Mai should stay here. If you inhale the mist, you'll be cursed again."
Sakurajima Mai looked up at him:
"Kitahara wasn't cursed by the mist just now; that's one of your abilities, isn't it?"
Kitahara Makoto nodded:
"That's right."
Sakurajima Mai said directly:
"Share the ability with me."
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice and said:
"I only shared an ability with you two days ago, Mai. You should remember very clearly that sharing abilities requires fulfilling the corresponding ritual."
…
Sakurajima Mai glanced at the other girls, then simply reached out and pulled Kitahara Makoto directly into the bathroom. Then, with a bang, she closed the door, leaving Nijika and the others looking at each other with subtle expressions.
Everyone had shared abilities with Kitahara Makoto, so they naturally knew what the ritual for sharing abilities was, especially Anon, who was prone to jealousy and whose cheeks were already puffed out, though she didn't say anything.
Her important sister was in danger in Kamakura; anyone present would be anxious.
Jealousy aside, in the face of such a major issue, they certainly wouldn't be unreasonable.
Meanwhile.
In the bathroom.
Sakurajima Mai gently pushed Kitahara Makoto against the wall with her hand, then took a deep breath, directly stood on her tiptoes, and with a flushed face, actively leaned in to kiss Kitahara Makoto.
The situation was urgent; there was no time to worry about anything else!
Besides… it wasn't like they hadn't kissed before; one more or one less didn't matter at all.
Kitahara Makoto leaned against the wall, feeling only a soft, cool touch, followed by the rich aroma of coffee seeping into his heart.
If he didn't count the ten years in the dream, this was the first time Mai had actively kissed him since he returned to reality…
Unfortunately, Kitahara Makoto hadn't had time to properly enjoy it when Sakurajima Mai quickly retreated half a step, wiped her lips, and with a flushed face, said, "Let's go quickly."
"Wait a moment…"
Kitahara Makoto silently raised his right hand.
"What's wrong?"
Sakurajima Mai looked over, confused.
Kitahara Makoto bit the bullet and honestly said, "Just now I was too engrossed in Mai-senpai's beauty and forgot to share my ability with Mai."
"You…"
Sakurajima Mai's eyes blazed with murderous intent, glaring at him with a mix of shame and anger.
She had worked so hard to take the initiative, and he actually forgot the most important business?!
"One more time."
Kitahara Makoto quickly patted his chest and promised, "Mai-senpai, kiss me one more time. This time I definitely won't forget to share the ability."
Sakurajima Mai: "…"
Although she really wanted to bite Kitahara Makoto, the situation was urgent and there was no time to delay. Sakurajima Mai could only lightly bite her teeth, tiptoe forward again, and warned with her eyes:
"Don't forget this time!"
"Rest assured, I promise I won't forget."
"…"
A moment later.
"It's done." Kitahara Makoto exhaled lightly, "The ability has been shared. Mai will no longer be corroded by the mist."
Sakurajima Mai raised her hand to wipe the silk thread from the corner of her lips, her pretty face flushed as she said, "Then let's go!"
"…"
With Togawa's help, the two quickly traveled back to Kamakura apartment.
Stepping out of the full-length mirror, gray-white mist immediately surged over, but this time, with the ability Kitahara Makoto shared, the cursed mist dissipated as soon as it touched Mai's body.
After confirming that her body felt no discomfort, Sakurajima Mai breathed a slight sigh of relief, raised her hand to tuck the hair falling over her chest behind her ear, and quickly said, "The agency where Togawa-chan is located is about five kilometers from my apartment."
"Five kilometers is not close…" Kitahara Makoto reminded her, "The most important thing is that it's typhoon weather outside."
Although the wind had lessened and there was less lightning and thunder, it was still pouring rain. The environment could be described as quite harsh. In such weather, besides the hardworking oxen and horses, almost no one would be willing to go out.
Coupled with the pervasive cursed mist, the entirety of Kamakura had entered an emergency state. Public transportation like trains and subways had all stopped operating. Getting to an agency five kilometers away was not an easy task.
Sakurajima Mai lightly furrowed her delicate brows, seriously pondering a solution, when she suddenly heard a strange growling sound enter her ears.
"Hoo… hoo…"
The neighbors wife, who was tied up like a dumpling, heard Kitahara Makoto and Mai's movements and wriggled like a caterpillar, crawling over, her eyes bloodshot, a hoarse sound from her throat, clearly intending to attack the two again.
"That's right, Mrs. Sato!"
Sakurajima Mai's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "I have a plan."
Kitahara Makoto looked down:
"Is it related to the neighbors wife on the floor?"
"Exactly, I remember very clearly that Mrs. Sato has a car at home." Sakurajima Mai quickly said, "Although it's windy and rainy outside, we can ask Mrs. Sato to drive us over…"
Halfway through, Sakurajima Mai quickly bit her lower lip:
"But the mist outside is too thick."
"Mai-senpai, rest assured." Kitahara Makoto said decisively, "My eyes can see through the mist."
"Hmm?"
Sakurajima Mai covered her chest and lower abdomen, cautiously retreating half a step.
"Mai-senpai, please don't look at me with strange eyes." Kitahara Makoto couldn't help but complain, "I clearly said I can see through the mist, not that I have X-ray vision."
Sakurajima Mai snorted softly: "A guy who says he's going to work overtime but secretly goes to play pachinko is simply not trustworthy."
Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly:
"So, quickly forget what happened in the dream!"
Sakurajima Mai: "Sorry, I can't forget it at all."
"I really don't have X-ray vision." Kitahara Makoto quickly thought of a way to prove his innocence, "Mai, do you still remember when I helped you remove your armor just now? If I really had X-ray vision, Mai should be very clear about how my body would react."
Sakurajima Mai's pretty face flushed, and her gaze involuntarily dropped:
"Ptui~"
"…"
Kitahara Makoto bent down and easily lifted the neighbors wife from the floor:
"To make the neighbors wife conscious again, I still need to use Hand of Deprivation, but Mai-senpai's apartment won't do."
Sakurajima Mai looked around, seeing only pale, cold mist. She hadn't shared Extraordinary Vision, so she could only see things within two meters at most, making the entire apartment feel eerie. If she weren't beside Kitahara Makoto, she wouldn't be able to stay for even a minute.
"Let's go out first." Sakurajima Mai exhaled lightly, her voice calm, "Let's see what Mrs. Sato's house is like."
Kitahara Makoto suggested:
"Mai-senpai, please change out of your pajamas first. I absolutely don't want anyone else to see Mai in her pajamas."
Sakurajima Mai gave him a disgusted glance:
"Boys, such creatures, really have a terrifying possessiveness."
Kitahara Makoto said seriously:
"That's because I like Mai. If it were anyone else, even if they went out in a swimsuit, I wouldn't care at all."
Sakurajima Mai snorted softly: "And you'd raise both hands in approval, right?"
Kitahara Makoto: "I'm not, I didn't, Mai-senpai don't slander me."
"…"
Although Sakurajima Mai complained verbally, she did not refuse the suggestion to change clothes. She quickly walked towards the bedroom. When she reached the bedroom door, her steps paused slightly, and she turned her head, saying in a casual tone:
"…Wait for me at the door."
The bedroom was also full of mist at the moment, and Sakurajima Mai was clearly a little scared to go into the bedroom alone to change clothes.
Kitahara Makoto raised his right hand:
"Do you want me to come in and help?"
"No need!"
"…"
Two minutes later, Sakurajima Mai quickly changed and pushed open the bedroom door.
Mai's movements were exceptionally quick. Not only did she change into a set of sportswear, but she also tied her hair into a neat ponytail for easy movement. In a flash, she transformed from an intellectual girl with long black hair into a valiant, sporty girl.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Mai-senpai with a ponytail."
Kitahara Makoto's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but exclaim.
Sakurajima Mai clasped her hands across her chest, and with her hair tied in a ponytail, her voice seemed to become a few shades clearer and brighter:
"You talk as if Scumbag-kun has seen me with a ponytail."
Kitahara Makoto said softly:
"When we took Nana to the stadium to play badminton, Mai-senpai had the same hairstyle as now."
"…"
Sakurajima Mai lightly bit her lower lip, her pretty face tense as she said, "Let's deal with business first!"
"Okay."
Kitahara Makoto carried the neighbors wife, and together with Mai, they walked out of the house and quickly arrived at the neighbors wife's apartment door.
Two sorted bags of trash lay on the hallway, and not far away, a mobile phone had even fallen.
Clearly, the neighbors wife must have gone out to throw trash in the morning, completely unaware of the mist's horror. Staying in the mist for too long caused her to lose her sanity.
"Good, the door is closed, the apartment inside should not have been invaded by the mist." After walking a few steps to the next door and confirming the door was tightly shut, Sakurajima Mai immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "Mrs. Sato's electronic lock can be opened with a fingerprint."
Kitahara Makoto nodded, had Togawa slightly modify the vines binding the neighbors wife's body to expose her right hand, then grabbed her wrist and successfully unlocked the door with her fingerprint.
Infiltration successful.
"Mrs. Sato's daughter should still be asleep."
Sakurajima Mai sighed in relief, quickly identifying the neighbors wife's room, and then entered it with Kitahara Makoto.
Thump.
Kitahara Makoto placed the neighbors wife on the bed. Next was naturally the time for disarming, but that could be left to Mai. He turned around and said, "Togawa-chan, you protect Mai-senpai and don't let her get hurt."
Hana raised her small hand: "Cupcake~"
"Don't worry, you definitely won't be short on your cupcake."
"…"
Rustling sounds began.
With Togawa's help, Sakurajima Mai, without incident, stripped off the neighbors wife's clothes.
"Kitahara, it's done."
Sakurajima Mai's voice quickly sounded.
Kitahara Makoto turned around, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his expression serious, completely ignoring the neighbors wife's beautiful face and hot figure. He decisively extended his right hand:
"Stripping!"
As the ability activated, a fist-sized ball of gray mist quickly diffused from the neighbors wife's eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, gathering in Kitahara Makoto's palm.
Poof—
Kitahara Makoto squeezed his right hand, directly bursting the cursed mist, then decisively turned his body.
As the cursed mist was Seized, the neighbors wife's consciousness finally cleared from her madness. Upon finding herself naked and aching all over, she immediately let out a scream.
"Mrs. Sato, don't shout yet." Sakurajima Mai spoke first, directly hitting the neighbors wife's weak spot, "You don't want to wake up your daughter in the next room, do you?"
Hearing her daughter's name, the neighbors wife's body trembled, and the cry for help that had reached her lips was swallowed back down.
"No… as long as you don't harm my child, I'll do anything…"
Kitahara Makoto: "…"
Mai, with one sentence, you've turned us into major villains!
No more needs to be said about what happened next.
Since the neighbors wife had regained consciousness, communication was naturally possible. Sakurajima Mai handed her phone over and informed her of the current situation.
"...Twitter is now full of videos about the fog, and even the official government has issued an announcement. If Mrs. Sato doesn't believe it, she can see for herself."
The neighbors wife bit her lower lip, quickly took the phone, and saw the overwhelming number of Kamakura fog transformation videos online. Coupled with some fragmented memories from her period of madness, she finally believed Sakurajima Mai.
"If I'm not mistaken, Mai-san lives alone, right?"
The neighbors wife covered her body with her clothes, and as she spoke, she couldn't help but look towards Kitahara Makoto.
Sakurajima Mai hesitated for two seconds, her pretty face slightly flushed, and said, "He is my boyfriend, an Onmyoji who can exorcise demons. When he knew I was in danger, he rushed over immediately. His actions just now were to help you remove the curse from your body, so please don't mind it."
Kitahara Makoto was slightly surprised, not expecting Mai to actually acknowledge his identity.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Now, half of Kamakura was engulfed by the dangerous cursed fog. Unless it was a very important person, ordinary friends would never risk their lives to save someone.
If he were just an ordinary friend, the neighbors wife certainly wouldn't believe it.
"Mrs. Sato, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
After removing the cursed fog from the neighbors wife's body, Sakurajima Mai naturally asked her to drive to the office immediately.
"I'm sorry, I don't have any strength at all right now, I can't even stand up..."
The neighbors wife's face was full of apologies.
Clearly, although the cursed fog had been removed, it had left some obvious after-effects.
Kitahara Makoto spoke, "I can drive. Just give me the keys."
The neighbors wife naturally agreed without a second thought: "The keys are in the drawer of the shoe cabinet by the door. Please take them and use them."
"..."
A moment later.
Kitahara Makoto held the car keys and walked out of the apartment with Mai.
"Are you sure Scumbag-kun can really drive?" Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms over her chest and looked over, "Don't overexert yourself."
Kitahara Makoto's tone was faint: "You called me boyfriend just now, and now I'm Scumbag-kun. You really don't cherish me after you've gotten me, do you?"
"Hmph~"
Sakurajima Mai hummed softly.
"Mai-senpai just trust my driving skills." Kitahara Makoto sighed, "It just feels like such a pity."
Sakurajima Mai tilted her head and looked over, raising her delicate eyebrows lightly: "A pity you didn't look a few more times just now?"
"Mai-senpai, don't talk nonsense. My eyes were empty just now, I didn't even see what the neighbors wife looked like." Kitahara Makoto complained, "It's a pity I forgot to record what Mai-senpai said just now with my phone."
Sakurajima Mai's pretty face flushed slightly, and she said expressionlessly: "Do you want me to say it again?"
"I'd be eternally grateful!"
"..."