Chapter 464: The Mysterious Master of Love and an Excited Yakumo Ran
After Shiina Mashiro finished her cake, Kasugano Sora gently pulled her upstairs, with Sōryūin Akemi following close behind. With the three younger girls gone, the shop's atmosphere shifted, suddenly feeling a touch quieter, a bit more mature.
It was a strange realization that, aside from the ever-energetic duo of Lanterby and Cerberus, everyone left was more of an "older sister" type.
Even Sengoku Chihiro, who was typically the picture of laziness and unreliability at home, possessed an obvious beauty and a stunning figure. More, when she was out, she effortlessly projected the aura of a sophisticated, worldly woman.
"Phew! Beer is definitely more satisfying," Sengoku Chihiro declared, taking a long, refreshing gulp from her glass.
Sōryūin Shion shot her a look, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Senior Chihiro, I have a feeling you and Senior Shizuka are going to become the two most eccentric teachers in my school's high school department."
"Excuse me," Hiratsuka Shizuka protested, though her tone was more tired than offended. "I'm very reliable, thank you very much. I just happen to enjoy reading manga. Don't lump me in with her."
"That's a fair point," Shion conceded, tapping a finger on her chin. "I'll reserve my judgment on you. But Senior Chihiro, you're scheduled to teach art to Mashiro and Akemi's class next Monday, aren't you? I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing how you handle that."
Sengoku Chihiro waved a dismissive hand. "I'm perfectly reliable when I'm teaching, okay? But what's with that tone?"
"As the President of the Koyo Academy Group, it's perfectly normal for me to conduct an inspection..." Shion said, a sly grin spreading across her face.
The corners of both Hiratsuka Shizuka's and Sengoku Chihiro's mouths twitched. Good grief. This was a blatant abuse of power. She wasn't coming for an "inspection"; she was coming to watch the show! Did she really think they were that naive?
Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed wearily. "Hey... Shion... about this 'inspection' of yours... do Akemi and Sora know about it?"
"Of course not," Shion replied breezily. "Why? Are you nervous?"
Shizuka gave her an exasperated look. "Besides catching me reading manga during my break, what else could you possibly find? You should be more concerned about Senior Chihiro, who's actually teaching the second-years, not me!"
"Eh?! You can do that?"
Before Sōryūin Shion could press the issue, Amou Kirukiru spoke up from the side, her voice a lazy drawl. "Shion... are you going to be at Koyo Academy High School?"
"Yes, I am. Are you coming too? We can go together."
Amou Kirukiru slowly shook her head. "I will absolutely not be going..."
"Why not?" came two voices at once.
Sōryūin Shion's expression faltered as a memory seemed to surface. The corner of her lip twitched. "Actually... maybe I won't go either..."
"Didn't you already decide?" Kirukiru asked, a faint, playful glint in her eyes. "What are you so afraid of?"
Sōryūin Shion's face soured. "Just thinking about Aunt Yakusha gives me a headache. Ren, you have to help us out."
Ren looked up from his book, a placid smile on his face. "I'm an outsider. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to enter the school."
"You just want to hide!" Shion accused.
Hiratsuka Shizuka tilted her head, her expression one of complete confusion. "Eh? What are you all talking about? I don't understand at all. Why are you suddenly afraid to go? And why do you need Mr. Ren to accompany you?"
Sōryūin Shion buried her face in her hand, groaning. "I don't even want to think about it... Ren... you helped Kirari, now you have to save me too!"
"Sigh... I'll see if I have anything pressing to do," Ren relented. "You girls really are terrified of Aunt Yakusha."
Amou Kirukiru let out a sigh of her own. Kure Yakusha was a complete cheat code, a walking anomaly. In terms of sheer intimidation, she was a woman who could render even another force of nature like Yumiko Fuji completely speechless. That alone spoke volumes about her power.
Hiratsuka Shizuka tilted her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "Yakusha... Yakusha... and it's related to Koyo Academy... No, it can't be..."
"What's wrong?" Sengoku Chihiro asked, puzzled. "Do you know this Aunt Yakusha?"
Shizuka's eyes widened as the pieces clicked into place. "I remember... when I went to pick up Senior Chihiro before, she mentioned something about Mr. Ren. At the time, I wondered how she knew him... Now it all makes sense... Shion, tell me the truth! Is that Aunt Yakusha... Teacher Kure Yakusha?!"
"Um... yes, it's that Aunt Yakusha..."
Sōryūin Shion and Amou Kirukiru both wore looks of utter helplessness.
Lucifer, who had been listening quietly, chimed in. "Oh! That's Kure Karura's mother! No wonder you're so afraid to see her. It's quite the coincidence that your employee is also your sister's mother."
"Sister?! No... no way!" Shizuka and Chihiro exclaimed in unison.
Sōryūin Shion nodded grimly. "That's right. Karura, Auntie Yakusha's daughter, is indeed our sister... Otherwise, why do you think the deadline is set for no later than the year after next?"
Her words prompted a heavy sigh from Hiratsuka Shizuka. "Just how many sisters do you all have...?"
This was a question that Courage and the others who weren't part of the core group were also dying to ask.
Lucifer shrugged helplessly. "The number... it's not too many, but not too few... The main issue is that there are still some I haven't even met yet."
"Eh?!" A chorus of surprised gasps filled the room.
Sōryūin Shion thought for a moment. "I've met quite a few. I haven't met Esdeath, but I have met that Electronic Empress. She's incredibly formidable."
"Oh? Is that so..." Lucifer leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Speaking of which, who have you and Kirukiru met...?"
"Hmm... the Electronic Empress, and... oh! I've met another one, too!"
"That Master of Love..." Kirukiru added softly.
"Eh?! So what's her name, exactly?" Shizuka asked.
Sōryūin Shion shook her head. "I don't know. I only met her once. Ren is probably the only one who knows her real name... Oh, and Rindou knows it too."
Lucifer turned her gaze to Ren, who simply smiled. "Her name, hmm... You'll all get to meet her in a little while."
"Eh?!" The collective shock echoed through the shop once more.
After that cryptic statement, Ren said nothing more, returning his attention quietly to his book. Lucifer knew she wouldn't get another word out of him, so she didn't press the matter. She had only been curious, but now it seemed highly likely that this mysterious "Master of Love" was not from their world.
---
On the other side, in a place far removed, Yakumo Yukari's eyes finally fluttered open.
Nearby, Yakumo Ran had just finished yet another pot of water. She was hunched over the table, her brow furrowed in concentration as she stared into her empty cup.
'Why do I get the feeling Lady Yukari has tricked me somehow...?'she thought, shaking her head vigorously.'No, no, no... Lady Yukari wouldn't trick me about something like this...'
Just as the thought crossed her mind, she heard footsteps. Yakumo Yukari emerged, a puzzled look on her face. "Eh? Ran, why have you been drinking so much water?"
"Lady Yukari!" Ran shot to her feet, her eyes sparkling.
"Uh... hmm..." Yukari observed her, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "Ran, you seem very excited..."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Ran nodded furiously, practically vibrating with anticipation.
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