At the goldfish-scooping stall, the water shimmered as goldfish of various colors darted nimbly within. Kazuha held a paper net, making a few clumsy attempts, but the net always broke the moment it touched a fish, leaving her a bit discouraged.
"It seems this is harder than I thought." She pouted, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Want to try it like this?" Kanjuro's voice sounded gently in her ear. Without her noticing, he had moved behind her, naturally reaching out both hands to lightly cover hers as she held the paper net.
—! Kazuha's body stiffened abruptly as a strange, masculine warmth instantly enveloped her. She could clearly feel the heat from Kanjuro's chest and his steady, powerful heartbeat. Too close! This distance was far too intimate for a man and woman who had only just met!
Her subconscious urge was to pull her hand back, but then Kanjuro's deep, steady voice reached her ears, carrying a tone of pure instruction without any hint of frivolity. "Relax your wrist, keep the angle flat, move quickly, and don't hesitate."
His palms were dry and warm, his grip gentle yet guiding with an undeniable authority, correcting her flawed posture. His breath brushed against her ear, causing a slight itch, but strangely, his movements were indeed not overstepping any bounds, as if he truly was just focused on teaching her.
(It seems... he really is just teaching me?)
(Am I overthinking things?)
Kazuha's tense body slowly relaxed, though her cheeks flushed uncontrollably and her heart raced madly. She forced herself to concentrate on scooping the goldfish.
Under Kanjuro's guidance, the paper net in her hand seemed to be imbued with magic; the angle was perfect, and the movement was as swift as lightning! With one scoop, a beautiful red-and-white goldfish was steadily lifted and placed into the small water basin. The paper net was completely intact!
"Wow! I did it!" Kazuha cried out in surprise, her previous shyness and tension instantly replaced by the joy of success. She turned her head to look at Kanjuro behind her, her eyes sparkling with disbelief and admiration. "Mr. Kanjuro, you're amazing!"
Kanjuro released her hands at the right moment and stepped back, restoring a proper social distance as if the intimate contact just now had been purely for the sake of instruction. Looking at her radiant smile, he gave a slight grin, his tone indulgent. "I'm glad you're happy."
Just then, Ran and Sonoko returned with the souvenirs they had bought. Sonoko immediately saw the goldfish swimming in Kazuha's basin and the subtle atmosphere between the two that hadn't quite dissipated. A flash of understanding and a snicker crossed her eyes.
Ran said happily, "You caught a goldfish? It's beautiful!"
Kanjuro's gaze drifted past them toward the main hall of Kiyomizu Temple in the distance, nestled among the verdant mountains with its layered halls. The setting sun cast a warm golden glow over it. He seemed to suddenly have an idea and suggested warmly:
"It's getting late, and the journey back to Tokyo isn't short. There seem to be many exquisite inns near Kiyomizu Temple. Experiencing the night of the ancient capital and the sound of the morning bells and evening drums might have a unique charm." He paused, his gaze "concerned" as he looked at Sonoko, who was still playing her fragile role. "Besides, Sonoko hasn't been in a good mood lately. Changing the environment and staying here for a night to quiet her mind might be better than rushing back."
Hearing this, Kazuha thought it made a lot of sense. Looking at Sonoko's "forced smile," her heart was filled with sympathy and a desire to help her friend. If everyone could stay with Sonoko and cheer her up, she would surely feel much better!
"Mr. Kanjuro is right!" Kazuha immediately agreed, warmly grabbing Sonoko's hand. "Sonoko, let's stay the night! I know a great hot spring inn nearby with a quiet environment. We can even soak in the hot springs and chat together! It'll definitely make you feel better!"
Sonoko cooperated by showing a "grateful" and "fragile" smile, nodding. "Mhm... thank you all for considering so much for me..."
Seeing that everyone agreed and Sonoko seemed willing, Ran naturally had no objections. "Alright then, let's stay for the night!"
Kanjuro looked at the girls who had quickly reached an agreement, a gentle smile remaining on his face, though his eyes were a pool of deep calm.
(Staying over... good.)
(Temples at night always cover many secrets and make it easier... to close the distance.)
(Kazuha, let me see what kind of 'bond' your pure kindness will earn you.)
A stay, seemingly proposed to comfort a friend and experience the charm of the ancient capital, was settled with Kanjuro's casual suggestion. As the sunset dipped behind the mountains, the silhouette of the ancient temple grew more solemn and tranquil in the twilight. Meanwhile, a game of capturing a maiden's true heart, quietly brewing in this sacred place, had just begun. As night deepened, the hot spring inn surrounding the ancient temple lit up with warm lights. The inn staff respectfully arranged rooms for the four—considering gender, Kanjuro naturally took a single room, while Ran, Sonoko, and Kazuha shared a more spacious Japanese-style room. No one objected to this arrangement, as it seemed perfectly reasonable to them.
They returned to their respective rooms for a short rest. Kanjuro's Japanese-style room was simple and elegant; opening the window allowed him to see the tranquil silhouette of Kiyomizu Temple against the night sky. He stood by the window, the gentle mask on his face slowly peeling away, leaving behind only bottomless coldness and calculation.
He closed his eyes, and an invisible, intangible spiritual power, imbued with ultimate darkness and chaotic will, spread silently like mercury flowing across the ground. This was one of the authorities granted to him by the dark bible—to distort reality and exert influence within a certain range, especially to suggest and manipulate those with weak wills or inanimate objects.
This power quickly enveloped the entire inn, permeating every corner, influencing the servers preparing dinner, and manipulating everything in the kitchen. It didn't forcibly change matter; instead, like the finest dust, it attached itself to ingredients, water sources, and utensils, imposing hidden "instructions." More precisely, it was a potent catalyst capable of inducing the most primal physiological impulses and mental confusion, cleverly and uniformly mixed into the dinner about to be delivered to their four rooms.
Having finished all this, Kanjuro opened his eyes, which were filled with darkness, as if he had just taken an insignificant breath. Sensing the twisted, obscure energy fluctuation within the inn, a cold arc curved on his lips.
(Goodness and trust are always so fragile.)
(Just a small 'accelerant' is needed to easily ignite and burn down all the barriers of reason.)
(Tonight, in this pure land of Buddhism, a drama dictated by desire is about to unfold.)
(Let me see how much of your friendship and your shyness remains in the face of primal impulse.)
He straightened his collar and put back on his gentle, harmless smile, appearing just like an ordinary traveler quietly awaiting dinner.
Soon after, a server knocked on the door and delivered the exquisite Kaiseki cuisine. At the same time, Ran, Sonoko, and Kazuha's room received the same dinner. The dishes were beautifully presented and smelled tempting, showing no sign of abnormality.
"Wow! That looks delicious!" Kazuha clapped happily, completely unaware that anything was amiss.
Ran also smiled as she set out the bowls and Chopsticks: "Yes, we're really hungry after a full day of sightseeing."
Sonoko's eyes flickered slightly. Although she didn't know exactly what was happening, the fact that Kanjuro had returned to his room alone to rest, coupled with an inexplicable sense of tranquility emanating from his side, made her instinctively feel that tonight was destined to be turbulent. She lowered her head, concealing a faint, expectant yet nervous glimmer in her eyes.
As night deepened, the hot spring inn surrounding the ancient temple lit up with warm lights.
The inn staff respectfully arranged rooms for the four—Kanjuro took a single room, while Ran, Sonoko, and Kazuha shared a more spacious Japanese-style room. No one objected to this arrangement.
They returned to their respective rooms for a short rest.
Kanjuro's Japanese-style room was simple and elegant; opening the window allowed him to see the tranquil silhouette of Kiyomizu Temple against the night sky. He stood by the window, the gentle mask on his face slowly peeling away, leaving behind only bottomless coldness.
He closed his eyes, and an invisible, intangible spiritual power, imbued with ultimate darkness and chaotic will, spread silently like mercury flowing across the ground. This was one of the authorities granted to him by the dark bible—to distort reality and exert influence within a certain range.
This power quickly enveloped the entire inn, permeating every corner, influencing the servers preparing dinner, and manipulating everything in the kitchen.
It didn't forcibly change matter; instead, like the finest dust, it attached itself to ingredients, water sources, and utensils, imposing a hidden "instruction"—a catalyst capable of inducing strong physiological impulses and mental confusion, cleverly and uniformly mixed into the dinner about to be delivered to their four rooms.
Having finished all this, Kanjuro opened his eyes, which were filled with darkness.
Sensing the twisted, obscure energy fluctuation within the temple, a cold arc curved on his lips.
Soon after, a server knocked on the door and delivered the exquisite Kaiseki cuisine.
At the same time, Ran, Sonoko, and Kazuha's room received the same dinner. The dishes were beautifully presented and smelled tempting, showing no sign of abnormality.
"Wow! That looks delicious!" Kazuha clapped happily.
Ran also smiled as she set out the bowls and Chopsticks: "Yes, we're really hungry after a full day of sightseeing."
Sonoko's eyes flickered slightly. Although she didn't know exactly what had happened, the fact that Kanjuro had returned to his room alone to rest, coupled with the faint unease rising in her heart, made her instinctively feel that tonight was destined to be turbulent.
The three girls sat around the small table and began to enjoy their dinner. After consuming the delicious food, there was no abnormality at first; they only felt their bodies and minds relaxing, and the fatigue from the trip gradually dissipating.
However, as time passed, the "catalyst" secretly planted by Kanjuro began to take effect. Their blood seemed to flow faster, their skin felt slightly hot, and their breathing involuntarily became somewhat rapid. An inexplicable, restless itch quietly sprouted from the depths of their hearts.
"Ugh... why do I feel... a bit hot?" Kazuha was the first to give in, fanning herself with her hand. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes started to look hazy. She looked at Ran and Sonoko beside her and found that their conditions seemed similar.
Ran also felt something was wrong with her body; a strange, unsettling throbbing sensation was coursing through her. Sonoko bit her lower lip, her body trembling slightly, as she vaguely guessed what was happening.
Just then, their door was gently knocked upon. Kanjuro's somewhat "weak" and "confused" voice came from outside: "Ran, Sonoko, Kazuha... are you asleep? I feel... a bit unwell. How are things on your side?"
(A night passed)
When the first ray of morning sunlight filtered through the lattice of the Japanese-style room—
The three girls' faces instantly turned pale; immense shock and unspeakable pain choked their throats.
They looked at each other, seeing the same breakdown and disbelief in each other's eyes.
Tears silently streamed down their faces. Kazuha, unable to hold back, let out a suppressed sob and buried her face in the quilt.
Ran tightly clutched the corner of the quilt, her knuckles white, her body violently trembling from the extreme pain and humiliation.
Just then, the door of the Japanese-style room was gently slid open. Kanjuro stood at the doorway, his face pale, his eyes filled with boundless pain, regret, and self-loathing, looking even more haggard than the three girls.
He dropped to his knees with a "thud," facing the three girls, pressing his forehead deeply against the Tatami Mat. His voice was hoarse and broken, trembling violently:
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... It's all my fault... I deserve to die!" His shoulders convulsed, as if suffering immense torment. "I... I don't know what happened last night... I seemed to... completely lose control of myself... I committed an unforgivable sin against you all..."
He looked up, his eyes bloodshot and tear-filled. His repentance looked incredibly sincere, filled with desperate self-reproach:
"I dare not beg for your forgiveness... I will go surrender myself right now! I will explain everything to the police! I will bear all the guilt alone! Even if I am sentenced to death, I deserve it!"
Watching his agonizing repentance and hearing him volunteer to surrender and take responsibility for everything, the anger and resentment in the three girls' hearts were strangely diluted by a complex mix of emotions.
They saw his "loss of control," and they saw his "remorse" that seemed to penetrate to the bone.
"No... you can't!" Sonoko was the first to react. She quickly got up, rushed to Kanjuro, and held him back. "Brother Kanjuro, you can't turn yourself in! This... this definitely wasn't your fault!"
Her mind raced, and she immediately found an excuse for Kanjuro. Her tone became resolute: "We all ate the dinner delivered by the inn last night! And then everyone started acting strangely! Someone must have spiked the food! Yes! That has to be it!"
Hearing this, Ran and Kazuha also suddenly recalled the unusual heat and sense of loss of control from last night. It seemed... it really did start after they finished dinner?
Kanjuro timely displayed a look of shock and "realization," his eyes immediately filling with more pain and "anger": "Spiked?! Who?! Who is so malicious?! To use such methods... harming you, and causing me... causing me to make such a grave mistake!" He painfully clutched his head.
Sonoko's eyes flashed with the light of conspiracy theory. She lowered her voice and suggested, leadingly, "Who else could it be? This is Kiyomizu Temple! Someone with the power to tamper with the inn's food without being discovered... perhaps it was that sanctimonious Abbot! I always thought the way he looked at us was strange!"
This accusation was baseless, but under the current emotional state of confusion, pain, and eagerness to find a scapegoat, it seemed particularly convincing. Although Ran and Kazuha found it hard to believe, when they thought of the terrifying, uncontrollable experience of the previous night, coupled with Kanjuro's incredibly "sincere" repentance and pain, they subconsciously preferred to believe it was an outsider's conspiracy rather than the true nature of the "Brother Kanjuro" they trusted.
Kanjuro timely raised his head, his eyes filled with the anger of "being enlightened" and a "sense of justice," but mostly "sadness" and "self-reproach": "Regardless... I failed to protect you... Even if we were drugged, I still... I ultimately harmed you..." He lowered his head again, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Seeing him like this, Ran, Sonoko, and Kazuha were overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Their resentment seemed to have nowhere to land, replaced instead by complex emotions mixed with sympathy, helplessness, and a lingering sense of dependence. They even reversed roles, beginning to comfort Kanjuro, who was "equally victimized" and "profoundly remorseful."
Under the masterful acting of Kanjuro and the "assist" from Sonoko, a crime orchestrated by him, trampling upon the law, was cleverly distorted, shifting the blame toward the vague "drugger" and the "Abbot."
Meanwhile, the true devil continued to wear the disguise of victimhood and repentance, lurking at the center of his meticulously woven net, savoring the twisted sympathy and dependence of his prey.
The sunlight completely illuminated the Japanese-style room, but it could not illuminate the pervasive lies and the darkness as deep as night within it.
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