Chapter 64: Tatsumaki:"Stay away from my sister!"
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Kihara fumbled awkwardly as he tried to calm the crying Yume Minami.
Seeing the usually composed and ruthless Crimson Knight in such a flustered state left Fubuki genuinely stunned. She had never imagined that the man who slaughtered monsters without hesitation could look this helpless.
After what felt like forever, Yume finally fell asleep.
Kihara rubbed his aching temples and sighed.
"Forget the protection request. Do you take investigation commissions?"
"Of course we do. What do you need investigated?"
Fubuki instantly switched into business mode. She gestured for her subordinates to leave, then added:
"Lily, bring three cu—no, two cups of tea. And a bottle of milk."
"Right away, Fubuki-sama!"
Taking a sip of tea, Kihara spoke while recalling the details.
"I need you to find four people. Three men, one woman. Their names are Juuga, Onija, Chise, and Mujina."
"Finding people? With your current rank, wouldn't it be faster to post a bounty through the Hero Association?"
"They're not ordinary people. I was attacked by monsters today—and those four are the ones behind it."
"Humans… commanding monsters?"
Fubuki frowned, clearly skeptical.
"They might not even be human. Anyway, that's not important."
Kihara briefly described their appearances and clothing, then placed a thick stack of cash onto the table.
"200,000 upfront. Send people to gather intel—but don't alert them. Once you find them, I'll pay another 300,000."
"Quite generous."
Kihara smiled faintly.
"They dared to target Yume. Even if I have to chase them to the ends of the earth, I'll eliminate every single threat."
Though his handsome face and calm demeanor made Lily's heart flutter, the bottomless darkness in his eyes sent a chill down Fubuki's spine.
"…The Blizzard Group accepts this commission. Leave me your contact."
"Thanks."
"Funny. I don't remember you being this polite."
Kihara shot her a calm glance.
"Would you be polite to trouble that comes looking for you?"
"…Tch."
Without another word, he picked up the sleeping Yume and left.
Since Yume refused to be separated from him, Kihara temporarily abandoned his hunting plans and stayed by her side.
He even moved out of his villa, buying a fully furnished apartment near the patrol zone of Watchdog Man.
No matter how bold the Kaiju Eugenics group was, they wouldn't dare send monsters near that area.
As for the price?
With the system's absurd exchange rate, it was nothing. Selling a single "Gold Star Fish" was enough to buy an entire apartment.
"Yume, dinner's ready! Go wash your hands!"
"Okaaay~"
She replied in a soft, childlike voice.
After dinner, she dragged over a small stool, rolled up her sleeves, and declared:
"I'm going to help Kihara-oniichan wash the dishes!"
"Good girl."
He made space for her, but halfway through.
Splash!
She flicked water droplets at his face, giggling.
"Hurry up! I want pudding!"
"Oh? So this is how you're 'helping' me?"
He wiped his hands dry, gently pinched her chubby cheeks, and patted her head.
"Go watch TV. I'll finish up and make your pudding."
"Yay!"
Watching her run off, Kihara chuckled.
"…I'm basically raising a kid before even getting married. Guess this is early dad training."
Soon, he brought over freshly made caramel pudding.
Just as they were about to enjoy it.
Ding dong.
"…Fubuki didn't message me. Who could it be this late?"
Frowning, Kihara summoned his crimson blade and approached the door.
Peeking through the peephole.
He froze.
Standing outside, impatient and clearly annoyed, was Tatsumaki.
"Since you've seen who it is, hurry up and open the door. Stop peeking like an idiot."
Her arrogant voice rang out instantly.
Kihara sighed, dismissed his weapon, and opened the door slightly.
"…Miss Tatsumaki, what brings you here?"
"I'll talk inside."
Using her small frame to her advantage, she slipped through the gap and floated straight into the living room.
When Kihara entered, he was surprised.
Tatsumaki was sitting properly on the sofa—none of her usual "I'm the strongest" attitude in sight.
"Wow! You're the S-Class hero, Tornado of Terror, right?!"
"…Y-Yes. You're sharp, little girl."
"Hehe!"
"Yume, take your pudding to your room. I need to discuss something with her."
"Okay! Tatsumaki-neechan, will you play with me later? I want to hear your monster stories!"
Tatsumaki forced a stiff smile.
"…Maybe later."
She wasn't fond of people—but innocent children were an exception.
Only after Yume disappeared into her room did she relax, returning to her usual haughty demeanor.
"I can't believe it. Your kid's already this big, and you still dare flirt with my sister?"
Kihara rolled his eyes.
"You're not the first person today to mistake her for my daughter. Tea? Black or green?"
"Black tea. Milk, three sugar cubes. If she's not your daughter, then what's her relationship to that girl living with you? Her sister?"
"She is that girl. Just… shrank due to an accident."
Placing the fragrant tea before her, Kihara sat down.
"So, what do you want?"
Tatsumaki casually tossed a card onto the table.
"500,000. Stay away from my sister."
Kihara almost laughed.
He pushed the card back.
"You've got it wrong. I'm not the one chasing her—your sister is the one stalking me. I've already said I'm not interested in her B-Class rank, yet she keeps watching me like a creep."
"Then why did you go to her today?"
Kihara smirked.
"You're quite the stalker yourself. I just went to give the Blizzard Group a commission."
"…Hmph. For the sake of that little girl, I'll spare you today."
She took a sip of tea—then raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"…Didn't expect you to be this good at making tea."
"Thanks."
After finishing, she stood up and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she shot him a sharp glare.
"Don't let me catch you plotting anything against Fubuki."
Kihara shrugged.
"Relax. I'm not interested in her. If anything… I prefer you, Miss S-Class."
"…You. If it weren't for that little girl…"
"I'd be dead already, right? Thanks for visiting. Preferably don't come again."
She shot him one last glare.
Then flew straight out through the corridor window, disappearing into the night sky.
...
Thank you for reading.