Chapter 39: Nura Clan
Time flew by quickly, and the morning soon gave way to the afternoon.
Yumesaki had been holding Nero's small hand, strolling through the shopping districts all morning. They walked out of one boutique only to enter another mall, buying quite a few outfits along the way.
There was gyaru fashion, JK school uniforms, elegant young-lady dresses, and even maid outfits...
Nero was a natural model; absolutely everything she wore looked amazing on her.
Yumesaki had to admit that much.
As noon approached, Yumesaki suggested grabbing a bite at a restaurant, and Nero readily agreed.
However, this time, they didn't go to a place run by graduates of the Totsuki Elite Ten. Instead, they searched for a highly-rated spot in the nearby area. After all, the Totsuki Elite Ten didn't represent the entire culinary world.
Master chefs were by no means rare in this world. Plenty of cooks who never received formal training, and even those who changed careers halfway through, relied entirely on their raw talent to match the graduates of the Totsuki Elite Ten.
For instance, the restaurant Yumesaki found boasted excellent overall reviews.
As a side note, it was a Chinese restaurant.
Once they took their seats, Yumesaki ordered Mapo Tofu, Yuxiang Rusi, stir-fried mushrooms, dry-pot potatoes, cumin lamb, crispy eggplant, dry-pot beef, and various other homestyle dishes.
The flavors were incredible, leaving Yumesaki's lips glistening with oil. The Mapo Tofu, in particular, had a numbing and spicy kick that felt incredibly satisfying.
"Umu! Praetor, the cuisine at this establishment is truly magnificent."
Even Nero couldn't help but shower the food with praises, coming dangerously close to flashing a literal thumbs-up.
In short, both Yumesaki and Nero left the lunch table feeling thoroughly satisfied.
In the afternoon, Yumesaki took Nero to the movie theater. They picked a lighthearted film featuring a sweet romance. Nero smiled all the way through, and even Yumesaki found himself drawn into the story.
Sometimes he had to admit that while the Japanese could be quite eccentric in certain aspects, they excelled beautifully at portraying pure, innocent love.
Especially in these lighthearted films, the emotions felt so delicate that it made the audience genuinely want to fall in love.
Stepping out of the theater, Nero stretched her arms before looping her hand back around Yumesaki's arm, asking with a smile, "Praetor, where are we heading next?"
Yumesaki tilted his head to look at her. "I planned the schedule for the first half of the day, so why don't you choose the next destination? Is there anywhere specific you want to go?"
Nero thought about it for a moment. "I do have one place in mind."
"Then let's go." Yumesaki didn't even ask where and agreed immediately. Wherever it was, the priority was simply to set off.
Nero beamed brightly, hugging Yumesaki's arm a little tighter. "I want to go to Tokyo Tower."
"Alright, let's go."
Yumesaki and Nero boarded a large bus, traveling all the way until they reached Tokyo Tower, where they headed straight to the observation deck. Standing up there, they could look down at the entirety of Tokyo spreading out beneath them.
Nero stood by the glass, gazing over the city as if an absolute monarch reviewing her vast domain.
The lingering rays of the setting sun bathed Nero's figure, casting a sacred, ethereal glow all around her.
At this exact moment, Nero looked exceptionally radiant. Without exception, every tourist in the vicinity found their eyes drawn to her.
Many couldn't help but murmur words like "so beautiful" or "so divine," and some even began taking photos of her.
Yumesaki didn't stop them from taking pictures. However, the moment anyone tried to step closer to strike up a conversation with Nero, Yumesaki would shoot them a sharp, icy glare that made them retreat in fear.
Looking was fine, and taking photos was fine, but absolutely no one was allowed to bother Nero.
Once the last light of the sunset dipped below the horizon, Yumesaki and Nero made their way down from Tokyo Tower.
By now, night had officially fallen. Stars dotted the sky, and a bright moon hung high above, though its glow seemed a little muted beneath the brilliant, festive lights of Tokyo.
"Hey, Praetor. Thank you."
"Thank you for what?" Yumesaki turned to Nero, blinking in confusion.
Nero offered a gentle smile, her clear and melodious voice echoing softly in his ears. "Thank you for spending the whole day with me, and for always putting up with my selfishness. I am truly grateful."
Yumesaki couldn't help but chuckle. He waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I had a great time with you too, so there's really no need for thanks. If anything, I should be the one thanking you. Having a beautiful girl accompany me all day is my privilege."
Hearing those words, a deep, irrepressible smile spread across Nero's lips.
After that, the two naturally made their way back home.
The moment they walked through the door, they saw Medea sitting by herself on the sofa, staring blankly out the window, completely lost in whatever thoughts were occupying her mind.
Yumesaki slapped his own forehead. Damn it, he had been so focused on his date with Nero today that he completely forgot about Medea.
"You're back."
Hearing the footsteps at the entrance, Medea turned her head. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Yumesaki and Nero. "It seems the Master and Nero had quite a splendid time today."
For some reason, Nero felt a sudden prick of guilt under Medea's gaze. She shrank her neck back slightly and said, "I'm feeling a bit tired, Praetor. I shall retire to my room first."
With that, she quickly let go of Yumesaki's arm and dashed upstairs without a single backward glance.
Hey, wait a minute, how can you just abandon me like this? Talk about a betrayal of comrades.
Yumesaki stared at Nero's fleeing figure, his annoyance soaring so high his nose almost went crooked. You've really crossed the line this time.
Facing Medea, whose gaze felt rather chilly, Yumesaki let out a stiff laugh. Summoning his courage, he walked over and sat down right next to her.
"I'm really sorry, Medea. I lost track of time and left you behind today. How about I take you out tomorrow to make up for it?"
At this point, Yumesaki paused for a beat, making sure to place extra emphasis on his next words. "Just the two of us. What do you say?"
Medea rolled her eyes. "I am not a child like Nero who needs to be coddled, and I am not angry either."
"Really?" Yumesaki studied Medea's face carefully.
Medea nodded calmly. "I am truly not angry. Besides, Master, you are far too much of a playboy. You aren't even within my realm of consideration."
She desired a love that was faithful to one person for an entire lifetime; unfortunately, Yumesaki could never give her that.
Someone like Souichirou Kuzuki might have been a perfect match for her, but what was missed remained in the past.
Medea didn't dwell on it too much; perhaps the next one would be better.
Yumesaki checked Medea's expression a few more times. After confirming that she wasn't lying, he let out a massive sigh of relief. "Well, that's a relief. That's a relief. I genuinely thought you were furious with me, Medea."
Medea replied, "...You certainly possess an abundance of confidence, Master."
Yumesaki offered another awkward laugh.
Medea continued, "The reason I sat here waiting for your return is because there is something I require your assistance with, Master."
"Name it."
"I wish to seek out Serie. I want to collaborate with her on researching Youkai and modifying the Fantasy Crystal." Medea had spent the entire day examining the Fantasy Crystal, and her progress was effectively zero—or at best, completely stagnant.
This made her realize that she wasn't entirely omnipotent, and that there were times when she needed to seek outside expertise.
Since both she and Serie studied magic, perhaps Serie could offer a fresh perspective.
"No problem."
Yumesaki agreed instantly. Without a second thought, he opened the gateway leading to the world of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
On the other side of the door was the familiar sight of Serie's study.
Currently, Serie was resting on her chair, staring at the grimoire in her hands with a thoroughly bored expression.
The moment the portal opened and Yumesaki stepped into view, the boredom on Serie's face instantly vanished, replaced by a radiant smile.
"Oh, look who it is. If it isn't Yumesaki. We haven't seen each other for a few days; have you already started missing me?"
As she spoke, she hopped down from her chair and glided over to stand right in front of him.
Yumesaki replied, "Actually, I'm not the one looking for you. Medea is. She wants to research Youkai together with you."
"Youkai? What are those?" Serie asked, tilting her head.
"A species of living creatures born from human fear. They grow stronger by consuming that very fear."
Upon hearing Yumesaki's explanation, Serie's eyes practically sparkled. A creature like that sounded incredibly rare, definitely something she had never encountered before.
"Wait for me a moment."
This time, Serie didn't just leave without a word. Instead, she penned a quick note for her apprentice.
Only after doing so did she step through the portal and cross over into the crossover world.
"Where is this creature you call a Youkai?" she asked, her voice laced with impatience.
Medea said, "Please, follow me."
The two of them walked straight into the magical workshop Medea had constructed, leaving Yumesaki entirely alone in the living room.
Yumesaki stood there, speechless.
Oh well, time for bed.
He closed the portal, took a quick shower, collapsed onto the sofa, and fell fast asleep.
On the other side of things.
After traveling for an entire day, Natsume finally arrived in Ukiyoe Town and stood before the massive gates of the Nura Clan.
He was supposed to arrive several hours earlier, but unfortunately, he ran into some troublemakers among the crowds who intentionally gave him the wrong directions. This caused Natsume to take a massive detour, which was why he was only just finding the Nura Clan now.
People in Tokyo really weren't welcoming at all.
Natsume complained silently in his heart. Prompted by the incessant nudging of Nyanko-sensei, he raised his hand and knocked firmly on the heavy gate.
The Nura Clan gate was colossal, and the sound of his knocking echoed through the air.
"Coming, coming."
Before long, a soft, feminine voice drifted out, followed by the loud creak of the wooden gate swinging open.
A beautiful woman poked her head out, scanning Natsume from head to toe. She confirmed with a single look that this was a face she had never seen before.
Furthermore, he was an ordinary human.
What was going on here? Why would a human show up at this place? If she recalled correctly, the Nura Clan mansion was heavily protected by a Kekkai barrier. Ordinary humans should unconsciously look past this estate entirely.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for?" The beautiful woman's mind raced as she inquired out of pure curiosity.
Natsume opened his mouth to speak, but Nyanko-sensei, who was tucked securely in his arms, cut him off. "Open up. I'm here to see Nurarihyon."
Hearing the cat speak, the beautiful woman finally registered the animal nestled in Natsume's arms. She blinked, staring at it skeptically a few times.
"Is that... a pig-cat?"
Her voice was laden with sheer uncertainty. To call it a cat, it was far too fat. To call it a pig, it looked way too much like a cat.
What sort of creature had just shown up? Could it be a new-era Youkai?
"What did you just say, you absolute wench—"
Nyanko-sensei absolutely loathed it when people referred to him that way. He immediately tried to spring forward to claw her face off. Fortunately, Natsume's reflexes were sharp; he gripped Nyanko-sensei tightly, refusing to let him slip from his embrace.
"Calm down! Please calm down, Nyanko-sensei!"
"Gah! How am I supposed to stay calm? This woman is profoundly disrespectful!"
Just as the two of them were bickering and wrestling with each other, an old, weathered voice sounded from within.
"What is all the racket about, Kejōrō?"
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