A few minutes earlier, in the kitchen.
Rin had just finished cutting the last of the ingredients. After checking the simmering soup one more time, she leaned lightly against the counter, quietly sensing the strands of heavy, earth-attributed true qi within her body.
"So this is cultivation… the path from Huaxia…"
"From what I've read online… exorcists here in Japan are mostly Onmyoji. That's completely different from Daoist cultivation, right?"
"Yesterday, the demon Chiya showed me was a mid-tier ghost… the same rank as him. But it didn't even stand a chance…"
"They're not on the same level at all."
Rin had always liked browsing things she probably shouldn't be interested in at her age. Ever since Kaede was first targeted by something supernatural, she had been paying even more attention to urban legends, spirits, Onmyoji, and all sorts of mysterious lore.
Most of what she knew came from Japan.
As for Chiya's methods, those from Huaxia, she barely understood them.
But based on her own feelings…
They had to be powerful.
After all, Huaxia was vast, strong, and filled with countless people. Compared to that, Japan… its exorcists were probably fewer and weaker.
At least, that's what she thought.
Lost in her thoughts, she stared at the pot until the bubbling sound pulled her back to reality.
"Ah…"
She quickly plated the food and brought everything to the dining table.
But after sitting down and waiting for a while, no one came downstairs.
A faint suspicion stirred in her mind.
Still in her pajamas, Rin quietly made her way upstairs.
Soon, she heard voices coming from the bathroom.
"…Again… behind my back…"
Her emotions became complicated.
But she still approached.
The bathroom door was slightly ajar. Just enough for one eye to peek through.
What she saw first
Two figures close together.
Her sister's familiar arms wrapped around a man's shoulders.
Then, shifting her gaze slightly…
She saw Kaede and Minamiya Chiya kissing.
Their eyes were closed, fully immersed in the moment.
Rin's lips pursed unconsciously.
At the same time, a flush spread rapidly across her face.
For some reason, her body felt hot.
Uncomfortably so.
She slowly crouched down by the door, still watching.
Inside, the atmosphere grew warmer, more intimate.
And without realizing it, Rin's hand moved…
Only for a moment
Then she froze, startled by her own reaction.
"…So that's how it feels…"
Her breathing grew uneven, her thoughts tangled.
The unfamiliar sensation made her both curious and embarrassed.
Inside the bathroom, Kaede had gradually relaxed into Chiya's touch.
His hand moved gently, his presence close and steady.
Her breathing quickened.
The closeness, the warmth, the soft exchange of affection…
It was overwhelming, yet comforting.
"…Chiya-kun… let's… take a break…" Kaede murmured softly, her voice slightly breathless.
"We've been here a while… Rin might get worried…"
Her thoughts were completely focused on him.
She didn't notice the third presence outside.
"Alright. We'll head out soon," Chiya replied calmly. "Just one last round to clear the remaining energy. It'll only take a few minutes."
His tone was casual, composed.
As if nothing unusual was happening.
Outside, Rin quickly snapped out of her daze.
Her face still flushed, she quietly stood up and slipped away.
By the time the two inside finished and came out, she was already back downstairs, sitting neatly at the table.
As if nothing had happened.
But in her mind…
A new door had quietly opened.
Later that morning, at school.
The sisters attended their classes as usual.
With Chiya having already checked the campus, they no longer felt uneasy about its safety.
After class, they headed to the student council room.
Kaede, as president, had a mountain of work.
Rin, on the other hand, had a much lighter workload.
Which meant…
More free time.
Leaving her sister busy with paperwork, Rin slipped away to the restroom, phone in hand.
She needed to look something up.
Carefully.
Discreetly.
A few searches later…
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…So that's how it is…"
The internet unfolded an entirely new world before her.
Relationships, intimacy, emotional connections…
So many layers.
So many possibilities.
Her fingers hesitated for a moment.
Then she typed a few more keywords.
Curiosity guiding her.
Exploration following.
Her gaze sharpened as she read, absorbing everything with quiet intensity.
"So… it can be like that too…"
Her heartbeat quickened.
Ideas formed.
Tentative, but persistent.
"If it's like that…"
"…Kaede wouldn't mind… right?"
Her thoughts lingered there, uncertain but growing.
Meanwhile, in the student council room
Kaede suddenly shivered.
She looked around nervously.
For a moment, she thought something supernatural had found her again.
"…No… no, it's fine…"
She clutched the charm Chiya had given her, reassuring herself.
"I have this. I'll be okay."
She had no idea…
That something far more troublesome than ghosts
was quietly beginning to take shape.
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Oh, you like the story? Wow, who knew. Go ahead, drop a review and throw some power stones maybe I'll be motivated to keep going.