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5: panic

5: panic

"Fuck, what is the King of Scums doing here?"

"... your filthy mouth still hasn't changed, Shihori."

"What, did you hear that? It seems like the dumpster outside is calling me."

"..." Zenin Naoya felt a nerve pop on his forehead.

Seeing his annoyed expression, Yua Shihori couldn't help but sneer. It was early afternoon on a Wednesday. He planned on asking Satoru to hang out and talk about their plans for the freshmen so he didn't expect to see a face that would ruin his day in an instant.

Ever since he left the clan, Shihori only had contact with the twins. Back then, he had cut off all forms of connections with the Zenins and even changed his surname to his mother's maiden family.

After all, he wanted nothing to do with the Zenins and his spineless father.

"So," Shihori leaned against the frame of the front door, blocking Naoya's view of the living room. "Don't even think about stepping in. State your business and scram."

"You think I like seeing your face?" Naoya spat back with a scowl. "One of those twins you doted on got in trouble and went missing. The Kyoto branch needs help and the clan doesn't have time to search for a worthless girl. But that old man keeps bothering us, so we're sending you to make him shut up."

At first, Shihori really don't want to listen to whatever nonsense Naoya was going to tell him. However, the second he mentioned twins, his paid attention and was stunned by Naoya's news. "Mai? She's missing?"

"I'm not going to repeat what I said. You were on the way so I dropped by. Anyway, you're on your own. Find her or not, the clan doesn't care."

Naoya wordlessly left, leaving Shihori staring into space.

Mai?

That feisty girl was missing?

Shit--

.

.

"Yo."

"You're quite early today, dear Shihori." An imaginary question mark popped above Satoru as he eyed his friend in curiosity. "You're never early when it's about me."

"Oh, please, I'm not here for you. Where's Yuuta-kun? I'm taking him with me for practical experience."

An arrow struck Satoru right in the heart. "Ouch. Be careful with my fragile heart."

"You still have one?"

"Shihori!" Satoru shrieked in despair.

Seeing him lose his shit, Shihori raised both arms. "Alright, chill, I'll treat you next time so don't throw a tantrum. Call Yuuta-kun for me; his phone is turned off, I can't reach him."

"Can we go to a dessert buffet?" A pair of watery, sapphire eyes glanced at Shihori. Satoru, the proclaimed strongest jujutsu sorcerer, gave his childhood friend a pair of puppy eyes.

"Okay, we can. Anything you want, we'll go together next time."

"Aw, I love you, dear Shihori!~"

thunk

Standing behind them was none other than Okkotsu Yuuta who had dropped the katana in his hands. A blank look displayed itself on his pale face, eyes staring straight at their direction. His lips trembled. The youth wanted to say something but the words were stuck in his throat.

Yuuta had just finished his morning training when he decided to look for their teacher to ask some advice. He never expected to stumble into this scene. Are... Are sensei and Shihori-san... together?