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思い出と絆 (Omoide to Kizuna), Last Part

The 4 of them had been catching up with one another when suddenly, a screech of "HIME!" caused them to groan out simultaneously. 

"Can we please get rid of him once and for all?" Akinori looked ready to hit something. (Well, it's actually someONE.)

"I agree wholeheartedly," Keisuke nodded. 

"As much as I want to, we still have to be civil," Natsume looked ready to throw Shutendouji out a window, though.

"Civil? Sorry to say this, Natsume, but that guy literally BRAINWASHED you," Akinori grumbled.

"I agree," Touma nodded.

Shutendouji soon arrived and rushed to hug her, "Hime! Are you okay?!"

Alarms rang in Keisuke's head seeing this. Then, on reflex, he jumped, did a somersault, and kicked Shutendouji sideways.

Natsume, Touma and Akinori's eyes widened in shock as Shutendouji was sent to the ground, holding the sore cheek in pained disbelief.

"KEISUKE!" Natsume looked completely horrified.

"W-What..." Touma was blankly staring.

"What just happened?" Akinori muttered under his breath.

Keisuke looked at Shutendouji, "Sorry, but Neechan doesn't need you. Especially not after that stunt you pulled on us."

"I-I had to ensure the Hime's safety-" "Not a valid reason to go brainwash her to be your friend," Keisuke coldly replied.

"B-But..." Shutendouji was lost for words after hearing such a blunt response from the kid who he had always thought was a coward.

"You turned her against Akinori and Touma, and that's something I don't think I can forgive," Keisuke growled. He looked really angry and cold, so Natsume decided that she had to interfere before he ended up punching Shutendouji.

"Keisuke, let me do this," Natsume then placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You sure Neechan?" Keisuke's face softened a lot after hearing her voice.

"Positive," Natsume grinned.

"Okay then Neechan," Keisuke softly grinned back before he stepped back, allowing Natsume to step forward.

"Hime!" Shutendouji immediately bowed to her.

"Sakami-kun, leave me now," Natsume ordered. His eyes widened.

"B-But Hime-" "Give us some time. You shouldn't barge into someone's private life because of their previous status. I'm just a normal girl whose reincarnation was the Youmakai Ruler. I'm not Shuka. The only thing I want from her is her help in defeating Soranaki. Nothing more, nothing less."

Shutendouji looked so shocked and unable to believe the words he was hearing now.

".... Very well then, Hime," Shutendouji stood up and bowed. "I shall take my leave now-"

"Not so fast. You haven't apologised to Keisuke for kidnapping him," Natsume suddenly remembered that time.

"Very well," he turned to Keisuke. "I deeply and humbly apologise for kidnapping you that time. Also..." he turned to the rest of the Agency. "I apologise for everything that has happened between us." He deeply bowed before he left.

The 4 of them looked at one another, a bit unsettled by how easily Shutendouji had given in to Natsume.

"Maybe it's because of Keisuke," Touma joked. "I mean, I never expected you to know gymnastics."

"Hee, why so shocked, Touma?" Keisuke caught his gist and joked back.

Natsume and Akinori both laughed heartily.

"Jya, let's go home now," Akinori smiled. "It's late now."

"I agree," Keisuke grinned. "I'll just stay at Touma's house tonight before going back. Is that okay, Neechan, Touma?"

Touma chuckled, "My house is open to you, Akinori and Natsume anytime."

The 4 of them laughed again.

It was at this time that Keisuke saw it.

3 Youkai-like shadows suddenly replaced his 3 friends, and they all looked at him knowingly.

Keisuke's eyes widened. W-What is this?

The only female of the group, who had replaced his sister, spoke, "You have a role in the upcoming battle."

"Be brave, and stay that way," The one who had replaced Akinori advised.

"You will know when the right time to reveal yourself is," Touma's replacement added. 

Then, he saw his friends again, still laughing, as if what he had seen never happened. 

Keisuke continued laughing, deciding to contemplate that when he got home.

Because right now, the 4 of them weren't the Youkai Tanteisha.

They were just a bunch of friends laughing at a joke.