Chapter 130: Master, Don't You Want Us Anymore?
The lake shimmered beneath the moonlight, its clear surface rippling gently as wishing lanterns drifted like glowing petals upon the water. Each one carried a whispered hope or prayer, bobbing softly in the current as the breeze carried the faint scent of incense and night blossoms.
The old Kappa, lounging lazily by the lakeside, hadn't paid the lights much attention at first. His wrinkled green face was placid, his eyes half-lidded. But when he sniffed the air instinctively, something about the scent made him stiffen. A shiver ran through his shell.
Oh no.
That terrifying human was back again!
A tremendous splash broke the calm night.
Two little girls, who had been kneeling by the water releasing their lanterns, gasped in unison. Their wide eyes reflected the moonlight as they stared at the sudden chaos in the lake.
The once dignified old Kappa now wore a look of sheer panic, his expression so twisted with shock it resembled that of a cat discovering its neutering appointment. His eyes bulged, his mouth gaped, and without another thought, he yanked his head back into his shell and dove straight into the water.
Ripples spread outward. Silence followed.
A sharp wind blew through the trees, knocking loose a few dried leaves that swirled across the ground before vanishing into the dark.
"Ai-chan, Ai-chan," whispered one of the little girls, tilting her head, "is Grandpa Kappa really just a turtle that hides his head?"
The other blinked blankly. "Looks like one to me…"
"Both of you, shut up!" The Kappa's indignant voice echoed from beneath the lake.
The water rippled again as his bald head cautiously poked back out. "It's just a lantern! What's there to be afraid of?! I—uh—had a leg cramp! That's all! Believe it or not, I sure do!"
He tried to recover his dignity with a forced chuckle, then added under his breath, "I can't help you girls… maybe try selling yourselves to survive?"
The two girls exchanged puzzled glances as the Kappa sank back beneath the water, leaving only bubbles behind.
...
The night air carried the scent of roasted sweets and wet stone. Stars shimmered above like tiny fires burning in the sky.
Kouya walked quietly down a cobblestone path beside the shrine maiden, the two little girls following behind. Lanterns hung on both sides of the street, swaying gently in the wind, casting a warm orange glow that mingled with the scent of pine and festival food. The night market bustled nearby with laughter and chatter, though here, it felt calm and slow.
After sending the lanterns afloat, Kanna still hadn't given up her quest for snacks. Kouya sighed. Being her caretaker meant feeding her constantly, whether his wallet liked it or not.
Just as he was handing her another skewer, a teasing, elegant voice rang from the distance. "Ah, so the Kouya who abandoned us has been out here on a date instead?"
He froze. Gabriel and Raphiel approached with that all-too-familiar mischievous gleam in their eyes.
Shut up!
You're the ones who got so distracted shopping you forgot me!
And this isn't a date—it's just lanterns!
Satania puffed her cheeks. "What! We thought you got lost and came back to look for you!"
You idiot—you're the one who always gets lost!
"If anyone's getting lost, it's you!"
Gabriel groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Ugh, I'm tired. When are we going back to play games?"
Vigne and Rikka stood quietly nearby, watching with faint amusement.
"Kouya-kun," Raphiel said with that angelic smile that usually meant trouble, "even though you abandoned us, we still bought you some takoyaki." She lifted the steaming box toward him.
The shrine maiden narrowed her amber eyes, her tone soft but firm. "Kou-kun, this crepe is delicious. You should try it."
Both stood in front of him, each offering food, each waiting.
The tension thickened. Kouya could practically hear the ominous background music playing.
He swallowed. This was a trap.
"I'm already full," he said quickly, taking both plates and handing them to the blue-eyed dragon beside him, who blinked innocently and began eating.
Crisis averted—or so he thought.
Before he could relax, two small shadows darted out from a nearby alley and barreled toward him. Their eyes were wide and shimmering with tears.
"Master! We finally found you!" they cried together.
The world went silent.
People stopped. Heads turned.
"M-Master?"
"Is this… some scandalous story between a master and his loli pets?"
"How indecent! Keeping such cute girls as pets? He deserves the gallows!"
"Damn it! Surrounded by beauties and lolis?! You normie, explode! All of you explode!"
"Lolis are sacred! Young man, that's at least three years minimum, death penalty maximum!"
The whispers turned into a chorus of judgmental gasps.
The two girls, no older than twelve, wore small maid outfits trimmed with lace, complete with fluffy black cat ears that twitched under the lights. Standing hand in hand, trembling, they looked fragile enough to break under a harsh word.
They were almost identical—same eyes, same faces, though one seemed slightly bolder, the other shy.
"Tsk," Raphiel said, her sweet smile sharpening. "Didn't expect Kouya to have such… peculiar tastes."
Gabriel crossed her arms. "Figures. Total hentai."
Satania pointed dramatically. "A terrifying attendant!"
Rikka raised her hand timidly. "Um, I don't think the hero would do that…"
Ah, faith restored! My one supporter!
I'll grant you one more second of survival.
But before he could appreciate the moment, Rikka continued seriously, "Because the hero, like me, was consumed by darkness. As the price, I sealed my right eye—and the hero… lost his 'beep—'"
Kouya's face darkened instantly.
Give me back my gratitude, you idiot!
Vigne sighed softly. "Kouya-kun, please explain."
He turned to the two girls, who stared up at him like abandoned rabbits.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Their lower lips trembled. "Master… you don't want us anymore?"
The crowd melted away into murmurs. The shrine maiden gently placed her hand on Kouya's arm, whispering, "Kou-kun, let's talk at home." Her eyes glinted knowingly—these two weren't ordinary children. But surrounded by people, this wasn't the time.
Kouya nodded reluctantly.
Before they could leave, a voice shouted from behind. "Hey, young man! Pay your bill first!"
Kouya turned, exasperated. "What now?"
A panting middle-aged man rushed over. "Those two girls came to my shop earlier! Asked what outfit would please their master most, so I sold them cat-ear maid uniforms. Then they ran off without paying! You're their master, right?"
Kouya's eye twitched. "You made underage girls wear that to please their master, and I'm the one in trouble?!"
"Scumbag!"
"Hentai!"
"Mama, he's scary!"
Before Kouya could explode, the shrine maiden stepped in and quietly handed over the payment. "Enough. Let's go."
The night market suddenly felt too noisy, too bright. No one was in the mood to continue. They returned silently to the hot spring villa, the sound of crickets filling the quiet walk.
In the villa's cozy living room, Gabriel and the others circled the two little girls curiously.
"What are your names?" the shrine maiden asked.
The girls clasped each other's hands tighter, eyes flicking nervously toward Kouya as though waiting for permission to speak.
Kouya sighed. "Tell them."
The first girl stepped forward shyly. "My name is Ai-chan…"
The other followed, stammering. "I-I'm Natsu-chan…"
He searched his memory—no recognition. They were probably small youkai, strays wandering from somewhere.
"Go back to where you came from," he said flatly.
Both froze. Then tears welled up again.
"Waaah! Master, please don't abandon us!"
Shut up!
I'm not your master!
"Master, we don't eat much! And we can keep your bed warm!"
Stop talking!
If you keep going, Vigne really will call the police!