"Not bad! I'll give you nine points," Kurumi said with a smile, tasting another dish. Inori had prepared three dishes and one soup. Kurumi sampled each one carefully.
"Mmm!" Inori's expression softened slightly, looking rather happy. Ayase Shinomiya, however, looked like she had a headache, her face saying 'I don't even know how to save you anymore.' Meanwhile, Tsugumi, with an indifferent expression, picked up her chopsticks and tried Inori's cooking.
"Excuse me, where's the restroom?" Tsugumi asked, rising and addressing the maid behind her.
"Please follow me," said the black-haired maid, leading her to the restroom. Once inside, Tsugumi immediately chose a stall—and began vomiting.
"Unbelievable! How did that woman eat something that bad and still look so calm?!" she muttered, rinsing her mouth to wash away the burnt taste.
When Tsugumi came out, she found the same black-haired maid waiting by the door. She asked, "Tell me, does your mistress usually score food out of ten or a hundred?"
"Out of a hundred, miss," the maid replied respectfully.
"I see. Then she was being generous. If it were me, I'd give it zero." Tsugumi returned to the dining room—only to find that every dish on the table had already been eaten clean.
"What the hell?! At least leave me something!" Ayase looked stunned. In the blink of an eye, Kurumi had devoured all the food, even the soup. Ayase had wanted to taste Inori's cooking too, but there wasn't a single bite left.
"You're really something. I have to admit, I respect your stomach now," Tsugumi said, her mouth twitching at the memory of that flavor.
"Delicious? Disgusting? Doesn't matter." Kurumi set down her chopsticks, still smiling. Her wine-red eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Alright, let's get to the point. We're here for two things. First, we're taking Inori with us," Tsugumi said bluntly, her tone sharp and imposing.
"That's fine. I don't restrict Inori's freedom. As long as she comes back when she can, I have no objections," Kurumi replied with a gentle smile.
"Then that's settled. But we also have a small favor to ask. Ayase and I just transferred into Tennouzu First High today, but we haven't found a place to stay yet. Can we live here for a while?" Tsugumi finally revealed her true purpose.
She had already hacked into GHQ's database, yet couldn't find a single trace of Kurumi's information. This was her last resort—to infiltrate Kurumi's home network directly.
Kurumi narrowed her eyes slightly. Her smile took on a mischievous, calculating edge. "I'd be delighted. After all, living alone in such a big place does get... lonely."
As night fell, Kurumi sat in her bedroom, watching a synchronized projection with great interest.
The projection showed a black-haired cat-girl inspecting her new room, finding and removing hidden surveillance devices one by one.
"Impressive. She found all the standard monitors," Kurumi said softly, sipping her coffee. But she'll never guess the light fixtures are cameras too. Go ahead, change them if you dare.
After clearing every visible monitor, Tsugumi let out a sigh of relief. Then she bounced into the bathroom, ready for a hot bath. As she soaked in the tub, she turned on her communicator and began playing music.
Projected above the bath appeared Miku Izayoi, dressed in a white idol outfit, confidently singing My Thankful Heart. Kurumi's lips curved into a playful grin. So the little cat likes my music, does she?
"My angel..." The black-haired girl, mesmerized by the radiant Miku Izayoi on the screen, began to pleasure herself in the bath.
"Naughty girl. Touching yourself while looking at me," Kurumi teased, flicking her finger at the synced display and turning it off.
The next morning, a train stopped at the Tennouzu First High platform near the 24th district. Major Makoto Waltz Segai of GHQ stood waiting, pale-faced, flanked by a line of soldiers.
Thump-thump... Three people's hearts suddenly raced faster. They were Inori, Tsugumi, and Ayase—Kurumi's classmates. In contrast, Shu Ouma, though slightly nervous, didn't think it had anything to do with him.
"We've received reliable intel—six members of Funeral Parlor are hiding here," Major Segai announced with a pleasant smile. Instantly, Inori, Ayase, and Tsugumi stiffened, their bodies tensing in alarm.
At this moment, Shu Ouma, still unaware of the crisis descending upon him, watched the scene blankly, silently worrying for the three girls.
Thud. A hand suddenly pushed against Shu's back, shoving him out of the train. Major Segai, smiling faintly, slipped a pair of restraints onto Shu's wrists.
Inori froze, eyes wide in shock. She turned around in disbelief—to see Yahiro Samukawa standing there. In that instant, something called friendship shattered completely inside her heart.
"Why? Didn't we promise to keep this a secret? To tell no one?" Shu looked at Yahiro in confusion, his voice trembling. But Yahiro's expression was indifferent. The train doors slowly closed, and a chill settled deep within Shu's chest. Is friendship... really this fragile?
"It was Yahiro Samukawa who reported that you were connected to Funeral Parlor," Major Segai said with a polite smile, twisting the knife further. Shu's expression darkened, self-mockery clouding his face.
"Friendship... what a joke. The bond I trusted existed only to betray me." His eyes dimmed with a mixture of pain, regret, and growing hatred. He began to despise the world—a world steeped in betrayal.
"Where are you taking my classmate?" A soft, magnetic voice rang out. Shu turned around sharply and saw Kurumi Tokisaki, dressed in her red school uniform, standing at the station entrance. The train had already departed.
"Kurumi... why?" Shu asked in disbelief. She had stayed behind—just for him.
"Why? How could I possibly go to class peacefully when my classmate's in trouble? That would be strange, wouldn't it?" Kurumi's elegant, gentle smile shone like sunlight through Shu's heart.
They had been in the same class for over a year, but as a top student, Kurumi had rarely interacted with him. The only reason they'd spoken more deeply was because of the Funeral Parlor incident the day before.
Shu was deeply moved. When a friend he'd trusted for years betrayed him so easily, it was Kurumi—someone he barely knew—who stepped forward without hesitation. His chest tightened with a sour ache, and his eyes burned with unshed tears.
"Ah, Miss Tokisaki," Major Segai said with a slight bow. He then opened his communicator and displayed a photo—one showing Shu Ouma being rescued by Gai Tsutsugami during last night's battle between Funeral Parlor and GHQ.
"This image proves Shu Ouma's connection with the leader of Funeral Parlor, Gai Tsutsugami. We're simply enforcing the law," Segai said, spreading his hands helplessly.
"If that's the case, then I'll accompany him," Kurumi said pleasantly. "I hope you'll conduct your investigation fairly and prove Shu's innocence."
"Kurumi..." Shu looked at her, worried. He felt guilty that she was getting involved because of him.
"Don't worry. I know you're innocent. I'll make sure you're cleared," Kurumi said with a reassuring smile. Her words eased his heart. Even if she seemed fragile, as long as someone stood by him, Shu could find comfort in that fragile sense of protection.
"Very well. Then please come along as well, Miss Tokisaki," Segai said reluctantly, clearly feeling troubled.
...
Inside GHQ headquarters, Major Segai began his interrogation. For once, Shu acted smart—he answered every question with vague, unhelpful replies.
When asked why Gai Tsutsugami had saved him, Shu simply said, "That's a question you should ask Gai himself."
Segai sighed, pressing at his temples. Because Kurumi was present, he didn't dare resort to harsher methods. The questioning was temporarily suspended, and the three remained in a holding room—locked in a tense stalemate.
By noon, GHQ sent in a luxurious meal. Shu knew it was clearly prepared for Kurumi. Her presence alone seemed to command extraordinary respect—no one dared lay a hand on him while she was there.
"I don't want lunch. Bring me dessert," Kurumi said, smiling with narrowed eyes.
Segai shook his head helplessly, then had a special order sent up for her. In the end, only he and Shu ate the lavish lunch.
Shu couldn't believe it. He was a detainee, yet being treated to luxury—just because of Kurumi. She's... incredible, he thought in awe.
Kurumi sat relaxed, one leg crossed over the other as she took small bites of her ice cream, her graceful expression filled with pure delight.
Her skirt slid slightly, revealing the soft contours of her shapely legs beneath the sheer tights. Shu's eyes were drawn, momentarily mesmerized by the alluring sight. The smoothness of her skin through the translucent fabric, the way the light hit it just right, and the sway of her foot—it was oddly captivating.
At that moment, sensing his gaze, her wine-red eyes turned toward Shu, their gazes locking.
Shu's heart began to race. Flustered, he stammered, "Kurumi, eating too many sweets isn't good for you."
Holding the spoon delicately, Kurumi replied with a knowing smile, "It's fine. Food only exists to satisfy my cravings. Besides, I already said—I'll only eat Inori's cooking from now on."
Hearing that, Shu's expression darkened slightly. Kurumi, thinking he was worried about her, said softly, "My assistant is gathering evidence to clear your name. I'm sure you'll be free soon."
"No, it's not that... It's just—what you said really struck me," Shu murmured, lowering his head. "Kurumi, you changed your lunch to dessert just because of your own words. I think that's amazing."
"Amazing? Why? Isn't keeping one's word the most basic principle?" Kurumi tilted her head, her delicate face full of mild confusion.
Shu shook his head helplessly, his eyes filled with quiet admiration. Then he said with a sad smile, "If only I'd gotten to know you sooner... Someone like you would never betray anyone."
A self-deprecating smile touched his lips as he added quietly, "It took an accident for us to finally talk. I guess I really have no eye for people. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called someone who'd sell me out so easily... a brother."