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Haruno Yukinoshita felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Her family was in deep trouble, and now her little sister, Yukino, was acting strangely. Usually quiet and serious like an ice princess, Yukino had recently been smiling and laughing more and that bothered Haruno. She wished Yukino could be happy, but the reason for her change wasn't good news at all. It was because of a boy from school, Yuto, who was popular and handsome but whom Haruno didn't trust.
Sighing, Haruno stood by the large window of her upscale apartment, watching the city lights twinkle below while her mind swirled with worry.
"If Yuto were a decent guy, I might be okay with it," she murmured, her voice tight with concern. "But he's just a player. He'll break Yukino's heart."
Determination hardened her features. "I have to stop this now."
Haruno adored Yukino, she was smart, strong, and always the one to protect her little sister. And if anyone was to keep Yukino safe, it would be her. Even if Yukino later resented her for interfering, Haruno believed she had no other choice.
Just then, the door opened and Yukino stepped in. Haruno forced a cheerful smile. "Hey, little sis! You're home late," she greeted, trying to mask her true feelings.
Yukino's eyes were cool and distant. "I didn't want to come home early," she replied flatly.
Haruno teased, reaching out to hug her. "Aww, you're so cute but what if someone tricks you?" "No one can trick me," Yukino retorted, stepping back. "How long are you staying? Don't you have family business in Chiba? You're the boss now."
Haruno chuckled, though her smile was strained. "The internet fixes everything, I can work from here."
Deep inside, however, the truth was crushing: the Yukinoshita family was crumbling. Once a thriving enterprise built by their mother's strength, the family now suffered under the ruthless attacks of the Sumiyoshi-kai.
At first, Haruno had thought they were small-time bullies, but she soon learned they were dangerous, cunning, and they even had cursed users at their command. People began to vanish or die, and the family's wealth slipped away like sand. If the Sumiyoshi-kai continued unchecked, Haruno feared she might lose everything.
Her mother had sent her to Tokyo to stay with Yukino and search for help, someone powerful enough to fend off their enemies. But powerful sorcerers or cursed users always came with their own complications: they were often selfish, abrasive, or even downright creepy. To keep such threats at bay, her mother had even hired a grade 1 sorcerer named Mei Mei.
...….
Haruno couldn't stand how the strong preyed on the weak, and she vowed to save her family on her own terms rather than relying on others. With that fierce resolve, she approached Mei Mei and asked, "Can I be a curse user?" and handed over a considerable sum of money.
Mei Mei checked the numbers and then said gently, "I'm sorry, Miss Haruno, you can't."
Crushed, Haruno pressed, "Is there another way?"
Mei Mei's lips curled into a slight smile. "Your family pays well, so I'll let you in on a secret. My friend knows a guy, he goes by the name 'Saber. He is so powerful he can take on a special-grade cursed spirit all by himself."
Haruno's eyes widened. "Alone? Really?"
"That's right," Mei Mei continued. "But we don't know who he is or where he lives. He's like a shadow, getting him to help is nearly impossible."
Haruno's mind raced. Every day, the Sumiyoshi-kai attacked, leaving her family more vulnerable. Mei Mei admitted she'd step away if things got too risky, but the possibility of recruiting this mystery man known only as 'Saber' sparked a desperate hope in Haruno. If Saber could help, her family might just be saved. If not… the consequences would be catastrophic.
Even as she hid her anxiety behind a warm smile for Yukino, Haruno knew the stakes were unimaginably high. If she failed to secure Saber's help, everything she loved might be lost.
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