Chapter 7: Exorcism at Miura Yumiko's House!
A teacher with an incredibly developed figure, yet the mind of a child.
Beneath her chirpy chatter lay a hidden desire just to watch the drama unfold.
Compared to her, Yukinoshita Yukino, with her figure flat enough to drive a car on, actually seemed like an adult.
And the oblivious, mature-looking beauty with the childish mind was still spouting nonsense.
"How can you have no fighting spirit? Don't even think about just coasting through this... To ensure you both put your whole hearts into this battle, I've decided—the final winner gets to order the loser around however they want! How about that?"
"'However they want?'" Luke murmured thoughtfully.
Yukinoshita Yukino crossed her arms over her chest, immediately entering defensive mode.
"Allow me to refuse. With such a dirty condition for the duel, I feel I might be violated."
"Seems like Yukinoshita-san isn't confident about this duel, hmm?" Hiratsuka Shizuka said slyly.
Such a clumsy attempt at goading.
"Sensei, please don't treat me like a child..." Yukinoshita Yukino stared unhappily at Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Looking back at Yukinoshita Yukino, Hiratsuka Shizuka adopted a pitiful expression.
"Really? You won't do it?"
Yukinoshita Yukino desperately wanted to ignore her gaze, but finally let out a resigned sigh.
"Fine. Although I hate being provoked like this, I'll agree. And I'll deal with this person while I'm at it."
Ugh, how embarrassing. You're the top student year after year, yet your willpower is this weak?
Luke complained inwardly, turning his head towards Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Sensei, could you act a bit more like an adult? I accept joining the club activities, but let's just skip the duel."
Luke looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka.
He wouldn't be stubborn like Yukinoshita Yukino, who'd jump into a pit just because someone dug it, confident she could leap over the pit itself.
A mentally strong person wouldn't be swayed by external temptations or emotional provocations.
Hiratsuka Shizuka grinned, her pretty nails tapping lightly on his desk.
"You won't have to rewrite your Japanese Literature homework. And from now on, I'll also appropriately... loosen up a bit. How about it?"
What is this? Testing a student with something like this?
But he had to admit, it was a brilliant tactic.
"I accept!" Luke immediately took the challenge.
Because he would show Hiratsuka-sensei just how foolish her decision truly was.
"Good! By the way, I'll be the judge of victory or defeat. The scoring criteria will be based on my subjective opinions and biases. Good luck—!"
Finally, a sound echoed through the classroom.
Was that the end-of-school bell? It felt like ages.
As a member of the go-home club, he hadn't heard that sound in a long time.
With everything settled, Hiratsuka Shizuka eagerly fled the classroom, leaving the two of them behind.
Yukinoshita Yukino closed her book, put it away, turned, and left without another word.
Time to get moving.
Luke took out his phone, confirming today's destination.
Although he was starting later than usual, looking at the client's address, it wasn't too far away.
If he hurried after finishing, he should be able to get home around the usual time.
...
A yellowish sky, crimson-dyed clouds, a cool breeze, and an angry Miura Yumiko.
Miura Yumiko stared intently at him, her gaze filled with suspicion and even more wariness.
Thinking back to the tennis battle during the day made her angry all over again.
"Hey! What are you doing hanging around my house? You're not some kind of pervert, are you?"
Luke looked at the address on his phone, feeling a bit helpless.
He should have realized when he saw the client's name was Miura.
This world really is small.
Seeing him remain silent, Miura Yumiko's expression changed, and she clutched her backpack to her chest, turning slightly away.
"You're not actually a pervert, are you?"
Luke rubbed his eyes.
Usually, to make a good impression on clients, he didn't wear those ugly glasses during house calls.
"Miura-san, having a vivid imagination is a good thing... but there's no need to label everyone who walks past your house a pervert."
"Plenty of people walk by here. Are they all perverts?"
"Hurry up and look at this address. Is this your house?"
Miura Yumiko cautiously took a few steps closer, lowering her head to read the message on his phone.
"Hey— you..."
Miura Yumiko's red lips parted slightly, but Luke quickly interrupted her casting.
"I was invited here to perform an exorcism ritual. Please don't let your personal feelings get in the way. It's better to check these things out sooner rather than later."
Miura Yumiko looked up at his serious expression.
Although she didn't really believe ghosts existed, she couldn't stop her mother's decision.
Plus, the strange occurrences at home had genuinely made her a little uneasy.
"It's my house..."
"Then take me there. The sooner I solve this, the sooner I can get out of your sight," Luke said.
"Fine."
Miura Yumiko led the way, her voice tinged with confusion and doubt.
"Mom said she wanted to find an onmyoji to check the house, but I didn't expect it to be you."
Hearing her confusion, Luke nodded.
"Please trust my professional skills. This is basically a family tradition for me. Quality work, guaranteed reputation."
Despite his assurances, Miura Yumiko's eyes remained skeptical.
With Miura Yumiko leading, he quickly arrived at her home.
"I'm home!"
"Yumiko's back! Ah? And who is this...?"
Miura's mother, who also had blonde hair, narrowed her eyes, looking Luke up and down.
Even though he had changed out of his Sobu High uniform and taken off the ugly glasses, standing next to Miura Yumiko, who was also a high school student, made his identity fairly obvious.
Seeing her mother's suggestive gaze and occasional soft sighs, Miura Yumiko quickly explained.
"This is the onmyoji you were looking for—! He's also my classmate."
Miura Yumiko's voice grew quieter and quieter.
"Oh, so he's Yumiko's classmate!" Miura-san(Miura Yumiko's mother) summarized.
"Hello, Miura-san."
Luke reached behind him.
The peach wood exorcism sword was pulled from his item inventory.
To outsiders, however, this action looked like a magic trick, as if he had conjured the sword from thin air.
Usually, pulling off this little trick made most clients trust him completely.
It was the first step in his exorcism procedure.
The effect...? Just seeing Miura Yumiko's astonished expression was enough.
Luke glanced around the room's layout.
Miura-san had already explained the situation in detail over the phone, so he didn't waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"Could you show me around the house so I can inspect it?"
"Of course, please change into these slippers."
Miura-san put aside her surprise and offered him a pair of guest slippers.
Luke walked into the house, carrying his backpack.
He made a fist, curling his four fingers into his palm, leaving only a tiny gap between them.
Then, he pressed the fist against his eye.
Peering through the small gap, he carefully scanned the entire living room.
Finding no signs of ghostly mischief, he asked Miura-san to let him check the bedrooms.
"How about we check Yumiko's bedroom first?" Miura-san suggested slyly.
"Okay. According to our phone conversation, Miura-san was the first one to notice the abnormalities, right?" Luke nodded.
"Mom—!"
Miura Yumiko blushed, protesting.
Since starting high school, she hadn't invited any classmates over to play in her bedroom, let alone a male classmate.
"Do you really not want to solve this problem, Yumiko?" Miura-san whispered in her daughter's ear.
"Ghosts are scary, you know~ At night, I have Dad to hold me and protect me. But Yumiko will only have ghosts for company."
"Stop trying to scare me!" Miura Yumiko quickly pushed her mother away.
"Miura-san, regardless of any other factors, I strongly suggest you let me thoroughly inspect your bedroom."
Luke showed no hesitation whatsoever. It wasn't his bedroom, after all.
...
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