Chapter 454: When Rikka Lifted Her Skirt

He opened his eyes. What he saw was a white ceiling.

So he was still alive.

That thought appeared. After that, he tried to sit up.

“Hissss…”

Immediately, sharp pain made him suck in a breath.

“You’re awake!”

At the same time, almost the very next moment, that voice came from beside him. It sounded relieved, a mix of worry and pleasant surprise.

Himekoji turned his head to look. The person sitting at his bedside was Touka. She tightly grasped his hand. Though trying to hold back, her face clearly showed how excited she was.

“How do you feel?”

Faced with Touka’s eager and worried question, Himekoji gently shook his head.

“I’m fine. What about Rikka?”

Himekoji was more concerned about Rikka than himself.

“Rikka…”

As Touka spoke, she instinctively turned her head slightly. The focus of her gaze was the other side of the bed.

So Himekoji also looked in that direction.

He realized his other hand was also being held.

That hand was small, soft, white, and cute. It held tight to him. But the owner of that small hand had her head buried at the bedside.

“Don’t worry. Rikka just didn’t close her eyes the whole night. She couldn’t hold on anymore and fell asleep. She’s fine.”

Touka’s explanation reached his ear.

“Didn’t sleep at all last night?”

Himekoji noticed Touka’s eyes were also bloodshot. Probably neither sister had rested?

He wanted to get a blanket for Rikka. But when he lifted his hand, he remembered both his hands were being held.

Touka seemed to notice this too. Quickly, she let go of his hand. She coughed twice, looking awkward.

“Oh, right. Any discomfort anywhere?”

“Seems… not.”

Himekoji shook his head.

Other than his body aching all over, he really didn’t feel any discomfort.

It was strange. Twice narrowly escaping death. Twice without serious harm. It seemed too unreal…

“That’s good. That’s really good. Seems he wasn’t lying.”

Touka patted her chest and relaxed.

“Him?”

Himekoji could probably guess who Touka meant by “him.” But he still asked.

Touka, however, avoided answering, turning her cheek away.

Himekoji was about to say something else when he heard a phone ring.

It startled him. He thought it was Rikka’s phone.

When Rikka’s phone rang, the reason was all too clear.

Luckily, it was a false alarm. The ringing phone was his own.

“I’ll go make some porridge.”

Seeing Himekoji needed to take the call, Touka stood up and left, giving him privacy.

She could also use this chance to get breakfast ready.

……

The call was from Yukinoshita.

This was their first call since swapping contacts.

“Ahem…”

“Hello?”

Himekoji cleared his throat before speaking. He didn’t want to sound weak or tired.

“Where are you?”

She got straight to the point as usual. This was the first time Himekoji heard Yukinoshita’s voice over the phone. Though a bit distorted, it was crisp and pleasant.

“Um…”

Himekoji wasn’t sure how to answer right away.

This place was far more complicated and dangerous than he’d ever imagined.

“We agreed to meet in half an hour. Where are you?”

Half an hour?

Hadn’t two days passed already?

This was the third day. Meaning, the weekend was over.

“A small setback happened. Anyway, you all go back first. I’m okay here alone.”

Yukinoshita had classes. Even Hiratsuka-sensei had work. Staying here with him, wasting time, wasn’t useful.

Also, if they got more involved in this situation, who knew what other dangers might appear? His current state, covered in bandages, was proof enough.

He already regretted not coming alone.

“Alone? You’re okay?”

The moment Himekoji finished, Yukinoshita’s dissatisfied retort crackled over the line.

Her tone was completely different from the slight concern earlier. Unfamiliar. Cold. Icy distance came through the phone.

“Why are you talking like that again?”

“Talking like that?”

Himekoji was puzzled. He didn’t think he’d said anything wrong.

“Isn’t this just like before? ‘Alone is fine,’ ‘Alone works,’ ‘Alone is okay’… I thought you’d changed a little, but I really…”

A small pause. Then the voice from the phone came through, thin and cold like light floating on snow, yet slow and firm,

“You listen. All of the Service Club took on this job. Not just you!”

“Himekoji, you are not alone! You shouldn’t be!”

Yukinoshita still hadn’t forgotten that day. Jumping from the passenger seat. Himekoji looking at her before driving away. That lonely smile.

“Who said you could act all by yourself? Dammit!”

Rarely using her club president authority, Yukinoshita shockingly cursed.

Though only after hanging up.

“No way you’re going alone this time!”

Yukinoshita angrily stomped her foot.

……

Sunlight streamed in through the window.

Rikka slowly woke up. She opened her eyes.

Met the gaze of Himekoji, who was waiting beside her.

“You’re awake?”

“You’re awake!”

What a coincidence. They spoke in unison.

Then, Rikka looked like she was about to cry.

“Are you hurt? Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

The girl kept repeating these anxious, jumbled questions.

She checked his wounds over and over.

“I’m fine. I’m fine…”

Even with his reassurances, Rikka didn’t listen.

Only after thoroughly checking him everywhere–feeling him up and down–did Rikka finally relax. She sat down calmly again.

“Lucky you’re okay. So lucky…”

“I told you, my body is immune to harm.”

Himekoji smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

But this casual remark made Rikka instantly furrow her delicate eyebrows. She protested excitedly,

“Nonsense! No one has a body immune to harm!”

“Huh?”

This response clearly caught Himekoji off guard. He gave her a thoughtful look,

“What about the Evil Eye of the Wicked Lord… isn’t that supposed to be immune to harm? Doesn’t exist either?”

Rikka hadn’t expected him to say that. She choked up. After struggling silently, she managed a feeble defense,

“The Evil Eye of the Wicked Lord… is different…”

“Well, I’m different too.”

Just then, Himekoji suddenly remembered something. He reached his hand toward Rikka.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Rikka froze, startled by Himekoji’s bold, sudden movement. She even forgot to dodge.

……