[Mass Release: 2/7]
"Crap!"
That was the only thought running through her head.
The next second, Yuki felt herself crash into someone's chest. A strong arm reached under her shoulder, wrapping firmly around her waist. The powerful grip made her turn her head—and her eyes locked onto a strikingly handsome man's face.
"It's you!?"
Yuki Suou's eyes widened in shock. The man before her was the same mysterious figure she'd seen earlier! And in that instant their gazes met, an electric sensation ran through both of them.
Zzzzt!
Takumi shivered slightly, surprise flickering in his eyes. The feeling was intense—not quite love at first sight, but he definitely liked the girl standing before him. The [Love Curse] hadn't changed his will; it only amplified that instant attraction. To put it simply… he was even more aroused by sight.
In his view, Yuki Suou's affection level suddenly shot up.
[Affection: 10 → 79!]
[He's so handsome! So cool! Those abs—so firm! He's like a manga protagonist come to life!]
Yuki's heart screamed internally, momentarily forgetting the danger she was in. It took her a few seconds to remember reality.
"Wait—danger! There's a monster behind me—eh?"
When she turned around, the terrifying demon that had been chasing her was now backing away. It was trembling. It was afraid!
Following its frightened gaze, she looked back at Takumi. Clearly, this monster was terrified of the man before her.
"Who… is he?"
That question filled her mind.
Takumi, however, merely raised his eyes toward the rogue demon. "The upper body's not bad… but the rest of you is disgusting."
"Grrrraaaaahhh!!!"
The demon opened a huge fanged mouth on its abdomen and let out a piercing shriek, trying to scare him off. Takumi didn't even blink. He just flicked his finger.
"[Infernal Flame]!"
A spark of ultimate fire flew forth—silent, weightless—and touched the demon's body. In an instant, the flames erupted, devouring it whole.
Within one breath, only a gust of wind remained; the once-grotesque monster had been reduced to ashes.
[Ding! Point Card +0.5]
[Ding! Randomly acquired Trait: Lactic Acid Fluid (Green)]
[Lactic Acid Fluid (Green): Your chest can secrete acid strong enough to corrode walls.]
"What kind of trash ability is that? Get lost!"
Takumi tossed the useless trait aside with a grimace, as though he'd touched filth. When he lowered his gaze, he found Yuki staring up at him in awe.
A monster that huge—gone with a single flick of his fingers.
"So… amazing!!!"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, bursting with excitement rather than fear.
"Not scared?" Takumi teased.
"Are you kidding? That was so cool!" Yuki shouted, brimming with energy—so much that it even overpowered Takumi's presence for a moment. Then she grabbed his arm eagerly. "You're like a masked hero who protects the city at night—or one of those brave warriors fighting for humanity, right!?"
"Don't lump me in with anime characters, OK? Though I am a little related to heroes, right now I'm just an exorcist who recently arrived in Kuoh Town."
Seeing the pure chūnibyō energy radiating from her, Takumi couldn't help but pour a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm—and flicked her forehead with a thunk.
"Ow! That's unfair! I've never been the one getting taken advantage of first!"
"Tch. This was a perfect hero-saves-the-beauty moment! You're my hero—let me at least touch you a bit!"
Still rubbing her forehead, Yuki grumbled, yet her fiery gaze didn't fade—it even looked like she might devour him next.
"Stop talking like that's normal! Apologize to every hero who's ever existed for ruining their dramatic rescue scene!" Takumi protested, exasperated.
Yuki just waved him off like it was nothing. "Don't sweat the small stuff. The point is, I got saved! Now I'm probably about to get caught up in some dark conspiracy, right? Ah~ just imagining it—"
"Stop imagining. This was just a rogue demon attack. You were unlucky, that's all."
"Ugh! You're killing the mood! This is totally the destined meeting between a male and female lead—don't crush my fantasy!"
Hands on her hips, Yuki pouted angrily. Takumi fell silent, realizing she might not be wrong. Given his [Protagonist's Aura], maybe fate really had set this up.
After a sigh, he asked, "Let's get back on topic. Why were you even here in the first place?"
"Uh… well…"
Yuki scratched her cheek awkwardly and confessed everything. When Takumi heard it was because she'd been overlooked during his memory wipe, he went quiet. Definitely the heroine's aura at work—no way he'd miss her otherwise!
After clarifying the situation, they stood staring at each other in silence.
Then Yuki smiled shyly. "Um… since we met like this, maybe we should introduce ourselves properly? I'm Yuki Suou."
"I'm Takumi, an exorcist new to Kuoh Town. Here—my card."
He handed her a small business card with a resigned sigh.
Her eyes lit up as she examined it, especially the magical sigil printed on it. "This summoning circle—can it summon you directly!?"
"Well… technically, yes, but—"
"Summon!"
Before he could finish, Yuki shouted the word gleefully. They both froze, staring at each other as nothing happened.
When Takumi didn't teleport, she puffed her cheeks. "Hey! You tricked me!"
"Tricked what?! It only works if I respond to the call! I'm right in front of you—why the hell would I respond to a summon!? What am I, a toy!?"
"Come on, don't be so uptight. Please~~ let me try it again, just once~~"
Her soft, pleading voice carried a sweet, teasing tone that pierced straight through his chest. For a moment, Takumi froze, heat crawling up his neck.
That voice—it was like a kitten's mewl turning into a sultry whisper. The contrast was lethal.
He swallowed hard. "This girl… is dangerous."
...
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