Chapter 27: Forever Single Curse
"Can we go back now?" Kouya turned his head and asked, his tone calm but slightly weary, as if tonight's chaos had finally drained even him.
"Ah... oh." The shrine maiden blinked, snapping out of her daze before quickly nodding. Her movements were slow, almost mechanical, as though she were still processing what had just happened.
It wasn't fear freezing her mind—it was disbelief. A deep, profound disbelief that clawed at her sense of reality.
Yes, the ever-composed, morally upright shrine maiden, Chiba Ruri, was now doubting everything she had ever known. The monster that had nearly killed her, that had pushed her to summon every last bit of her power and still cornered her, had been defeated by the boy beside her—effortlessly, casually, with one hand.
Good heavens. Was she supposed to laugh? Cry? Kneel and thank fate for sending her such a monster in human form?
It seemed she had hired quite the extraordinary employee indeed.
"Nee-chan~" A small, worried voice broke through her thoughts. The catgirl Rina rushed forward, her small frame moving surprisingly fast as she caught Ruri by the arm. Her wide eyes shimmered with concern and tears, her fluffy ears drooping low. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"I'm fine." Ruri shook her head, her tone gentle but faint.
The battlefield around them was quiet now. The smell of damp earth and blood hung in the air. The puddles where the water spirit dog had collapsed glimmered faintly under the misty rain, reflecting the flicker of the shrine lamps.
Because the kappa had been split apart by Kouya's single swing, the summoned water spirit that had been bound to it lost its anchor and collapsed instantly, dissolving into shimmering water that soaked into the dirt.
Taking a deep breath, Ruri pressed her fingers together and formed a complex mudra. The ghostly samurai shikigami that had been standing guard behind her dissolved into mist, the heavy pressure of its killing intent vanishing with it.
The silence that followed was almost too calm.
Finally, Hirata Sachiko, who had been trembling in the back, dared to speak in a small voice. "Miss Ruri... is the request mission complete?"
Ruri turned toward Kouya. "Kou-kun?"
Kouya nodded lightly, the faintest hint of amusement tugging at his lips. "Don't worry. It's done. The thing's not getting back up."
Everyone's shoulders loosened at once, the collective sigh of relief nearly audible over the drizzle. The oppressive aura that had filled the night was gone, replaced by the soft patter of rain and the rustle of leaves.
After all, if that kappa had truly gone wild, it could've massacred the entire resort. It had already been provoked beyond reason—there was no way to appease it anymore. Killing it outright was the only option.
Ruri, sharp-eyed even while tired, noticed Sachiko's pale face and turned to Kouya again. "Kou-kun, Miss Sachiko twisted her ankle. Could you... help her back to the hotel?"
Kouya gave a small shrug. "Sure."
But Sachiko waved her hands frantically. "N-no! I can walk! Really, I—ah!" She flinched, her ankle buckling under her own weight, a sharp cry escaping her lips.
Her face twisted in pain, her earlier composure cracking completely.
Ruri sighed inwardly. She understood immediately. It wasn't pride—it was instinct. Regular people, when faced with someone who could destroy monsters with a flick of their wrist, didn't act naturally. They admired, yes, but fear outweighed awe.
Still, Sachiko's refusal had another layer to it. As the resort's manager, she'd built her reputation on professionalism. She was used to handling VIPs—people powerful, unpredictable, easily offended. One misstep, one wrong impression, could ruin everything.
Normally, she would've used this as an opportunity to get closer to Kouya, to build a connection that might prove useful later. But now? Her hair was a mess, her clothes dirty, her makeup smeared from tears and sweat. For a woman who never stepped outside barefaced, letting anyone see her like this was unbearable.
So she refused help—out of vanity, yes, but also pride.
Ruri sighed softly and turned to the catgirl beside her. "Rina, help Miss Sachiko back."
Rina's tail flicked in annoyance, her lips curling into a small pout. Still, she obeyed, stepping forward and offering her small hands to help the woman up. "Come on. Let's go."
Once they were gone, the rain seemed louder.
Ruri turned to Kouya again. "Kou-kun, let's head back too."
But she had barely taken two steps before her knees buckled. The world spun violently, colors bleeding together. The ground rushed up toward her—
Only to be stopped by Kouya's firm grasp. He caught her effortlessly, holding her steady. "Hey. You okay?"
Her cheeks flushed pink. She quickly stepped back, breaking free from his hand. "I'm fine... thank you for earlier."
Who are you trying to fool? Kouya stared silently. Her lips were pale, sweat beaded her forehead, and her breathing was shallow. She looked one gust of wind away from collapsing.
If that's 'fine,' then dying must mean 'a little tired.'
Still, Kouya wasn't one to press. If someone didn't want help, he wouldn't insist. He shrugged casually. "Then let's keep going."
Ruri bit her lip and nodded, reaching toward her pouch. But when her fingers brushed the fabric, her face suddenly changed.
"Nee-chan?" Rina's voice came from the distance, faint but worried.
Ruri's voice was weaker now, her elegance fading into exhaustion. "It's nothing..." she whispered. "I... left the antidote in the room."
Her tone faltered as she spoke. The bite on her leg pulsed with a deep ache. She hadn't realized during the fight that the water hound's fangs were venomous. Now, the skin around the wound was turning pale blue, the numbness crawling upward.
Rina's eyes widened. "I'll get it!" she shouted, and without hesitation, scooped up Hirata Sachiko and sprinted off toward the hotel like lightning.
The two left behind were wrapped in silence.
Fine rain fell, soft as a whisper. Cherry blossoms clung to the branches above, their petals trembling.
Kouya exhaled, rubbing his neck. "Should I just head back first?"
The shrine maiden's lips twitched.
'I'm injured and poisoned, and you want to leave me here?'
Serves you right if you die single!
Her cheeks puffed slightly as she glared. "No!"
Her tone was sharper than expected, carrying a faint tremor of helplessness that made it sound almost... cute.
Her face flushed crimson again, but before she could say more, a bluish tint spread beneath her skin. The poison was advancing quickly. If it wasn't stopped soon, her body might shut down.
Kouya sighed. "Want me to take a look?"
Ruri blinked. 'Is he... worried?' Her heart gave a small, strange flutter. "It's alright. Rina will be back soon..."
Meanwhile, Kouya's actual thoughts were pragmatic at best: 'The job's not paid yet. If she keels over now, I've wasted my whole night.'
Thankfully, she couldn't read minds.
Minutes passed. Her breathing quickened, her body trembled, and her vision dimmed. At last, she gave in, her voice soft as falling rain. "Kou-kun... could you please look at it?"
Kouya nodded, kneeling before her. He rolled up the blood-soaked pant leg, revealing her pale, delicate calf—smooth, rounded, and trembling.
Ruri's face went scarlet. Her heart hammered in her chest. Her hand instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes darting everywhere but him.
Enough already! It's just your leg! Why act like I'm proposing or something?!
Kouya exhaled through his nose, trying not to groan. "You're poisoned. If I don't do this, it'll spread."
Ruri swallowed. "It's... not serious, right?"
Kouya thought for a second. "You might end up drooling, half your face might stop working, maybe some paralysis. The usual."
She froze, her expression blank for a heartbeat before terror spread across her face. "Kou-kun! Please help me!" she pleaded, her hands clutching his sleeve.
"Yeah, yeah. Relax. I got it."
Somehow, those words—so casual, so confident—soothed her heart instantly. His voice carried an odd comfort, a quiet reliability.
She remembered that same tone when he'd stood before her in battle, blocking the kappa's strike. She could still see that back—calm, unyielding.
Kouya had no medicine, but he didn't need any. He gently lifted her leg onto his knee, his fingers moving expertly over her skin. His touch wasn't tender—it was steady, precise, professional.
The shrine maiden tried not to move. Her lashes fluttered, her breath uneven. The warmth of his hands and the closeness between them made her heartbeat loud enough to hear.
After a long moment, Kouya finally lifted his hands. "Alright. You're good."
Her entire face was bright red, from neck to hairline. Even the tips of her ears glowed.
Seriously, what's wrong with this woman?! Anyone passing by would think I just committed some crime!
An awkward silence lingered between them. The only sound was the dripping rain and the faint hum of cicadas.
Ruri turned slightly away, her voice soft and airy like cherry petals in wind. "Thank you."
Kouya waved his hand. "Don't mention it."
She smiled faintly, color returning to her cheeks. "Rina's taking a while... maybe we should start heading back."
Kouya nodded. "Alright."
Ruri tried standing. Her legs wobbled, and she stumbled forward with a small gasp.
Kouya caught her again, steadying her by the shoulders.
"It's still numb..." she murmured, looking up at him shyly. "Um... may I hold your sleeve? Just to be safe."
Kouya hesitated, then sighed in defeat. "Fine."
And so they walked slowly under the trees, Ruri lightly clutching the corner of his sleeve.
The rain had finally stopped. A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of wet earth and blossoms.
Above, a silver moon shone bright and serene, scattering its light across the path ahead.
Moonlight filtered through the cherry branches, painting them both in pale silver—a quiet, beautiful contrast to the battle's chaos just hours before.