Koizumi Akako silently stood up, dangerous crimson magic power beginning to condense in her hand.
Nakamori Aoko also slowly raised her gun, the cold muzzle aimed at the boy who was once her childhood friend.
Kaito lay on the ground, watching the once-familiar girls approaching from left and right, now turned into reapers of his life. The wound on his arm, the wound on his face, the wound in his heart, and that overwhelming sense of powerlessness almost drowned him.
He had lost, lost utterly. Not in wit, but in that absolutely insurmountable chasm of power and manipulation of the human heart.
Darkness completely enveloped every corner of his vision. The searing pain of the bullet grazing his cheek and the relentless killing intent behind him made Kaito Kuroba explode with a survival instinct beyond his limits. The moment the crimson magic rose in Koizumi Akako's hand and Aoko's gun muzzle pointed at him again, he lunged behind the abandoned fountain, relying almost entirely on muscle memory!
"Bang!"
"Sizzle—"
The sound of the gunshot and the magic tearing through the air rang out almost simultaneously. The bullet hit the edge of the stone fountain, splashing debris; a beam of crimson magic grazed Kaito's calf, scorching his trouser leg and bringing a burst of sharp pain.
Kaito didn't stop. Using the fountain as cover, he lunged like a wounded leopard toward the arched gallery at the side of the hall! That was the passage to the Mansion's wing he had noticed when he sneaked in earlier!
"Pursue." Kanjuro's calm voice rang out from behind, without a hint of emotion, as if simply ordering someone to fetch an inconsequential item.
Koizumi Akako's figure flashed, her purple-red long hair fluttering under the surge of magic power as she chased after him with an inhumanly light speed, crimson magic condensing in her hand once more.
Nakamori Aoko silently turned her gun and flanked him along another route, her steps steady and mechanical, her eyes fixed only on the target.
Kaito sprinted through the dim, winding gallery, his heart pounding in his chest as if it would explode. The gunshot wound on his arm, the scrape on his face, and the burning pain on his calf were all screaming, but his brain was working frantically. The structure of this Mansion was as complex as a maze; he had to use every turn and every shadow!
"Ruby Bind!" Koizumi Akako's cold voice came from not far behind.
Without looking back, Kaito lunged forward. Several scorching red magic chains grazed his back and struck the wall ahead, leaving charred marks. He rolled on the spot, kicked open a half-closed door, and rushed into a storage room filled with old furniture and dusty oil paintings.
Temporarily out of direct sight, Kaito leaned against the door panel, panting heavily. He heard Akako's light footsteps and Aoko's steadier pace in the corridor outside—they were searching separately.
Can't stay! Kaito looked around, his gaze landing on a narrow, cobweb-covered vent on the other side of the room. Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, he moved the boxes blocking the way, climbed onto the piled-up junk, and forcefully pushed open the rusted vent, squeezing out with great difficulty.
Outside was a desolate small courtyard on the side of the Mansion, overgrown with weeds. Kaito stumbled upon landing, nearly falling. He glanced back at the vent, knowing he had put some distance between himself and his pursuers, but it was far from safe.
He had to get out of the Mansion grounds! He oriented himself and, limping, started running again towards where he remembered the wall being. Every step tugged at his wounds, and cold sweat soaked through his clothes.
In the main hall, Kanjuro remained seated on his 'throne,' seemingly indifferent to the distant chase, as if it were merely an inconsequential sideshow. His fingers tapped idly on the armrest, his eyes sweeping over the other women standing silently in the hall.
At that moment, Yukiko, who had been quietly standing beside Eri Kisaki with her dazzling blonde hair and mixed-race delicate features, slightly furrowed her brow. She looked towards the corridor where Kaito had disappeared, carefully recalling the unique, almost instinctive evasive techniques and agile movements the boy had displayed in that life-or-death moment. A long-buried memory in her mind was suddenly stirred.
She hesitated for a moment, then still walked forward lightly, approaching Kanjuro, leaned down, and whispered in his ear, her voice tinged with uncertainty and surprise: 'Husband Kanjuro... that escaping boy... is his name Kaito Kuroba?'
Kanjuro's fingers stopped tapping the armrest. He turned his head, looked into Yukiko's bright blue eyes filled with worry, and slightly raised an eyebrow: 'Oh? You know him?' His tone seemed to carry a hint of interest.
Yukiko nodded, her beautiful face showing a complex expression: 'If I'm not mistaken... he should be the son of Chie Kuroba and Toichi Kuroba. I recognize some of his movement habits... they have the unique shadow of Teacher Toichi.'
'Toichi Kuroba? Chie Kuroba?' Kanjuro repeated the two names, his eyes deepening. He reached out, wrapped an arm around Yukiko's slender waist, pulling her in front of him, while his other hand ambiguously caressed her chest, feeling her slightly accelerated heartbeat. 'It sounds like you're very familiar with them?'
Yukiko's cheeks flushed slightly from his actions, but she continued: 'Toichi Kuroba... he was my magic teacher. Although the teaching period wasn't very long, he was one of the most talented Magicians I've ever seen. Chie Kuroba, my teacher's wife, is also extremely skilled. That couple are legendary figures in the magic world... or perhaps in some lesser-known realms.' Her tone carried a trace of nostalgia for the past and reverence for her teacher.
'So what?' Kanjuro lowered his head, kissed Yukiko's earlobe, his voice low. 'Does my Yukiko want to plead for her teacher's son?' His actions were gentle, but his eyes remained calm and unreadable.
Yukiko's body trembled slightly. She shook her head, leaning against his chest, her voice even softer: 'Not pleading... I just want to remind you, husband. Teacher Toichi and Teacher's Wife Chie... they are both still alive. And they are very mysterious, their whereabouts unpredictable. If Kaito really dies here, they will absolutely not let it go. They are the type... very protective of their own, and capable of causing significant trouble.'
Hearing this, Kanjuro let out a low laugh, the sound echoing in the empty hall, carrying a sense of amusement and deeper curiosity.
'Both still alive? Genius Magicians? Mysterious and elusive?' He chewed on these words, his fingers gently stroking Yukiko's chin. 'That sounds much more interesting than their son who only knows how to run away.'
He looked up, gazing once more in the direction Kaito had fled, his eyes seemingly able to penetrate the walls and see the still ongoing, disheveled pursuit.
'However,' Kanjuro's tone became lazy yet unyielding again, 'one thing at a time. Kaito barged in here today, he should pay some price. As for his parents...'
He paused, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful arc.
'If they are really so concerned about their son and want to come 'not let it go'... I'd actually welcome it.'
'After all,' he lowered his head, kissing the corner of Yukiko's mouth again, lingering before parting, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness, 'life always needs some unexpected surprises and... worthy opponents to not be too boring, right?'
In his arms, Yukiko felt the absolute confidence and unfathomable depth beneath his calm tone and ultimately said nothing more.
She knew that once Kanjuro made a decision, no one could change it.
From outside the courtyard, a suppressed groan and the sound of something hitting the wall echoed from afar. The chase seemed to be nearing its end.
Yet Kanjuro didn't seem concerned about the outcome. He simply held Yukiko, his gaze distant, as if already anticipating the next, possibly more interesting 'game.' The names Toichi Kuroba and Chie Kuroba were like stones thrown into a deep pond, creating subtle ripples in his heart. Would this legendary Magician couple be the variable that breaks the current situation of seemingly absolute control?
At the very least, Kanjuro began to feel that things might not end so completely and quickly. This gave him a sense of long-lost... interest. Kanjuro's kiss was gentle and lingering, carrying an undeniable sense of possession. Yukiko responded docilely, her arms wrapped around his neck, until they parted slightly breathless. Her azure eyes were misty, gazing foolish at the handsome face so close, the adoration and dependence within them so intense they seemed about to overflow, without a trace of falseness or reluctance.
Held by Kanjuro around the waist, she sat lightly sideways on his sturdy thigh. This intimate posture was already familiar to her; she even adjusted slightly to press herself closer to him. Her slender fingers unconsciously played with the front of Kanjuro's clothes, like a cat attached to its owner.
'Husband,' Yukiko's voice was soft and charming, carrying a hint of curiosity as she looked up at him, 'then how exactly do you plan to deal with that child Kaito? Kill him? Or...' Though her heart was completely tied to Kanjuro, having been taught by Toichi Kuroba, she still retained a sliver of old sentiment and faint pity for that mischievous yet exceptionally talented boy.
With one arm around her waist and the other playing with her dazzling blonde hair, Kanjuro chuckled lowly upon hearing this, his thumb stroking her delicate cheek. 'What? Is my Yukiko still worried about her teacher's son?'
'Not at all!' Yukiko immediately denied, even pouting slightly with a hint of coquettishness. 'My whole person, my whole heart belongs to you, husband! It's just...' She paused, her eyes drifting for a moment, as if lost in brief recollection, 'just remembering the days when I was learning from Teacher Toichi. Kaito was still little then, always pestering me to call me'Sister Yukiko,' begging me to conjure candy for him... it's a bit nostalgic.'
Her voice lowered, but soon she raised a bright smile, snuggling even tighter into Kanjuro's embrace. 'But that's all in the past! Now my heart only has you, husband! Whatever decision you make is right!'
Yukiko's words and expression held no pretense. Because the bond between her and Kanjuro was far deeper, earlier, and more twisted than anyone imagined.
On that night eighteen years ago, shrouded in darkness at the 'Sacred Scripture Academy underground laboratory,' among the over one hundred women Involved the forbidden ritual, was the then still young Kudo Yukiko, who was exploring the higher realms of magic and performing arts. She wasn't entirely forced; to some extent, she was drawn by the dangerous yet captivating, black hole-like traits Kanjuro had already begun to exhibit, half-naively, half-actively stepping into that quagmire.
The result of the ritual was not only Kanjuro obtaining the power of the dark bible, but also leaving the seed of life within Yukiko. She later secretly gave birth to a daughter, a girl who inherited both parents' outstanding looks and certain special talents. That girl, she named — Fujiko Mine.
For many years, Yukiko buried her obsession and attachment to Kanjuro deep in her heart, actively appearing in the spotlight as a glamorous star and Magician, yet secretly Always unable to escape that pull Origin the dark ritual and bloodline connection. Until Kanjuro reappeared in her world with formidable power, that suppressed emotion erupted like a volcano, making her abandon all her past identities and attachments without hesitation, completely throwing herself under Kanjuro's dark wing, becoming one of his most loyal followers. To her, Kanjuro was not only her lover and master, but also the entire purpose of her existence and the Home of her emotions. Her daughter Fujiko Mine's whereabouts were now a mystery, with her own life path, but in Yukiko's heart, Kanjuro's position was forever irreplaceable.
Thus, her loyalty was unquestionable. Her inquiry at this moment might have one percent of it being faint nostalgia for old sentiments, but ninety-nine percent was out of pure curiosity about Kanjuro's decision, and... a faint, underlying concern for the new variables (the Kuroba couple) that might stir the situation — everything she did prioritized Kanjuro's will and interests.
Kanjuro naturally knew everything about Yukiko. He enjoyed her obsessed and absolute dependence, his fingers stroking the back of her neck, bringing a shiver.
'As for the method of dealing with him...' Kanjuro drew out his tone, a flicker of inscrutable light in his eyes. 'No rush. The cat-and-mouse game should be played to its fullest. And sometimes, a living pawn is more useful than a dead one.'
He lowered his head, his nose lightly brushing against the top of Yukiko's head, inhaling her faint scent.
'As for Toichi Kuroba and Chie Kuroba...' Kanjuro's voice carried a trace of genuine interest. 'If they really appear because of this son, then this show will be even more interesting. I'd very much like to see what kind of'surprise' that pair of 'genius Magicians' you mentioned can bring me.'
In his arms, Yukiko looked up, her eyes reflecting Kanjuro's unfathomable face, foolish asking: 'Then husband... do you already have a plan?'
Kanjuro smiled slightly, a smile gentle yet chilling to the core. He leaned close to Yukiko's ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive skin, his voice low like a demon's whisper:
'The plan has always been in motion. As for exactly how...'
He kissed her earlobe.
'You'll know soon.'
Yukiko didn't press further, just sighed contentedly, snuggling even tighter against him, as if as long as she was by his side, even if the road ahead led to the abyss of hell, she would gladly accept it. In her world, only Kanjuro, this dark sun, remained; everyone and everything else were merely specks of dust illuminated (or devoured) by this sun.
Outside the courtyard, the sounds of pursuit seemed to have temporarily ceased, whether Kaito had found another hiding place or something else had happened was unknown. Inside the hall, Kanjuro embraced the infatuation Yukiko, like a dark monarch embracing his most loyal consort, quietly waiting, yet controlling the rhythm of everything.
He truly wasn't in a hurry. Whether it was Kaito's life or death, or the potential emergence of the Kuroba couple, in his eyes, they were merely small episodes worth savoring in his long, boring life, or... new pawns to be incorporated into the game.
And the player would always be him.
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