With the exorcism finally over, the group made their way down the mountain.
Miko walked beside Ryuu, while Oka Tooko followed a few steps behind at a relaxed pace.
Unlike the tense, life-threatening battle from earlier, there was no need for a dramatic pause to celebrate.
Instead—
Miko threw both hands into the air.
"It's finally over!"
A day of hard-earned victories.
Her house was free of lingering spirits.
Her father and brother had found peace.
The nightmare of the Mountain God had been eradicated.
For the first ti in forever, she could sleep without fear.
But—
"The danger is over, but your problems aren't."
Ryuu's voice cut through her excitent like a cold splash of water.
Miko pouted, cheeks puffing up like a squirrel hoarding nuts.
"Jeez! Did you really have to ruin the mont?"
Ryuu smirked.
"It's better to be aware of the facts."
She huffed, turning away.
But before she could sulk too much—
"Your Eyes aren't just a curse. They're a tool."
She blinked.
"A… tool?"
Ryuu nodded.
"Think of them like a Jujutsu technique. Right now, you're just letting them run wild. But if you train, you can control them."
Miko's ears perked up.
"You an… I can choose when to see ghosts?"
"Exactly."
He crossed his arms.
"Not only that—once you master controlling your cursed energy, you'll be able to exorcise weaker spirits yourself."
Miko froze.
"…Exorcise?"
She imagined herself fighting a grotesque curse, ard with nothing but a frying pan.
She visibly paled.
"…I think I'll just focus on the 'turning them off' part first."
Ryuu chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Then, she perked up again.
"So… should I co over to your house for training?"
Ryuu raised an eyebrow.
"Eager, huh?"
She flushed.
"I-I an, since you're my teacher, it makes sense, right?"
"Not quite."
Ryuu jerked his thumb toward Tooko.
"She'll be teaching you the basics first."
Miko blinked in surprise.
"Eh? Not you?"
Ryuu grinned.
"Oh? So you wanted to teach you personally?"
Her face turned crimson.
"T-That's not what I ant!"
She flailed, trying to explain.
"I just thought—since you're stronger—"
"She's not wrong," Tooko interrupted with a calm nod.
"But for learning the fundantals, I am more suited to the task."
Miko hesitated.
But if Ryuu trusted Tooko, then she would too.
So she clasped her hands together and looked at Ryuu with grateful eyes.
"Thank you, Ryuu. For everything."
Her voice was soft but sincere.
Ryuu smiled.
"No need to thank yet."
Then, with a teasing look—
"I'll be looking forward to my reward."
Miko froze.
"…Reward?"
A flash of mory hit her.
Yesterday—she had promised him.
—No matter what the reward was… she'd give it to him.
Her entire face turned red.
Wait.
Wait.
What exactly was Ryuu expecting as a reward?!
Her mind spiraled.
Her father's blessing.
Her mother's approval.
Ryuu's words about reviving his clan.
They had held hands.
They had hugged.
Two tiny devils appeared in her mind, arguing.
"He wouldn't ask for that, right?!"
"Why not? He's a man on a mission."
"No way! He wouldn't—"
"Oh, he totally would."
Miko squeaked.
She turned away, too embarrassed to respond.
Ryuu laughed.
He knew exactly what was going through her head.
But he didn't push.
For now—he was simply enjoying the thrill of watching her squirm.
After all—he wasn't a saint.
---
By the ti they reached Miko's neighborhood, it was already late afternoon.
As they stopped in front of her house, she suddenly turned to him.
"Would you… like to co in?"
Her fingers twisted together.
"…As thanks for today."
Ryuu shrugged.
"Tempting, but I've got to sort out Tooko first."
He nodded toward the fox spirit.
Miko pouted slightly but nodded in understanding.
Still, she hesitated.
Then—
"…I have sothing to say."
She glanced up at him.
"Can you… lean down?"
Ryuu obliged.
Miko took a deep breath—then leaned in.
Her warm breath tickled his ear.
And in a whisper—
"That reward… I ant it."
"…Whatever you ask for… I'll give it."
Before he could react—
She spun around and bolted into her house.
Leaving Ryuu standing there—
A grin slowly spreading across his face.
"…She really is full of surprises."
Tooko watched from the side, silent for a mont before finally speaking.
"You seem pleased."
Ryuu stretched.
"Of course."
Then, with a smirk—
"The best part of a good girl is discovering what's hidden underneath."
Tooko sighed.
But she said nothing.
After all—this was just the beginning.
=====
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