Fortunately, Yukinoshita Haruno had already witnessed Shiro Sakamaki's charging abilities. Eriri, on the other hand, was seeing this kind of thing for the first ti. Her eyes widened, ntally calculating how many doujin volus she'd need to draw just to make that kind of money.
Shiro rested his chin on his hand and mused aloud, "So you're saying, I just stand by and watch? No need to actually fight unless things get out of hand?"
"Exactly. Your only responsibility is to protect your employer's life if it's ever threatened," Gojo Satoru confird.
"Easy money, right?"
Shiro nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds simple enough. Decent pay, too."
Then, without hesitation, he added, "But I'm still refusing."
"Huh?" Gojo blinked. "Why? It's easy, and instead of throwing cash at those crusty old geezers at the top, I'd rather give it to soone like you."
Shiro looked over at Haruno and Eriri, a rare trace of frustration in his voice. "I have people I want to protect too."
Gojo raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I get it. Let him fend for himself, then."
He turned to leave, but—
"Wait," Shiro called out.
"What? Changed your mind already?"
"No," Shiro said firmly, "but for the safety of my friends and their families, you'll need to move Shinomiya Un'yō out of Totsuki Resort. Sowhere safer."
"That's not my call. His family's not exactly the flexible type."
"I know. Just deliver the ssage."
Shiro's tone dropped low. "And tell him this—if he stays and sothing happens, I'll kill him myself."
Just a joke—sort of. The Shinomiya family were partial owners of Totsuki Resort. Letting anyone start a war on their property wasn't just risky, it was stupid.
Still, the calm steel in Shiro's voice was unmistakable. Gojo had no doubt he ant every word. He'd seen Shiro's lightning techniques firsthand—devastating and precise. Against ordinary people, they were overkill. Even the aftermath could disintegrate soone entirely.
Regret settled in Gojo's chest. Maybe he shouldn't have approached Shiro at all. If he'd stayed quiet, he might've at least been able to help quietly, unnoticed.
"Fine. I'll relay the ssage. Whether he listens... that's on him."
Shiro gave a small nod. The Shinomiya family may have been one of the four biggest conglorates in the country, but even they couldn't afford to anger soone like him without calculating the cost. Veteran powerhouses like Shiro were far beyond monetary value.
He doubted they'd stir up a war over one heir. Embarrassnt could be swallowed. Bloodshed? Not so easily.
After parting with Gojo, the group continued on their way. Eriri was unusually quiet at first, but her curiosity eventually got the better of her.
"Shiro, why'd you turn it down? That kind of money, for just standing around?"
Haruno remained silent. She'd seen enough to understand just how dangerous the so-called 'easy' job truly was. Her concern wasn't money—it was for her parents and younger sister, still staying at the resort.
"You don't understand," Shiro said, glancing at Eriri. "Things in the supernatural world aren't so clean. You take action, and suddenly you're entangled in all the consequences that follow."
There was one thing he didn't say out loud: Eighty million yen? Who do they think they're talking to? Shiro didn't lack money. For a job that ssy and underpaid, he wouldn't even move a finger.
After a pause, he turned to Haruno. "Tonight, move into the room next to mine. I'll arrange everything. Just in case sothing happens, I want you close."
The chances of an incident were slim. The real target was likely him. But gambling on "probably" wasn't a habit he indulged in—especially not when he had the power to avoid the risk.
Though he didn't say it outright, in his heart, Haruno was already soone he wanted to protect. And that included her family, too.
He knew people like Shinomiya Yun'ei well—spoiled, proud, and unlikely to listen.
Eriri pressed her lips into a pout. She clearly wasn't happy, but she understood the seriousness of the situation. Even so, she chose to trust Shiro's judgnt.
Haruno's reaction was far less restrained. Beaming, she exclaid, "Knew you were the best, Shiro-kun! I'll tell my mom right now—mua!"
She darted forward, kissed him on the cheek, and dashed away before Eriri could react.
Shiro blinked, touching the spot she'd kissed, and turned slowly to Eriri, who was now practically radiating black energy.
"Alright, alright... Haruno's just ssing around. Don't take it too seriously," he said, offering an excuse even he didn't buy.
To shift the mood, he pulled out his phone and called the manager of Totsuki Resort—his mother had passed on the contact earlier. The mont his na ca up, the other party responded with near-imdiate politeness.
Shiro's request was simple. Reserve the room next to his. VIP-only floors like these weren't hard to rearrange when shareholders were involved.
With that settled, he turned to the still-sulking Eriri. Feeling a little guilty, he bent down and gently pulled her into a hug.
"Sorry, Eriri."
Caught off guard, Eriri resisted instinctively, but quickly relaxed in his arms.
She'd always known she wouldn't have Shiro all to herself. She'd prepared herself for that. But when it finally ca down to it, it still stung.
A flash of rebellion surged through her. Without warning, she bit the familiar spot on his shoulder again.
This ti, she didn't hold back. Her sharp little teeth pierced through his shirt and into his skin.
"Hmph. Even if I can't have you all to myself, I left the first mark."
Shiro winced but chuckled, gently rubbing her head. "Alright, Eriri. Whatever you say. Let's head back."
---
Get early access to 100 Chapters on Patreon!
→ patreon/Arthorain
Reviews
All reviews (0)