Chapter 86

Pity.

Haruto, whose energy is truly limited, has no plans for poverty alleviation tonight, which she hasn't done in a long time.

After walking for a while among the drunkards and beaming crowds, in a gradually thinning corner, Haruto finally found his destination for the night:

Taro Mountain Inn.

"Hiss."

Feeling the temperature was several degrees colder than on the way there, even Haruto couldn't help but gasp.

"There's a reason why Ayaka doesn't organize these trips; this place is really a bit eerie."

That's right.

Judging from the name... you can probably guess that this mansion is actually the residence of the Ayaka family.

Haruto wasn't visiting for the first time, but he always felt a bit creeped out every time he came... It's said that before this area was renovated, it was the largest noble cemetery in Soul Society.

According to even older, more obscure rumors that Ayaka would never admit, the Kurumadani Clan used to be the caretakers of this cemetery.

It must be so difficult for Ayaka's family to be so cheerful.

"Mmm~"

Haruto walked towards the inn whose entrance looked somewhat eerie.

I hope Ayaka won't blame me.

"Whoosh--"

Haruto opened the hotel door.

"Hello, I'd like to check in!"

The powerful voice, once it entered the shop, quickly made it feel incredibly dark.

Although the lighting in the hotel lobby wasn't dim, the overly spacious area gave one a chill down their spine.

"..."

"Haru, Haruto- nii-gege?"

Replacing the "female general" by the stairs was a little girl who couldn't even reach the bar counter.

Good evening, Hoshino ~

Hoshino Kurumadani, Ayaka Kurumadani's younger sister, is the first heir of the Kurumadani Clan who lacks the abilities of Soul Reaper —this strange inheritance relationship doesn't need to be explored in detail, just as it doesn't need to be explored in detail why the Kurumadani Clan can open a hot spring inn on a cemetery.

There are many amazing things about the Kurumadani Clan; it's too early to be surprised.

"Um, that..."

Hoshino's speech was not very fluent, not because she was introverted, but simply because she rarely saw visitors other than her family in this place.

"Sister Ayaka went out tonight, and she also said—"

Hoshino said hesitantly.

"Yes, we were together not long ago."

"Oh, I see..."

The fact that her sister hadn't lied to her brought Hoshino a huge sense of relief.

"Did Ayaka say she might not be coming back tonight?"

"Um!"

Hoshino nodded emphatically.

"That's good."

Haruto walked towards Hoshino.

"If it's convenient, could you please prepare a guest room for me?"

The money for the accommodation was slipped into Hoshino's hand.

There are many places to stay in Rukongai, but not many places where you can sleep peacefully.

However, considering Ayaka's personality--

"Good!"

Hoshino skipped and hopped upstairs.

--When she's at home, Haruto wouldn't dare to bother her.

The next morning.

Haruto emerged from under the covers, feeling refreshed.

"Whoosh!"

Open the sliding door on the side of the corridor.

A short-antlered deer, a wobbly monkey, and a flurry of snowflakes falling from the sky—

"It finally feels like winter."

"Click."

Haruto casually stretched his muscles a couple of times; his streamlined muscles weren't bulging, but they contained an inexhaustible power.

The Kurumadani Clan's inn has completely different styles during the day and at night:

If you dared to open this sliding door at night, you'd probably see flocks of crows with bloodshot eyes in the trees.

It has to be said.

To be able to soak in a hot spring in such an environment, Haruto must be both highly skilled and daring.

"Knock knock."

Haruto had just put on her culottes when she heard a knock on the door from the inner corridor.

"Please come in."

"Whoosh--"

A simple black and white color scheme, paired with suspender stockings.

Ayaka, dressed as a maid, suddenly appeared outside the door.

Please have breakfast.

Japanese service, French breakfast—tradition and modernity collide in Ayaka's life to create a fragmented beauty.

"..."

"Don't look at me with that resentful expression, okay?"

Although he didn't look directly into her eyes for even half a second, Haruto still felt his skin crawling all over from Ayaka's glare.

"I gave up my late-night chat with my best friend and rushed back from Seireitei for most of the night..."

"In the end, they couldn't even get through the door."

Ayaka cannot use Shunpo; unless she uses a riding or flying-type spirit device, it's impossible for her to catch up in one night.

Furthermore, to prevent any accidents, Haruto also set up temporary Kidō around the room, referencing the underground martial arts arena:

For Kidō that can only serve as a warning to others of the same level, it is an insurmountable fortress for Ayaka, a novice with only Ninth Class Reii.

"I told Hoshino -chan that I didn't need to tell you I was coming."

Haruto covered his head and explained.

"But I told Hoshino about that a long time ago..."

You must let me know as soon as you arrive.

Ayaka fiddled with the Hell Butterfly that had flown in from who-knows-where.

"... This was an accident."

"Wasn't that day an accident too?"

Ayaka's counter-question made Haruto's explanation seem even more weak.

"We don't seem to have that kind of relationship, do we?"

Haruto rubbed his temples, saying with a slight headache—he sensed other presences: Hoshino, like a little fox, was huddled behind the door, eavesdropping on their conversation... Ayaka clearly knew about her sister's actions.

"They're just 'bitch' friends, what's so hard about admitting it?"

"..."

Seeing that Ayaka was becoming increasingly presumptuous, Haruto finally couldn't stand her ambiguous tone any longer:

"Could you please stop describing your card-playing partners in such an ambiguous way!"

"Sigh~"

Ayaka let out a mournful cry.

"If you want to play mahjong, didn't you have just the right number of people last night?"

"... You didn't teach Nanao."

"You can teach her; she learns very quickly."

Do you believe it?

"..."

Which is simpler, Mahjong or Kidō? It's not an easy question to answer... especially for Nanao is a complete noob when it comes to games.

"Besides, wasn't it you who said it would corrupt the children and told us not to teach it to Nanao?"

"..."

Ayaka's relentless offensive caught Haruto completely off guard.

"Tell me, how are you going to make it up to me!"

Ayaka put her hands on her hips and said confidently.

"... Fine, I'll do whatever you say."

"Then let's eat all of these!"

"These?"

Haruto glanced at the food on the tray. Besides the most prominent milk and bread, there was a food box that had been opened at some point, containing exquisitely arranged dishes of bull penis, mutton, chives, okra, and pork liver...

What do you want to do?

"We're all dressed like this now..."

While Haruto was observing the food, Ayaka had already quietly moved closer.

What else can we do?

The allure of a breath as sweet as orchids lies not in the nasal cavity or the ear, but in the gentle fragrance that brushes against the skin.

"... It's getting late."

"It's okay, if you get into the zone quickly, fifteen minutes should be enough."

Add to that the warmth that gently clings to the waist and thighs, and the silky feel of the fabric that envelops them.

"Hoshino..."

"She realized there was nothing funny to hear, so she's already slipped away."

Neither of the Kurumi sisters is easy to deal with.

Aren't you afraid she'll come back?

"Where did you get the Kidō I used to deal with last night?"

"Sigh~"

Haruto was still sighing when his hands had already expertly divided into two groups, one above and one below.