With Miyuki Mizunuma, the true culprit, eliminated, the Death Call incident could finally be considered completely resolved.
However, unlike Shizuku, who remained calm, Nueno Nuesuke's feelings were clearly rather complicated. After all, he had always believed that the evil spirit was Miyuki Mizunuma's mother, only to discover that it had been the other way around.
That was why Nueno Nuesuke barely spoke throughout the journey.
Shizuku could understand that. As a teacher, Nueno Nuesuke instinctively believed that children were innocent, pure, kind, and beautiful. But in truth, children like Miyuki Mizunuma, who had been demons from the moment they were born, were not unheard of. Scientific studies often linked a child's personality to their upbringing and environment.
But the fact was that even children raised in the same environment could have vastly different thoughts and personalities. Some children truly were born demons. There was nothing particularly strange about that.
Of course, whether one could accept it was another matter.
"Then I'll be taking my leave."
After dropping Nueno Nuesuke off at the station, Shizuku prepared to leave. Nueno Nuesuke got out of the car and sighed.
"Miss Kasugano, um... what are you planning to do...?"
"That is my problem. But as an evil spirit that has continuously harmed so many people, I won't give her special treatment just because of her age."
"But she's still only a child..."
"You should say that to the victims."
Shizuku shrugged.
"Every grievance has its culprit. That is no excuse, especially not for an evil spirit that takes pleasure in harming others."
"..."
Nueno Nuesuke had nothing to say.
"Well then, I still have work to do, so I'll be going... Oh, and the money I gave you earlier—keep whatever is left as your payment. You did run all over the place with me,