Catching Someone in the Act / Mission

"Lord Koizumi...!"

Serenity called out softly, drawing Koizumi's attention.

It was not surprising at all that Serenity had come over. Ever since he had blocked her poison, her attitude toward him had started becoming strange, so Koizumi had long guessed that she would probably come looking for him.

"It's you... Serenity. What do you need?"

Koizumi looked at Serenity before him with a puzzled expression. He had long felt that this girl was acting rather strangely.

Logically speaking, this girl should not have been very enthusiastic toward him. So why was she blushing now?

That was right. At this moment, Serenity Hassan was looking at Koizumi with a faint flush on her cheeks, her eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

She was obviously shy. Not only shy, but expectant as well. What was this girl expecting? Could she be hoping to poison me to death again? You may be a poison woman, but you're not poisonous in that way...

Koizumi, who could sense the emotions in her heart, could not help grumbling inwardly as speechlessness gradually filled him.

Although he did not know what Serenity Hassan was thinking, he could be certain that it had something to do with him.

"Lord Koizumi... You really... really won't die? You won't be poisoned to death by my poison...?"

Serenity Hassan hesitated for a while before slowly asking that question.

Koizumi froze slightly at her words. So this girl had been acting so strangely all day just because of this?

It really was exactly what he had thought? This girl was actually curious whether he truly could not be poisoned to death by her?

So was she planning to try again, to see whether her poison worked on him?

So this girl really wanted to poison me to death... Now I understand why they call you a poison woman...

You were called a poison woman because your heart was so venomous... All right, just kidding.

In truth, having poison all over one's body was not a good thing either. It made many things troublesome, especially for a woman.

With poison all over her body, even the food she made would be poisonous. She could barely do anything at all.

And in truth, this was also a kind of sorrow... Although Koizumi did not know much about Serenity's life, he could tell that Serenity did not like the deadly poison on her body. It could even be said that she felt sorrowful over it.

This was a deep emotion in Serenity's heart that Koizumi had sensed through his ability to perceive emotions.

So this ability really was useful. Many things could be inferred from changes in emotion.

"If you don't believe it, you can try. As long as you don't mind suddenly coming into contact with a man."

She was a woman, after all, so Koizumi needed to consider her reservations. Men and women should not touch casually, after all.

However, judging by Serenity's expression, it probably would not be a problem. As an assassin, she likely did not have such concerns. Many of her targets were men, so Serenity probably was not bothered by that sort of thing.

Koizumi had only said it to ask. No matter what, it was necessary to ask first.

That was the necessary quality of a man... and of a gentleman as well. Otherwise, he would seem far too rude.

Serenity Hassan's eyes suddenly became fervent, as though she had spotted some incredibly desirable treasure.

For some reason, seeing her like that made Koizumi think of the term "obsessive fan."

"I... really... really can touch you?"

"..." I didn't say anything. What do you think? Why do I suddenly feel so tired...

Seeing Koizumi remain silent, Serenity Hassan somehow found the courage to take his silence as consent. She swiftly pulled over Koizumi's right hand, cradling it in her palms like a treasure and gently stroking it, leaving Koizumi speechless.

Serenity Hassan's hands were a little cold, but that was not what Koizumi cared about. He cared more about the girl's gaze. She looked just like a pervert, repeatedly kneading his hand. Rubbing against it was not enough for her, and she even stuck out her tongue and licked it... Did she think toxins in bodily fluids were stronger?

However, although Koizumi knew that Serenity Hassan was a poison-wielding female assassin whose body was full of toxins, he knew little about her past. Thus, he could not understand her behavior. To ordinary people, this was simply perverted, but for Serenity, who had found someone unafraid of the poison on her body and even completely immune to it, this was an immense salvation.

Koizumi could sense Serenity's joy, but he had a little trouble understanding her thoughts.

Still, if he put himself in her place, Koizumi might be able to understand how Serenity felt at this moment.

Therefore, although Koizumi was somewhat unaccustomed to Serenity's behavior, he could still endure it.

"It seems... you're very happy to have found someone who isn't afraid of your poison, someone who's even immune to it. I can feel all of your emotions..." Koizumi smiled faintly and clasped Serenity Hassan's hand in return.

Serenity's cheeks reddened, and intense fervor surged into her eyes.

Unable to suppress her excitement, Serenity's body trembled slightly, and Koizumi was infected by her emotions as well.

There was nothing he could do about it. While sensing another person's emotions, he would also be slightly affected by them. After all, Koizumi had not mastered this ability very well yet, so having a few issues was perfectly normal.

"Everything that makes up my body, including my mucous membranes, bodily fluids, and so on, is all highly poisonous, so..."

Serenity did not finish her sentence, but Koizumi understood what she meant.

Because everyone who had touched Serenity had died, she had become completely numb to those who died from the poison on her body. It could even be said that her mind had become twisted or broken. So when she suddenly saw someone who would not die from her poison, that sense of novelty, even excitement, was impossible to suppress. To Serenity, this was an unusual kind of salvation. Her salvation was not something she could achieve through her own efforts; it could only be given to her by someone else.

Koizumi did not know what to say about Serenity's excitement. He was also happy to be able to save such a young girl. After all, doing good deeds brought merit...

Still, this girl should avoid behaving like this in front of other people in the future. Otherwise, they might think he had some kind of training fetish...

Suddenly, the Command Seal on Koizumi's right hand began to glow crimson. Amid Serenity and Koizumi's astonished expressions, a massive magic circle appeared beneath their feet.

Slowly, surging magical energy instantly coiled around Serenity's body. The ground cracked beneath the overwhelming power, and some of the almost tangible magical energy poured into the back of Koizumi's right hand.

Perhaps because the magical energy was too immense, Serenity let out a muffled groan, but her power was indeed rising.

Not only did Serenity not feel the slightest dissatisfaction, she instead smiled joyfully. The surging magical energy crawled back and forth through her body like a venom-fanged centipede. While bringing pain, it filled her previously empty body, continuously enhancing her abilities. Power flooded her entire body until it could hold no more, and ultimately, all the magical energy within Serenity was replaced.

A wonderful sensation formed between Koizumi and Serenity. It was the connection of a contract.

It connected! It was her connection to him! Serenity's clothing began to change as well. The mask on her face disappeared, revealing her original features. It was an exceptionally beautiful face, one that could rival Reimu's beauty.

Slowly, Serenity crouched down with fervor written across her face. Her voice was calm, yet beneath that calmness lay a trace of excitement.

"Assassin, Serenity Hassan, swears here..."

Caught in the Act

Koizumi felt strange after falling asleep this time. It was completely different from the first two days after arriving at this Singularity. This uncomfortable sensation made him frown tightly even in his sleep, as though he were worried about something.

M... Mast... er... Please... please hurry... Hurry and realize... the problem... is...

Fragmented voices rang in Koizumi's mind, but the final part was extremely unclear.

Judging from the voice, the speaker was clearly a woman, and her voice was incredibly pleasant. Just hearing it made one imagine a delicate and beautiful face. Moreover, when the voice sounded, a figure seemed to appear in Taiyang's mind...

She was a woman wearing a nightcap shaped like a Santa hat, holding a large book with a blue cover. A letter D was printed on its cover. Those were the only two features Koizumi remembered especially clearly, particularly that large blue-covered book.

The magical energy within that book seemed incredibly vast, making Koizumi feel wary as well.

Moreover, something inside seemed to matter greatly to him, and his gaze remained fixed on the book.

It seemed as though something he had forgotten was recorded inside that book. Something he had forgotten... Something he wanted to retrieve... But he had no opportunity to do so now. His right hand slowly reached out, yet no matter what he did, he could not touch her.

And gradually, Koizumi felt his figure drifting farther and farther away from the book, unable to reach it in the slightest.

So far... so far... And my strength is slowly fading... My body is getting weaker and weaker... What should I do...

Koizumi's intuition, inherited from Hakurei Reimu, told him that something extremely important to him was recorded there.

No matter what, he had to retrieve what belonged to him. But now... he could not reach her at all.

Gradually, as time passed, this space transformed from its original purplish hue into blackness.

The light had completely vanished. Koizumi could not even see his own hand, much less the faintly visible girl.

"..." Faced with this dark space, Koizumi's consciousness slowly began to sink into silence.

If he could not catch her, then it meant it was not yet time for him to understand these matters. And then... Koizumi slowly felt the memories in his mind beginning to blur, as though some mysterious force were erasing them.

"Damn it... Could it be that many of my memories were erased because of this... I may really have met Akame's younger sister before, but... the memories can't be retained?" Koizumi gritted his teeth, feeling intensely unwilling. Why could he not preserve those memories? Was it because he lacked strength? Or what was going on? This was truly frustrating!

Slowly, Koizumi's figure vanished from the black space.

Inside NIGHTRAID's base, Koizumi was sleeping in his room.

There were quite a few rooms in NIGHTRAID's base. Of course, because several people had suddenly joined them—some from the Revolutionary Army, and Koizumi's group of three, who were cooperating with the Revolutionary Army—

Koizumi's group of three slept in two rooms. Koizumi had one room to himself, while Hata no Kokoro and Reimu shared another.

There was nothing to be done about that, but Reimu had no complaints. This was much better than sleeping in the wilderness.

Still, it seemed Koizumi was not sleeping alone today... Because he could feel that there was someone in his blanket. The bed was only so large, so how could he not notice someone in it with him?

Koizumi hurriedly opened his eyes and threw off the blanket covering him. Immediately, a beautiful woman wrapped from head to toe in black silk came into view. Even Koizumi's mouth twitched fiercely upon seeing her.

Seeing that Koizumi had discovered her, the woman did not become embarrassed. Instead, she looked excited.

"My Master, you're finally awake!" Needless to say, the woman before him was Serenity Hassan.

"...Should I ask what happened last night that made you suddenly climb into my bed? I don't recall asking you, Serenity, to come warm my bed?" Koizumi tried to improve his mood. Taking his anger out on a girl was not good behavior; it would disgrace his name as a gentleman... So it was better to stay calm.

"As my Master's blade, I must possess the resolve to act consciously even without being given instructions by my Master!"

Serenity's tone was extraordinarily fervent, leaving Koizumi unsure how to respond.

Because Koizumi felt that no words would have any effect on Serenity. Serenity had already regarded this behavior as part of her duty to devote herself to her lord, something she should consciously carry out even without orders from her Master.

Therefore, Koizumi could only remain silent. In any case, it was fortunate that no one had noticed.

If Reimu saw this, he would probably not be far from death. Reimu might be shameless, but her views on chastity still conformed to that era. Throwing away all sense of chastity like this was an act shameful to the extreme.

That was right. Reimu did have a sense of shame, just not a particularly strong one. She could accept wearing a swimsuit in front of Koizumi, as long as nothing was fully exposed. But if she were exposed... she would probably gouge out Koizumi's eyes.

Well... she would not really gouge them out. That was only a figure of speech. But her expression definitely would not be pleasant.

However, as the saying went, what one feared most would come to pass. Suddenly, a series of knocks sounded at the door, making Koizumi's body stiffen slightly.

"Master, are you awake? I came to wake you up... By the way, don't you usually get up very early?"

Koizumi did not need to think to recognize whose voice it was. He heard her voice every day, so how could he fail to recognize it? It was definitely Reimu's voice, and only Reimu spoke in that tone. Hata no Kokoro's tone was gentler than Reimu's.

But clearly, this was not the time to think about whose voice it was. Serenity was lying on top of him right now. This position would obviously be misunderstood! Anyone who saw this would misunderstand... Thinking of that, cold sweat broke out across Koizumi's forehead.

This was getting bad... When Koizumi saw his door slowly being pushed open, the ominous feeling in his heart grew even stronger. Someone might die next!

Slowly, Reimu pushed open Koizumi's door, her eyes fixing on him.

However, the instant she saw Serenity on Koizumi's body, the air froze.

Say... did this count as being caught in the act...

Mission

The air gradually froze, and even Koizumi's body stiffened completely. In that instant, language seemed to lose all purpose.

This was like being caught in the act. Koizumi could not explain anything, because under her gaze, every explanation seemed useless. Even Koizumi himself did not know what he could possibly say.

Because Reimu's eyes seemed to radiate scorching heat, burning Koizumi's body.

What am I supposed to say... Reimu saw this scene directly. What else can I possibly say...

Slowly, Reimu walked toward Koizumi, as though she had some special thought in mind. There was not the slightest expression on her face.

Yet the more Reimu acted like this, the more panicked Koizumi became. He felt as if he had somehow betrayed her.

When Reimu approached Koizumi, Serenity was still sitting on top of him, with no intention of getting down.

Sure enough, Serenity had done this on purpose, hadn't she? Could she have known Reimu would come wake him and deliberately done this?

"Um... I can explain..." Koizumi could not help offering an explanation, hoping to preserve at least a little of his dignity before his death. He had established a rather good image before Reimu and the others these past few days, but now that image was probably about to collapse.

"Explanations are useless! Divine punishment!"

Reimu immediately revealed an expression like that of a vicious demon. The purification rod in her hand contained dense magical energy as it blasted directly toward Koizumi.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

The next moment, an exceptionally loud explosion rang out through NIGHTRAID's base.

The roof of the room had been blasted open with a huge hole. Everyone who saw it could not help feeling speechless.

What was with causing this kind of trouble so early in the morning? It looked like they would have to get Susanoo to repair the roof.

But then again, using an Imperial Arm for something like this was simply absurd. The other Imperial Arms were probably crying!

Had Susanoo lowered the standards of all Imperial Arms...? Why was a biological Imperial Arm so skilled at housework? Cooking, laundry, cleaning—he could do everything. He had practically stolen everyone else's jobs.

Sitting at the dining table, Reimu looked helplessly at Koizumi before her. Although she knew it was not Koizumi's fault, she was still unhappy. It felt as though something that belonged to her had inexplicably been snatched away by someone else.

At the same time, Reimu learned that Serenity and Koizumi had formed a contract. She had nothing to say about it, since it was Serenity's choice. Koizumi did not reject Serenity's joining them either. Serenity's abilities were quite useful. What an Assassin could bring was intelligence. Reimu and Hata no Kokoro excelled at direct combat, while gathering intelligence could be left to Serenity.

Therefore, Serenity could provide Koizumi with considerable help. Of course, Koizumi was also looking forward to Hundred Personas joining them.

Hundred Personas' ability was powerful. She could create multiple clones, and that made her intelligence-gathering ability far stronger than Serenity's.

And sometimes, such an ability was also useful for retreating. With so many people, if one escaped, no one would know!