The Charm with Nowhere to Go

So it was Kurama Yakumo!

Narak suddenly understood. That made sense. Satomi Hill Villa was just up ahead, and ever since that incident a few years ago, Kurama Yakumo had been kept isolated there!

Although she had been isolated, after some time had passed and Kurama Yakumo's mental state had stabilized, she had been allowed to walk around the estate and its surroundings. So it wasn't strange for her to appear here!

"Um... Are you painting here? May I take a look at your work?"

Narak smiled kindly at Yakumo.

"Ah, of course. But it isn't very good, so please don't judge it too harshly!"

Kurama Yakumo replied with a hint of nervousness.

Narak's gaze fell on the paper. It depicted the scenery before them—mountains, rivers, plants, and the setting sun, all vividly brought to life on the page!

Kurama Yakumo had not yet become the girl who, years later, would accumulate resentment to its extreme and be consumed by Ido, turning dark. At this point, she was still in a transitional period. Although she held some resentment in her heart, she felt more of a child's loneliness and confusion. That was why her work did not carry the same dark, sinister feeling it would have years later.

"Hmm, this is very well done. It's rare to see a painting this good!"

"N-No, it isn't. I just... scribbled it randomly..."

Listening to Narak's praise, a shy blush appeared on Kurama Yakumo's face. She replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

However, as the two of them chatted and laughed, Ino and Sakura began to feel jealous. They were both extremely unhappy, and so the two former rivals exchanged a glance and somehow understood exactly what the other was thinking!

"Narak, it's already so late. We should probably head home, right?"

Ino and Sakura rushed to Narak's side, each hugging one of his arms. They shook his arms and acted coquettishly toward him.

The two of them did not forget to look up at Kurama Yakumo, who was slightly taller than they were, and shoot her provocative looks.

Narak rubbed his forehead and gave the two girls beside him a wry smile.

Seriously, are girls in other worlds all this precocious? They're only this old, and they're already learning to fight over men? When faced with a more competitive rival, they've even learned to set aside their internal rivalry for now, band together, and face the outside enemy together?

However, Narak looked up at the sky and saw that evening was indeed approaching. He then said to Kurama Yakumo, "Miss Yakumo, I'm glad to have met you. It's getting late, so we'll be heading back first. I look forward to seeing you again!"

When Kurama Yakumo heard that Narak was leaving, her heart sank. But when she heard him say that they would meet again, she inexplicably felt happy again.

Yakumo, what's wrong with you? It's your first time meeting this man, and you barely exchanged a few words. Why are you looking forward to seeing him again so much? No, no, you need to be more reserved!

Kurama Yakumo shook her head, trying to dispel the reluctance in her mind, and said to Narak, "Mm, goodbye!"

But then, as if possessed, she added, "See you another day!"

The moment the words left her mouth, Kurama Yakumo froze. Her face immediately flushed even deeper.

Ah, this is so embarrassing! Am I making a date with him? It was only a thought in my heart, so why couldn't I stop myself from saying it? Honestly...

The embarrassed Kurama Yakumo could not help turning her head away!

She had no idea that, after hearing their words, which sounded almost like an exchange between people on a date, Ino and Sakura became even more furious. They glared at Yakumo's turned back, their eyes seeming to spit fire!

"Then goodbye! Remember to head back early too. It's getting dark, and it's not safe for a girl to be alone in the wilderness!"

Narak waved at Yakumo and turned around, preparing to leave with the others.

After taking two steps, Narak suddenly turned around again.

"By the way, this painting is quite good. I like it very much. Could you give it to me?"

Yakumo's body stiffened when she turned around, and her heart was thrown into turmoil.

He... He actually wants my painting! Does he have feelings for me?!

Yakumo's face was so red it looked ready to bleed. She hurriedly pulled down her painting and handed it to Narak without looking back. "H-Here, you can have it!"

She then quickly packed up her easel and ran away as fast as she could!

Holding the painting in his hands, Narak watched Yakumo flee awkwardly and could not help freezing for a moment.

This little girl! Honestly, it's all because of my charm with nowhere to go!

Narak thought narcissistically before walking over to the others. "All right, that's enough for today. Let's hurry home. I'll take you out for a picnic another day!"

"Hmm... It should be here..."

It was already past dinnertime. After hurriedly eating dinner at home, Narak had gone out again.

Narak stood in front of an apartment building. Holding a basket of fruit, he checked the number on the door and muttered uncertainly to himself.

"Knock, knock, knock... Is anyone home?"

After hesitating for a while, Narak finally stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Coming, please wait a moment!"

A pleasant female voice answered him from inside. A moment later, he heard the sound of someone running in slippers.

"Creak..."

The door opened, and an exquisitely beautiful face appeared from behind it. Long, slightly wavy hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her entire person exuded the charm of a mature woman. Her crimson eyes in particular gave her an even more alluring air!

"Hello, Miss Kurenai. I'm sorry to intrude so late. Please forgive me!"

Narak bowed to Kurenai Yuhi.

"Oh, it's you, little Narak. Long time no see. What brings you here so late?"

When Kurenai Yuhi saw that her visitor was Narak, she was clearly a little puzzled. The two of them had met while carrying out a mission a year ago, but they had only known each other in passing and were not particularly close. Why had Narak come to see her?

"It's like this, Miss Kurenai. There are some things I'd like to ask you about. Would now be a convenient time?"

"Oh? All right, come in and sit for a while. We can talk."

When she heard that Narak needed her help, Kurenai hesitated for a moment but still let him into the house. That was because Narak was a child and because she had a fairly good impression of him. If he had been an adult, Kurenai would never have let a stranger into her home so casually.

Once inside, Narak took a general look around.

The furnishings were clean and orderly, without the slightest sign of disorder. Flowers and plants filled the balcony, desk, and corners of the room, all blooming vibrantly. One glance was enough to tell that the owner was a diligent person!

Narak set down the fruit he was carrying and, at Kurenai's invitation, sat in a chair. After hesitating briefly, he finally said, "Actually, I came here today to ask about Kurama Yakumo."

"Yakumo!" When she heard that name, Kurenai's heart jolted. She had been pouring Narak some water, and her hand stopped in place.

Kurenai set down the teapot and looked up at Narak. "How do you know that name?"