Kokutou Azaka

"Hmm, much better."

Gently pressing her head, which felt heavy from sleeping too long, Touko Aozaki, slightly more awake, removed the damp towel from her head before answering her disciple's question in a muffled voice.

What time is it now?

It's almost lunchtime.

After taking the towel from Touko Aozaki, Fujino Asagami replied.

"Really? Then I'll have to skip breakfast..."

Touko Aozaki picked up her glasses from beside her pillow and put them on, muttering to herself in a childlike voice.

Touko Aozaki is a [man-made dissociative identity disorder patient]. Although the cause of her condition is unknown, her [eyes] are the [switch] she uses to switch between personalities.

Although her tone softens when she wears glasses, today, probably due to a cold, her choice of words was even more affectionate.

"So, Fujino Asagami, what's for lunch today?"

"Ah, about lunch..."

Upon hearing Touko Aozaki's question, Fujino Asagami was about to speak when she was interrupted by a [gurgle~], the rumbling from Touko Aozaki's belly directly indicating its owner's needs.

As for the culprit behind all this—

Who's in the kitchen?

The aroma wafting from outside the room through the slightly ajar door instantly whetted Touko Aozaki's appetite.

Facing her teacher's expectant gaze, Fujino Asagami gave the answer:

"It's Shirou. When Mr. Akira learned of your illness, he was still in Fuyuki and couldn't come over immediately, so he sent Shirou to check on your condition first."

However, since you were still resting, Shirou went to the kitchen to prepare lunch first.

"That kid's skills have improved..."

Touko Aozaki 'Touko Aozaki palate has been completely spoiled by someone, and she has developed the "skill" of accurately judging the taste of a dish from its aroma.

However, this is not the point that Touko Aozaki is focusing on.

"But how did that guy find out I was sick?"

Seeing her teacher's somewhat amused expression, Fujino Asagami blinked and then said:

"It was Shirou who asked me."

"... You spoil him too much."

After being speechless for a while by Fujino Asagami's answer, Touko Aozaki could only sigh:

"You'll really spoil me rotten, then we'll see what you do."

Despite saying that, seeing her disciple's dismissive expression, Touko Aozaki finally wore a helpless look.

She's usually a very mature and composed girl, but she always loses her composure when facing Shirou...

This has happened more than once before. Shirou and Wang Xiaoming were able to arrive in time to save him only because of Fujino Asagami's "tips and warnings".

Judging from the current situation, that guy will probably be here soon.

"Tsk--"

Slightly annoyed, she scratched her hair, which was sticking together from sweat, and then Touko Aozaki 'Fujino Asagami voice came to her ear again.

"Please rest assured, Master-"

The bathwater has been prepared. You will have ample time to wash and groom yourself before Mr. Ming arrives.

"..."

After suppressing her urge to complain, Touko Aozaki got out of bed. Although her body was still a little weak, she had improved a lot under Fujino Asagami's careful care. At least Touko Aozaki could now get out of bed and walk normally.

"Fine."

Waving her hand to refuse her disciple's offer of help, and after steadying her swaying body, Touko Aozaki said to Fujino Asagami:

"Go check on that brat first; I'm worried about leaving him alone in the kitchen."

"Okay, I understand. I'll leave the medicine here then..."

After hearing what Touko Aozaki said, Fujino Asagami nodded, placed the medicine bottle in her hand on the table in front of Touko Aozaki, and then turned around and walked towards the door.

Watching Fujino Asagami's decisive and efficient retreating figure, Touko Aozaki couldn't help but have an idea—

[I'm practically raising a child bride for their family.]

"Really..."

After shaking her head with a wry smile, Touko Aozaki turned her attention to the table where Fujino Asagami had just placed the medicine.

Then, unsurprisingly, he revealed a blatant expression of disgust.

[Whether you're Magecraft or not, hating to take medicine is human nature.]

Ring ring~ Ring ring~

Just as Touko Aozaki made up her mind to reach for the medicine bottle in front of her, the phone suddenly rang in the room, interrupting her next move.

[I have an urgent matter to attend to, it's not that I'm trying to avoid taking my medication.]

With this thought in mind, Touko Aozaki breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the microphone.

"Hello, this is Aozaki."

After washing away the fatigue accumulated during her illness, Touko Aozaki, having dried her hair, revealed a refreshed expression. Her complexion, which had become pale due to her illness, gradually regained its color.

That's about it...

After casually gesturing in front of the mirror, Touko Aozaki gave a bewildered look and then left the room.

When Touko Aozaki arrived at the agency, she discovered two uninvited guests—

"Kokutou?"

This should have been a caring Mikiya Kokutou, and --

"Master!"

Before Touko Aozaki could speak, the girl standing next to Mikiya Kokutou had already called out first.

I currently owe three and a half chapters.

(Vomiting blood)

There was a company party during the day (singing patriotic songs), so I need to rest early tonight.

If there are any extra chapters, I'll start making them up tomorrow~

Chapter 311. Azaka Kokutou

"Miss Touko Aozaki."

"Teacher!"

As Touko Aozaki entered the office's living room, two voices that rang out simultaneously caught her attention.

"Kokutou?"

After seeing the two guests in the living room, Touko Aozaki couldn't help but be a little surprised.

After successfully resolving the incident at [Ogawa Apartments], Touko Aozaki rarely saw her employee during this period. The reason was that he needed to take care of Shiki Ryougi, who was injured in the battle with Araya. In addition, with the New Year approaching, Touko Aozaki Mikiya Kokutou a fairly long vacation.

If Touko Aozaki's memory serves her correctly, this is the first time she has seen Mikiya Kokutou since the New Year.

Happy New Year, Miss Touko Aozaki.

Ah, Happy New Year!

After nodding to Mikiya Kokutou, Touko Aozaki turned her gaze to the black-haired girl standing beside him.

"Azaka, it's been a long time."

"I am very sorry, teacher. It has been a dereliction of duty of your disciple not to visit you for so long."

Upon hearing Touko Aozaki's voice, the girl named [Azaka] immediately bowed and apologized to her.

--Kurotou Azaka Kokutou, her surname reveals her relationship with Mikiya Kokutou; she is Mikiya Kokutou's biological younger sister. Also, due to her peculiar ability to generate fire, she is currently studying Magecraft under Touko Aozaki's tutelage.

"Is today not the scheduled class time?"

Touko Aozaki, struggling to clear her mind from the haze of a cold, spoke to the Azaka, then her gaze swept over the brother and sister, a playful smile curving her lips:

"But speaking of which, the combination of the two of you is quite rare."

"I had almost forgotten about the time before because I was taking care of everyone, and it was only because of the Azaka that I remembered."

"As for the occasion, I'm still recovering from my injury and it's not convenient for me to go out this time, so I'll be visiting you, Miss Touko Aozaki, with the Azaka. I hope you won't mind."

"It doesn't matter..."

Touko Aozaki waved.

Then his gaze shifted to the Azaka, and he said in a pointed tone:

"Truly worthy of being my beloved disciple, so thoughtful."

"Of course!"

Looking at the Azaka that were still struggling to stay afloat, Touko Aozaki's smile became even more playful.

Azaka Kokutou [likes] her older brother, a fact known to everyone except Mikiya Kokutou.

The origin of Azaka is taboo; they are naturally attracted to things that defy common sense. Her liking for Mikiya Kokutou is both accidental and inevitable. The blood relationship between siblings is not an obstacle in the eyes of Azaka; on the contrary, it excites her even more.

To win over Mikiya Kokutou, the then ten-year-old Azaka went to great lengths.

She deliberately feigned illness, claiming to be allergic to the city air, and used this as an excuse to move to a relative's house in the countryside. This was to deliberately downplay their sibling relationship, and had nothing to do with household registration; it was simply to diminish Mikiya Kokutou's subconscious awareness of Azaka's identity as his sister.

I've analyzed Mikiya Kokutou's preferences countless times and made changes accordingly. Once I'm old enough to date, I'm sure I can easily win Mikiya Kokutou.

Azaka have absolute confidence in this.

The plan was undeniably meticulous, and the scheming undeniably deep; barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mikiya Kokutou would likely not escape the clutches of the Azaka. It's just a pity—

Plans can't keep up with changes, and Mikiya Kokutou encountered Shiki Ryougi.

As one can imagine, when Azaka returned home one day, she found that Mikiya Kokutou had brought a female classmate home with him.

As the Azaka described it, it was like "[the fried tofu was snatched away by an eagle]", which, if translated into Chinese, would be something like "[the cooked duck was stolen]".

Just as Azaka was worrying about how to handle the situation, she unexpectedly received news that Shi had been in a car accident and was seriously injured and in a coma.

Although she felt some sympathy for Shiki's plight, Azaka felt mostly relieved. There probably wouldn't be another person with such peculiar tastes as Shiki, so now finally no one could compete with her for Mikiya Kokutou.

Unexpectedly, two years later, Shiki Ryougi woke up again, and her silly older brother was still devoted to her.

We absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die!

With this in mind, Azaka immediately completed the transfer procedures, moved back to Mikiya Kokutou Mifune City, and enrolled in the Reien Girls' Academy.

After learning of Shiki Ryougi's unusual nature, she became Touko Aozaki's apprentice, hoping to use the opportunity to learn Magecraft to confront her greatest rival.

Azaka also possess supernatural abilities; they can cause spontaneous combustion, and that's exactly what Touko Aozaki saw in them.

As for the other reason...

Touko Aozaki would never admit that she decided to take Shiki under her wing because she wanted to see the interesting scene of Shiki and Azaka fighting.

"Since you're already here, why don't you stay for a meal?"

After glancing at the clock and seeing Shirou and Fujino Asagami busy in the kitchen, Touko Aozaki said to the visiting Kokutou siblings:

"I happen to have something to discuss with the Azaka as well."

"Hey, you were looking for me?"

After hearing Touko Aozaki's words, Azaka showed a surprised expression. Although she was puzzled, she returned to her seat.