Crime and Punishment

The moonlight gradually faded.

Even the bustling streets outside have become much quieter, with only a few employees cleaning the shops.

At that moment, in that alley, Scarlet Rice was staggering and limping out, one hand supporting the wall and the other supporting her buttocks.

Her long, disheveled hair had been braided back into two plaits.

She even put her round-framed glasses back on, which used to obscure her good looks.

If there's anything different about him compared to when he went in, it's the tear stains under his glasses and his red eyes.

She was beaten up so badly by Yotsuba Mahiro she cried again.

She had never cried or even flinched when faced with danger before, but she cried twice just because she met Yotsuba Mahiro!

She even lost her first kiss!

Her delicate little bottom was further swollen from being whipped, turning into a perky American-style bottom.

And this time it's even more swollen; I reckon it won't get better without spending at least two weeks in bed.

At this moment, Scarlet Rice felt a pang of longing for her adoptive older sister, Touka Fujisaka, who had taken care of her since childhood.

P. S.: Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, I'm so nervous!

Chapter 362 Sin and Punishment (5.5K) (Happy New Year's Eve)

Since that day, Yukina has not gone to school.

Even though it was only the second day after transferring schools, she took three days off in a row.

She didn't even go to see her new friends, Nagisa Akatsuki and Kanase Kanon.

Everyone is speculating about what happened to Yukina Himeragi, and all sorts of rumors are flying around.

Some say that Yukina Himeragi was stalking a high school student who was unrequited love and became depressed.

Some people say that Yukina Himeragi was arrested for loitering near the men's restroom.

Some people say that Yukina Himeragi caught someone having an affair and was afraid of retaliation, so she took leave and didn't come.

In short, the main theme is one that is subject to much debate.

But in reality, Yukina was squatting in her own home at that moment.

The spacious living room was completely devoid of furniture; even the sleeping area consisted of simple cardboard sheets laid on the floor.

Apart from the floor, the room was completely empty. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window onto the floor, giving the room a cold and desolate feel.

It's unimaginable that this is a place where a girl lives.

Yukina sat there all alone in the corner, hugging her knees and remaining motionless, like a statue.

He looked depressed and listless.

Even his eyes were bloodshot and his eyelids were swollen like walnuts.

Since the mission failed, and she Yotsuba Mahiro, and then sent away Schneewaltzer, Yukina has become like this.

I carefully recalled my loss of composure that day.

First, the monitored target repeatedly played tricks on them.

Then, in a fit of anger, he fought with Yotsuba Mahiro, causing serious damage to the Lion King Agency's secret weapon Schneewaltzer.

As each of these incidents was brought to light, she had no idea how to face her mentor and the elders who had placed such high hopes in her.

She wasn't clever enough to simply fabricate a report and cover things up.

She reported everything that had happened to the Lion's subordinate authorities in full detail that very day.

Next, she will likely lose her surveillance privileges, and soon the Lion King Agency will recall her...

Thinking of this, Yukina couldn't help but feel a strong sense of loss.

"I'm sorry, Master, Yukina must have disappointed you..."

Yukina squatted on the ground, muttering to herself, and buried her head in her arms once again.

Ding-dong--

Just then, a crisp doorbell rang, breaking the silence in the room.

Through the peephole, you can see a man in a delivery company uniform standing outside the door.

That man was probably someone sent by the Lion King Agency.

"Are you here to take me back?"

Yukina unlocked the door for him when she arrived at the entrance.

But when the door opened, the man had already disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

Correspondingly, a huge suitcase was placed in the hallway right in front of her door.

It is a rectangular aluminum box.

Those suitcases are called travel cases and are used to carry musical instruments such as guitars.

The sender listed on the shipping label was the Lion King Agency, and the recipient was listed as Yukina.

Despite her confusion, Yukina carried the box into the room.

She unfastened the box and lifted the lid.

Then he took a deep breath.

Inside the box was a silver spear that had been repaired and looked brand new.

"... Schneewaltzer?!"

Yukina exclaimed in surprise.

She never expected that the Schneewaltzer, which she had recklessly damaged yesterday, would appear perfectly intact in the box.

Why?

Yukina was very puzzled, but she soon noticed that there was a letter on top of Schneewaltzer.

The recipient of the letter was also her, and the handwriting was very familiar.

It was written by her Lion King Agency Elder!

Yukina picked it up curiously, unwrapped the envelope, unfolded the folded letter, and read it carefully.

However, only one sentence was left above.

Send her alone to the Lion King Agency's office on Itogami Island!

After reading the letter, Yukina placed it on the floor beside her. The moment it hit the ground, the letter spontaneously combusted and turned to ashes in an instant.

Yukina ignored it.

Her cherry lips were pressed tightly together.

I'm not quite sure what the Lion King Agency meant by handing over the repaired Schneewaltzer to themselves at this time.

Not to mention setting off for the Lion King Agency's office.

Perhaps the decision regarding his punishment has already been made?

The Lion King Agency is actually very strict in its management, and the punishment for mistakes is extremely severe—the kind of punishment that is terrifying just to hear about.

This is to ensure strict control within the Lion King Agency.

But Yukina showed no fear at this moment. No matter how severe the punishment that befell her, she would accept it gladly.

After making her decision, she went into the bathroom, tidied herself up in front of the mirror to make herself look less disheveled, and then left the apartment.

It was approaching evening.

The salty sea breeze blew quietly into the street.

Yukina arrived alone in front of an antique shop.

It was an ancient brick building, a rarity on Itogami Island.

It didn't resemble an office at all; instead, it looked like a long-established general store with hardly any customers.

But this is indeed the office of the Lion King Agency.

Although the Lion King Agency is a government agency under Japan and has some international influence, it is essentially a special intelligence organization responsible for espionage.

In addition, there's the unique nature of Itogami Island.

Therefore, disguise is necessary.

Standing in front of the old-fashioned door that looked quite vintage, Yukina took a deep breath and then placed her hand on it.

The girl's silhouette as she pushed open the old shop door seemed to convey a sense of resolve.

Jingle--

The old bell rang with a clear, crisp Suzune.

The wooden door creaked, and the distinctive dusty smell of the old house immediately wafted out.

Immediately afterwards, a clear female voice, seemingly belonging to a shop assistant, rang out.

"Welcome. May I ask what brings you here today?"

She was greeted by a young female shop assistant.

She was a slender, tall, and beautiful girl whose long hair, tied in a ponytail, perfectly complemented her bright, sun-kissed hair color.

Her beautiful face is reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms.

Her attire resembled that of a maid in a maid café.

The puffy short skirt paired with a wide neckline and a fitted waist accentuated her bust, while the exposed skin beneath the skirt offered tantalizing glimpses of her cleavage, strongly attracting the human desire to explore.

Hmm, her figure is surprisingly good, and her style is surprisingly elegant.

However, this shop assistant is not a living person, but a shikigami under her master's command.

However, her appearance is that of a familiar person to Yukina, someone she grew up with, and a powerful magic user with the title "Mai-Wai-Yuan" —Sayaka Kirasaka.

Although that wasn't Yasaka herself, but merely a shikigami.

But seeing that face, Yukina felt inexplicably relieved.

"Come in, Yukina."

At that moment, another voice came from deep within the shop.

Compared to the sweet and clear tone just now, this tone was more unrestrained and free, and the voice was as crisp and pleasant as jade striking each other.

Yukina recognized the voice; it was her master's voice.

The moment the words left his mouth, the waiter shikigami turned around, and Yukina quickly followed.

Led by a waiter, she was taken to a spacious and bright tatami room.

What appeared at the end of the room was not human.

Instead, it was a graceful black cat.

Her eyes were a shimmering gold, and her delicate necklace was set with chrysoberyl of the same color.

Upon seeing the black cat, Yukina immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, bowed her head, and respectfully greeted the black cat:

"... It's been a long time, Master. Yukina Himeragi, have come to pay my respects."

"It has been a while, indeed, Yukina."

The black cat suddenly spoke, its voice identical to the one that had just rang out. Its bright cat eyes scrutinized Yukina for a moment before it spoke again:

"... It seems you've already cried."