Living together

As long as Kobeni Higashiyama stayed in that house, she would never be able to live a normal life. Her family would exploit her for the rest of her life.

So no matter what Kobeni's parents had to say, he would take her away from that house.

"How can we allow that? We worked so hard to raise Kobeni all these years!"

Shinya Higashiyama immediately objected.

"Worked so hard? How about I make the way you've treated Kobeni public and let everyone judge for themselves?"

Asaba Kotone sneered inwardly. The man's shamelessness really knew no bounds.

There was no denying that Kobeni's parents had raised her, so he would respect her wishes. If she wanted to give them financial support in the future, that was fine.

Shinya Higashiyama immediately shut his mouth. He knew perfectly well how he had treated Kobeni.

"Didn't I just say that? If Kobeni wants to, she'll give you financial support in the future. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? And there's nothing wrong with me respecting her wishes and taking her away, either."

Asaba Kotone couldn't be bothered to waste any more words. "There's nothing else to discuss. That's settled, then."

With that, he got up and went upstairs, ready to take Kobeni Higashiyama home with him.

Shinya Higashiyama and Gei Higashiyama could only watch.

Above all, they didn't dare do anything to Asaba Kotone. With his status, how could they possibly afford to antagonize him?

"Kobeni, pack whatever you want to bring. You'll be living at my place from now on."

Once he reached Kobeni's room, Asaba Kotone told her.

"You've already worked everything out?"

Kobeni Higashiyama was surprised by how quickly it had happened.

But after thinking about it, she realized it made sense. Asaba was so impressive that even if her parents were unwilling, they wouldn't dare say anything.

Then Kobeni Higashiyama took her schoolbag and uniform and left with Asaba Kotone.

As for her other clothes, they were all hand-me-downs from her older sisters. She usually wore her uniform anyway, so she decided not to take her sisters' clothes.

Asaba Kotone also noticed that Kobeni had no clothes to wear and figured he would take her shopping for some new ones when he had time.

As they walked, Kobeni Higashiyama gradually realized just how bold she was being.

They hadn't even been dating for a full day, and she was already going to live with Asaba!

At that thought, Kobeni Higashiyama's face flushed bright red.

At the same time, she was a little excited, wondering what Asaba's home would look like.

Seeing her expression, Asaba Kotone guessed what was on her mind. He smiled slightly but said nothing.

Soon, Asaba Kotone and Kobeni Higashiyama reached their destination.

Looking at her new home, Kobeni Higashiyama thought it seemed luxurious.

It certainly wasn't as large as the Higashiyama house, since more than a dozen people lived there, but its furnishings and amenities were much better.

For just Asaba Kotone and Kobeni Higashiyama, plus Pochita, this home was more than spacious enough.

"Kobeni, you can sleep in that room tonight. This one here is mine."

Asaba Kotone pointed to the room that had always stood empty.

"Ah... okay!"

Kobeni Higashiyama immediately put her belongings in that room.

When she came out after putting her things away, Asaba Kotone added, "Oh, right. I already asked a classmate to request leave from our teacher for us, so we don't have to attend classes this morning. I'll take you shopping for new clothes while we have the time."

"Huh? I can just wear my uniform. I usually have to wear it anyway."

Kobeni Higashiyama knew that Asaba would be paying again, and she felt bad about letting him keep doing this.

"Don't worry so much. Just think of it as a gift from me."

Asaba Kotone said.

Buying clothes wouldn't cost much, and it wasn't really about the money anyway. He didn't want his girlfriend to have nothing to wear except her school uniform.

"All right..."

Kobeni Higashiyama fell silent for a moment, then her gaze suddenly became resolute. "Um... I'll become a Devil Hunter with you, Asaba!"

Her parents had previously told her to start working as a Private Devil Hunter, then find a way to join Public Safety after graduating from high school. That way, she could earn a lot of money.

But she had been deeply unwilling, because she wanted to go to university too. Once she became a Public Safety Devil Hunter, she wouldn't be able to attend university.

Of course, no matter how unwilling she was, she had no say in the matter. After graduating from high school, she would have only two choices: enter the sex trade or become a Devil Hunter. Between the two, she could only choose to become a Devil Hunter.

Now, however, Kobeni Higashiyama was free of her family's control. She could work part-time as a Private Devil Hunter while attending school.

Besides, she was doing it for Asaba, not because someone was forcing her.

She didn't want to remain unable to help Asaba in any way, so even though being a Devil Hunter was such a dangerous profession, she was willing to do it.

Hearing Kobeni suddenly say she wanted to become a Devil Hunter surprised Asaba Kotone.

He could more or less guess why she wanted to become one. She simply wanted to be able to help him somehow.

Although he didn't think it was necessary, since Kobeni wanted to do it, he would respect her wishes.

"Sure. If you want to do it, go ahead. Anyone with the ability can become a Devil Hunter."

Asaba Kotone said.

Being a Devil Hunter was dangerous, certainly, but that also depended on the person. It wasn't particularly dangerous for him, and the same went for Kobeni.

Kobeni's abilities spoke for themselves. Only a handful of major characters had survived to the end in the original story.

In the Human World at this point in the timeline, there were hardly any beings more dangerous than Makima, Black Chainsaw Pochita, and the Darkness Devil. Yet Kobeni had encountered all of them in the original story and still survived just fine.

"Then... will you join Public Safety in the future, Asaba?"

Kobeni Higashiyama was particularly concerned about that.

If Asaba joined Public Safety later, she would naturally want to go with him, but then she wouldn't be able to attend university.

"You're worried that you won't be able to stay in school after becoming a Public Safety Devil Hunter, aren't you?"

Asaba Kotone could tell what was worrying her.

"Yes..."

Kobeni Higashiyama nodded, inwardly marveling at how amazing Asaba was. He had guessed exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't worry about that. You can still attend school after joining Public Safety. I'll definitely arrange everything for you when the time comes. Trust me."

Asaba Kotone said.

The method was actually simple: attend school under the pretext of carrying out a mission.

For example, a certain school might be suspected of harboring a devil possessing Gun Devil Flesh, requiring an investigation.

Any mission would do. His position in Public Safety was bound to be high by then, so it would only take a word from him.

"Still, I'll probably be heading to Tokyo Public Safety in a few days. Just focus on finishing high school. It won't be too late to join Public Safety afterward."

"Huh...? That soon?"

Kobeni Higashiyama immediately felt sad and reluctant to part with him.

But she quickly pulled herself together, not wanting to make things difficult for Asaba, and quietly made up her mind.

There was enough time before she graduated from high school for her to gain the qualifications she needed to join Public Safety.