Chapter 571: Kasugano Sora's Seclusion, The Four Papaya Plan
While the four older men downstairs, whose combined age was a mystery better left unsolved, continued their idle chatter about the shop, the atmosphere upstairs was drastically different. Kasugano Sora was curled into a tight ball on her bed, her arms wrapped fiercely around her signature black rabbit plushie. She looked utterly defeated, a dark cloud of gloom hanging over her delicate frame.
The tragedy had struck only moments ago. Minami Kotori had excitedly expressed her desire to make some new clothes and asked Sora to act as a fitting model. Naturally, Sora had agreed. After all, she had gasped in genuine admiration upon learning that the beautiful outfit Kotori currently wore was entirely hand-stitched. As a naturally pretty girl who appreciated fine aesthetics, the prospect of wearing custom clothing was highly appealing.
However, the fitting session had brought a cruel reality to light. When the measuring tape wrapped around her chest, Sora was forced to confront the harsh, obvious truth: she was as flat as an airport runway. In that devastating instant, a horrifying realization washed over her. Out of all the women in her family, she was the only one cursed with such a tragic lack of curves. How was anyone supposed to cope with that?
Thus, her current state of deep seclusion. She sat on the mattress, squeezing the life out of her poor rabbit, her silver eyes completely devoid of their usual light. Karura leaned over, trying to inject some cheer into the gloomy room. "Sora! You are absolutely perfect just the way you are! If your figure were too curvy, you wouldn't be the Sora we know and love!"
Elena immediately threw her hands up. "Little Garuda! That is not comforting in the slightest!"
Sora suddenly looked up, a strained, slightly unhinged smile forming on her lips. "Hmph! It is perfectly fine! Desperate times call for desperate measures. From this day forward, I am applying a strict regimen. Four whole papayas a day!"
The four girls stared at her, blinking in stunned silence. Sonoda Umi's face drained of color as panic set in. "Wait... please wait! You will make yourself incredibly sick eating that much fruit!"
"Is there a sickness worse than being an airport runway?!" Sora snapped, her composure finally shattering. "You people... you people who actually have curves wouldn't understand! Ahhh!"
It was a rare, complete meltdown for the usually quiet girl. She had spent so long subconsciously blocking out the fact that all her sisters possessed gorgeous figures, but the measuring tape had acted as the final, explosive trigger.
After a brief, chaotic venting session, Sora let out a long sigh and deflated, returning to her usual calm demeanor. She was already used to this reality, deep down. She silently reassured herself that as long as she became overwhelmingly strong, her physical measurements would not matter. It was a necessary psychological shield.
Minami Kotori, sensing the storm had passed, looked around the bedroom with a gentle smile. "As expected of you, Sora. Your room is designed so beautifully. It really feels like a perfect little heaven for a girl, doesn't it?"
Sora hugged her rabbit a bit looser, a faint trace of pride returning to her voice. "I have just been slowly perfecting it over time, adding things according to my own tastes. I am quite satisfied with how it turned out."
"It is a real pity Honoka could not make it today," Kotori mused. "Otherwise, she would definitely be clamoring to remodel her own room to look exactly like this. I can already hear her."
Sonoda Umi nodded in solemn agreement. "Yes. Honoka would absolutely burst in and shout something along the lines of, 'This is heaven!' It paints a very vivid, and very loud, picture in my mind."
Karura giggled. "Honoka is so much fun. But if you talk about her behind her back like that, you had better be careful. She might sense it and challenge you to a duel."
Umi waved a hand dismissively. "Honoka would not go that far. But... even if she did challenge us, she is no match for us anyway."
Miles away, a certain orange-haired girl sitting at her desk violently sneezed. Honoka rubbed her nose, staring down at her half-finished homework in confusion. 'Hm? Why do I suddenly feel like someone is talking about me? Is it Umi and Kotori? Hmm... I wonder if they are having fun without me.'
Downstairs, time drifted by at a leisurely pace. Miss Yuuka Kazami had arrived at the shop early once again, not bothering to wait for Reimu and the rest of her usual company. She truly lived up to her reputation as the Flower Master of the Four Seasons—a noble, willful existence who utterly refused to conform to anyone else's schedule or worldly standards.
But was that serene elegance the whole truth? The former Yuuka Kazami might have genuinely felt that detached, but today, something was clearly off. She was quietly, elegantly throwing a tantrum. The likely culprit was a certain unscrupulous, blonde-haired thief of a mage who had recently made an appearance.
Ren stood behind the counter, observing Yuuka as she sat at her table, seemingly entirely absorbed in admiring a vase of fresh flowers. He let out a soft sigh. "Miss Kazami, you are truly exceptionally serious today."
Yuuka slowly turned her head, her crimson eyes locking onto Ren for a fraction of a second before she spoke in a soft, dangerously calm voice. "I am always serious."
"Oh? Are you really?" Ren asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Yuuka did not dignify that with a response. She simply turned her head back to the flowers, choosing to completely and utterly ignore his existence. Her ability to ice someone out was so absolute, so flawlessly executed, that Lucifer, watching from the sidelines, felt a sudden urge to ask the ancient youkai to take her on as a disciple.
The afternoon had deepened into early evening by the time Minami Kotori and the others finally descended the stairs. Karura bounced over to the counter with a bright smile. "Ren, we are heading back now!"
Kotori and Umi bowed politely, expressing their deep gratitude for the delicious food and promising to return soon. Their etiquette was absolutely impeccable. However, just before stepping out the door, Kotori's gaze lingered on Yuuka Kazami.
To the aspiring designer, this shop was a treasure trove. Not only was there incredible culinary art to study, but the older women who frequented the place possessed perfect figures and an extraordinary sense of fashion. Seeing Yuuka's signature plaid skirt and elegant vest, Kotori's eyes sparkled with fresh inspiration.
Elena caught the look and immediately knew what the girl was thinking. Kotori was already planning to rush home and draft new clothing designs. It meant Elena would probably be the one making breakfast tomorrow while Kotori slept in, but she did not mind.
Ren nodded at the departing group, his voice gentle. "Be careful on your way home."
Elena, Kotori, and Umi paused, tilting their heads in unison. "Be careful?" they echoed, slightly confused by the warning.
They all turned to look at Karura. In their eyes, Karura was an honors student with excellent grades, a cheerful personality, and the refined demeanor of a proper young lady. She was incredibly popular. Sure, she was recognized as the strongest girl in their school when it came to martial arts, but she was still just a high schooler.
Lucifer leaned against the counter and smirked. "He is telling you three to be careful. If you happen to run into any street thugs, make sure you hold Karura back. Do not let her be too heavy-handed, or you will all end up at the police station answering some very uncomfortable questions."
"Hahaha!" The three girls laughed, assuming it was a grand joke.
Karura puffed out her cheeks, feigning offense. "I am not violent at all! I am a very delicate and ladylike person!"
Lucifer waved a hand lazily. "I know, I know. That is exactly why I am worried you will forget your own monstrous strength. Alright, run along and get home before dark. Send Karura a text when you arrive, and Karura, remember to report in."
The genuine care in the older woman's voice warmed Kotori and Umi's hearts. They truly were good people here.
Once the chime of the front door faded, Ren finally let out a long breath of relief. "Fortunately, the public order in this city is quite good, and we do not have roaming gangs of thugs like in the comic books. Otherwise... Karura might actually kill them. Normal human bodies simply cannot withstand a Kure clan member's strikes."
Lucifer rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Even abnormal people might not survive her. A teenage girl who can slaughter six grown men in the blink of an eye... who would ever believe she is just a normal human? By the way, is Fusui's close-combat ability that strong too?"
Ren thought about the sniper for a moment. "You could strip Fusui of all her firearms, put her in a ring with Riven, and you would have your answer."
"Who would win?"
"Barring any unexpected miracles..." Ren paused, a dry smile touching his lips. "Riven probably would not even need to use her hands to make Fusui cry."
Lucifer blinked. "Wow. So weak."
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