A sharp kick sent the lecherous man sprawling. He collapsed in a heap, gasping for breath as he clutched his stomach.
Medusa looked on with a trace of guilt, appearing as though she wanted to step forward and help him.
"Ignore him," Kawashima Toya said flatly.
"A man like that needs to feel some pain to learn his lesson. He's a disgrace to otaku everywhere."
As a former shut-in himself, Toya had zero tolerance for this behavior.
Lunging at a stranger just because she was attractive was nothing short of repulsive.
The man on the ground began to sob. Even through his wheezing, he managed to voice a threat.
"You're... you're dead! You actually hit me! I'm calling the police!"
"Pitiful," Toya muttered.
He turned his attention back to Medusa.
"Let's go. Don't let a guy like that ruin the day."
"Oh... okay," Medusa replied, following Toya away.
While she felt some sympathy for the man, the promise of finding Jashin-chan gave her the resolve to move on.
As soon as they were out of sight, the groaning man fumbled for his phone to dial the emergency number.
Just as he was about to press the call button, his hand twitched uncontrollably.
The phone slipped from his grasp.
It was only a short drop to the pavement, but the device shattered into pieces upon impact.
If Toya had seen it, he would have smiled.
As the Savior of this era, he possessed the protection of the world itself.
Any malicious intent directed toward him was usually neutralized by sheer coincidence.
"Kawashima-kun, how has Jashin-chan been lately?" Medusa asked softly once they were in the car.
"Is she... doing well?"
"A bit too well, actually," Toya replied.
"She's living so comfortably that she's practically forgotten about you. She couldn't even remember how many Medusas lived in the Magic Realm."
Medusa lowered her head, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
"That sounds exactly like her. But I'm happy as long as she's having fun."
Now this is what a true friend looks like, Toya thought.
Compared to her, the people back at Sakano Academy were a joke.
It was a blessing that the likes of Ito Makoto were finally out of the picture.
.....
Trash Fox Detective Agency
Toya led Medusa toward the main entrance.
Through the glass, they could see Jashin-chan laughing while playing a game with Kasugano Sora.
"There she is. Go ahead."
Medusa nodded politely. "Thank you so much for your help, Kawashima-kun. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, please ask."
She hurried inside to greet her friend.
Toya shook his head. Only someone like Medusa could put up with that snake.
Medusa's voice eventually got Jashin-chan's attention.
The demon gave a dismissive wave and a half-hearted acknowledgment before returning to her game.
Toya let out a dry laugh. If I hadn't seen them together before, I'd think they were barely acquaintances.
In the Magic Realm, their relationship was supposed to be inseparable.
Of course, in Jashin-chan's case, that usually meant she was looking for a way to use Medusa.
Toya returned to his desk and looked over at Tohru.
"Tohru, is Nyaruko still in her room?"
"She hasn't come out," Tohru replied, a slight shiver running down her spine.
"The aura leaking from there is chilling. And that laughter..."
As if to confirm her words, a sinister, cackling laugh erupted from behind the door.
If he didn't know it was just a silver-haired girl with a twitching ahoge, he would have assumed a villain was plotting in his hallway.
Toya frowned and raised his voice.
"Nyaruko! If you don't stop that laughing, I'm coming in!"
"Sorry, Darling!" Nyaruko's voice chirped back. "I just got a little overexcited. I'll keep it down!"
"What are you making that has you so worked up?" Toya asked.
"It's a secret!" Nyaruko replied. "It's a little gift for you. You're going to be surprised!"
Toya narrowed his eyes. He had a feeling her definition of a "little gift" was vastly different from his.
The room was practically vibrating with chaotic energy.
I'll leave her to it. Toya decided to stop worrying.
If she really was making something that threatened the world, the System would have alerted him.
"Kawashima-kun..."
Medusa approached him, clutching a stack of yen.
"I'd like to stay here to look after Jashin-chan. This is my rent. Please, take it."
"Keep it," Toya said, waving her off.
"This is a containment mission. Since I'm keeping you here as a high-risk entity, I'm responsible for your housing."
"You don't need to pay. Use it for the snake—she'll probably ask for it eventually."
Medusa looked down at the bills, her mind racing.
If I give this to Jashin-chan, she'll just blow it on gambling. I should save it.
Toya settled into his seat and pulled out his phone to log into his favorite game.
Without Gabriel there to play with, the experience felt hollow.
Where is she? Oh, right. She got herself banned for cheating.
Toya chuckled.
But just as he was about to start a quest, a priest character in the game ran straight toward him.
That movement... that playstyle.
"Gabriel?" Toya muttered, typing out a message. "Is that you, oh great master of 'technology'?"
On the other side of the screen, Gabriel replied instantly.
"You jerk! Give me my gear back right now! I spent a fortune on those items!"