As the sun set and night gradually descended, Renji watched Kuroi Misato busy herself in the kitchen.
He had to admit, she was a capable older sister figure and possessed a certain level of combat ability. While she couldn't defeat a Grade 3 or higher Jujutsu Sorcerer, she was more than a match for ordinary people.
"Kuroi!"
Outside the apartment door, a call rang out from the distance, drawing closer. The voice belonged to the Star Plasma Vessel, Amanai Riko.
Click!
The door was opened.
"Kuroi, let me tell you, the teacher at school said they can take us on a trip to Hokkaido together."
Riko hung her bag on the rack at the entrance, casually hooking off her brown leather shoes with her fingers.
Patter!
The leather shoes hit the wooden floor.
Then, dressed in her middle school's white uniform, Riko leaped up and straddled the single-seater sofa where Renji was sitting, even though there was a large sofa right next to it.
"Eh? That's strange. Why does my butt hurt a bit?" Riko instinctively looked down.
Meeting Renji's golden eyes, his charming face and the faint scent emanating from him (the perfume Shoko often used to mask the smell of cigarettes), Riko was stunned for a moment.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
"Ahhh!!! Pervert! Lust-demon! Who are you! How dare you covet my body! Dammit! Kuroi said that handsome men like you are the best at lying! I won't be charmed by you!"
Riko jumped up abruptly, crossing her arms over her chest, leaving only her small head peeking out from behind Kuroi Misato.
Renji shrugged, "What's there to be so secretive about a pair of chopping boards? I'd treat you like one of the boys if we were at a bathhouse."
"Ah! Do you know who I am? I am the future..." Riko bristled.
"The future Tengen, the unique existence of the Jujutsu World, right? Nice to meet you, Amanai Riko. I am the ordinary Jujutsu Sorcerer responsible for your safety, Okkotsu Renji."
Renji smiled as he stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window to look at the scenery outside.
Outside the window was a view slightly different from Tokyo, but it was also very beautiful.
"Huh? Kuroi, this pervert is my bodyguard?! I don't want him!" Riko shook her head violently, looking as if she would cry if he wasn't replaced.
Snap!
Renji snapped his fingers and Shiromuku gradually emerged from behind him.
"Go, don't hurt her, just make her do a handstand on the ceiling for a few minutes." Renji said.
Kuroi Misato felt a wave of gloomy aura wash over her. Her instinct was to grab a nearby weapon to protect Riko, but then she remembered that Renji was a sorcerer from Jujutsu High and should have some restraint.
The next second.
"Ahhh!!! My skirt!"
Riko was held by her ankles against the ceiling by Shiromuku. Her pleated skirt slid down due to gravity, and her black tights offered no protection for those cute white lace panties.
Renji teased, "Not very old, yet so mature."
But Renji seemed to have forgotten that his actual age in this world was three years younger than Riko's.
"Pervert! Let me down! No looking! No looking up!!!"
Over the next long three minutes, Riko clutched her skirt tightly, the flush on her face extremely deep. She glared furiously at Renji sitting on the sofa, having already killed him countless times in her head.
"Alright, put her down." Renji clapped his hands.
Thump!
Riko fell onto the sofa.
She struggled to climb up and looked at Kuroi Misato, who had just finished cooking, trying to seek help.
"Kuroi..."
"Riko-sama, I'm powerless to help. Okkotsu-san is very strong, he's a Special Grade Sorcerer." Kuroi Misato tried to speak up for Renji.
"He's still a pervert!" Riko was on the verge of tears.
Was she really going to be protected by such an impolite guy for the last month or so of her life?
After the little episode, the still somewhat angry Riko sat across from Renji, buried her head, and started eating. The food that usually seemed delicious to her tasted like wax today.
"So, Kuroi, can I please go on the trip with the school? It's just for five days." Riko looked at Kuroi Misato beside her with a pitiful expression.
Kuroi sighed.
How could she not know that Riko wanted to go on a trip like a normal person?
Ever since Riko lost both parents at four years old and was taken care of by the then twenty-one-year-old Kuroi Misato, they had to move every so often.
The Star Plasma Vessel was periodically hunted and wanted. Kuroi Misato, who was practically an ordinary person, couldn't possibly leave Riko's side for too long.
From time to time, Jujutsu Sorcerers would help hide their tracks, which allowed Riko to attend classes at Renchoku Girls' Academy.
As for traveling, Kuroi didn't dare imagine it. She couldn't gamble with Riko's life.
Thinking of this, Kuroi could only harden her heart and speak again, "But Riko-sama..."
Riko blinked, her disappointed expression clearly written on her face, but she still forced a smile. "Then, forget it. After all, Kuroi, you still need me. If I'm not by your side, you won't be able to sleep well."
The next second, Renji's voice slowly rang out. "If you want to go, then go. I'll protect you. Trust me."
Riko looked up at Renji.
How did this guy suddenly become so handsome?
Her heart was pounding.
Could it be...
Is he her first love?
How could it be this pervert?
"I'm not interested in kids like you. We're done here. Kuroi-san, I'm going downstairs for a bit, I'll be back later."
Renji waved his hand and smiled as he walked out of the apartment.
"Alright, please be careful." Kuroi Misato nodded.
Looking at Renji's back, veins popped on Riko's forehead.
"I actually almost thought that he was a gentle person. That bastard is so infuriating. What do you mean 'kid'? I am the future Tengen-sama." Riko clenched her fists.
"So, Kuroi, can I really go?" Riko looked at Kuroi Misato again.
Kuroi Misato was silent for a few seconds and slowly spoke, "Since even Okkotsu-san says so, it should be fine."
"Yay!"