Chapter 13: Joining the Visored

A crisp sound resonated throughout the room. Both Shinji and Hiyori were visibly startled.

"Oh my god, you've got some nerve!" Shinji exclaimed, his eyes wide, and his jaw almost unhinged as he stared at the red mark on Hiyori's forehead.

"Did you seriously just flick her forehead? That's audacious!"

"Uh... I think I might have been a bit too rough," Katsuki admitted, a sheepish smile devoid of politeness on his face.

"You actually flicked my forehead?!" Hiyori exclaimed, touching her own forehead. Her expression was a mix of anger and disbelief. A blush colored her fair face, and it seemed like steam might rise from her head.

"A flick won't kill you," Katsuki protested innocently.

"No one has ever dared to flick my forehead before!"

To the surprise of both Katsuki and Shinji, her voice lost its earlier arrogance and weakened, as if someone had uncovered her vulnerability and gradually subdued her.

"So, should I flick it again?" Katsuki scratched his head with feigned innocence, looking directly into her bewildered eyes, then flicked her forehead once more.

Pop!

The clear sound echoed once again.

"That sound is oddly satisfying," he remarked, lowering his finger.

"Oh my god, he's way too bold! Isn't he afraid of getting beaten up later?" Shinji's expression froze in shock, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

One flick wasn't enough; he had to do it again. This human's courage was commendable!

"Bro, I advise you to run while you still can, or Hiyori will beat the crap out of you," Shinji kindly warned him, unable to bear witnessing the impending pummeling. He could already foresee what was about to happen.

"You... I..."

Just as Shinji's words fell, Hiyori finally snapped out of her daze. She glared at Katsuki with such intensity that she couldn't even articulate her anger.

"Uh... I really didn't mean it," Katsuki helplessly raised his hands.

"No one has ever dared to flick my forehead!"

What happened next left Shinji dumbfounded. Hiyori's body trembled slightly, and then she burst into tears, squatting on the ground like a spoiled little girl.

"Whoa!"

"Am I dreaming?"

Shinji couldn't believe his eyes. He had known her for nearly a hundred years, but he had never seen this vulnerable side of her. It completely upended his worldview.

"Wow, you're amazing! You're the first person in a hundred years to make her cry. You're my idol!" Shinji gave Katsuki a thumbs-up. Perhaps it was because he had been on the receiving end of her abuse too many times, but seeing Hiyori cry made him feel oddly satisfied.

"I really didn't know her forehead was so sensitive," Katsuki admitted innocently.

I was just acting in self-defense. Who would have thought a flick on the forehead would make her cry? Her vulnerability is so unexpected!

"You know what, thank goodness she cried. Otherwise, you'd be in a cast by now," Shinji gloated. If he weren't worried about getting beaten up himself, he would have burst out laughing.

Seeing Hiyori cry, he suddenly felt quite thrilled.

"So, does this mean I passed the test?" Katsuki looked bewildered.

"Um, about that..." Shinji glanced at Hiyori, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. "Let's wait until her emotions stabilize."

"Okay, I'll accept that."

Katsuki could only accept the situation with resignation.

"Hey..."

As the crying gradually subsided, Hiyori suddenly raised her head and stared at him, unblinking.

"I apologize for being a bit forceful earlier. Don't cry, okay? I can just give up on the test if you want," he said, feeling a bit uneasy under Hiyori's intense gaze, his body slightly trembling.

"Who gave you permission to give up?" She arrogantly lifted her chin.

"What do you mean?" Katsuki looked confused.

"Blockhead, can't you understand? You passed the test!" Hiyori glared at him menacingly before turning her head away.

"..."

He was left speechless. He had done nothing, yet he passed the test so easily? There had to be a catch!

"What, you won't even take the opportunity? You're such a blockhead!" Hiyori taunted deliberately.

"But..."

He wanted to say something but was mercilessly cut off.

"Come on, Blockhead, listen up. From now on, you are one of us!" Hiyori, acting like a domineering female CEO, left no room for Katsuki to choose.

"She's quite the character, but... I like it!" Katsuki quickly figured out Hiyori's personality. Although she seemed carefree and even had a serious tendency towards violence, deep down, she had a softer side, which had just been revealed.

Such a personality might seem difficult to approach, but in reality, all it took was the right opportunity to easily win her favor. Katsuki had inadvertently achieved that, with those two forehead flicks being the key!

"Shinji, you don't mind, do you?" Hiyori turned to glance at Shinji, returning to her previous girlish demeanor, as if she might hit someone at any moment.

"No objections here. You make the decisions," Shinji replied cautiously, appearing extremely subservient. He was afraid of getting beaten up again.

"So, it's decided then. Homura Katsuki, starting today, you're a new member of the Visored!" Hiyori crossed her arms, and with a hint of arrogance, she looked at Katsuki.

It's official!

Katsuki felt a surge of excitement. His biggest problem had been resolved, and it meant he was about to take off. He could see various opportunities beckoning him!

"Thank you for your trust!"

Although he wanted to cheer in excitement, he maintained his composure. He responded with a warm smile.

"Now that we're all comrades, there's no need to be so formal," she assessed him with a critical eye, shaking her head disapprovingly. "Katsuki, you're too weak right now. Even an ordinary Hollow could easily take you down."

"Starting today..."

"You'll undergo hellish training!"

Upon hearing her words, Katsuki couldn't help but comment.

Ah, Hiyori is really strict!0