Ch 242. Haruno: Hoshimi Kiyokawa! Prepare to Die!

This lump-like growth has a mouth capable of eating and grows together with the Lump Ghost. It snatches food from the Lump Ghost's mouth when it eats, keeping the demon in a constant state of hunger.

Additionally, the lump frequently ruptures, oozing a foul-smelling pus.

For the Lump Ghost to survive, it must feed on the pus secreted by the lump.

Under normal circumstances, a Lump Ghost can be released from its suffering after atoning for its sins.

However, the Lump Ghost before them was far from ordinary. The pentagram on the lump in its mouth indicated that this demon had a master!

A pentagram...

"Is it another Onmyoji?" Kotoko's face grew even more grim.

How many times has it been now? Can't the humans manage their internal factions?

Such reckless ghost-crafting would eventually cause the collapse of the delicate order between humans and spirits.

"Tsk~" Kotoko clicked her tongue and instructed, clearly annoyed, "Gashadokuro, send it on its way."

These artificially created Lump Ghosts could never be freed as long as their Onmyoji master was alive. Rather than letting it live in pain, it was better to put an end to it.

Moreover, Kotoko held no affection for Lump Ghosts.

In this modern era where spiritual energy is thin, it takes a lot of sin to be turned into a Lump Ghost. One could imagine that the person before their death wasn't a good person.

"Understood, Priestess." The massive Gashadokuro responded dully before crushing the Lump Ghost into black smoke with a single squeeze, too quickly for it to even scream.

"Gashadokuro, can you track down that Onmyoji?" Kotoko asked with a frown.

"..." The giant skeleton silently shook its head.

"I see. Then I'll have to do it myself..." Kotoko stepped forward, searching for clues in the abandoned kiln...

...

The next day, Friday, the field trip for the second-year students of Sobu High began as scheduled.

After arriving at the designated location by school bus, Hoshimi, unenthusiastic, followed the main group with Yukino.

The destination for Class 2-J included three stops, and the group they were with visited a pharmaceutical company. There were also groups from other classes visiting the company.

Hoshimi counted around thirty people visiting the company.

In that case, missing two people shouldn't be easily noticed, right?

Hoshimi's eyes gleamed as he grabbed Yukino's hand, stopping in place.

"Hm?" Yukino looked back at Hoshimi, "What is it?"

Hoshimi took a step forward and whispered in her ear, "Yukino, let's go on a date~"

"..." Yukino stared speechlessly at Hoshimi.

This jerk—how could he come up with something like this on a whim? If he didn't want to come, couldn't he have requested leave earlier? Now, at the last minute, he suddenly wants to sneak away. He's too impulsive.

Yukino thought for a moment and was about to persuade Hoshimi to stay, but he stepped closer and said, "Yukino, up until now, we haven't gone on a date. Let's go today. Anyway, Hiratsuka-sensei said it's just a formality, not an important activity. Come on, let's not waste time here~ Let's go, let's go~"

As he spoke, Hoshimi wrapped an arm around Yukino, heading toward the emergency exit.

Unable to resist Hoshimi's persistence, Yukino sighed helplessly and warned him more firmly, "Hoshimi, I suggest you think this through. If Hiratsuka-sensei finds out, she won't let you off easily."

"It's fine~ It's fine~ What's she gonna do, eat me?" Hoshimi waved dismissively.

He was about to be ranked first in the grade anyway, so a little special treatment shouldn't be a problem, right? Hiratsuka-sensei wouldn't say anything as long as he kept his grades up, probably?

Yukino: "Hoshimi! Stop being reckless. If Hiratsuka-sensei notices we're gone, she'll get worried and might even call your family. Do you really want to get scolded by your mother over this?"

Hoshimi: "You're right... Wait, let me tell the class pres, and there'll be no problem. If Hiratsuka-sensei finds out, she'll know what we're doing and won't worry. You wait here, I'll be right back."

With that, Hoshimi turned and ran back toward the group.

"Class pres~ Class pres~~"

Hearing someone call her, the black-haired, soft-spoken class pres stopped and turned around.

She saw Hoshimi approaching alone, without Yukino. These two were always inseparable, so where was Yukino now?

A subtle sense of unease crept over the class president.

As Hoshimi strode up to her, she looked up and asked, "Hoshimi, what's the matter?"

"Class pres, it's like this..." Hoshimi explained his plan in detail. "The field trip is a bit boring, so Yukino and I are planning to go on a date. I wanted to ask you to cover for us."

Hoshimi clasped his hands together and bowed, sincerely requesting, "Please, kind and compassionate class pres, grant this small wish of mine."

"..." The class president remained silent for a moment before speaking softly, "I can cover for you if the supervising teacher checks, but if Hiratsuka-sensei comes, I won't be able to help. You know how strict she is, right?"

"Ok~ No problem. If Hiratsuka-sensei finds out, just tell her Yukino and I went on a date." Hoshimi smiled.

The class president gave Hoshimi a strange look.

Hoshimi-san, you're really bold, admitting outright that you're skipping a school activity to go on a date with your girlfriend. Aren't you afraid of Hiratsuka-sensei's 'Iron Fist'?

Also, has Yukinoshita-san's brain been rotted by love? She actually agreed to skip school for a date? Even the cool Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't escape the stupidity of love.

"Alright, I'll do what I can to cover for you," the class president agreed.

"Thanks, class pres. I'll treat you to lunch next time~" Hoshimi waved and left cheerfully.

Watching Hoshimi's warm smile, the class president silently refused his offer in her heart.

Hoshimi-san, I appreciate the thought, but please don't treat me to lunch.

I don't want to become one of the fish in your pond, nor do I want Yukinoshita or that first-year Iwanaga to come after me.

Yes, rumors about Hoshimi and that first-year girl had already started spreading around Sobu High...

After all, many students had seen Hoshimi walking to school with Yukino on one arm and Iwanaga on the other.

Some lucky ones had even witnessed Iwanaga kiss Hoshimi at the school gate.

All this evidence pointed to Hoshimi two-timing, and the craziest part was that he hadn't gotten caught!

That was "Yukinoshita", the so-called 'Ice Queen' of Sobu High! Hoshimi was two-timing her, and he was still fine!

Clearly, Hoshimi was quite the masterful player!

So, staying far away from Hoshimi was the wisest choice for someone ordinary like me. Becoming one of the fish in his pond would be truly unfortunate...

...

"Yukino~ Problem solved~ Let's go~ Time for our date~"

"Sigh~" Unable to resist Hoshimi's persistence, Yukino sighed and reluctantly followed him away from the pharmaceutical company.

...

Meanwhile, in a hallway of the company building, Haruno waited with a dangerous smile for Hoshimi's arrival.

Hoshimi Kiyokawa, right? Today, I'll show you what true cruelty looks like!

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