[20] That's a harsh word

The atmosphere in Kaoru's apartment felt like it was teetering on the edge of a precipice. Everyone present seemed like actors thrust into an unscripted drama, caught in a tension they could barely comprehend. On one side, the guests sitting on the sofa appeared wary, as if every movement from Kaoru might signal an imminent attack. Meanwhile, Kaoru himself remained calm, even aloof, though his sharp eyes betrayed a constant vigilance.

Shiranui, who maintained her grace and composure amid the awkwardness, poured cold beverages into crystal glasses. Her movements were smooth and elegant, as if she were preparing tea for honoured guests at a royal reception rather than managing a tense situation in an apartment. As the brown-skinned woman received her glass, her hands trembled slightly. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of longing and fear, remained fixed on Shiranui—caught between the urge to embrace her and the fear of acting rashly in Kaoru's presence. The memory of the lethal aura Kaoru had unleashed at the door was still fresh in her mind.

Ding dong~

The sharp sound of the doorbell cut through the suffocating silence like a blade. The noise briefly shattered the tension in the room, but the atmosphere soon became thick once more, hanging heavily in the air.

Kaoru rose from his seat with a smooth yet cautious movement. Each step was like a soft rumble shaking the floor beneath him. He made his way to the front door, leaving the awkwardness behind him like a king departing from an unfinished battlefield. When he opened the door, the sight that greeted him made him look on impassively, as if he had discovered his younger sibling playing outside instead of studying.

Asuka stood there, cheerful and full of energy, wearing her neatly pressed school uniform. Her twin-tails swayed lightly, and a broad smile graced her face. "Yahooo~" she greeted cheerfully, her wave as welcoming as that of an old friend returning from a long journey.

Kaoru, with his unwavering flat stare, raised an eyebrow. "Skipping school?" he asked, his voice laced with a subtle yet clear irony, like a teacher catching a student playing truant.

Asuka chuckled softly, as if the question was of little concern. "Skipping school? Not at all! I just decided to give myself a little break," she replied playfully, though her eyes indicated that she knew full well Kaoru wouldn't accept that excuse easily.

Kaoru sighed softly, shaking his head wearily before setting aside his irritation and inviting Asuka inside. "You always have an excuse, don't you?" he said, leaving the door wide open for her to enter.

Asuka entered the apartment with light steps, radiating positive energy that contrasted sharply with the recent tension. Upon seeing the guests in the living room, her smile widened even further. "Oh, you're all here! Sorry to keep you waiting!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, as though the previous tension had never existed.

The blue-haired woman seated on the sofa nodded slightly, her previously wary gaze softening. "We arrived early," she replied politely, though remnants of tension lingered in her voice.

Asuka laughed lightly and glanced at Kaoru, who had returned to his seat. "Don't worry, everything will be fine now. Right, Kaoru?" she said cheerfully, as though the earlier conflict had merely been a minor misunderstanding.

Kaoru nodded slowly, but his relaxed expression clearly indicated that he had decided to let Asuka handle the situation. "Yes, we can discuss everything calmly now," he added, though internally he remained alert to any further developments.

---

Asuka began to explain everything that had occurred, providing a detailed account without exaggeration or omission. Her voice was soft yet clear, each word accurately recounting the sequence of events as Kaoru had described them the previous night. No part of the story was left out, no crucial information withheld. Her explanation flowed like a clear stream, revealing the truth behind Shiranui's presence at Kaoru's place.

After finishing her explanation, Asuka introduced the two guests to Kaoru. "This is Mizuki Yukikaze," she said, pointing to the young girl with long brown hair tied in twin-tails. Despite her apparent age, Yukikaze possessed a gaze full of resolve and bravery. Her name alone evoked images of fierce winds and storms not easily quelled.

Kaoru nodded slightly, trying to remember the name and connect it with the situation at hand.

Asuka then continued, introducing the mature woman with long blue hair reaching her waist. "And this is Akiyama Rinko," she added. Rinko appeared calm and graceful, but her stance and sharp gaze clearly indicated that she was not someone to be underestimated. Her face exuded wisdom from experience, yet also a trained vigilance.

The two women had a closer connection to Shiranui than Kaoru had initially thought. Yukikaze turned out to be Shiranui's daughter, a fact that surprised Kaoru, though he did not show it. This mother-daughter relationship explained Yukikaze's previous protectiveness towards Shiranui. On the other hand, Rinko was a close friend of Yukikaze, having known Shiranui for a long time, which explained her involvement in the situation.

"Asuka, how do you know them?" Kaoru asked, though his tone remained calm, his eyes fixed on Asuka.

Asuka gave a slight smile, as if she was aware that Kaoru might not know the full background. "They're from the Gosha Academy," she replied respectfully. "A special academy that trains taimanin, special defence agents who deal with supernatural threats. It's not just any academy, Kaoru. They are part of Japan's elite force handling matters beyond ordinary human capability."

Kaoru listened intently, realising that he was now entangled in a situation far more complex than he had initially thought. The Gosha Academy, though unfamiliar to him, was evidently an institution with a significant role in national security. If Shiranui, Yukikaze, and Rinko were from there, then the issues arising could be much more intricate and dangerous.

Kaoru remained calm despite his rapidly whirling thoughts, processing all the new information. His gaze then shifted to Shiranui standing behind him, looking confused by the ongoing situation. If Shiranui were truly an alumnus of the Gosha Academy, she should not be showing such bewilderment. There was something odd, something that didn't quite fit with all the information Asuka had provided.