-972- Big heart

Later, Rozen stayed in the hospital room and chatted with Nagisa for quite a while.

For the lively and active Nagisa, having someone to talk to was already a joyful thing. Moreover, this girl had a talkative nature, and as long as she could chatter on for a day, she would feel quite satisfied.

So, almost every day, Rozen and Kojou would come to the hospital to accompany Nagisa. Besides visiting her, they wanted to chat with her and lighten her mood.

Of course, Rozen didn't stay in the hospital for long. Having to return home before dark due to curfew was a rather unfortunate constraint. Only Kojou would stay there consistently, sometimes even spending the night in the hospital, showing considerable thoughtfulness.

Given that their father was often away for investigations, and their mother rarely came home, now with Nagisa hospitalized, returning home meant being alone for Kojou, so staying at the hospital seemed more comforting.

After chatting for a while, Rozen began the routine process of suppressing and exorcising spirits for Nagisa.

Although termed as suppression and exorcism, it essentially involved hypnotizing Nagisa to induce sleep, then chanting spells for half an hour to stabilize Nagisa's own spirit and the invading spirit within her. Afterward, using exorcism spells to cleanse Nagisa's body and mind.

This gradual process stabilized Nagisa's spiritual body and weakened the intruder within her. When it became sufficiently weakened, unable to resist or control Nagisa's body, Rozen could then expel it.

This was the most stable, safe, and guaranteed method.

Such a ritual required an extensive period.

Given the strength of the spirit within Nagisa, achieving the desired level for complete expulsion would take at least three or four years.

Using more forceful methods might have adverse effects on Nagisa, possibly causing harm.

Considering this, Rozen chose a gentle approach.

Moreover, as long as the ritual remained uninterrupted for an extended period, with Rozen's months of work, Nagisa could now live a life like any other person, free from anomalies.

However, there were two prerequisites:

1. Nagisa must not use her spirit abilities again. Activating her spirit powers and entering a medium state would awaken the spirit inside her, allowing it to possess her body.

2. The spirit within Nagisa must not be stimulated. Any force similar to Rozen's jujutsu for soul calling would provoke the spirit and lead it to go berserk.

As long as these two conditions were observed, Nagisa would be safe and free to move around.

Rozen had already discussed these matters with Kojou and Nagisa, making both of them happy. Now they were waiting for final approval from Nagisa's mother, and then she could leave the hospital.

Unfortunately, Kojou and Nagisa could only leave the hospital but not the island.

As long as the spirit within Nagisa remained, connected to the Fourth Primogenitor, neither Natsuki nor their mother would allow them to leave.

Itogami Island, being a demon sanctuary far from the mainland, enjoyed autonomy despite being administratively under Japan. Staying here would prevent most malicious intentions, safeguarding Nagisa from those coveting the power of the Fourth Primogenitor.

This was why Gajou agreed to send Nagisa here, among other reasons.

In other words, the Akatsuki family would likely settle on Itogami Island for a considerable time.

Kojou and Nagisa were quite open-minded about this.

"Originally, we couldn't say we had a stable home with the way Dad and Mom behave. Having a place to stay is already good," Kojou remarked.

"Although I'll miss friends from the mainland, we used to move around a lot with Gajou-kun and Mimori-chan. Now having a place to stay permanently, I'm actually quite happy," Nagisa added.

The two siblings nonchalantly expressed their views, leaving Rozen somewhat touched. Despite their young age, Kojou and Nagisa had already experienced quite a turbulent life.

Nagisa even clenched her fists with excitement.

"After getting discharged, I want to go to Saikai Academy and attend junior high there!"

Nagisa made this decision.

This girl was about to graduate from elementary school soon, so this wish would likely come true shortly.

As for the inability to use spirit abilities casually, Nagisa didn't mind either.

For this young girl, it seemed that the ability was optional, perhaps akin to the difference between "knowing how to cook" and "not knowing how to cook." Previously, using spirit abilities was merely an action similar to household chores.

This made Rozen ponder.

"This girl has a big heart."

That was the only evaluation Rozen could give.

If it were Rozen, unable to use magic anymore, he would likely suffer a significant blow and find it challenging to recover, considering his lifelong pursuit of miracles, mystery, and the path he walked. If that path were sealed, the impact would undoubtedly be extraordinary.

This made Rozen look at Nagisa with a newfound appreciation, willing to lend a helping hand to her, a chance acquaintance. This was also a crucial reason.

In addition to this, Rozen had another reason.

That was seeing a glimpse of Mash's shadow in Nagisa.

Thinking of Mash, lying in the sterile room still claiming to strive, and now seeing Nagisa maintaining a lively and cheerful smile while lying in the hospital bed, Rozen couldn't help but want to help her.

In summary, today, Rozen continued to patiently suppress and exorcise spirits for Nagisa in her hospital room. After everything concluded, he quietly left the room without waking up the hypnotized Nagisa, allowing her to rest peacefully.

"I'll go back now. See you tomorrow."

"Ah, thank you, Nichiyo. See you tomorrow."

Rozen casually greeted Kojou, who was waiting at the door, and then left.

Glancing at the sky, it was almost evening outside.

"Although there's still some time, I should hurry back."

Otherwise, his petite and adorable elder sister at home would probably get angry again.

With that thought, Rozen quickened his pace.

On the way, Rozen passed by a girl sitting alone on a bench.

Rozen unintentionally glanced at her.

Coincidentally, she also lifted her head, locking eyes with Rozen.

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

In the next moment, both of them made a surprised sound.

Rozen then directed his gaze at the girl.

She was a girl with a seemingly similar age to Rozen, with a laptop open on her legs. She had simple black hair and was wearing the Saikai Academy junior high school uniform.

In other words, she was a student from the same school as Rozen.

No.

To be more accurate, she should be Rozen's classmate.

"Aiba?"

Rozen recognized her.

"Minamiya?"

She seemed to recognize Rozen as well.

Clearly, Rozen didn't make a mistake; the girl was indeed his classmate.

However, the reason Rozen stopped in his tracks wasn't that she was his classmate.

The only reason Rozen stopped was one.

That was the tear streaks on the face of the girl in front of him.