KyokaSuigetsu
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Chapter 23: Touko Aozaki
🕑 Added 2025-05-07 06:37:45 +0000 UTCTouko Aozaki's eyelids had been twitching all day, giving her an uneasy feeling that something bad was about to happen—though she couldn't quite pinpoint what. It was nearly noon, and the morning had passed without incident. The shop had been quiet, with nothing out of the ordinary.
Must just be sleep deprivation, she thought. Just as she dismissed the feeling, an unfamiliar presence entered her workshop.
"A man and a child. What an unusual pair... The man... I can't read him at all. And the girl—an incredibly rare Imaginary Numbers attribute. Looks like some troublesome visitors have arrived. Tch, my premonition was right." Touko took a small sip of coffee, knowing full well that a client was coming—and not just any ordinary one.
Knock, knock, knock... A light rapping at the door. At the very least, their polite approach suggested they weren't here to cause trouble. With that in mind, Touko stood up and called out, "Come in. The door's unlocked."
"Pardon the intrusion. You must be the owner of Garan no Dou." A man and a young girl stepped inside. The man was handsome and youthful, but Touko wasn't foolish enough to underestimate him based on appearance alone. Someone she couldn't read, yet who looked this young? Only two possibilities: either he was a non-human entity from the world of magecraft taking human form, or some ancient monster wearing this skin as a disguise.
The little girl, on the other hand, was pure and adorable, her curious eyes wandering around the room, taking in Touko's various creations.
The visitors were none other than Takashi Kuroda and little Sakura Matou. At a glance, Kuroda noted Touko's glasses—Good, I got the easier version to deal with.
"Ms. Aozaki, hello. My name is Takashi Kuroda."
"Takashi Kuroda? Japanese?" The name sounded Japanese, but Touko couldn't recall ever hearing it before. Still, if he was from Japan, it made sense—even the Clock Tower treaded carefully around certain figures from there, wary of provoking hidden masters.
"Yes, that's right." Kuroda nodded. Though he had transmigrated into this world, there was no doubt he was genuinely Japanese.
Touko raised an eyebrow slightly. What’s a Japanese man doing here? Buying prosthetics? Doesn’t look like he needs any. Is it about the kid? Don’t tell me he wants me to teach her magecraft.
"Mr. Kuroda, what brings you to my humble shop?" Touko inquired.
"Two things. First, I’d like you to arrange a meeting for me with the head of the local Ryougi family."
"..." Touko didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she pulled out a cigarette, preparing to light it—a habit of hers whenever she needed to think. But before the flame could touch the tip, a large hand intercepted hers, accompanied by a firm voice: "There’s a child present."
"Tch." A flicker of irritation crossed Touko’s face as she swiftly withdrew her hand.
"Mr. Kuroda, I think you’ve come to the wrong place. This isn’t an introduction service..." The interruption and physical contact had already put her in a bad mood. True, the man was good-looking, but Touko had no interest in getting tangled in troublesome social obligations.
"Don’t be so quick to refuse. How about reviewing the deposit first?" With a wave of his hand, Kuroda placed several rare magical materials on Touko’s desk.
"Tch... Where did this rich bastard come from? And that spatial storage ability—is he an Imaginary Numbers mage too?" Even someone as experienced as Touko couldn’t help but twitch at the sight. Every single item on the table was something considered priceless in the world of magecraft. One of them was even a crucial component for a new type of puppet she’d been researching—something she’d been searching for endlessly.
This was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
"Very well, Mr. Kuroda. I admit you’ve convinced me. I’ll introduce you to the head of the Ryougi family." She paused. "Now, what’s the second matter?"
"No rush. We’ll discuss that after the first is settled." Kuroda gestured politely. "Now, if you’d be so kind as to lead the way."
"Hah? You expect me to personally escort you? Can’t you just take something to prove your connection to me?" Touko had no desire to get involved in social formalities.
"Ms. Aozaki, transactions are about equivalent exchange. Did you really think a mere letter of introduction was worth all these items? If they were that worthless, I might as well snap a couple in half for fun. You wouldn’t mind, right?" Kuroda smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"What kind of bullshit is 'snap a couple in half'? Is flaunting your wealth some kind of hobby for you? Do you get off on destroying rare materials?" Touko was so furious she nearly took off her glasses right then and there to switch personalities.
But the sight of that one material—the artificial heart she desperately needed—made her take a deep breath and suppress her anger. "Fine. I’ll go with you."
"Don’t worry, Ms. Aozaki. I guarantee that accompanying me to the Ryougi household will bring you rewards no less valuable than these items." Kuroda grinned. "Besides, it’s almost lunchtime. We might even get to enjoy a meal there. The Ryougi family’s cuisine is quite renowned."
"Like a rich bastard like you cares about free food." Touko wanted to snap back, but the sheer volume of materials left on the table—except for the one she needed most, which he had deliberately tucked away—left her seething.
Damn it! He knew exactly what I wanted! Dangled it in front of me, then took it back just to force my hand!
"Maybe I should just kill him and take it?" She briefly considered the risks of a double-cross.
"Alright, Sakura. Remember to be polite when we visit someone else’s home, okay?"
"Sakura will remember."
Watching the man interact with the little girl, Touko ultimately sighed and let it go.
...Well, there’s a kid here, after all.
Garan no Dou was quite a distance from the Ryougi estate, but they arrived just before lunch. The gatekeeper was about to question them when Touko handed over an item.
"Give this to your family head. Tell her Touko Aozaki of Garan no Dou has come to visit in person."
"Ah—understood!" The mention of the family head made the gatekeeper act immediately, sending someone to deliver the message. Before long, a servant returned with the head’s reply.
"Please escort the three guests inside."
"Yes!" The gatekeeper promptly opened the doors. "Honored guests, please follow me."
As they stepped into the Ryougi estate’s courtyard, little Sakura Matou couldn’t help but glance around curiously, comparing it to her own home’s garden. Kuroda, meanwhile, scanned the surroundings—not out of curiosity, but to see if he could spot Ryougi Shiki.
Hmm, probably already eating lunch. Was hoping to show off some swordsmanship to impress a younger Shiki—maybe even recruit her. I even saved up 500 points to unlock the Blade of the Ruined King. No luck this time. Guess I’ll have to adjust my approach.
"Hahaha! To what do we owe the pleasure, Ms. Aozaki? Your presence alone brings honor to our humble home. Since it’s mealtime, why not join us for lunch?"
In the reception hall, a robust middle-aged man greeted them warmly, smiling as he extended the invitation.
