Chapter 40: Farewell
Returning to the courtyard, Tatsuro stood outside Yuto Mi's room, waiting as usual until 7:00 a.m. Spring breeze Kaede walked up in a maid outfit, smiling at Tatsuro as she pulled out a handmade necklace from her pocket.
"Today's your last day, right? I made this necklace myself. If you ever come back and don't wear it, I won't let you in the door."
Tatsuro accepted it with a grin. "I've got a gift for you too, Kaede-nee, but you'll have to wait until tonight."
"Oh? Then I'll be looking forward to it."
She ruffled his hair gently, took a deep breath, then knocked three times on the door. "It's seven o'clock, milady."
"Come in."
Kaede unlocked the door and led Tatsuro inside.
"Today's the last day, huh? Honestly, I'm gonna miss you, little bro. Want to sleep with me tonight?"
Yuto Mi sat cross-legged on her bed in pink pajamas, smiling sweetly at Tatsuro.
"N-no, that's alright! I can sleep alone just fine!" Tatsuro quickly waved her off, cheeks red. She was beautiful, sure, but he was still growing—and sleeping that close would be way too awkward. He wasn't exactly a "righteous gentleman."
"Aww, what a shame. Well, if you ever want to visit, just call me. I'll come pick you up."
Just then, a black mist floated from the ring and took the shape of a woman. She stretched lazily like she'd just woken up, then tightly embraced Yuto Mi and lovingly stroked her hair.
Tatsuro watched it silently, a strange emotion stirring in him.
What if… his own mother was like this? Would he really want her to be exorcised?
That kind of thought haunted him.
But he always shook it off. He had approached them to exorcise a curse—he couldn't let his emotions interfere. If he started something, he had to finish it. There was no halfway. Kindness would only be a liability.
His heart, after all, was cold.
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That night...
"Good evening, Vice-Captain!"
"Yeah. These are for you two—special weighted rings. I carried them all the way here, nearly killed me. Even if you're the weakest now, don't lose hope. Outwork them."
Tatsuro handed them the gifts—large packages in both hands, his travel backpack slung over his back.
He'd spent over an hour shopping at 6:30 p.m., picking out something useful for everyone. Some were expensive, some cheap, but all carefully selected.
"Thank you, Vice-Captain!"
Five-In Record and Flowing Ice accepted the gifts with tears in their eyes. It was the first real present they'd gotten in their entire year of service.
"No need to thank me. If you want to repay me, just send me a message every year saying you're safe. I'm off to deliver the rest. Take care."
One by one, Tatsuro distributed the gifts—even to those off duty.
Only three remained—for Shuichi Itou, Kaede, and Yuto Mi.
He wasn't planning to leave in the morning. After exorcising the curse and returning the ring tonight, he would disappear.
He passed the winding paths back to the training shed. The iron door stood open. Yellow light spilled out. Inside, Itou was hammering away at the training dummy with force.
Before Tatsuro could even say a word, Itou snapped, "Didn't I tell you not to come tonight, you brat? I've taught you everything already. Get lost."
Tatsuro didn't respond. He quietly placed the gift on the table, bowed, and left.
The sound of punches resumed shortly after, as if no one had ever visited.
Then came Kaede's gift. He knocked gently on her door.
"Kaede-nee, I've got your present."
"Coming."
She opened the door in a loose black-and-white pajama set, her eyes locked on his.
"You're planning to run off tonight, huh?"
Tatsuro scratched his head awkwardly. "Yeah… I'm here to say goodbye. Thank you for everything. I'll miss you. Here's a necklace I got for you."
"Thank you. Come visit sometime. I'll take you to my house."
She ruffled his hair again, accepted the gift, and smirked. "Want me to give you the key to Yuto Mi's room? Pull off a sneak attack? Or leave your gift inside and slip away quietly?"
"No need. I'll climb in through the window. You should go rest. Goodnight."
Tatsuro bowed and left.
"Sheesh, I locked the window too, you know. Whatever. That brat'll find a way in."
Kaede watched him fade into the night before closing the door.
Tatsuro didn't go straight to Yuto Mi's room. Instead, he wandered the yard looking for suitable wood. He needed to carve a key replica—he worked until midnight.
At last, he approached her door with a perfect 1:1 wooden key. Sensing the curse's aura was calm, he gently inserted it into the lock.
Even the faintest click made his heart skip. It was quiet, but to him, it sounded like a blaring alarm.
Click.
The door opened.
He took a deep breath and crept inside. Keeping low, he crawled toward her bed. Only when his body was beneath the bed's edge did he feel safe.
Peeking at Yuto Mi's sleeping face, he gulped. One full minute passed before he dared to stand.
Looking at the ring on her left hand, he hesitated. He'd touched it many times before—but tonight, it felt different. Being a thief required nerves of steel. He genuinely respected real thieves for their sheer audacity.
Carefully lifting her left hand, he slowly slid the ring off her index finger. His own hand never trembled once.
The curse inside didn't react.
Once the ring was free, he sighed in relief—but kept his hand steady to avoid any sudden movements.
He tiptoed out of the room without closing the door—he'd need to return it later, and one visit was enough.
Now, he just had to reach that abandoned building safely.
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