MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: Yotsuya Miko
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Utaha sized up the timid-looking girl in front of her, a knowing smile curling on her lips.
Ever since becoming a Devil, her sensitivity toward certain supernatural occurrences had heightened. If one observed closely, they could see that whenever this girl's gaze landed on a curse spirit, her body would noticeably tense up.
'This girl... can see them.'
Utaha quickly reached a conclusion.
The ability to see curse spirits—this was definitely a special talent.
And perhaps, just perhaps, she was exactly the kind of recruit Lynn needed for his peerage.
This girl had to be brought to him.
Despite her sharp tongue, Utaha had quickly embraced her role as Lynn's servant after becoming his peerage member. Since Lynn needed to expand his ranks, it was only natural for her to do her part and help him.
"So, how about it? Want to come take a look?" Utaha extended the invitation to Yotsuya Miko.
Miko hesitated.
Her instincts told her that this so-called Supernatural Research Club was probably no different from the shrines she had visited before—just another place that couldn't solve her problem.
But that one sentence from Utaha lingered in her mind.
'You look like someone who really needs our help?'
Why had she said that?
Had she noticed something?
Seeing Miko's hesitation, Utaha knew she had won.
Hesitation meant she was already considering it.
She just needed a little push.
Without waiting for a response, Utaha grabbed Miko's arm and made the decision for her.
"Alright then, let's go."
"Huh?!"
Slam—
The door to the Supernatural Research Club swung open.
"President, I may have... abducted someone."
Utaha stepped aside, revealing Yotsuya Miko standing timidly behind her.
Miko cautiously scanned the room and let out a breath of relief.
A space free of curse spirits! A sanctuary!
Lynn glanced at Miko and immediately recognized the opportunity before him.
"Nice work, Utaha-beast!"
"Oh?" Utaha raised an eyebrow. "And what's my reward?"
"How about some Magic restoration?"
At the mention of 'this,' Utaha's face flushed as certain past memories surfaced.
Still, she didn't refuse. Instead, she smirked and said, "I'll save it for later. When I need it, I'll come collect."
Lynn gave her a surprised look.
Was it just him, or was Utaha getting bolder around him?
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. Turning his attention back to Miko, he pulled out a form and handed it to her.
"Miko-san, please fill this out."
Miko blinked in surprise. "Huh? You know my name?"
"Of course."
But Lynn didn't offer any explanation.
Miko hesitated for a moment before taking a seat and accepting the form.
Since she was already here… might as well see what it was about.
Then she glanced at the title.
Supernatural Research Club Membership Application?
She froze.
She never said she wanted to join!
"Um…" Miko was about to refuse when Lynn suddenly spoke in a low, ominous tone.
"Miko-san… you can see them, can't you?"
"Eh?"
"EHHHH?!"
Miko's body stiffened like a statue, her pupils trembling in sheer terror.
Could it be…That this handsome young man in front of her… was actually a disguised evil spirit?!
Was this whole 'Supernatural Research Club' just a ploy to lure her in?!
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her face took on a pitiful expression, as if she was on the verge of crying.
Her thighs trembled uncontrollably, and… something might have… leaked a little.
She desperately wanted to do what she always did—pretend she saw nothing.
But…She was holding the application form!
It was over.
Miko's life was about to end.
'Guess this is it for me...'
Lynn stared at Miko, his expression turning strange.
Even Utaha, standing beside him, couldn't help but glance toward Miko's thighs.
Sometimes, a Devil's sense of smell was way too sharp…
'Did… she just pee herself?'
Lynn and Utaha exchanged silent looks.
"Relax, Miko-san. We're not spirits."
But Miko wasn't listening anymore.
Or rather, she couldn't listen anymore.
Oh, sure! He says he's not a spirit!
But evil spirits could lie! They did lie!
"You might not know me, but surely you've heard of Kasumigaoka Utaha?"
"Kasumigaoka Utaha?" Miko blinked in confusion.
Come to think of it, she had recognized her face earlier…
"Wait… You mean that Sleeping Beauty?!"
Utaha's eye twitched, and she subconsciously curled her toes in embarrassment.
Being called that title to her face was utterly mortifying.
'Ah, crap!'
Miko realized too late that she had said it out loud.
She cautiously peeked at Lynn and Utaha, relieved to find that neither of them had suddenly transformed into monsters.
Maybe… just maybe… she had been mistaken?
If they were truly evil spirits, she wouldn't still be standing here, right?
Calming down slightly, Miko replayed everything in her head.
But she still couldn't help but ask in a tiny voice, "You're really not an evil spirit, mister?"
"Of course not!" Lynn assured her firmly.
Miko let out a breath of relief.
"We're Devils, after all. No way we'd be confused with those garbage curse spirits."
"D-Devils?!"
Miko, who had just started to relax, froze up all over again.
And with a voice on the verge of tears, she wailed, "That's even worse!!!"
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