Chapter 17: Chapter 14 - The Haunted Mrs. Yukinoshita
This method of teaching was the simplest.
Kaito only needed to verbally explain the incantation to them and guide them through one cycle of spiritual energy circulation in their bodies. After that, he could leave them to practice on their own for a long time.
As expected, Yotsuya Miko was the quickest to grasp the Thunder Spell.
Marikawa Shizuka came in second.
And Saeko Busujima was the slowest, with the least amount of lightning energy she could control.
If Saeko's lightning was like a lightbulb, Shizuka's was like a soccer ball, and Miko's...
Just then, Kaito's phone rang.
"Hello, who's this?"
"This is Hiratsuka Shizuka, the life guidance teacher at Sobu High. We met yesterday morning."
The voice on the phone sounded hesitant.
"Oh, Hiratsuka-sensei, I remember. What's up?"
There was a brief silence.
Hiratsuka had initially wanted to address him as "Master," but given his youthful appearance, similar to her students, she found it hard to say.
Finally, she asked, "Can you exorcise spirits?"
Kaito glanced at Miko, who was happily playing with her newfound lightning abilities.
"What's the specific situation?"
"It's like this. The mother of one of my students..."
Hiratsuka briefly explained the situation.
"I see. I can handle it, but what about the payment?" Kaito asked.
"Don't worry, her family is very wealthy."
Hiratsuka sounded relieved.
"As long as you can resolve this, I can't promise much, but they can definitely afford a few million yen."
"No problem. Give me the address."
"Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."
After giving Hiratsuka the address to Shizuka's house, Kaito hung up and turned to Miko.
"Miko, there's a spirit exorcism job later. You're coming with me."
"Huh? Exorcism? Me?"
Miko, who had been engrossed in playing with her lightning, was startled.
"You can use lightning now, and you're still afraid of spirits?"
Kaito said exasperatedly, "Besides, I'll be there too."
Only then did Miko relax.
"Yes!"
Shizuka raised her hand like a student.
"I want to go too!"
Saeko also looked at Kaito expectantly. She was quite curious about what spirits were like.
However, in the end, Kaito didn't agree to take Saeko and Shizuka along.
About ten minutes later, Kaito's phone rang again. It was Hiratsuka.
"I'm at your door."
...
Under Shizuka's resentful gaze, Kaito left her house with Miko.
Although Hiratsuka was surprised to see Miko, she wasn't too shocked since she knew Miko had become Kaito's disciple.
After driving for about thirty minutes, Hiratsuka brought Kaito and Miko to a quiet villa.
"This is the place."
As soon as they got out of the car, the villa's door opened.
Kaito saw a woman who looked somewhat familiar step out, accompanied by a maid.
"Shizuka, you're here."
Yukinoshita Haruno was momentarily stunned when she saw Kaito and Miko.
Her eyes filled with doubt.
She had been Hiratsuka's student, and her younger sister, Yukinoshita Yukino, was currently Hiratsuka's student. Because of this, she had a good relationship with Hiratsuka, which was why she had confided in her about her mother's supernatural encounter. That led to Hiratsuka recommending a "master."
But...
Wasn't this master a bit too young?
Especially the girl behind him. Haruno remembered her as one of Yukino's classmates.
"Is this the master you mentioned, Shizuka?"
Although she had doubts, Haruno didn't show them.
"This is Kaito Sora. Don't let his age fool you—he's very skilled."
"This is Yukinoshita Haruno, my former student. Her mother is having some issues."
Hiratsuka awkwardly introduced the two.
Haruno decided not to dwell on Kaito's youth.
She trusted Hiratsuka, and it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
"This isn't the place to talk. Please come in, Master."
Throughout the journey, Haruno was very polite.
Kaito remained calm and composed.
Seeing Kaito's dignified demeanor, Haruno felt slightly reassured.
Miko, on the other hand, followed nervously behind Kaito, clearly tense.
Although she hadn't seen any spirits yet, she could feel that the villa, even in broad daylight, had an eerie, oppressive atmosphere.
There was definitely a terrifying spirit here!
"Tap tap."
When they reached a bedroom door, Haruno knocked.
"Mother, the master recommended by Hiratsuka-sensei is here."
The door was opened by a maid.
"Please come in."
Haruno led Kaito, Miko, and Hiratsuka inside.
Upon entering, Kaito saw that the curtains were drawn, and sunlight streamed into the room.
A woman who looked to be in her early thirties, bearing a striking resemblance to Haruno, lay in bed, her face visibly pale and haggard.
Beside the bed sat a beautiful, pure-looking girl.
From her flat chest, which was even flatter than Rin's, Kaito immediately recognized her.
Yukinoshita Yukino.
While Kaito was observing them, Mrs. Yukinoshita and Yukino were also sizing him up.
When Yukino saw Miko behind Kaito, she was momentarily stunned.
Miko, upon seeing Yukino, couldn't help but exclaim, "Yukinoshita-san?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita wanted to say something but coughed twice before forcing a smile.
"Yukino, do you know this master's..."
"I'm Sensei's disciple."
Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled gently at Miko and continued softly, "Do you know this master's disciple?"
"Yes, she's my classmate."
Yukino looked at Kaito with the same doubt as her sister.
Haruno asked, "Master, my mother's health has been deteriorating these past few days. The hospital couldn't find anything wrong. Do you have a solution?"
Kaito only glanced at Mrs. Yukinoshita before saying, "Tell me the specifics."