Chapter 18: Chapter 15 - Miko: Me, Fighting a Spirit? Really?
"It's like this..."
Yukinoshita Haruno explained the situation clearly and concisely, and Kaito quickly understood the gist of it.
In short, about a month ago, Mrs. Yukinoshita woke up one night to find herself sitting in front of a mirror, grooming herself.
At first, Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't think much of it.
After the initial shock, she assumed it was just sleepwalking caused by stress and overwork.
The next day, she called her private doctor for a check-up, but nothing unusual was found.
However, over the next few nights, Mrs. Yukinoshita kept waking up to find herself sitting in front of the mirror, grooming herself.
Night after night.
After a thorough medical examination at the hospital, which revealed no health issues, Mrs. Yukinoshita began to panic.
She had the maids remove all the mirrors from her room.
But the sleepwalking continued.
Every night, without fail, Mrs. Yukinoshita would wake up to find herself in the bathroom or another room, always in front of a mirror, grooming herself.
"After that, we were afraid that removing the mirrors might cause something worse, so we didn't dare to take them down anymore."
"During this time, we consulted several masters."
"But either they couldn't identify the problem, or their rituals had no effect."
"Do you have a solution, Master?"
Haruno looked at Kaito with pleading eyes.
"My sister Yukino and I lost our father early. Our mother is all we have left."
"We don't want to lose her. The Yukinoshita family can't be without her."
The more she spoke, the more pitiful Haruno appeared. She even grabbed Kaito's hand.
"If you can cure our mother, the Yukinoshita family will reward you handsomely."
Kaito subtly withdrew his hand from Haruno's grasp.
"Light a candle and close the curtains."
Haruno's eyes flickered.
She had assumed that Kaito, being young and accompanied by such a cute girl, would be easily swayed by beauty.
After all, what man wasn't attracted to women?
But Kaito showed no reaction.
Still, Haruno only hesitated for a fraction of a second before turning to the maid.
"Do as the master says. Find some candles and close the curtains."
The maid quickly lit a few candles and drew the curtains.
The room was plunged into darkness, illuminated only by the flickering candlelight.
"Please sit in front of the mirror, Mrs. Yukinoshita."
Yukino immediately helped her mother to her feet.
Haruno also stepped forward to assist.
Kaito stood to the side and whispered to Miko, who was practically clinging to him.
"Do you see it?"
Miko's lips were pale as she nodded.
She saw it.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's body was emanating an extremely terrifying aura of a malevolent spirit.
The spirit's horrifying presence, illuminated by the dim candlelight, looked like a burning black flame raging within Mrs. Yukinoshita's body.
This spirit...
Was far stronger than any she had ever seen before!
And it was inside Mrs. Yukinoshita's body!
"Get ready. You'll be dealing with it soon."
"Huh?!"
Me, fighting a spirit? Really?
Miko panicked.
But Kaito didn't give her a chance to protest.
By now, Mrs. Yukinoshita was seated in front of the dressing table, facing the mirror.
Haruno and Yukino stood on either side of their mother, both looking at Kaito.
"Master?"
Kaito stepped behind Mrs. Yukinoshita.
He raised his left hand and gently placed it on her shoulder, his fingers lightly massaging.
Mrs. Yukinoshita was wearing only a nightgown.
The fabric was thin.
Feeling the warmth and firmness of Kaito's hand on her shoulder, combined with the electric energy he was channeling into her body, Mrs. Yukinoshita, who had been weak for so long, felt an overwhelming sense of comfort.
A tingling sensation spread through her body.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's still-beautiful face flushed with a faint, sickly blush, giving her the appearance of a delicate, fragile beauty.
The long-lost feeling of comfort made her want to moan.
Since giving birth to Yukino, she hadn't been this close to a man.
And now, in front of her daughters, she was being touched so intimately by a young man their age.
Just the touch of his hand on her shoulder was enough to make her...
Watching her mother's face gradually turn red, Haruno and Yukino were struggling to keep their composure.
Mrs. Yukinoshita, unable to hold back any longer, weakly spoke up.
"M-Master..."
If this continued...
She would truly embarrass herself in front of her daughters!
"Shh."
Kaito raised his right index finger to his lips.
His gaze remained fixed on the mirror.
His left hand continued to channel electric energy into Mrs. Yukinoshita's body.
"Your body is too weak. I need to condition it first."
After being tormented by the spirit for so long, Mrs. Yukinoshita's body was at its limit.
Even speaking softly left her breathless.
If Kaito were to directly strike the spirit with lightning to force it out, Mrs. Yukinoshita might die from the shock.
Hearing this, Mrs. Yukinoshita fell silent.
Haruno and Yukino, who had been about to speak, also closed their mouths when they heard Kaito's calm, authoritative tone—reminiscent of their mother's healthy days.
Seeing Kaito's expression, which showed no trace of lust, and his eyes, which were focused solely on Mrs. Yukinoshita's reflection in the mirror, they decided to trust him.
They turned their attention to the mirror, watching the reflection of their mother and Kaito, whose hand still seemed to be "taking liberties" with her.
Time passed unnoticed.
About a minute or so.
Maybe longer.
Just as Mrs. Yukinoshita's chest heaved rapidly, her breathing grew labored, and she felt she was about to lose control and embarrass herself in front of her daughters, their teacher, and their classmate...
Kaito suddenly raised his hand.
Electricity crackled in his palm.
Without warning, he struck Mrs. Yukinoshita's back with his palm.
...