A Few Days Later
The situation had finally been resolved.
Nanashi had reached out to a contact from a powerful chaebol—someone he had saved in the past. In return for that favor, they conducted a private investigation and uncovered crucial evidence.
Recent surveillance footage of Eriri's father was found, showing unusual behavior. Most importantly, there was a critical video of him entering the house with a knife.
With the right media influence and careful manipulation of public opinion, the official narrative took shape:
Henry Spencer, consumed by hatred, had attempted to murder his lover and daughter but was ultimately killed by Sayuri in self-defense.
Nanashi, as an eyewitness, confirmed this version of events.
Although Sayuri's actions legally constituted self-defense, the British government, in negotiation with the Spencer family, opposed this conclusion. They argued that such a ruling would tarnish the country's image. Thus, the official cause of death was declared as a hidden illness leading to sudden death from overwork.
A compromise.
A means to preserve both the country's dignity and the reputation of the Spencer family.
It was a good outcome.
Had things gone poorly, Sayuri would have been convicted.
Even if exposing supernatural phenomena would accelerate doomsday-like chaos, there would have been no choice but to fight back.
Nanashi clicked his tongue in mild frustration. "Tsk, if only I had the ability to control minds."
The thought lingered.
With mind control, handling situations like these would be far easier.
Sayuri bowed deeply before Nanashi. "Thank you, Nanashi."
"It's nothing," he replied casually. "Besides, no one lives there anymore."
After the incident, Sayuri and Eriri decided they could no longer stay in their former home.
Instead, they moved into the apartment complex next to Nanashi's.
The three-story building was an unidentified asset. Each floor had two units, but Nanashi had deliberately left the other units vacant for the sake of peace and quiet.
He occupied one unit on the second floor.
Now, Sayuri and Eriri lived next door to him.
As for how they acquired it—
Well… Sayuri had simply bought it outright.
That evening, to relieve the stress of recent events and celebrate moving into their new home, Sayuri prepared a lavish meal.
She also invited Nanashi over.
The three of them ate together, enjoying a rare moment of warmth and peace.
During the meal, Nanashi took the opportunity to share some basic knowledge about evil spirits. He worried that, after such close contact with the supernatural, Eriri and Sayuri might develop clairvoyance.
If they ever encountered an evil spirit and responded the wrong way, it could cost them their lives.
Normally, he kept information about supernatural entities a secret.
But for those who had already come into direct contact with anomalies, they had the right to know at least the basics.
Of course, such knowledge was only entrusted to those who could keep their mouths shut.
Big mouths weren't worth the trouble.
Later That Night
After dinner, Nanashi returned to his apartment.
Pouring himself a small drink, he leaned back on the sofa.
Once he finished, he took a shower to wash away the lingering scent of alcohol.
Then, out of boredom, he turned on the TV, idly flipping through channels in search of anything interesting—perhaps a report on unusual occurrences or recent news.
To his surprise, there actually was something.
"A massive comet that passed Earth three years ago is about to return!"
"Unprecedented, bizarre rainfall reported in Tokyo!"
More reports followed, covering various unexplained phenomena.
Nanashi's brows furrowed slightly.
"Could this be an extraordinary factor at play?"
Intrigued, he began searching for more information.
Meanwhile, at Eriri's Home
After washing the dishes, Sayuri and Eriri took their baths and went to bed.
Exhausted from the past few days, Sayuri just wanted a good night's sleep.
Then—
Creak.
Her eyes snapped open.
"Hm?"
She listened carefully.
The noise had come from Eriri's room.
The door had opened.
Footsteps followed, growing fainter as they moved away.
Then—
Creak!
This time, it was the front door.
Sayuri tensed.
"Where is Eriri going?"
She hesitated, debating whether she should get up and check.
At Nanashi's Apartment
Knock, knock, knock.
Nanashi frowned.
Someone was knocking at his door.
At this hour?
Why not use the doorbell?
He got up and opened it.
"…Eriri?"
To his surprise, Eriri stood timidly in front of him, dressed in a thin nightgown.
Her hands twisted together, her gaze shifting nervously, her face flushed.
She stammered, "I… I'm scared. I want… I want to sleep with you."
As if realizing how that might sound, she immediately straightened up and added hastily, her voice laced with tsundere pride:
"I only came to you because you have superpowers and I feel safer! Don't get the wrong idea!"
Nanashi's lips curled into an amused smirk.
"Oh?"
He stepped forward.
"Well then, allow me to protect Princess Eriri's beautiful night."
Before she could react, he scooped her up effortlessly.
"Wha—?!"
Eriri let out a startled yelp.
But—
She didn't struggle.
Instead, she clung to his clothes nervously, her shyness overwhelming any tsundere bravado she had left.
Seeing this, Nanashi nudged the door shut with his foot and carried Eriri back inside.
Back at Sayuri's Room
Sayuri had been lying in bed, debating whether to check on Eriri—
Then she heard a noise.
From next door.
Her mind processed it instantly.
"…?!"
In mere moments, realization struck her like lightning.
"…!!!!"
Her eyes widened.
She knew exactly what was happening.