The method of growing up through sunbathing was simply too much like a plant, let alone gaining power from it. This was something impossible even for normal plant yokai. If it were that easy, there wouldn't be so few powerful yokai of that type.
Therefore, Yuuka Kazami was even more curious and wanted to understand Kars's situation. She even had the impulse to take him back and raise him herself.
"I'm curious, what kind of plant yokai are you?"
"Plant? No, I'm a vampire, though I can see why you'd think I was a plant."
Yuuka Kazami: (๑˙―˙๑)
Yuuka felt she must have misheard. A vampire who could grow up and gain power by sunbathing…
Had vampires mutated? Had they completely turned their vulnerabilities into advantages? Or was this common knowledge that she simply didn't know about because she rarely kept up with current events? This exchange was confusing even for Yuuka Kazami.
"It's incredible, but it's a special case. I'm the only vampire like this. Everyone else in my family and other vampires still hate sunlight." Kars's explanation made Yuuka nod. That was the only plausible explanation, but it still felt like a joke.
This was likely a unique trait of Kars himself. Considering what she had sensed from him earlier, perhaps there was some connection between him and the sun? Yuuka extended her hand and gently stroked Kars's head. As she touched him, she could feel the warm energy radiating from Kars's body more clearly. It was a pleasant, warm sensation, making Yuuka reluctant to stop stroking his head. She was enjoying it immensely.
"Um… Sister Yuuka?" Kars felt a little uncomfortable with the hand that didn't seem like it would ever stop stroking his head. A brief stroke was fine, but a prolonged one felt somewhat awkward, as if his head would be rubbed bald before she stopped.
"Yuuka, it's still class time right now." Kamishirasawa Keine stepped in to remind Yuuka and get her to stop.
Yuuka said nothing, withdrew her hand, and resumed teaching as if nothing had happened. Keine breathed a sigh of relief.
After the gardening class ended, Yuuka Kazami prepared to leave. Her departure brought immediate relief to Cirno and the others. They all agreed that being near such a terrifying person was an ordeal—everyone except Kars.
Cirno watched as Kars immediately ran over to Yuuka as she was leaving. She admired him for facing such a terrifying figure without flinching and even having a casual conversation with her.
Yuuka looked at Kars, who had run up to her, and could tell the child was surprisingly clingy toward her.
"Sister Yuuka, where can I find you?" Since she wouldn't be teaching for a while, and Kars had finally met someone who fit his criteria, he wanted to interact with her more. So, he asked where he could find her.
"Find me? If you want to find me, just go to the Garden of the Sun. I'm almost always there." Yuuka said, stroking Kars's head a few more times.
"The Garden of the Sun? That sounds like a wonderful place just from the name!" Kars felt that anything associated with the word 'sun' must be a great place and was instantly excited to visit.
"If you want to go, I can take you there now." The thought of taking Kars back with her still lingered in Yuuka's mind. Even if he wasn't a plant yokai, taking him home to raise wasn't impossible, especially since holding him would be very comfortable for sleeping at night.
"I can't do that. Little Auntie would get angry if I ran off somewhere else without telling her." Kars quickly shook his head and explained the situation. This made Yuuka realize that Kars had family, meaning taking him back to raise was out of the question. This left her feeling a little regretful.
"Then, when you can go, come find me at the Garden of the Sun."
"Okay, see you next time, Sister Yuuka." After a few more strokes to Kars's head, Yuuka leisurely left, holding her parasol. Kars watched her retreating figure, feeling like he finally had a goal to strive for.
"I need to tell Little Auntie the good news! She'll be thrilled! Teacher Keine, I'm going home now!" Kars said goodbye to Kamishirasawa Keine and flew back to the Scarlet Devil Mansion impatiently, wanting to share this incredible news with Remilia and the others.
"I don't know why, but this child not doing anything unexpected actually makes me more uneasy." Kamishirasawa Keine watched Kars's departing figure. For some reason, she was concerned about the relationship between him and Yuuka Kazami. She sensed that Yuuka might have her own intentions as well. She hadn't expected Kars and Yuuka to have this kind of interaction at all.
"Little Auntie! Little Auntie! I found her! I found the most wonderful person!" Kars burst into the Scarlet Devil Mansion and rushed to Remilia, excitedly exclaiming.
"She's a mature older sister, she smiles so gently, and she also loves sunbathing!"
"There really is someone like that?" Remilia was surprised. While she thought Kars might meet someone suitable there, she hadn't expected him to actually find someone who perfectly matched his preferences.
She had to admit this was delightful news. Her efforts in tirelessly worrying over his situation hadn't been in vain. Had they finally reached a good outcome?
"Yes! She was invited by Teacher Keine to help teach. Her name is Yuuka Kazami, and she lives in the Garden of the Sun."
Hmm, Yuuka Kazami, living in the Garden of the Sun. Remilia made a mental note to meet this yokai and see what she was like.