Chapter 26: Biting?
Kocho Kanae blinked away tears and asked Ryuji timidly, "Ghosts… aren't those just stories to scare children?"
She knitted her brows; as a girl from a Family of pharmacists, she had never believed those childish tales of man-eating monsters roaming the mountains at night.
She believed only in science.
But now her world was crumbling—those storybook creatures had actually appeared… and she was in trouble!
If her blood attracted demons, then what about Shinobu, or Mama and Papa…? At the thought, Kocho Kanae tried to stand, but a searing pain in her ankle made her gasp and bite her lip.
"Don't move… looks like you twisted it."
Ryuji gently slipped off her small leather shoe; seeing the swollen joint, he sighed. "You won't be walking on this."
"Mm, probably when I lunged at the… no, the demon. I didn't feel it then; if I'd iced it sooner it wouldn't be this bad."
Kocho Kanae glanced at her ankle, cheeks reddening.
A strange man had seen her bare foot… Though the Kochou family studied modern medicine, they were still traditional—modesty mattered.
No, this wasn't the time; she had to get home.
She opened her mouth to speak, then felt her body lift—Ryuji had scooped her into a bridal carry!
"Ah!"
A short cry escaped her; instinctively she looped her arms around his neck.
"I'll take you home."
Ryuji didn't know what she was thinking; he only knew a princess carry would keep pressure off the sprain.
"Where do you live?"
He glanced down at the flushed girl in his arms and murmured, "The night's dangerous—there might be more demons wandering."
"Um… two blocks ahead, just keep on the main avenue." Her voice was so soft he barely caught it.
"Hold tight."
Ryuji spoke quietly and sped off, fast.
Wind whistled past; the scenery streamed backward.
Clutched against his solid chest, Kocho Kanae went rigid, sneaking peeks around like a thief, terrified a neighbor might see.
So embarrassing… her cheeks burned, heart drumming; the ankle pain was drowned by a flood of shyness and a strange sense of safety.
"Don't be afraid. Even if a ghost shows up, I can cut it down without effort."
Ryuji felt her stiffness and assumed she was still shaken from the attack.
After all, right now she was only a girl, not yet the future Pillar who could stand alone.
Fear when facing a demon was only natural.
"We're… here."
Ryuji braked smoothly and studied the elegant house with its wide garden. "This it?"
"Mm."
Again, barely a whisper.
Lights blazed inside; no signs of struggle, no smell of blood—everything looked safe.
He stepped up holding Kanae and rang the bell.
"Sis! Why so late—huh? Who're you? What happened to my sister?"
A slightly shorter girl with the same butterfly hair-clip darted out—little Shinobu Kocho.
Seeing her crimson-faced sister in Ryuji's arms, she winked mischievously.
"Hello, mister, come in. Sorry my sister troubled you…"
She swung the door wide.
"Dad! Mom! Come see—sis got carried home by a super-handsome guy!"
Ryuji: "…"
Kocho Kanae looked ready to vanish, mumbling, "Don't mind my sister, she's always like this…"
"I noticed."
Ryuji shook his head; he hadn't expected young Shinobu to be so lively, though the mischief matched the future Insect Pillar.
Inside, the scent of medicinal herbs hit him—truly a medical Family.
The rooms were small yet warm.
Most striking was the butterfly-patterned bookcase crammed with medical texts.
So this was the Kochou sisters' childhood home… "You are?"
A sharp question snapped him back.
He set Kanae on the sofa and smiled at the displeased middle-aged man.
"Good evening, I'm Ryuji."
"Dad, don't be like that—he saved my life…"
Kocho Kanae murmured while her mother bandaged her ankle. "I ran into a murderer on the way home… Mr. Ryuji rescued me."
Ryuji caught on at once—she didn't want her parents frightened.
He bowed slightly. "Uncle, Auntie, good evening. It was nothing; I just pretended to be a patrolling officer and scared him off."
Kochou Kazuko paled, hugging her daughter and shooting her husband a glare.
Kocho Jiro felt no embarrassment—only alarm. Pretending to be a cop had worked?
He'd seen the victims… but if Kanae wanted to spare Kazuko, fine. Still, was this young man really just passing by?
"Dear, don't just stand there—our guest is leaving; that's no way to treat him," Kazuko whispered, nudging him.
He hurried forward and gripped Ryuji's arm—muscular, very strong.
Interesting. Outwardly he only smiled. "Since you're Kanae's savior, you must stay for dinner. Shinobu, apologize!"
"Sorry…"
Shinobu Kocho stuck out her tongue and bowed; no more jokes.
She'd thought her sister was bringing a boyfriend home… Ryuji tried to refuse but the warm insistence of the Kochou couple won, and he stayed.
He asked Little Red to deliver a note to Himejima Gyomei: something had come up; he'd return later.
At the table the atmosphere was cozy and bright.
Knock… knock… knock.
A heavy thud shattered the quiet night.
"I'll get it!"
The ever-lively Shinobu Kocho jumped up.
"Stay put!"
Kocho Jiro blocked her, frowning. "Who calls this late?"
He rose and headed for the door.
Ryuji felt uneasy; those knocks were too forceful, not human.
"Uncle, I'll come with you."
He followed, excusing himself: "I'm sturdier—I can back you up."
Kocho Jiro studied him, then nodded. "Alright."
They opened the door to find a frantic middle-aged man.
"Doctor, please save my child! Save Kojiro—he's gone mad, he's biting people! And he's terrifyingly strong!"
Ryuji's eyes narrowed. "Biting? Does he want to eat them too?"
The man's eyes darted, then he nodded wildly. "Yes, young doctor, he tried to bite his mother!"
Ryuji's tone turned grim. "Take me to your house—now."
Too convenient—but a demon had to be slain. He glanced at Kocho Jiro and saw the same suspicion.
Ah, so he'd noticed as well… "Bring my emergency kit!"
Kocho Jiro called back into the house, then looked at Ryuji, resolve blazing in his eyes.
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