Genichi stood in the living room of the Yukinoshita residence. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm patches of light across the floor.
He neither sat down nor touched the tea. He simply stood there with his back perfectly straight, resembling an unsheathed blade.
Haruno sat on the sofa across from him, holding a cup of black tea without drinking it.
Her gaze remained fixed on Genichi's face, curiosity and anticipation gleaming in her dark eyes.
"I discovered something."
Genichi's voice was calm, but his tone carried an undeniable seriousness.
"Vengeful spirits only exist in Japan. More precisely, no other country appears to have them."
Haruno gently ran her fingers over the surface of her teacup, her brows drawing together slightly.
"Only Japan? There aren't any anywhere else?"
Genichi nodded.
"I sent my shadows to investigate. China, America, Europe, Africa, every shadow reported the same thing. No vengeful spirits and no trace of any supernatural power."
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
"Japan is the only place where vengeful spirits exist."
Haruno set down her teacup and leaned forward slightly.
Her expression became serious, the usual laziness and casual amusement vanishing from her face.
"So the source of the vengeful spirits is somewhere in Japan?"
A trace of approval flashed through Genichi's eyes as he looked at her.
This woman really was clever.
"Most likely. The source of the vengeful spirits should be somewhere on this island nation."
Haruno gently tapped her fingers against her knee as countless possibilities raced through her mind.
What was the source of the vengeful spirits?
Was it a place?
An object?
Or some kind of being?
If it was a place, where could it be?
If it was an object, what could it possibly be?
If it was a living being, who was it?
She thought for a long time but couldn't find an answer. Finally, she raised her head and looked at Genichi.
"What do you need me to do?"
Genichi walked over and stopped before her, looking down at her from above.
Sunlight streamed in behind him, casting his shadow over Haruno and enveloping her completely.
"Quite a few people in this world can see vengeful spirits."
His voice was soft, but every word was perfectly clear.
"I want you to find them and bring them to me."
Haruno froze for a moment.
Find the people who could see vengeful spirits?
Bring them to Genichi?
A thought flashed through her mind. Genichi wanted to question those people about the source of the vengeful spirits.
Anyone capable of seeing those creatures would know at least a little more about them than an ordinary person.
They might have seen where the spirits came from, know where they gathered, or have heard legends concerning their origin.
If they could provide useful clues, Genichi would be able to find the answer much faster.
"All right."
Haruno nodded.
"I'll mobilize every resource available to the Yukinoshita family and find them."
Genichi looked at her and shook his head.
"This isn't a request. It's an order. You will accomplish what I have asked of you."
Haruno's expression stiffened.
Of course she knew this wasn't a request.
"I understand."
Genichi's expression softened slightly.
"First, find an elderly woman named Mitsue Takeda. She is also known as the Godmother of the Downtown and Godmother Mitsue. She claims to be a godmother, and according to the information I obtained, she can vaguely perceive vengeful spirits. She is also rumored to know how to make exorcism beads. Starting with her should help us make progress."
Haruno's eyes lit up.
"How do you know all that?"
Genichi didn't answer.
"This is the first task I've given you."
His voice was solemn.
"I hope you won't disappoint me."
A faint light flickered in Haruno's dark eyes as she looked at him.
She understood the weight behind those words.
A first task meant there might never be a second opportunity.
If she failed, Genichi would no longer trust her. He wouldn't assign her any more tasks or regard her as someone he could rely upon.
Haruno rose and walked up to him, tilting her head back to meet his eyes.
"I won't disappoint you."
Genichi looked at her and nodded.
He turned to leave, but Haruno reached out and caught his sleeve.
"By the way, what kind of magic did you obtain, and where did you get it?"
Her voice held curiosity, along with a trace of tension she couldn't completely hide.
Genichi stopped and glanced back at her.
"Healing magic. If used properly, it will be tremendously valuable to the Yukinoshita family."
Disappointment flashed through Haruno's eyes.
Healing magic?
It wasn't offensive magic?
It wasn't something that could make her mother more powerful?
She had expected her mother to gain something like the Shadow Monarch's power, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, or at least some form of combat magic.
Healing magic was certainly useful, but in Haruno's mind, it was merely a support ability. It was meant to save lives, not take them.
Genichi saw through her thoughts but offered no explanation.
Haruno still didn't understand how valuable healing magic was in this world.
In the DxD world, Sacred Gears with healing abilities were coveted by every major faction.
In this world, which otherwise possessed almost no supernatural power, magic capable of healing any wound or illness was priceless.
With it, the members of the Yukinoshita family would effectively possess a second life.
Serious injuries would no longer matter. As long as the victim still drew breath, they could be saved.
Grave illnesses would no longer be fatal. As long as the patient hadn't died, they could be healed.
At a critical moment, such an ability would be far more valuable than any offensive magic.
"That's enough."
Genichi interrupted before she could say anything else.
"Your most important task right now is finding those who can see vengeful spirits."
Haruno pouted slightly but still picked up her phone.
"Yes, yes. I'll arrange it right now."
With Genichi watching, Haruno made several calls and began issuing instructions to her subordinates.
Her voice was cool and efficient, completely unlike her usual lazy demeanor.
She ordered them to locate Mitsue, contact anyone rumored to possess the ability to see ghosts, and collect every available lead concerning supernatural incidents.
Every instruction was clear, and every requirement was specific and actionable.
Several minutes later, she ended the final call and waved her phone in front of Genichi.
"Done."
Genichi nodded.
"Good."
Haruno lowered her phone and walked up to him, tilting her head back to meet his gaze.
The corner of her mouth rose into a foxlike smile.
"Now that I've finished, perhaps we can do something else?"
Genichi frowned slightly.
"Such as?"
Haruno didn't answer. She merely stepped closer.
Less than half a meter now separated them. She could see the curve of his eyelashes and catch the faint, clean scent lingering on him.
She raised one foot and lightly brushed her toes against his calf, her touch as soft as a feather.
Her foot slowly traveled upward along the side of his leg.
Genichi's body stiffened slightly.
He could feel her toes gently catching against the fabric of his trousers and the warmth of her skin seeping through the cloth.
His breathing grew heavier. His heart began to race, sending blood surging through his body.
He lowered his gaze to her, finding her dark eyes filled with cunning delight.
"You're playing with fire."
His voice had grown hoarse.
Haruno's smile deepened.
She could clearly sense his reaction, and the knowledge filled her with satisfaction.
She raised her other leg and hooked it around his waist, practically hanging from his body.
"You seem rather interested in my feet."
Her voice was soft, carrying temptation, teasing, and a hint of nervousness that even she hadn't noticed.
"So what are you waiting for?"
Genichi stared into her dark eyes, at the face inches from his own, and at her slightly parted lips.
Desire surged through him.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace.
Haruno's body was soft and warm against him, like a languid cat curling into its favorite place.
"Are you sure?"
His voice was low enough that only she could hear it.
Haruno didn't answer.
She rose onto her toes and kissed him.
Genichi no longer hesitated.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
Haruno looped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder. The corner of her mouth curled into a quietly triumphant smile.
(End of Chapter)
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