She forced a stiff smile and asked Yumiko awkwardly,
"Is...is that magic?"
Yumiko raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Yui, are you kidding me? You know I have this ability—so why ask something like that?"
She blinked at "Yui."
"Seriously, Yui, you're acting really strange today."
Yui's mother, in Yui's body, tensed up. She definitely didn't want anyone finding out about her body-swap situation. Then something flashed through her mind—had she forgotten she herself wasn't Yui? This body swap itself was already proof that the world wasn't normal. Meaning...what they were discussing might actually be true?!
While Yumiko was about to press Yui further, Kawasaki Saki suddenly grabbed Yumiko's hand.
"Hey, you—could you teach me your superpower?!"
Yumiko felt awkward under her intense gaze, so she temporarily forgot about Yui's odd behavior.
"Sorry, I can't teach you. I only have these abilities because Rei Ao-kun granted them."
Kawasaki Saki remembered very clearly the person who had saved her life, so of course she couldn't forget Rei Ao.
Yumiko waved her hand.
"Anyway, if you want that kind of thing, only he can give it to you."
"Before we go any further," Yukinoshita Yukino cut in coolly, "please don't casually use your power on our desks and chairs, Miura-san."
Luckily, it was only a small hole in the table. If she'd gone overboard and destroyed school property, they'd have a big headache explaining it.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it—what a pain."
Yumiko knew she was at fault for damaging the desk, so she didn't try to argue.
"Um... Yukinoshita-san?" Kawasaki Saki spoke up hesitantly.
"Could you or someone here help me get in contact with Rei Ao-kun? I want to thank him properly, and also talk about learning some kind of self-defense power."
Yukinoshita and Yumiko glanced at each other.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Rei Ao, something has come up that concerns you."
Rei Ao: "Oh? Something about me? Let's hear it."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Remember Kawasaki Saki, the girl you saved before?"
Rei Ao: "That was only a few days ago. I'm not that senile yet."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Sorry, I read that overindulging in certain desires can lead to memory loss."
He sensed Yukinoshita's subtle jab—apparently referencing his, shall we say, very active romantic life.
Rei Ao: "All right, let's get to the point."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Kawasaki Saki wants to meet you. She chose to learn the truth, so I've told her what you said I was allowed to share."
Rei Ao: "It's her choice, so we should respect it. Where is she?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "At the Service Club."
Miura Yumiko: "I'm here with her and Yui, too."
He really was. And his sudden appearance startled Yui's mother so badly she nearly jumped out of her skin.
She let out a shriek, stumbling backward. Seeing someone appear out of nowhere like that was enough to scare her half to death.
Rei Ao quickly grabbed her arm before she fell, pulling her into his arms so she wouldn't topple over. But then he gazed at "Yui's" eyes, as if peering into her very soul, making Yui's mother blush fiercely. She hastily escaped his arms.
Yumiko blinked. She definitely noticed how "Yui" reacted. She's acting super weird today...
"Rei Ao-kun?!" Kawasaki Saki stared in shock. A moment ago, there'd been no one in that spot, and now he was just...there!
How did he do that...?
Rei Ao withdrew his strangely probing look from "Yui" and turned to Kawasaki:
"I heard you wanted to see me?"
Kawasaki remembered her purpose here, pressed down her confusion, and bowed low:
"Rei Ao-kun, thank you so much for saving me the other day. I didn't even get to say thanks properly—I'm sorry!"
"Apology unnecessary," Rei Ao said, waving it off. You were in shock at the time—I totally get it."
Having your worldview collapse was rough, after all. Calmness alone was admirable.
"Anyway, let's talk about your current business. I heard from Yukino you needed me for something, and it's probably more than just a thank-you, right?"
"If it's to erase your memories, I can do that right now."
Hearing that last line, Yui's mother felt her mind spin again. Erasing memories?! He can do that?!
Kawasaki Saki quickly shook her head. She definitely didn't want to lose those memories.
After gulping anxiously, she mustered her courage:
"Could you teach me how to learn superpowers?"
"Learn superpowers?" Rei Ao repeated, genuinely surprised.
"What for—self-defense? So you can keep working as a bar hostess?"
Kawasaki said with a bitter smile,
"I already quit that part-time job."
After the terrifying experience she'd had, she realized the danger. She also wanted more time at home, so she let it go.
Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow: "Does that mean your family's financial problems are fixed?"
Kawasaki shook her head.
"Not at all. But there's not much more I can do for them. I hope my parents can hold out somehow."
Rei Ao stroked his chin thoughtfully and suddenly asked:
"Do you know how to handle household chores—like cleaning, tidying?"
Kawasaki had no idea why he asked, but she answered politely out of respect for her savior:
"Yes, I'm very confident in my domestic skills."
"In that case," Rei Ao proposed, "I might have a safer job for you to make some money. If you're free on weekends, you can come by my place and handle household chores. My house is pretty big."
Kawasaki's eyes went wide.
"And about the pay—whatever you earned in a week at the bar, I'll match that."
Kawasaki blurted out in disbelief. Doing housework for that much money? If that was real, of course she'd be interested.
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