Chapter 13: Yotsuya Miko’s Day of Disaster
Utaha studied the timid girl standing before her, the corners of her lips curving into a knowing smile. Ever since she’d become a demon, her sensitivity to certain things had sharpened—especially when it came to the strange, the supernatural, and the cursed.
And this girl, she was clearly reacting to something no one else could see. Her eyes would freeze, her shoulders tense, every time they passed by a spirit lingering in the shadows.
This girl can see them, Utaha thought, her conclusion firm. She’s got the gift. A rare one. And perhaps exactly the kind of talent Lynn is looking for in a new family member.
She had to bring her to him. Ever since she’d joined Lynn’s side and become part of his demonic household, Kasumigaoka Utaha might have retained her sharp tongue, but she’d also stepped naturally into the role. If Lynn needed people—needed a clan—then she’d do her part to help build it.
“So,” she asked, tilting her head slightly, “want to come take a look?”
Yotsuya Miko hesitated. Something about this so-called Supernatural Research Club gave her pause. It reminded her too much of the shrines she’d visited before—places full of rituals and incense but empty of real solutions. Still, there was something about Kasumigaoka’s earlier words that clung to her mind.
You seem like someone who really needs help right now.
Why had she said that? Did she see something? Could she tell?
Utaha, watching the subtle flickers across Miko’s face, knew she’d hit her mark. Hesitation meant interest. Interest meant hope. She just needed a nudge. Without waiting for a reply, she looped her arm around Miko’s and gave it a tug.
The door to the Supernatural Research Club creaked open.
“President, I brought… someone.”
Utaha stepped aside to reveal Yotsuya Miko standing behind her. The girl peeked nervously into the classroom, her eyes scanning every corner. Then her shoulders sagged in quiet relief. A sanctuary—there were no cursed spirits here.
Lynn caught sight of her and immediately knew. Another one, he thought. Another future kin.
“Nice job, Utaha-mon.”
“Oh?” she arched a brow. “Is there a reward for me?”
“How about a magic replenishment?”
The moment those words left his mouth, a faint blush crept across her cheeks. That scene from earlier, she remembered, the heat from that memory rushing back.
But instead of rejecting it, she just smirked faintly.
“I’ll save it for later. When I need it, I’ll come and claim it.”
Lynn blinked, caught a little off guard. She was definitely getting bolder around him lately. Still, with Yotsuya standing awkwardly nearby, he didn’t dwell on it. Reaching into his desk, he pulled out a form and handed it over.
“Yotsuya-san, let’s start with this. Fill it out.”
She blinked in surprise. “Eh? You know me?”
A girl with the sight. He didn’t bother explaining.
Yotsuya Miko sat down and accepted the form. She was already here, after all. But—
“Supernatural Research Club Membership Application?”
She stared at the words in disbelief. She hadn’t agreed to join anything.
She was still trying to figure out how to politely refuse when Lynn’s voice dropped low, his tone suddenly dark and knowing.
“You can see them, can’t you… Yotsuya?”
Her entire body froze. Her pupils trembled. Wh-what?! That handsome boy… could he be one of them? A cursed spirit in disguise?
This whole club—was it all just a trap? Some demonic trick to lure me in?!
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as panic overtook her face. Her thighs trembled violently, and for a moment, it felt like something had… slipped out.
She wanted, more than anything, to do what she always did—pretend she hadn’t seen anything.
But the form… the damn form was still in her hands.
I’m done for, she thought, gripping the paper with shaking fingers. I’m going to get eaten…
Lynn stared at her, expression unreadable. Even Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced down toward the girl’s thighs, her gaze sharp. Sometimes, demon senses really were a bit too accurate.
“She wet herself,” Utaha murmured inwardly. “Poor girl.”
Their eyes met—Lynn and Utaha—and for a moment, neither spoke.
“Don’t worry, Yotsuya-san,” Lynn finally said. “We’re not cursed spirits.”
But it was too late. Yotsuya wasn’t listening anymore. Or rather—she didn’t dare respond.
He says he isn’t one. So I’m supposed to just believe that? I’ve seen spirits pretend before. Some of them even smiled like that.
“Even if you don’t know me,” Lynn added, “you must’ve heard of Kasumigaoka Utaha, right?”
Yotsuya blinked. That name… on the way here, she had thought Utaha looked familiar.
“You’re that famous Sleeping Beauty!”
Utaha twitched. Her eye narrowed. Her toes curled involuntarily. That nickname. Out loud. Seriously?
Ah—crap! Miko’s hand shot to her mouth. Did I just say that aloud?!
She risked a glance at both of them. No transformations. No sudden bursts of demonic laughter. Just two slightly awkward people, one annoyed, the other bemused.
She let out a shaky breath. Maybe… just maybe… this wasn’t a nightmare after all.
If they were demon spirits, wouldn’t they have devoured her the moment she started talking?
As Yotsuya Miko calmed down, a few details came back to her. Still, she couldn’t help but whisper, “Really… no cursed spirits, sir?”
Lynn gave her a reassuring nod.
Seeing her reaction, Miko finally relaxed.
“We’re demons. How could we possibly be trash like cursed spirits?”
Her body, which had just loosened up, instantly went stiff again.
Almost crying, she broke down. “Isn’t that even worse?!”