Chapter 12
The summer sun blazed fiercely over the bustling streets of Gensokyo.
It hung high in the sky, releasing its heat relentlessly.
Even after the crisis alert had been lifted, the station, convenience stores, and pedestrian streets were still filled with people.
The population of the Demon Race Special District was more complex than that of a typical city.
In addition to humans, there were many other Demon Races.
As a result, people in strange and exotic attire were not uncommon.
In contrast,
Byakuya's attire could only be described as ordinary to the point of being unremarkable.
His combination of loose shorts, a shirt, and flip-flops was extremely common in the area.
However, the two witches following behind him, Nanakou Natsuki and Sendoumu Ayame, drew plenty of stares.
But not because of their appearance.
Rather, it was because of their clothing.
The intricate layers of the Junhitoe, with its various garments interlocked, and the gothic lolita dress made them look stiflingly hot just to look at.
It was certainly strange to be dressed like that in the middle of summer.
Nanakou Natsuki trailed closely behind Byakuya.
Her eyes were fixed on every move he made.
After all, this guy was incredibly dangerous.
Even though he had promised to hold back, she wouldn't just blindly trust a man of unknown origin.
"Not bad."
Byakuya chuckled as he walked ahead.
After leaving the prison barrier, he received his reward for the mission.
A card suddenly appeared in his hand.
The card was called "Light of Sealing Sword."
In Yu-Gi-Oh!, its effect was to make a face-down monster face-up, negate the effects of flip monsters, and seal the opponent's attack for three turns.
But in the real world, there was no concept of three turns or face-down and face-up monsters.
Therefore, when this thing was used, it would create a sealing barrier.
The only problem was that it had a limited number of uses.
After three uses, the power would disappear.
"Though it has a limited number of uses, the effect is pretty good."
After all, it wasn't a particularly difficult task to punch in, so the reward wouldn't be too good either.
Of course,
Byakuya wouldn't mind getting a direct upgrade and having the card system give him another Phantasmal Lord.
"What limit? And what do you mean by a good effect?"
Nanakou Natsuki asked from behind, her voice tinged with anxiety.
She was afraid this man would suddenly go crazy in the middle of the city.
"I meant, it seems my threat effect is working. We've walked this long and no one has stopped me yet, have they?"
Byakuya smiled.
It seemed that no one else could see him receive his rewards besides him.
But, it didn't matter how things went.
It was time for him to enjoy himself.
"Natsuki-chan, that ice cream shop looks delicious."
Upon hearing this,
Nanakou Natsuki's first thought was that this guy was trying to eat the entire shop?
But she quickly realized he just wanted ice cream.
"If you want to eat it, then go buy it. Do I look like I can stop you?"
Nanakou Natsuki said helplessly.
"So Natsuki-chan already assumes I'm rich? It's fine, if I don't have money, I'll just steal it."
Byakuya joked.
"Stop, stop, stop. I... I'll go pay for it, okay."
Nanakou Natsuki quickly interrupted.
After all, he was very capable of doing something like that.
And stealing ice cream, can you expand your horizons as a Demon King a bit?
"Natsuki-chan is so considerate, truly worthy of being the woman I see."
After saying this,
Byakuya walked up to the counter and carefully examined the menu above.
It had to be said.
Gensokyo truly was a big city.
The most expensive ice cream he'd ever had before was a five-yuan Choco Pie.
In this big city, any ice cream could cost hundreds of yen.
Even though it was Japanese yen, it was still over twenty dollars after conversion.
After carefully choosing,
Byakuya spoke.
"Give me the most expensive one."
A few minutes later.
The shop clerk brought Byakuya an ice cream container that required both hands to hold.
"That will be twelve thousand yen, thank you for your patronage."
What the heck?
Is this ice cream made of gold or gold dust?
"Put it on the tab of the person behind me."
After saying that, Byakuya walked away holding the ice cream container.
Then, the clerk looked at Nanakou Natsuki behind Byakuya.
Nanakou Natsuki pulled out her wallet and silently paid.
Although she was the one who said she'd treat him, why did this feel so unpleasant?
"I'll have one too, same person paying."
Sendoumu Ayame said lightly, and then took a basic ice cream.
"Six hundred twenty yen, thank you."
Nanakou Natsuki continued to pay.
But if looks could kill, Byakuya and Sendoumu Ayame would have died countless times.
Afterwards.
Nanakou Natsuki followed closely behind Byakuya, paying for everything he saw and took.
This unusual behavior made people very confused.
Normally wouldn't it be the man paying?
Why did it change this time?
And it was such a young girl?
Wasn't she still a school girl?
Being taken care of by a rich school girl?
The people who instantly envisioned a special plot in their minds looked at Byakuya with envy.
He might be dressed sloppily, but he definitely had the looks to be taken care of.
Noticing those strange looks from the people around her, Nanakou Natsuki quickly left the crepe stand.
At the same time, Sendoumu Ayame's laughter could be heard beside her.
"I can't believe you'd be put in your place like that, Natsuki."
"You don't need to say anything."
She glared coldly at her former friend who was mocking her.
"Natsuki, do you know how long it's been since we were together like this?"
Hearing that,
Nanakou Natsuki fell silent.
"If you hadn't done what you did, Ayame, maybe we would have stayed like this forever."
"But I can say the same thing to you, Natsuki."
After saying that.
The two witches fell into a strange silence.
One had lost her friendship for the sake of the people of Gensokyo.
And the other, for the sake of changing the fate of witches, had lost her reverence for life.
Neither was right or wrong.
Neither of them had ever regretted their choices.
"I say, are you two being tsundere?"
At this point.
Byakuya turned back, holding the ice cream bucket.
"If you want to protect each other, just say it out loud. What's the point of hiding it?"
"Who would want to protect someone like her?"
"Who would want to protect someone like her?"
The two witches said in unison.
Byakuya saw this, a happy smile spread across his face as he nodded repeatedly: "Not bad, not bad, truly worthy of being the women I see."