The decision was not without reason. El realized the danger that lurked between Sawa and Aoi if they remained outside, especially in the midst of the current chaotic situation.
Although it seemed like an impulsive agreement, El knew this was the most logical step to ensure their safety. Besides, El could not constantly rely on the Elders to take care of all the Cursed Children.
Although he often donated funds for the welfare of the children under the Elders' care, he realized that taking care of them directly was also part of his responsibility.
At the very least, entangling himself with responsibility made him feel as if he was human.
Upon hearing El's sincere offer, Sawa and Aoi looked so happy. They said in unison, "Adrian-san, you are very kind..."
"Looks like our little family is about to grow," Kayo murmured, sighing with a pleased smile.
El smiled faintly, replying in a calm tone, "Good, huh? I've never thought of myself as a good person. But if you guys think so, I won't mind it."
Kayo quietly tried to understand El's statement. On the one hand, she saw El as a kind-hearted figure, but El himself didn't think so. This thought made Kayo a little confused and curious.
'Exactly why does Adrian-san never consider herself a good person?' Kayo thought silently, 'Can't what he did be said to be a good act?'
Unnoticed, their conversation flowed casually, interspersed with light laughter while enjoying the meat dishes that were placed on the table.
Twenty minutes later, the food was gone. Sawa and Aoi said goodbye to go home for a while, accompanied by Kayo, to retrieve some of their most prized possessions.
Meanwhile, El and Yuri walked side by side, enjoying this rare moment of togetherness.
"Yuri, why did you take the initiative to help Sawa?" asked El in a flat tone, while glancing at Yuri who was walking next to him.
"That girl has 20% similarity with my Master's face, and the condition of her eyes is also very similar," Yuri replied without turning his head, his gaze straight ahead, as if avoiding further discussion.
El nodded slowly, letting her mind wander for a moment, imagining what Master Yuri looked like. If there was a chance in the future, he intended to seek out that figure for a lesson.
Something about the way Yuri referred to his Master made El feel that this person was no ordinary cultivator.
"You're very good at playing the violin. Can you teach me?" asked El in a cold tone, yet without any ill will and not turning her head.
El spoke without turning his head in the slightest, her demeanor remained firm and matter-of-fact. Although his tone sounded cold, there was no ill will implied, just a genuine interest wrapped in his stiff demeanor.
Yuri, who was walking with the violin still in her hand, smiled faintly. The look in his eyes was gentle, yet confident.
"No problem," she replied in a warm tone, returning El's indifference with her trademark cheerfulness. "I'll teach you how to use the violin. You'll definitely become a violin grandmaster."
El just gave a small nod, saying nothing more. His gaze remained straight ahead, as if he was contemplating something that only he knew.
Not long walking, the two of them saw a narrow alley, El and Yuri turned. Quickly, Yuri took advantage of the opportunity to deactivate his Illusion Spell.
After deactivating the Illusion, Yuri went back into El's body to rest, because she had used too much Qi.
Exiting the alley, El continued on her way to her apartment. He planned to prepare a new room for new tenant.
El's apartment was quite luxurious and had many rooms. Although he had thought about buying a mansion or a big building, El felt that it was not efficient enough, so he abandoned the idea.
"Somehow, I'm going to be a father now," he thought to himself, as he strode through the busy and boisterous crowd around him.
"Should I adopt them both? Even though I've never been married, except for the fake marriage with Kirai anyway. But, how do I adopt a child?" he muttered in his mind.
***
At this moment, El and Kayo stepped steadily amidst the rubble of the city's ruined outer areas, the scars of past battles and destruction.
The buildings that once stood tall were now empty skeletons, filled with dust and concrete fragments scattered along the streets.
Kayo had a smaller Katana hanging from his waist. On her back was a large bag, slightly bulging with the weight of the Assault Rifle and several magazines of bullets prepared for emergencies.
On the other hand, El looked more modest. Only Metsu, his flagship sword, was strapped to his waist, hanging quietly yet ready to be used at any time.
After a while of walking through the rubble, El and Kayo finally arrived at an open school building, without walls, roof or windows.
Sunlight shone into the open room, warming the body and revealing a group of Cursed Children sitting on their chairs, attentive to a teenager who acted as a teacher, writing on a makeshift blackboard.
The teenager's name was Rentaro Satomi. She had a slender body and messy dark blue hair, with slightly narrowed eyes and blue irises.
Rentaro wore a black suit that covered his entire body. The jacket, which was left open with only a single button connecting the two sides in the middle, displayed a much lighter color on the inside; resembling a light blue.
Near the young man, an elder with a friendly face observed with a warm smile, witnessing their rarely seen cheerfulness.
On the other side, a beautiful young girl, her hair a little messy but still charming, watched the young man with curiosity and admiration every time he wrote something down on the board.
Her name was Kisara Tendo, she was an alluring young woman of graceful beauty.
Her glistening white skin exuded softness, while her piercing purple eyes seemed to radiate mystery and attraction. Kisara's long eyelashes give the impression of more expressive and alluring eyes, with thin lips that seem to invite attention.
Her long hair is cut in a traditional Japanese style, giving her a sense of grace and elegance. The dark green-brown color of her hair, reminiscent of leaves glistening in the evening light, adds a natural and charming feel.
Kisara wore a black dress that was simple yet stunning. The dress was adorned with a red handkerchief tied neatly around her neck, providing a contrasting yet balanced color accent.
The design of the dress was connected to a skirt designed with delicate details, shaped like a blossoming flower.
The petals of the skirt were slightly patterned, flowing gracefully and exposing her thighs, adding a sensual yet modest feel.
As El and Kayo stepped closer, the elder noticed their presence. He nodded with a genuine smile. El nodded back quietly, almost imperceptibly, but enough to show respect.
Meanwhile, the young girl watching the teacher looked a little confused at El's approach, as if wondering who he was and what would happen next.
After arriving, El greeted in a calm yet friendly voice. "You guys are studying seriously apparently... " he said, looking at the blackboard in front of the class.
The Cursed Child stood up and ran to El with faces full of joy. Their smiles widened, and some of them called out to him in loud, excited voices.
"Big Brother Numb is back!" one little girl exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Gloomy Brother!" shouted another, reminding her how El was often silent without saying much.
"Ah, Wall-face!" said another little girl, a nickname they gave her because El's face was like a wall, hardly ever smiling.
"Hey, ice statue!" a little girl exclaimed with a laugh, reminding her how El always had a cold expression.