"Can I help you with something?" A look of surprise appeared on Kaori's face, then she smiled softly: "Let's not talk about help for now. Why don't you introduce yourself first?"
"Kuromori Haruto."
"I'm Miyazono Kaori, but you can call me Kaori, or Onee-san~."
After the introductions were done, Kaori led Haruto into the inner room. The space wasn't big, resembling a small living room.
"Kuromori-kun, you're still the same as when you were a child. But don't worry, Onee-san won't eat you."
Kaori couldn't help but tease him.
When they met as children, Haruto had been a shy, quiet, and kind kid.
Now, even though his expression was calm, Haruto still didn't talk much. Perhaps he was still a little shy.
No wonder Tsubaki urged her to take advantage of the situation. As this young man grew older, he was indeed very handsome.
Haruto remained silent at Kaori's teasing.
'I'm pathetic! Now, I'm not the shy kid I used to be. If Ichika were to describe me, I'm almost about to evolve into Zombie Greymon!'
Looking at Kaori, Haruto said calmly, "I'm neither scared nor nervous. You don't have to worry."
After a pause, he held out his hand: "Give me the red string."
"Huh?"
Kaori was taken aback, then raised her hand, looking at the red thread around her wrist with a complicated expression, and said, "Actually, I've always wanted to meet you again, to thank you in person. Because if it weren't for you, I might have died a long time ago."
Saying this, Kaori didn't hesitate and untied the red string, handing it to Haruto.
"Now, the red string should be returned to you."
Haruto took the red string, glanced at Kaori, then put it away: "You misunderstand, I didn't come here to take back the red string, but because the power of this string is almost depleted."
From the first moment he saw Kaori, Haruto could tell something was wrong. Even though she had put on makeup, she couldn't hide the tiredness on her face.
Her condition must have worsened again over time.
He didn't know that Kaori had been seriously ill to begin with, but even so, the red string he had given her protected her for ten years.
"So, this is for you."
Haruto took out another red string and handed it to Kaori.
The red string.
Haruto had a special fondness for red strings. The reason was related to a youkai that claimed to be a god.
Of course, the gods referred to here weren't omniscient and omnipotent beings, but rather youkai that humans considered to be gods. After all, it's said that there are eight million gods in this world!
Even though most had faded from the human realm as the world developed, "gods" still existed.
"For me?"
Kaori looked at him in surprise. She thought Haruto had come to reclaim the red string, but instead, he replaced it with a new one?
"Kuromori-kun, this won't be a problem for you, right?" Kaori didn't answer immediately, but a look of concern crossed her face.
"It won't."
His superpower were theoretically omnipotent, and Haruto could cure almost any illness, but it would be tricky when it came to congenital defects or severe cases.
Take Nishimiya Shouko, for example.
A simple touch wouldn't heal her immediately; it required further contact.
Besides, Haruto didn't know her well at the time, and it wasn't necessary to suddenly be overly kind to a girl he barely knew.
It would have been too easy to be mistaken for a creepy guy.
But now, those concerns didn't seem to apply anymore.
And Kaori's condition was quite serious. If she wanted to recover quickly, physical contact would be necessary. At the very least, Haruto would need to massage her entire body a few times!
But keeping her alive? That was easy.
"Really?"
Kaori looked at him with bright, wide eyes, but unfortunately, nothing could be discerned from his expression.
"It won't be a problem."
"I see."
Kaori pondered for a moment, then gently held out her hand. Her pale wrist was almost transparent, with faint cyan veins visible.
Maybe from years of playing musical instruments, Kaori's hands were also slender and delicate, with neatly trimmed nails that made them quite beautiful.
Kaori said playfully, "Then, could I ask Kuromori-kun to tie it for Onee-san?"
Haruto's face remained expressionless: "Sorry, I can't."
He didn't know why, but some older girls liked to act as if they were more experienced and then tease younger guys.
Kaori was clearly not an introvert. So why was she teasing him? Maybe because she was older and thicker-skinned?
Was this okay?
Arima Kousei knew the truth about this very well!
That's right!
Upon entering, Haruto lifted the restriction, allowing Kousei to see Kaori.
He could feel Kousei's excitement.
But now, like a computer suddenly crashing, Kousei was silent!
"Really... Kuromori-kun, your rejection is too blunt."
Kaori put on a hurt expression: "You could treat me as your older sister, you know."
Saying this, Kaori tied the red string on her wrist, shook her wrist a little, and lifted the corners of her mouth slightly: "How is it? Does it look good?"
Haruto looked at her and honestly said, "Not bad."
A bright smile appeared on Kaori's face: "Thanks for the compliment, Kuromori-kun."
It was simply the truth, not a compliment at all!
Haruto decisively changed the subject, looking at the piano in the corner: "Can I play that piano?"
"Eh? Kuromori-kun, can you play the piano too?" Kaori's eyes suddenly sparkled, then she stood up and said, "Of course, Kuromori-kun. I could even be your instructor. After all, Onee-san is quite confident in her piano skills."
Her piano skills were indeed good.
Haruto walked to the piano and sat down. He had learned the piano before, so it wasn't unfamiliar to him.
He closed his eyes, and after a moment, lifted his hands, his ten fingers skillfully moving across the keys.
Kaori sat beside him, resting her chin in her hand, squinting her eyes as she listened intently. A look of surprise gradually appeared on her face, then she closed her eyes and listened even more carefully.