Kaoru stared out of the café window, his mind filled with questions and confusion. The world outside continued to turn, people passed by without knowing that, inside his head, a battle was raging.
"Good grief," he thought, letting out a long sigh. "Problems keep lining up like they're waiting in a queue in my life. Is living a normal life really that hard for someone like me?"
How long had Kaoru tried to live an ordinary life? Trying to escape the shadows of his past as a hero? But every time he felt like he was close to grasping it, something always pulled him back into the dangerous and complex world of the supernatural.
His thoughts drifted back to the issue at hand. That Collector clearly knew a lot about him—too much. Kaoru knew that refusing this request might mean losing his one shot at getting the 2022 smartphone he needed. "I doubt there's another collector who has a phone like that. How long will he wait before offering it to someone else?"
Kaoru felt torn. The phone was one of the few objects connecting him to his past, and if he missed this chance, he likely wouldn't find another one. On the other hand, he didn't appreciate being pushed around like this.
"Rather than waiting for something uncertain, I might as well find out what the request is," Kaoru reflected. "If it involves crime or something I can't accept, I can just take the phone by force. That Collector has to know who he's dealing with." Kaoru's gaze grew sharper. "But if it's something... reasonable, I might consider it."
Having made up his mind, Kaoru stood up from his seat, slipping the small piece of paper with the meeting address into his coat pocket. He stepped out of the café with a steady stride, determined to face whatever awaited him there.
Kaoru arrived at the front of the old mansion, located on the outskirts of Tokyo, just as the address had indicated. The place was quiet, with ancient architecture that stood in stark contrast to the modern buildings of the city center. Dim light from a few windows suggested the place was occupied, but it still felt mysterious and full of secrets.
The mansion's large door slowly creaked open, and instead of the elderly servant Kaoru had imagined, a young woman in her twenties greeted him. Her appearance immediately caught Kaoru's attention. She had long, flowing purple hair that hung down her back, and part of her face was hidden beneath an eyepatch over her left eye, while her right eye gleamed yellow with a piercing gaze. Her figure was curvy, and her tight servant outfit—a black blouse, white trousers, and white gloves—displayed a sense of confidence.
With a slight smile on her lips, she gave a graceful bow. "May I help you, sir?" Her voice was soft yet formal, as if she knew exactly who was standing before her.
Kaoru eyed the woman for a moment, focusing his mind to use his magical sight—a power that allowed him to see the unseen: to detect energy, magical forces, or someone's supernatural aura. In an instant, he could tell that the woman in front of him was not an ordinary person. There was hidden power behind her calm demeanor.
"Yes," Kaoru replied, keeping his tone calm, "Is this Madam Towako's residence?"
The woman straightened herself, her expression unchanged, but a hint of respect flickered in her eyes. "So, that's how it is. You're an important guest of Madam Towako, aren't you, Mr. Kaoru-sama?"
Kaoru nodded, remaining cautious, observing the woman's every move. She wasn't just an ordinary servant—the aura she emitted had a darker, stronger presence.
"Yes, I'm Kaoru Rasputin."
The woman seemed a little surprised to hear his last name. "Rasputin?" she muttered, as if trying to connect the name to something. Though there was a flicker of curiosity on her face, the small smile never faded.
Kaoru gave a faint smile. "Yes, I'm a mixed-blood. There's a reason I chose to use my father's family name."
The woman looked at him with a curious yet polite expression. "An... interesting name," she said with a hint of curiosity in her tone. She seemed intrigued but didn't press her curiosity too much. "Please come in, Mr. Kaoru. Madam Towako is expecting you inside."
With graceful steps, she opened the door wider, signaling Kaoru to enter the mansion. Kaoru followed her, still carefully assessing the situation. He knew this meeting wouldn't be straightforward, especially with the mysterious aura enveloping the house and its inhabitants.
Finally, Kaoru arrived in a large room filled with soft lighting, illuminating every corner with a warm yet elegant ambiance. The room was spacious, furnished with classic decor that gave a sense of luxury, but Kaoru's eyes immediately focused on the figure sitting in the center of the room. Instead of the middle-aged woman he had imagined, before him sat a young woman with long blonde hair cascading down her back and sharp cyan eyes. Her appearance was striking, but behind the beauty of her face, there was a clear expression of annoyance as soon as she saw Kaoru.
The woman was dressed in a black mini skirt, a neatly tucked white blouse, and thigh-high socks that added a bold touch to her appearance. At a glance, her outfit looked formal, but the aura she exuded was rebellious. Kaoru immediately sensed something more than just her appearance—the way she sat, relaxed yet authoritative, and the way her eyes bore into him with a hint of disdain. A delinquent. That was Kaoru's first guess when he saw the expression on the girl's face.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue softly, clearly showing her displeasure at Kaoru's presence. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, as if assessing something she didn't like.
Kaoru, already accustomed to dealing with strong personalities, wasn't surprised by the less-than-welcoming reception. He stood calmly, returning the girl's piercing gaze with a relaxed yet vigilant expression. Though the girl seemed irritated, Kaoru sensed something deeper—perhaps frustration or even worry hidden behind her hard exterior.
Eventually, they reached a spacious room bathed in gentle light, radiating a luxurious yet cozy atmosphere. Kaoru's gaze quickly fixed on the center of the room, where a young woman sat, appearing relaxed but clearly not happy. She had long, flowing blonde hair and sharp cyan eyes that conveyed impatience. The woman was dressed in a black mini skirt, a white blouse paired with a black jacket, and thigh-high socks—a striking contrast for someone supposedly of high status.
As Kaoru approached, the woman's expression turned to one of irritation, her lips curling into a small, mocking smile, but her tone clearly conveyed discontent.
"Tch," she muttered under her breath, as if Kaoru's presence had disrupted her mood.
The servant who had guided Kaoru then bowed her head slightly toward the woman. "Madam, I have brought him," she said respectfully before stepping back toward the door, leaving Kaoru and the woman alone in the room.
Kaoru furrowed his brow in confusion. *Wait, this girl is Madam Towako?* he thought. He certainly hadn't expected the influential Collector to be a young woman with the demeanor of a delinquent—a personality type often associated with brash, stubborn, and rebellious behavior.