Persian cats, Siamese cats, British Shorthairs, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Chinese Li Hua cats.
Amid the soft, charming meows, Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to find herself in paradise, completely captivated. Unable to help herself, she crouched down and began talking softly to a white Ragdoll cat in front of her.
"Meow~"
"Meow."
Despite the language barrier, the girl and the cat seemed to communicate harmoniously for a while. Just looking at the cat's big, shiny blue eyes, which were somewhat similar to her own, made Yukinoshita Yukino feel like melting.
Unfortunately, though Yukinoshita loved cats, her apartment didn't allow pets. Usually, she could only enjoy their company at cat cafes or by watching videos online.
After bonding with several cats, Yukinoshita Yukino reluctantly left the pet area, reminding herself that she still needed to pick out a gift for Yuigahama Yui. Though her steps were heavy with longing, there wasn't enough time left.
Once out of the cat haven, Yukinoshita Yukino fell into a slightly dazed state again.
[Doesn't Yuigahama want to learn cooking? Why not get her an apron?]
Hayashizaki's voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
[Hayashizaki-kun?] Yukinoshita Yukino was slightly surprised, a hint of barely noticeable joy slipping into her tone. [Ahem... That's actually a good idea. I'll admit it's a useful suggestion.]
She walked into a kitchen supplies store, scanned the shelves, and picked up a blue apron with cat paw prints. Trying it on, she asked, [How does it look?]
[Are you picking it for yourself?]
[Of course, it's for Yuigahama.]
[Then I suggest a different color.]
So Yukinoshita Yukino picked up a pink plaid apron with bone patterns, held it up to herself, and nodded in agreement. "This one does seem to suit Yuigahama better."
After buying both aprons, Yukinoshita Yukino asked the store clerk to pack the apron for Yuigahama and a dog plushie together in a gift box.
[The gift's all set. Let's head home now... Do you have anything you want to buy?]
[Oh? I get a gift too?] Hayashizaki raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze drifting to a nearby Sony store. [Then let's check out that Sony shop.]
---
...
Carrying several shopping bags, Yukinoshita Yukino finally returned home. After putting everything down, she started preparing dinner.
"Oi, set up my PS5 first."
Seeing Yukinoshita Yukino walking straight to the kitchen with the new apron and ingredients, Hayashizaki grumbled in protest.
"It's almost 6 PM now. Even if you're in a rush, Parasite-kun, you'll have to wait until after dinner."
Yukinoshita Yukino let out a helpless sigh.
She couldn't understand—wasn't Hayashizaki usually calm and composed? Why did he turn into this impatient mess just because she bought him a gaming console?
"I'm in a hurry. I'm the King of Hurry."
"Being in a rush won't help."
Despite saying that, Yukinoshita Yukino quickly prepared a simple dinner. After they finished eating, she handed control of her body over to Hayashizaki.
She watched from a first-person perspective as he enthusiastically fiddled with the new console.
An hour later.
Hayashizaki put down the controller, looking a bit deflated.
"Too easy," he muttered.
The once-impossible games from Miyazaki—the ones that tortured him in his past life—had now become laughably simple. Under his control, the character on screen attacked, dodged, and rolled with perfect precision. What was once a mere boast—clearing the game without taking any damage—was now just standard gameplay.
So this is what it feels like to play with a physical cheat code, he thought. Too boring.
"Huh? You're done already?"
Yukinoshita Yukino asked, "There's still an hour left until our agreed time, you know."
When she bought him the PS5, they had set a rule: Hayashizaki could play for two hours each day.
"I'll play later."
Hayashizaki turned off the console. Then, his lips curled into a small smile as he said, "By the way, I prepared a 'gift' for you."
"A gift?"
Yukinoshita Yukino blinked in surprise, with a hint of curiosity and expectation.
Hayashizaki clasped his hands together, forming a hand seal as he softly chanted, "Jade Hound."
[A Ten Shadows Technique, cost: 60,000 points (discount applied), successfully redeemed.]
[Using shadows as a medium, this technique summons various pre-tamed Shikigami with unique abilities. It's a skill passed down in the Zenin family.]
The shadow beneath Yukinoshita Yukino's feet suddenly extended, spreading across the entire living room.
The strange phenomenon made Yukinoshita Yukino instinctively tense up, thinking it might be another curse attack. But remembering that Hayashizaki was the one controlling her body, she quickly relaxed.
"You're putting in too much cursed energy. Lower it a bit," Hayashizaki muttered to himself, adjusting the output.
The shadow rapidly shrank to the size of a dining table.
"What are you doing?"
Realizing the shadow was Hayashizaki's doing, Yukinoshita Yukino asked curiously.
"Your 'gift.'"
As soon as Hayashizaki finished speaking, the shadow began shifting. Like a shapeshifter, it morphed into the form of a wolf. In the blink of an eye, the shadow receded like a tide, revealing a massive white wolf, tall enough to match a standing person, with an imposing and majestic presence.
Shikigami possess a certain level of intelligence and are fearless in battle, perfectly following their summoner's orders. The only command Hayashizaki gave to this white wolf was—
"Lick her!"
"A wolf!?"
Just as Yukinoshita Yukino exclaimed in surprise, she realized control of her body had returned to her.
Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. The issue was that the white wolf was now staring at her with glowing eyes, slowly approaching.
She watched as the wolf suddenly stuck out its tongue, wagging its tail furiously. The imposing aura from earlier had completely vanished.
"Wait… wait—!"
A panicked cry, like that of a small animal, escaped her lips.
Two minutes later.
The white wolf was sprawled out in Yukinoshita Yukino's lap, tongue out and eyes narrowed, looking more like a giant husky than a fierce predator. It basked in the affection of its 'master.'
Meanwhile, Yukinoshita Yukino wore an expression full of silent frustration.
The target of this lingering resentment was currently hiding in the realm of the living, enjoying the scene.
"Looks like you're adapting well," Hayashizaki complimented.
"Is this the 'gift' you prepared for me?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked through gritted teeth.
He pretended not to hear and formed another hand seal. "So, what are you planning to do with the second one, Yukinoshita?"
The shadow reappeared, and in the panicked gaze of the girl, a second black wolf emerged from it.
...
...
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