The initial form of Susano'o dispersed, and Shun looked at the unconscious female teacher before him in silence.
He never expected to be caught by Mafuyu while out seeking revenge at night.
Mafuyu even fainted from fright!
After all, Shun was a handsome guy, popular in Tokyo.
Oh, but he was wearing the Mangekyo Sharingan at the time. Those grim and fierce eyes indeed weren't something an ordinary person could endure.
"Well... when Kirisu-sensei wakes up, I'll have to explain everything carefully."
Shun sighed, stepping forward to carry Mafuyu on his back as he left Shuchi'in Academy.
❀❀❀
Having missed the last train, Shun could only walk home.
A stylish, handsome young man carrying a beautiful woman in office attire—it was a combination that drew the curious and envious gazes of passersby.
Among those glances, there was one from a girl from Shuchi'in Academy.
She had waist-length blonde hair with coral highlights, silver earrings, and a necklace.
At this moment, her red eyes sharply observed the striking pair of man and woman.
Although the boy was dressed stylishly, he was clearly her well-known classmate.
And the woman sleeping peacefully on his back was...
"Kirisu-sensei!"
Kitagawa Marin stared in disbelief at the pair across the street, and images of teacher-student romance from manga and H-games suddenly filled her head.
She blushed and instinctively bit her lip to hold back a small squeal.
'I never thought that Kirisu-sensei, who usually looks so cool and distant, would look so sweet while sleeping!'
'And Takema-kun, too. He seems so gentle and soft in his school uniform, but after changing clothes, he looks so intense—like a strong boyfriend.'
'Look carefully; they're such a fitting pair.'
'But... if their teacher-student relationship is discovered... there might be a lot of backlash!'
As Marin thought this over, she suddenly felt a gaze on her.
When she refocused, she found that Shun had noticed her watching.
Panicking and feeling guilty, she immediately turned away, bowing her head as she hurried into the nearest convenience store.
Shun wasn't concerned in the least. He glanced toward the apartment complex just one street away and took another step.
At the same time, Mafuyu, lying on his back, let out a soft, cute murmur.
"Um..."
Slightly dazed, Mafuyu paused, then regained awareness and realized she was on a man's back.
"Kirisu-sensei, you're awake?"
The boy carrying her glanced back slightly. Seeing his familiar face, Mafuyu quickly remembered the events before she fainted.
Her face paled, and Shun could clearly feel her body tense up, trembling in fear.
Just as Shun began to explain gently, he noticed Mafuyu take a deep breath and summon the courage to look into his eyes.
Clear and bright, filled with youthful spirit.
They were completely different from the eyes she saw before fainting.
"It wasn't a dream."
The other seemed to read her mind, answering her question before she even asked it.
"Kirisu-sensei, please feel free to ask anything. Don't worry; I won't hurt you."
Mafuyu seemed to find courage at that moment.
She gently squeezed the boy's shoulders with her hands, then touched his neck, feeling the steady pulse of his heartbeat.
"Takema-san, are you human?"
"I'm just an ordinary person with special abilities. If Kirisu-sensei doesn't believe me, you can touch me again when we get home."
Shun's teasing words put Mafuyu somewhat at ease, while also helping her regain her composure as a teacher.
"No, Takema-kun, stop teasing your teacher; please stop thinking that way."
"But we're off-campus now. Kirisu-sensei, please just call me Takema, or Shun."
"Alright, then, Takema-kun, can you tell me what I saw tonight?"
Mafuyu's open-minded response made Shun feel that his strategy was progressing well.
Ambiguity disguised as a teacher-student relationship would create a subtle psychological bond.
Over time, the two would naturally develop a normal relationship outside of school, strengthening their bond.
"First, may I ask, did you see the Hundred-Eyed Ghost?"
"The Hundred-Eyed Ghost?"
Mafuyu tried to recall what she saw.
"After you caught something with that giant purple hand, I did see a terrifying monster in your grasp."
Remembering the ghastly, frightening ghost, Mafuyu was overwhelmed by fear and instinctively gripped Shun's clothes.
"Mm, that's a ghost. The reason I went to the rooftop at night was to exterminate such spirits. You can think of me as someone who dispels evil spirits."
Since she had already seen the fierce ghost, it was easier to explain.
Shun stopped and looked at the apartment building in front of him.
"If Kirisu-sensei has any more questions, I'll explain them to you, but now we've reached your apartment. Would you like me to carry you into the elevator?"
Hearing Shun's words, Mafuyu snapped back to reality.
Noticing his warm hands supporting her legs and their current position, Mafuyu's face instantly flushed, and she hastily slid down from his back.
"That was my mistake. Why did Takema-kun have to remind me?"
"I thought you knew. After waking up, you held onto me tightly and even reached out to touch me everywhere."
Hearing Shun's words and recalling her recent behavior, Mafuyu felt that her dignity as a teacher had definitely taken a hit, and she quickly turned and rushed toward the elevator.
Seeing this, Shun smiled and promptly followed her.
Mafuyu entered the elevator with a red face, followed by Shun, and pressed the button for the "Fourth Floor."
Initially embarrassed and upset, Mafuyu was taken aback by the sight.
"Wait, Takema-kun, how do you know my apartment? And that I live on the fourth floor?"
However, on second thought, the other party hadn't done anything while she was unconscious, and it seemed Shun wouldn't need to do something like that.
In response, Shun answered earnestly:
"Do you think it's possible that I'm your neighbor?"