Volume 1 - CH 2.1

The object pressed against Rito's neck was a knife with a blade about 15 cm long.

The name of the woman who slipped it into the right pocket of his black suit was Poisonous . She was said to be Scuse's caretaker and bodyguard. Rito thought the name "Poisonous Tongue Maru" sounded a bit, well, rather strange for such a beautiful woman, but he didn't dare say it. (NT: Scuse was already weird enough but this...).

Rito had seen her once.

This is the woman who told everyone about Scuse's absence at the party. She seems to have been following the Duchess's daughter, from the hotel to this beach.

She is dressed in a black suit reminiscent of a beautiful woman dressed as a man, a little taller than Rito, measuring 168 cm. Black hair, short and wet. Eyes slitted and cold. Lips that didn't move widely when she spoke. All his expressions were hard, as if bottled with willpower.

The venomous Maru understood immediately that Rito was not attacking scuse. If he had hurt her, would she really have lost her mind? Scary to think about.

"Scuse , you know, ......"

Rito called out to the girl standing next to Maru with a pouty expression on her face.

"You may have already noticed ...... that Scuse is my sister's name."

"I knew it," Rito said with a small nod.

He probably thought he had cast a spell on Rito. The fact that he usually wears his silver hair loose instead of two pigtails, and excessive chest padding, is to make sure the illusion is burned into his opponent's vision.

"What is your real name?"

"...... Cute."

Without looking at Rito, she replies. 

Tongue maru's venomous tongue, who had been looking back and forth between Rito and Cute, said.

"Miss Cute, it's time to go back to the hotel."

Cute nodded, turned his back to the sea and started to walk away.

Maru turns around to face Rito.

"Kasuga Rito-san, please come too."

"eh, me too?"

"The dragon Ancestor that parasitized the top of your head is Scuse-sama's beloved pet, ...... the real Scuse-sama, who is currently in the Demon World."

"You can take this away from me, can't you?"

"I'll do my best to get it."

I thought the answer was something like a government employee, but I had no choice but to do so. Shi-chan squealed and slapped the back of my back with her tail. It's like being a whipped horse. 

They got into a pure white luxury car parked in a vacant lot by the waterfront.

Inside the spacious car, the seats were plush and soft, plus there was a table in the center of the car.

The seats were designed so that passengers could turn toward each other and enjoy a good chat.

The driver's seat is hidden from view by a wall. It looks like the glass has to open when, you have something to do.

In the enclosed carriage, Rito sat across from Cute. The table between them is slightly obstructive.

To Cute's left sits Maru.

As soon as Maru tapped on the glass, the faceless driver started the car.

When the car starts, Cute does not look up. His attitude shows that he does not want to make eye contact with Rito.

It's not Rito's fault that the illusion didn't work.

Rezon Academy has a [magical illusion] training program. It's ability to manipulate a person's five senses requires a fairly high level of precision and the construction of complex techniques, which is why there must be so many failures.

Cute is probably angry at his own failure. The embarrassment of having been playing Scuse for so long without realizing that he had been exposed must have triggered his "unable to make eye contact with Ririto" attitude.

Rito thought about it.

Talking to her would surely make him feel better. The embarrassment would soon turn into a funny story. Anyway, now is the time to talk! This is the only way.

If Rito doesn't open his mouth, probably neither Cute nor Tongue Maru will say anything until they get to the hotel.

To lighten the mood a bit, we focused on Maru first, the topic was ...... .

"Myao."

"What kind of dragon is Shi-chan?"

I quickly cut to the chase.

Silently looking out the window, Tongue Maru turned only her eyes to Rito. Cute also looked up for a moment, but immediately lowered her eyes back down again.

To Rito's question, Maru replies in a calm voice.

"It's the first ancestral Dragon. They are a rare species even in the demon world, so beware of them."

"What is an ancestral dragon?"

"They are also called Chaos Dragons. When they reach adulthood, they neutralize and nullify all magical powers, but their juvenile forms do not yet possess this property."

"Neutralization?"

"It seems that Miss Cute's illusions didn't work on Kasuga Rito-san, so perhaps the ancestral dragon's power has manifested in some way."

I don't think it's that comfortable.

"Fusion behavior, or parasitism, is a way to protect the ancestral dragon's juvenile body. I've heard that the parasite is usually found on the back of the back or neck of adults, but on rare occasions it can be found in other giant creatures."

"However, I am not a giant creature."

"Myao myao myao myao!"

Shii-chan purrs lazily.

Cute barely moves, keeping his eyes fixed on his hands on his knees. However, he must have overheard the conversation between Rito and Maru.

Rito opens his mouth again, looking for the right moment to speak to him.

"What will happen if you continue to be parasitized?"

The word "parasite" doesn't conjure up a very good image. Is it mushrooms or is this guy a ...... .

"Yes. ...... ."

Blue slowly emerged in the pale, venomous Maru's black eyes. Then, in less than two seconds, they turn completely blue. It's the same pupil as when Cute was playing scuse.

"There is nothing unusual about you after ten minutes. Unfortunately, I can't 'see' past that point with my own power."

The blue color disappears from Maru's eyes.

"It's amazing, to be able to see ten minutes into the future ... Ordinary demons can barely 'see' a minute or two ahead."

Finally, Cute spoke up. She too seems to have been trying to find the right moment to enter the conversation. The expression on her face is still a mixture of embarrassment and frustration, but it will soon disappear.

"It's really cool, isn't it?"

I quickly smile in a tender way. She bites her lower lip and meets Rito's gaze. But he quickly looks away again. But he holds it for three seconds.

Little by little, let's close the distance. Slowly ...... . Then, when they realize it, they will laugh at each other.

Rito remembered the cute smile he saw on the beach.

I want to see that expression again.

Of course, I didn't forget to eat food from the magical world.

We arrived at the hotel where the party was being held. It was less than a five minute walk from the Rezon Institute.