"Please don't worry.. it doesn't even hurt that much." Kisaragi Chiyo pursed her lips and lowered her eyes, her voice as small as a kitten's cry, looking quite pitiful as if she were reluctant to cause anyone any trouble.
"Then, will you come out from inside first?" Matsuda Jinpei opened his arms with a hint of heartache in his eyes. He crouched down, wanting to pick Kisaragi Chiyo up, but was sternly rejected by the other.
"I can come out by myself." Kisaragi Chiyo gripped the oversized clothes draped over her body, which were clinging to her skin in a damp way, making her feel uncomfortable and uneasy. But she felt too embarrassed to speak directly about this discomfort to Lord Cat God, whom she was meeting for the first time.
"I'm going out for a bit." Although Hara Kenji felt a bit disappointed that Kisaragi Chiyo was unwilling to be close to him, he also realized that Kisaragi Chiyo's clothes were ill-fitting.
It was the fault of the two adults present that a child was left wearing wet, ill-fitting clothes.
"I'll be back soon." Hara Kenji stood up, his eyes cast down. He looked at little Kisaragi Chiyo, who was watching him with curiosity, albeit in a secretive and furtive manner, a light chuckle escaped his lips.
Matsuda, I'm leaving Chiyo-chan in your care.
“Don't worry.” Matsuda Jinpei kept one hand on Kisaragi Chiyo's shoulder while his other hand grabbed a dry bath towel, gesturing for her to wipe herself, as her hair was still dripping with water.
Although Kisaragi Chiyo was curious about Hara Kenji beside her, the strange and dangerous aura surrounding him made her somewhat afraid to approach.
So even if he wanted to observe the other, he would only choose to grab onto Matsuda Jinpei's clothes, hiding behind the reliable Lord Cat God and peeking out with half of his face, spying secretly in a way that made one's heart melt with cuteness.
"How are you feeling? Are you feeling alright?" After Hara Kenji left, Matsuda Jinpei took Kisaragi Chiyo out of the bathroom, letting her wrap herself in a clean bath towel and sit on the bed, while he went to pour a cup of hot water.
Because the room had air conditioning for heating, the temperature was quite comfortable, so there was no need to worry about Kisaragi Chiyo catching a cold because of it.
"Are you feeling unwell anywhere? A headache? Fatigue or something?" Matsuda Jinpei pulled up a chair and sat down, handing the hot water to Kisaragi Chiyo, who was sitting obediently by the bedside, curiously observing the room's layout.
"Thank you for your concern, I don't feel unwell anywhere." Kisaragi Chiyo took the teacup from Matsuda's hands, which was somewhat large for her. The skin exposed outside her oversized clothing showed a paleness from a lack of sunlight, which could hardly be considered a healthy color.
A face that still had baby fat, looking no larger than a palm, with a very pointed chin—was she really being well taken care of?
Matsuda Jinpei felt skeptical about this; he recalled the height of the other person when they stood up, which appeared to be about one meter, making them somewhat on the shorter side.
However, considering Kisaragi Chiyo's height when she grows up, there was at least no need to worry too much.
But she was still too thin.
Matsuda Jinpei looked at Kisaragi Chiyo's small arms and legs with a serious expression, beginning to reasonably wonder if Kisaragi Chiyo was suffering from malnutrition.
"Excuse me.." Kisaragi Chiyo held the cup with both hands, lifting her eyes; her young eyes appeared even more round and bright.
"Did I do something wrong?" Although she was trying her best to hide it, Kisaragi Chiyo was just a child after all, Matsuda saw through her unease and low spirits at a single glance.
No." Matsuda Jinpei denied it quickly, he took the opportunity to ask the question he had been wanting to ask: "I was just wondering, how old are you this year?
“Six years old.” Kisaragi Chiyo wanted to force a smile for him, but she ultimately failed.
Is there a problem, Lord Cat God?
It's nothing, I was just thinking.." Matsuda Jinpei slowly let his gaze fall upon Kisaragi Chiyo's hair, "So you used to have pigtails when you were little.
"Eh?" Kisaragi Chiyo probably hadn't expected that Lord Cat God's focus would be on her hairstyle.
He widened his eyes in surprise, round and cute like glass marbles, easily making one think of a young lamb's eyes.
So cute." Matsuda Jinpei exclaimed from the bottom of his heart: "It's like an antelope that used to use its horns to headbutt people has completely transformed into a lamb just learning how to stand on all fours.
"Hmm.. I don't quite understand what you're saying?" Kisaragi Chiyo showed a puzzled expression, but she was still trying her best to understand the meaning of Matsuda Jinpei's words.
Kisaragi Chiyo tilted her head, her misty gray eyes blinking softly as she asked in a small voice, "Are you saying that I am still too weak right now?"
A young lamb that has just learned to walk on all fours can only rely on the protection of adult sheep, living under their shelter, without the ability to survive or deal with natural enemies on its own.
Matsuda Jinpei: ".."
Wait, was Kisaragi Chiyo also this difficult to deal with when she was a child?
I didn't mean it like that." Matsuda Jinpei tried to defend himself, "Everyone has times when they are weak and need to rely on others; growing up is a process.
You will become a reliable person in the future." Matsuda Jinpei seemed to think of something and couldn't help but let out a smile. He added another sentence, "Someone who can be relied upon and loved by others.
Kisaragi Chiyo said nothing; she just looked quietly at Matsuda Jinpei, then let out a soft smile.
Like a small but bright flower blooming in the melting snow of winter. Kisaragi Chiyo looked at him and asked softly, "Mr. Matsuda, why do you call me Kisaragi?"
"You clearly know that I should be from Oboshima." Kisaragi Chiyo gently stroked the garment she was wearing, a thick black haori, a small symbol was embroidered on the inner hem.
He was very familiar with that symbol; it was the emblem of Oboshima Shrine.
"Are you really Lord Cat God?" Kisaragi Chiyo looked up, her expression exceptionally calm, as if that frightened child from just now was merely a hallucination of Matsuda Jinpei.
"Is everything happening now just my hallucination.. or is it the future?" Kisaragi Chiyo murmured in a low voice, a look of melancholy that was far too mature for her age appearing on her face.
Even as a child, Kisaragi Chiyo was different from ordinary children.
Matsuda Jinpei suddenly realized this clearly; Kisaragi Chiyo, who could see the special existence on the other side of the world, was far smarter and better at disguising herself than he had imagined.
"Kisaragi.." Matsuda Jinpei opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when he saw the calm expression on Kisaragi Chiyo's face, he swallowed the words back before they could escape his lips.
He had to do something, Matsuda Jinpei thought, then he realized the other person had shown that trance-like expression again, her attention being drawn away by something else once more.
"Ah.. the tail." Kisaragi Chiyo's expression was somewhat dreamy; he stared blankly at the tail swaying gently behind Matsuda Jinpei, the calm expression on his childish face instantly vanishing, replaced by eyes full of longing.
".." Matsuda Jinpei fell into thought for a few seconds, before finally deciding to endure the shame in his heart and offer his tail instead.
If you want to touch it, then go ahead.
"Is it really okay? Can I really touch it?" Those sparkling eyes appeared once again.
"Of course." Matsuda Jinpei lowered his eyes, looking at the cowlick on the other's head.
"Thank you so much, Lord Cat God!" Kisaragi Chiyo let out a cheer.
What about those ears? Can I touch those too?
.. You can.
*
Hara Kenji had little experience raising children; at most, he had only raised a bunch of pitch-black ghosts, occasionally bringing them something from the outside to pass the time, but nothing more than that.
So, Hara Kenji bought everything he saw that he thought Kisaragi Chiyo could use.
Twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the room's window from the outside. Matsuda Jinpei stood up and opened the window, the Evil Spirit rolled inside, carrying bundles and bags of various sizes.
"I'm back!" The Evil Spirit's voice sounded incredibly excited. He rushed to Kisaragi Chiyo's side, nuzzling against her happily like a little puppy seeing its master.
Chiyo-chan, Chiyo-chan." The Evil Spirit with dark purple irises blinked his eyes, presenting the bag in his hands to Kisaragi Chiyo as if offering a treasure, "Come on, try it and see how it is!
Little Kisaragi Chiyo was somewhat overwhelmed by the other's enthusiasm, he leaned his body slightly backward.
Although after confirming with Matsuda Jinpei just now, he understood that for some unknown reason, he had regressed from an adult to a child, his memories regressing along with him. It wasn't because he had made a wish and been brought to this strange place by a deity.
But for Kisaragi Chiyo, who only had the memories of a six-year-old, this was merely her first meeting with him and her first time dealing with such an enthusiastic social interaction, leaving little Kisaragi Chiyo feeling quite overwhelmed.
And so, the inexperienced Kisaragi Chiyo was easily tricked into a daze by the malicious Evil Spirit, in her innocence, she walked into the bathroom carrying the clothes the other had carefully selected for her.
"That smile on your face is very strange." Matsuda Jinpei narrowed his eyes, staring at the suspicious smile on his friend's face, suddenly feeling his police spirit burning inexplicably.
"This is the smile of a cheerful and friendly big brother, you know." Hara Kenji replied with a squinted, smiling gaze.
His long hair was tied behind his head with a dark red ribbon, he possessed a tall stature, pale skin, handsome but eerie features.
No matter how you look at it, something was very wrong..
Matsuda Jinpei wanted to complain a few more things, but at that moment, the bathroom door clicked open.
A furry figure poked its head out from behind the bathroom door.
Matsuda Jinpei subconsciously gasped, looking at Hara Kenji beside him in disbelief, while the other man was already cradling his cheeks, intoxicated by his own genius insight.
"As expected, the plush coat with little bear ears suits our Chiyo-chan perfectly," Hara Kenji said in a syrupy voice.
"Once Kisaragi Chiyo changes back.. she's definitely going to settle the score with you." Matsuda Jinpei took a deep breath and turned his gaze back toward the young Kisaragi Chiyo, who looked awkward and appeared uncomfortable in her soft, fluffy clothes.
When his gaze fell upon those round, fluffy ears, he couldn't help but cast an approving look toward Hara Kenji: "To be fair, it really does suit her."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels for your support, mwah
Chapter 76
The first rays of the winter morning sun fell upon the frost-covered glass windows, reflecting a hazy light. The temperature outside had dropped significantly overnight; pedestrians on the streets walked with hurried steps, all wrapped in thick clothing and warm items like scarves and gloves.
The temperature inside the hotel room remained warm and comfortable. The dark curtains were drawn tightly, blocking out the piercing light. The person sleeping in the center of the bed was curled up, their breathing long and even, as if still lost in a beautiful dream.
Matsuda Jinpei was the first to wake up. It was likely a habit he had formed in the past; once his body's biological clock reached a certain point in time, it would wake him up right on schedule. Even now, when he no longer needed to maintain such a busy work schedule, he still found it difficult to change this habit, especially since his mind was preoccupied with other matters.
Kisaragi Chiyo's problem remained unresolved, so he simply couldn't fully set his mind at ease.
Pulling himself from the warm bedding, Matsuda Jinpei leaned over, while tucking Kisaragi Chiyo back into the covers, he reached out to stroke her head.
This thought had been stirring in his heart since yesterday, but perhaps because she saw through him, Kisaragi Chiyo always remained on guard against him, refusing to let anyone touch the top of her head on the pretext that it would stunt her growth.
Thinking of this, Matsuda Jinpei couldn't help but take the opportunity to stroke the fluffy head a few more times, the black hair becoming disheveled under his hands, with several strands even sticking up restlessly.
But as the culprit, Matsuda Jinpei felt not a shred of guilt. He carefully looked at Kisaragi Chiyo's face, after confirming she was still fast asleep, he quietly opened the door and left.
Yesterday, besides bringing back a huge pile of miscellaneous things, Hara Kenji did not forget to bring Kisaragi Chiyo a children's meal for dinner.
When the small portion of curry rice in the meal set was placed before her, the rice ball, which had been specially shaped like a little bear, successfully caught Kisaragi Chiyo's attention. She held her spoon, looking at that bear curry rice with a serious expression, her eyebrows furrowing involuntarily, as if she were facing some monumental problem.
"Do you not like curry rice?" Matsuda Jinpei said while tidying up the things Hara had bought. He looked at those infant-category items that Kisaragi Chiyo had absolutely no use for at this age, watching them in silence. For a moment, he really wanted to knock that guy Hara's head off just to see what was inside.
No.." Kisaragi Chiyo's expression was conflicted. He bit his lower lip, his tone sounding a bit reluctant: "It's just that if I eat it right away, I won't get to see the cute little bear anymore.
So that was it; Matsuda Jinpei revealed an understanding expression.
It's like that in a child's world, where they hesitate over whether or not to eat something because the food is just too cute.
Matsuda Jinpei remembered such a thing happening to Hara Kenji once.
Because he had received an ice cream with an exceptionally cute shape, he couldn't bear to eat it and chose to keep it in the refrigerator. As a result, it eventually went well past its expiration date, began to spoil, was ultimately thrown into the trash.
"Then, do you want to take a photo to keep as a memento before you eat it?" Matsuda Jinpei wouldn't bother lecturing Kisaragi Chiyo about how food is meant to be eaten, that it would spoil if she didn't eat it.
He pulled the phone out of his jacket pocket. A long time ago, Kisaragi Chiyo had applied for SIM cards for both him and Hara Kenji for convenience. Of course, the money for the phones was earned by the two of them themselves; to that end, Matsuda and Hara had taken advantage of the cover of darkness to do the work of Tokyo vigilantes.
However, the two of them rarely had any use for their phones. As communication tools, they had no one to contact; after all, if they were to send messages to living relatives, they might perhaps be mistaken for scammers.
But if he called, would it count as a horror story about a ghost call? Matsuda Jinpei thought with a hint of amusement, but in the end, he did not act on the thought.
Aside from going out to do some good deeds, they spent most of their time with Kisaragi Chiyo. On the other hand, Hara would occasionally record some of the meals and desserts he made and upload them to social media, thereby attracting a small group of fans drawn to his persona as a stay-at-home chef.
*