pdf-ebookys Chapter 149 People Bound by the Inability to Cry
Chapter 149 People Bound by the Inability to Cry
"Hold on."
Haruya Kuromon raised her left hand high and asked:
"Teacher Hongzi, we agreed before that we would start teaching after telling you the content of the prophetic dream. You won't go back on your word, will you?"
"T-Teacher?!"
"Mm." Kuromon Haruya responded naturally, bowing to her.
"This kind of relationship of enlightening others and imparting knowledge is important in both mysticism and Asian culture. Teacher Hongzi was willing to open the door for me in the already difficult situation on the mystical side, so I am not stingy with the word 'teacher'."
"Or do you not like this title? How about 'Master,' 'Professor,' 'Senior,' or 'Master'?"
"Stop it!"
Koizumi Akako covered her face, unable to bear looking at this disrespectful old man in front of her. "The deal hasn't been reached yet. Don't change the subject. Answer my questions honestly first."
"Good teacher!"
After using the young man's shyness to build rapport, Kuromon Haruya wasn't in a hurry to make things happen: "As I said before, I had a dreamless night tonight and slept very well, which is rare for me."
Three seconds passed, and the Mouth of Truth did not react, proving that he was not lying.
Koizumi Akako relaxed her shoulders, visibly relieved, and her tone became much lighter: "An uncertain future is fine, I guess. Anyway, I didn't expect to hear any good news from the harbinger of doom."
This time, it was Kuromon Haruya's turn to be curious: "Has Akako-sensei run into some trouble?"
"Nothing to do with you."
Despite saying this, Koizumi Akako couldn't help but recall that prophetic fragment:
On a full moon night when a comet streaked across the sky, a tear, redder than roses and blood, rolled down her cheek, and the legacy of red faded along with the witch's youthful years.
In other words, according to fate's plan, she will soon perish from shedding tears, just like all the previous witches...
"Death is not as scary as you think."
Koizumi Akako: !
A false sense of comfort suddenly came from behind. Koizumi Akako, clutching the snake crown on her head, raised her sickle in warning:
"You despicable crow, do not pry into my thoughts!"
“I didn’t use that ability! As the one being read, I also strongly resist this practice.” Kuromon Haruya looked innocent, pointing to her right hand still stuffed in the statue: “It’s Akako-sensei, your emotions are clearly written on your face.”
"Then I'll teach you the first key point of the occult—curiosity killed the cat, don't ask what you shouldn't ask!" Koizumi Akako said irritably.
Walking up to a tall, old wooden cabinet, she pulled off the cover, shook off the accumulated dust, and casually pulled two books from the middle of the shelf, tossing them toward Kuromon Haruya:
"These are beginner's guides for magicians. The names are a bit unusual because the training methods of each lineage are different. They're just right to supplement your basic knowledge."
Heimen Yaoye held the large, pink-covered book in his hands, looked down at the cover—"Scarlet Whisper: The Seduction Spell of Roses"—and nodded with a sense of awe and wonder.
"..."
Feeling they had fulfilled their agreement, one held a book and waited for the next part to continue, while the other faced the bookshelf, pretending to be busy and waiting for the other to leave.
A strange silence filled the air.
"...Is there anything else?"
Koizumi Akako gripped her scythe, wishing Kuromon Haruya would take his Light Demon and get out of here right now.
But the latter clearly won't do as she wishes.
"Speaking of which, I had a question when I first came into contact with the previous generation. Since Ms. Akako is the rightful successor of the Red Magic, it means that there are also unorthodox ones, right?"
Koizumi Akako raised her chin and arrogantly declared, "So what if it is, and so what if it isn't? The Milky Way in the sky doesn't care about a few starlights, and neither do I."
The implication is that there are other forces capable of using red magic, but they are not worth worrying about.
Haruya Kuromon blinked and asked a question she'd been curious about ever since reading the original work: "Have you ever heard of Pandora? Legend says she can bring the red miracles that people crave..."
"Unfortunately, that legendary treasure simply doesn't exist!"
Koizumi Akako drawled out her words, interrupting his description with a teasing look: "If you're interested in beautiful women or miracles, I can recommend the address of Mermaid Island to you."
Yoya Kuromon raised an eyebrow: "Could it be Wakasa Bay?"
"Oh well, since you already know, then it's alright." Knowing she couldn't get him to leave on his own, Koizumi Akako waved him away. "Don't keep asking questions. I still have holiday homework to finish. Come back and ask me all your questions after you've finished the whole book!"
"Okay, okay, the second year of high school is indeed a period of academic advancement."
A clear displeasure appeared on her bright and beautiful face, reminding Kuromon Haruya of Sharon's rebellious teenage years.
Back when I was juggling career and education, trying to get my two kids into school and give them a proper education was harder than being a mercenary on the battlefield, especially since the siblings couldn't live in the same city... Thinking back on it now, I really miss those days.
His expression softened visibly. He clutched his textbook and turned toward the cellar exit: "Thank you so much for your hospitality, Ms. Hongzi~"
“But please keep your flaws hidden from now on.” After pausing for a moment, Kuromon Haruya turned around and stared meaningfully at her heart. “I have never said that Pandora is an object, let alone a treasure.”
"Immortality is a secret that must never surface; once revealed, it will attract insects and flies. The criminal organization 'Ark,' which is pursuing Pandora, is moving towards Japan. Please keep a close eye on it, teacher."
The light footsteps faded into the distance, leaving only Koizumi Akako clutching her chest, the red light in her pupils flickering uncertainly.
……
When Kuromon Haruya arrived at the reception room, Conan and the others were playing cards with the butler. If it weren't for the densely packed slips of paper behind the three of them except for Ran Mouri, he would have thought it was a friendly match with no stakes.
The moment Conan saw him, he immediately dropped the cards and ran to his feet, exclaiming, "Kuromon-kun, you've finally arrived!"
If they don't stop, he'll really be covered in so many stickers that he looks like a little mop!
Ran's luck with the cards was as good as ever. Uncle Mori was the type to get more and more obsessed with the game, and the butler couldn't bring himself to admit defeat even after losing so much, which led to him being completely locked at the card table!
"Very fashionable outfit." Kuromon Haruya smiled as she peeled off the sticker on his back and looked at the butler. "How are you getting along with our lucky goddess, Ran Mouri?"
"I'm completely convinced."
The butler tidied up the card table, and with each step he took, the rustling of slips of paper could be heard behind him. His retreating figure seemed to be fleeing in panic: "I'll go prepare dinner now. You are free to explore the entire first floor."
After seeing the butler off, Conan quietly moved closer, staring curiously at the book in Kuromon Haruya's hands: "Kuromon-nii, what's this book about?"
Kuromon Haruya opened the book and proudly boasted, "This is the magic book that Akako-sensei taught me!"
"Akako-sensei?" Kogoro Mouri was puzzled by his admiring look.
“That’s right, I am now the Red Witch, the chief disciple of Koizumi Akako-sensei.”
As if to prove something, Kuromon Haruya casually pointed to the title in the book, showing it to the three onlookers.
—The words "The Art of Making 100% Love Stickers" are prominently displayed.
A gaze filled with doubt, confusion, worry, and gossip settled on my back.