The burst of spiritual pressure lasted only an instant, like a lightning strike fleeting across the sky.
As the towering golden lotus dissipated, the port remained unchanged—a dark steel jungle, now devoid of demons and their human pawns.
"Phew, job done."
Keikain Fukuki landed gracefully, stretching before approaching the Tiger-Head Ben with a caved-in roof. He picked up the two undamaged briefcases from the hood.
One held cash, the other—unopened—contained the transaction item, judging from the werewolf's earlier conversation.
Curious, but first, he'd update Rias.
ChipiChipiChapaChapa~
A catchy ringtone blared, prompting him to pick up his phone again, eyebrows raising.
It was Rias, no doubt.
Convenient.
He answered.
"Hey Rias, I was just about to call you…"
"Fukuki, are you okay? Jun and I felt a massive power surge from your location. Did you engage the target?"
"Yeah, sorta. It's handled."
Calmly reassuring her, he glanced at the briefcases.
"Wanted to capture them alive, but they weren't cooperative. Had to get… rough. Also seized their transaction item."
"Transaction item? What is it?"
"No idea, haven't opened it yet. But…"
He tucked the phone between his cheek and shoulder, picked up the second briefcase, and tapped its shell with his knuckle.
"There's a faint spiritual signature inside—sealed, I think. Should I open it?"
"Sealed…?"
Rias hesitated before deciding.
"Better not. Wait until school tomorrow. We don't know what it is. Could be something dangerous from the demon realm."
"Got it. I'll bring it to the clubroom tomorrow. We'll open it together."
He almost ended the call but added:
"Oh, and the cash…"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll transfer the payment ASAP."
Rias seemed to anticipate his words.
Curiously, she asked:
"You're usually not this eager. Short on cash this month?"
"Yeah…"
He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Actually, it's Kuro Uta. She smashed my bedroom TV and gaming console a few days ago…"
"Ouch… Condolences. Payment's coming."
"Thanks. See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
...
Ten minutes later, an apartment in Chuo Ward, Tokyo.
Ding-dong!
The elevator chimed, doors sliding open. Fukuki stepped out, a briefcase in each hand.
Chuo Ward, Tokyo's priciest area, where even tiny studios cost a fortune. Most floors house multiple units sharing one elevator.
Fukuki's building had only two units per floor—spacious, quiet, and expensive, akin to Yukinoshita Yukino's apartment in Oregairu—basically luxury living.
Turning right to his door, he set the briefcases down to fish out his keys. Just as he reached into his pocket, the locked door swung open.
A curvaceous figure in a kimono lunged out, tackling him.
"Welcome home~"
"Thanks for opening the door, Kuro Uta, but maybe let me inside first? Neighbors might see…"
Fukuki sighed, patting the catgirl's back as she nuzzled him, sniffing everywhere.
Technically, calling her a "girl" was inaccurate. Despite her youthful looks, her… assets far exceeded normal proportions. Add cat ears and a swaying tail, and she resembled a mythical bakeneko.
"Neighbors? We have neighbors? Never noticed."
Like a wife greeting her husband after a long night, Kuro Uta finally released him after confirming no other woman's scent.
"So, dinner or shower first…?"
"Already ate. Shower first."
Without hesitation, Fukuki grabbed the briefcases, changed shoes, and headed to the bathroom, ignoring the expectant catgirl.
Ah, he's really showering…
Foiled, Kuro Uta blinked but remained undeterred, turning to the briefcases on the dining table.
She tapped her lips, bending to inspect them.
"Fukuki, what's in these?"
"Tonight's haul. One's cash, the other's a sealed item. Don't touch yet."
His voice echoed from the bathroom as the tub filled.
"Oh…"
Kuro Uta's eyes gleamed.
"Right, Fukuki, I moved your new TV to the bedroom."
"Thanks. I'll move it back later."
"Why? It's always been in the bedroom!"
"Yeah, until you short-circuited it."
The bathroom door remained open, their voices carrying clearly.
Kuro Uta pouted: "It's not all my fault! You were playing a horror game, and that ghost's face scared me! Plus, you… got intense. It's normal to lose control!"
As the tub filled, Fukuki shut off the tap and sank in.
Warm water covered his chest, relaxing him.
"I'm not blaming you. Just realized the bed's too close to the TV stand. Moving it to the living room should prevent future short circuits."
"Hmph. Is that so?"
Though forgiven, Kuro Uta felt oddly challenged.
Just a few extra meters? She'd show him next time!
Her gaze returned to the briefcases.
Fukuki said one held a sealed item…
He told her not to touch, but she was a bakeneko!
Curiosity trumped commands. After hesitating, she carefully unlocked the case.
Inside, wrapped in red cloth, lay a withered purple-black finger, bound in talismans.
…What did he bring home?