In front of the undertaker company's doors blurted Ayumi.
"Wow. That was totally weird."
"Why do you think so?", asked Yuna.
"This conversation. Did he just make you into one of their members, or what?"
The blue-haired looked at her roommate for a moment, thoughtfully. "I'd say so. I'm as clueless as you about this. It surprises me that Yoshiro initiated this. So far he was very secretive about everything."
"Maybe he wants to prevent you from becoming an Oni serial killer.", joked the redhead.
"Maybe. He never explicitly forbid to hunt down humanoid Oni. On the other hand, he doesn't want me to go hunting at all."
"Apparently, he has underestimated your own initiative."
"It looks so."
The women went down the stairs and stopped at the street. The redhead hailed a taxi, which drove up.
"Do you want to go somewhere else, or should we go home?", inquired the hostess.
"Home sounds good." Where should Yuna want to go anyway?
They got into the taxi. Ayumi gave the address to the driver, then he started the ride.
"Listen ...", she began, but then paused until Yuna looked at her.
"Hm?"
"On Saturday Wakamino is going to play in a club. How about we go there together?"
"Who is Wakamino?"
"Wataru didn't tell you the name of his band? Typical. The boy is so easily distracted." Smiling, Ayumi shook her red hair.
"That's why he's so rare these days, yes?"
"Yes. They rehearse every night for hours to get ready."
"I'm not up to anything, so why not? But do I get in there?"
The older one laughed. "If I put some makeup on you and we go together, it will not be a problem."
"Okay."
The huntress looked out the window. She watched the few people on the sidewalks. Beside her rang a phone. Ayumi reached into her purse, pulled out her phone and answered it.
"Yes?"
Yuna looked at her.
"Hello Miyu-chan ... When? ... Now?! Honestly?! Who? ... Hm ... Nakama-san, it is ... the double?! Wow ... Hang on ..." She held her hand in front of the device. "Okay, listen. I'm asked to go to the opera with one of my clients. Can you get home by yourself?"
Yuna pulled up her left eyebrow. "I'm not a baby."
"Good." Ayumi continued to telephone. "It's okay. Can I briefly take a shower in the agency and put on a gown? Get me a red one. He likes red ... Yes ... Okay." She looked at her watch. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes. See you soon." The redhead finished the conversation. "Driver. Please stop immediately."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The taxi driver activated the blinker, drove left to the curb and stopped. Ayumi pulled some money out of her wallet and pushed it in Yuna's hand.
"That should be enough to get you home. Take good care of yourself."
"Thanks. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"See you."
"Yeah."
The older one squeezed a kiss on the girl's cheek, then she jumped out of the taxi. Immediately she waved at another cab.
"Shall I continue the ride?", inquired Yuna's driver.
"Yes, please."
"The same address?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
The taxi driver blinked again and drove on. Yuna looked further out of the window.
So it was done. She had said goodbye to her family. It was different from what she had expected. She was very pleased that the undertaker took care of all matters. Had she been able to fulfill the Kotsuage during which she would have to pick up the burnt bones of her relatives? Could she have cremated all four bodies and harbored them after by herself? No. It was impossible for her to handle all of this alone. It was good, how Yoshiro had handled the situation.
Yoshiro ... what else was he hiding from her? How could she trust him when he had so many secrets before her?
Yuna didn't want to think about it longer. All the brooding only confused her. Her focus had to be on her training. Tirr was the target. If she had finished him off, all the other things would settle themselves. Then she could go back to school. She could start to spend some time with Wataru. She would take care of Yui. Perhaps Yoshiro could organize that Yui was accommodated into the pension. She would take back her life.
The taxi stopped in front of the pension. Yuna paid the driver and wished him a good night. On the doorsteps she froze on the spot. No. She didn't have her key. The girl slapped her open hand against her forehead. She was so unspeakably stupid. Was Wataru at home? Or Nakamura-san? Except for the one time in the morning she had not seen him.
She knocked on the door and waited. Typically, such a thing could only happen to her.
"Did you shut yourself out?"
The blue-haired turned around. "I forgot my key."
"Fortunately, your knight in shining armor is here to save you from this unpleasant distress.", laughed Wataru as he casually swung from his bike.
Yuna rolled her eye.
She noticed that he was staring at her. "Good gracious. You look stunning."
The musician looked up and down at Yuna in her black dress with the red belt. She giggled embarrassed, looked away and began nervously to play with a strand of her hair.
Wataru unfolded the side stand of his bicycle and placed it beside himself. He pulled his rattling keys from his pocket. The blue-haired watched him as he approached her, because she was still standing in front of the door. He stuck the house key past her into the lock. His breath stroke her cheek. They haven't been so close since that night a few days ago.
They looked each other straight into the eyes. The girl felt her heart beating aroused in her chest.
"Why are you dressed so chic? Were you out?", wondered the young man.
"No. I ... um ..." Nervously, she licked her lips.
His steady gaze stayed on her."I like it."
"T-Thanks."
Gently, he brushed a strand of hair from her face. Excited, she stared at him. He gave her his warm smile that she liked so much. Slowly his face came closer. There! He wanted to do it again. She blinked a few times and swallowed hard.
"I ... went to see the undertaker.", pressed Yuna out. She avoided the gaze of the young man.
Wataru stopped. His face was rigid, then he sighed. "I'm sorry."
He turned the key in the lock and pushed open the door, after which he stowed the keys back in his pocket. Then he turned around and took care of his bike.
The huntress swallowed hard again. Why had she done that? Why had she sabotaged herself? She wanted it, but was kind of afraid. She wasn't allowed to mix up her priorities. If she started too early with this, she would never get Tirr.
"Sorry.", she mumbled.
"No, it's okay. That was dumb of me."
He shoved the bike inside to the bike racks. Yuna followed him inside and closed the door behind them. She watched the young man while he stowed his bicycle. When he came back to the front door, she got in his way and searched for his gaze.
"Listen. I like you, but I'm not ready.", admitted the blue-haired.
He twisted his mouth. "You have lots of things to do."
"Yes. I don't want to hurt you, because I'm getting insecure suddenly, or by having not enough time for you."
"You're so cute." Wataru smiled at the girl. "Oh, I have something for you."
"For me?"
The musician took his backpack, opened it and pulled out a sketchbook. He held it out to the blue-haired. "I had today a delivery for a shop and when I saw the block, I had to think of you."
"Wow. Thank you."
Astonished, she picked the block. While she flicked through, she noticed that it was pre-punched and without pattern. Ideal for drawing and removal of the sites to put them into a folder, for example.
"Hm ... you have no pencils, right?" With his right hand he ran his fingers through his black, medium-length hair.
"It's okay."
"Here." Wataru pulled a pen from his breast pocket and handed it to the huntress. "Better than nothing."
A wide smile appeared on her face. "True."
Then he took off his shoes, put on his house slippers and climbed up the stairs. Yuna remained irresolutely in the entrance area, pressed the block and the pen against her chest and followed the young man with her helpless gaze.