How should one behave towards an elderly person who has shown you kindness?
With warmth and enthusiasm, of course.
I stood before the small house, having even changed into a new pair of geta. The pastries I held were from a shop Thoma recommended, freshly made today. I adjusted my clothing—Thoma, influenced by the Kamisato clan's etiquette, had taught me how to walk steadily and gracefully, how to sit properly, and how to choose gifts.
If he hadn't needed to return to deal with the Yamada Taichi situation, I felt he could have completely transformed me from head to toe.
Arataki Itto slammed the door open.
The gust of wind nearly blew my scalp off, making me blink rapidly.
"Granny! Miya's here!" The crimson oni stepped out, threw an arm around me, and pulled me inside. My feet barely touched the ground as I stumbled along.
This guy really didn't see me as a girl.
I reached up, gripped the bear paw holding me, and twisted him into a hold that sent him crashing to the floor, making him yelp in pain.
"Please maintain a respectful distance from an innocent young lady like myself."
The oni, lying on the ground too surprised to be angry, looked utterly bewildered. "Innocent... what?"
I let out a cold laugh.
Next time, I'd plant a resonance mark in his pants.
Granny Oni's mobility surely couldn't be like the spry elders from One Piece who could sprint across oceans or swing giant hammers. I watched as the elderly woman slowly emerged and quickly stepped forward with my brightest smile. "Hello, Granny! I'm Miya Ryuguu. Thank you so much for taking me in before!"
"It was obviously me who—"
I handed the pastries to her. "These are all freshly made today. Please try them and see if you like them—if you do, definitely let me know. I'll bring more next time."
"What pastries? Miya, you didn't even give me—"
"Oh my." The old woman seemed taken aback and tried to decline. "Helping others is only natural—"
Noticing she seemed unsure how to address me, though I'd be happy to be called "child" by an elder, I said, "Please, just call me Miya."
"Even if you say that, to me, it was like being given a new lease on life," I insisted. "If I can't repay you in some way, I'll feel guilty."
"You're too kind, child." She finally accepted the gift. "Then you must stay for dinner tonight. I'll start preparing—"
"Let me help."
Granny Oni was a wonderful person—kind-hearted and steadfast, having taken in Arataki Itto despite being called "Granny Oni." I truly admired such a respectable person and couldn't help but be even more warm toward her.
"Hey! Don't ignore me, Miya Ryuguu—"
——
The younger generation should care for their elders, especially those who have shown you kindness.
I insisted on preparing dinner and washing the dishes.
As for Arataki Itto—just as I had almost completely forgotten our arm-wrestling match, he dragged me away from Granny Oni.
He pressed me against the wall with his large hands, his grip broad enough to envelop my entire shoulder. He looked like an angry 200-pound bull, reminding me of the Red Bull energy drink.
"Miya, you didn't forget about our competition, did you?"
I stayed silent for a moment.
Then I immediately rolled up my sleeves. "Bring it on."
"You totally forgot!" he gritted his teeth.
"Let's do it. I even called the Arataki Gang to cheer me on today. Just wait to lose!"
He actually brought an audience. An idea sparked in my mind, and I grabbed the back of his collar. "Wait—just arm-wrestling is too boring. How about we make a bet? One round decides it all."
Arataki Itto actually stroked his chin thoughtfully, his distinctive brows furrowing as his crimson eyes scanned the room before landing on me.
When this guy wasn't acting foolish, his appearance could be quite intimidating.
"If you lose to me, then you have to..."
I crossed my arms, waiting for him to finish.
"...then you have to join my Arataki Gang!" His eyes flickered toward the house before he declared with forced bravado—
"Ahem!" I suppressed a wildly rising smirk.
"Now it's my turn."
"If you lose, Arataki Itto, you have to call me 'Big Sis Ryuguu,'" I said, hands on my hips. "Though I'd be happy with just 'sis' too."
He stared at my head in confusion for a moment, struggling before finally bursting out, "Fine! But I won't lose to some kid! I refuse to call you 'big sis'!"
"One round decides it～"
"I got it! Stop nagging!"
——
A small table, two people, surrounded by four others—including a green-haired, masked girl dressed as a ninja.
［Important character detected: Kuki Shinobu］
Indeed.
The second-in-command of the Arataki Gang, the Oni's right hand, a rare all-rounder.
Also known as Arataki Itto's external brain.
These titles always reminded me of a certain male, V-bangs-sporting, cigarette-obsessed, mayonnaise-devoted character—also called the "Demon's Right Hand."
Noticing my gaze, she walked over. I decided to extend my hand first.
［Kuki Shinobu Favorability: 8］
"I'm Miya Ryuguu. You could say I'm a friend of Arataki Itto's."
"Your wording is strange—" She looked at me skeptically, her purple eyes scanning me up and down before politely shaking my offered hand. "I'm Kuki Shinobu. Though I'm reluctant to admit it, Arataki Itto is indeed my boss."
"Judging by his attitude, you're already his friend," Kuki Shinobu continued, gesturing toward the oni who was now squatting by the small table, bantering with the others.
She pointed them out one by one.
"That's Genta on the left, the one grabbing his arm is Akira, and the crouching one is Mamoru... He's mentioned you many times."
I'd assumed her personality would be as unapproachable as her appearance suggested. I nodded along, unsurprised by her last comment.
Arataki Itto was a big child who couldn't keep secrets. If he hadn't talked about me, that would have been surprising.
"Hey, Miya!" Speak of the devil. The crimson oni slapped the small table—it looked like a narrow game table or a high kotatsu. He sat cross-legged on one side, eyes burning intently as he watched me approach. The one-round rule seemed to make him nervous; he sat up straight, staring intently.
"I'll count," Kuki Shinobu stepped forward, raising her hand palm-out. "On three, begin."
I kicked off my geta and sat cross-legged barefoot.
Arataki Itto's hand was, as usual, absurdly large with sharp-looking but well-maintained nails. One of his hands could envelop four of mine. I raised an eyebrow in annoyance.
"Hey, Itto, you know what?"
The tall guy's face twitched, growing wary. "What?"
I rolled my sleeves up high, securing them with a thin belt tied at the shoulder—like a Japanese woman preparing for work. My exposed arms were slender and pale, covered in scars. "I, well, actually have a special power."
I gripped his hand on the table, assuming the position.
Kuki Shinobu's gaze briefly swept over my arms. I heard her favorability drop a point, her eyes growing cautious.
3
2
1
The moment her hand dropped, I felt considerable force transmit from his palm. Arataki Itto even let out a loud grunt, making my hand waver for a second.
"—Hah!"
The other three cheered loudly for him.
"Boss, you can do it!"
I watched his face gradually flush red, veins bulging on the back of his hand. Arataki Itto's most striking feature was his crimson eyes—pure and determined. When serious or angry, that red became breathtakingly vivid.
And red suited him.
This guy even went all out in games.
The body of Miya Ryuguu, under my use, was covered in scars—from the slash on my back when I first arrived, the gash on my stomach from battle, torn skin, arms shredded by a Mitachurl's flaming axe, scratches from fleeing through grass... all had left their marks. The long kimono's wide sleeves hid them, preventing me from looking like a battle maniac.
I wasn't a maniac—I just didn't care.
But for a game?
I felt a itch to go all out too.
"See these scars?" I eased up slightly, using my free hand to point at my arm as I spun my tale. The group, including the oni straining unsuccessfully against my hand, stared mesmerized. "Each represents a battle of awakening. Through them, I comprehended a power beyond Visions—"
［You sound like you're preaching］
I smiled, fooling everyone present.
"—spiritual energy."
［Wrong genre!］
"My spiritual pressure has reached ninety percent—" I grinned like a villain. "To show respect for you, Itto, I'll use my ultimate technique."
I pressed down with all my strength—
"Bankai. Super Ultimate Technique: Debate Club Art."
——
——
［So edgy］
The System's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
［That's no excuse for embedding an important character into the ground］
"...I just wanted to test my full strength. Who knew I'd press him into the floor?" I hesitated, holding my geta as I peeked inside from outside. The room was chaotic—a damp towel flew through the air and smacked someone in the face. I couldn't tell Genta from Akira, only hearing someone get a basin dumped on them.
"Ahem."
Kuki Shinobu patted my shoulder.
"He'll wake up soon. When can you compensate for Granny's table—"
"Him playing around is one thing, but why did you use your full strength?" Her expression was a mix of confusion, shock, and helplessness. Her wary demeanor had softened slightly.
［Kuki Shinobu Favorability: 10］
I felt ashamed. "I got carried away—I'm truly sorry."
She shook her head.
Her exasperated look reminded me of Kakashi.
［Hey, stop genre-hopping］
"Alright, I won't miscalculate again," I turned away, muttering quietly. "...Hurtling him was an accident."
Remembering my unpaid promise to treat them to a meal, I scratched my head and turned to Kuki Shinobu. "When are you all free? I'd like to treat you to a meal—I promised Itto before but haven't made good on it. Maybe we can all go together?"
"They're usually free."
Kuki Shinobu glanced inside. "Don't worry about me. If they're free, I'm free."
——
Few people had such densely concentrated scars.
A seemingly petite, gentle girl who wore long kimonos properly but had a terrible temper. The one Arataki Itto had mentioned so often—Miya Ryuguu. Haunted house owner, giver of giant Onikabuto, incredibly strong—though no one expected this strong.
Kuki Shinobu stared speechlessly at the table reduced to splinters.
There was even a human-shaped imprint on the ground.
She'd thought there might be danger, but it turned out she was just the type to go all out even in games.
Even if not evil, Miya Ryuguu was far from "good." Setting aside the scars, the "haunted house" and "ultimate arm-wrestling technique" were clearly just ways to mess with Arataki Itto. The last person to deceive him like this was the head of the Kamisato clan.
Those green eyes... something felt off about them.
The second-in-command massaged her temples.
—She could only hope this wouldn't torment the Arataki Gang's boss too much.