"Is this the place?"
From inside his car, Luo Shu gazed through the open window at the old-fashioned Japanese apartment in the distance.
Apart from newer apartment buildings, most houses in Japan were constructed from wood.
This served both earthquake resistance requirements and the simplicity of wooden construction, which required less time - a significant advantage in Japan where labour costs were high.
The Shirogane family rented one such old-fashioned wooden apartment.
Due to its extreme age, it appeared extremely dilapidated. Even with timely repairs, it gave off the impression of being a dangerous building.
"Yes, it's that house up ahead."
As she spoke, Kei Shirogane unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the car door handle.
At that moment, Kei glanced at Chika Fujiwara, who was also unfastening her seatbelt and suddenly thought of something, asking:
"Does Chika-nee have to come along too?"
"Eh?"
Chika Fujiwara froze upon hearing this.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu, in the driver's seat, observed them through the rear-view mirror and said:
"From a safety perspective, it would be most appropriate for Chika to remain in the car."
"Eh? Just me? Am I the only one staying behind?"
Chika Fujiwara looked utterly devastated at the two of them, pitifully saying:
"I want to visit Kei-chan's house too!"
"But we're not going there to play, are we?" Kei Shirogane hesitated.
At this point, Luo Shu calmly stated:
"From a security standpoint, having someone remain outside as a lookout is a reasonable strategy."
"On one hand, it prevents strangers from approaching and avoids accidental casualties. On the other hand..."
Luo Shu stared at Chika Fujiwara's pitiful face in the rear-view mirror:
"Chika, you've never received any training in handling Abyss Artefacts, have you?"
"Do you know how to search for and identify Abyss Artefacts?"
"Do you know the nine methods for sealing Abyss Artefacts?"
"Chika, do you know any of this?"
Putting on the act of an experienced professional, Luo Shu maintained a stern expression, appearing like the very embodiment of authority before Kei Shirogane and Chika Fujiwara.
Yet in reality...
'I actually don't know either, but you don't know I'm just making this up!'
Luo Shu quietly complained in his heart.
Truth be told, Kirika Tachibana had long been urging him to undergo proper basic training, but due to the Hidden Management Department being newly established and the opening of branches worldwide, he'd never found the time.
However, these were matters known only to SDS executives, such as Luo Shu; others weren't aware of this.
Unsurprisingly, Chika Fujiwara was intimidated by Luo Shu's act.
She lowered her head dejectedly, seemingly accepting reality.
Only...
"Chika-nee, could you let go of me?"
Kei Shirogane looked down at the small hand clutching her sleeve.
"If you keep holding me like this, I can't leave."
Chika Fujiwara suddenly adopted a serious expression:
"Kei-chan, for safety reasons, you should stay here with me to monitor the surroundings."
"You don't have the ability to handle those so-called Abyss Artefacts either, do you?"
"That's technically true..."
Kei Shirogane's composure cracked as she grabbed Chika's hand, torn between laughter and tears:
"But it's my house that's going to be searched!!"
"If I don't go, how will Senior Luo Shu find that Abyss Artefact?!"
"I don't care!"
"It's so unfair that only I have to stay behind!!"
Chika Fujiwara began throwing a childish tantrum.
At this point, Luo Shu calmly said:
"I'll treat you to a sundae later - you can add whatever toppings you want!"
Chika immediately released her grip, cheerfully saying:
"Alright then, you two take care! Remember to come back soon!!"
"Uh..." Kei Shirogane truly didn't know how to respond to this.
Just then, Luo Shu unfastened his seatbelt and took out his phone:
"Chika, give me your phone number so I can call you and let you know mine."
"If anyone approaches the apartment later, call me immediately so I can handle it."
"Got it."
Fujiwara Chika took out her phone and recited her number.
Luo Shu made a call, hung up after three seconds, then put his phone away and said to Shirogane Kei:
"Let's go. The quicker we deal with this, the sooner we can leave."
"Right."
Shirogane Kei nodded and immediately got out of the car, leading Luo Shu towards the apartment building.
Luo Shu followed Shirogane Kei up the left staircase of the apartment.
The wooden steps creaked underfoot, making Luo Shu raise an eyebrow. He glanced at Shirogane Kei, but seeing no reaction from her, he said nothing.
They soon arrived at an apartment door. Shirogane Kei took out her keys, unlocked it, stepped inside, and flipped the light switch.
As the lights came on, Shirogane Kei entered the entryway and immediately spotted several men's suit jackets scattered on the floor, along with a pair of socks.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu, who had just entered, turned his gaze to the shoe cabinet on the right side of the entryway. His eyes landed on the maneki-neko figurine placed atop it, and his brow twitched.
Seeing the mess of clothes, Shirogane Kei slapped a hand to her face and groaned:
"Dad came back at noon to change into his work clothes again!!"
With a sigh, Shirogane Kei took off her shoes, slipped on house slippers, and neatly arranged a pair for Luo Shu:
"Senior, just give me a minute. I'll be quick."
She hurried into the room, bending down to gather the clothes and socks while explaining:
"My dad sometimes takes construction jobs, so whenever he gets work, he rushes home to change into labourer's clothes before heading to the site..."
After collecting the clothes, she carried them to the bathroom and dumped them into a laundry basket. Then she glanced at the clothes rack by the window, noting the missing items, and deduced:
"Looks like he's doing carpentry today. Normally, he'd finish around 5:30..."
She checked her watch.
6:12 PM.
"We still have some time. Let's grab what we need quickly."
As she spoke, she headed towards a wooden door:
"This is my dad's room. The cross I mentioned last time should be in the desk... Senior? Senior?!"
She turned to see Luo Shu still standing by the entrance, staring intently at the maneki-neko. Puzzled, she asked:
"Is something wrong with that maneki-neko?"
Luo Shu approached the shoe cabinet and picked up the 30cm-tall figurine:
"Is this another one of your father's collectables?"
"Ah, that... I think he brought it back from some job."
Suddenly realising something, Shirogane Kei's expression turned uneasy:
"Senior, don't tell me..."
"You guessed right. Another Abyss Artefact."
As he spoke, Luo Shu clenched his right fist and smashed it into the maneki-neko.
A loud thud echoed as the lucky cat collided with Luo Shu's fist. Cracks began to spiderweb across the point of impact between the ceramic figure and his knuckles, accompanied by a series of crisp cracking sounds.
Finally, with a resounding boom, the lucky cat exploded, scattering ceramic shards across the floor.
At that moment, a bare-chested man with his back to Kei Shirogane rose slowly from a half-kneeling position reminiscent of the T800's iconic entrance.
Just then, a deep, theatrical voice reminiscent of Dio's flamboyant tone rang out:
"My my, finally freed at last?"
"Papa was beginning to think he'd be trapped inside that cat forever!"
The shirtless man tilted his head slightly and raised a hand in greeting towards Kei:
"Yo, Kei-chan! Bringing a boyfriend home today? Papa's surprised!"
Kei blinked rapidly before taking a deep breath. Sensing impending danger, Luo Shu immediately covered his ears.
"————WHY ARE YOU HOME?!!!"
The girl's shriek pierced the heavens.