"What's the price?"
Yotsuya Miko stared straight at Arthur, her golden eyes flickering with both expectation and unease.
She still couldn't be sure whether his words were true or not.
But the chance to finally fight back against spirits was right in front of her.
If she didn't grab it, she knew she would regret it forever.
As the saying went—
Opportunity knocks only once.
So, she decided to take the risk.
"It's very simple."
Arthur curved his lips into a faint smile, his voice calm.
"Just become mine."
"…Huh!!!"
"What did you just say?"
Miko's eyes flew wide open.
Her calm, rational front was shattered by the wave of shock that hit her.
She hadn't expected the price to be this.
Become Arthur's person.
Did he mean… that kind of thing?
Her first instinct was to reject him.
But as she looked at him, she felt another, completely opposite thought arise.
If it's him… maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
After all—Arthur was so handsome.
The instant that thought crossed her mind, Miko's cheeks flushed red.
What am I thinking?!
Seeing her reaction, Arthur chuckled and explained,
"To gain the power of exorcism, you must become my retainer—
something like a shrine maiden who serves a god."
"Only that way can you receive my strength."
"…A shrine maiden?"
Miko froze for a moment, her eyes glimmering.
Shrine maidens were a sacred role at shrines.
They had to be healthy, unmarried girls of purity.
And because of their intimate connection to the divine, shrine maidens were sometimes called "wives of the gods."
So the meaning was already clear.
Combined with the word "retainer," it left little doubt.
Her face grew hotter, her heart beating faster.
Noticing her lack of resistance, Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly, his smile deepening.
"This isn't something to rush. It should be mutual. Don't feel pressured—
take your time to think it over."
"…Okay."
Miko lowered her gaze, clutching at her skirt, her feelings a swirl of confusion.
It was like a cliché drama scene—
inside her heart, two versions of herself had appeared.
One shouting reject!
The other whispered.
The two were wrestling, clawing at each other's hair and clothes, deadlocked with no clear winner.
"I'll wait for your answer."
Arthur rose to his feet with a smile. "Come on, let's head back to class."
Miko stood too, her eyes flickering as she watched him move toward the door.
"…Um, Arthur."
She called out suddenly.
"What is it?"
He glanced back at her with a playful smirk.
"Don't tell me you've already decided?"
"No, it's not that…"
Her cheeks flushed deeper as she said, embarrassed,
"…Could you show me your power? Your superpower."
"If it's something you can't use casually, just forget I asked."
More than curiosity, she wanted to confirm it for herself.
To know that Arthur really did have such power.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, meeting hers.
Under the depth of his gaze, she felt oddly exposed, as though her thoughts had been laid bare.
"…Alright."
At last, he smiled faintly and nodded.
"Give me your hand."
"…?"
Her eyes flickered, a trace of hesitation showing—
but she placed her right hand in his.
Arthur's grip closed gently around hers.
Miko's heart skipped, a faint blush crossing her face.
"Ready? Here it comes."
He whispered softly, activating the Silver Authority: Gravity Control.
His palm glimmered with faint silver light.
"…What is—?!"
Miko's eyes widened in shock.
She felt as if an unseen wind was lifting her up.
Her feet left the ground.
Slowly—she floated into the air, half a meter above the floor.
"I-I'm flying!"
Her cry rang out, filled with both awe and excitement.
Her small mouth opened so wide it could've swallowed a cherry.
She was actually flying!
Even if it was just half a meter, not soaring through the sky—
It was still flying.
Watching her stunned, exhilarated face, Arthur only smiled silently.
In truth, he didn't need to hold her hand to make her float.
But he did it on purpose.
The hand-holding was just right—intimate without overstepping.
It was the same principle as those novels or dramas where the hero insists the girl must take off clothes for healing.
If you know, you know.
If you don't—go sit at the kids' table.
After letting her hover for over ten seconds, he gently lowered her back down, releasing her hand naturally.
"…So soon?"
Her feet touched the ground again, leaving her a little unsatisfied.
If she could, she wanted to soar freely through the skies like a bird.
Still, this short experience was enough.
Now she was absolutely certain—Arthur really did possess superpowers.
And in her heart, the balance that had been perfectly level began to tilt… ever so slightly.
"Alright, let's go."
Arthur headed for the door.
Miko followed at his side, her eyes flickering.
She glanced once at him, once at her hand, and smiled faintly as she recalled the natural way he had let go.
So far, her impression of him was nothing but good.
The student council office was located on the first floor of the library, beside the main hall.
The library itself was connected to the teaching building.
Once outside, Arthur stopped and turned to her.
"You go on ahead. I need to return the key."
"Okay."
Miko nodded and left for the classrooms.
Smiling faintly, Arthur headed toward the staff counter at the library entrance, key in hand.
Five minutes later—
Miko returned to Class 1-F.
"Miko, you're back!"
Yurikawa Hana rushed to her with a grin that was all curiosity and gossip.
Leaning close, she whispered,
"Tell me—are you and Arthur-kun dating already?"
"…."
Miko felt her head ache at the sight of her best friend's inquisitive expression.
With a helpless sigh, she muttered,
"Hana, it's not like that between me and Arthur."
"Really?"
Her friend's face was full of disbelief.
"Then why did you go meet him alone, huh?"
Clearly, Hana wasn't buying it.
But even under her relentless questioning, Miko didn't feel annoyed—just troubled.
She couldn't tell Hana the truth.
Then—suddenly—
Wait, I've got it!
An idea flashed across her mind.
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