Vol 9 Prologue (1/2)

Prologue

“I mean, you‘re the one I--“

Her usual dignified expression vanished and her eyes flickered with worry. Then flus.h.i.+ng her smooth, white cheeks, Gogyou Hijiri softly grabbed the sleeve of my clothes.

A faint fragrance of flowers came from her glamorous, long hair and waiting for her to continue, I felt my own heart beating fast.

Afternoon of a certain holiday. I had gone to the Dojo of the Gogyou Mansion and conducted the exorcist training, which had become a routine lately, while Hijiri watched over me.

Amidst that, Hijiri had started talking with “I have something important to tell you” and while turning bright red, she chose her words with utmost care, slowly bringing her graceful features closer. Following, she firmly looked into my eyes and hesitated for a moment. Then she opened her well-formed lips.

“You’re the one I&h.e.l.lip; love.”

Increasing the strength of her squeeze on my sleeve a bit,

“I want to be with you more often. I want to be closer to you. I want to be near you. I don’t want the engagement to be only a formality anymore&h.e.l.lip;”

she confessed so with emotional words. With her eyes still filled with worry, Hijiri asked timidly.

“What about you, s.h.i.+n.o.bu-kun? How do you feel about me?”

“I&h.e.l.lip;”

My confusion was so great that I was at a loss for words.