Volume 4 Chapter 20 The Thief Should Die Tomorrow Night： The Devotion of the Black-Haired Bob Prince-Type Honest Cool Cross-Dressing Childhood Friend
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Naoshi, do you have a moment?”
”Sure.”
Naoshi replied to Mibu Itsuki’s call through the sliding door, resting his elbows on the windowsill.
The night sky was visible through the opened window, with few clouds.
It looked somewhat hazy.
”What’s up?”
Perhaps due to the fatigue from the fierce battle earlier, Naoshi’s voice lacked its usual sarcasm and vigor, much like the sky.
”I heard from Niwazono, he wants me to come to the meeting tomorrow.”
”──Are you sure it’s okay to tell me that?”
The meeting was called by Naoshi himself; he must have some intention in bringing Itsuki along, whether for mediation or preparation for a conflict.
”Well, we’ll find out when we get there, but I’m curious when you plan to leave.”
However, Naoshi answered with apparent indifference, as if such matters held no interest for him.
The voice was slowly approaching.
”You can go ahead. There’s no need for chaperoning, right──so, is that all?”
”Yeah, that’s all I need.”
Itsuki sat down at Naoshi’s feet, leaning against him.
The soft body that leaned in carried a sweet fragrance.
”I’m not really in the mood for this.”
”Is that so?”
Saying that, Itsuki pressed closer, slipping her hand into Naoshi’s chest.
The sensation of bandages rubbed against him; her hands, which had been in a pitiful state just hours before, moved surprisingly skillfully.
”──Did you hear what I said?”
”I’ve got pretty good ears, you know.”
”If that’s the case──”
”I get why you can’t show it to Ako-san or Suzuri-san. But you don’t have to shoulder everything alone.”
The interrupted words bore a sincere appeal.
”You leaned on me during the day, so keep me company tonight.”
”…You’re playing the backer again──who do you think you are?”
”Of course, from the perspective of a convenient lover.”
Letting out a long sigh, Naoshi finally met Itsuki’s gaze.
The expression with narrowed gray and blue eyes smiling held a certain allure.
He couldn’t help but think how this was the same person who passed as a boy.
”Have you ever been convenient for me?”
”Just because you have a thing for Naoshi’s voluptuous beauty doesn’t mean it serves you well.”
”It’s all about appearances…”
”Besides, I’m strong. I won’t break easily even if I’m handled roughly. I’m perfect for venting frustration.”
”That just seems like your personal taste though…”
Sensing the absence of rejection, Itsuki loosened her nightwear and straddled Naoshi’s waist.
Adjusting her position slightly for support, Naoshi turned his gaze back out the window.
”I don’t feel sorry for him or anything.”
”Yeah.”
Itsuki didn’t need to ask who he was referring to anymore.
Taking his time, Naoshi slowly continued, as if to confirm his own feelings.
”It’s natural that an exorcist’s life is at stake, and for a woman, that struggle is compounded.”
”True.”
As Itsuki rested her chin on Naoshi’s shoulder, she wrapped her arms around his back.
He pressed even closer to warm himself against the cold air from the window.
”It’s not the place of outsiders to criticize someone who is prepared.”
”I get it.”
”But still, the effort should be worthwhile.”
”Hmm… so that’s what’s bothering you?”
Rubbing his lower abdomen repeatedly, Itsuki inquired.
”Yeah, for instance, there will definitely be times when you and I must die──like with Umeda, it could have easily turned out that way. Even then, I believe we would accept it.”
”Both of us.”
”…You have some real guts. Do you realize the wounds you received from me were far deeper than from that snake?”
”I had a lot to deal with myself, so forgive me.”
”After being freed, you really got carried away.”
”So, what do you plan to do tomorrow?”
”Honestly, I’m still undecided. If we talk about the size of the damage, the one I’d most like to complain about is Kanbe-san.”
It was heard that Eji’s first squad captain fell to protect the legitimate heir, Kanbe Kaichirou, who had a history with him since childhood.
The impact would be substantial both practically and mentally.
”In such a situation, I shouldn’t get angrier than that.”
”Hmm.”
”Is something strange?”
”There’s no place for you in the Kanbe family; it’s just funny how Naoshi is trying so hard to seem understanding.”
”You, huh…”
”You can do as you like. If I can’t complain due to personal feelings, then was there ever any personal motive in the Ontake incident──clarifying that would be good.”
”────”
”Realistically, I can’t just let the person who ordered that from a safe distance go free. Since it’s going to be a negotiation anyway, it’s easier to come on strong at the start──if there’s no one to stop me, then that’s fine too──so, what do you think? Have I changed your mind?”
”You weren’t just some lovesick, funny girl after all.”
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Summary:
Naoshi is approached by Mibu Itsuki through a sliding door and agrees to talk to her. Naoshi is sitting by a window, gazing out at the night sky, which appears hazy due to fatigue from a recent battle.
Itsuki mentions that she received a message from Niwazono about attending a meeting tomorrow, which Naoshi seems to know about. Naoshi responds indifferently, which raises Itsuki’s curiosity about his intentions.
Despite knowing about the meeting, Naoshi acts nonchalant, which prompts Itsuki to sit down next to him and lean against him. She slips her hand into his chest, suggesting a level of intimacy between them.
Itsuki tries to comfort Naoshi, sensing his emotional fatigue, and reminds him that he doesn’t have to shoulder everything alone. Naoshi initially resists but eventually opens up to Itsuki.
Naoshi and Itsuki engage in a flirtatious conversation, with Naoshi teasing Itsuki about being a convenient lover. Itsuki responds by undoing her nightwear and straddling Naoshi’s waist, seeking physical comfort and closeness.
As they sit together, Naoshi starts to open up about his feelings, acknowledging that an exorcist’s life is always at risk, and that he can’t criticize someone who is prepared to make sacrifices. Itsuki listens attentively, providing emotional support.
Naoshi expresses his concerns about the effort being worthwhile, implying that sacrifices should have a purpose. Itsuki tries to reassure him, and Naoshi begins to rub his lower abdomen repeatedly, a sign of anxiety.
The conversation turns to the topic of death, with Naoshi mentioning that there will be times when he and Itsuki may have to die in their line of work. Itsuki listens intently, and Naoshi acknowledges the deep wounds she received from him in the past.
Naoshi starts to discuss his plans for the next day, which seem uncertain. He expresses frustration about the damage caused by Kanbe Kaichirou, who has a history with Eji, a squad captain who fell protecting him.
Itsuki playfully teases Naoshi about trying too hard to seem understanding, suggesting that he has personal motives for his actions. Naoshi acknowledges this, and Itsuki encourages him to clarify his intentions and prioritize his own feelings.
Naoshi begins to rationalize his actions, suggesting that he wants to come on strong in the upcoming negotiation to ensure that those responsible for the Ontake incident are held accountable. Itsuki listens intently, and Naoshi seems to be seeking her validation.
In the end, Itsuki seems to have altered Naoshi’s perspective, and he acknowledges that she is more than just a “lovesick, funny girl.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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