Campione: Strongest# 425: The Objective

In the Japanese-style dining room of the Asagami residence.

The atmosphere was exceptionally oppressive, almost suffocating.

But that was just Masako Asagami’s illusion.

“Fujino, it’s not good to be a picky eater,” Haru said, glancing at her from the head of the table.

“…Mm.” Fujino, who was currently picking the green peppers out of the dish before her, wrinkled her delicate, cute nose.

“Fujino,” Mrs. Asakami’s voice was a gentle reprimand.

For some reason, Japanese green pepper dishes always seemed to be simply boiled. Though nutritious, the taste was nothing to write home about.

However, the Japanese seemed to have a fondness for adding green peppers to their children’s meals, so picky eating was a common phenomenon.

“Ah…” Fujino, under the pressure of her mother and Haru, frowned, mustered her courage, and slowly put the green pepper in her mouth.

The taste of the green pepper exploded on her taste buds, and her frown deepened.

Seeing Fujino focused on finishing her green peppers, Haru turned his attention to the breakfast before him.

Though he didn't need to eat to replenish his energy, he still maintained his habit of enjoying good food.

After all, scientific research had proven that eating was a more enjoyable activity than a certain other act. It was just that humans had grown so accustomed to it that they no longer felt it.

“How much longer until the Ryougi family arrives?” Haru asked, finishing his breakfast and setting down his chopsticks, his expression calm as he addressed Masako Asagami, who was standing beside him.

“There are still three minutes until the appointed time,” Masako replied, quickly glancing at the old-fashioned wall clock on the right wall and bowing her head.

“Then, we should go to the front yard,” Haru said, reaching out and taking a few napkins from the dispenser on the dining table, and wiping the corner of his mouth.

“Well then, Madam, I’ll take my leave,” Haru said, the napkin in his hand spontaneously combusting. He stood up and nodded slightly to Mrs. Asakami, then strode away.

Mrs. Asakami smiled and nodded.

Masako secretly heaved a sigh of relief. To stand beside him was too much pressure. She would rather face Kaname Ryougi than this terrifying man again.

‘I’ll try to trick Kaname Ryougi into leaving later. Anyway, his objective should be the Ryougi family’s young lady. I’m just creating an opportunity for him. It shouldn't be a big problem.’

Masako secretly calculated and followed Haru.

Fujino blinked, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at his retreating back.

————

At the main gate of the Asagami residence, Shiki Ryougi stood beside Kaname Ryougi, her brow furrowed as she listened to her brother’s instructions.

“Shiki, I’m begging you. Try to lead him away. It would be best if you could keep him occupied!” Kaname said, his expression tense, his hands clasped together in a pleading gesture as he looked at her.

“Mm.” Shiki glanced at her brother and replied nonchalantly.

Creak—!

The main gate of the Asagami residence slowly opened.

“You’ve been waiting long, Ryougi-kun.”

“Not at all, not at all. I just arrived, just arrived.”

Shiki ignored the two, who seemed to be in their own little world, her black, onyx-like eyes fixed on Haru, who was standing behind Masako Asagami.

“Yo!” Haru lifted his hand and greeted her with a smile.

In that moment, Shiki had the strong urge to just turn and leave. She, who hoped to live a normal life, really didn't want to face someone like him.

Not only because of her own strange, murderous impulses, but also because of the blatant abnormality he had displayed at the banquet. It all made her exceptionally resistant.

But she had promised her brother to keep him occupied.

Shiki shot a cold glance at the love-struck Kaname beside her and said, her voice icy, “Have you had your fill of flirting?”

Kaname and Masako, who had been talking, their faces stiffened, and they both turned to look at her with embarrassment.

“Right, it seems there’s a new movie at the theater today. I bought four tickets. Let’s all go see it,” Kaname said, suppressing his embarrassment, a humorless smile on his face.

Then, because he had been so rudely interrupted by Shiki, and was now unsure of himself, he looked at the black-haired woman beside him with an expectant expression.

“Thank you for the trouble, Ryougi-kun,” Masako said, suppressing her own discomfort, her voice a soft, feminine whisper.

As the group walked away, a small, purple head peeked out, watching the four retreating backs with a dazed expression.

————

Haru glanced at the two, who were walking hand-in-hand in front of him, with a strange expression. Then, he turned his head and looked at the icy Shiki beside him.

“We meet again, Miss Ryougi. I don’t think I’ve introduced myself yet. I…”

Before he could finish, Shiki shot him a cold glance. “Not necessary.”

Haru, who had been rebuffed, shrugged. Anyway, his current objective was just to stay within a five-meter radius of her and test Nyarlathotep’s secret art.

Since she hadn't stormed off, a little cold shoulder didn't matter. Speaking of which, wouldn't it be abnormal not to be rebuffed by her?

Thinking of this, Haru tilted his head and looked at the Shiki beside him.

She was about thirteen, her slightly childish, graceful body clad in a light blue furisode kimono, a deep blue obi wrapped around her slender waist.

As she walked, her small feet, wrapped in tabi, which were like three-inch golden lotuses, were faintly visible, and the crisp sound of her wooden geta against the ground echoed in the surroundings.

Though it was just a glance, from the shape of her legs, Haru knew that the long legs hidden beneath her kimono were another ‘leg-play-for-years’ series.

“Keep looking, and I’ll gouge your eyes out,” Shiki said, her brow arched, her voice cold. It was clear that his undisguised gaze had caught her attention.

Haru lifted his head and shifted his gaze to her icy face. Looking at her short, black hair, which fluttered in the wind and barely covered her ears, it suited her exceptionally well.

Suddenly, his keen eyesight noticed the goosebumps on her exposed neck, and he looked at her with a knowing expression.

“It’s cold, isn't it?”

Though it was almost spring, and wearing a kimono was not impossible, it was usually a lined one. A modern, simple kimono like hers was not very warm.

However, Shiki didn't seem to respond. This sudden concern, in her eyes, who had already labeled him as a troublemaker, was just a classic example of ‘a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken—with no good intentions.’

‘Well, a complete ice beauty.’ Haru shrugged, but still manipulated the atmosphere around him, changing the temperature within a three-meter radius.

If she were to catch a cold, it would affect his observation of the Root.

The sudden rise in temperature made Shiki frown slightly. She looked at him with surprise, and what she got in return was an intriguing smile.

After a long moment, a cold voice suddenly exploded.

“What is your purpose in getting close to me?”