Reborn in Type-Moon: Starting by Adopting Sakura - Chapter 6

The head of the Reiroukan household grew solemn. He met Yuu’s gaze, then slowly raised his teacup, as if buying time to choose his words. After a quiet sip, he finally spoke.

“Yesterday, around 3:30 in the afternoon… a magus visited the Museum. He purchased the serpent’s skin. Paid a substantial sum.”

He set the cup down, looking genuinely regretful. “I tried to intervene, but without a deposit to hold the item…”

“I see.” Yuu’s voice didn’t waver. No anger. No reaction at all.

Every magus had their own idea of justice. Not justice in a moral or social sense—more like a personal code. To outsiders, it often looked indistinguishable from cruelty and evil. But for a magus, it was absolute. They’d kill for it. Die for it. Destroy anything that got in the way.

For Yuu, that code was simple: a promise was sacred.

Once he gave his word, nothing would stop him from keeping it. Murder, arson, theft—whatever it took. Normally, he was relaxed, even lazy. But when it came to a promise, he changed. That was why Aoi had trusted him with Sakura. Why Tokiomi had never questioned his resolve to guide her down the path of magecraft.

Yuu’s promises weren’t just words. They were practically curses—binding and unbreakable.

And that was why Reiroukan had hesitated. He knew Yuu had given his word regarding that relic. And now it was gone.

Not because of betrayal. Just bad timing. The item hadn’t been his to withhold.

Yuu asked, “Do you know who bought it?”

Reiroukan nodded. “I do.”

He set the cup down, eyes narrowing just slightly. “Araya Souren.”

Yuu’s brow tightened. He’d met Araya once, under Albion Tomb. The man barely spoke, but the pressure he gave off stuck with you. Supposedly a former monk. Focused. Rigid. The kind of person who never let go of anything.

What did someone like that want with the skin of a serpent?

“He’s still in Tokyo,” Reiroukan added. “Grandbell Hotel.”

The Reiroukan family had deep roots in the city. Not much happened in Tokyo without them hearing about it.

Yuu gave a quiet nod of acknowledgment. After exchanging a few parting courtesies, he turned and left the garden.

…

Back at home—

“Master, you're back?”

Yuu had said earlier he wouldn’t be home for lunch. Manaka had just been getting ready to take Sakura out—something about checking out local urban legends.

“Just needed to grab something,” he said, already heading upstairs.

He moved quickly, bypassing nine layers of protective bounded fields before reaching the innermost chamber of his third-floor workshop. There, he opened a concealed compartment and pulled out a wooden box sealed with agarwood. After locking it inside a safe, he made his way back downstairs.

As he passed the second-floor lounge, he paused and glanced at Sakura. She was sitting quietly on the couch. He offered a soft smile.

“Sorry I haven’t had much time to talk since you got here. Want to go to the amusement park tomorrow?”

“Ah… Yuu-oni… fa… fath…” Sakura fumbled, her voice small. She was still young, but she understood more than most kids her age.

“No need to force it,” he said gently. “Just ‘Nii-san’ is fine.”

His tone caught her off guard—a kindness that settled in her chest like warmth.

“Okay. Nii-san.” This time, her voice was clear.

“I’ll be out for a while. Should be back before sunset.”

“Okay. Safe travels, Nii-san.” She stood up politely and gave a small bow.

“Mm. See you later.” Yuu smiled and left through the front.

Off to the side, Manaka leaned on a broom, pouting. “Mou… how come she gets the gentle voice?” she grumbled, rocking on her heels. “Master never talks to me like that…”

…

Worried that Araya Souren might leave town soon, Yuu made his way straight to the hotel.

Room 403. A quiet place tucked away in Ochanomizu, Bunkyo Ward. The building was modest, surrounded by just enough greenery to give it a peaceful air—at least from the outside.

Inside, the suite was bright, but the light never quite reached the man sitting near the center. He wore a black robe, draped across his shoulders like a stylized take on an old sorcerer’s cloak. Even with sunlight pouring through the windows, the space around him felt dim. As if the room itself had adjusted to his presence—stale, heavy, untouched by warmth.

His face was sharp and gaunt, carved with a permanent expression of distant strain. A man who looked like he hadn’t seen sleep or sunlight in years.

As he opened his eyes, the door creaked.

Yuu stepped inside, carrying a slim metal case in one hand. The door clicked shut behind him with a soft thud. He didn’t waste time looking around—the place was as sparse and impersonal as he’d expected. His eyes went straight to Araya, and without waiting for a word, he walked over and set the case down on the table.

Araya’s eyes met his—cold, hollow, unreadable.

“It’s been a while,” Yuu said, casually pulling out a chair. “You still look like someone just got up and left you with the bill. Is this really how you greet an old friend?”

Araya didn’t move. His voice came low and dry. “I don’t remember our relationship involving open invitations.”

Yuu poured the tea like he hadn’t heard a thing. “Let’s keep it simple, then. The serpent’s skin you bought from the Museum—I want it. Think we can work out a trade?”

Araya gave no answer. He simply shut his eyes again, still as a stone.

Yuu didn’t take offense. If anything, his smile widened. “I know what you’re after. The prototype of the soul. You’ve spent years chasing the mechanics of reincarnation—life, death, the space in between. No surprise you went after the serpent’s skin. Symbol of rebirth, of course.”

Still nothing.

Yuu leaned back slightly. “By the way... I heard about the building. That apartment complex in Mifune City. That yours?”

Pause.

“I’ve been doing some reading on explosives,” Yuu said lightly. “Modern stuff is terrifying. Real easy to rig a few floors and bring the whole thing down.”

The room went silent.

Then—

Crack.

Araya’s eyes opened.

Yuu lifted his hand in a half shrug. “Relax. Let’s not turn this into something it doesn’t have to be.”

He slid the metal case across the table.

“Take a look. If it’s not enough, I’ll leave.”

And next time, they’d be meeting in Mifune.

Yuu didn’t say it. He didn’t need to. His smile said plenty.

The silver case clicked open.

Inside sat a faintly glowing, irregular sphere—soft light pulsing from within like a living ember.

Araya’s pupils contracted. “A… Śarīra?”

Yuu rested an elbow on the arm of the chair. “That’s right. I'm offering it in good faith.”

Araya said nothing at first. His eyes lingered on the relic, then shifted back to Yuu.