Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Corpse Burning Technique
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The silence of the night was broken by the sound of crackling flames, consuming everything in their path.
In mere seconds, all that remained of the bodies had been reduced to nothingānot even ashes were left behind.
"This corpse-burning technique is pretty handy," Hikari muttered to himself, glancing around.
Every trace of the recent bloodshedāscattered clothes, broken bones, even the faintest remnantsāhad vanished in the fire, leaving the forest unnaturally clean.
He also felt something deeper, almost spiritual. The invisible connections binding him to Oga and Yuuta had been severed by the flames.
"So this technique doesnāt just incinerate the bodies; it breaks some kind of connection I had with them too," Hikari thought aloud, intrigued by the techniqueās effects.
"It seems that even if surveillance cameras captured me eliminating Masaru and the others, as long as I burn their bodies, unless I did it in broad daylight or right in front of a police station, suspicion would be greatly reduced."
A slow grin spread across his face. The corpse-burning technique was more practical than heād anticipatedālike a power that transcended the physical, reaching into something intangible.
"Well, this saves me a lot of hassle." With that, he walked out of the forest with easy confidence.
Under the light of the moon, his tall figure stretched out into the night, growing fainter with every step.
ā
After the hassle-free incineration of those scumbags, Hikari returned to the apartment where Natsuha lived.
Passing by Yukinoās house, he paused, glancing at the dark windows.
āLooks like sheās not home tonightā, he thought, āAfter all, with all the commotion that went on next door, if Yukino-san had been around, she wouldāve definitely made some action.ā
With a slight shake of his head, he continued on, finally reaching Natsuhaās door and knocking lightly.
The door swung open almost instantly, revealing the lovely face of Natsuha, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Without giving Hikari a chance to say anything, she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly around the waist as if she wanted to melt right into him.
"Hikari-kun, please... just hold me," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with a fragile need.
Feeling her warmth pressed against him, Hikari wasnāt heartless enough to push her away. He knew how terrified she must have been after everything that had happened at her place tonight. After all, she was still a high school girl, not some kind of unbreakable superhero.
So he placed a comforting hand on her smooth back, patting gently.
Feeling the warmth of Hikariās embrace and his reassuring touch, Natsuha finally began to relax, her heart calming down from the nightās ordeal.
After a moment, she pulled away, her face redder than before but with her gaze steady on his. "Thank you for saving me again today, Hikari-kun... Let me make you a cup of milk tea, okay?"
Hikari took a quick glance inside the apartment. The walls were cracked, the furniture overturnedāit was a disaster zone. Shaking his head, he said, "Thereās no way you can make anything here. The place is a wreck. Not to mention you canāt even study or sleep here tonight."
"Letās just go to a hotel for the night."
Natsuha glanced back at the mess and nodded, cheeks tinged pink as she softly took his sleeve. "Alright... Iāll do as you say."
Hikari knew her nerves must still be frazzled, so he didnāt hesitate to lead her out of the apartment and find a nearby hotel for the night.
ā
In the suite, Hikari sat on the bed, reviewing the points heād earned from his Pure Love System. Natsuha, meanwhile, had headed straight for the bathroomāprobably needing a hot shower to shake off the shock left by Ogaās gang.
He thought it might be good to talk things out once she was out, just to make sure she wouldnāt be haunted by what had happened.
While he waited, he took a look at the points heād accumulated from todayās encounters.
āNot counting the 500 points from Natsuha, just taking down Masaru and his gang of delinquents netted me almost another 500 points.ā
āAnd with the ābonusā from Natsuha, I actually crossed a thousand points in my Pure Love Points.ā
Hikari could hardly believe itāheād hit the jackpot tonight.
The thought of spinning the systemās prize wheel crossed his mind, but before he could start, he heard the soft creak of the bathroom door.
Natsuha came out, wrapped in nothing but a towel, her hair still wet and draped over her shoulders, looking so stunningly beautiful that Hikari had to pause and take in the sight.
The thin towel barely managed to cover her figure, and he couldnāt help but feel that her curves were almost unfairly tempting.
Looking at how her towel clung, barely containing her figure, Hikari fought the urge to voice a complaintāāhow could someone have a figure like that?ā
Under his gaze, Natsuha did something unexpected. Instead of shying away or blushing furiously like she usually would, she squared her shoulders slightly, holding his gaze without a hint of embarrassment.
Surprised, Hikari glanced up at her face and noticed that while her cheeks were flushed, her eyes held his with a steady determination.
āWell, look at thatāwhen did this little wallflower suddenly become so bold?ā
"Hikari-kun!"
Before he could react, she had closed the distance between them, her scent filling his senses as she pressed herself against him.
A moment later, her soft lips met his.
Caught off guard, Hikariās eyes widened as he looked at her, inches away, eyes closed, lashes fluttering. Her face was smooth and flawless, like the most exquisite piece of art.
Yes, heād saved her tonight, ābut this... isnāt this a bit too... forward?ā
After a moment, it was Natsuha who pulled away, her face now flushed as she took a breath. Hikari gently grasped her shoulders, steadying her as she caught her breath.
"What was that for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Natsuhaās eyes softened, and she lowered her gaze slightly, murmuring, "To thank you. Today, Hikari-kun, you saved my life... I wanted to show my gratitude."
And before he could say anything, she continued, "But... itās not just about gratitude. I... Iāve wanted to tell you for a while now. I... I like you, Hikari-kun."
Her voice grew softer, but her resolve didnāt waver. "I like you so much that Iām ready to give everything... everything that I am, to you."
Hikari stared at her, his mind spinning. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Iām certain. Every word is from my heart."
āāāāāāāāāāāāā
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