Kotomi Izumi felt her cheeks warm under Iroha’s gaze and nervously brushed a lock of her snowy hair behind her ear.

Seeing Kotomi’s reaction, a flicker of disappointment crossed Iroha Isshiki’s eyes before she smiled softly, as if letting it go. “Never mind. Even if I pressed you for an answer now, whether it was a joking response or a serious rejection, it’s not something I want to hear.”

Kotomi breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Sometimes, the little devil could be surprisingly considerate… well, sometimes.

“Uh, Iroha… I…” Kotomi scratched her head awkwardly. Even though she wasn’t sure if Iroha was teasing her earlier, she still felt a little guilty for not giving any response.

“Shh… Senpai,” Iroha said gently. “Even if you came up with a rushed answer now, it wouldn’t be what I want to hear.”

The rest of the journey was silent.

The two of them took the train back to Chiba City, successfully transferring trains a few times, and finally arrived at the station at 8 PM sharp.

Stepping out of the station, Kotomi looked at the darkening sky and the late hour, sighing softly. “It’s already this late… I was going to treat you to hotpot, but if we do that now, we’d finish way too late. Iroha, what do you want for dinner? Something quick and easy.”

“Something quick, huh… Oh! Senpai, I know! I want pork cutlet rice!”

“We were just riding in a police car this morning, and now you want to eat pork cutlet rice? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?” Kotomi teased before leading Iroha to her go-to pork cutlet restaurant.

Unlike chain restaurants like Yoshinoya, this shop specialized in pork cutlets and ramen. Most customers who knew of this place and came back regularly did so for its legendary pork cutlets.

Kotomi was known for discovering hidden culinary gems in her area. Her phone’s contact list was full of takeout numbers for various restaurants—a testament to her food-finding skills.

It was no exaggeration to say that nearly every shop owner in this neighborhood recognized her. The moment she walked into a place, they could usually guess what she was going to order.

Kotomi’s reputation wasn’t just because of her frequent visits but also her notable appetite, which left a deep impression on anyone who served her. And, of course, her stunning beauty didn’t hurt either.

“Hey, Kotomi’s here! Getting your usual today?” The shop owner, busy in the semi-open kitchen, greeted her with a friendly smile as soon as he heard the door open.

Kotomi was a regular not just for her appetite but also because of her charm and high emotional intelligence. The shop owner often gave her discounts or freebies, such as an extra side dish or drink.

“Yep! Two General’s Pork Cutlet Sets, please. Do you have enough rice?”

“Plenty! We just cooked a big batch. Still going with tofu miso soup?”

“Yes, please. And a big plate of cabbage too.”

Hearing Kotomi’s order, Iroha couldn’t help but raise her voice in alarm. “Senpai, I can’t finish an entire General’s Pork Cutlet Set!”

Compared to Kotomi, Iroha’s appetite was negligible. In fact, most girls—and even many guys—couldn’t match Kotomi when it came to food.

Kotomi turned to Iroha with a puzzled look. “Huh? I didn’t order for you. Both of those pork cutlet sets are for me. You can order whatever you want—the menu’s on the wall.”

The pork cutlet shop owner laughed heartily and said, “Every time Kotomi comes in and orders two General’s Pork Cutlet sets, it makes people think our portions aren’t generous enough. But that’s not the problem—it’s just that Kotomi’s appetite is unbelievable.”

He chuckled, then noticed Kotomi wasn’t alone this time. Curious, he asked, “By the way, who’s this young lady? Is she your girlfriend, Kotomi?”

“Of course not—she’s my… junior,” Kotomi replied with slight hesitation.

“Oh, so she’s your junior! Welcome, young lady. First time here? If you’re not sure what to get, I recommend the Supreme Carnivore Set. It comes in small, medium, and large sizes.”

“I’ll have a medium Supreme Carnivore Set,” Iroha said after glancing at the menu.

At places like this, when the owner recommends a dish, it’s usually the most popular item on the menu. For someone with decision paralysis, following the owner’s suggestion is almost always a safe bet. Small, privately-run restaurants rely heavily on word of mouth and returning customers, unlike chain establishments or large restaurants that push expensive dishes.

Moreover, the price differences weren’t significant. The most expensive item was Kotomi’s General’s Pork Cutlet set.

“Alright! Two General’s Pork Cutlet sets and one medium Supreme Carnivore Set. Find a seat, and I’ll bring your food out shortly.”

Iroha looked for a cozy two-person table where they could sit across from each other, but Kotomi headed straight for a six-person table. While the table was unoccupied, two people didn’t really need such a large space, right?

“Senpai, shouldn’t a two-person table be enough?” Iroha asked.

Kotomi shook her head. “No, Iroha, you underestimate the size of the General’s Pork Cutlet Set.”

“Huh?” Iroha was confused.

When the food arrived, she immediately understood why Kotomi had chosen a six-person table.

With just the two General’s Pork Cutlet sets, half of the six-person table was completely taken up! The portions were absolutely ridiculous!

After all the food was served, the owner brought over four skewers of spicy grilled chicken and two glasses of lychee-flavored soda as complimentary extras.

The pork cutlet shop’s popularity wasn’t just due to the great food but also the owner’s excellent hospitality. Whether customers ordered a lot or a little, the owner always gave a 170-yen discount at checkout. If you ordered more, you’d often get a free side dish or drink as well.

While the 170-yen discount wasn’t much, it left a good impression, making people want to return.

Initially, Iroha was worried that Kotomi wouldn’t be able to finish the food. But recalling the morning’s meal, her concern quickly vanished.

Only by seeing it firsthand could one truly understand that Aimi’s descriptions of Kotomi’s appetite were not exaggerated—if anything, they were understated.

After finishing their meal, Kotomi insisted on walking Iroha home to ensure her safety.

She only left after seeing Iroha safely enter her house.

The walk from the Isshiki residence to the Izumi residence required crossing two traffic lights. It wasn’t very far overall.

When Kotomi was about to cross the second traffic light, she suddenly stopped mid-step on the crosswalk, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She walked five more steps at her usual pace before abruptly changing direction. Instead of continuing forward, she turned left and began walking faster, albeit subtly.

Someone had started following her while she was waiting at the traffic light.

Initially, she thought it was her imagination. But after taking a few steps in a different direction, the person mirrored her movements. When she changed direction again, they followed.

It was clear—the person had singled her out at the traffic light and decided to tail her.

In that instant, Kotomi recalled the string of murders Officer Hidari had mentioned earlier.

Kotomi silently raised a metaphorical middle finger in her mind.

Damn it. If you dare try anything with me, I’ll make sure you regret being born into this world.

Thankfully, she had only been targeted at the traffic light. If it had happened earlier at the station, Iroha might have been put in danger too.

But now, how should I deal with this stalker? she wondered.

Although Kotomi had Officer Hidari’s contact saved in her phone, calling her wouldn’t make her magically appear in Chiba City.

Should I go buy a katana? It would be a good chance to test out my kendo skills.

But there’s no place nearby that sells katanas…

Kotomi furrowed her brows slightly as she ran through possible countermeasures in her mind.

A chill ran down Kotomi’s neck, prompting her to whirl around and glance behind her.

The bustling street was filled with people, yet there was no sign of anything unusual. The person tailing her seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Despite being in the middle of a lively urban street, Kotomi couldn’t shake the eerie feeling of walking alone in a silent, ominous forest. A shiver of unease and dread crept over her.

She pulled out her phone, prepared to call Officer Hidari at any moment, while quickening her pace and heading toward an area where she could more easily shake off the pursuer.

A crowded street was the worst place to lose a tail. Judging by how stealthily they moved, her stalker was calm and experienced. The busy street only served to provide the perfect camouflage.

Anyone in the crowd could be the stalker.

They could blend seamlessly into the throng, making it impossible for Kotomi to pinpoint them, and continue to follow her unnoticed. One mistake, and they might discover where she lived.

That would put her family in danger.

Kotomi clenched her fists. She absolutely wouldn’t allow her family to be harmed.

As the night deepened, the streetlights flickered intermittently. Kotomi’s sharp hearing picked up faint footsteps behind her, growing closer and closer.

The streetlights stretched her shadow long and thin, amplifying the anxiety brewing in her heart. She felt an overwhelming urge to find a safe place to hide. Despite her outward bravado, Kotomi was someone who deeply lacked a sense of security.

Calm down, Kotomi. You’re supposed to be the queen of stealth in Dead by Daylight… No, wait! That doesn’t help here! There are no pallets or boards to throw at anyone! Kotomi mentally rambled, trying to distract herself from the creeping fear.

Her eyes scanned the crowd around her, but the bustling scene offered no comfort. She felt an invisible danger steadily closing in. The moonlit sky no longer felt serene—it carried an oppressive undercurrent that weighed heavily on her chest.

Every face around her seemed sinister, as if a rope were slowly tightening around her neck.

Her breathing grew shallow as she spotted a department store still open for business. Steeling her nerves, she bought a can of soda from a street vendor before stepping inside.

The department store had fewer customers now, as dinner hour had passed, but Kotomi felt this might be a good place to act.

As she passed through the automatic doors, she kept part of her attention on them, silently counting down in her mind.

1, 2, 3… 7.

At the seventh second, the doors opened again, just as Kotomi expected. She couldn’t afford to turn around, but the pattern confirmed her suspicion—someone had followed her inside.

The first floor housed a supermarket, while the second floor sold hardware and tools.

In that moment, Kotomi felt a strange clarity awaken within her.

She avoided the elevator—it was a confined space that would leave her vulnerable. Instead, she wandered the supermarket aisles, seemingly aimless, but inching closer to the right-hand stairwell.

Opening the soda can, she drank it in large gulps, ignoring that it wasn’t her preferred brand, and emptied it quickly, leaving her with an empty can.

Reaching the stairwell, Kotomi sprinted up the stairs and shut the door behind her. She gently placed the empty can on the floor, as if casually discarding trash.

Rushing up to the second floor, she positioned herself near the stairwell door, her hand on the handle, and focused intently on the sounds below.

Ten seconds later, she heard the stairwell door on the first floor open, followed by the distinctive clatter of the soda can being knocked over.

Upon hearing this, Kotomi deliberately made noises as if walking up to the third floor, then quickly ducked into the second floor. As the door closed, she felt a cold draft brush her exposed arm.

The second floor was noticeably quieter compared to the first—few people frequented hardware sections. Fortunately, the lights were bright, offering a semblance of safety.

Wasting no time, Kotomi entered a store selling woodworking tools.

“Hello, miss. How can I help you?” The shopkeeper stood up quickly, surprised to see a customer at this hour.

Kotomi glanced around before settling her hand on a sturdy hammer.

Too light.

She put it down and searched for something heavier. For an ordinary girl, the weighted hammer she had dismissed would have been more than sufficient, but Kotomi, with her “queenly physique,” found it inadequate—too light to deliver a proper blow if needed.

She needed something heavier.

The shopkeeper watched as Kotomi scanned the tools with a tense, almost menacing expression. She looked like a hitman browsing for the perfect weapon, and the sight made him shiver.

But when he noticed her trembling hands, he realized she might be in trouble and lowered his voice.

“Miss, are you in some kind of danger?” he asked.

Kotomi tensed instinctively at his question but forced a shaky smile and shook her head. “No, not at all.”

“But you—”

The shopkeeper glanced at the security monitor and froze. His voice dropped further as he said, “Miss, I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s someone suspicious who just came up to the second floor using the elevator. He doesn’t look like he’s here to shop. If you don’t mind, you can hide behind the counter.”

Kotomi couldn’t afford to risk ignoring him. She nodded, whispered her thanks, and crouched behind the counter.

Footsteps approached the shop, and she heard the shopkeeper speak. “Sorry, we’re about to close. If you need anything, please come back tomorrow or try another store.”

The footsteps hesitated, then gradually receded.

Ten minutes later, the shopkeeper tapped on the counter and whispered, “Miss, you can come out now. That person left the second floor.”

Kotomi stood up, her face pale, her lips pressed tightly together as if holding back tears. She forced herself to stay composed and bowed deeply. “Thank you so much, sir.”

The shopkeeper sighed heavily and asked, “Young lady, did you get into trouble with someone? Just now, a person wearing a black baseball cap, a mask, and a hoodie came by. They were so thoroughly covered that I couldn’t even tell if it was a man or a woman. Do you know what they were shopping for?”

“What were they buying?” Kotomi shivered, feeling as though she were a fish thrown onto hot pavement, struggling even to breathe.

“A power saw and a nail gun. And they were holding a brand-new, unopened black raincoat.”

These words sent chills down Kotomi’s spine.

The shopkeeper, realizing something was seriously wrong, spoke gravely. “Young lady, you might not know this, but there’s been a string of murders lately. The victims died horrifically, most of them dismembered while still alive. I suggest you head straight home or go to the police station. Please, be careful.”

“Thank you, sir. I will.” Kotomi wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and glanced at the shelf, her gaze falling on a single-claw hammer.

She picked it up, gripping it tightly. The weight felt just right in her hand. For a fleeting moment, a fierce glint flashed across her eyes but disappeared just as quickly.

“How much for this hammer?” Kotomi asked.

“You want to buy it? Forget it. Take it. But if you really face danger, don’t think about fighting back—just run.”

“I appreciate your kindness, but I insist on paying.” She left a 1,000-yen bill on the counter and quickly exited the department store.

It seemed like she had shaken off her pursuer. On her way home, Kotomi deliberately took a longer route, and the oppressive sense of dread from earlier didn’t return.

But she couldn’t relax just yet. The person tailing her earlier could very well have been the murderer responsible for the recent killings. Until the police caught them, the danger would remain ever-present.

When Kotomi finally returned home and was greeted by the familiar warmth and the smiling faces of her parents and younger sister, she nearly burst into tears.

She had been so scared…

“Kotomi, you’re finally back! I was so worried. The weather forecast said there’d be heavy rain tonight in Tokyo and the surrounding cities,” her mother, Akina Izumi, said with relief.

“Rain?”

Kotomi looked out the window. The moon was gradually being swallowed by thick, heavy clouds, making the night sky appear oppressively dark.

“Kotomi, why is your face so pale?” her father, Kaneyoshi Izumi, asked, his concern evident.

“Ah… It’s nothing. I just scared myself reading a ghost story on my phone while walking home in the dark, haha,” Kotomi said, scratching her head awkwardly.

“Go take a bath and get some rest. It’s late. Did you eat dinner?”

“I did—pork cutlet rice.”

“How much did you eat?”

“Two General’s Pork Cutlet Sets!”

“As expected of you!”

“Onee-chan, want to take a bath together?!” Aimi came downstairs just in time to overhear their mother telling Kotomi to take a bath. Her eyes lit up with mischief.

Before Kotomi could respond, Akina intervened. “Aimi, didn’t you just finish your bath? Don’t bother your sister.”

Foiled by her mother, Aimi pouted in dissatisfaction. “Hmph!”

After her bath, Kotomi felt much more at ease. Though she had appeared calm while being followed, her back had been drenched in cold sweat.

Returning to her room, Kotomi didn’t touch her computer or phone. Instead, she retrieved the single-claw hammer from her bag and placed it under her pillow.

Lying on her bed, she sniffled slightly, her adorable face scrunched in lingering fear. “That was so scary…” she muttered.

After some hesitation, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Officer Hidari:

[Officer Hidari, I was followed on my way home tonight.]

The reply came almost instantly:

[Details.]

Kotomi wrote out a detailed account of where she had been targeted, the general process of being followed, and a description of her pursuer’s attire. She sent the long message to Officer Hidari.

A few minutes later, she received two responses:

[The way you described this, I felt like I was reading a horror novel. Even as a veteran cop, this gave me chills. But I understand the situation now. Didn’t know you knew a bit about counter-surveillance.]

[Baseball cap, hoodie, mask, power saw, nail gun, and a black raincoat. Every single item screams suspicious. And they match the tools used in the recent murders. Stay safe. I’m heading to Chiba City with my team now. Lock your doors and windows, and draw your curtains before bed.]

[Understood.]

After replying, Kotomi set her phone aside and lay down. She was utterly exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Hopefully, by the time she woke up, the culprit would already be in custody.

…

Late Night

A torrential downpour battered the city, wind howling as rain lashed against windows and pavement alike.

As Kotomi slept soundly, a faint pink-blue glow illuminated her room.

The God-Level Heroine System, Kazumi, appeared beside her bed, gazing quietly at her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”

The Moon whispered softly in Kotomi’s ear, gently kissed her, and reached under her pillow to retrieve the single-claw hammer.

Then, the glow vanished, taking the hammer with it.

————————————————————————————————————–

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep