A few minutes earlier.
Yukinoshita Haruno and her team had already locked onto Yukino's location.
"Miss Haruno, when we confront Miss Yukino, please don't get too close. Let me subdue her first," Awashima Seri said seriously.
Yukino in her cat form wasn't particularly strong, but she could grow stronger by absorbing others' life force.
Awashima had already fought her twice and noticed how quickly her strength had grown.
If she had absorbed more life energy tonight, she might be on another level entirely.
Even for Awashima, it might take some effort to bring her down.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Yukinoshita Haruno nodded.
She knew all too well how unrecognizable and aggressive Yukino became in that state.
She would attack anyone on sight—being her sister made no difference.
However—What Haruno saw next left her shaken: her catified sister nestled beside a boy like a real pet, seeking affection like a kitten begging its owner.
The sight sent a jolt through her entire being.
"What did you do to Yukino!?"
Haruno stepped forward in agitation, but Awashima Seri quickly grabbed her.
"Miss Haruno, don't act rashly!" she said, voice low and serious. Her usually cold and sharp face now filled with surprise and tension.
She was stunned.
How did this boy manage to tame Yukino in her cat form?
After all, Yukino had previously lashed out even at her sister and mother.
Awashima stared at the boy, her right hand slowly moving to the hilt of her sword.
Suddenly, he looked familiar.
"Who are you?"
Her voice was guarded.
The boy calmly stroked Yukino's silvery hair. His deep, magnetic voice echoed softly:
"It's only been a few days, Miss Awashima—have you already forgotten me?"
The familiar voice, coupled with the headlights illuminating his face, made her freeze.
"Kuzeha?!"
She cried out in shock.
Haruno's eyes widened as she too recognized him.
The image of a handsome young man surfaced in both their minds—overlapping perfectly with the boy before them.
"Yukino's classmate?" Haruno whispered in disbelief.
But Awashima was even more cautious now.
From this seemingly ordinary boy, she felt an unprecedented sense of danger.
He was just standing there calmly, yet she felt like she was facing the most terrifying existence in the world.
Her hand gripped the sword hilt so tightly it turned pale and trembled. Her body responded instinctively, screaming at her to draw her blade.
"Miss Awashima, your sword… it's weeping," Kuzeha said with a slight smile.
In the next instant, she saw a blade glinting under the moonlight—already touching her throat.
A chilling sensation split her skin. Blood sprayed as her vision spun—
Was I… decapitated?
That was the first thought in Awashima's mind.
"Awashima?"
Haruno's voice snapped her back. She jolted upright and touched her neck.
It was still there—but her hair stood on end.
She realized she had somehow rolled backward several meters without noticing.
Awashima was utterly horrified.
She looked at Kuzeha again. He was still standing in his original position, hands empty—he hadn't even drawn a sword.
'Was that… an illusion?'
'Or did I flinch from his gaze alone?'
The thought felt absurd even to herself.
Then—another flash of cold light.
On instinct, she drew her blade to block—
Slash!
Her calf was sliced!
Awashima gasped in pain, knees buckling as she dropped into a half-kneel.
"My leg…?"
But when she looked down, her leg was perfectly fine.
"How… how is that possible…"
She stared at Kuzeha in disbelief.
She had clearly felt the bite of a blade!
Awashima clenched her sword and stepped forward cautiously.
The boy narrowed his eyes slightly—and Awashima's hair stood on end.
In her vision, Kuzeha became a blur.
In a single breath, he was right in front of her.
His blade cut through her limbs and torso as easily as slicing fruit.
Clang!
Her sword dropped to the ground with a crisp clang.
Awashima collapsed, powerless.
"That was… sword intent…"
She stared up at him, dumbfounded.
Just through eye contact and a slight shift in body weight, he had unleashed such devastating sword intent.
It made her feel as though she'd been cut to pieces!
What level had this boy's swordsmanship reached?
Awashima panted heavily.
"Who… are you really…"
Before she could finish her question, a tremendous, oppressive aura surged from Kuzeha's body—like a tidal wave.
It overwhelmed her instantly, and she passed out on the spot.
"Awashima!"
Haruno cried out in panic, rushing forward—only to stop when she heard a series of heavy thuds.
Thump, thump, thump…
One after another, the others had collapsed.
Haruno looked up sharply—only to realize everyone else had fallen to the ground.
"Now then, Miss Haruno," the boy said softly. "It's our turn to talk."
Haruno bit her lip. The sting of pain reminded her this was real.
The strongest among them—Awashima Seri—had been toyed with like a mouse.
Her catified sister now treated the boy like a master.
Haruno took a deep breath. The way she looked at Kuzeha had changed entirely.
There was more than just wariness now. There was fear—and awe.
This boy was no longer just an orphanage proxy or Yukino's classmate.
He was a supernatural being who now held their fate—and possibly their lives—in his hands.