Aozaki Aoko Case File [166]

Credits: Dersbyth

The Third Day of the New Year – University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science Building

On the third day of the new year, Aoko returned to the university to greet her professor and explain that she might not be able to attend school for a while due to upcoming plans.

"Absolutely no problem!" the professor said with a laugh. "You've done outstanding work on your research so far, Aoko. If there's any issue with your attendance, I'll cover for you!"

"...Is it okay for someone in your position to say that?" Aoko asked tactfully.

"For someone as capable as you, the more freedom, the better! That's my teaching philosophy!" the professor replied earnestly. "Now, who is this young lady? Is she your sister?"

"This is Touko," Aoko introduced, "She majored in architecture in London and just recently returned to Japan. She's not very familiar with the situation here yet."

"Hello," Touko said with a polished air, shaking the professor's hand and handing over her business card. "Thank you for taking care of my younger sister, Aoko."

Touko, you've become even more ambitious since becoming a Magician.

"Cambridge University, Department of Architecture?" The professor raised an eyebrow and praised her. "Both of you are remarkable. Your parents must be incredibly proud."

"Ah, our parents pretty much left us to our own devices," Aoko replied. "We've had a lot of freedom to grow as we pleased."

"Such enlightened parents," the professor remarked. "The country needs more people like that these days. Too many are stuck following rigid rules, and countless geniuses end up buried."

After chatting with the professor for a while, Aoko and Touko took a stroll around the University of Tokyo campus.

"Touko, are you sure your Cambridge degree isn't fake?" Aoko asked suspiciously.

"Of course not!" Touko replied indignantly. "This genius degree is real. Although, I didn't attend many classes... I just showed up for exams~."

"That's still cheating..."

"How can you call it cheating when it's a Magician's way of doing things?" Touko defended herself. "As long as I have the corresponding level of knowledge, it's fine, isn't it? A degree is just a piece of paper!"

"All right, I get it..." Aoko said, trying to placate her. "So, does the great Touko have any architectural works to show for herself?"

...

At around 3 PM, Aoko and Touko used a teleportation spell to arrive at a restaurant in the Soya district. Aoko double-checked the address given to her by the church representative and glanced up at the sign that read CoCo Ichibanya, a curry restaurant. She couldn't help but feel unsure if she was in the right place.

The church representative had initially asked Aoko to meet her at the church, but during their second phone call, she suddenly said, "Why don't we talk over a meal instead?" Then she provided this address.

"Ah, over here!"

A young girl wearing a high school uniform, with short blue hair and glasses, ran out of the restaurant to greet the Aozaki sisters. Despite her Japanese-style attire and evident love for curry, it was clear she was of European descent. As for why her hair was blue? Well, Aoko's hair was red, after all.

Aoko and Touko exchanged bewildered glances at this strange behavior. Was this church representative suppressing herself too long as a clergy member, only to let loose now that she was outside?

The Aozaki sisters followed the high school girl to a corner table inside the restaurant. A server quickly brought over menus, and the blue-haired girl enthusiastically began ordering.

Aoko and Touko were speechless but decided to eat as they hadn't had lunch yet. If things had come to this, they might as well enjoy some curry.

"I have to ask... is posing as a high schooler a hobby of Burial Agency members?" Aoko asked in a low voice. "Though, I must say, it suits you."

"Ahaha, thanks for the compliment~," the blue-haired girl replied, scratching her head awkwardly. "But let's discuss serious matters at the church later. Can we eat first?"

This curry maniac lived up to her reputation—she even delayed church business for a curry.

The restaurant's Japanese-style curry was indeed delicious. Aoko preferred it over authentic Indian curry. The blue-haired girl ordered extra-spicy chicken curry, eating with such vigor and sweat that it felt like watching someone fight heroically on a battlefield.

Among the three, only Touko had chosen a non-spicy dish. Aoko's tolerance for spice wasn't on the same level as the other two, so she appeared completely unfazed.

"Ah, curry truly is a wonderful invention!" the blue-haired girl exclaimed after wiping her mouth. "I've been coming to this restaurant every day lately."

"You do love curry," Aoko observed. "You're different from the other church members I've met."

"Am I?" The girl seemed to feign ignorance. "Maybe it's because we belong to different departments~."

"Is the Burial Agency really this friendly?" Touko interjected with a smirk. "This is a first for me, Miss Elesia."

Elesia's smile froze briefly but quickly recovered. "I didn't expect two Magicians to know about someone as insignificant as me."

"We Magicians are like that," Aoko said, wagging her finger. "So, when we talk, please be honest. It'll lead to better outcomes."

Touko said nothing but removed her glasses, subtly applying pressure to Elesia.

"...Fine," Elesia sighed. Her curry plate was completely clean, a testament to her love of the dish. "Please follow me. We'll discuss everything at the church."

...

Shortly after leaving the restaurant, a car pulled up in front of them. The driver, a young woman in her early twenties with a side ponytail and wine-red hair slightly lighter than Touko's, had a faint beauty mark near her mouth. She was attractive but not stunning.

"This is my Kouhai," Elesia introduced. "She's assisting me on this mission. Please, get in."

Aoko nodded at the slightly nervous driver and got into the car with Touko.

After about twenty minutes, the car stopped at a church on the outskirts of Soya District. The building appeared quiet and desolate, not the kind of place frequented by worshippers.

Once inside the chapel, the assistant closed the door and stood silently at the side, saying nothing.

"Although you know my former name, please call me 'Ciel' from now on," Ciel said. "I'll explain why I invited you."

Aoko gestured for her to continue.

"...In truth, inviting you two was a decision I made privately," Ciel admitted after taking a deep breath. "Our target isn't one of the Dead Apostle Ancestors, but we've realized that unless we deal with their interference, we can't easily hunt our intended prey."