Chapter 184: Then I’ll Leave?

Ryuji reached for Arisu's hand, pulling her closer.

"Ah!"

Arisu let out a surprised gasp, her voice tinged with a mixture of shock and delight.

No matter how calm and composed she usually appeared, the corners of her lips betrayed a hint of satisfaction. It seemed her charm had worked, after all.

However, just as Ryuji leaned in slightly, as if about to proceed, Arisu suddenly raised her hand to stop him.

"Before anything else, could you heal my heart condition first?" she asked, her expression turning serious.

Her tone wasn't accusatory, nor did it suggest a lack of trust. Instead, it carried a sense of practicality, as though she knew her body's limitations all too well.

"Otherwise, I'm afraid my heart won't be able to handle... well, everything."

Her congenital condition made any significant physical or emotional stress potentially dangerous.

Ryuji chuckled softly, his usual calm smile spreading across his face. "Of course."

Without hesitation, he reached out toward her, a faint glow emanating from his palm. "Idle Transfiguration," he said calmly.

This was a unique technique that worked by modifying the soul to heal the body, making it faster and more efficient than the standard Reverse Cursed Technique. It was a gift derived from one of the most infamous cursed spirits ever created by humanity's fears—Mahito.

Though it wasn't often needed, when it came to precision healing, this method was unmatched.

As the glow faded and Ryuji withdrew his hand, Arisu blinked in surprise. "It's done," he said simply, his tone light and confident.

"That's it?" Arisu's voice carried disbelief as she touched her chest lightly, as though to confirm her heart's newfound steadiness.

For the first time in her life, the ever-present tightness and irregular beats were completely gone. Her heart felt light normal, even.

It took her a moment to process the realization. "It's really… over?"

"It's over," Ryuji confirmed, his calm smile never faltering.

For a long moment, Arisu stood still, her eyes wide with awe. She had lived her whole life with the shadow of her condition looming over her, always cautious, always careful. Yet, with just a few moments and a single technique, Ryuji had erased the problem that had plagued her for years.

"So, this is the power of a sorcerer…" she murmured, her voice tinged with amazement.

She couldn't help but reflect on the disparity between ordinary people and sorcerers. The gap was staggering, it was no wonder people believed that the future belonged to them.

Ryuji watched her quietly, noticing the flicker of disbelief in her expression. "You look like you're having trouble believing it," he teased, his voice light.

Arisu chuckled softly and nodded. "I suppose I am. But what surprises me even more is…"

Her voice trailed off, her gaze turning playful as her lips curved into a small smile. "We can finally… continue."

She leaned in slightly, her tone brimming with anticipation. Now that her heart condition was no longer an obstacle, nothing was holding her back.

Ryuji's lips twitched into a small smirk, but before the atmosphere could grow any heavier, the car came to a sudden stop.

"We're here," Masumi announced from the driver's seat, her tone indifferent as she looked back at the two of them.

Arisu blinked, her playful smile fading for a moment as she realized they had already arrived.

Her residence wasn't far from where they'd started, but she had been so caught up in the moment that she had forgotten to tell the driver to take a longer route.

For a brief second, Arisu considered asking the driver to circle the area a few more times, but she quickly dismissed the idea.

"It doesn't matter," she murmured softly to herself. "It's better at home anyway."

Turning to Ryuji, she smiled coyly. "My house has plenty of space. Would you like to come in, Ryuji?"

Her words weren't subtle in the least. It was a direct invitation, leaving little room for misinterpretation.

Ryuji raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but slightly amused. "Then it's better to accept than decline," he replied, stepping out of the car alongside her.

Masumi, who had been sitting in the passenger seat, instinctively reached for the door handle to follow them.

"Wait a minute," Arisu said suddenly, turning to face her.

"Hm?" Masumi blinked, lowering the car window with a confused look.

Arisu's tone remained calm and polite, but her words carried a decisive firmness. "I have some personal matters to attend to tonight. Why don't you find a hotel and rest there instead?"

"..."

Masumi's sleepiness evaporated in an instant as the meaning behind Arisu's words dawned on her.

She glanced between Arisu and Ryuji, her gaze narrowing slightly.

Seriously? She thought, her forehead twitching slightly in frustration. You're sending me to a hotel for this?

"But there are plenty of rooms in the house," Masumi began to argue, her tone bordering on exasperation. "I wouldn't disturb you, you know…"

Arisu remained unfazed, her expression as composed as ever. "It's not about disturbing us. Just having another person in the house feels unnecessary."

Masumi's jaw dropped slightly at the blatant honesty of the statement.

"...I see how it is." She sighed heavily, waving her hand in defeat. "Fine, fine. I get it."

Her gaze flickered between Ryuji and Arisu one last time before she stepped back into the car. "Enjoy yourselves," she muttered under her breath, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

The car pulled away, leaving Ryuji and Arisu standing at the front entrance of her home.

The air grew quiet for a moment as Arisu turned to him with a teasing smile.

"You know," she began lightly, "if you'd like, I can still call Masumi back. I wouldn't mind sharing, you know."

Her tone was playful, but her words carried a surprising level of sincerity. Coming from a wealthy family, she had grown up with a more open-minded perspective about such matters.

Ryuji's expression didn't change, though his reply was straightforward. "No need. Don't worry."

He didn't outright refuse, but his calm response suggested that he wasn't entertaining the idea, at least not for now.

Arisu chuckled softly, her teasing grin widening. "Forget it this time," she said with a light laugh, "but there will always be a next time."

***

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