"Let's take a look at your friend first. Then we can solve it together." Kitagawa Tera finished his coffee and, at the same time, purposely placed the cafe bill in front of this wealthy lady that was willing to take out 250,000 yen.

Of course, he did not do this because he was unhappy about losing the 150,000 yen, but rather because they had agreed at the beginning that Chinatsu Chiyuki would pick up the tab.

Chinatsu Chiyuki did not mind. She took off her baseball cap and large mask, stuffed them into her small leather bag, immediately picked up the bill, and walked to the cas.h.i.+er.

Kitagawa Tera walked to the entrance to wait for her.

It was now four twenty in the afternoon, and he had been here for almost an hour.

Of course, he had bountiful gains: knowing where an intermediate wraith was and also getting the corresponding remuneration.

Although he had some slight regret for not getting 150,000 yen more, Kitagawa Tera was at peace.

Yes…

… At peace.

Kitagawa Tera stood at the entrance, waiting for Chinatsu Chiyuki calmly. After she came out, he asked, "Where is your friend's house?"

"Walking from here, we'll reach it quickly." Chinatsu Chiyuki hesitated and looked at Kitagawa Tera while murmuring softly, "But Kitagawsan, you need to be mentally prepared… Risa is now a bit… Let's just say abnormal…"

"Understood." Kitagawa Tera sounded calm.

People being tortured by a strong grudge would live in hallucinations for a long time and might even self-mutilate for no reason.

Only pain could allow them to feel the reality of being alive.

According to Chinatsu Chiyuki's description, 'Risa' should not have reached this stage, she but should not be far from it.

They talked as they walked, with mostly Kitagawa Tera asking questions and Chinatsu Chiyuki answering.

From Chinatsu Chiyuki's answers, Kitagawa Tera learned her friend's full name.

Her name was Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa, Kyokuboku High School's former student council president, and a good person friend of Chinatsu Chiyuki.

This was also the main reason why Chinatsu Chiyuki had been willing to apologize on her behalf.

It was the third year of high school. Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa's parents had high expectations for her, hoping that she would make it to a good university.

And Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa had not let them down. She was very compet.i.tive from her second year, and her results were always among the top of her grade. Furthermore, her position as student council president added marks to her application. Not to mention Waseda University of Tokyo, Tohoku University was still hopeful. If she worked a little harder, she could possibly meet Tohoku University's threshold.

Originally, Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa had planned to settle down during this winter vacation, preparing to bid farewell to Chinatsu Chiyuki to focus on preparing for the upcoming national exams and later the Waseda and Tohoku interviews.

However, Chinatsu Chiyuki did not expect their promise to be friends forever to spoil things.

She had accompanied Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa into the abandoned Miki Puppet Factory for a walk, but when they returned, Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa started gradually having mental problems.

"Risa has always been very hardworking. I also hope that she can go to the university of her choice. But if this carries on, not to mention taking the university entrance exam, she may not even make it to the exam day." When Chinatsu Chiyuki mentioned this, she became agitated. There was a clear crying tone in her voice, and her eyes were slightly red.

Many people thought that j.a.panese high schools were very relaxing, but that was undoubtedly wrong.

The enrollment rate into j.a.panese universities was around 45%, which meant that 55% of students chose to work after graduating from high school. High school was relaxing for 55% of the students, while 45% of the students had to start preparing for university from the second year. After-school tutoring was also commonplace.

Kitagawa Tera listened by the side and did not interrupt.

When Chinatsu Chiyuki could not take it and tears dripped down, he took out his handkerchief and calmly said, "How much farther?"

Er…

Chinatsu Chiyuki took the handkerchief, stunned.

She could not believe that Kitagawa Tera was unmoved after she had spoken so emotionally that she shed tears.

Seeming to sense Chinatsu Chiyuki's emotional change, Kitagawa Tera looked up and said with no change in tone, "You didn't ask me to come and cry with you, right?

"I am here to solve the problem."

His steady voice made Chinatsu Chiyuki feel rea.s.sured, and she calmed down from her agitation and sadness.

"… Thank you, Kitagawsan."

Chinatsu Chiyuki did not know why she thanked Kitagawa Tera, but she still bowed deeply with her back straight to Kitagawa Tera.

Kitagawa Tera accepted this bow without a change in expression.

The atmosphere was peaceful, and the two continued walking without a word.

After a while, Chinatsu Chiyuki stopped and softly said, "This is it."

"Here?" Kitagawa Tera looked up.

This was a western-style European composite two-story building. Measuring with the naked eye, each story should be around four meters tall.

The courtyard, millstone path, shrubs and flower beds, and ornamental trees showed that the owner of this house was very sentimental.

Next to the small foreign-style iron gate was a small sign with two words on it…

Tsukis.h.i.+ma.

Great, it's another rich lady's family. Kitagawa Tera understood clearly.

"Risa's father is a famous literary novelist. Recently, he has used his connections to hire many psychiatrists. But these doctors could not reach a conclusion and only prescribed some less harmful medicines to help calm her mind and had Risa rest at home temporarily."

Chinatsu Chiyuki paused before reminded him cautiously, "Tsukis.h.i.+mojisan shouldn't be home at this hour. Only Tsukis.h.i.+mobasan is in. But Kitagawsan, please pay attention and don't mess around."

"Un. I know." Kitagawa Tera nodded in understanding.

This being the case…

Chinatsu Chiyuki took a slight breath and walked up to ring the doorbell.

The doorbell rang for a while before a mature female voice came from the intercom by the gate.

"h.e.l.lo, may I know who this is?"

Chinatsu Chiyuki approached the intercom and greeted her politely. "Tsukis.h.i.+mobasan, it's me, Chiyuki. I've come to visit Risnee."

"Un. I'll open the gate for you."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Tsukis.h.i.+mobasan did not hesitate. The small iron gate let out a crisp sound, and Kitagawa Tera and Chinatsu Chiyuki stepped into the front yard and came to the door.

With a kacha, the door opened, and a beautiful mature woman appeared before Kitagawa Tera and Chinatsu Chiyuki.

She was Tsukis.h.i.+ma Risa's mother, Tsukis.h.i.+ma Ryoumi.