Miracle Summoner

Is Kyouko stupid?

Of course not.

So, Kyouko was well aware of what it would mean if she truly became Rozen's shikigami.

"You will be seen as an accomplice to jujutsu crimes and will be pursued by the Onmyo Agency."

"You will be considered a disgrace to the Kurahashi family, and everyone will see you as a source of shame."

"You will be at odds with the Onmyo Agency, against those innocent onmyouji who uphold order, and you will betray the dreams of those at the Onmyo Academy striving to earn their professional onmyouji qualifications, becoming nothing more than a criminal."

"In the end, you may even find yourself opposing your father, the Twelve Divine General you admire, and even people like Amami Daizen, who is an acquaintance of your grandmother."

"Knowing all this, do you still think it's okay?"

Rozen's voice was chillingly indifferent as he spoke each sentence, striking at Kyouko's heart.

He continued.

"You're a smart person. You should know I'm not just trying to scare you. These are all very real possibilities. Yet, despite knowing that, you're still determined to jump into this. Why?"

Rozen did not mince words.

"Our relationship isn't particularly deep."

"The time we've spent together is pitifully short."

"Frankly, I don't think we're close enough for you to risk everything like this."

"So, I truly don't understand—what meaning does this decision have?"

This was Rozen's honest opinion.

"Or is it that you're more reckless and willful than I thought? Even knowing the consequences, you're still determined to make this irrational choice?"

"Or are you simply bored with your monotonous life and looking for some excitement?"

"You are the only daughter of the Kurahashi family, the undisputed princess of the jujutsu world. Your jujutsu talent is extraordinary. With your family background and abilities, your future is bright, and you're destined to become an influential figure in jujutsu history—someone whose name will be recorded in its annals. You have limitless potential."

"Yet, you want to abandon all of that, jump into the darkness, and become a condemned criminal, a stain on your family's honor."

"Is that truly the future you want?"

Rozen mercilessly laid out reality before Kyouko, causing her face to turn pale.

Clearly, these things were not insignificant to her.

No—rather, to Kyouko, they were extremely important.

After all, Kyouko knew nothing about the true nature of the Kurahashi family. She was unaware of the darkness within the jujutsu world, nor did she know what her father was planning.

If she had known the truth—if she had acted based on her own beliefs, obligations, and sense of justice—then it would be understandable for her to throw everything away and take this path.

But she didn't know.

Which meant that she understood perfectly well that what she was about to do was wrong.

As the highly self-aware young lady that she was, she shouldn't be making this choice.

Especially someone like Kyouko—kind-hearted, upright, and strong-willed. She should never have taken this path in the first place.

So…

"You can still turn back. It's not too late. You can return to your world."

Rozen's voice was exceptionally calm, yet every word was crystal clear as it reached Kyouko's ears.

"Go back. That is where your happiness lies."

Yes.

That was where her happiness lay.

If Kyouko truly insisted on walking this path, setting aside the consequences, sooner or later, she would learn the whole truth.

She would find out what kind of person her father truly was.

That the man who was supposed to be a representative of the jujutsu world, who maintained its order and oversaw all onmyouji and jujutsu practitioners, was actually its darkest shadow.

That he had orchestrated the Upper First Purification and Upper Second Purification, manipulated the Twin Horn Syndicate and their Yakou cultists, and even colluded with the Souma clan—disregarding the safety of the world in his pursuit of the God Descending Ritual.

Could Kyouko really bear the weight of such a truth?

Rozen did not want to see this girl devastated in the future.

Rather than allowing that to happen, it was better for her to return, to remain a student of the Onmyo Academy, to live an ordinary life, so that she wouldn't have to endure such pain.

After all, ignorance is bliss.

Sometimes, knowing less is something to be grateful for.

That was Rozen's belief.

Unfortunately, he didn't know…

"Happiness… like that…?"

Kyouko couldn't help but reflect on the past year and a half.

Was that happiness?

Of course not!

For the past year and a half, Kyouko had been living in torment, suffocated by loneliness, isolation, and the unbearable feeling of being abandoned.

Perhaps, this was just her own inability to move on.

If she could just let go, if she stopped caring about Rozen, she could return to her old self and live happily at the Onmyo Academy.

But could she?

Impossible.

No one knew better than Kyouko how stubborn and emotional she was.

Otherwise, just as Rozen had said, despite their shallow relationship and limited time together, she had still cherished the rare moments they shared as if they were priceless treasures, nurturing them in her heart for years.

Because of that…

"...I know. Maybe what I'm doing is wrong. Maybe it's something that shouldn't be allowed."

Kyouko raised her head and looked straight at Rozen.

"But if I don't do this, I know for certain that I will regret it."

If she simply turned back now—if she severed all ties with Rozen—how could she not regret it?

As a stargazer, Kyouko could not predict her own future, but she had a strong sense of intuition.

And that intuition told her…

"If I stay in the Onmyo Academy, my future will be absolutely miserable."

Kyouko spoke with determination.

"So, let me become your shikigami."

She had made her choice.

"..."

This time, Rozen was truly speechless.

To render Rozen incapable of arguing—Kyouko had certainly come a long way.

However…

"It seems you still don't fully understand what becoming my shikigami actually means."

Rozen let out a deep breath and met Kyouko's gaze.

"Fine. If you don't understand, then let me explain it to you."

Saying that, Rozen jumped down from the windowsill and walked toward Kyouko.

"W-What are you doing?"

Kyouko was slightly startled, feeling a bit uneasy.

But Rozen did not stop. He stepped right up to her.

"Becoming my shikigami means you must obey my every command, doesn't it?"

Rozen smirked as he looked at the anxious Kyouko.

"Since that's the case, as your master, I'll give you an order."

"Kurahashi Kyouko."

"Take off your clothes."

With that single sentence, Kyouko's eyes widened.

The atmosphere suddenly became oppressively heavy.