"I know what to say."
The woman nodded, releasing her lower lip as she whispered:
"My husband... Shigeru... fell into occult madness. Tried to sacrifice me to summon a demon."
"Officer Tono arrived in time... saved me."
"Arigatou, Madam—please, just doing my duty." Fang Zuo smiled. "Should I address you as Mrs. Shigeru... or Mrs. Shiraishi?"
A snap of his fingers.
The ropes binding her disintegrated.
Thud.
She collapsed at his feet.
Voluptuous frame—paleness punctuated by twin peaks.
Trembling.
Struggling to rise, limbs numb.
The movement only bared more skin.
"H-he's dead... call me Shiraishi Nagimitsu." She buried her face between trembling curves.
Frantic fingers failed to conceal anything.
From his vantage point—no secrets remained.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Fang Zuo snapped again.
Bloodstained clothes flew from a corner, draping over her.
Shiraishi exhaled—fabric meant safety.
"So... widowhood suits you?" Fang Zuo tilted his head. "May I lodge at your residence? Tokyo's... unfamiliar."
Shiraishi nearly wept again.
To her, this demon-swallowing stranger was more terrifying.
She gave a microscopic nod.
"Arigatou."
A finger flicked.
Energy surged through Shiraishi's limbs—numbness gone.
She scrambled up, dressing hastily with her back to him.
Buttoning the torn business suit offered scant coverage.
Professional elegance now edged with exposed vulnerability.
"May I... leave?" Her voice trembled.
"After you." Fang Zuo bowed, hand over heart.
Shiraishi flinched at the chivalry, bobbing an awkward curtsy.
BANG!
The basement door burst open.
A short-haired JK girl sprinted in—
—crashed into Shiraishi's arms, sobbing.
"Okāsan! You're alive!"
"I'm safe..." Shiraishi stroked her hair, dazed.
Years as a political bride... finally over.
Simultaneously—
Tokyo Exorcism Patrol agents flooded the room.
"Bakayarō, Tono! Useless as ever!" A woman's voice cut through chaos.
"How did you fail two Diet members?!"
Fang Zuo blinked. Familiar...
Oval face, black hair, crimson lips.
Olive-uniformed captain's jacket over white blouse.
Black heels; stockings taut over muscular thighs.
Sakura Kuri—Tokyo Exorcism Patrol's youngest deputy captain.
Also: Tokyo's top onmyōji.
"Silence, Sakura-san!" Shiraishi stepped forward, icy. "Officer Tono saved me. My husband summoned a demon to revive the Shigeru clan. I'll be recommending Officer Tono for a commendation." Her glare sharpened. "Meanwhile—why wasn't this detected? Tokyo's occult threats grow under your watch?"
"I'll demand an impeachment hearing for this negligence."
Sakura stiffened.
90-degree bow.
"My deepest apologies, Councilwoman."
"And me." Fang Zuo grinned.
Sakura's eyes narrowed.
Tono Gen? Savior?
The Patrol's worst-rated officer—
—subject of 37 complaints last year.
"My apologies... Officer." Teeth gritted.
Satisfied, Fang Zuo noted how rage tightened her uniform.
The JK girl suddenly bowed too.
"Thank you for saving Mom."
"Duty calls." Fang Zuo's gaze dipped.
Promising potential... takes after Mom.
Shiraishi flushed as his eyes lingered.
"Okāsan, your face is red! We need a hospital!"
"Just... exhaustion." Shiraishi patted her daughter's head.
Sakura interrupted: "Councilwoman, procedure requires your statement at HQ."
"Let me change first."
Fang Zuo raised his phone—subtle reminder.
Shiraishi's flush deepened.
Those pictures...
Then—the realization.
He's moving in...
A shiver ran through her. Legs buckled.
"Okāsan!" The girl caught her.
— — —
Tokyo Tower. Underground HQ.
Sakura's pointer tapped a projection.
"The thirteenth demon-summoning this month."
Evidence bags glowed on-screen.
"Found at Councilman Shigeru's residence."
A pitch-black grimoire—pages filled with ritual diagrams.
"Unreadable without occult activation."
A blood-crusted obsidian pendant.
"Identical to previous twelve cases. A new cult is rising."
Her glare swung across the conference table.
"TONO!"
Fifteen agents jumped.
In the corner—
Fang Zuo snored softly, head pillowed on arms.
"BAKAYARŌ!" Sakura's shriek echoed.
"ARE YOU AWAKE?!"