Ketsuki groaned as consciousness slowly returned to him. His entire body ached, and a sharp pain radiated from his side. His vision was blurry, but he could vaguely make out two figures hovering nearby.

  "...Dumb fox?... Cutie?" he muttered groggily.

  He wasn't dreaming, was he? Because he could swear Tenshiko was drooling.

  Tatsumi, on the other hand, was desperately pressing a towel against his wound, her expression tense, panicked, and—was she sweating? "Damn it, Ketsuki, don’t just move around! You’re still bleeding!"

  Tenshiko, still in her trance, murmured, "He's even hotter up close... Those abs are insane..."

  Tatsumi’s eye twitched. "YOU GODDAMN PERV!! HELP ME HERE!!"

  Snapping out of her fantasy, Tenshiko blinked in confusion. "Huh? What am I supposed to do? I’m not a full goddess yet."

  Tatsumi’s jaw nearly hit the floor. "...What?!" Her mind reeled. This idiot was supposed to be some divine being, wasn’t she?

  Tenshiko shrugged, completely unfazed. "Like I said, I’m not a full goddess yet. I’m only seventeen."

  Tatsumi’s eye twitched again. Then, she exploded. "YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!!!"

  Meanwhile, Ketsuki sat up, gritting his teeth as pain flared through his body. His head felt light, his limbs heavy. He barely processed the two girls bickering before he forced himself to his feet and staggered toward the kitchen.

  Tatsumi and Tenshiko panicked the moment he moved. "Onizawa, are you insane?! Sit down!"

  Ignoring them, Ketsuki grabbed a med kit from one of the cabinets and turned back to them. He shoved it into Tatsumi’s hands, his voice barely above a whisper. "Make yourselves useful... and treat my wound."

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Tatsumi hesitated for only a second before snapping into action. She tore through the med kit and began properly tending to his wound, her hands steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. Tenshiko, meanwhile, rummaged through the kitchen cabinets, seemingly distracted.

  Tatsumi huffed in annoyance, about to snap at her again—until she noticed something.

  Tenshiko's hands were shaking.

  A thin layer of sweat had formed on her brow. Her usual carefree expression was gone, replaced by something... unreadable.

  Was she actually worried?

  Tatsumi clicked her tongue and refocused on treating Ketsuki’s wound. She wasn’t about to start reading into that.

  Once the bandages were secured, Ketsuki exhaled a slow, tired breath—and passed out. His body had finally reached its limit.

  Silence filled the room.

  For the first time since this whole mess started, Tatsumi had a moment to think.

  She folded her arms and shot Tenshiko a sharp glare. "Alright, fox girl. Spill it. What the hell are you? Aren’t you supposed to be a goddess?"

  Tenshiko stiffened, her face burning with embarrassment. She took a deep, shaky breath before muttering, "W-well... I’m not really a goddess. I’m just a stray who got lucky. I was lucky to have sanity and take on this form..."

  Tatsumi groaned, rubbing her temples. "So you’re a goddamn fraud, huh?"

  Tenshiko looked down, nodding slowly. "...Yeah."

  A heavy sigh left Tatsumi’s lips, but before she could continue grilling Tenshiko, the TV screen flickered to life.

  A news broadcast filled the screen.

  "Breaking News: Another murder has been reported in the city. The victim, a known criminal, was found riddled with bullet wounds. Authorities are investigating the possibility of gang involvement."

  Tenshiko's expression darkened as she stared at the screen. Her golden eyes narrowed. "That guy... He had Ichor in him. He wasn’t normal."

  Tatsumi raised an eyebrow. "How the hell do you know that?"

  Tenshiko tapped the side of her temple. "Monsters can see it. We can always tell."

  The broadcast continued, now showing security footage of the suspected murderer. A massive shadowy figure, clad in a long trench coat, with only his long, unkempt hair visible. His face was hidden, but his aura was unmistakably menacing.

  Away from the Onizawa Residence, we cut to the crime scene. The same shadowy figure stood over his victim, a gun smoking in his hand, his expression twisted into a crazed grin. A low, almost inaudible chuckle escaped him as he murmured, "Another one down..."

  His grin faded slightly, his eyes shadowed. "But I’m still far from my goal."

  He turned, walking away into the darkness, his voice trailing behind him.

  "I will find the one to give me my desired death soon... I am sure of it."

  The screen went black.

  And somewhere, in the depths of the city, the shadowy figure continued his hunt.

  End of Chapter 5.