Chapter 9: Discovery of the Blue-Eyed Hatchling206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtia63Qthu
The crescent moon hung low in the sky, sharp as a silver hook, its pale light pouring like cold water across the silent streets. The wind carried the faint scent of wet grass and asphalt, brushing past the park’s lone streetlamps. The city slept, but under that blanket of calm, something stirred.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpF708DcAi
It should have been a perfectly peaceful night. Yet at that moment, the quiet was broken by faint, measured footsteps echoing across the park’s narrow path—“pat, pat”—each step steady, light, deliberate, the rhythm delicate enough to be mistaken for the flutter of a butterfly’s wings.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BpS9QM2GY
Kouya froze mid-stride. His sharp senses, honed by centuries of demonic instinct, instantly latched onto the source. The air shifted—still, but heavy, the faint scent of mana prickling at the edge of his perception.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxG0wY37HT
Under the weak amber glow of a flickering streetlamp, a shadow appeared—small and solitary, cutting through the misty light like a fragile silhouette etched by the moon itself.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhdIyUowGw
A few seconds later, a girl emerged from the darkness.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QgJAaqxqZ
She looked barely eight years old, her figure petite, her steps soft and precise. Despite the cool bite of early spring, she wore a light pink dress with short sleeves, its frills fluttering slightly as she walked. Semi-transparent white stockings hugged her slender legs, and her polished round-toed shoes tapped rhythmically against the pavement. Her delicate face, with skin as pale as milk and features too perfect to belong to a real child, could easily have been mistaken for a porcelain doll come to life.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VPKSkCaS5
But what caught Kouya’s attention wasn’t her clothes or her face.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty6MAuGlVx
It was the small, curved horns sprouting from her head—and the thin, scaled tail swaying lazily behind her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKjNO035zE
Kouya sighed. “A dragon… again?” he muttered under his breath. “And she’s walking straight toward me. Great.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMqtW7RgnL
He tilted his head slightly, crimson eyes narrowing in mild disbelief. “Two dragons in one evening? What the hell is this world turning into…?” A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised anymore. Angels, demons, dragons… what’s next, a god dropping by for tea?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCthZ6wQsa4
Still, curiosity stirred within him. He stayed where he was, hands in his pockets, observing quietly. The girl’s gait wasn’t aggressive. There was no hostility in her aura—just faint traces of ancient magic, suppressed and coiled beneath that childish exterior.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgvQrdxvCF
As she came closer, even the breeze seemed to die. The air grew heavy, expectant.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP1YEPJvAy
Her hair was pure white—not dull or lifeless, but shining faintly under the moon, soft and lustrous like silk. Two long braids framed her face, swaying with each step, catching hints of silver light. Her bangs were perfectly straight, hiding part of her forehead. The twin tails of hair bounced lightly, as if betraying a playful energy that her expression did not.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRQytUxSJi
Her face was a contradiction—a child’s round softness paired with unnaturally large eyes the color of a clear summer sky. Those eyes were bright, too bright, like mirrors that reflected everything and revealed nothing.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNTY0yeP4C
She stopped exactly one meter away, her small legs pressed together, posture unnaturally proper for her age. Then she tilted her chin up slightly, those blue eyes locking directly with his. In their depths, Kouya could see his own reflection staring back at him.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTMZScryYL
She said nothing. Her tiny mouth pressed into a flat line. That silence carried both caution and defiance. It was as if she had stepped into a world she didn’t quite like—and was daring it to make her leave.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZfrL5AJGS
The sight, though undeniably strange, carried a disarming charm. Even for the Demon King himself, it took effort not to chuckle. The contrast between her serious expression and that tiny, fragile body made his hand twitch with the urge to pinch her cheek.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSxTpQgKkg
“Staaare—”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpISJ2KlqG
She didn’t move, didn’t blink, just kept staring. It wasn’t the gaze of fear or curiosity. It was quiet evaluation.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSxYvLVZKm
Kouya sighed softly, scanning the surroundings again. Empty. Not a soul nearby. Only the sound of the wind brushing past the trees.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAIaHTXUEP
‘So. A little dragon alone in the middle of a human city. Not suspicious at all,’ he thought dryly.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq2bbfzUbV
‘Maybe she’s here to test me. Or maybe she thinks I’m an easy meal.’ A wry grin crossed his lips. ‘Too bad for her—I don’t get eaten.’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoLXtBM7mD
He opened his mouth to speak, but a small, jelly-soft voice rang out first.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNU5ZXnTSC
“Pervert.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs2xFWN6zK
Kouya blinked. “…What?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARku5PK37u
‘Did… did that little brat just call me a pervert?’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD7kPeMkt7
The girl puffed her cheeks slightly, her voice still soft and sugary. “Peeking at Lady Tohru’s boobs. Pervert.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaomJ6rnuo
Kouya stared blankly, his expression deadpan. “…You’ve got to be kidding me.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKApFiSaIpN
So she was connected to that lunatic maid dragon.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GlVsvSOXF
“I didn’t peek at anything,” he muttered, rubbing his temple. “Those… things… were flopping all over the place. I was the one under attack.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBDSbAFb6Q
The girl crossed her tiny arms. “Tohru-sama belongs to me!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cKat6vsD4
Kouya raised a brow. “Trust me, I’m not fighting you for her.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcRUSE8JoW
“Don’t you dare go near her again!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW8oCzBf2z
“Deal,” he said without hesitation.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lnPoq9kfw
“Big pervert!” she declared once more, clearly pleased with herself.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWcFAZhXWd
Kouya exhaled through his nose. ‘That’s it. This tiny dragon is one insult away from being punted into orbit.’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYixX2VdfK
But before he could respond, the little dragon bent forward slightly, panting as if yelling had exhausted her. Then she stretched out one small, white hand toward him.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmepqjmvX2N
“Give it.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMHGX6OXzf
“…Give what?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQyxUL6XWS
“I’m hungry,” she said bluntly. “Humans buy food with paper called money. I don’t have any. You give me.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfna6t2V9E
Kouya blinked slowly. ‘Did this brat just demand tribute from me?’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjNMcK2d2
The girl tilted her head, her tone as even as ever. “If you don’t give me money, I’ll tell everyone you’re a pervert.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ067lg8Elfq
Kouya’s mouth twitched. “Heh.” He chuckled dryly. ‘So this is extortion now.’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44VN6zkY1V
“Biiig~ pervert,” she sang softly, her voice so melodic it was almost cute. Almost.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWqDA2LiHn
Unfortunately, that was the exact moment two policemen happened to be passing by.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqMpbCxNye
“Did you hear that?” one of them said.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kFwSdN2ar
“Yeah. Sounded like a kid.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaYvTMbgoh
“Let’s check it out.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV09yP9BdbC
A few seconds later, the officers rounded the corner—and froze at the sight of Kouya standing beside a little girl in a pink dress, who was now beaming innocently.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30oWFY9p16
“Good evening, mister officers!” she chirped.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq6TG80dMW
Their faces melted into smiles.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9sMqSX0D2
“What a cute kid! Is this your sister?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7B5JcRdkt
“Such pretty eyes! Wow, she’s adorable.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTmLKgRVk2
Kouya’s temples throbbed. ‘You fools. That “kid” could wipe this city off the map before you blink.’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijPb38F0r7
One officer wagged a finger at him kindly. “You shouldn’t bring your little sister out this late. Get her home safe, alright?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1F8Nbje5s
‘I’m not her brother,’ he thought bitterly, forcing a smile. ‘But sure. Let’s go with that.’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmQb2xFmzq
The other nodded. “Yeah, it’s dangerous out here. You never know when some drunk idiot might start trouble.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE3nLk1r49
Kouya nearly laughed. ‘If anyone starts trouble with her, I’ll be the one offering condolences to them.’206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJz8KbvTPS
He lifted a hand sheepishly. “She got hungry. Wanted oden. And if I didn’t buy it…” he sighed, “she might destroy the world.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiwXIr0qWw
The officers blinked, then burst into hearty laughter.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4dzykKEti
“Haha! That’s what being a good brother is all about!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrtx1fxDmd
‘Idiots. You have no idea how right I am,’ he thought grimly.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dLv2KyQQ9
One of them crouched beside the girl. “What’s your name, little one?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK1gz5lptC
She tilted her head. “Kanna. Kanna Kamui.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIaXjN1R1r
“Beautiful name,” the officer said warmly. “If you go left out of the park and walk about five hundred meters, there’s a place called Sakata’s Stand. Great oden and takoyaki.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlvsGJtKCl
The girl nodded solemnly. “Thank you.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC6lS0hw88
The two men waved and walked off, still chuckling about the “adorable siblings.” Kouya could only sigh, following as Kanna marched proudly ahead, tail swaying like a banner of victory.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxU4wbft2s
The streets grew quieter. The last shop signs flickered dimly as shutters came down. Wind rustled through the alleyways, carrying the faint scent of soy and grilled batter.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMQtozQ2Fm
Kouya walked a few steps behind her, watching her small figure illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights. Occasionally, she’d glance over her shoulder, eyes unreadable, before turning back around without a word.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Lm8tTIeC
Soon, they reached the shop the officers had mentioned. Light spilled warmly from within, the smell of soup stock and fried octopus filling the air. Steam billowed faintly from the doorway, vanishing into the cold night.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkFjoWf6Ul
Kouya slid the wooden door open. A wave of fragrant heat washed over him, bringing with it the hum of voices, the sound of sizzling pans, and the comfortable bustle of ordinary life. After the long, strange walk through the silent streets, the simple noise almost felt… grounding.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRY6yc5xYJ
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