Chapter 61: May I call you that...!
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Kunou, her voice filled with longing, approached Issei tentatively. "Issei-kun, may I...May I call you that?" she asked, her words laced with hope and vulnerability.
Issei shrugged nonchalantly, his casual demeanor masking the flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Sure, everyone else does," he replied, his tone suggesting that he was accustomed to such familiarity.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Kunou's voice quivered slightly as she expressed her appreciation. "Thank you so much for the food, Issei-kun. You're the first person who has ever tried to help me," she whispered, a hint of sorrow coloring her words.
Issei's expression softened at her words, a rare glimmer of empathy shining through. "No need to mention it. Eat up quickly," he urged gently, his gaze fixed on the ravenous young Youkai devouring her meal. He wasted no time in joining her, savoring each bite as the flavors exploded on his tongue.
Once their empty plates lay before them, Issei rose abruptly, a renewed sense of purpose evident in his actions. Kunou, sensing his energy, followed suit, her enthusiasm reignited. "Ready to go, Kunou?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and excitement.
A shy smile tugged at Kunou's lips as she nodded eagerly. "Yes, Issei-kun!" she chimed, her spirits lifted by his presence and the promise of a brighter future.
Exiting the humble establishment, Issei's eyes immediately fixated on his gleaming motorcycle. Aware of the urgency of their mission, he turned to the young fox girl and issued his instructions with a sense of unwavering determination. "Hop on, kid."
Startled and overwhelmed by the sight of the imposing vehicle, the girl's voice trembled nervously. "O-on th-this?" she stammered, her gaze darting between Issei and the motorcycle.
Issei's expression softened just a fraction, understanding the overwhelming nature of the situation for the young girl. "Come on, time's ticking. I've got somewhere to be in a few hours. Let's find your mother," he urged, his words weighted with urgency and empathy.
Summoning her inner courage, the fox girl mustered her resolve and positioned herself on the back of the motorcycle. An array of emotions played across her features as she hesitantly reached out, clutching onto Issei's waist for security. She buried her face into his sturdy back, a mixture of fear and anticipation coursing through her veins.
Feeling her presence behind him, Issei expertly revved the engine, the powerful roar breaking through the silence of the surrounding streets. With a confident hand, he maneuvered the motorcycle onto the road, ready to navigate the winding paths that lay ahead.
As they zoomed through the bustling city at an exhilarating speed, the wind whipped past them, carrying with it a symphony of sounds and scents.
Issei's focus honed in on his heightened senses, as he strived to discern any clues or traces that might lead them to the girl's missing mother.
Suddenly, a faint scent caught Issei's attention, reminiscent of the young fox girl. It wafted through the air, mingling with the hodgepodge of aromas characteristic of the city streets. Sensing a potential lead, Issei's grip on the handlebars tightened, his instincts guiding him towards the source of the familiar fragrance.
Unyielding in his pursuit, Issei raced against time, his determination carrying them away from the bustling cityscape and deeper into the embrace of nature. The scent he trailed seemed to guide their course, acting as an invisible thread that led them through the labyrinthine paths of the forest.
And as the minutes stretched into an hour, Kunou's voice trembled with uncertainty, her doubts beginning to taint her hope. She couldn't help but question their destination along the way, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Issei's response remained steady, his voice carrying a sense of unwavering conviction. "I am following a Youkai's trail. Trust me, Kunou," he reassured her, his determination resonating in his words. With each step forward, he was fueled by an unspoken promise to bring her closer to her mother.
Finally, after navigating through the twists and turns of the forest, their relentless pursuit came to a pause. Before them stood an isolated shrine, its presence a hidden gem nestled within the depths of the woodland.
Kunou's grip on Issei tightened as her confusion spilled out into the air. "Is it possible that Mama is really out here, Issei-kun?" she questioned, her voice tinged with a mixture of hope and doubt.
Issei surveyed the shrine with calculated eyes, a hint of intrigue playing upon his features. "I detect a scent similar to yours emanating from that shrine. Do you recognize this place?" he asked, his curiosity mingling with concern.
Despite the apparent abandonment, there was something peculiarly serene about the shrine, as if it held ancient secrets that were yearning to be unraveled.
Kunou's gaze lingered on the shrine, a flicker of recognition crossing her eyes. "It's the Shrine of Heroes," she admitted, her voice holding a trace of nostalgia.
"I've only been here once, but it's normally guarded by seals and barriers," she added, her concern deepening as she recalled the mysterious energy that once cloaked the sacred place.
An air of mystery settled around them as Issei contemplated the significance of this unexpected discovery. "Why would there be a shrine all the way out here?" he mused aloud, his mind spinning with possibilities.
Parked his motorcycle nearby, Issei dismounted, his steps purposeful and resolute. Kunou clung to him tightly, acknowledging the unspoken bond that they had formed as he ascended the weathered stone staircase leading to the shrine.
With a determined and composed stride, Issei ascended the weathered stone steps, ready to uncover the secrets shrouded within the Shrine of Heroes. However, his attention was abruptly diverted by an unusual sight that unfolded before him.
A dense, dark mist seemed to materialize out of thin air, swirling and weaving its way around the area. While Issei remained unaffected by its unnatural presence, Kunou, unfortunately, began to feel the insidious effects of the mist as her consciousness started to waver.
'This mist...it's not ordinary,' Issei surmised, his instincts on high alert as he sensed the danger that loomed within it. With swift reflexes, he caught Kunou as her legs gave way, lifting her effortlessly and slinging her over his shoulder.