Japanese Terrorist: What? I'll fight Hellstar!

Only after the unpleasant group had completely disappeared from sight did Kawakami Tomie turn around and look up at Amamiya Rin.

The arrogant anger from before had vanished, replaced by a bright smile that mixed smugness and mischief, as if the little conflict had just happened as an amusing afterthought.

"How was it, Ah Lin? How did it feel to be rescued by me?"

She shook Yu Gonglin's arm and asked teasingly.

"If I hadn't arrived in time, you would have been pestered by that ugly woman. Look at the way she looked at you, tsk tsk, so blatant."

Seeing Tomie's expression, which seemed to be demanding praise, Amamiya Rin felt some of his annoyance dissipate.

He sighed.

"This really helped a lot; this place really makes me uncomfortable."

"It's not just discomfort, is it?"

Tomie suddenly raised her fingertips and, through a thin layer of suit fabric, lightly touched Amamiya Rin's chest.

Her eyes appeared deep in the dim light, and a smile still lingered on her lips, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

(Kill, at some point just now, you wanted to kill everyone here, didn't you?)

Because there were other people around, Tomie didn't choose to cause trouble for Amamiya Rin, but instead talked to Amamiya Rin in the [Tomie Network].

"My spiritual practice is still incomplete."

Amamiya Rin said frankly.

His willpower was indeed as firm as a rock, but that was mostly forged through the sheer force of his struggle against Tomie's allure.

The practice of meditation is meant to sever attachments to desires, guard one's true nature, and see through the illusions of the world. The various strange occurrences and life-and-death experiences one encounters daily also continuously temper one's state of mind.

However, this is the first time I've witnessed such a stark and blatant display of distortion and cruelty disguised as civilization.

It's not the blatant malice of ghosts and curses, but rather the malice of people, living, breathing people, who frivolously objectify the suffering and lives of their fellow human beings as playthings.

The impact of this realization was unlike any of the strange phenomena he had previously confronted.

"It's okay."

Tomie Kawakami took another step closer to Rin Amamiya. Her upturned face suddenly softened and became gentle, the previous arrogance and cunning vanished, replaced by a kind of comforting concern.

(If you want to, then just do it. Why always suppress yourself?)

Her voice softened, like silk brushing against the ear, with a seductive rhythm.

(Erase all the people who are an eyesore here, clean up all the people you can't stand, and eliminate all those who offend you... What's wrong with that? They're the ones who are wrong; you've simply made the right and satisfying choice. Isn't the purpose of spiritual practice to seek liberation and attain great freedom?)

"I know what I should do."

Amamiya Rin merely frowned, as if brushing away a spiderweb.

Tomie's words, those tempting and indulgent whispers, sounded like mere noise to him.

Having practiced the contemplation of the white bones, he was already accustomed to the filth beneath the skin. Maintaining righteous mindfulness, when deluded thoughts arose, they were like reflections in a mirror, clear yet untainted. At this moment, the murderous intent that arose in his heart due to the ugliness of human nature vanished without a trace, like boiling water entering snow.

Murder? No, not murder. Humans only have one layer of skin, and they don't use human skin as furniture. He only wants to kill monsters, not people.

Only monsters like this are worth killing.

However, tonight is not the time.

"We can't stay here any longer, let's leave."

Amamiya Rin said calmly.

"Hey—leaving now? We just got here."

Tomie's smile vanished instantly, and she spoke in a drawn-out, coquettish tone.

"No one would choose to stay in a cesspool for a short time or when they don't need it."

Amamiya Rin spoke very frankly, which made Tomie chuckle.

"I didn't expect you to say such nasty things. But well, since we're already here and have been disgusted, we can't just slink away like this, can we? It feels like we're running away in a panic."

Tomie wrinkled her nose, then her eyes darted around, flashing with a cunning light.

"so what?"

Amamiya Rin looked at Tomie.

"Want to dance with me? You can't come to a party and not dance, right? Besides, in those anime and light novel plots, doesn't the male protagonist always dance after helping the female protagonist out of an awkward situation at a party?"

Tomie winked at Amamiya Rin, a hint of a smile in her voice.

"Even as a token of gratitude, isn't this a bit much?"

Tomie drawled out her words, smiling as she extended her hand, palm up, in an inviting gesture.

She pointed to the small dance floor in the center of the living room, which was already lit up, where several couples were swaying gently to soothing jazz music.

Amamiya Rin glanced at the dance floor, then at the undisguised expectation in Tomie's eyes, and a wry smile appeared on his face.

"Although...but...well, it's not really excessive."

It would be excessive to reject Tomie, wouldn't it?

In this situation, Amamiya Rin realized that he still couldn't refuse Tomie.

"Just one song, and then we'll leave."

"Yay!"

Tomie immediately smiled, a bright and captivating smile filled with pure joy that seemed genuine and innocent. For a moment, one might mistake her for an ordinary, joyful girl inviting the person she admired.

Amamiya Rin was momentarily dazed. When he came to his senses, his hand was already being held by Tomie's warm and soft hand.

Tomie pulled Amamiya Rin towards the cleared dance floor, and the band switched to a soothing dance tune at the right moment.

Tomie naturally turned around, took his hand with one hand, and gently placed the other hand under his shoulder.

Yu Gonglin awkwardly supported her waist, and through the thin dress, he could feel the warmth of her skin and her delicate waistline.

He had never learned to dance, but Tomie had. In the world of dreams, her memories and feelings were also shared with Amamiya Rin.

As the music began, Amamiya Rin and Tomie moved in unison to the melody.

Although their steps were a bit stiff at first, the two swayed slowly to the music, their steps gradually becoming coordinated, and their stiff bodies gradually relaxed.

The dance floor was dimly lit, surrounded by swaying figures and whispers, but at this moment, the eerie furniture and the guests with ulterior motives seemed to be temporarily shut out.

"See, isn't this great?"

Tomie's voice was low and tinged with amusement as her breath brushed against Amamiya Rin's ear.

"Um."

Amamiya Rin responded.

He lowered his head and could see Tomie's thick eyelashes and pert nose.

Undeniably, at this moment, Tomie had toned down her deliberately flamboyant demonic nature and appeared... much more pleasing to the eye.

The time for a dance passed quickly.

As the music was about to end, Tomie led Amamiya Rin in a simple spin, then stopped.

She released her grip, took a half step back, her face still flushed and smiling, her eyes shining as she looked at him.

"Let's go, I'm fed up with this lousy place, it's time to go home."

Amamiya Rin nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the guests who were still immersed in their own enjoyment. He and Tomie joined hands and left the dazzling dance floor, heading towards the main entrance.