Sett Chapter 21: Problem (Patreon)

Ding-dong!

[Tadashi: Are you awake, Yukinoshita?]

[Tadashi: I’m downstairs at your place, could you let me in?]

...

In the apartment, Yukino had just woken up, staring at her phone, full of questions.

Didn't I ask you not to come?

Why are you here?

Thinking about yesterday’s massage, her face flushed red. She quickly typed out a response.

[Yukinoshita Yukino: No need to trouble yourself, Tadashi-kun.]

[Yukinoshita Yukino: I can manage on my own.]

Downstairs, Tadashi saw the message and smiled.

[Tadashi: Without my massage, it will take you at least three to five days to recover after each training session.]

[Tadashi: Your talent isn’t great, and factoring in recovery time, it will take you at least three years to even start mastering the basics.]

[Tadashi: What will you do during those three years?]

[Tadashi: You wouldn’t want to find yourself powerless the next time you face a supernatural incident, needing to rely on others for help, right?]

...

In her apartment, Yukino read the messages, her hands tightening into fists.

Tadashi had hit a nerve.

She absolutely didn’t want to face another supernatural event without being able to protect herself, forced to rely on others for help.

*Ding!*

Another message came in.

[Tadashi: You’re up so early, which shows you have a strong desire to get better.]

[Tadashi: Accept my help.]

[Tadashi: With my massages, you can train intensively every day and master the basics within a year!]

Reading this, Yukino finally made up her mind.

She took a deep breath and replied.

[Yukinoshita Yukino: You’ve convinced me, Tadashi-kun…]

[Yukinoshita Yukino: Please, come up.]

With a soft click, the electronic lock on her apartment door was unlocked.

Yukino could remotely open the door for guests from her apartment.

Tadashi smiled, pushed open the door, and entered the building.

Taking the elevator...

Before long, he arrived at Yukino’s apartment.

“Good morning.”

Yukino was already waiting by the door. She was wearing a thin jacket, highlighting her slender figure. She had on breathable shorts, revealing her long, slender legs.

“Good morning, Yukino,” Tadashi said, his eyes appreciating her appearance.

"..." Yukino blushed slightly, regretting that she had run out in her casual home clothes.

But remembering yesterday’s events, she suddenly looked up, examining Tadashi closely.

“What’s the matter?” Tadashi asked, confused.

“Nothing,” Yukino’s gaze turned thoughtful, her voice soft. “Come in, Tadashi… I’ll rely on your massage again today.”

She turned to walk inside, leaving Tadashi with a graceful silhouette.

Tadashi followed her inside.

After closing the door, they began another round of training guidance, and once again, Yukino lay down on the couch.

But this time, she seemed much more relaxed.

Yukino’s outfit was even simpler today—just a camisole on top and yoga shorts on the bottom.

Her delicate figure was fully outlined.

Tadashi’s heart began to race with excitement.

He reached out, touching her smooth, soft, and fair skin once more.

"By the way... aren't massages typically done with essential oils?" Yukino suddenly asked.

"Yes."

Tadashi paused, then replied, "But I was worried it might make you uncomfortable, so I didn’t mention it. If you think it's necessary, I can bring essential oils next time."

“Please use the oils next time, then,” Yukino said softly.

Tadashi was surprised.

Was Yukino being serious?

Using essential oils would require more contact, and the person being massaged would usually need to remove all their clothes, covering themselves only with a towel, leaving most of their body exposed.

‘Does Yukino know what she’s asking?’

Tadashi glanced at her curiously but saw no sign of hesitation.

‘Fine, I’ll act like I don’t know either. We’ll deal with it tomorrow.’

As he massaged her muscles, Yukino’s delicate toes curled from the pressure, and she couldn’t stop herself from making soft, alluring sounds.

By the end, Tadashi casually patted her lower back as he finished up and left.

On the couch, Yukino drifted off into a half-hour nap, only waking up when her alarm went off.

She opened her eyes, rubbing her soft skin, her face flushing red, her teeth gritted.

“Tadashi, you pervert! Wasn’t massaging me enough? You had to take advantage of me before leaving!”

“Idiot!”

“Jerk!”

Yukino cursed at him for a while before finally getting up to wash.

...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After leaving Yukino’s place, Tadashi strolled through the nearby streets, casually swinging his arms.

One by one, shadows and curses were obliterated, turning into experience points.

【Level up!】

Soon, Tadashi received the system notification.

He smiled, opening his status screen.

…

Template: Sett

Level: 4

Skills: Pit Grit (Passive), Knuckle Down (Level 1), Facebreaker (Level 1)

Skill Points: 2

…

He had leveled up from 3 to 4.

Tadashi’s strength, speed, stamina, defense, and health recovery had all received small boosts.

In Hiratsuka Shizuka's case, this meant he could spend more time "fighting" her at night.

...

...

At a construction site on the outskirts.

Haruno sat in her car, frowning with frustration.

Her third negotiation with the construction crew had ended with the same result—they insisted on bringing in someone to perform a ritual before continuing work.

And not just any ritual.

It had to be performed by a respected master from a major shrine in Tokyo or Kyoto, or from the Onmyo Bureau.

"Is this really a supernatural problem?"

Haruno muttered, remembering the fear on the crew manager's face during negotiations. It didn’t seem like he was faking it.

But still...

How could supernatural events possibly exist in this world?

Haruno laughed it off and started her car, planning to return and draft a new negotiation plan.

If a ritual had to be done, it would delay the project by at least a month, and that was time they didn’t have.

“If all else fails, I’ll just call Shizuka’s friend to help put on a show,” Haruno thought, focusing on driving as she left the construction site.

Unbeknownst to her, a thin strand shot out from the construction site.

It pierced the car’s outer layer, attaching itself to the back of her neck.

In the shadows of the construction site, a pair of cold eyes appeared, watching as Haruno’s car drove away.

The figure tugged gently on the thread.

Haruno’s eyes glazed over momentarily, as if she had become a lifeless puppet, controlled by the string.