Eight

In the end, Su Zhiming conceded—there was no other reason; humans simply cannot win against ghosts.

Although Tsujioka Tomie repeatedly insisted that the one who died was an imposter, given the strange feelings Tomie had always stirred in him before, Su Zhiming found it more reasonable to believe she was indeed a ghost.

At least, this explanation perfectly convinced himself without making him doubt his own sanity.

Thus, Tsujioka Tomie took up residence at Su Zhiming’s home. Despite the boy constantly calling him “boyfriend,” “lover,” and referring to their shared nest of affection, it was all just talk.

He seemed to dislike staying at home, and Su Zhiming had no idea where he went; he wasn’t curious either. But one thing was certain—it was never to attend classes.

Su Zhiming chose to pretend he knew nothing and made an effort to ignore Tsujioka Tomie.

On his first day back at work, he received genuine concern from Kobayashi and Takigaya. Naturally, he wouldn’t involve them in Tomie’s affairs, only saying that a minor family matter required his attention.

“By the way, Kobayashi, are you alright? You look a bit off,” Su Zhiming shifted the topic toward Kobayashi.

Her fingers paused over the keyboard, and an awkward expression crossed her face. “Is it that obvious?”

Takigaya nodded. “Is it because of the overtime these past few days?”

During Su Zhiming’s two-day absence, both Kobayashi and Takigaya had worked late to keep up with the schedule, so there wouldn’t be a backlog when he returned.

Kobayashi scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed. “Maybe.” But that wasn’t it—she was used to overtime. The real reason for her fatigue…

She buried her face in her hands in anguish. It was because a dragon had appeared at her home! Why would such a creature, only found in fantasy tales, show up at her house—and become a maid!

Takigaya glanced between Su Zhiming and Kobayashi, a flicker of light in his eyes. His intuition told him these two were hiding something from him.

Still…

“Then you should get some good rest. Fortunately, Su Zhiming-senpai is back, so we can finish the tasks earlier today,” Takigaya said as he returned to his workstation.

He would not rudely pry into his friends’ secrets.

At closing time, the three shared the same route home. Many shops along the street had already shut early—likely a sign that word had spread.

Su Zhiming’s mind drifted to Tsujioka Tomie, Kobayashi was distracted by thoughts of the dragon maid at her place, and Takigaya was the first to break the silence.

“By the way, do you guys know about that?”

“That?” Su Zhiming snapped back to attention. Takigaya nodded mysteriously. “The legend of Yokohama.”

Kobayashi adjusted her glasses. “I know. It’s about those with supernatural abilities, right?”

“Exactly! I didn’t expect you to know that, Kobayashi!” Takigaya was excited. As an otaku, he was fascinated by concepts that only appeared in anime.

Supernatural abilities? Su Zhiming blinked. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was what he was thinking.

Kobayashi twitched her lips. She had initially taken it as just an urban legend. But yesterday, her dragon maid had told her that many powerful humans lived in this city—like mages from their world.

If not for her “Cognitive Interference” magic, she might have been discovered and expelled upon entering this world.

The world of supernatural abilities was vastly different from the ordinary. Even those known as “Sovereigns” lived far apart from common life.

Though rumors about supernatural beings circulated in Yokohama, most people dismissed them as urban myths.

Takigaya gripped his backpack strap and lowered his voice. “Yesterday, while eating, the owner of a restaurant I know told me the recent tension among underground factions was due to these supernatural people.”

Kobayashi exclaimed softly. She hadn’t noticed at all—she was a bit slow on these matters, which explained why she’d drunkenly dragged the dragon around and complained.

Su Zhiming tightened his grip on his briefcase handle. “Supernatural beings… can they come back to life?”

Takigaya and Kobayashi sighed and looked at him, while Su Zhiming smiled lightly. “Just curious.”

“I don’t know, but I guess they’d control fire or water, like magic,” Takigaya said, mimicking a spellcasting pose.

“Magic isn’t always about fire or water control. Maybe some can alter perception or cognition,” Kobayashi recalled what Thor had told her about cognitive magic.

Altering perception? That matched Tsujioka Tomie’s case.

Wait, why did Kobayashi suddenly think of that?

Su Zhiming’s gaze deepened toward Kobayashi. Most people, when thinking of magic, would imagine elemental control—fire, water, ice—or flight, like Takigaya.

Changing perception was an unusual, niche ability…

Kobayashi remained oblivious to Su Zhiming’s scrutiny, enthusiastically discussing magical powers and supernatural abilities with Takigaya.

Soon, the three parted ways. Kobayashi and Takigaya headed to the station, while Su Zhiming, living close to the office, walked home swiftly.

From afar, Su Zhiming saw the lights at his house were on. He didn’t need to guess—it was Tsujioka Tomie back home.

Putting aside Tomie’s eerie presence, the feeling of having someone waiting at home was sometimes pleasant.

As he approached, Su Zhiming noticed something amiss. A strange man stood by his doorstep, furtively peering through the window.

“Who’s there!” Su Zhiming shouted. Upon seeing someone return, the man immediately fled.

Su Zhiming didn’t pursue him but checked the doors and windows carefully. All were intact; the man likely hadn’t done anything.

“Mr. Su, you’re back,” Tsujioka Tomie greeted, curled up on the sofa with a book in hand. The keys were tossed on the shoe cabinet by the door.

Su Zhiming glanced over. “You changed your keychain? Didn’t you say you liked the little dog one?”

Yesterday, Tomie had pestered him to get a new key, claiming the previous one was lost. He even insisted on buying a dog-shaped keychain.

Yet today, he was holding a rabbit-shaped one.

Tomie’s expression darkened instantly as he clutched the book tightly. “Damn imposter!”

His voice was low, and Su Zhiming didn’t catch what he muttered from the doorway.

“I want to eat grilled meat!” The boy threw the book aside in a huff.

Su Zhiming, puzzled by the sudden outburst, said, “Alright, then go change your clothes.”

While Tomie changed, Su Zhiming inspected the doors and windows again—no signs of forced entry.

He couldn’t understand the stranger’s intent. If it were a burglary, the lights being on would have been a deterrent.

Could it have been surveillance?

Su Zhiming’s expression turned serious. He decided to keep an eye out tomorrow. If the man appeared again, he would call the police.