Aozaki Aoko Case File

"Touko-chan, your seat is over here, okay?"

Aoko mischievously brought over a high chair from the corner, one she had specially prepared. With a swift, almost dance-like movement, she appeared behind Touko and scooped her up in an instant, her hands moving so fast they were hard to follow.

"W-What are you doing?!"

Touko's voice was panicked as her small feet flailed around.

Aoko, of course, ignored Touko's protests. She securely placed her in the high chair, fastening the safety belt with precision.

Touko was in shock. Just how twisted did this woman's mind have to be to do something so humiliating? Even the forks and knives on the table were child-safe, their sharp edges dulled! The thought sent a cold sweat down Touko's back, her hand trembling as she gripped her fork.

"Relax," Aoko said nonchalantly, eating her breakfast.

"I'm not like you, Touko-chan. I'm not nearly as cruel."

At that, Touko stopped trembling and instead glared at Aoko with dead-fish eyes.

"Gaining magic and defeating you, Touko-chan, has always been part of my plan," Aoko continued, unbothered.

"Or should I say, it's part of my life's roadmap."

"...Are you saying I'm insignificant in your life?"

Touko asked flatly, though Aoko could detect a hint of hurt in her voice.

"How could that be?"

Aoko responded.

"It's just that there are some things I can't start doing until I defeat you. First on the list is lifting your Sealing Designation," she added, taking a bite of her waffle.

"The Mage's Association doesn't respect the Aozaki family. We're a family with a Magician lineage, for crying out loud."

"Hmph. Lord Valualeta isn't the type to back off just because I'm related to a magician," Touko said coldly.

"She's a magus among magus."

"I don't care if she's a magus or a lord," Aoko said, shaking her head dismissively.

"Anyone who messes with me or my family is going to pay. I'll make sure that old hag understands that."

"Of course, after dealing with Touko-chan's issues, I'll help you too, Alice," Aoko added, turning to Kuonji Alice, who was quietly eating her breakfast nearby.

"If you want, I'll personally visit all those annoying relatives of yours from the Kuonji family."

"...That won't be necessary," Alice said expressionlessly, continuing to eat, giving no hint of what she might be thinking.

Hearing her sister's words, Touko's feelings were mixed. The things she had once been so fixated on now seemed trivial in Aoko's eyes. Her values were less like a magus's and more like a regular person's. Maybe that was the perspective of someone who had attained true Magic.

"I've already bought the plane tickets for next Monday," Aoko said.

"A direct flight from Tokyo to London. We'll wrap this up quickly."

Thinking it over, Touko realized that in her current condition, Aoko's plan wasn't such a bad one. Aside from the embarrassment of her old classmates and teachers seeing her in this youthful form, many people would probably be envious of her...

Without a word, Touko nodded, then focused on the French toast in front of her. Yum, it was delicious!

"Besides, I still have to take my entrance exam for Tokyo University in December," Aoko said casually, crunching through her salad.

"I can't afford to leave this unfinished."

"You're still planning to attend Tokyo University?"

Touko asked in surprise.

"What about managing the Aozaki family's ley lines? Don't tell me you're going to leave that all to Alice?"

"Once your current body matures a bit more, I'll transfer the ley line management crest to you," Aoko replied easily.

"The warped ley lines are of little use to me anyway. Now that I've obtained full-fledged Magic, I don't need that stuff."

"You're serious?"

Touko was numb from the morning's events, but Aoko's words still made her ask in disbelief.

"Look," Aoko said, activating a part of her magic crest. An emerald glow shimmered across her palm, the crest's lines growing more intricate.

"For some reason, the magic crest I obtained from Root keeps expanding, like a plant. The ley line control magic crest made by the old man is becoming a hindrance."

"I see."

Touko squinted, observing the magic crest on Aoko's hand, which looked almost parasitic.

"Indeed. If you don't transfer the other parts of the magic crest soon, it could hinder your growth."

"Alice can perform the transplant when the time comes," Aoko said.

"Of all the Tuners I know, Alice is the most trustworthy."

Alice silently nodded in agreement.

...

Though Aoko had decided to transfer the ley line management magic crest to Touko, many of the Aozaki family's other magic crests—including the one controlling the imaginary prison where Touko's dog was sealed—remained in Aoko's hands. She had no intention of giving Touko the chance to release that thing.

With the trip to London set for next Monday, Aoko now had some time to take care of other matters.

First, she needed to make an appearance at Misaki High School. Even though she was the student council president, staying away from school for too long would result in some serious black marks on her record, even for someone of her caliber.

Second, after extensive investigation, Aoko had finally located the near-bankrupt Fujou family on the outskirts of Tokyo. She had learned that the two most talented children of the current generation were named Fujou Hisui and Fujou Kohaku.

With this information in hand, Aoko didn't hesitate. After making her rounds at school, she visited the Fujou family's old mansion in Tokyo.

Though the Fujou family—one of Japan's four great exorcist families—had fallen into decline, their knowledge of the magical world was still far beyond that of ordinary people. At the very least, the Aozaki family's famous name was still well-known to them.

Upon learning that the current head of the Aozaki family had come to visit, the Fujou family quickly put on their best manners to welcome Aoko.

"I want to adopt the two Fujou sisters, Kohaku and Hisui," Aoko said bluntly, sipping her tea.

"This..."

The current head of the Fujou family hesitated, torn between the potential benefits and losses. In his eyes, the two sisters were the key to reviving the family, so he needed to ensure he got a good deal for them.

"I'll offer you a deal you can't refuse," Aoko said decisively. "And if necessary, I'll also provide protection for the Fujou family."

PS: Yay! Kohaku's Fate is Saved!