Aozaki Aoko Case File

Credits: Korntaratana Jutimitta

Aoko's original plan was to place Caren and her mother under the protection of the Aida Church. This arrangement would have allowed both Caren and her mother to adjust more easily after leaving the Holy Church's environment. It would also have spared them from further persecution, simplifying matters for Aoko herself.

However, after learning that Claudia Hortensia had already committed suicide, Aoko decided to keep Caren by her side. The girl's personality was quite twisted—partly innate, but undoubtedly exacerbated by the toxic environment of the Holy Church. Since the clone Irisviel showed potential as a maternal figure, Aoko thought it fitting to have her look after Caren. As for Caren's legal identity, that would require calling in a favor from Aoko's father to sort out her citizenship.

Aoko was not particularly skilled at caring for children unless they were unusually easygoing ones, like Touko, Hisui, or Kohaku. Dealing with a sharp-tongued, mischievous child-like Caren was another matter entirely. Thankfully, Irisviel's natural maternal demeanor proved effective against Caren's defiant tendencies.

Over the next few days, Caren became noticeably more well-behaved under Irisviel's care. Even her sarcastic remarks were tempered by a newfound consideration for others' feelings. Aoko considered this a success.

Meanwhile, Alice was quite pleased with Hisui and Kohaku's progress in learning magecraft. For some reason, she also prepared two black-themed dresses for the twins, making them look like miniature versions of herself. Aoko saw this as a positive development. Alice had always been a bit too introverted, stubborn, and reserved, but the twins' companionship seemed to have brightened her disposition considerably.

With everything settled at the Kuonji residence, Aoko turned her attention to her matters—namely, registering for the University of Tokyo's entrance exams. Technically, as a second-year high school student, she didn't need to take the exam yet. However, her exceptional academic performance at Misaki High School made her a prime candidate for the school's "genius student" publicity campaign. This meant Aoko would take the entrance exam in January, paving the way for an early graduation and subsequent enrollment at the university.

To prepare, Aoko uncharacteristically devoted herself to studying. Instead of attending classes with her usual second-year peers, she joined the senior-year cram class. At first, the cram class students resented the idea of a second-year student joining their ranks.

Who was this underclassman to keep up with their rigorous pace? Their initial plan was to ostracize and ignore her.

But within a day, their strategy backfired spectacularly. They realized it wasn't Aoko being bullied by the class—it was Aoko cold-shouldering them. As a member of the influential Aozaki family, Aoko commanded considerable respect in Misaki City. No teacher at Misaki High would risk offending her, let alone allow petty things like skipped assignments or cold treatment in class.

Petty acts like ignoring her, hiding her books, or placing thumbtacks on her chair?

Aoko dismissed them as trivial. To her, the immature schemes of these teenagers were as transparent as streaking in broad daylight. After publicly calling out and reprimanding a few of the ringleaders, the class quickly fell in line.

The student council vice president, Tobimaru Tsukiji, found the whole situation amusing. Upon hearing about the attempted bullying, he chuckled and called his grandfather—the school director. The offending students were quietly expelled.

Bullying might be a common problem in schools worldwide, but Aoko saw no reason to tolerate it. If she was strong enough, she could bully everyone else instead.

Unsurprisingly, the expelled students bore a grudge. They rallied a group of thugs to ambush Aoko after school. Unfortunately for them, Aoko arrived on a magically enhanced motorcycle, mowing down several attackers before they even realized what was happening. The rest fled in terror, leaving their injured comrades behind.

The incident barely made a ripple in local news, and no one suspected the elegant student council president of being involved.

After dealing with the school drama, Aoko remembered two girls in Mifune City who might still need her—or Touko's—help. After some consideration, she dug out the business card of Kiri Nanaya and made a call to the top assassin in Japan.

"Hello? This is Aoko Aozaki," she said curtly.

"I have a job for you."

["I didn't expect to hear from you so soon,"] replied a cheerful male voice.

["Who do you want me to kill?"]

"The current head of the Asagami Group. Do you know them?"

Aoko asked.

["The branch family of the Asakami clan?"]

Kiri mused.

["I thought they were just ordinary people now."]

"The Asagami had adopted a child with rare blood from the Asakami line," Aoko explained.

"He's after something he shouldn't be, which is why I'm asking you to deal with him. I'm busy right now."

["Understood,"] Kiri agreed without hesitation.

"Also, after you deal with him, check on his adopted daughter, Asagami Fujino," Aoko continued.

"If she's still taking a certain medication, make sure she stops. That stuff is harmful to her."

["Sounds straightforward enough,"] Kiri said thoughtfully.

["Since this isn't a supernatural or hybrid case, I won't charge you. Consider it repayment for last time."]

"Good to know you Nanayas care about your reputation," Aoko remarked.

"I hear you've switched professions?"

["Yes,"] Kiri sighed.

["Mostly working as private security now. But it's better this way. I don't want Shiki turning out like me."]