Rewrite Our Love? Too Late-Chapter 98: Say “Yes”… or Say “Woof”

Notification: Your Shogi skill has been specially affected. Proficiency has been fully achieved.

Shogi (Lv8) → Shogi (Lv9)

In the stillness beneath the bridge, a glowing system notification unfurled before Yukima Azuma's eyes.

At the same moment, faint golden motes drifted from Toono Zen's body like dandelion seeds in the wind. A few of them detached from the rest and floated toward Azuma, merging gently into his chest.

Opening his system control panel, Yukima Azuma narrowed his eyes.

According to the original calculations, he shouldn't have enough proficiency to break through to the next level. Yet now, the final empty sliver of the progress bar for Shogi glowed gold—and it kept filling.

No lurch. No sound. Just a calm, steady ascent.

Lv9: Complete.

A deep pulse of power resonated from within him. Unlike previous level-ups, this one didn't erupt uncontrollably. Instead, the newfound aura coursed through his body like water in a smooth stream.

It didn't overwhelm. It listened.

He clenched his fist.

"So this is what it means to fully control the aura," he thought. "It's... obedient."

The golden flecks absorbed from Toono Zen seemed to be some kind of merit—a spiritual residue from their battle. But the effect had only slightly reduced the required proficiency.

"Maybe I need a lot more of it before it truly becomes meaningful," he noted silently.

Then, he turned and walked toward a patch of grass under the bridge.

Nestled between a few blades of green was a round, black-red gem, gleaming like a drop of crystallized blood.

Azuma picked it up without hesitation.

Unlike spirits, which couldn't be seen through Cooking Vision, this object was perfectly visible. That told him something. Spirits were likely too delicate or intangible to be perceived directly. But by compressing the malicious aura—like kneading dough into a tangible form—he had created something more solid.

Something even the average person might see... or touch.

He glanced at the girl beside him.

"Miko," he thought, "you might be the perfect test subject."

Toono Zen remained behind to call the police, preparing to hand over the unconscious, hoodie-wearing man.

Meanwhile, Azuma and Yotsuya Miko returned toward Shuka High School.

As they walked, Azuma handed her the gem.

Miko's hands trembled as she accepted it. Her pupils dilated slightly.

"...You really managed to capture that thing," she whispered.

She had seen the grotesque spider spirit compressed before her very eyes. But she hadn't expected to be able to hold it.

"Yukima-senpai..." she hesitated.

Azuma turned to her, grinning playfully. "Didn't you say you wanted to be my dog?"

Miko swallowed.

Her heart was racing.

Everything was unfolding far more intensely than she'd imagined.

"...Yes," she said softly.

"Good," Azuma said, snapping his fingers. "Swallow it."

"...What?"

"The gem. Swallow it."

Miko stared at him, the round, pulsing gem heavy in her palm.

"Yukima-senp—Yukima-sama, this..."

"The answer must be 'yes' or 'woof,'" he said coolly. "And call me by my name. I'll call you Miko."

Miko's face turned beet red.

"...W-Woof."

Then, with a dry gulp, she tossed her head back and swallowed the gem.

The sensation was awful—like forcing down a soaked rag. Her body spasmed slightly, but nothing worse occurred.

Azuma had already encased the gem in his aura before giving it to her, preparing to instantly crush it if something went wrong.

But the moment the gem entered her body, the protective aura vanished—dissolved into her.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"W-Woof~..." she joked weakly. "Like I just swallowed laundry."

He handed her a small orange candy, gently unwrapping it and placing it into her mouth.

The sweet citrus flavor burst across her tongue. It helped.

Once she'd recovered, he asked, "Any changes?" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Miko closed her eyes, focusing.

"...I think I can... spit something out."

She turned aside and gave a small heave—and suddenly, the humanoid spider appeared again in front of her.

She shrieked and jumped back, the stench of the spirit making her gag.

Azuma narrowed his eyes. "Try controlling it."

Miko, shaking, pointed toward a dirt pile nearby.

"Go... destroy that dirt," she commanded.

To her amazement, the spider obeyed. It lunged at the target, scattering the earth like an oversized bulldozer.

Even after being tamed, the evil spirit's ability to interact with the physical world remained limited. Unless acknowledged or seen, their impact was restricted.

"Can you retract it?"

"...Let me try."

She inhaled deeply.

With a slurp and a gag, the humanoid spider shrank and returned into her body.

"I really did just swallow a rag again," she coughed, trembling. "Azuma-sama... hic..."

Azuma gently ruffled her hair. She looked up with flushed cheeks and shining eyes.

"This girl..." Azuma thought, "has the most powerful clairvoyance I've ever seen."

The potential for further development was enormous.

Maybe this was soul control magic.

After the incident, they wandered through the school festival, stopping by a takoyaki stand.

Azuma bought a batch with Thousand Island sauce and mayonnaise. As the takoyaki steamed in the tray, the bonito flakes danced gently.

He offered her one, freshly skewered.

Miko hesitated, then opened her mouth and bit down.

It wasn't gourmet, but it was hot and comforting. She hadn't eaten since morning.

Earlier, when her mother called her and her sister to the breakfast table, she'd seen a massive reptilian spirit licking her toast.

She couldn't bring herself to eat anything after that.

But now—with Azuma by her side and the gem inside her—things felt just a bit safer.

"If there's something you want to say, say it," Azuma said with a smile. "You don't have to hide things from me, Miko."

She stiffened.

Then, slowly, she whispered, "Azuma-sama... I want to move closer to where you live."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I see. That's fine. A few apartments nearby are up for sale. But what about your mother and sister?"

"I think... I can convince them," she said, eyes glinting with hope.

Azuma nodded and sent her the details. After trying a piece of takoyaki himself and finding it bland, he handed her the rest.

Her joy in eating was a reward in itself.

"Oh, Azuma-sama, by the way," Miko asked, licking sauce from her lips, "what's that case you've been carrying since this morning?"

"This?" He tapped the black guitar case on his back. "It's a magical tool. You'll see soon."

As the afternoon drew on, they passed through food stalls and activities, filling up on snacks and drinks before heading to the gymnasium for the performances.

Upon entering, Azuma spotted a familiar figure near the temporary stage.

"Manager Ijichi, you're here early!"

Ijichi Seika—twelve years older than her sister Nijika and the manager of the live house STARRY—turned to face him.

"Oh, it's you," she said with a small smirk. "Nijika wouldn't shut up until I agreed to come."

Azuma smiled.

Right then, a staggering figure swayed into view—purple-haired, flushed, and very drunk.

"H-Hello, hic... You're Yukima-kun, right?" she slurred. "Nice to meet you~!"

The stench of alcohol was overwhelming.

Yotsuya Miko took a startled step back.

"Who is this drunk woman?!"