This Japanese Slice-of-Life Isn’t Lame - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: There Is Not Much Time Left

Kitagawa Tera was composed. He clasped Nishikujo Karen’s small hand and narrowed his eyes.

Perhaps it was his physique that ‘attracts strange phenomena’ at work again, and he hit the jackpot as soon as he arrived in Hassan City.

Nishikujo Mika and Nishikujo Karen were no longer among the living but were wandering souls around the vicinity. Kitagawa Tera knew it from the start.

Kitagawa Tera originally intended to resolve them directly, but the golden glow emanating from Nishikujo Karen made him hesitate for a moment.

Nishikujo Mika is different though, Kitagawa Tera thought as he watched Nishikujo Mika gradually lose her senses in front of him with a straight face.

Nishikujo Mika and Nishikujo Karen should have come here about a dozen days ago. They were killed, and their corpses were probably disposed of around here.

As new wandering souls, Nishikujo Mika and Nishikujo Karen were unaware of the fact that they were dead. However, the adult Nishikujo Mika’s memories slowly recovered as the days passed, and she also knew who killed them…

Kitagawa Tera could easily deduce that the person who killed them was Nishikujo Karen’s biological father from how obsessed Nishikujo Mika was about him.

Nishikujo Mika was probably killed when she asked him for child support payments.

Who was scarier, the living or wraiths?

A trace of enlightenment dawned upon Kitagawa Tera.

Nishikujo Mika had been suppressing her obsession and grudge because of her daughter. They had been wandering around like that.

However, Nishikujo Mika was eventually eroded by her obsession, and her grudge drove her here.

In fact, near the end, Kitagawa Tera was not leading the way, and Nishikujo Mika had brought them here.

“Mama…” Nishikujo Karen stretched her little hand out. The street light reflected her slightly transparent face, filling people with pity.

However, Nishikujo Mika did not bother about Nishikujo Karen and floated into one of the rental apartments without turning back.

“…” Kitagawa Tera.

A soul like Nishikujo Mika that was turning into a wraith would no longer care about others, and even her daughter’s cries could not stop her.

“Mama!!!” Kitagawa Tera cried anxiously. She opened her mouth and started biting Kitagawa Tera’s hand, trying to break free from him and follow after her mother.

However, Kitagawa Tera did not release Nishikujo Karen and only patted her little head.

“It’s no longer your mother. It’s of a different nature now.”

“You’re lying! Mama will always be Mama!”

Tears gushed out. Nishikujo Karen’s childish voice seemed exceptionally lonely and helpless on this winter night.

“Mama!

“Mama!

“Let go! Let go of me!”

Kitagawa Tera did not let go.

There were things that were not suitable for a young girl to see, even if she had become a spirit.

…

After some time, the screams of a man and the sounds of tearing caused Nishikujo Karen’s cries to stop.

After another two or three minutes, the tenants howled with horror, apparently having discovered something.

However, Nishikujo Karen did not care about them. She was only foolishly staring at Nishikujo Mika plundering out of the apartment. Her small body shook.

The thick palm that was still holding her hand today was now holding the terror-stricken head of a man.

Hatred.

Intense hatred.

Why did this man kill her?

Why did he even kill his own daughter?

Why why why why why why why?!!!

…

“Erm… There really isn’t enough money for Karen’s tuition. I can’t pool enough money. Yuuta, you haven’t sent us any money for the past three months. You should…” Nishikujo Mika stuttered meekly in front of her ex-husband, who was smoking and drinking.

“It isn’t easy to make money now! Do you think that the money I’ve been sending is a small sum? You two parasites!

“My life would have been so good without you two! I wouldn’t be living in such a shithole!”

“B-but…”

“No buts! Scram!”

“Wait! We…!”

Bang!!!

Nishikujo Karen was sitting obediently by the side with wide eyes and watched everything happen, petrified.

Blood sprayed out of her mother’s head as she fell protectively in front of her.

“R-run…” Nishikujo Mika’s damaged vocal cords managed to voice out before she fell.

However, the pupil that lost focus reflected the scene where Nishikujo Karen was also struck down by her ex-husband.

She did not enjoy what she should have…

This was probably all it took for maternal love to turn into extreme hatred.

Kitagawa Tera pulled Nishikujo Karen behind him.

He slammed his foot down ferociously one step forward.

Bang!!!

The trampled hard ground gave a crisp ring. Kitagawa Tera pushed his palms forward and formed his horse stance.

The first stance of Eight Extremities Fist.

“Come.” Kitagawa Tera’s icy cold voice sounded. The sudden eruption of his Cadaveric Aura also attracted the attention of Nishikujo Mika, who had nearly transformed into a full-fledged wraith.

Her scarlet eyes bulged, her whole body twisted bizarrely, her nails stained with red blood swelled, and her face was as white as a sheet of paper. She rushed toward Kitagawa Tera.

Seeing how she only had hatred for the living, Kitagawa Tera could not help but feel relieved.

His legs moved. He advanced instead of retreating!

Kitagawa Tera did not hesitate, nor did he need to.

When they nearly collided, Kitagawa Tera stopped and stood still with Cadaveric Aura hovering around his fingers.

He moved the center of gravity from his waist to his arm and transmitted power to his right fist. It landed on his opponent’s chest with black Cadaveric Aura surrounding it.

Bang!!!

Kitagawa Tera seemed to feel as though his fist penetrated something…

No… Nishikujo Mika sent herself to him…

Nishikujo Mika’s illusory wraith body became more translucent.

Her eyes that were full of resentment recovered their clarity. She coughed weakly, and black, smelly liquid oozed out.

Her hatred even transformed into a real substance.

It was apparent just how much Nishikujo Mika loved Nishikujo Karen.

A father’s love was as steady as a mountain, while a mother’s love was as deep as a sea.

The love of parents would never seek any repayment from their children.

It was the same for all mothers and fathers.

Kitagawa Tera withdrew his posture and watched silently as Nishikujo Mika fell in front of Nishikujo Karen.

“Mama…” Nishikujo Karen’s small body twitched as she howled.

“Karen…” Nishikujo Karen had a gentle smile on her face. Her shaking hands gently caressed Nishikujo Karen’s smooth forehead.

Her body was gradually disappearing.

There was not much time left.