At night, Dazai didn’t have the thought of returning to the Port Mafia.

Seeing that he hadn’t gone to the “bandit’s den,” Hyakki finally stopped worrying about the other’s safety. At the same time, a strange speculation popped into his mind: Could it be that the female protagonist of “Dororo” is a descendant of bandits, which is why she can maintain purity of heart in chaotic times and not be killed by those villains?

Dealing with the wrong people in the wrong way, Hyakki somehow guessed the background of the original female protagonist.

This possibility made Hyakki feel uneasy.

It’s not that he dislikes Dororo’s origins; people cannot choose where they are born. What he dislikes is the uncertainty of danger. He won’t approach anyone whose life flame emits a red light, whether it’s amidst impurity or purity. Anyone who has killed signifies that they are not good-hearted, posing a significant threat to Hyakki’s safety. He cannot see the faces of human malice, hear their deceptive words, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be harmed by these people.

In times of chaos… how many people can be trusted?

【Only you.】

【After leaving my foster father, I won’t let anyone harm your life flame.】

Hyakki has been watching Dazai. He can feel it. Since learning his name, this person almost never looks at anyone else, quietly staying by his side without causing annoyance.

So obedient.

Dazai couldn’t help but smile.

At the hotel reception, the receptionist registered the identities of the two men, secretly casting glances at Dazai and Hyakki. The high percentage of bandages covering them deeply puzzled her.

Did they get into a car accident together?

One was bound around the body, not so much around the limbs, revealing a delicate face. The other had all limbs and neck tightly bound, with only one-third of his charming face visible due to the annoying bandages. When he was being assessed, he even shot a teasing glance.

The receptionist wanted to cover her pounding heart; she had been charmed by a little devil who wasn’t even as tall as herself. She was twenty-eight this year, why couldn’t he be eighteen!

“We need a room with two beds, preferably on the fifth floor or below,” Dazai requested, openly flirting with the beautiful receptionist while being led by Hyakki.

“Of course, please wait a moment,” the receptionist diligently selected a room for them.

Hyakki couldn’t see what his future girlfriend was doing, but he could sense the excited emotions of the pale flame a meter away. The flame’s edges seemed eager to get close to the front “Dororo,” emitting wisps of fire. He had seen this a few times before, usually at someone’s home, rarely in public places. He wouldn’t be allowed to linger there for long before being pulled away by his foster father.

“What does this person want…”

“A man?”

Once again, Hyakki’s gender perception went awry. He pulled Dazai  , who was leaning on the front desk, back a step. Dazai didn’t notice anything wrong and asked in confusion, “Hyakki?”

Hyakki raised his right hand and pointed to the life flame in heat across from them.

“He’s plotting against you!”

“There’s nothing wrong with this lady, I can tell.”

Unable to understand, Dazai’seyes darted between the two. If this woman were evil, Hyakki wouldn’t have let him get so close for so long. If she were simply a good person, Hyakki wouldn’t have pulled him back. After some thought, he decided to verify his suspicions. He couldn’t stay in a hotel that made Hyakki uneasy.

 verification method was simple: take advantage of Hyakki’s distraction, reach out, and touch the hand of the receptionist who was writing, quickly checking for any special calluses in her palm.

“Beautiful lady, when I grow up, would you like to have coffee with me?”

“Um, sure.”

The receptionist instantly bloomed with joy. The little devil was so sweet, far better than those greasy young men. Then, she saw Dazaibeing pulled back by another boy from behind.

Hyakki, under the light, stared at her with his dull gray-brown eyes.

Inside, there was a tangible sense of hostility.

“Hahaha!” Correspondingly, Dazai burst into laughter, his refreshing young voice echoing in the hotel lobby, startling those who were secretly monitoring him.

After the laughter died down, Dazai didn’t care about the eyes of others at all. He received the room key and blew a kiss.

“It looks like there’s no chance, we’ll meet again if fate allows.”

With his young age, already mastering the art of flirting, he pulled Hyakki away.

In the elevator, Hyakki was unusually sulky because “Dororo” not only refused to hold hands but also wouldn’t let him hold onto him for a moment longer, keeping his distance like a hedgehog.

Dazai lectured him, “You can’t just hug any guy!”

A fourteen-year-old man…

When they reached the fifth floor, Dazai stepped out of the elevator and found Hyakki hadn’t followed. He stood there like a pitiful little cornered creature, his slender limbs hidden by loose clothing unable to disguise his thinness.

Dazai had to run back and grab him before the elevator doors closed.

“Keep up!”

Hyakki reluctantly took his hand again…