The Underworld, Starting with Debt

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

'It's been a whole night, and Xiaozhi still hasn't replied to my message...' She pursed her full lips, her soft hands clenched tightly, the neat hem of her kimono crumpled into a ball, her cherry blossom pink lips were tightly closed, and disappointment and sadness flashed in her eyes.

'Xiao Zhi has become impure. No wonder he hasn't come to the dojo these past few times. Did he find that kind of job... or was he deceived by a bad woman...?'

"Xiaochun, practice with me."

With a sigh, Kiichiro Miyajima was no longer the calm and collected man he had been moments before; his serious face now held a hint of helplessness.

They're so old already, and they still cause us so much worry.

"If you have any troubles, come and have a sword duel. As a woman of a samurai family, the sword will tell you the answer."

Kiichiro Miyajima stood up from the corridor and stretched.

"I'm getting old, I wonder if my swordsmanship has become rusty."

"That's right! A sword duel!" Miyajima Tsubaki's eyes lit up. "As long as I beat Xiaozhi until he changes his mind and stops doing these improper things, that'll be great!"

"What are you still sitting there for? Come over here now."

"Yes!"

......

"Ah!"

Ito Koshito suddenly sneezed, his body tensed up abruptly, and he swayed and bent over.

"Ugh~!"

"Strange, who's thinking about me?" Ito Koshizumi muttered to himself, rubbing his nose.

"Ugh... Ugh! I'm sick, I'm sick... I can't take it anymore~"

It seems the truth has come to light.

Looking at Hazuki Kazuko, who was lying on the bed with her back to him and her knees bent, Ito Koshizumi thought to himself.

Time flies, and the happy weekend days pass by quickly without us even noticing.

Monday was the first day of June, and with the arrival of June, summer seemed to have entered another phase.

"Chirp chirp chirp..."

As soon as I woke up in the morning, the sound of cicadas surrounded me, giving me a headache.

Ito Koshito opened his eyes and saw a large expanse of pure white clouds outside the window, which were exceptionally clear under the bright sunlight.

"What time is it now?"

I fumbled for my phone, turned on the screen, and saw it was 8:02.

"It's about time to go to school."

Stretching, Ito Koshito swiped his phone and saw a huge pile of unread messages filling his screen.

He'd been under immense pressure these past two days, barely having a chance to check his phone. And now he had to rush over to check it anyway, so he could only glance at it briefly before quickly getting ready to leave.

"Click"

"Mr. Ito."

Just as he closed the door, a familiar voice rang in his ears. Ito Koshitoshi turned around and saw Liliana standing gracefully at the turn of the stairs, her hands clasped over her stomach as she greeted him.

A strong sense of déjà vu washed over him, and Ito Koshito couldn't help but feel a little dazed, as if his first meeting with Kasumi had been in a similar scene.

The golden rays of the sun shone on Ito Kozue's face, making his lake-like eyes exceptionally clear, reflecting Liliana's beautiful figure hidden in the shadows of the staircase.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing Liliana's long, flowing silver hair, reaching her hips, to sway slightly.

By this time, Liliana was already wearing a well-fitting dress, which must have been bought for her by Miyuki Aso.

A light pink T-shirt was stretched taut over her high, full breasts, clinging to her body. Her slender, crescent-shaped waist was exposed to the air because of her ample and perky figure, with a cute little belly button adorning it.

Like silky Dove chocolate skin, with a healthy and soft glow.

A pair of blue jeans hugged her shapely, long legs, making her appear even taller and more alluring, like a seductive enchantress.

Seeing Ito Koshino staring straight at her, Liliana blushed deeply, her brown skin flushed with a faint rosy hue.

He spoke again, somewhat hesitantly:

"Mr. Ito..."

His dilated pupils gradually focused, and coming back to his senses, Ito Koshino greeted Liliana:

Good morning, Liliana, we're neighbors now.

"Good morning..."

"..."

You look beautiful today.

Ito Koshichi chuckled and praised, "Indeed, Liliana is the most exotic girl I've ever met, not to mention she's dark-skinned."

"Thank you."

Amidst the chirping of cicadas, Liliana's faint voice was barely audible, but Ito Koshitomo still managed to hear it.

Glancing down at the time on his phone, Ito Koshino bid farewell to Liliana:

"Sorry, Liliana, let's talk another time. I'm going to be late for school. Goodbye."

"Chirp——"

When she looked up again, all she saw was Ito Kozue's retreating figure. Liliana, her lips curving with joy, raised her hand, waved, and whispered:

"Goodbye."

'It's great to see Mr. Ito more often from now on.'

......

......

......

"rustle--"

Along the way, with willows swaying gently, I walked briskly with Natsume Murasaki. Accompanied by the gentle breeze, and with the willows reluctantly lingering, we entered the campus and were embraced by the rustling of the plane trees.

After changing his shoes at the entrance of the teaching building, Ito Kozue parted ways with Murasomiya Natsume to go to the restroom and walked there alone.

"Huh? That's annoying. Who are you?"

Just as he reached the vicinity of the restroom, an annoyed, coquettish grumble caught Ito Koshito's attention.

"You're students, how can you smoke here!"

In front of the girls' restroom, a girl dressed in a neat and tidy Shiro-Shin Academy uniform, carrying her schoolbag, was lecturing two hot girls in front of her with a serious expression.

With her long, purple hair and red eyes, lighter than that of Natsume Murasaki, she was none other than Chizuru Shiina.

"What's it to you! She's just a junior, how dare she lecture us?"

"That's why I hate these top students, especially since they're our juniors."

Two hot girls, cigarettes in hand, with heavy makeup and flashy clothes, stood there.

"I was just reminding you because your behavior violated school rules."

"Not only do these seniors not look good, but they also have terrible mouths!"

Despite the displeased looks from the two hot girls, Shiina Chizuru refused to back down and met their gazes without fear, speaking each word clearly.

"Ugh! This is so annoying. Let's ignore her and leave."

The two hot girls impatiently stubbed out their cigarettes and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Chizuru Shiina stepped forward and grabbed the gyaru's shoulder.

"Do not touch me!"

"What's all the noise about! You guys are so annoying."

A bald old man walked out of the men's restroom.

"Teacher Taimura."

"Please correct their behavior, teacher. How can students smoke!"

Chizuru Shiina looked at Taimura with an honest expression and said.

"Oh, so that's what happened. Alright, let's go, stop arguing here."

"Such a thing? Is the teacher disregarding school rules?"

"Shiina, your teacher is different from you. She's very busy, so please don't bother me with everything."

Taimura glared angrily at Shiina Chizuru.

Shiina Chizuru stared at Taimura with a serious expression and retorted.

"Being busy is no excuse for shirking responsibility. Teaching is a profession for nurturing people. Does Teacher Taicun even have the awareness of being a teacher?!"

"you this......"

Feeling humiliated by being lectured by his students, Tai Cun's face darkened, his eyes seemed to be blazing with fire, and he raised his arm to strike.

"Snapped"

"Teacher Taicun, isn't violent education unacceptable?"

His wrist was gripped by a tremendous force, held high above his head, and he was unable to move.

A voice rang out from behind Tai Village, attracting everyone's attention.

"Ito-kun...!"

Startled by Taimura's actions, Shiina Chizuru closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened them. She saw the tall figure behind Taimura and exclaimed in surprise.