I became the emperor in the comic book series.

Once or twice...

It's not entirely unacceptable.

However, this incident served as a wake-up call for Akira Higashino. He had no idea that there were truly unscientific monsters and haunted houses in the world that could chase and kill people. Now that he knows, he will have to do a more thorough background check before buying a house in the future.

After hanging up the phone, Akira Higashino transferred some money to the professional as a thank-you fee.

As for stopping the purchases, to be honest, I haven't thought about it.

The previous worries were simply due to the sudden appearance of unknown and uncontrollable factors. However, now, based on what professionals have said, it seems that the kind of haunted houses where you would be targeted just by touching them without even going inside are not the norm. Since we can be sure that the risks are controllable and that we can handle them, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Don't be a coward if you're playing, and don't be a coward if you're playing!

The bold get fed, the timid starve.

Ghosts are not as scary as poverty. At least for Akira Higashino, as long as he doesn't go out and do stupid things, ghosts can't touch him. But being poor really does seriously affect his quality of life and enjoyment.

Meow…

As dusk fell, a small blue kitten wandered up to Higashino Akira's legs, rubbing against his trousers and occasionally looking up at him and meowing.

Hey, little clipper!

Higashino Akira grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, lifted the little thing up and placed it on his lap, staring into its eyes.

Meow……

"Hungry?"

Meow…

The kitten meowed and nodded quickly.

Seeing this, Higashino Akira raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. He wasn't sure if the little thing could really understand human speech or if it was just a coincidence. However, this gave him some ideas about the task of forming the Imperial Guard.

It's definitely not acceptable to casually appoint outsiders as bodyguards. Outsiders are different from those selected by the system. There are no absolutely loyal and ruthless people. They can still provide enough benefits. Higashino believed this, after all, people's hearts are too complicated.

But the hearts of small animals are much simpler!

"I don't have as much love as Yukinoshita Nyano. The imperial court doesn't feed outsiders. If you want to eat royal food, you have to get a job in our family first, understand?"

[Will he be appointed Imperial Bodyguard?]

'Imperial decree!'

Chapter Eleven is bad, it's a keycap.

[The imperial decree failed; the individual lacked the necessary qualifications to serve as a guard.]

Ok?

No, something's wrong!

"Observe the aura!"

[Consumes 100 Qi]

[Name:???]

[Age: 17]

[Air-assisted aircraft]

Is the kitten not named because it doesn't have a name, or is there another reason?

Moreover, the golden aura

It's even rarer than Hiratsuka Shizuka and Kawasaki Saki! What kind of cat is this? Is it the cat form of Schrödinger, the mythical beast of physics?

Higashino Akira suddenly grabbed the golden kitten and gave it a good rub, squealing as if it were shy, and trying to avoid being touched on its belly, buttocks, and chest. In the end, the kitten couldn't withstand the man's touch and its eyes rolled back and its little tongue stuck out.

I reached out and lifted the kitten by its front paws, bringing it close to my eyes, but I couldn't see the two little fur balls.

"Wow, still a young girl. No, to a cat, you might already be considered an old maid at your age."

Higashino Akira commented.

The cat froze, motionless like a long, thin cat worm.

Then, her eyes instantly turned to shame and anger. She arched her body and kicked her legs wildly in protest. Her voice became hoarse, and she kept panting.

'Bestowed the title of Fourth-Rank Beauty by Imperial Decree!'

[Qi You 1000]

'Observe the aura!'

[Qi You 100]

[Imperial Conferment Successfully]

[Name:???]

[Official Rank: Fourth-Rank Beauty]

[Age: 17]

[Air-assisted aircraft]

After finishing, Higashino Akira stuffed the still-breathing cat into his large pocket, got up and left. He didn't care what kind of monster it was; after all, if the cat had any intention of resisting, the imperial decree would not be successful.

In other words, since the imperial decree was successfully issued, it means that the agreement was made.

Anyway, whatever she agreed to, whether she knows or not that she has inexplicably gained a human partner.

Family, I found a cat while hunting! She wants to come home with me!

[Emperor: Akira Higashino]

[2100 units of air-cooled lipstick]

[Harem: 2]

He carried the kitten all the way to the pet center, bought the most expensive cat food for his new wife, and watched the cat beauty wolf down the food. Then, Higashino Akira arranged for her to have a full set of pet check-ups.

Although the cat looks quite clean, the necessary check-ups are still essential, otherwise it would be unpleasant if she were to accidentally get infected with parasites or something similar.

Incidentally, taking advantage of his free time, Higashino Akira also visited the pet center and bought a crow. The successful conferment of the title proved that Higashino Akira's sudden idea of ​​conferring titles on small animals was indeed feasible. The problem was with the cat beauty herself.

"From now on, you are my number one hawk dog!"

Higashino Akira released the crow from the bird's nest. To the astonishment of the onlookers, the crow immediately flew out and circled above Higashino Akira's head, shouting as it flew: "King Higashino! King Higashino!"

"Get lost, you're not a fox, your major isn't relevant. Remember to come back for dinner if you're hungry."

Ravens are born with the ability to speak. Their already good intelligence, after being granted a title, is roughly equivalent to that of a seven or eight-year-old human child.

That night, because he was being targeted by a haunted house and didn't want to involve others, Higashino Akira took the cat and didn't go back to Miko's place. Instead, he left a message for Miko saying he wasn't going back and returned alone to the off-campus student apartment he hadn't seen for several days.

Exhausted from running around all day, Higashino Akira washed up and went to bed early.

Midnight, under the moonlight, inside the student dormitory.

The blanket that had been clinging tightly to the top of Higashino Akira's body began to gradually rise and then start to wriggle slightly. The sudden weight made him unconsciously groan and frown.

The movement inside the blanket seemed to be startled by the sound, and stopped for a moment. After a long while, seeing no other reaction, it began to wriggle slightly again, and the blanket gradually moved from Higashino Akira's body to his side.

Then, a small head with a full head of beautiful blue hair peeked out from under the covers of Higashino Akira. The face was that of a charming and lovely young girl of sixteen or seventeen. Below, the dark shadows of the blankets concealed the girl's smooth skin, which was exposed without any concealment as it rose and fell with the undulations of the mountains and valleys. Under the influence of the cold night air as autumn began to cool down, a patch of tiny goosebumps rose on her originally smooth and delicate skin.

The girl slowly crawled out of the covers, trying not to make too much noise so as not to wake the sleeping man in bed.

Only after she had completely climbed out of the covers, slowly stretched her legs off the bed, and stood up on the floor, did she tightly wrap her arms around her chest and lower abdomen to cover her exposed skin. With a blushing face, she glared at the man on the bed, both shy and resentful.

Then, suppressing her embarrassment, she turned around and squatted down, rummaging through the wardrobe next to her, and put on the men's clothes that were a bit too big for her.

She wanted to leave quietly after she finished, but she stopped after taking only one step. She turned back to the bedside, took the man's phone that was charging, and carefully unlocked it with his fingerprint.

"Sorry, I need to borrow these stockings for a moment. I'll definitely repay you double when I get home!"

The girl apologized quietly, then turned around and quickly left with her phone, also taking the only plush slippers that Higashino Akira had in the dormitory.

Although I don't know why I turned into a cat for so many days, thankfully I turned back!

I've been gone for so long, my dad and grandpa must be very worried, and so must Xiaomu!

Toyokawa Shoko tried her best not to think about how that man had roughly touched her when she was a cat, how she had just been lying naked in a stranger's bed, or even how she was now wearing his clothes, the unfamiliar fabric rubbing against her sensitive skin and causing a strange and shameful sensation.

No matter what, that man was her benefactor, and he didn't mean any harm, so she shouldn't think bad things about him.

He knew nothing after all.

So, as long as I don't say anything, everything can be pretended never happened. In the end, I just need to contact him when I get home and tell him that I turned into that cat and became the Toyokawa family's pet. I've already returned home, and then I'll return the clothes and phone to him along with a thank-you gift.

Shoko Toyokawa's cheeks flushed as she thought this, gradually moving away from the bed, further and further away.

One step, two steps, three steps…

Completely unaware that her line of sight was gradually becoming shorter and shorter, the pants that were originally held up tightly by the belt were now loose at the waist, her hand holding the phone was also starting to look smaller, and the fine downy hair on the back of her hand was starting to reappear.

Finally, a series of clattering sounds of cell phones being dropped and banged rang out, waking Higashino Akira from his deep sleep. He turned on the light, got up, and looked up at the source of the sound.

Amidst a pile of messy clothes, the blue cat he had picked up and bestowed upon the imperial harem was trapped inside, while his cell phone, after being violently knocked to the ground several times, was thrown towards the doorway.

A person and a cat, their eyes locked.

Blue Cat blurted out instinctively, "Ha!"

Oh no, it's a keycap!

Chapter Twelve: 'Guests Feel at Home'

The phone screen is cracked, but everything else is fine.

Akira Higashino ultimately didn't get too angry at Hakimi for destroying the house in the middle of the night. After all, it was a cat he had kidnapped, and the current losses were still within his tolerance range. He could just discipline it properly in the future.

If he gets too angry, wouldn't it make him seem like he can't handle a fight?

Nothing more was said that night. Fortunately, as if realizing its mistake, the cat didn't cause any more trouble in the latter half of the night and quietly curled up in the blankets to sleep.

Early the next morning, Higashino Akira prepared to go back to school, mainly to see his advisor to report back from his leave. He would still have free time afterwards, but he would have to report on his internship regularly to avoid failing his courses.

Incidentally, I should also check out the situation of that so-called junior female student.

On the way, Higashino Akira called Kongming to inquire about his recent situation. Kongming had basically settled things properly, so Higashino Akira no longer planned to go there every day.

"My lord, please rest assured, everything is fine here. I have no worries about food and lodging, and my classmates are on good terms. I have also benefited greatly from this."

"That's good. But when you're traveling, you still need to maintain relationships. I'll have a messenger deliver some money to you later, so please check it carefully."

Before Kongming could express his gratitude, Higashino Akira continued, "By the way, if someone invites you to visit a haunted house or play a psychic game adventure, don't participate. Ghosts and spirits do exist in this world, so keep your distance."

"I will respectfully follow the teachings of my lord."

Teacher Xiao Liang is a good person; he speaks kindly and is never arrogant because of his past experiences or status.

The two exchanged a few words briefly before ending the call.

Afterwards, Higashino Akira went through the procedures at school, answering the professor's questions and frankly admitting that he did not intend to take the regular internship but planned to start his own business and put his ideals into practice. The professor did not encourage him, but at least did not advise Higashino Akira to give up the idea. He just told Higashino Akira that if he couldn't make it, he should come back to study for a master's degree with him as soon as possible.

The mentor is quite old and highly experienced in academia, with a large number of students. He is about to retire in a few years, and he probably doesn't want to see his last class of students, who were already few in number, do poorly after graduation, which would be a regret for him in the field of education.

Most of the classmates who were in the same class as Akira Higashino were either from families with connections who could seamlessly transition into their long-prepared positions after graduation, or from families with considerable wealth who could start looking for marriage partners after graduation. A small number of those who studied seriously and planned to make a living from their majors either ended up working as laborers in academia or passing the civil service exam and becoming lazy.

I, Keigo Higashino, once wanted to be a slacker, wasting taxpayers' money, and becoming a diligent pay thief.

The question is from someone who studied social welfare.

As for other career paths, that's not something a good mentor should consider. Someone has studied diligently for so many years and chosen this major, just to meet the minimum expectations for the mentor's students' career prospects!

How can the actions of a student be considered as sponging off their parents?

laugh.

However, things are different now. The past has become a series of hardships, and no one can predict what changes will happen in the future. I only hope that if I cause trouble in the future, I can mention the teacher's name and be helped by the teacher again.

Hippie smiles (seriously)!

After saying goodbye to his mentor, Akira Higashino strolled over to the calligraphy club. It was graduation year again, and there were fewer familiar faces in the club, but also a few new ones.

There was only one familiar face; she was there when Higashino Akira first enrolled, and she was still there now that Higashino Akira is about to graduate next year.

"You've arrived."

"Yes, I'm here."

"You've come at the right time! There's a club welcome party today, count me in. Don't leave after school!"

This college resident is the club president, who aspires to become a wealthy woman in Tokyo. She is skilled at embezzling club funds and using her connections to gain favor with business owners, which makes her quite popular.