Chapter Twenty-Four: The Terrifying Origami Tobiichi

Saturday.

Early in the morning, Su Mo changed into a smart outfit: a white T-shirt paired with jeans. Though not strictly formal, it looked crisp and clean. Just moments before, Origami Tobiichi had called and sent her home address. Su Mo found it odd that she knew his phone number, but the more he thought about it, the more unsettling it seemed—better not to dwell on it.

Today, Shizuka was being taken to Fraxinus by Kotori for a check-up, and Shido was practicing singing for next month's cultural festival. Su Mo was therefore completely free, with no one to disturb him.

When he arrived at Origami Tobiichi's apartment, Su Mo let out a heavy sigh. It seemed he had finally made up his mind. He stepped into the entrance, entered Origami's door number into the machine, and soon heard her voice.

"Who is it?"

"Um, it's Su Mo Itsuka!"

"Come in."

No unnecessary words were exchanged. The apartment door opened in response, and he rode the elevator up six floors, arriving at the specified door.

Before he could even knock, the door swung open.

Origami was waiting at the entrance, clad in a deep blue dress with a frilled apron, a cute hair accessory atop her head, and her face carefully made up. Already as lovely as a porcelain doll, her appearance now was simply overwhelming.

Seeing Origami dressed from head to toe in a complete maid style, Su Mo's mind stalled.

What was going on? Why was Origami wearing a maid outfit at home, and why did it seem like she was specially dressed to welcome him?

Feeling awkward, Su Mo stammered, "Uh, Origami, this...?"

"What's wrong?" Origami stared at Su Mo, expressionless, her head tilted slightly.

This look was utterly unnerving. If he hadn't been sure she was really Origami Tobiichi, he would have suspected she was her twin sister.

"So, why did you suddenly dress like this?" Su Mo asked, puzzled.

"Don't you like it?" Origami looked at her outfit in disbelief, then tilted her head again. "Aren't boys supposed to like this kind of attire?"

"Master, welcome home. Please, come in!"

Origami lifted the hem of her skirt, making a gesture of invitation, as if she'd studied the manners of a maid.

Seeing this, Su Mo's lips twitched. "Could you not call me 'master'? I don't want anyone to think I'm a pervert—or worse, imagine I've done something to you."

"Really?"

"Then—Daddy!"

Origami immediately changed her form of address.

"This is even worse than before!" Su Mo rubbed his forehead, feeling utterly helpless. Truly, the master never disappoints—he had to admit, her earlier address had momentarily tempted him.

After this excruciating exchange, Su Mo finally entered Origami's apartment. He noticed his communication earpiece had stopped working; evidently, the place was shielded by a high-strength information jammer. He didn't pay it much mind.

He surveyed the room, quietly observing Origami's home and searching for the location of the rabbit plushie.

And whether it was just his imagination, upon entering the living room, he noticed a peculiar fragrance in the air—probably an aroma diffuser, meant to aid relaxation and sleep. After inhaling it, he felt somewhat dazed.

Luckily, he'd been training his body lately, adapting to the abilities he'd gained from Shizuka, so while he still appeared thin and frail, he was actually quite robust. Although he sensed something odd about the aroma, it didn't affect him much.

"Please, have a seat!"

Origami brought two cups of coffee from the kitchen and set them on the table in the living room, kneeling beside Su Mo.

Shouldn't they be sitting face to face while talking?

Feeling Origami so close, Su Mo lowered his head and picked up his coffee. Just as he was about to drink, he remembered something, and brought the cup to his nose, sniffing twice. There was a strange smell.

Most notably, his coffee cup was different from Origami's. The cup in his hand was clearly older, while hers was brand new. Considering Origami always lived alone and had few friends, it was unlikely she had company often.

So, was the cup in his hand one that Origami had used before?

With that thought, Su Mo frowned and set the coffee down.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to drink?" Origami asked.

"I'm not really used to coffee," Su Mo replied with a flimsy excuse, causing a flicker of disappointment in Origami's eyes.

She had added a computer accessory to the coffee, but it seemed it would go unused.

Still, Origami was undeterred, determined to win Su Mo over today.

The atmosphere grew awkward; Su Mo opened his mouth, breaking the silence. "Um... Origami, didn't you say you'd give me the rabbit plushie if I came over today?"

"Oh, I put the plushie in my bedroom. Just go in and get it yourself," Origami replied after a moment's thought.

Go get it myself?

That meant entering Origami's room.

But as a man, wasn't it inappropriate to enter a girl's bedroom alone?

Thinking of this, Su Mo hesitated. "Uh, isn't that a bit... improper?"

"If it's you, Su Mo, it's fine," Origami answered without hesitation.

Su Mo persisted, "How about you bring it out for me instead?"

At his words, Origami, who had been kneeling beside him, sprang up and landed gracefully on the floor, announcing, "I'm going to take a shower!"

"Wait, why are you suddenly going to shower..." But before he could finish, Origami had already hurried into the bathroom.

Watching her leave, Su Mo sighed, gazing at Origami's home.

So he really had to go into her room himself?

Well, while Origami was showering, he could just grab the plushie and leave—if he timed it right, nothing should go wrong.

With that decision, Su Mo stood and headed for Origami's bedroom.

Her apartment was spacious, but sparsely furnished, making it easy to locate her bedroom at a glance.

Inside, it was equally minimalist.

There was only a wardrobe and a double bed, with a writing desk beside the bed—nothing else.

It was hard to believe a girl's room could be so bare, but recalling Origami's circumstances, Su Mo felt a rare sense of understanding and some pity for this girl blinded by hatred.

If Origami ever learned the truth about her parents' death five years ago, she might lose her mind.

For some reason, Su Mo felt a pang in his chest—a desire to save her—but quickly suppressed the thought. He had enough trouble with his own problems; he couldn't afford to worry about someone else's.

He scanned Origami's bedroom; all the furniture was old.

The only conspicuous item was the double bed. The room was already small, and the large bed made it even more cramped. Why would someone living alone choose such a big bed?

Moreover, the bed looked brand new, mismatched with the other furniture, as if it had been bought just yesterday. The sheets and duvet were immaculate, and two pillows sat at the head of the bed. One pillow bore the words "It's okay" on the front, and "I don't mind" on the back.

He had a bad feeling about lingering here!

Su Mo couldn't help but inwardly complain, and his gaze quickly landed on a beautifully wrapped gift box on the writing desk.

He walked over, and upon opening it, found the rabbit plushie Shizuka had been searching for.

Grabbing the toy, Su Mo wasted no time, ready to dash out of the room and leave Origami's home.

But as he reached for the door handle, the door wouldn't budge.

"It...locked?"