Campione: Strongest# 452: Azaka & Rin

Standing in the doorway was an older-looking girl with a distinctly childish face, looking at Haru with a pout of clear jealousy.

Her hair, black as night, was tied into twin tails with black ribbons, and her expression was like that of a child who had just had her candy snatched away. The girl glared at Haru with her sky-blue eyes, as if he were her mortal enemy.

“…Rin??” Seeing the twin-tailed girl and recognizing the distinct bond of their blood, Haru’s face froze in confusion.

“What are you doing in Japan all of a sudden? Where is Aoi? Why didn't she come with you?” he asked with a helpless, exasperated smile.

“Huh?” Azaka Kokutou blinked, staring at Haru in utter confusion. 'Japan? I've never left the country! And who is 'Aoi'?'

“Come here, sweetie. You didn’t run off to Japan by yourself, did you?” Haru gently beckoned, and space instantly warped around her.

The next moment, Azaka found herself sitting in Haru’s lap, held firmly by his arms around her waist as he rubbed his cheek against hers repeatedly.

'What is happening?' Azaka was utterly baffled. 'I was just by the door. How did I end up in someone's lap? Wait, why is he rubbing his face on mine? And what was that about 'Dad'? Since when do I have another father?' Too many questions flooded her mind, instantly turning her thoughts into a confused mess.

“Oh, my. A new flame arrives, and the old flame is forgotten?” Nyarlathotep, who had traded places with Azaka and was now standing by the door, pouted, feigning displeasure. She looked at Azaka in Haru’s lap with eyes full of wicked amusement.

“Hey, Nyarko. Are you really going to get jealous of my daughter? Wait, yes, you probably are,” Haru pecked Azaka’s cheek and raised an eyebrow.

"..."

Azaka lifted her hand and stared blankly at the cheek he had just kissed. Feeling the warmth and moisture on her fingers, her face slowly darkened with indignation.

Slap—!

A stinging sound echoed as a slap landed squarely on Haru’s left cheek.

Haru, completely unprepared for an attack from his 'daughter,' simply registered the feeling on his face with a stunned expression.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow!” Tears welled up in Azaka’s eyes. She blew on her painfully red right palm, wailing in pain.

“…You know I have thick skin, so why did you hit me, you rascal? And you actually dared to hit my face? Getting bold now, are we, little girl?” Haru narrowed his eyes, gently pinching Azaka’s cheeks and stretching them out playfully.

“Who is your daughter??” Azaka yelled, her speech muffled by her pinched cheeks as she glared at him.

“I just went to Germany to see you last week, and now you don’t recognize me? Is this the start of your rebellious phase?” Haru let go of her cheeks, his face darkening slightly as he frowned.

“I’ve never left the country! I’ve gone to Hokkaido at most, but never Germany!” Seeing Haru’s grim face, Azaka was startled and burst into near-tears.

“??” Haru raised an eyebrow, his expression growing even gloomier.

Just as he was about to say something, his face changed. “Why is your presence so distorted?”

In Haru’s perception, the familiar, strong blood-bond emanating from the girl in his arms was rapidly fading, replaced by a strange, unfamiliar aura.

“Presence? What presence?” Azaka looked at Haru in confusion, completely lost.

“Um, who are you? What is your name?” Haru asked, utterly baffled as he felt the soft body in his arms. 'This soft-yet-firm feeling doesn't match my daughter, Rin.'

“Azaka… Azaka Kokutou.” Azaka blinked, her voice strained. She had keenly realized that the young man in front of her seemed to have mistaken her for his daughter in Germany due to some massive error.

'Wait, this guy is so young—how could he possibly have a daughter my age? Is he trying to use this as an excuse to molest me?' With that thought, Azaka took a deep breath, preparing to scream for help.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Hahahahaha!” Nyarlathotep roared with laughter, slapping the door until it rattled. Her green eyes were streaming tears from the sheer hilarity.

Haru turned his head, narrowing his eyes at the wildly laughing Nyarlathotep. Only this silver-haired Outer God would possess the ability and the twisted sense of humor to briefly confuse him with a false aura.

Haru let go of Azaka and silently stood up.

“Nyarlathotep—!!!”

...

“Don’t move, not a step.” Azaka Kokutou placed an ice pack on Nyarlathotep’s head, which was covered in small bumps, and spoke gently as the girl sobbed on the bed.

The next second, Azaka turned and glared at Haru. “Hitting a girl is the absolute worst thing you can do!!!”

“Hold on. She just messed with you, and you’re defending her?” Haru looked at Azaka with utter confusion. He truly couldn't understand this girl's thought process.

“W-Well, that!” Azaka froze, her face flushing as she recalled the kissing and rubbing she had endured while in Haru's arms.

“You pervert!!”

“…” Haru looked at Azaka wordlessly.

'Fine, I guess I have to own this one. Who told me to take advantage of the situation? Seriously, this girl is so much like Rin—I can't even get mad when she insults me.'