Aozaki Aoko Case File

Credits: Korasakof

About three days after completing the essay exam, Aoko received an interview invitation from the Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo. In other words, she had successfully passed the initial screening, which had a 30% acceptance rate, as well as the essay review stage, which had a pass rate of around 60%. Now, she faced the final hurdle to gaining admission to the University of Tokyo: the interview phase.

Every year, a massive number of students in Japan apply to the University of Tokyo. However, only a select few make it past the initial screening. After two rounds of exams, just 18% of these elite applicants remain. From this group, over half will be eliminated in the interview stage, leaving only the crème de la crème to enter the prestigious university.

Aoko wasn't surprised by her success in the first two rounds. After confirming the interview date, she set the invitation aside.

With four days until the interview, Aoko called Alice to inform her that she wouldn't return home until after it was over. Alice replied with a simple "Hmm" before hanging up, which Aoko interpreted as a sign of irritation. Deciding to make amends, Aoko resolved to buy her a gift over the next few days and present it upon her return.

Of course, she couldn't forget gifts for Touko and the others either, which only made things more troublesome.

In her previous life memories, she wouldn't have had the emotional intelligence to think of such things. But now, Aoko's heightened perception allowed her to sense emotions through subtle tones and reactions—a gift of this lifetime.

Wasting no time, Aoko changed her clothes and headed out to shop for presents for Alice and the others. Taking the subway, she arrived in Ginza, a district known for its wide, clean streets lined with luxury stores.

The stylish men and women bustling about were a stark contrast to the simpler atmosphere of Misaki Town.

Unlike Shibuya, a hub for youth trends, or Shimokitazawa, known for its street culture, Ginza exuded international sophistication. Most shoppers here were affluent members of the upper class. Knowing that Alice and the others weren't particularly interested in subcultures, Aoko decided to pick up some local specialty gifts from Tokyo instead.

After browsing Central Street for a while, she selected an elegant high-end perfume for Alice, fashionable and cute dresses for the younger ones (including Touko), and three necklaces with similar styles but distinct designs for Irisviel's clone, Sella, and Leysritt. Her wallet suffered significantly from the outing.

By the time her shopping spree ended, it was already evening.

The sky had darkened, and Aoko, despite her superhuman endurance, felt mentally fatigued from walking around Ginza for so long. She couldn't fathom how some women could shop all day and remain energetic.

With her hands full of shopping bags, Aoko decided to teleport back to her apartment. She began looking for a secluded spot in the bustling district to cast her spell. However, Ginza's vibrancy made it difficult to find a completely deserted alley. Even the smaller streets were filled with tourists and unique shops.

Perhaps a restroom in a restaurant would suffice?

As she pondered this option, Aoko noticed a narrow, dimly lit alley between two buildings. Calling it an alley was generous—it was more like a gap between structures. Frowning at the sight of garbage bins haphazardly stacked and dim lights casting heavy shadows on the ground, Aoko figured this deserted spot was perfect for avoiding prying eyes. She stepped into the dark passage without hesitation.

Contrary to her initial impression, the alley stretched on further than expected, with twists and forks appearing the deeper she went. Aoko raised an eyebrow at this unexpected complexity.

Initially intending to teleport right away, she found herself intrigued by the alley's mysterious depth and decided to explore further.

The passage was eerily quiet and devoid of the usual troublemakers one might expect in such a place. It felt unnervingly out of place in Ginza's lively setting.

The bustling sounds of Central Street faded completely. All that remained was the echo of Aoko's boots clicking against the ground. Just as her curiosity began to wane and she prepared to teleport back, an ominous atmosphere emerged at the end of a dead-end fork.

The faint scent of blood hung in the air. A flickering yellow light revealed a figure crouched on the ground, making grotesque chewing sounds.

Aoko furrowed her brow and cast Protection from Evil and Mage Armor on herself before cautiously approaching the figure. Her deliberate footsteps caught the figure's attention. It turned its head sharply, fixing blood-red eyes on Aoko.

The man wore a flamboyant, high-end suit and had short, pale golden hair, marking him as unmistakably a Westerner. Blood and bits of flesh clung to the corners of his mouth, and his chest and face were smeared with crimson. It was clear he was no ordinary person.

"Well, I was planning to eat just one tonight, but what luck—such a fine meal delivered to me!" the blond man smirked, eyeing Aoko with a disturbing mix of hunger and lust.

"Gluttony may be a sin, but who lets prey like this escape?"

Aoko's cold gaze shifted to the ground beside him, where the mutilated body of a young woman lay. Her neck and face were mangled beyond recognition, her clothes torn to shreds.

The horrors she endured in her final moments were evident.

"The local Magus families are truly incompetent," Aoko said icily, her crimson hair glowing faintly as her azure eyes burned with quiet fury. "To let a mongrel like you run amok here—it's disgusting."