Not a detective

Page 146

The situation at Kazamatsuri Shrine is rather complicated. For Chizuko to fulfill her career plans, having the bloodline of an Onmyoji is not enough; she must also obtain an officially recognized identity.

In short, it refers to academic qualifications.

The most common method is to enroll in a university that offers courses to obtain clergy qualifications, and after successfully completing the studies, one can become a clergy member.

Currently, only two universities in Japan offer courses for obtaining clerical qualifications.

"Kokugakuin University" and "Kyogakukan University".

Among them, the Shinto Department at Kogakukan University is Chizuko's desired major. She is not aiming for a university like Tokyo University; this is the goal she has always strived for.

After studying there for four years, obtaining the required credits, and graduating successfully, one can obtain the rank of "Seikatsu," which is the rank required to serve as the chief priest of a shrine selected by the shrine headquarters or the prefectural shrine chief. It is second only to the higher rank of "Myōkatsu" and the highest rank of "Jōkatsu," and one is a legitimate Shinto priest who is revered by others.

Once you reach this level, you won't be looked down upon by others because of your age or height.

That concludes the discussion of Chizuko's dream. Of course, given her intelligence and knowledge, her consistently high level of self-discipline in learning, and her broad range of interests, being admitted would certainly not be difficult.

What happened next was even more outrageous. Kogakukan University actually extended an olive branch to her in advance, with an invitation nominally for "observation and learning".

In short, starting from the fall semester, Chizuko will be studying at university. She will take some pre-arranged courses, and as long as she can successfully obtain all the credits, she will be able to become a freshman at Kogakukan University next year without having to take the "university entrance exam" (equivalent to the college entrance exam). Moreover, the credits she has earned will be retained.

Therefore, what is nominally called "observation and learning" is actually "admission by recommendation" or "independent enrollment".

Her achievements and talent are certainly one aspect, but perhaps her father, Kazamatsuri Akihisa, also played a significant role in her connections and influence in the Onmyoji field.

This should have been a good thing, something to be happy for her, but there's one drawback...

Kogakukan University is located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture.

In other words, Chizuko is no longer at school, or even within the Tokyo metropolitan area.

According to Asakawa Riku, Mie Prefecture is about 500 kilometers from Tokyo, roughly in the vicinity of Aichi, Kyoto, and Nagoya, almost to the "Kansai" region.

...He only found out about this through Yuki, and Asakawa Riku felt a little dissatisfied with her leaving without saying goodbye.

But then she thought, what right did she have to be dissatisfied? The two of them weren't really lovers, and things had been very tense ever since the last time.

Besides, it was Asakawa Riku who stopped participating in the mystery club activities, so there was nothing he needed to explain regarding the club. However, Yuki said:

"Before my sister left, she told me... that I would be in charge of your lunchbox from now on, saying that you eat a lot... ah, anyway, I have to make sure you're well fed."

"If you're leaving, then leave. Why leave behind such words?"

Asakawa Riku said coldly.

He refused to admit that his mind was in turmoil.

Thinking back to when they were on the island, the "Chizuko" he had imagined became their last meeting, though it was a little unpleasant.

What is Chizuko thinking? She hasn't contacted him since summer. Does that mean she'll be studying at a university in Mie Prefecture for four years and then they'll have no further contact?

However, there is a reason why the famous Shinto University is located in Ise City. After all, the renowned Ise Grand Shrine is located there. This ancient shrine, which has a history of more than 2000 years, is considered the religious center of Japan and is designated as the main sect of the Shrine Headquarters. Its official name is "Jingu" (神宫), not just an ordinary "shrine," which is enough to show its status.

That must be the ultimate pursuit of all Onmyoji. To destroy her dream, you could just say, "You can stay in Tokyo." Asakawa Riku isn't that shameless.

It's incomprehensible that Asakawa Riku can't let go of his pride, and there's no news from the other party. The two awkward guys are just maintaining this awkward cold war state.

...

"Therefore, I can't just make a phone call to ask Kazamatsuri-senpai, who's so far away, to come back. After thinking it over, the only person I can ask is you."

Asakawa Riku finally told the whole story.

But after hearing this, Shinonome Suetsuki put on a sour face and said, "Oh... so you mean I'm her [meal replacement]?"

A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively explained:

"is not what it means."

That's not what it meant, what else could it mean... Mo Yue remained silent, but he was actually quite embarrassed.

Asakawa Riku was not good at handling such situations. At this moment, he was extremely uncomfortable, feeling as if each second was passing by in an eternity, and cold sweat was pouring down his back.

This experience was no better than facing the endless cycle of despair on that island. Asakawa Riku regretted being so honest; he should have just gone himself.

...Forget it, this is indeed unfair to her. Let's cancel the commission and just grit our teeth and go participate ourselves.

"Calculate--"

"I promise you."

But the next second, Mo Yue laughed, revealing her white teeth, as if her silence just now was just a mischievous joke.

Slowly, in front of Asakawa Riku's surprised expression, she pressed down the "One of Bamboo" card that would kill him:

"I don't want a commission fee, but the price is [a favor]. After this victory, Lu, you must unconditionally grant me one request."

Zashiki-warashi no Aki: Chapter 5 Entering the School

On Monday, Shinonome Suzuki put on her school uniform, a yellow bow tie, long sleeves, the style for second-year high school students.

There was a little incident earlier. Xingyu was in charge of preparing the uniforms, since she was also a student at this school. However, she made a silly mistake and brought her own.

Hoshino is about 1.6 meters tall, which is average size, while Suezuki is a full 1.75 meters tall. Their chest and hip measurements are on completely different levels.

Therefore, when Sueyue put on the same uniform as her, not only was the chest tightly bound, but her figure was also clearly visible, and her slender waist was exposed. The skirt was also changed to a short skirt, revealing her fair thighs. It had become some kind of special clothing that was impossible to describe. This thing was absolutely not something that could be worn out. Thinking about this, Asakawa Riku blushed and his heart raced.

Fortunately, Hoshino managed to borrow a uniform in the right size the day before the deadline, so Suetsuki wouldn't look so strange in it.

However, this exquisitely crafted sculpture is still so beautiful that it doesn't seem like a real person. Even without makeup, its features are exceptionally delicate, coupled with its long, straight black hair cascading down its back.

"Can this really be kept secret..."

Asakawa Riku couldn't help but wonder, if such a "high-class beauty" suddenly appeared at school, most people would probably wonder why she wasn't famous before.

He once asked a question: "Shinonome Suetsuki's ability is [immortality], and she can be resurrected after death, but does this include [immortality]? Will she age?"

After all, her face possesses both mature charm and youthful innocence; she could easily pass for a high school student in a uniform. Her actual age is 5 years older than Asakawa Riku, making her 22, a senior in college. While still in the prime of her youth, one should be able to distinguish her from a high school student, but in her case, it's hard to tell…

Suezuki's answer was, "I don't know."

Yes, even when she was in her twenties, she still couldn't get an answer to this question. Perhaps only when she's in her thirties or forties will we be able to see whether she will get old or not.

In any case, now that I'm in uniform and ready to go, there's no going back.

Riku Asakawa reluctantly took her to school.

...

Things went surprisingly smoothly, and apart from Shinonome Suetsuki's height being rather noticeable, it didn't seem to cause any commotion.

She was very tall, but next to the even taller Asakawa Riku, she didn't seem so out of place.

Of course, the attention and the number of people turning their heads were still quite noticeable, but it was limited to whispers and hushed conversations; there were no exaggerated situations like people coming up to cause a ruckus or shouting.

There was no typical campus novel plot where the protagonist is approached by a stranger and then Riku Asakawa comes to his rescue and teach him a lesson.

It's unclear whether it's because Asakawa Riku exudes an invisible aura as he walks, or because Shinonome Suetsuki's level simply surpasses the feeling of ordinary romantic pursuit.

Just like encountering an ordinary beautiful woman, one might feel a gentleman's attraction to her, but to a certain extent, this feeling transforms into simple longing and reverence for works of art.

...That's because you don't understand this guy's true nature yet.

Asakawa Riku looked at everyone with pity.

If Shinonome Suetsuki's appearance could be rated 10 out of 10, her nasty personality and sharp tongue could deduct all 10 points, even turning it into a negative number.

Judging from her figure and face, Asakawa Riku does not deny that he likes this type, but if he did not know her true nature, he would not have been in the agency for more than a year without developing any romantic feelings.

Where is my medicine?

Sure enough, the next second, Sueyue confirmed his suspicions by turning the pockets of her uniform and skirt inside out.

Asakawa Riku didn't even need to ask "what kind of medicine," he had already seen it too many times:

"I don't think this dress contains it."

That special "forgetfulness painkiller" is a drug used to suppress the side effects of Shinonome Suetsuki's superpowers. She takes dozens of pills every day, and she doesn't know if she's exceeding the recommended dosage.

To accommodate her habit of taking medicine frequently, the maid Hoshino specially sewed lining pockets into each of her clothes, filled with medicine bottles, and would replace them promptly when they were empty.

That's very thoughtful.

But today's uniform is different; it's a borrowed uniform and was prepared on short notice, so it's normal that I didn't have time to bring the medicine bottle.

However, faced with such a reasonable explanation, Suezuki revealed a sour face as if everyone in Tokyo had died:

"Ah... I'm going back."

"Don't go, you promised me."

Asakawa Riku caught her with lightning speed.

With a forced, wry smile, he exerted force, firmly pinning the creature to the spot without causing it pain, making it unable to break free.

Meanwhile, the students watching from a distance, unable to hear their conversation, let out suppressed excited screams. They didn't know what kind of ambiguous rumors they would spread, but they certainly didn't know that the real situation was that the two of them were just arguing like children. Shinonome Suetsuki tried for a few minutes but still couldn't break free, so she could only obediently surrender and admit defeat.

"I'll resolve all the issues in an hour, then I'll go back."

She threw a tantrum like a child, and ended up having her hand firmly held by Asakawa Riku.

Asakawa Riku knew how cunning this girl was; if he let his guard down, she might escape.

"This is a good opportunity to help you kick your addiction. Do you really need to eat such a large portion? If you haven't died, you shouldn't accumulate new memories, right?"

Asakawa Riku said irritably, dragging her forward: "Don't take drugs in public at school. The negative impact on teenagers is immeasurable."

If it were someone else who didn't know her, they might really mistake her for a drug addict detective with bad habits, and it would be too funny if she were kicked out by security.

"...I'm using this medication legally; I have a prescription!"

"Only I know this! And you don't have any proof with you, do you?"

The two of them continued walking forward, bickering like this.

It's time for school to let out. Except for those participating in club activities at school, other students are carrying their schoolbags and walking towards the gate in groups, while they are walking in the opposite direction.

Today is only Monday, and the school festival is actually on Friday. There are still four days to go, but the festive atmosphere is already subtly spreading across the campus. The most obvious signs are the various booths that are gradually being set up throughout the campus, and the students busily preparing. It's clear that everyone has been looking forward to this for a long time and can't wait even a day longer.

Whenever he saw such a scene, Asakawa Riku would think of the "festival" on that island... but he knew this was different; this was just an ordinary celebration.

Therefore, in order to erase the bad memories from his mind, like the detective, he needed to create a more beautiful festival to cover them up.

Let's create good memories this time!

With that in mind, Asakawa Riku pulled Shinonome Sugetsuki along and headed towards the first challenge of the [Marineford War].

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Zashiki-warashi no Autumn: Chapter Six, First Stage

"You're a member of the student council?"

Asakawa Riku looked surprised.

The person guarding the stairwell was a second-year high school boy who looked slightly like a girl, but was wearing long pants.

That was actually Kasahara Shizue, with a girlish name, but her gender was very clear. She had been involved in a bullying incident and was pulled out of the mire by Asakawa Riku.

"Yes... That's great, Asakawa-kun, you still remember me!"

He exclaimed with delight, his eyes filled with obvious admiration as he looked at Asakawa Riku.

Asakawa Riku paused for a moment: "...Yes, of course."

I remember now, the other classmates have forgotten about what happened on the island, so theoretically, they haven't seen each other since last autumn.

Kasahara explained, “Last year, in order to fight back against those who bullied me, I hit them with a baseball bat. At that time, I was prepared to be expelled or even go to jail. I didn’t expect the student council to collect all the evidence for me and vouch for me for the school… This saved me from punishment, and those people were also expelled.”

Riku Asakawa nodded. He had heard about it from Chizuko-senpai afterward, but it was also the cause of the "Mystery Club Abolition Incident".

Kasahara smiled:

"So I am very grateful for the help the student union gave me back then, and I also wanted to join them and use my abilities to help more people like me, so I applied to join."

"I see." Asakawa Riku pulled the absent-minded Shinonome Suetsuki beside him and threatened her to stand up politely and listen to the rest.

Kasahara glanced at the woman next to Asakawa Riku, paused for a moment, and quickly corrected himself:

"Of course...of course, Asakawa-san, you are my greatest benefactor. If it weren't for your encouragement back then, I wouldn't have been able to muster the courage to fight back on my own. Even if you helped me get rid of the bullying group, nothing would have changed, and I wouldn't have become more confident. I also wanted to join your club, Asakawa-san, but that senior was just too scary...so I didn't dare."

Even those who mustered up the courage couldn't withstand Chizuko's terror... She really should hear this assessment.