Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

"Ugh."

And so, Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed again, saying helplessly:

"Things seem to be getting complicated."

Come spicy!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 378 Joining the Investigation of Legends

Although Fujimaru Ritsuka was reluctant to have to work overtime due to unexpected events, she and Mashu couldn't ignore the situation since they had encountered something that concerned them.

Therefore, they asked Nanfang Rihe to join the investigation into the "Blue Spider Curse".

"Shall we conduct the investigation together?"

Upon hearing their request, Nanfang Rihe nodded without hesitation:

"Since it's you, of course there's no problem, in fact, you're very welcome."

The information she just mentioned was all published online, and there are roughly two possibilities regarding the truth of the matter:

First, the "Curse of the Blue Spider" does not actually exist. It is just a prank created by someone with ulterior motives, a rumor deliberately spread by them.

Second, the "Blue Spider Curse" is a real and terrifying curse, and its originator is a terrifying being who possesses some kind of mysterious power.

If it were only the former, then of course everyone would be happy, at most it would just be a waste of a little time. But she would also gain some writing material, so it's not a big deal;

But if it's the latter... then the existence of professionals like Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu becomes especially important.

However, on the other hand, Mashu asked with concern:

"Speaking of which, doesn't Miss Hitsuru have a companion? Since you're going to be traveling together, wouldn't it be better to ask for their opinion first?"

"There's really no need to worry too much about that guy."

Nanfang Rihe waved his hand dismissively and said:

"Actually, I'm not very familiar with that person. We just know each other to a certain extent. But judging from his personality, he probably wouldn't care about such a small thing."

"And if all else fails, we can just ignore him and conduct our own investigation."

"Is this so...?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

Seeing that Nanfang Rihe's expression was calm and she didn't seem to care about the issue, they could only sigh softly, "Miss Rihe is so domineering," and then finalized the matter.

According to Nanakawa Hikatsu, the companion who invited her seemed to have arrived here this morning and immediately went to the Sakura Academy to investigate. She should be at the school right now.

Then Fujimaru Ritsuka asked:

"Should we go and meet him now?"

"Need not."

Nanfang Rihe shook his head and said:

"Hiding in at the school at this time is troublesome for both us and the school, so we'll meet him at the hotel when he returns today and exchange information then."

"As for now... speaking of which, you were just about to go to the countryside to conduct an investigation, right?"

Seeing that Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu nodded, Minakata Hizuru said:

"Then, can I come with you?"

Although she didn't come for the Zashiki-warashi (a type of Japanese house spirit), she couldn't help but become interested since Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others were also investigating the matter.

After obtaining permission from Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu, the three had lunch. Minakata Hizuru went back to her room to pack her luggage, and then the three of them went out together to the countryside to conduct an investigation.

"Sure enough, there are many shops selling medicine jars and ironware!"

Walking along the country road, Fujimaru Ritsuka curiously looked around at the simple village before her, exclaiming in amazement:

"No wonder it's known as the Medicine Pot Township for its medicine pots and ironware."

Meanwhile, the villagers on the road were also looking at the three of them with curiosity and enthusiasm.

The sight of Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mashu, and Minakata Hitsuru, three beauties with different styles and temperaments but equally stunning charm, traveling together is a rare and beautiful scene for them living in the countryside.

Watching the three beautiful girls walking together on the road, even the scenery that I was already tired of seeing seemed to have become brand new.

Meanwhile, as they strolled through the countryside, Fujimaru Ritsuka and his companions inquired about Zashiki-warashi from the villagers along the way.

According to the villagers, the rumor that "a zashiki-warashi (a type of Japanese spirit) appears at Azusa Inn" is a recent one or two-year-old story; they had never heard of such a thing before.

Therefore, some villagers believe that it was just a publicity stunt by Azi Hotel.

However, some villagers claimed that someone had indeed seen a Zashiki-warashi in the inn and provided a description of its appearance.

According to the villagers, the Zashiki-warashi in the inn is a cute little girl who looks only fourteen or fifteen years old. She is dressed in a traditional and luxurious kimono, has long black hair, and is as dignified and elegant as a doll.

But when Fujimaru Ritsuka pressed for details about who had actually seen the Zashiki-warashi, the villagers couldn't answer.

They also inquired about the "Blue Spider Curse" incident that occurred at the private Sansakura Academy, but the villagers seemed to know nothing about it.

Therefore, this matter is currently only circulating online and has not yet spread widely in reality.

In addition, they saw many fox statues along the way, so they asked an old lady about the statues out of curiosity, but the story was a little unexpected.

They originally thought the villagers worshipped Inari, which was why so many fox statues were erected, but that was not the case.

"Speaking of which, that was a long time ago..."

When the old lady spoke of this, her eyes were filled with memories, and she said slowly:

"It is said that a long time ago, a very ferocious fox demon appeared in this area. In order to suppress and exorcise it, our ancestors built a shrine on the mountaintop."

"And these fox statues were also built at that time."

"However, the shrine on the mountaintop was destroyed during the war and has never been rebuilt. Over time, it has become what it is today."

"So this is ah."

Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others suddenly realized.

After seeing the elderly woman off for her walk, the three continued to explore the village for a while before sitting down to rest in a pavilion.

Mashu said:

"The villagers don't seem to know much about Zashiki-warashi either."

"Yes."

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded and said:

"It seems that we really have to start with the hotel itself."

Nanfang Rihe pondered and said:

"Judging from the current situation, the two incidents don't seem to be related..."

At least according to the villagers, the Zashiki-warashi is indeed like a legendary yokai that is kind to people and brings them wealth, rather than something else that would curse people.

"However, we still have too little information to draw any conclusions at this time."

"...Let's go back and ask Miss Chun first."

Fujimaru Ritsuka thought for a moment and said:

"She seems to know quite a bit about Zashiki-warashi, and she even seems to know a guest who has seen a Zashiki-warashi in person..."

"what!"

At this point, Fujimaru Ritsuka suddenly remembered something and said to Minakata Hizuru:

"That guest also seemed to be a writer, and it was because he wrote about the 'Doll Room' and Zashiki-warashi in the inn in his novel that Azusa Inn gradually became popular."

"Is that right?"

Upon hearing this, Nanfang Rihe's gaze sharpened, and he understood what Fujimaru Ritsuka meant. He then took out his phone and began searching for related keywords.

If it were a novelist, she might be able to exchange a few words with the other person.

"found it."

Based on the information provided by Fujimaru Ritsuka, Minakata Hizuru quickly found the novel. Then, upon seeing the author's name and the magazine it belonged to, she lowered her gaze slightly and said:

"That's quite a coincidence."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 379 Reunion, an exceptionally talented mystery novelist?

After finding the relevant information, Nanfang Rihe read the news report on his phone:

"The author we're looking for is named Natsuhiko Fukami, a horror novelist."

"Horror novelist?"

"That's right. Online reviews of his novels seem quite positive, describing them as 'using taboo and grotesque descriptions filled with terror and extreme cruelty, as if a wanderer in endless darkness is crawling back and forth on the ground. Despite this, it doesn't lack a serene beauty...'"

"Eh--"

"That sounds pretty impressive."

Fujimaru Ritsuka let out a small gasp of surprise, while Nanakaku Hizuru put his phone back in his pocket and said:

"maybe."

"In short, the other party is probably a writer who has achieved a fairly good result in the niche field of horror novels."

Mashu, who was more concerned with the key point of the question, asked:

"Miss Rihe, are you able to contact the other party?"

"It's not that I can't do it, it's just that it would be more troublesome."

"However, there is a better way right now."

Nanfang Rihe adjusted his glasses and suddenly changed the subject, saying:

"Speaking of which, I don't think I've mentioned it to you yet, but the person who invited me is also a novelist."