Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

Seeing this, Nanfang Rihe also introduced himself casually:

"My name is Nanfang Rihe."

"Ritsuka, Mashu, and Miss Minami... hello."

Looking at the three beautiful girls with distinct styles before her, Tsukigaoka Karen smiled and nodded in greeting, then couldn't help but exclaim in amazement:

"I didn't expect our team to suddenly have three more super beauties. If we include Renhua-chan, that makes four!"

"If that's the case, then there should be five."

Huang Gongxiao smiled and corrected him:

"Isn't Miss Tsukigaki also a recognized beauty editor in the magazine?"

"Hey, me?"

Tsukigaki Kaoren lowered her head slightly, somewhat embarrassed, and said:

"Anyway, thank you for the compliment."

"Is that a compliment? I didn't mean it that way... but never mind."

Huang Gongxiao looked around at the surroundings and said:

"Let's leave the pleasantries for now and discuss other matters at the hotel."

After saying that, he took the lead and left, heading towards the hotel.

……

...

"Speaking of which..."

Following behind Kouko Akira, Fujimaru Ritsuka glanced at Minakata Hizuru beside her and suddenly remembered that she was also an award-winning author. So she went to Minakata Hizuru's side and asked in a low voice with some curiosity:

Which is more prestigious, the Naoki Prize or the Edogawa Ranpo Prize?

However, before Nanfang Rihe could reply, Huang Gongxiao's voice quickly came from the front—

"Both awards are the most prestigious awards in the Japanese literary world, but they differ in their selection criteria and cannot be directly compared. The Naoki Prize leans more towards popular literature, while the Edogawa Rampo Prize is an award specifically for mystery novels."

"From this perspective, the Edogawa Rampo Award is the most important award for us mystery novelists."

At this point, Huang Gongxiao couldn't help but sigh:

"In that case, I really do have a long way to go."

"how could be."

Upon hearing this, Tsukigaki Kaoru comforted him, saying:

"Back in that year, you only narrowly lost to Mr. Ryunosuke Nagumo."

"I believe that this time, Professor Huang, your work will definitely be selected!"

Upon hearing Tsukigaoka Karen's words, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu, who were walking behind, looked at Minakata Hizuru with some surprise, not expecting her to be so powerful.

Nanfang Rihe's expression remained calm, as if she wasn't the person being mentioned.

Huang Gongxiao, standing ahead, sighed and said with a wry smile:

"Miss Tsukigaki, you don't already know, do you? Are you deliberately making fun of me?"

"Hey, what do you know?"

Tsukigaki Kaoren asked, somewhat bewildered:

"Um, sorry, did I say something wrong again?"

"...No, it's nothing, just pretend you didn't hear anything."

After confirming that Yueqiu Xianglian truly did not know Nanfang Rihe's real identity, Huang Gongxiao could only sigh helplessly and swallow this bitter pill.

It was nearly dusk when the five of them went to the hotel restaurant, found an empty seat, and began ordering.

Only then did they finally start talking about serious matters.

Huang Gongxiao began to describe their actions that day. Just as Nanfang Rihe had said, they had only gone to the school to communicate with the school authorities and obtain permission to stay at the school for the rest of the day to conduct their investigation.

Besides that, all they knew was that the school was wary of the matter, didn't want it to escalate, and wanted to resolve it as soon as possible, no matter what method was used.

In addition to Huang Gongxiao and Yueqiu Xianglian, they also had two other companions.

During the investigation, Huang Gongxiao and another colleague were required to teach several classes for the students, and they were required to go to and from school with the students during this period and could not go out at will.

"After all, it's a long-established, prestigious girls' academy, so there are quite a few rules."

Huang Gongxiao said:

"But we were going to conduct the investigation at the academy anyway, so it's alright."

Then, he looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu, raising an eyebrow slightly as he said:

“You don’t look like you’d be fit to be teaching assistants… Well then, try to borrow a couple of school uniforms and stay with the students.”

"So the teaching assistants are Ms. Tsukigaki and Minami."

"Hey, are my senior and I going to become students?"

Mashu blinked in surprise, then a feeling of delight welled up inside her.

Nanfang Rihe had no objection to the arrangement, but Yueqiu Xianglian muttered resentfully:

"There's no need to remind me that I'm not young anymore in this way..."

After discussing the day's events and tomorrow's plans, a brief silence fell over the dining table.

At this moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka remembered their purpose and decided to ask Koukou Akatsuki:

"Mr. Huang, do you know Mr. Fukami Natsuhiko, who works at the same magazine?"

"Fukami? / Professor Natsuhiko?!"

Surprisingly, when Fukami Natsuhiko's name was mentioned, Tsukigaoka Karen reacted much more strongly than Koukou Akira, prompting Fujimaru Ritsuka to take another look at her.

Huang Gongxiao raised an eyebrow slightly, revealing an intrigued look, and asked:

"What do you want from him?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka replied:

"It's about the Zashiki-warashi (a type of Japanese house spirit) at this inn. It's said that Professor Fukami Natsuhiko often sees Zashiki-warashi in the inn, so he wants to talk to him about it."

"Hey, are you guys also interested in Zashiki-warashi?"

Huang Gongxiao's smile widened, and his attitude seemed to become much more friendly in an instant.

Then, he laughed and said:

"In that case, when Shenjian comes over later, you can ask him directly."

"……Eh?"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 381 Fukami Natsuhiko and Renka

Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others were indeed surprised to find that Fukami Natsuhiko, whom they were looking for, was also a fellow participant in this investigation.

Not only that, the gentle and lovely Ms. Tsukigaoka Karen in front of us is actually the editor in charge of the other party.

Huang Gongxiao recounted the entire incident.

Initially, he became acquainted with Fukami Natsuhiko because he was interested in the rumors that a zashiki-warashi (a type of Japanese house spirit) appeared at this hotel. Last week, he held his award celebration party at this hotel, hoping to meet the zashiki-warashi.

Unfortunately, he still hasn't seen the other person.

At the celebration party, Tsukigaoka Karen mentioned the strange tale that happened at the nearby private Sansakura Academy, namely the rumor of the "Blue Spider Curse," which aroused the investigation interest of Sumeragi Akira.

So they decided to team up and go to the academy to investigate. During this process, Huang Gongxiao also invited his friend Nanfang Rihe, who was also a mystery novelist.

That's the whole story.

"And now, you were also drawn here because of the Zashiki-warashi incident, and have become involved in the investigation of the [Blue Spider Curse]."

After saying this, Huang Gongxiao smiled and sighed:

"What a wonderful coincidence, isn't it?"

"indeed."

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded in agreement, then asked with some curiosity:

"Then, where is Professor Fukami Natsuhiko now?"

"Um……"

Huang Gongxiao stroked his chin and said:

“He went to school with us this morning, but left early because there was nothing for him to do. Now he’s either wandering around outside or resting in his room.”

"But anyway, they should be here by now, it's almost lunchtime, right?"

"Is that so?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka understood.

At this moment, Nanfang Rihe suddenly spoke:

"Where is the other person?"

"……Eh?"

Seeing the two looking puzzled, Nanfang Rihe frowned slightly and reminded them:

"Didn't Miss Tsukigaki mention the name 'Lotus' just now? She's the last member, right?"

"Oh, Renka-chan..."

After being reminded by Nanfang Rihe, Yueqiu Xianglian finally realized what was happening and said in a daze:

"Renka-chan... seems to be an acquaintance of Natsuhiko-sensei, a student at Sansakura Academy?"

"Is that right?"