Tokyo, but I'm a deceitful scumbag.

We can only say that the possibility of possession by a vengeful spirit has been ruled out.

Finally, he could only ask one more question: "How are you feeling now?"

Kikumi Iji blushed and said, "It's... just like normal, even a little easier. My legs, which were sore from walking for so long, aren't sore anymore..."

Has this happened before?

"No, I've never seen ghosts before... but I do seem to have experienced situations where I suddenly regained my strength after being inexplicably very tired..."

Hideyuki Hoshino released his grip.

There's nothing more to ask.

In this light, perhaps, like that strange mental resistance, this is also a special talent of Iji Chikiku.

He shared his speculation with Ijichi Kikuri.

"Although I really want to say something to reassure you, I really don't know enough about it. Whether it's good or bad, we can only observe it further."

"Ok, thanks."

Ichikiku nodded, looking a little distracted.

She was still savoring the sensation of the demonic energy flowing through her body, as comfortable as hugging a fluffy fox... Ah, really, how can this fox be so addictive from head to toe?

As for special physical talents...

Kikuri Ichichi was secretly pleased with this.

As an accomplice of the fox demon, she should at least have some special characteristics.

Otherwise, how will I stand by his side in the future?

Ideally...

Ideally, one day, I could get this fox to depend on me a little...

Then, with a mischievous grin, she'd flick the fox on the forehead and say, "Just trust me, okay?"

"Warm Water Guy! Kikuri-chan! Where did you go?"

In the corridor, Sakai and the others' shouts pulled Iji Chikiku back to reality.

"The vengeful spirit is gone, and the illusion is over too. Time to go out and say hello to everyone!"

As Hoshino Hideyuki spoke, he walked out of the bathroom.

Kikumi Iji instinctively followed him out, though she immediately realized something was wrong, but it was too late.

"Kikuri-chan, really, why did you guys hide in the bathroom for so long... Huh? Why is your face so red?"

The others came over and immediately noticed something was wrong.

The store manager turned his head away, and the two high school students covered their mouths.

At this moment, Iji Chikiku's face and the base of her ears were red, and her hair was messy, with many strands sticking to her white forehead with sweat.

This looks exactly like two people doing *that* in the bathroom...

Kikuri Iji gritted her teeth, unsure how to explain herself.

Since misunderstandings are unavoidable, why not activate the backup plan and just say he's my boyfriend? I just don't know if he'd be willing to cooperate...

Thinking of this, she looked at Hoshino Hideyuki.

But when she turned her head, she found that Hoshino Hideyuki had already pointed his finger at her decisively.

Yes, the fox is much smarter than I am.

He must have already come up with a foolproof explanation, right? Then there's nothing to worry about...

"Well, Kiku just tripped over her own feet and fell face-first onto the ground. It was so funny, it's a real shame you didn't see it!"

Ijichi Kikuri: ?

You little fox!

Chapter 30 The Fox Says: To Succeed, You Must Eat Roast Meat

"Kikuri-chan, you fell down? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Senior, I...I...I have some band-aids here..."

"I'm sorry, the corridor in our store is a bit dark. We can add two more lights in the future."

Having spoken, the fox gritted her teeth in response to the concern of the crowd, but finally lowered her head.

There's nothing I can do but admit that I really did fall face-first onto the ground!

"I'm fine... Oh, right!"

She tried to change the subject and said solemnly to the store manager, "Mr. Store Manager, I've made up my mind. If you don't plan to continue running the performance hall, I'd be happy to take over!"

The store manager was somewhat surprised: "Don't you need to take another look?"

"No need. To be honest, I've been here many times and I'm quite familiar with it."

"I see, that makes sense..."

The store manager nodded: "Alright then, I bought this store a long time ago. If you want it, I'll rent it to you at 70% of the market price."

"Is the discount because of vengeful spirits? Well, I don't really care about that..."

Ichikiku's feelings were somewhat complicated.

She was naturally happy to save money.

But the vengeful spirit had already been dealt with by the fox, and the fact that she was being charged less money for it made her feel inexplicably embarrassed—if she could simply pay a fee for exorcising the spirit, she wouldn't feel this way, but unfortunately, she couldn't.

"There is indeed a reason related to vengeful spirits, but on the other hand, we also hope that this shop can be kept in the hands of worthy people."

The store manager said very seriously, "Running a performance hall and forming a band are quite different. You may encounter many problems, including the presence of vengeful spirits. Consider this discount as my blessing for your success, please don't refuse."

After a round of classic Japanese politeness, Ijichi Kikuri accepted the offer.

Then she discussed the details with the store manager.

For example, the time of takeover, the specific contract, and which nearby temple offers the best value for money (of course, this is completely unnecessary in Iji Chikiku).

More than an hour later, a rough agreement was reached, and everyone successfully achieved their goal and left the performance hall.

Facing the sunlight, Ichikiku happily clasped her hands together and said to everyone, "Thank you all for coming with me today. If you don't mind, I'll treat you to lunch!"

Hoshino Hideyuki raised his hand like a primary school student: "Perfect timing! You said last week you'd treat me to a super luxurious Wagyu beef yakiniku all-you-can-eat at Yoshinzai in Osaka, where the owner would commit seppuku if I didn't get enough to eat. How about we go today?"

Ijichi Kikuri: ?

You spoke too fast, I didn't hear you!

And I absolutely never said I wanted to treat you to dinner or anything, right?

That's definitely just a fox you want to eat!

Before Ijichi Kikuri could react, Sakai Yui's eyes lit up:

"Is that the Osaka Yoshinzai restaurant that claims to be able to make everyone feel as full as if they are eight months pregnant? I went there once, and their secret seasoning is absolutely amazing! If you pair it with their homemade rice wine... hehehe."

Hime-fat beauty chuckled and licked her lips, her expression full of longing.

"Ms. Sakai, I didn't realize you were one of us!"

Hideyuki Hoshino gave a thumbs up.

Beside them, the two high school girls hesitated.

"Isn't this going to be too much of a burden for you, senior...?"

"Yes, yes, we can just eat something ordinary..."

A typical all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant isn't very expensive, but this Wagyu beef all-you-can-eat restaurant with a name as long as a light novel title is another story; it's practically like the final boss.

Just as Ichikiku was about to say that there was no need to consider these things, Hoshino Hideyuki spoke first.

"Young girls, you are still too young!"

In less than half a second, the fox's face changed to one of worry:

"Life gets harder as you get older. No matter how energetic you are when you leave school, once you sit in an office, you will become a dull cog in the machine, only able to bow and apologize."

"The daily wrangling and overtime work wore down your spirit, and finally, one weekend evening, as you finished the PowerPoint presentation you were supposed to give at the meeting the next morning, you impulsively wrote that resignation letter!"

"But quitting your job is just the beginning of the fall. You might be able to catch your breath for the first two months, but you will soon be overwhelmed by boundless anxiety. No matter how many games you play or how many trips you take, you will not feel any joy."

"When I went to look for a job, I found that there were no better ones. I didn't want to settle, so I hesitated. Hesitation leads to defeat. Until the blanks on my resume could no longer be filled, the interview became my execution."

"In the end, you retreated to your parents' garbage-filled room, unwilling to look for work, unwilling to go to the convenience store, unwilling to go downstairs for meals, and especially afraid of running into former classmates, becoming a true useless person..."

Upon hearing this, the lively young girl Airi Yamada covered her ears in anguish, while the youthful-looking, voluptuous Yumiko Hayami lowered her head, trembling, and kept muttering, "Is the world of the super-super-big adults really this scary...?"

"That's right, the adult world is that terrifying!"

Hideyuki Hoshino nodded with a serious expression:

"And when you've fallen to this point, the only thing that can save you is the beautiful memories of the past!"

"For example, eating Wagyu beef barbecue all-you-can-eat!"

"Food and sex are basic human needs. The satisfaction of your most primal desires will be unforgettable for a lifetime. Even after you become a shut-in in a garbage dump, you will still recall those delicious meals at some unexpected moment and sincerely sigh:"

Ah, I've eaten such delicious food before!

Ah, I really want to eat it again!

I was planning to die this Sunday, but a friend gave me a barbecue voucher that I can only use on Monday, so I'll live until Monday and eat the barbecue!

And so, you will muster the courage to step out of your room and emerge from the lowest point in your life!

"So do you understand now? If you don't want to live a failed life, say to Iji Chikiku right now, immediately: Senpai, please take me to eat yakiniku!"

Boom!

Seeing that the high school girls were about to be brainwashed into clapping, Ijichi Kikuri couldn't help but give the fox a chop to the neck.

"Don't set a bad example for children!"

"Seriously, I'll take you to eat, okay?"