Tentacle Monster Conquest Manual

Japanese schools have three holidays: winter break, summer break, and spring break.

New Year's Day also marks the start of the Spring Festival holiday. The streets are already filled with the New Year's atmosphere, including various festivals and shrine visits. You can occasionally see shrine maidens praying for blessings while walking on the street. Mu Xiaoxiao is quite interested in and curious about these customs.

And then there were his girlfriends. Having learned from his Christmas experience, he figured they would probably drag him along for the New Year's shrine visit, and he was prepared for that. But then...

"What? You're not going? You're making me go out alone?" Mu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, probably not expecting it either, and she looked completely innocent. "Am I being abandoned?"

They were highly sought after on Christmas Day, how come they're being abandoned now? It's like the tables have turned!

“It was Lingnai who said it,” Sicheng Xingli said, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders without a ponytail, exuding a unique and alluring beauty. “She said she had plans with someone else today, so we had to give up.”

Fortunately, we had eaten our fill on Christmas Day and had a great time. Neither Anri nor Kasumi complained; they were just a little resentful.

"You made plans with someone else? How come I didn't know?" Mu Xiaoxiao was completely confused, with countless questions popping into her mind. Just then, Ling Nai came out of the bathroom, her hair still wet and wrapped in a towel.

“It’s Shiina. She doesn’t have many friends at school and is usually quite lonely, so I invited her out for the New Year. Little Shiina, you won’t refuse, right?” Reina walked gracefully to the boy with a smile on her face. “As a teacher, caring for my students is my job.”

"It's fine to care about the students, but why drag me into it?"

Mu Xiaoxiao blinked innocently.

"Xiaoxiao... are you really unaware or just pretending?" Lingnai reached out and pinched his face in annoyance, then kneaded it hard in her palm. "Besides, as my... man, it's only right that you help me share my burdens."

"If that's what you're saying, Lingnai, I'll definitely help," Mu Xiaoxiao innocently raised her hand, letting the beautiful married woman rub her face. "As for what you said... it probably isn't true, right?"

Mu Xiaoxiao understood the meaning behind Ling Nai's words. He scratched his head in confusion. Although his relationship with Shiina Chizuru had improved a lot, he really hadn't thought about it in that way, because didn't Shiina Chizuru have someone she liked?

According to Mu Xiaoxiao's observations, that Mr. Tsukino is indeed a good person, a truly good person, not the kind of hypocrite who is all talk and no action. Even though he seems to have a crush on Reina, he treats Shiina as just an ordinary student.

"Shiina has someone she likes, right?"

Mu Xiaoxiao frowned. This time it was different from Kofukuji Takaya. He didn't quite believe that Shiina Chizuru would fall in love with someone else. It felt a bit unbelievable. Rena shrugged at this. "It's hard to say. Feelings... are indescribable."

After saying that, Ling Nai grabbed Mu Xiaoxiao's shoulder and pushed her, "Let's not talk about this now, go get dressed."

"Wait, what do you mean by 'dress up'?"

"Of course you should dress up for a date. I just bought you some new clothes, Xiaoxiao, you don't need to do anything, just leave it to me—"

"..."

Anri and the others, who had been eavesdropping, caught up with them. "Rena-nee, let's help! It'll be so much fun helping Xiaoxiao dress up, hehe~"

"you------"

----------

In Chiyoda Ward, at the subway station entrance, Shiina Chizuru was dressed casually. She had dressed up specially; although her upper body was covered up, she still wore a skirt to enhance her charm, and there were traces of makeup on her face.

Although it's very faint, you can't really see it.

The girl would occasionally look up and gaze into the distance, then rub her hands together and exhale a puff of steam into her palms. Soon after, she saw the boy emerging from the subway station. Mu Xiaoxiao was not wearing her uniform, but had changed into new casual clothes, which showed signs of having been tidied up.

His charm was already outstanding, but now, thanks to Anri and the others' styling, he was even more handsome than he was at school. Shiina Chizuru clearly didn't dare to look at him, her gaze darting away, her heart racing uncontrollably. "Mu... Mu-kun..."

"It was Rena-sensei who asked me out, not me on my own... Um, Happy New Year."

She stammered, unsure of what to say, and finally could only manage to say, "Happy New Year."

However, Mu Xiaoxiao remained silent, standing there with Shiina Chizuru, her strange gaze fixed on her, making the girl blush. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she stomped her foot in annoyance, "What are you doing! Why are you staring at me? Is there something strange on my face?"

stare----

"Mu Xiaoxiao!!" Shiina Chizuru blushed more and more.

"But I heard from Reina that you invited me."

"I, I didn't."

"She also said that you have a crush on me, a crush that's madly in love with me, Shiina, is that true?"

"No, no, that's not it!"

"Then why did you secretly go on dates with me, Shiina?"

"I already said it was Rena-sensei who invited me... Besides, aren't we friends? This is just a New Year's celebration with friends, nothing more."

Seeing that Shiina Chizuru was still being stubborn, Mu Xiaoxiao didn't continue teasing her. Recalling what Reina had said, he probably understood. He smiled slightly and said, "Happy New Year, Shiina, instead of continuing to make the girl shy."

This was the first time Shiina Chizuru had seen him so gentle. In the past, he only showed his gentleness in front of girls, but now, after experiencing the boy's gentleness, even Shiina Chizuru couldn't help but be captivated.

Mu Xiaoxiao's charm goes without saying, and the shock that those two incidents brought to Shiina Chizuru had already stirred the girl's mind. Perhaps Mu Xiaoxiao herself did not know how terrifying her power was.

"Yes, yes, Happy New Year, Mu Jun."

"Just call me by my name. Didn't you say we're friends?"

Chizuru blinked her bright eyes, "So you admit we're friends? Then... Xiaoxiao?"

Qianhe was a little embarrassed when she said Mu Xiaoxiao's name, but she was overjoyed. She was so happy that she couldn't even describe it. She was in a good mood. "You can call me by my name too. You don't need to use my surname anymore."

"Okay, Chizuru."

Woo!

Shiina Chizuru felt a jolt of electricity run through her as her name was called. This feeling, this tingling sensation, was melting her heart. The girl could only suppress her emotions, keeping her head down tightly, not daring to look up, otherwise Mu Xiaoxiao would definitely see her face, which was as red as a sunset.

We can no longer see her serious and stubborn side at school; instead, she has become even more girlish, with a girlish shyness.

This continued for a few minutes. Suddenly, the shy Shiina Chizuru felt something was wrong. She looked up and was shocked to find that Mu Xiaoxiao, who had been beside her, was gone. The girl's bewildered expression was a little funny. Wait, where did she go? How did she suddenly disappear?

"Chizuru, over here!" Just as she was panicking, she heard his voice and then saw him return with two cups of milk tea. "Here, have one. You don't mind, do you?"

Mu Xiaoxiao helped her insert the straw and handed it to the girl.

"Hmm... thank you," Shiina Chizuru took it, opened her small mouth and took a breath. It was warm and cozy. Strangely enough, she never felt this way when she was with Tsukino-sensei. This sense of relaxation, happiness, and strong sense of security made Chizuru feel very at ease and happy. Moreover, walking with Xiaoxiao like this now felt like a date.

They were supposed to be friends, but a hint of ambiguity lingered between them, floating in the air.

"Little one, where are we going?"

“The shrine, isn’t it? People go to the shrine to pray for good fortune during the New Year?” Mu Xiaoxiao shrugged.

"I know there's a large shrine nearby, let's go there together—"

Shiina Chizuru took Mu Xiaoxiao's hand very proactively. It was unclear whether she did it on purpose or unintentionally. This was Mu Xiaoxiao's first time experiencing the Japanese New Year, and all that could be said was... there were so many people at the shrine.

There is also the custom of exchanging money.

Gazing at the bustling shrine before her, Mu Xiaoxiao thought about her tentacle monster identity and felt a little strange. Just then, Shiina Chizuru, who had disappeared for a few minutes, suddenly returned, her hands behind her back, looking mysterious. "Xiaoxiao—"

"Ok?"

"Here you go," she said, no longer pretending to be mysterious, but instead took out her small hand, and a brand new amulet appeared in front of the boy. "This is a protective charm I just obtained. I don't know if it works, but it's quite nice as an ornament."

"For me?"

"Is it for someone else? Xiaoxiao, you should take it—" Shiina Chizuru blushed and stuffed it into Mu Xiaoxiao's arms without further ado, then looked away as if nothing had happened, "Let's go look around somewhere else~"

Knowing she was shy, Mu Xiaoxiao just smiled ambiguously and hung the amulet around her neck, which made Qianhe, who was secretly watching them, even happier. Just as the two were about to leave, Mu Xiaoxiao stopped in her tracks.

On the other side, two women also arrived near the shrine. Looking at the crowded scene, they looked helpless. "Lord Managi, why did you have to come to such a crowded place? What if something happens to your body?"

Because of the God Tongue, Nakiri Managi needs to maintain her health with nutrient solutions for a long time, which makes her body look much more fragile than ordinary people. This is why Annie is worried, but Nakiri Managi shakes her head and pushes her hand away.

"I'm just here to visit the shrine. What danger could there be? It's not easy to come back to Japan... so don't worry about this or that. I'm not that fragile."

Managi Nakiri exuded a strong aura. "I can't stand being stuck in the hotel every day anymore, Anne."

Seeing how determined Nakiri Managi was, Anne could only nod and say, "I understand."

The two women were unaware that Mu Xiaoxiao, who was not far away, had already set her sights on them.

Chapter 270 Lady Nakiri's Collapsed Worldview

Nakiri Managi didn't notice Mu Xiaoxiao's gaze, nor did she realize that anyone was watching her. Or rather, there were actually quite a few people in the crowd looking at her, but Nakiri Managi, a woman who had long held a high position, didn't care about such things and ignored them all.

Until Mu Xiaoxiao turned around and walked up to the two of them.

"Hmm?" Annie and Nakiri Managi then noticed the unfamiliar boy and looked at him with puzzled eyes.

Chizuru Shiina was equally puzzled, "Little?"

Her gaze shifted back and forth between Mu Xiaoxiao and the two unfamiliar women in front of her, not quite understanding. Could they be acquaintances? But their expressions didn't seem to suggest it, and the two women possessed a powerful aura that made a young girl like Shiina Chizuru afraid to look them in the eye.

Mu Xiaoxiao didn't pay attention to Chizuru's changing expression. He just stood in front of Nakiri Managi and looked at the two of them. Although he didn't recognize them at first, he immediately recognized them after taking a few more glances. After all, Nakiri Managi was a very distinctive woman.

Although malnutrition caused her to look unwell, it couldn't hide the unique charm and charisma of Managi Nakiri. It was that kind of domineering and powerful aura that probably no man could withstand.

Mu Xiaoxiao was the only exception.

"Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"

Mu Xiaoxiao didn't answer, still staring at the two of them. Qianhe carefully tugged at Mu Xiaoxiao's sleeve, somewhat worried, wondering what was wrong with him. As for Nakiri Managi, she frowned and was about to tell Annie to leave.

Mu Xiaoxiao finally spoke up, giving Qianhe a reassuring look before looking at them and saying, "You are tainted by something ominous."

Annie: "???"

Managi: "???"

Chizuru: "???"

No, why are you acting like a charlatan?

Before Annie could even speak, Nakiri Managi couldn't help but laugh. "Kid, are you trying to say that I'm possessed by some kind of evil spirit and that I need to pray at a shrine to get rid of it, and then pay a hefty exorbitant fee for the exorcism? That's such a cliché sales pitch."

I was mistaken for a scammer.

Mu Xiaoxiao shook her head helplessly, "No, the shrine is useless, and I don't need the refund fee..."

After saying that, he turned his head and glanced at the shrine in the distance and the crowd of worshippers. In his perception, there was no supernatural power in the shrine, otherwise it would have reacted to Hanako long ago. Mu Xiaoxiao glanced at the ghost girl above her head and smiled.

As for striking up a conversation with them, Mu Xiaoxiao wasn't trying to pick them up; it was the truth. They were indeed being haunted by something ominous, and Hanako had confirmed this. Regardless of whether Nakiri Managi was a potential client of the Himejin Society, Mu Xiaoxiao wouldn't ignore it.

“That sounds even more suspicious,” Anne couldn’t help but interject. “You didn’t recognize Lady Managi and are trying to chat her up on purpose, did you? You’re so young and you’re already behaving badly, using this weird stuff to flirt with people…”

“If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. Besides,” Mu Xiaoxiao’s face suddenly showed a strange expression, “it wasn’t her who encountered something ominous, it was you.”

"Huh? Me??"

Annie stared wide-eyed and pointed at her nose, but she still didn't believe it. Of course she wouldn't believe a student-looking guy talking about evil spirits. But Nakiri Managi became interested at this moment and stared at the boy in front of her, who was about the same age as her daughter, for a moment.

"Interesting. You said Anne has been tainted by something ominous. Anne, do you remember?"

"I...I don't know?"

Anne, standing next to Nakiri Managi, looked completely bewildered.