Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

"Then have breakfast before you leave."

Yukihime wasn't surprised; this had happened several times before.

On the contrary, Haruhiko did not go to the ruins in the past three months, which seemed abnormal.

"Ah."

Haruhiko nodded and said, "I'm going to wash up."

He turned and went into the bathroom next door.

Brushing teeth and washing face are done in one go.

He returned to the kitchen, but Yuki was nowhere to be seen, so he went to the living room.

Sure enough, she was sitting at the dining table, but her breakfast had been replaced with bread.

"I was originally planning to make rice balls, but you said you were going to the Takamagahara Ruins and were worried we wouldn't have enough time, so we'll just have bread instead."

Yukihime looked at Haruhiko and explained softly.

"fine."

Haruhiko sat down next to her and said, "I like to eat bread."

More accurately, it's coconut milk.

Full color and flavor.

It has no drawbacks.

Yukihime seemed to sense Haruhiko's state of mind and gave him a charming smile.

She reached out and pulled him into her arms, saying gently, "Eat slowly."

Haruhiko casually picked up a piece of bread.

After eating and drinking his fill, he stood up and suppressed his excessive restlessness.

"Go early and return early."

Yukihime's delicate face was flushed with a rich red, like fine wine, exuding a captivating aura.

Haruhiko reluctantly looked away.

He only regained his composure after leaving home and standing outside in the wind.

He glanced around and saw that Tachibana Yui hadn't arrived yet. Not in a hurry, he casually took out his phone.

Unsurprisingly, this was a joint operation between the Tsuchimikado clan and the Izumo Shrine.

I wonder if Hoshino Rin and Hoshino Hotaru will participate.

Previously, Hotaru Hoshino was ordered by Aoi Hoshino to track down the fifth-tier demon.

However, due to a lack of strength, they were unable to find them and instead went on to determine the identities of the heads of fifteen major powers.

Fortunately, no one was impersonated.

This also confirms Haruhiko's previous conversation with Tsuchimikado Mari.

That fifth-tier demon was hidden in the Edo Archaeological Bureau.

"Where are you now?"

Haruhiko sent a message to Hoshino Hotaru.

But no reply was received.

He touched his chin, wondering if he was busy or if there was no signal.

If it's the latter, then it's most likely in the Takamagahara ruins.

Haruhiko thought for a moment and sent the same message to Hoshino Rin again.

"I am at Izumo Shrine."

A reply came a few seconds later.

Haruhiko narrowed his eyes slightly.

Rin Hoshino did not go to the Takamagahara Ruins.

However, it's hard to say for sure about Hotaru Hoshino.

The two individuals held different positions within Izumo Shrine.

Just as he was pondering, Hoshino Rin sent him two more lines of text.

"My mother led a group to the ruins of Takamagahara, while I stayed at Izumo Shrine to handle matters."

"I see."

Haruhiko understood the reason.

While Izumo Shrine is indeed powerful, its defenses have become somewhat lax since Hoshino Aoi and the others left.

One person needs to stay behind to activate the magic circle or artifact.

Hoshino Rin is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate to be the next chief priest.

"Haruhiko-kun, if you have time, you can come to Izumo Shrine."

"Sorry, I have to go to the Takamagahara Ruins."

Haruhiko knew what Hoshino Rin was thinking, but he had no choice but to be a scumbag again.

"Was it the same place that Mother went to?"

"Ah."

Haruhiko immediately replied, "Aunt Mashiro asked me to go."

Hoshino Rin was slightly taken aback, thinking to herself that it was a pity.

She couldn't leave, otherwise she would have gone too.

"Hotaru went with her mother."

Hoshino Rin typed with a smile, "I'll trouble you to take care of her then."

Over the past three months, she has gotten used to Hoshino Hotaru calling Haruhiko her brother-in-law.

She also discovered that the two had a good relationship.

Given Hotaru Hoshino's personality, this was truly an unprecedented first time.

Hoshino Rin was always worried that she wouldn't be able to make many friends her own age.

"no problem."

Haruhiko naturally agreed.

He felt it was his duty to take care of his sister-in-law.

The two chatted for a few more minutes until Tachibana Yui arrived, at which point Haruhiko ended the conversation.

"Auntie Mashiro".

Haruhiko stepped forward and saw Tachibana Yui's stand-in.

Tsuchimikado Mashiro sat in the driver's seat, and because of his nearly two-meter height, the space seemed extremely cramped.

"boarding."

She glanced at Haruhiko and said calmly.

Tsuchimikado Mari occasionally engages in double driving, but she definitely won't.

"Mari-neechan is at the Takamagahara Ruins?"

After Haruhiko sat in the passenger seat, he asked casually.

"Ah."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro explained, "Although we trust Izumo Shrine, it's still better to leave a fifth-rank member there."

Haruhiko raised an eyebrow, understanding her unspoken meaning.

If she and Tsuchimikado Mari both leave, Hoshino Aoi's strength would be enough to wipe out the Tsuchimikado clan in the Takamagahara ruins.

The losses will definitely be severe in the end.

Although Hoshino Aoi would never do such a thing, it's always good to be cautious.

Haruhiko discovered that Tsuchimikado Mashiro, like him, was quite cautious.

It may be due to childhood experiences.

Haruhiko turned to look at Tsuchimikado Mashiro.

Because she was wearing a veil, the lower half of her face could not be seen.

However, the above is already stunning enough.

Haruhiko thought of an interesting question.

Generally speaking, if one person had to stay, it should be Tsuchimikado Mashiro, not Tsuchimikado Mari.