The Japanese-fear sorcerer who started by taking in Tomie

She was a girl wearing a kimono, with a small face and a little baby fat, and a faint smile on her lips. She looked exceptionally cute.

The kimono is light cherry blossom colored, with flowing water patterns embroidered on the fabric. The obi is dark blue and tied into a neat taiko knot at the back of the waist.

Her black hair was tied up at the back of her head and secured with a plain hairpin, with a few stray strands hanging down beside her ears, gilded with a light gold in the morning sunlight.

However, this girl had a pair of foxy eyes that contrasted with her appearance, a blend of cuteness and allure that gave Shin Gengen a feeling similar to that of Tomie.

"May I ask who you are?"

Xin Hengyuan frowned and began frantically searching his memory, but still found nothing.

Strange, he clearly doesn't know this person.

The girl paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Xinheng, you really have a bad memory. We were classmates in middle school."

"Oh—sorry, I don't remember."

Xinhengyuan gave up on thinking.

The girl was slightly taken aback, not expecting Shin Heng Yuan to be so direct: "That really sounds like something Shin Heng would say. I'm Asakusa Tamae."

Asakusa Tamae? Who is this?

Xin Hengyuan thought for a while, but still couldn't remember. He shook his head and said, "Sorry, I still can't remember."

"Alright, let's get to know each other again. My name is Asakusa Tamae, you can just call me Tamae."

Asakusa Tamae covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Xin Hengyuan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Something's not right, it's definitely not right!

In Japan, only the closest people call each other by their first names. Since I can forget the person in front of me, it means our relationship wasn't particularly good before, far from being at the level of calling each other by name.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

This immediately put Xinhengyuan on alert.

There are always people who want to harm me.

"Okay, Joo-hye. I'm Shin Hengyuan, just call me Yuan."

As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face, so Xinhengyuan is going to see what kind of trouble this "old classmate" is up to.

Asakusa Tamae smiled faintly and asked, "Gen-kun, are you here to visit Senso-ji Temple? If you don't mind, I can show you around; I know this place quite well."

"Then I will respectfully comply. Please lead the way, Miss Zhu Hui."

New Hengyuan also responded with a smiley face.

Asakusa Tamae stepped forward and naturally took Shinji Gen's arm. Her body heat wafted through the sleeve of her kimono and touched Shinji Gen's arm. Their actions resembled those of a couple deeply in love.

After passing through Kaminarimon Gate, you'll find yourself in Nakamise-dori Shopping Street. Both sides are lined with vendors selling all sorts of food and souvenirs, their shouts mingling with the aroma of food, filling the air with their delight.

"Yuan-kun, please wait a moment. That fish tofu is delicious; you must try it."

Asakusa Tamae suddenly stopped, her foxy eyes crinkling into a smile as she pointed to a nearby stall. Steam rose from the stall, golden fish tofu bubbling in a broth, emitting an enticing aroma.

Before Shin Hengyuan could even speak, she had already let go of his arm and ran towards the stall, the hem of her kimono swaying gently with her steps.

"Two portions, thank you."

She took out a banknote, took the two skewers of fish tofu, turned around and walked back, handing one of the skewers to Xinhengyuan.

"Eat it while it's hot, it won't taste the same when it's cold."

After saying that, without caring whether Xin Hengyuan would eat it or not, he took a piece of fish tofu like a fox, chewed it without complaining that it was hot, squinted his eyes, and showed an extremely enjoyable look.

"Yuan-kun, please try some too."

Tamae Asakusa recommended it very earnestly.

Xin Hengyuan gently blew on it twice and put a piece in his mouth. The crispy crust of the fish tofu cracked between his teeth, and the filling was very hot, as smooth as a cloud. The freshness of the fish and the salty and sweet taste of the sauce mingled together and slid down the back of his tongue.

I have to admit, it really is delicious.

"Delicious!" New Hengyuan praised.

So he walked over to the vendor and said, "Could you please pack two portions for me? Thank you."

"Does Gen-kun need to be taken away?" Asakusa Tamae asked.

"Yeah, I have a pet at home. It makes a fuss when it finds out I'm eating alone," Xin Hengyuan explained casually.

"I see, Shingen-kun is so kind," Asakusa Tamae said with a smile.

At that moment, Tomie, who was bored at home watching TV to pass the time, suddenly couldn't help but sneeze.

"Achoo—who's talking about me behind my back?"

"Alright, let's go. I'd like to draw a fortune stick to see how my luck will be lately."

Xin Hengyuan wrapped the fish tofu in tin foil and put it into his small bag.

"If you want to draw a fortune stick, come with me. I know a place where the fortune sticks are very accurate."

With a big smile on her face, Asakusa Tamae grabbed Shingen's hand and ran to the right front.

"well--"

Before Xin Hengyuan could react, he was pulled forward.

That's some real strength.

Shin Heng Yuan couldn't help but marvel at how those seemingly slender hands could possess such great strength.

She then asked, "Shouldn't one draw a fortune stick at a temple? Miss Zhu Hui, where are you taking me?"

"The fortune slips at Senso-ji Temple are just to fool tourists. The truly effective ones are at Senso-ji Shrine inside."

Asakusa Tamae explained casually.

The two passed through the vermilion treasure gate at the end of Nakamise-dori. The eaves of the main hall flashed by on the right. She did not stop, but went around the main hall and crossed a small gravel path shaded by old trees. At this time, the voices of tourists gradually faded away.

A red torii gate stands there, serving as the facade. It is made of wood and is mostly shaded by trees, its surface covered with signs of wear and tear from wind and sun.

Passing through the torii gate, the stone lanterns on both sides of the approach are also covered with moss, their patterns worn smooth by time. There are no tourists or worshippers here, only the soft rustling sound of two people's footsteps on the gravel.

When Asakusa Tamae saw the small worship hall, she stopped, released Shingen's hand, and said with a smile.

"arrive."

The worship hall was not large, with a roof covered with gray tiles. A thick shimenawa rope hung from the eaves, with several white paper pendants folded into squares tied to it, which swayed gently in the breeze.

On either side stood a stone fox statue, its feet resting on ears of rice, each holding a key in its mouth, its stone eyes gleaming as if watching the visitors.

"Where...where am I?"

Xin Hengyuan asked hesitantly.

Holding a key in its mouth and stepping on rice stalks—isn't this the symbol of Inari, the god of rice?

Is it reasonable for a temple to enshrine the Shinto deity Inari? Senso-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Kannon sect. Inari is a Shinto deity who governs abundant harvests and prosperous commerce.

These two religions are clearly distinct in their religious lineages. Even in the era when gods and Buddhas were most closely intertwined, there was never a precedent of directly inviting Inari into the main hall of a Buddhist temple.

"Miss Tamae, is this a statue of Inari, the God of Inari?"

He turned to look at Asakusa Tamae, his eyes filled with obvious doubt, hoping for an answer.

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Asakusa Tamae blinked her foxy eyes, smiled, and asked in return.