I have an unlimited number of shikigami

Yukino Riho waved her hand gently.

After watching him leave, I returned to my seat and opened the book, but I couldn't concentrate on reading it at all.

She stopped reading and turned to look out the window. People came and went along both banks of the Sumida River. Some had somewhere to go, some had nowhere to go. Some had a purpose, some had no purpose. She gazed at the chaotic street scene for a while, then took a deep breath, her gaze returning to the pages of her book, while reaching for the coffee cup on the table.

I took a small sip; it was slightly bitter.

Yukino Riho put down her cup, closed her book, and rubbed her temples with her fingertips, muttering with distress and self-reproach, "It's probably revenge from that bald spider's friend... Honestly, it's all my fault for not warning him, what am I going to do now..."

※※※※※

Back at Asakusa Shrine, Fujiwara Izaya squatted on the ruins with a cardboard box, collecting anything still usable.

The family members who came to demolish the place last night seemed to harbor a great deal of resentment. They weren't satisfied with just tearing down the worship hall; they even smashed the larger pieces of furniture to pieces. The old piano that used to be in the room had all its keys missing, and the old guitar they bought in Meiji Park was broken in two.

Pencil case, bagpipes, a still intact school uniform shirt, yellowed white tennis shoes, unbroken cans of beer... Fujiwara Izaya picked up the usable items one by one and put them into the box.

A gentle morning breeze rustled the lush wild grass in the courtyard and ruffled his overly long bangs. Birds chirped loudly all around, hopping among the branches of the old cherry tree, while a group of stray cats climbed over the wall, cautiously observing their surroundings.

Kasahara Asuka hopped and skipped up the long slope, but slowed down after passing the torii gate.

The clear early summer sunlight dappled the ground, swaying the shadows of the leaves. Birds with brightly colored feathers hopped down from the branches and preened each other on the ground. Kittens peeked out from the grass, meowing off-key tunes.

Gradually, they all moved closer to the center of the image.

Even Asuka Kasahara's gaze was drawn to the dazzling white shirt amidst the ruins.

Amidst the wreckage, alone and forlorn, the elder sat on a collapsed wooden beam, staring blankly at the plaque beneath his feet.

The birds landed on his head and shoulders, ceasing their chirping; the kittens crouched at his feet and climbed onto his knees, as gentle and obedient as if they understood human nature.

The image freezes.

Kasahara Asuka, fearing she might spoil the scene, also chose to stop.

After a long time, Fujiwara Rinya woke up in the sunlight and slightly twisted his neck.

The plaque I had been staring at had long been eroded by wind and rain, so much so that it had lost its original appearance. The once vibrant paint had peeled off completely, and even the words printed on it were hard to make out.

Dear Mother, are you doing well in Takamagahara?

Leave the rest to me. I'll restore all the glory and beauty that Asakusa Shrine once held. As a reward, please remember to attend the parent-teacher meeting for third graders... Also, you can come by yourself, don't bring Dad.

Thinking about this, Fujiwara Izaya sat in deep, long breathing five times to dispel all the faint sadness in his heart.

The morning breeze continued to blow.

Five breaths later, Fujiwara Izaya stood up.

And so, the scene came to life.

The birds took flight again, chirping sweetly; the cats became active again, playing and frolicking with each other; and the wild bellflowers released their fragrance from the weeds.

Fujiwara Izaya smiled slightly, gazing at the little ones with gentle eyes.

The bright sunlight shone down, sparkling on the tip of his nose. The May wind was neither too hot nor too cold, and his bangs, which didn't reach his eyebrows, swayed gently in the breeze.

No anti-theft

This feeling... Kasahara Asuka didn't know how to describe it. Looking at her from afar, her senior was exceptionally beautiful, even her fingertips had a beautiful color. Her temperament was also more unforgettable than ever before, ethereal, elegant, and lofty, like... like, like a god!

But the next second, this senior, who seemed like a god in her eyes, suddenly seemed to remember something and hurriedly ran to a pile of rubble to dig through it. In no time, he dug out a cabinet.

He opened the drawer of the cabinet, took out two pairs of stockings, and a smile returned to his face.

Kasahara Asuka couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Pfft, haha..."

A clear and melodious laugh reached his ears, and Fujiwara Izaya turned around to look.

A beautiful girl with long orange hair skipped and hopped toward him, bathed in sunlight.

A white trendy short-sleeved shirt tucked into a short skirt, revealing a slender and toned waist, and long, white legs exposed to the air, giving the impression that summer has already arrived.

Good morning, senior!

As he ran over, Asuka Kasahara greeted him energetically.

Fujiwara Izaya noticed that her fair face looked exceptionally beautiful today. He wondered if it was because of the makeup, but her soft lips were more moist and glossy than usual, with a perfect touch of light-colored lipstick.

As she ran, the swirling air lifted the hem of her short skirt.

In an instant, a section of the girl's thigh was revealed, her fair skin emerging in the light.

Perhaps unaware, or perhaps not thinking it was a big deal that Fujiwara Izaya had seen her thighs, Kasahara Asuka was completely unconcerned about her skirt being blown up. She jogged over to him and asked in a clear voice, "First question for the holiday quiz: Senpai, are you planning to seduce Asuka today?"

"...?"

Fujiwara Izaya didn't react for a moment.

Is this how people greet each other on that planet?

"No answer means yes!"

Kasahara Asuka confidently drew her conclusion, smiling as she looked at his handsome but somewhat dazed face: "Second question: How do you pronounce 'hello' in English?"

Fujiwara Izaya was even more confused.

The word "hello"...

Isn't it English in itself?

"It's pronounced HELLO, Hello. Repeat after me: Hello, Asuka-san."

“Hello, Asuka-san…”

"Why does your voice sound so weak? Senior, you need to be more excited!"

“Miss Asuka,” Fujiwara Izaya shook his head and answered him seriously, “A priest is like a call girl. If you want him to pretend to be excited, you have to pay extra.”

"Wow, what an interesting way to put it!" Kasahara Asuka stood on tiptoe and suddenly leaned close to Fujiwara Izaya. "Please, senpai, keep this humor for the rest of your life, or Asuka won't like you anymore."

Their noses were very close together, and a unique citrus scent wafted into their nostrils.

Fujiwara Izaya instinctively took a deep sniff.

"Does it smell good?" Asuka Kasahara teased him, playing with the ends of her hair with her fingers.

Her voice was sweet yet languid, and her smile was innocent yet alluring. The Mountain God's heart raced a little.

“The moment I smell this,” Fujiwara Izaya said calmly, “it reminds me of the sweaty smell of your two pairs of socks. How can that smell pleasant?”

"Oh right, socks!"

Asuka Kasahara's expression immediately lit up with excitement, as if she had just remembered something.

"Tell me the truth," she said, looking down at the two pairs of stockings in Fujiwara Izaya's hands, her voice melodious, "Your socks have been treasured by you for so long, have you ever used them?"

"Eh?"

"Is it no use?"

"How could a man like me wear stockings!"

"Are you embarrassed or do you think it's not exciting enough?" Kasahara Asuka smiled like a little fox, lowering her voice to seduce him: "If you think it's not exciting enough, Asuka can wear all kinds of stockings and personally help you with her feet."

"……Clam?"

Fujiwara Izaya was stunned.

She asked that question twice already! How can you be so lewd!

Kasahara Asuka looked at his stiff expression and suddenly burst out laughing, her laughter clear and melodious.

“Idiot senpai,” she covered her mouth with the back of her hand, her clear and bright eyes fixed on him, “were you just thinking that Asuka should help you barefoot, right?”

Actually...

Izaya Fujiwara can do anything to help a beautiful girl, whether she's barefoot or wearing various stockings.

But he knew that Asuka, his junior, was just joking.

She's incredibly sexy, but you absolutely can't touch her.

“Asuka… no, Kasahara-san,” Fujiwara Izaya leaned back warily, creating some distance between them as he looked at her, “what are you doing here again?”

"Let's take a picture!"

Kasahara Asuka changed the subject, her eyes beneath her long eyelashes gleaming with a mischievous glint, like those of a playful puppy.

Before Fujiwara Izaya could refuse, she grabbed one of his arms with both hands, pulled him under the torii gate, took out his phone, and snapped a close-up photo.

"You look good on camera, but Asuka is still prettier."

Kasahara Asuka commented on the photo, downloaded and registered Instagram on Fujiwara Izaya's phone, and posted the picture with his account along with a caption.

[Love in progress]

Fujiwara Izaya rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

"Quick, take a picture of Asuka."

Kasahara Asuka returned his phone, then sat down against the torii gate, took off her shoes, and dangled her smooth, pink little feet in the sunlight, looking quite content.

A broad spring breeze blew from afar, causing her long orange hair to sway gently.

Fujiwara Izaya held up his phone, the camera pointed at her, but hesitated to press the shutter.

"Hey, senior, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and take a picture!"

Kasahara Asuka raised her leg, striking a pose until her legs ached.

Having no other choice, Fujiwara Izaya could only take a few pictures of her feet as a quick fix.

But there is one thing to say.

The junior's feet are very pretty, small and fragrant, a pleasure to look at.

The insteps were smooth and delicate, the soles white with a rosy tint, and they were very well maintained, with no calluses on the heels. Although the toenails were not painted, they were trimmed very cleanly and neatly, like exquisite jade pieces inlaid on ten clumsy and adorable toes.

"Are you done yet?"

"OK OK."

"Let Asuka take a look quickly."

Kasahara Asuka happily got up and snuggled up to Fujiwara Izaya as if they were old friends, looking at the photos together.