I have an unlimited number of shikigami

"If this continues, we'll be losing money on exorcisms."

Fujiwara Izaya deeply sympathized with this topic and couldn't help but lean in and say, "I remember when I first arrived in Tokyo, an E-rank commission would cost at least 200,000 to 300,000 yen. In less than a year, it's dropped to below 50,000 yen. It's really disheartening."

These words received a response from everyone.

"Yeah, I really miss a year ago."

"I think there's a mole in our Onmyoji Bureau."

"Definitely."

"It might be a mole released by Section Nine, specifically designed to lower our income!"

Fujiwara Izaya looked curiously at the agitated group of teenagers. "Why do you say that?"

"Section Nine has been complaining that our Onmyodo (Department of Yin and Yang) charges too much for exorcisms and wants us to lower our standards, but nobody listens to them," the trendy young man explained. "But a year ago, a madman suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the Tokyo area. He single-handedly took on nearly a third of all exorcism requests in Tokyo, directly lowering the industry's pricing standards. He's not a mole in Section Nine; I'll livestream myself drinking Coke while doing a handstand!"

Just as Fujiwara Izaya was about to ask who was as awesome as him, someone shouted, "It's all Fujiwara Izaya's fault!"

"?"

Why blame me?

I'm completely innocent, okay? I'm also a victim of this competitive environment!

"Yeah, it's all Fujiwara Izaya's fault!" the trendy boy cursed through gritted teeth, then, sensing something was off, looked at Fujiwara Izaya curiously, "Hey, you look unfamiliar, are you new here?"

"Uh……"

Fujiwara Izaya gave an awkward but polite smile.

"Wow, so handsome!" the short-haired girl screamed.

Several other girls immediately surrounded them, bombarding them with questions such as "What's your name?", "Which shrine are you from?", and "How old are you?"

Burning Words

"Excuse me, excuse me," Fujiwara Izaya hurriedly pushed them aside and explained, "I'm just a lawnmower passing by, not a priest. Please make way, I have to get to work. Thank you, ladies."

Having finally managed to squeeze out of the crowd, Fujiwara Izaya ran into the group of guests without saying a word and hid himself.

The surrounding guests were chatting and laughing, their glasses clinking. Servants carried drinks and food among them, and cherry blossoms, blown down by the wind, painted the grass a beautiful pink.

Sometimes, the wind would get a little mischievous, and the female guests would gasp and try to hold down their skirts with their hands.

Fujiwara Izaya hid for a while, making sure the group of boys and girls didn't recognize him.

At the same time, he also confirmed that none of the important figures here cared about him or paid him any attention.

It's always good that no one's bothering us... Fujiwara Izaya walked straight to the table covered with a white napkin, took a plate and fork, and forked a large piece of grilled abalone into his mouth.

Come here.

I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't eat something.

The cherry blossoms stretched overhead, and when the wind blew, Fujiwara Izaya's body would be briefly buried in the fluttering pink and white petals. But soon, as if encountering a transparent barrier, the petals automatically avoided the dining table and slid down in all directions.

Behind him, Mrs. Kasahara smiled gracefully and walked towards him.

Chapter 78. Mrs. Kasahara and Mrs. Hoshimi

Like raindrops falling on a transparent umbrella, the petals are blocked and slide off to the sides.

To Fujiwara Izaya, a faint blue light appeared above his head.

It turned out to be a barrier; it was really hard to spot in broad daylight.

As expected of a party for clergy, this is interesting... Fujiwara Izaya smiled, picked up a whole lobster, and prepared to sit down and eat it.

Just then, he suddenly heard a greeting, "Hello, Chairman."

Stopping in his tracks, Fujiwara Izaya placed the lobster back on the table and turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.

"Chairman, I have something to report to you."

Chief Inspector Takeuchi, holding a glass of white wine, stopped a young woman. She wore a blue short-sleeved dress with a thin, cream-colored cardigan over it, her long hair tied back, and she had an elegant and wise appearance.

"Please speak," the young woman said with a kind smile.

Then, Director Takeuchi whispered something to her, and she turned to look at Fujiwara Izaya, nodding with a knowing smile, as if to beckon him over.

"I?"

Fujiwara Izaya pointed to his nose.

A very charming and mature woman, whose first impression is that of a well-maintained noblewoman. Upon closer inspection, her features bear a striking resemblance to Kasahara Asuka, suggesting they are mother and daughter.

The young woman nodded again, and a gust of wind blew, causing petals to fall like rain onto her smiling face.

Chief Takeuchi also noticed that Fujiwara Izaya was there, and immediately stopped talking, his eyes showing a rather complicated expression.

Stepping onto the lawn, Fujiwara Izaya walked against the wind to the two of them and bowed as a junior: "Greetings, Director Takeuchi, and Chairman Kasahara."

"Fujiwara-kun, isn't he?" Mrs. Kasahara looked him up and down as if assessing his worth, a smile that never held any particular meaning. But her voice was smooth and warm, and her smile always gave people a sense of purity and kindness.

"correct."

Fujiwara Izaya obediently replied.

"Do you know me?" Mrs. Kasahara asked curiously.

Fujiwara Izaya shook his head: "I didn't even know him a second ago."

Mrs. Kasahara looked at him with gentle eyes: "How could you recognize me at a glance?"

“When I came in, someone told me,” Fujiwara Rinya paused deliberately, lowering his gaze somewhat embarrassedly, “that the most beautiful woman in this courtyard is the chairperson.”

Regardless of what this council member's intentions are, it's always good to say some nice things and flatter him first...

"...The most beautiful woman?" Mrs. Kasahara was slightly taken aback, then seemed to be unable to suppress her laughter as she covered her lips with her hand, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents.

“Not necessarily,” she retorted cheerfully. “Both of my daughters are prettier than me.”

“But they don’t have your elegant demeanor,” Fujiwara Izaya replied. “Besides, you look too young, no more than 25 years old. If you walk down the street with Asuka and her sister, people will think you are three sisters.”

Left standing to the side, Director Takeuchi couldn't help but wonder to himself.

This kid... his flattery skills are top-notch, even more shameless than that old fox.

"Haha, what a clever child." Mrs. Kasahara laughed happily and extended her hand again: "Nice to meet you. I am actually Asuka's older sister. Please take care of me, Fujiwara-kun."

"Hello, Kasahara-neechan." Fujiwara Izaya smiled sweetly and shook hands with her.

His wife's palms were warm and damp, and it felt extremely comfortable to hold them. He savored the texture.

then……

I can't pull my hand back.

"Is Fujiwara-kun a practitioner of physical martial arts?" Mrs. Kasahara observed his hands repeatedly.

The boy's hands were more delicate than most girls' hands, with slender, long fingers and distinct knuckles; his palms were slightly sweaty, and felt warm and moist to the touch, making it hard to let go.

"Yes."

Fujiwara Izaya was somewhat surprised.

"You've been quite lazy lately. Your hands aren't rough at all. You must be slacking off a lot," Mrs. Kasahara said with a smile. "But it doesn't matter. Your hands and your temperament don't look like someone who likes fighting. You would be better off as a musician or a painter."

Kawashima Miki said something similar.

"I'm too busy making a living," Fujiwara Izaya said with a wry smile, "too little time to practice."

"Just as Asuka said, he looks handsome, talented, and hardworking." Mrs. Kasahara stretched out her slender, white arm and pulled him to her side. "Come stand here with me, don't be so reserved."

"..."

Fujiwara Izaya hadn't expected her to show kindness.

He immediately sensed a possible trap and instinctively went on high alert.

"Don't be nervous, relax." Mrs. Kasahara noticed his stiffness and gently patted his shoulder. "Treat me like your older sister, Asuka like your younger sister, and make this your home."

Her extremely gentle gestures made the person being photographed feel an immediate and natural goodwill from her. After saying a sentence, she even raised her hand and ruffled the boy's hair.

Big.

Young woman.

Rich and gentle.

Just because of this young and beautiful woman, Fujiwara Izaya suddenly felt that Asuka, this junior, was someone he could get along with.

“Oh, right,” Mrs. Kasahara seemed to only then remember someone else, looked back at Director Takeuchi, and smiled gently, “Let’s continue about what happened earlier.”

Chief Takeuchi glanced at Fujiwara Izaya, his expression somewhat conflicted.

“It’s alright, just let him listen,” Mrs. Kasahara said in an unyielding tone.

"clear."

Director Takeuchi bowed slightly and took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket to wipe his sweat.

He was wearing an elegant pinstripe suit with a neckerchief tucked into his breast pocket, making him look like a true English gentleman.

Some of the surrounding guests also noticed this and moved over to listen in.

"Regarding the issue of the Asakusa Shrine's relocation, I have no objection," Director Takeuchi said carefully, choosing his words precisely. "However, in the past few days, many people have approached me hoping that I could veto it. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to inform the Chairman and request his guidance."

The onlookers reacted with varying expressions upon hearing this.

Some were filled with lingering fear, some with reminiscence, some with anger, and of course, there were plenty of onlookers.

Despite the whispers around him, Fujiwara Izaya remained unfazed, standing tall and straight. He exuded confidence from head to toe, seemingly oblivious to the criticisms of others.

Mrs. Kasahara looked at Director Takeuchi and smiled meaningfully.

Asking for guidance is just polite talk, of course. This director must have seen his youngest daughter getting close to Fujiwara Izaya and was unsure of his own attitude towards Fujiwara Izaya, so he came to probe the situation to figure out the best path for himself.

"What are your thoughts, Fujiwara-kun?" She turned her head slightly, her gaze seemingly trying to see through Fujiwara Izaya's body.

“I have no other idea,” Fujiwara Izaya said in a flat voice. “My home is gone. If I don’t rebuild it, am I supposed to sleep on the streets?”

"Hmm?" Mrs. Kasahara asked in a gentle, questioning tone.

"I wasn't home last night, and when I came back this morning I found it had been demolished," Fujiwara Izaya told her truthfully, adding sarcastically, "They probably want to convert my property to commercial use, so they're kicking people out."