I have an unlimited number of shikigami

The two ladies looked puzzled.

“Actually, there are people who survived for 21 days; that happened during the Russian Revolution,” Fujiwara Rin replied seriously.

“It must have been very painful,” Mrs. Kasahara asked.

"Definitely. That person was saved, but he lost all his teeth and hair, he was completely bald."

Mrs. Hoshimi, thinking of that tragic situation, couldn't bear it and said, "Even if they are saved, I'm afraid they won't be able to enjoy life anymore."

“It doesn’t matter if you have no teeth or hair. As long as you have a wig and dentures, you can still live a fulfilling life.” Fujiwara Izaya cleared his throat. “As long as there is a glimmer of hope, people will live in this world with vigor. This is a life motto I’ve held since I was born.”

"You were born with a life motto? That's amazing!" Mrs. Kasahara laughed cheerfully.

“No wonder Rinko said you’re a very interesting person.” Hoshimi’s mother leaned closer and bumped his shoulder like a good brother.

tomato

A faint, refreshing fragrance wafted over, just like the scent of my senior—the fragrance of gardenias.

“I’m just an ordinary person, I just love reading,” Fujiwara Izaya slowly picked up the juice on the table, took a small sip, then leaned back to make sure he could see both ladies at the same time: “Especially history books, so chairpersons, could you chat with me about the Spanish Civil War? Or the Russian Revolution would be fine too.”

Neither of the wives paid any attention to this completely unromantic topic.

Mrs. Kasahara looked at Mrs. Hoshimi and asked her, "Do you think this child is an optimist, a confident person, or just a simpleton?"

"Let time tell!" Mrs. Hoshimi raised her champagne glass and looked at Fujiwara Izaya. "If you can restore Asakusa Shrine to its former glory, we two chairpersons will promote you to the position of chairperson, since that position originally belonged to Asakusa Shrine. If not, or if you die, we'll consider it a failed investment."

"I bet he'll succeed!" Mrs. Kasahara said confidently, raising her glass.

Fujiwara Izaya raised his juice glass.

Cheers!

The three cups clinked together, making a crisp sound.

"Don't die!"

"How could he die so easily?"

"I was hoping you would teach Asuka properly."

"...Eh, Rinko is too outstanding, I'm too embarrassed to use that as an excuse to coerce Fujiwara-kun."

The two ladies remained silent for a moment.

Then, Mrs. Kasahara raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "My Fuka Eri is even better."

“No matter how outstanding she is, she came later.” Mrs. Hoshimi said with a smile, “Rinko started making her move a year ago. The future Chairman Fujiwara is destined to be an ally of our Hachiman Shrine.”

"Ha," Mrs. Kasahara sneered, "If you can still lose in a two-on-one situation, I'll call you 'older sister' from now on!"

"It's a deal!" Mrs. Hoshimi said confidently.

The two ladies simultaneously reached out, their fair palms clapping together in front of Fujiwara Izaya: "Yay~"

Fujiwara Izaya felt he should say something.

Otherwise, he would really be like a piece of pork on a chopping board, watching the two of them discuss how to divide him up.

But after thinking it over, he finally just yawned contentedly.

"Ah~"

The bright May sunshine shone down, illuminating the white tablecloth and reflecting a dazzling light.

In the courtyard at midday during this holiday, they were surrounded by a shimmering sea of ​​light, like a beautiful scene from a movie.

Chapter 80. The Inauguration Ceremony of the New Boss of the Black Spider Group

The colors of the sky gradually shifted towards deeper shades.

As the wind swept past the pine treetops, nearing dusk, Fujiwara Izaya caught a whiff of rain.

After saying goodbye to Asuka, who was forced by her older sister to spend all day greeting guests at the temple and would burst into tears whenever she saw him, Fujiwara Izaya left Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, hoping to get back to Asakusa before it rained and find a place to stay.

The Honda Wolf was driving very slowly.

Not a single cloud could be seen in the twilight sky, and looking around, there wasn't a single person walking with an umbrella. A cool breeze blowing through the gaps between the tall buildings gently lifted the girl's skirt.

But there was definitely a smell of rain in the air; Fujiwara Izaya has a very keen sense of smell, so he wouldn't be mistaken about that.

Moreover, this is not a light rain. In May, rain usually falls continuously, and it is unknown how much it will affect the renovation schedule of the shrine.

It was already dusk when we returned to Asakusa.

Fujiwara Izaya parked his car and went into the [Lemon] bakery, where he saw Yukino Riho taking out cake models from the display case to wash. It was already dark, and the shop's lights streamed through the glass windows, illuminating her profile.

"Do these cake shops sell them?" Fujiwara Izaya asked curiously.

Yes, there are.

"I'm talking softly," Yukino Riho said, clutching the small silicone cake to her chest. In her arms, the fake cake looked soft, fluffy, and delicious.

Fujiwara Izaya asked incredulously, "You can make cakes?"

"Uh, no, we always pre-order and then pick up the bread from the factory..." Yukino Riho smiled sheepishly, then suddenly remembered something and frowned beautifully: "What's with Fujiwara-kun's expression? Can't I make cakes?"

“But you just can’t do it.” Fujiwara Izaya laughed. “I wasn’t wrong, and you can’t argue with me!”

Yukino Riho angrily turned her gaze away, not wanting to see his hateful face.

Fujiwara Izaya watched the work with great interest.

Every morning, she would move the cakes to the display case outside the shop, and then carry them back inside one by one in the evening. She seemed quite content with this simple job, finding it very interesting.

After finishing her work at the shop, Yukino Riho spoke to him again: "Have you had dinner yet, Fujiwara-kun? Want to join me?"

"Not yet, but I'm in a hurry." Fujiwara Izaya glanced at the sky outside. There were still no dark clouds, but it was about to rain.

Is it urgent?

"Yes, we need to find a hotel to stay in for a while."

"Uh……"

"what happened?"

"Why don't you stay here with me, Fujiwara-kun?"

Fujiwara Izaya, who was bending down to move a cardboard box, turned around in surprise.

Bathed in the warm yellow light of the shop, Yukino Riho smiled gently and said, "I happen to have a spare room here. You can stay if you don't mind."

"Uh, that's not good," Fujiwara Izaya said in a low voice, "I've gotten into trouble recently, and staying here will only drag you down with me."

“It’s okay, I can protect myself.” Yukino Riho squatted down, placed her hands on Fujiwara Rin’s cardboard box, and stared intently at his face.

A delicate fragrance wafted over, and her naturally falling bangs almost touched Fujiwara Izaya's forehead. This was the second time he had gazed at her eyes so closely.

Her eyes, with a hint of light blue, were very beautiful, like Olaf's eyes.

"May I?"

Riho Yukino asked slowly.

"Why are you so fixated on this?" Fujiwara Izaya asked, puzzled.

"Um... I can't quite explain it." Yukino Riho lowered her gaze embarrassedly.

The voice was as calm as the fine snow in the dead of night, so beautiful it seemed to vanish instantly. In the silence that felt as if frost was about to fall, she continued in a soft voice, "There are so many things I don't know—how to bake bread, how to run a business, how to walk my own path. It seems like none of these are things I'm good at. Perhaps... perhaps you are the only stranger who has ever helped me. I want to help you through this difficult time as much as possible, so please accept my offer..."

“Stupid woman…” Fujiwara Izaya muttered.

Yukino Riho's ears twitched, then she raised her flushed face and glared at her with displeasure: "Miss Yukino is protesting to Fujiwara-san for the thirty-eighth time that she is not a stupid woman!"

"Okay, okay, you're not." Fujiwara Izaya replied with a smile, picked up the cardboard box and turned around. "I have a lot of things to do, and I'm afraid of getting in your way. Thank you for your kindness anyway."

The voice just fell.

A loud rumble of thunder echoed from the horizon.

In an instant, in less than a second, a torrential downpour began.

Rainwater fell on the stone steps in front of the shop, splashing up sprays of water, and the green trees along the Sumida River rustled.

"Looks like we can't leave." Yukino Riho said to his back as he stood frozen at the shop door.

"Yes, it's raining heavily," Fujiwara Izaya said helplessly.

The rain poured down outside, forming streaks of water, and the whole world was shrouded in choking moisture.

He looked back into the store.

Bathed in warm light, Yukino Riho's eyes, framed by long eyelashes, sparkled.

Their eyes met.

She tilted her head and smiled.

"Have a meal before you go." Fujiwara Izaya put the cardboard box back on the floor.

“Great!” Yukino Riho asked. “What would you like to eat? I’ll order.”

"Can't you cook?"

"..."

"Stupid girl..."

Upon hearing the first two words, Yukino Riho's expression immediately hardened, and she shouted, "I can!"

"I look forward to Ms. Yukino's cooking." Fujiwara Izaya's smile was extremely forced.

Riho Yukino led him up the narrow stairs to the second floor and then went into the kitchen.

This is a two-story Western-style building, not very large, but with its thick and sturdy pillars, it looks quite stable. Behind the bakery is a spacious courtyard with several shrubs and a small pond. The daffodils in the pond are in full bloom, and there is a small gazebo next to it.

Fujiwara Rinya watched the rain from the balcony for a while.

The balcony faces east with no obstructions, making it perfect for sunbathing in the morning. But it's raining heavily right now, and with the strong wind blowing in, fine raindrops are constantly entering.

Close the window and go back inside.

The two-bedroom layout, along with the living room, dining room, and kitchen, is spacious and well-equipped with air conditioning, a telephone, a 17-inch color TV, a bathroom with a shower, and numerous musical instruments.

The owner's stockings and pajamas were neatly folded on the wicker chair by the window, and a well-made blue dress was draped over the back of the chair. Several pairs of old shoes, none of them very stylish, were on the shoe cabinet.