How did I, an Onmyoji, become the Lord of Yokai?

However, while feeling shy, she also revealed a hint of petulant dissatisfaction, saying, "If what you say is true, then your feelings for Chaoyang are only a slight attraction, so why say you like him?!" Chapter 345, Section 342: Cunning is the True Attribute of a Shrine Maiden

After realizing she had made a foolish mistake, Ms. Tamura Yoko made a decision: to shirk responsibility and blame everything on Kurako, saying it was all Kurako's fault and that she herself had done nothing wrong.

That's right, the fault isn't mine, it's the world's.

However, her actions only made Kurako find her even cuter.

The fairy maiden's smile unconsciously became even brighter.

As she admired the view that only she could see, she made a self-justification... well... she explained, "Hehe, Mr. Shimizu is the man I've ever liked the most. If nothing unexpected happens, I probably won't meet someone like him again. So, he's the man I've ever liked the most in my life, and it's reasonable for me to say that I like him the most."

"Besides, I have never said how much I like you, sir. This is all just your guess, Yezi."

"Well......"

Ye Zi was speechless for a moment because of the smiling sophistry. Although what she said was true, for some reason, Ye Zi had a feeling that she had been tricked.

It was as if Kurako had guessed and guided his feelings and reactions.

Just as she was thinking this, Kurako's voice suddenly came over again: "You guessed my personality so quickly? As expected of Yoko, you're amazing."

This statement basically confirmed Ye Zi's guess. She looked at Cang Zi, then remained silent for a while. She wanted to say something several times, but in the end, it all turned into a helpless sigh.

"Kurako, shouldn't a shrine maiden be innocent and pure? What you're doing is shattering the image of a shrine maiden in my heart."

"Innocence and purity are just words that the common people have given to shrine maidens. Hmm... Although a shrine maiden's true nature is indeed to be pure and flawless, purity and flawlessness do not represent everything. Each shrine maiden has her own specific personality traits, so it is not appropriate to use 'pure and flawless' to summarize all shrine maidens."

"I see. I didn't expect there to be all sorts of people among the shrine maidens." Ye Zi chuckled and shook her head. After learning the truth, she had calmed down again, and her slightly flustered expression returned to normal.

However, she still held a grudge and said, "But you must be the only shrine maiden with such a terrible personality."

"Hmm... I don't know about other shrines, but I definitely only have one at Izumo Taisha."

As if she had done something glorious, Kurako readily and directly admitted it.

"Ah..." Ye Zi let out a slightly helpless cry, but then suddenly asked with some curiosity, "Speaking of which, are you like this in front of Chaoyang too?"

"Sir? No, no, I'm very well-behaved in front of you. After all, you're so smart, you'll see through my little tricks very quickly."

“Not only you, but Miss Reiko has also noticed my personality.”

"Sister?" Ye Zi tilted her head in confusion.

"Well, while a large part of the reason why Miss Reiko dislikes me is because Izumo Taisha once misunderstood you, another part is simply due to personality differences."

“Miss Reiko is a generous and easygoing person who can become friends with anyone, but I am someone who doesn’t say what I mean and keeps my true self hidden. This difference in personality makes it impossible for us to become friends no matter what.”

"But if that's the case, haven't we already become friends?" Ye Zi pointed to her face, somewhat puzzled.

I have a similar personality to my sister, and since I can be friends with her, my sister should be able to be friends with her too. Why would Kurako say something like that?

"Because Miss Reiko had a very bad first impression of me."

"In interpersonal communication, the first meeting is very important. For example, Yezi and I, did we have a pleasant chat shortly after our first meeting?"

After Kurako gave a simple and easy-to-understand example, Yoko exclaimed "Oh!" in understanding. She replied thoughtfully, "That's true... But this relationship isn't irreparable, is it? Even if you have incompatible personalities or a bad first impression, there's still a chance to change, isn't there?"

"That being said, I won't stay here for long, and besides, the usual methods can't change the relationship between me and Ms. Reiko, so there's no need to consider such a thing."

"Alright, that's enough about my business. Let's talk about you next."

Cangzi interrupted the conversation, a slightly expectant smile on her face, and said, "Yoko, you like Mr., right? What are you planning to do? Tell Mr., or keep it a secret?"

"However, I think I've seen through your thoughts, and Mr. and Miss Reiko should have seen through them too. Since they haven't done anything, it means they don't object. So, how about giving it a try?"

“Doing nothing... does not necessarily mean acceptance; it could also mean rejection.”

"Besides, I'm the younger sister, why would I compete with my older sister for a husband..."

Ye Zi shook her head slightly, and said with a hint of disappointment.

Although it wasn't the first time she had realized this problem, no matter how many times she talked about it, she still felt a little uncomfortable.

However, Cangzi didn't understand this reason. Almost the instant Yezi finished speaking, she responded, "Yezi, don't you really want to give it a try?"

"Although my feelings for you haven't turned into true love, what limits my pursuit of you is my identity and responsibilities. If I could unload these burdens, I would not hesitate to attack you, even if Reiko hates me."

"Even though you are Reiko's sister, that shouldn't be a reason for you not to move forward."

“As long as you are honest with Lingzi, she will definitely agree. And if the two of you agree, given Mr.'s passive nature, he certainly won't refuse.”

"Although it may not be very nice of me to say this, there are no sisters in the world of emotions."

So why not give it a try?

"..."

The simple yet profound words made Ye Zi clench her fists, but even so, they did not shake her resolve.

She looked at Cangzi and replied softly, "Cangzi, don't you know very well why I didn't take the initiative to confess?"

"Because I knew it wouldn't be accepted."

"I don't know if you've ever had that feeling, but I have. It's that feeling of something being right in front of you, but you just can't reach out and touch it no matter what you do."

"That unfamiliar and distant distance felt like it would never come to me..." Chapter 346: From Now On, a United Front

The corridor, illuminated by lights, was completely silent, except for the chirping of insects and the calls of birds.

Just then, the sound of wood rubbing against wood was heard, and the tightly closed door was gently opened.

Cangzi walked out of the house and then closed the door. She stood there for a while before finally shaking her head helplessly and sighing.

However, just as the sigh subsided, a clear, cold voice came from the side.

"It's rare to see you make such an expression."

The unexpected sound startled Ye Zi, who was feeling somewhat helpless. She immediately turned around and shouted, "Who!?"

However, the moment her gaze shifted, her voice abruptly stopped.

Because, the person standing in front of her was Shimizu Reiko.

"Reiko!? Why are you here...?"

"Why am I here? Because dinner is ready, so I came to call you. I just didn't expect to overhear this." Reiko answered quietly, but there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

"You... heard everything?"

Quickly recovering from her surprise, Cangzi regained her composure. At the same time, she glanced discreetly at the talisman on the door, and what came into her view were the fragments that had turned into scraps of paper and fallen to the ground.

Clearly, all her talismans were discovered and then silently erased by Reiko.

Is...Reiko really calling them because dinner is ready?

Reiko noticed her gaze, but didn't pay attention to such trivial matters. In any case, what she should be paying attention to now was Yezi's matter.

"Yes, I heard that... I heard the whole conversation from the moment you let Ye Zi try it."

"...So, you heard everything Ye Zi said?"

Kurako shifted her gaze from the scraps of paper and looked back at Reiko. "Reiko, now that you know, what do you plan to do? Yoko has already made up her mind, and even if you try to persuade her, it probably won't do any good."

"...I hope Shimizu can accept him."

Although Reiko did not want things to develop this way, when the moment actually came, she still chose the choice that was true to her heart.

"I will persuade Shimizu to accept Yoko."

"..."

Kurako didn't know what Reiko would do, but she also didn't want Yoko to end up alone, so she hoped that Reiko would succeed in the end.

After a brief conversation, the two stopped talking and tacitly kept their meeting a secret. A while later, Reiko knocked on Kurako's door.

Not long after, the two of them, along with Yoko who knew nothing, arrived at the room, where Shimizu Asahi was already waiting.

Upon seeing the three arrive, the black-haired boy, unaware of anything else, told them to sit down and then began to enjoy his dinner.

But as he ate, he noticed something was wrong.

The atmosphere seemed a bit off.

They usually eat dinner quietly, but there's always a few words exchanged, and the atmosphere is quite pleasant. But tonight... although they still talk to each other, the atmosphere is completely different.

Kurako and Yoko were fine, but Reiko sat quietly the whole time, as if she had something on her mind.

'What happened?'

As Qing Shui Chaoyang blinked, the thought involuntarily popping into his mind.

'...Ask her when you're resting tonight.'

Soon, dinner time ended, and the four of them chatted about the day's interesting events in the hall as usual. Although she had something on her mind, Lingzi hid it well, and no one noticed except for him.

Then, as night fell, the four of them said goodnight to each other and returned to their respective rooms.

As Shimizu Asahi entered the house and closed the door, Reiko's earnest and serious voice eagerly rang out.

"Shimizu, there are some things I want to talk to you about."

"Reiko?"

The boy was instinctively stunned for a moment, but then he realized what was happening.

He sat down on the tatami mat, then patted the spot next to him and said with a smile, "Hehe, sit down, let's talk about it slowly."

"You guessed that I had something to tell you?"

Lingzi was a little surprised by her fiancé's reaction. She thought her serious expression would scare him, but she didn't expect it...

"Hmm, I've vaguely noticed. Although you're trying your best to act like usual, I am, after all, your fiancé. If I can't even sense my fiancée's feelings, then I'd be a complete failure, wouldn't I?"

"...That's true..."

The Little Mermaid smiled slightly, but then her expression turned serious again.

"Shimizu, since you guessed it, I'll just say it directly. My purpose this time is to get you to accept Yoko."

As soon as those words were uttered, the atmosphere in the room suddenly froze. The black-haired boy sitting on the tatami blinked in a somewhat dazed manner.

"Um... Reiko, did you just say that you want me... to accept Yoko?"

"Huh? Wait, wait..."