Chapter 11

"Huh? A match?"

"Yes. A major competition among yin-yang masters will be held soon. Would you like to participate?"

When I got home, the black cat started saying something strange. A competition among yin-yang masters?

"Participate? I'm just an amateur, you know? As for yin-yang techniques, I can only make that crow."

I looked at the white crow, who was enthusiastically enjoying a music program.

"No, if you can create a shiki like that, it's enough. But I won't force you. You won't die, but you might get injured. In return, if you do participate, I'll do my best to thank you."

Since the term 'yin-yang master' came up, the black cat must be a yokai or something.

Still, a competition, huh. I don't need the black cat's thanks, but I'm interested in the competition itself. If I participate, I should be able to see various yin-yang techniques.

I don't want to stand out, but I do have a curiosity to learn other yin-yang techniques.

"Really, no one will die, right?"

"Yes, I promise. If there's any danger, I'll do my best to stop it."

Reliable, huh? But if it's safe, I might participate. However—

"Can I participate anonymously?"

"No problem."

Alright, I'll participate!

◇

"Big sister, isn't this enough?"

"No, not yet. The white crow I saw back then wasn't at this level."

At the main temple of the Mizukami family, two girls were training hard. Their shrine maiden outfits, which seemed to be their match attire, were already tattered, indicating the intensity of their training.

"The cat god said it would bring the owner of that crow. So, big sister, you don't have to work so hard."

"Mizuna, what are you saying? Even if it's fine, we can't rely on others for our family's problems. Besides, it's a 3-on-3 team battle. No matter how strong that person is, if we hold them back, we might lose. That's why we need to have the determination to defeat two of them ourselves."

"…If you say so, big sister."

The woman called "big sister" is Junno, the class representative and a talented girl in Shigehiro's class. The girl with a similar appearance but a slightly younger face is Junna, Junno's younger sister.

Junno and Junna are among the top-ranked practitioners serving the Mizukami family, and they were selected to represent the family in this competition.

"Come on, we still have a lot to do!"

"Okay."

In the quiet temple courtyard, the sounds of intense training by the two practitioners echoed.

◇

It's been two days since then. The match is tonight, but I'm very anxious right now.

"If it's such an important match, you should have told me earlier!"

"S-Sorry. I was so focused on inviting you that I forgot to explain the reason for the match."

This cat really forgot.

I thought it was a casual amateur competition for yin-yang masters that amateurs like me could participate in, but it's completely different.

It seems to be a crucial battle where two major yin-yang factions are competing for their prestige.

"So, why am I being made the representative of one of the factions!?"

Apparently, three practitioners from each faction will battle in a team, and I was chosen as one of them.

"Y-Yes. The Mizukami family, which you will represent, has a deep connection. Since they were going to lose the match, they asked if I knew any excellent yin-yang masters, and I remembered you."

No, no, I don't get it.

I'm not an excellent practitioner at all, and I can only make a crow. Besides, I only learned about the existence of yin-yang techniques a week ago.

"I'm really sorry for forgetting to tell you. But don't feel pressured just because you're the representative. I'm asking you to participate despite the difficulty. Even if you lose, no one will blame you."

Well, yeah… I also shouldn't have agreed without asking for more details. If you say I shouldn't feel pressured, maybe I can just do it casually.

I'm sorry to the Mizukami family, but if I lose, it's not my problem.

"It's almost time. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, I think so."

I prioritized ease of movement and put the necessary items in a waist pouch. Then, I put on the mask given to me by the black cat. It's a Noh mask with a sleepy expression.

It's a special tool that apparently obstructs recognition, making people less aware of individual characteristics like height and voice. So, even if you observe someone wearing this mask, you'll only remember their gender. Additionally, it's transparent from the inside, so it doesn't obstruct your vision.

It's a perfect tool for someone who wants to participate anonymously.

"I'll take you to the venue. Hop on."

The black cat, enveloped in darkness, expanded into a golden lion as large as a car.

"Wow, is that your true form?"

"Yes, it is. But you're not very surprised, are you?"

"No, I've had more mysterious experiences."

Like being resurrected by a god.

Oh, this feels like déjà vu. I remember having a similar conversation when I first met the black cat.

"Hahaha! Let's go then!"

"Do I just ride on your back? Is it okay to grab your fur?"

"Yes, no problem."

I climbed on. Hmm? How are we going from here? Are we running? I think a big cat running through the residential area would be slow and awkward.

"We're flying."

"Huh?"

The golden lion immediately took to the sky.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh