Chapter 9

"Good morning, Kousuke. Have you heard? About yesterday's incident."

"Incident?"

"What, you haven't watched the news? You're so uninformed."

From the moment I arrived, Takagawa and Ishida teased me while telling me about the news. It seems that a temple in the city suddenly caught fire and burned down completely. Fortunately, only one person was sent to the hospital, and there were no other injuries.

"So, you know. That temple is near my house, but I didn't notice at all. There wasn't even the smell of smoke."

"Huh, it must have been due to the airflow. The weather conditions were such that the smoke didn't linger."

"Is that so? Well, whatever."

I didn't know such an incident had occurred. The cause is unknown, but I should make sure to properly turn off the gas valve.

"Hey, Kusaka-kun, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Huh, Mizuka-san!?"

Suddenly called by my name, I turned around to see Mizuka-san, the class representative. I was surprised. And, she looks even cuter up close.

"After school, if you have time, could you come to the courtyard? Is that okay?"

"Ah, yeah. No problem at all!"

"Thanks, I'll be waiting."

With that, she returned to her seat. The girls squealed, and the boys glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

"Kousuke... you traitor, aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!"

Takagawa shouted, kicked my shin, and ran out into the hallway. It hurt.

"He's such an idiot."

"Yeah."

Ishida was his usual self.

I couldn't concentrate on the lessons at all that day.

---

After school

When I went to the courtyard, Mizuka-san was waiting on a bench. She must have arrived early, so I ran over a bit.

"Sorry, Kusaka-kun. I called you out suddenly."

"No, it's fine. Really, it's fine."

Oh no. I'm so nervous, my vocabulary is gone. What should I say in a situation like this!?

"Hey, Kusaka-kun. Is it okay if I hold your hand?"

"Y-Yes!"

After hearing my response, Mizuka-san gently held my hand. It's so smooth and soft!

"Thank you. I'm sorry, it seems I was mistaken."

"Huh?"

"Also, I didn't expect the class to react so strongly. I'm sorry about that too. I'll make sure to clear up the misunderstanding with everyone."

"Ah, huh?"

"See you tomorrow, then."

With that, Mizuka-san left the courtyard. What? Why?

I stood there in a daze for a while until someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

"Comrade."

There, with a look of pity, was Takagawa. I kicked his shin for a moment.

---

"Gah, where am I..."

"Kien, are you awake?"

At a city hospital, in one of the rooms, Kien Gouki woke up. Next to him, Mizukaze Yuen was peeling an apple with practiced hands.

"Relax, you're in the hospital. Eat this and rest some more."

Kien looked at the apple offered to him with a puzzled expression. The peeled apple was cut into the shape of rabbits.

However, he was indeed hungry. Despite his reluctance, he ate the apple.

"I heard from the mages at the scene. They said they engaged in battle with a bird-type familiar that suddenly appeared and used up all their spiritual energy."

"Hah. Did you come all the way from Tokyo just to laugh at me?"

"No. As a leading Onmyoji, I'm curious about the one who defeated you. If such an opponent really exists, the Hinoyama family will be in trouble."

"Huh? Why would that be?"

"According to the mages who were there, the bird-type familiar resembled the spell of the Mizuka family."

"Ah, I think I remember them saying something like that."

"Upon hearing this, our head of the family went to the Mizuka family and challenged them to a 'Shinzen Shobu.'"

"Wha—"

Surprised by the unexpected turn of events, Kien accidentally spat out the apple.

'Shinzen Shobu.' It is one of the high-ranking rituals used to resolve disputes between Onmyoji. They bet on the truth or items, and the winner takes all.

In this case, the Hinoyama family attacked the cat god revered by the Mizuka family, and in retaliation, the Hinoyama family received a counterattack.

Under normal circumstances, this kind of incident would not warrant such a casual challenge. That's why Kien spat out the apple.

"Hahaha! Our head of the family is really hopeless!"

"..."

Normally, he would correct such disrespectful words directed at his master, but Mizukaze remained silent. He, too, was one of those who harbored dissatisfaction with the current head of the family.

"…We are one of the major factions in the Five Elements, second only to 'Metal.' The head of the Mizuka family must understand the disadvantages of refusing our challenge."

"Not like some other head of the family!"

Mizukaze quietly let the repeated disrespectful remarks slide.

"Most likely, the head of the Mizuka family will have no choice but to accept the challenge. A battle will take place soon."

"I see."

However, what Mizukaze was most concerned about was not the match itself.

"If the Onmyoji who defeated you is from the Mizuka family… they will definitely appear in this match."

"!!!"

"Although we don't know how strong they are, if they can defeat you with just one reconnaissance familiar… the 'Shinzen Shobu' will be a significant disadvantage for us."

Despite Mizukaze's concerns, Kien's smile grew deeper. His expression showed the joy and anticipation of possibly facing that familiar again.

"…Anyway, the match will likely take place soon. Make sure to recover by then."

"Got it!"

Kien's cheerful response echoed through the hospital ward.

---

Thank you for reading this far.

Until now, I was so happy if I got 10 bookmarks that I would jump for joy, so I'm honestly bewildered by the positive evaluations I've received.

Thank you to everyone who has evaluated and bookmarked this. I feel a bit of pressure and a lot of joy, but I will continue to update with all my effort!