"Is that even a question?"
Upon hearing his question, Willie answered without hesitation.
He stepped aside to make room for Masashi Yukimura.
"I'll leave the sealing to you."
After saying that, he took a few steps back and watched the other person's movements.
He didn't have any particular intention of maintaining order, protecting the world, or preventing this monster from harming others; he just felt...
If a place like the Investigation Bureau, which could be infiltrated by a fool like Haruki Asami, were to have a supernatural being with the ability to see through the malice of people's hearts, it would surely be—
Isn't that interesting?
He subtly curved the corners of his mouth into a smile, and for some reason, Yama Sakura instinctively shivered.
The two lingered for a while in front of the Hidden Hot Spring, and by the time they reached Twilight Village, it was almost noon and the sun was high in the sky.
As they approached, Masashi Yukimura had already contacted the village chief. So when they arrived at the village entrance, the chief was already waiting there.
However, he was not the only one standing there.
A refined and elegant young nobleman, holding a folding fan, stood quietly under the lush maple tree, a smile in his eyes as he watched the approaching boy.
Presumably for the sake of convenience, he did not wear a kimono this time, but instead chose a loose and easy-to-move hunting robe. The cloud and crane pattern on the silk shimmered in the sunlight, making it impossible to look away as he moved.
She wore a haori over her hunting robe, the hem of which was decorated with the Kii clan crest, and the slender sash at her waist fluttered in the wind, making her look like an immortal.
His entire attention was focused on Vili, so much so that he didn't spare a single glance for Yukimura Masashi standing to the side.
He had already strode forward as soon as the village chief stood up.
“Vili”.
His amorous peach blossom eyes were filled with laughter as he called out.
Upon hearing this title, Yukimura Masashi paused, but the next second he was stopped by the village chief, who began to explain the details of the mission.
"What are you doing here?" Vili asked Kii Kanade.
Instead of answering his question immediately, the latter took out a clean, soft handkerchief, leaned closer without saying a word, and gently wiped the sweat from the boy's forehead.
"It must have been a tough journey."
He stared intently at Willy's face, his voice gentle, his hands moving more and more slowly, bringing a strange itch.
"Do you want to come back with me? I have supernatural abilities related to spatial teleportation."
Upon hearing this, Vilina's hand, which was about to slap him away, stopped in mid-air. Her eyes shone like stars, and she nodded.
Immediately afterwards, Kii Kanade took back the handkerchief, kept it close to her body, and then answered Willy's initial question in a gentle voice.
"I thought that with Yukimura around, such a simple task should have been completed yesterday."
"I didn't expect to hear that you were trapped by the torrential rain and couldn't get there... This is your first mission, and I'm really worried."
He appeared to sigh.
"Therefore, I came here early this morning."
Before leaving, I also left Ju Huang a lot of homework... I guess he must have had a very fulfilling day.
As their conversation came to an end, the village chief also finished explaining the situation to Yukimura Masashi.
It was lunchtime, and upon learning that the two had not yet eaten lunch, the village chief warmly invited them to visit his home.
The old man walked in front, while the three Xijian masters gradually slowed down and fell behind.
Since meeting, Masashi Yukimura and Kanade Kii seemed to have ignored each other's presence, focusing their attention on Vili.
Masashi Yukimura turned to look at the boy, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by Kanade Kii.
The latter seemed oblivious to his expression and spoke naturally:
"By the way, let me first introduce the current mission situation."
"When I arrived this morning, I checked the restrictions set up by the Investigation Bureau and there were no problems. That strange creature... or as the villagers call it, a ghost—Yoshida Yuta."
"He seems to be active only at night. Although you can sense his presence, you can't find his physical form."
"Therefore, I suggest that the task be carried out in the evening after dusk."
Unlike the monsters in those stories, the supernatural beings don't have any concept of their power increasing at night. Depending on the specific story, they possess different characteristics, so the evening hermit must be adaptable during missions.
Vili didn't seem to care, but he didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked at Yukimura Masashi on the other side.
Along the way, although his impression of this "senior" had changed drastically... he still subconsciously trusted him in terms of professional competence.
Upon seeing his reaction, Kii Kanade's smile, which seemed etched on her lips, vanished for a moment, concealed by her folding fan.
Masashi Yukimura paused, then lowered his eyes slightly.
"I have no objection."
The village chief, who was leading the way, overheard their conversation. As if he had just realized something, he turned around and spoke in a loud voice, instantly breaking the delicate atmosphere.
"By the way, did you stay at that inn called Hidden Hot Spring Residence last night?"
Masashi Yukimura nodded, and the old man grinned:
"Did you meet a young man, I think his name was... something like Sasaki or something?"
“Ryosuke Sasaki?” Vili couldn’t help but ask.
Upon hearing his words, the village chief nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, yes! That's the name, you guys know it?"
"We bumped into each other at the hotel yesterday."
Masashi Yukimura continued.
"Then why didn't he come with you?"
Although the question was phrased as a question, the tone revealed a sense of relief. Before they could ask any further questions, the village chief began to explain.
"This young man had been calling me, calling himself some kind of... anchor? He wanted to interview me about the school ghost."
"But I had already contacted you by then, and I didn't want outsiders to cause trouble, so I refused him."
"But he wouldn't let it go. He even texted me a couple of days ago saying he was on his way."
"Aren't you traveling the same route?"
"..."
After hearing what he said, Vili and Yukimura Masashi subconsciously exchanged a glance and remained silent for a while.
Only after they had reached the village chief's door did Willie speak in a strange tone:
"Then I have some good news to tell you."
"—He will never bother you again."
After saying that, Willy followed the village chief's wife into the house and sat down at the dining table.
Village chief: Huh?
Before Yukimura Masashi entered, Kii Kanade suddenly stretched out her arm to block him, looking at him with a half-smile.
This feeling of having a secret with your sweetheart behind your back, without your knowledge...
But it doesn't feel good at all.
Just now, there seemed to be a strange atmosphere between Vili and Yukimura Masashi, keeping everyone else out.
In just one day, something must have happened between the two of them.
Enduring the burning sensation of jealousy within her, Kii played a note:
"Shall we chat?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
