Did Obiko specifically greet the cat?
Ryu cast a deep look at Little Black, only to be interrupted by a girl's scream.
"H-He's gone! Look! Look! It's magic!"
Chika jumped up and down excitedly while hugging Ryu, her bountiful 'gifts' pressing against his arm. The young man's attention was instantly drawn back—men are truly pitiful creatures.
This girl must be an E-cup by now, right?
If Japanese cup sizes were converted to international standards, they were generally one size smaller. That meant she was a solid D-cup. To be this perky while still just a high school student... her future was truly limitless.
"Ryu-chan, look, just look! In the blink of an eye!"
Chika pressed herself against Ryu, 'E-ing' back and forth, so happy she was losing her composure. She was practically filling up his 'Grit' meter.
Fortunately, Ryu remembered she was his childhood friend, and the occasion wasn't quite right. Otherwise, he would have immediately hit her with a [Facebreaker], followed by a deliberate [Haymaker] dealing True Damage, just to let her know that 'E-ing' back and forth comes with a price!
"So he was a street performer~ No wonder I thought he was weird!"
"Chika, that was no performer."
Ruri couldn't stand it anymore. She grabbed Chika by the shoulders and forcibly pulled her off.
"It wasn't magic, nor was it a trick. That was simply a yōkai."
"...Huh?"
Chika turned her head. "A yōkai?"
"Correct." Ruri was very calm. "After listening to everything he just said, do you still not understand? He is '[Master Obiko].'"
"..." The pink-haired girl's face instantly turned green. "I just drank a yōkai's soup..."
"Is there really anything left to be surprised about at this point?"
Ruri glanced at Little Black, then at Mieruko. "If such a massive black cat can exist in this world, then the existence of yōkai and ghosts is also perfectly normal."
"You are unexpectedly calm." Ryu looked at the maid with surprise, then glanced at Mieruko—she was a bit uneasy, but generally composed.
Mieruko usually encountered spirits. For a yōkai with a physical body like Obiko, she could only tell he wasn't normal but couldn't distinguish his true form.
However, ordinary humanoid or beast-form yōkai were much better looking than the grotesque things she usually saw... Her acceptance level was actually quite high, her courage far greater than the average girl, and her nerves much tougher.
Ruri smiled beautifully, possessing a reserved beauty under the dim streetlights. "As long as I am by Lord Ryu's side, there is nothing to fear or worry about."
Hearing this, Ryu felt relieved, and his initial tension vanished—although he seemed to have the upper hand while talking to Obiko, he had actually been quite apprehensive.
It was like sleeping while hugging a nuclear bomb. Faced with a mighty power that could easily alter the terrain, a human body was simply too insignificant.
Ryu was just rich; he didn't have mental issues. he wouldn't go seeking death like Batman or Luthor, insisting on going toe-to-toe with Superman!
But Ruri, a mere ordinary human, could remain unmoved before a yōkai simply because she trusted her lover. In that case, what did Ryu, who had already come into contact with supernatural powers, have to fear?
Fortunately, it wasn't without gain.
Ryu glanced at the tablet in his hand, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curling into a happy arc.
—The contract was established!
His [Spirit Channeling] could summon spirits with whom he had a deep karmic bond, borrowing their power and experience. He had already tried this several times with Nishikida Kagetatsu.
This time, Ryu had played a little trick to see if an unofficial contract would have any effect. Since Obiko had signed his true name on the non-disclosure agreement, a connection was actually established!
Of course, this thread of connection wasn't as solid as the one with Nishikida Kagetatsu; it felt intermittent. This was likely because Obiko himself hadn't yet formed the thought of "lending power to Ryu."
After all, this was just an ordinary electronic agreement. Logically, it shouldn't possess any occult significance. The fact that it had such an effect was mostly due to the new entry, [Bond], exerting its power.
Thinking back, [Initiative], [Bond], [Assist]... Ryu hadn't paid much attention to these entries initially, but they seemed to have played a significant role subconsciously. Ever since acquiring them, he always seemed to inadvertently hit the jackpot.
It seemed he needed to re-evaluate the value of these entries!
"How could it be a yōkai... Are you guys not scared at all?"
"It's okay, I guess."
Mieruko scratched her cheek. "That uncle didn't look very vicious, and he had no ill will toward us... His rambling manner made him seem more like a lonely old man."
"Ugh~"
"Don't you always like these supernatural events?" Ryu asked with a smile. "Why are you so panicked when you encounter one yourself?"
"Liking ghost stories doesn't mean liking ghosts!"
Chika protested, "No matter what, I'm still a girl!"
"..."
"Why the sudden silence?"
"Nothing, I just suddenly realized, 'Ah, so Chika is a girl'—it surprised me a bit."
"Woo!"
Chika bit her lip and pounded her small fists against Ryu's chest, making him laugh.
"Alright, alright~ I'm teasing you. Don't be so serious. Since you're scared, let's go to Mieruko's house early. You'll be fine after a sleep."
"Tsk!"
Chika glanced at Ryu unhappily, but then a thought struck her, and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
"I'm really terrified, Ryu-chan. What should I do?"
"Then—"
"I definitely don't dare to sleep alone tonight."
Chika stood on her tiptoes and leaned into Ryu's ear, but her voice was just loud enough in the silent night for the other two to hear.
"How about you sleep with me~"
"!"
"..."
Ruri remained expressionless, while Mieruko turned her face away. The girl with Yin-Yang Eyes obviously didn't want to get involved.
Ryu's expression stiffened slightly. He quickly scanned the maid's expression, coughed twice, and said, "That won't do."
"What's the big deal? It's not like we haven't slept together before!"
Chika clung to his arm relentlessly. "We've known each other since we were tiny!"
"No, we definitely haven't slept together." Ryu rebutted seriously. "Situations like ordinary kids playing until they're tired and sleeping in the same bed never happened to us."
"Eh?"
Chika froze. She actually wasn't sure about that. She just felt that since they were together every day as children, those cliché childhood friend events should have happened. But seeing Ryu deny it so firmly, she lost confidence.
"Then let's count it as making up for childhood memories!"
"But our bodies are no longer children."
"So what! I've really always looked at you as a brother!"
Chika covered her chest, moving herself with her own words. "Ryu-chan is just like family to me~"
"Then that's even more out of the question!"
Little did she know, this statement only made Ryu's attitude more resolute.
"Wouldn't it be better to have Ruri and Yotsuya-san keep you company!"
"Hmph~"
Seeing her reluctantly accept, Ryu quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Chika, oh Chika. You really don't know how to pick a time. If there were no one else around, maybe I would have given in to one 'Good Brother'... But doing this in front of Ruri!
***
"Thank you, Auntie~"
"See you tomorrow~"
Only Mieruko's aunt was currently at Grandma's house. She originally had her own residence and would visit Grandma during the day, but Mieruko's mother had called to say her daughter was bringing guests back. So, the aunt took time to come over, tidied up the house simply, and aired out the futons.
Although she found it strange that Mieruko would bring classmates home when it wasn't a holiday or summer vacation, the aunt still hosted Ryu and the others very warmly.
Dinner consisted of staple food, side dishes, river fish, and a platter of seasonal fruits and vegetables. In Ryu's eyes, it wasn't lavish, but one could feel the care put into it.
Everyone actually hadn't finished Obiko's Soba noodles, but perhaps due to it being an illusion, they still felt quite empty-stomached. Thus, they gratefully enjoyed this delicious dinner.
There were only two guest rooms, so even without Chika's suggestion, it ended up being the three girls in one group, leaving Ryu to guard an empty room alone.
***
The lights in the room went out, and the small rural courtyard plunged into darkness. amidst the silence filled only by insect chirps, a pair of eyes as bright red as berries slowly opened. A beast the size of a young black bear slowly walked out of its exaggeratedly large pet house.
Its fur color made it seem to melt into the darkness. If not for those eyes that were exceptionally bright at night, one wouldn't be able to detect its existence at all.
With thick paw pads concealing its sharp claws, it moved silently. Little Black calmly left the small courtyard—
"Going out?"
"!"
At that moment, the big cat spun around abruptly, already switching to a four-legged combat stance. But upon seeing who it was, it froze, immediately relaxed its guard, and let its tail droop.
In the corridor, Ryu, wearing Japanese-style sleepwear, was sitting cross-legged, resting his chin on one hand as he quietly observed its every move.
"Meow~"
"Although I can't quite understand, do you have business?"
"Meow."
"Mmh, mmh, looks like it... I can roughly guess what it is."
Ryu locked eyes with the big cat, trying to discern something from those calm red eyes. Suddenly, he smiled.
"Little Black, you're actually a yōkai too, right?"
"Meow~"
"Can't speak human language? Or are you limited by this body?"
"Meow~"
"Oh... then I'll get you a whiteboard another day and teach you to write?" Ryu remembered a certain pet named Elizabeth, and his smile grew even brighter.
"Meow~" Little Black seemed to think that was a good idea and nodded.
"Then go."
Ryu spoke softly, "She probably wants to see you too."
"..."
The black cat gave Ryu a single bow, then turned and vanished into the darkness.
Looking down from the night sky, one would see a thick black figure shuttling rapidly along the interplaying light and shadow of the country paths, sprinting toward the hospital.
"They say dogs are loyal, is it the same for cats?" Ryu stroked his chin. "If that's the setting, then there should be no problem."
Not all yōkai were worthy of trust!
With a cat of this size, let alone yōkai power, its sheer physical ability far exceeded that of an adult human. It would be strange if Ryu wasn't wary of it.
However, since this cat was so grateful to the grandmother, and considering the process of her adopting it when it was on the verge of death... it was evidently a heartwarming and healing style.
With just a little thought, Ryu could construct a short story of "an old person and a pet caring for and healing each other."
This kind of setting generally wouldn't hide any dark, deep, cruel twists!
—If they wanted to go dark and cruel, they would usually make the black cat look harmless, not create such an obviously massive body type.
"Obiko... Sigh~"
Thinking about it, he still felt somewhat hung up.
Ryu had always had people search for "Japan's Pyramids" and ancient ruins, and he also paid attention to some names in his memory, such as Dr. Yao who invented the Maxima Power System.
Not to mention the members of GUTS!
But so far, he had only found some people with the same names... He hadn't expected that an unintentional trip would lead to meeting an acquaintance.
Too bad it's a monster!
Daigo, oh Daigo, my brother from another mother, when will you come out and reunite with me?
***
Today is a good day~
Ay-hey-ay-hey-ha-ha~
Humming a little tune while advancing through the darkness, Obiko pulled his mobile food cart, walking happily along the mountain path he knew so well.
His mood was excellent today, so he decided not to scare anyone!
Originally, he felt the situation was irretrievable, and the village's complete transformation was inevitable. He couldn't bear to use force to stop it and hurt the innocent—after all, those workers were just working to feed their families.
As a yōkai, Obiko was too kind, which left him powerless against the wheels of time.
But today, after receiving a wake-up call, he realized that the wheels had patterns on them!
As long as one found a way, one could hide inside the tread and escape being crushed!
Ryu, what a good person~
I hope he has three wives and four concubines, and many children and blessings~
"Hey! Old Geezer! Guess what good news I brought you today!"
"Ugh~~~"
Parking the cart in front of a cave, Obiko kicked a roadside Child Bodhisattva statue (Jizo). With a poof, smoke rose, and a monk wearing a kasaya and glasses appeared on the spot, bowing deeply to Obiko.
"Master Obiko, you've come again... The Master sleeps often now; he doesn't want to see anyone at this time."
"Sleeping? What sleep at this time of night!" Obiko scratched his bald head and shouted into the cave, "Hey, I have a very important matter to discuss with you!"
"Mmh, mmh, mmh~"
"Tsk! You old fellow~
"You have so many children and grandchildren; help me with something, will ya? It'll be good for you all too.
"If I weren't a bachelor, I wouldn't come begging you. Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit~"
"Obiko... trouble maker... come in."
A dull and hoarse voice, sounding as if it were leaking wind, drifted out. Obiko frowned and subconsciously covered his nose.
"Good heavens, how long has it been since you brushed your teeth?"
"...You?"
"Don't look at me; I work in the catering industry. I'm much more hygienic than you!"
Obiko strode into the cave. With a casual wave of his short stick, torches lit up one by one on the rock walls.
The deeper he went, the worse the stench became, making him lock his brows tight. "What's going on? Where did all the little ones that are usually here go?"
"They... went to help me find food... I'm so hungry~"
At this moment, Obiko passed through an illusion and arrived at the depths of the cave, a place called the Dragon's Den. Upon seeing the master of this place, his eyes went wide—
The big tanuki in his memories had never been this sloppy.
A fat tanuki, looking like a Buddha statue and standing fully four or five meters tall, was slumped on the tatami mats. The mats around him had been crushed into wrinkles by his weight, the corners curling up, speaking to his ever-increasing mass.
His originally neat clothes were now soaked in some kind of grease, emitting a strange smell that was a mix of sweet fragrance and pungency. The base color of the fabric was no longer visible, only a flowing brownish-black.
The fur that was always well-groomed in memory was now messily matted together, cemented into dirty dreadlocks by mud and filth. In particular, the long beard that drooped to his belly was now unsightly to the extreme.
His nails were sharp, as if they hadn't been filed for years...
Obiko looked up at the big tanuki's eyes and found that the other party wasn't looking at him, but at the alms bowl in his hand, from which he took a very satisfied drink.
Obiko couldn't help but ask curiously, "What are you drinking? Why does it have such a weird smell?"
"Nectar~"
"Sake?"
"Human sake... probably."
The tanuki wiped the liquid from the corner of his mouth, then extended his tongue to lick it off, saying cheerfully: "I especially like drinking this lately. It was all obtained from the humans."
"Oh~"
Obiko didn't get suspicious, because tanuki were just that kind of yōkai. They mingled with humans and liked human things; petty theft was a common occurrence.
"Leaving that aside, listen up, old fellow. I've found a way to protect this mountain and the village below. You have to lend me a few people so I can... uh, in that Little Brother's words, 'create hype'!"
"Create... hype?"
"That's right! As long as we get enough fame here, we have a chance to drive away all those engineering projects!"
Obiko looked exhilarated. "When that time comes, we can close the doors and live our days, occasionally going out to scare tourists for fun. How about it?"
"Mmh... sounds not bad..."
The tanuki thought for a moment. He seemed to have aged, his thinking somewhat sluggish, but he still nodded. "You're right... I will let them help you."
"That's good, that's good~"
Having received the promise, Obiko wanted to turn and leave, but after taking two steps, he looked back in confusion, returning to the front to scrutinize the tanuki seriously.
"By the way, how long has it been since you bathed?"
"Hmm?"
"You used to be a decent person!"
"...It doesn't matter anymore."
The tanuki took another sip of the nectar, let out a long, satisfied breath, and burped lightly. Surprisingly, the breath ignited, spraying out a stream of black fire that raised the temperature in the cave by several degrees.
"Whoa! What is that stuff!" Obiko jumped in fright. "Alcohol?"
"...It's nectar obtained from the human factories."
The tanuki also scratched his head in confusion, causing a large clump of hair to fall out. "The sake brewed from this is even better than my collection of hundreds of years... Mmh, but the children said this might be bad for my health."
"You'd best listen to your children." Obiko curled his lip.
"Hehe... just one sip... once I finish this bit, I won't drink anymore."
The tanuki thought for a moment, then corrected himself: "Drinking a dozen catties a day doesn't count as much... You can't control me, and neither can they!"
"Who wants to control you? I'm not one of your descendants!"
Obiko huffed and left his old friend's cave, but he still felt something was wrong in his heart.
The big tanuki half-lay there. It took a long time for his eyes to gradually focus, remembering Obiko's words from earlier.
"Close the factories... Eh? This sake... will I not be able to drink it anymore?"
The big tanuki felt troubled in his heart. He scratched his chest anxiously. Through the open collar, one could vaguely see hair falling out inside, and strange muscular veins gradually bulging on his skin...
________________________________________
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