Lucky Mutual Aid Society (7)

Facing Suzuki's questioning, Inuyama Heita knew she suspected him of following her. Not wanting to be misunderstood, he simply explained that Matsui had invited him and he was taking some time to visit, omitting any mention of supernatural matters.

"You absolutely shouldn't be fooled!" Suzuki warned him. "These people are outright scammers! They spout nonsensical things about gaining luck, it's completely impossible."

Hearing Suzuki's words, Inuyama Heita was surprised. He hadn't expected her to be the one warning him to be careful when he was trying to get her to see reason. Puzzled, he asked, "If you know this, then why did you come here yourself? And why did you take several days off from school?"

"My mother... she threatened to disown me if I didn't participate in this ritual, or else she'd withdraw me from school." A hint of sadness entered Suzuki's voice as she shook her head. "Never mind that. I've participated in the so-called ritual now, so she has no reason to make a fuss anymore."

Inuyama Heita curiously asked, "Why did your mother insist that you attend this ritual?"

"Because the president received 'revelations'," Suzuki replied sarcastically. "He said I would encounter an opportunity to change my luck during this period, and if I seized it, I would be lucky from then on, bringing fortune to my family as well. He said I'd feel good luck arriving after the ritual... It's all nonsense. I would never believe something with no factual basis. Anyway, my business here is concluded. Don't let them trick you either. My mom is still waiting for me, I have to go."

Inuyama Heita nodded, about to bid farewell and leave, when his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and looked, it was a text message.

[Right, I forgot to tell you, if you run into Miss Suzuki, remember to take a few photos of that pendant she's wearing.]

It was from Qian Xiaoyi. Inuyama Heita quickly called out to Suzuki, who was about to leave, "Um... could you let me see the pendant they gave you? I'm a bit curious."

Suzuki frowned. She reached up and took the pendant from her neck, handing it to Inuyama Heita. She complained, "What's so interesting about such a cheap thing? If I wasn't afraid of my mother making a scene, I would have thrown this ugly accessory away long ago. If anyone saw me wearing this, they'd laugh at my old-fashioned taste."

Inuyama Heita took it and examined it, then used his phone to take a few close-up shots before returning it to Suzuki. "There, thank you."

Although Suzuki found Inuyama Heita's actions a bit strange, she didn't say anything. After they parted ways, Inuyama Heita took the train to the Lingkong Exorcism Office. His earlier claims about working part-time with Matsui were lies; he had specifically taken the day off work to attend the Lucky Mutual Aid Society gathering.

It was already evening. The office door was open. Inuyama Heita walked in, saying, "Excuse me." Inside, Qian Xiaoyi was sitting behind his desk, engrossed in something. As Inuyama Heita approached, he realized Qian Xiaoyi was making a handicraft, something like a wooden plaque. His phone was placed nearby, displaying a magnified photo of the pendant Inuyama Heita had just taken.

Seeing that Qian Xiaoyi didn't acknowledge him, Inuyama Heita sat in the chair opposite the desk and proactively asked, "Did you find anything?"

"Yes," Qian Xiaoyi replied curtly without looking up, and then fell silent. The office was filled with silence.

"Um..." Inuyama Heita awkwardly continued, "Can you tell me?"

Qian Xiaoyi paused his movements and looked up at Inuyama Heita, retorting, "Why should I tell you?"

This caught Inuyama Heita off guard. He was confused by Qian Xiaoyi's ungrateful behavior. He asked in surprise, "But we're in this together... I understand. I can commission you. I've earned some money working part-time..."

"I think you're mistaken about something," Qian Xiaoyi interrupted him. "We were never in this together. This was just a chance encounter. I didn't know you'd be there, and you didn't know you'd meet me, did you? More importantly, why are you getting involved in this? To save a classmate you never normally associate with, someone you just know? You've never been this kind of warm-hearted person, have you? Heitaro."

Inuyama Heita looked at Qian Xiaoyi, remaining silent. He didn't even correct Qian Xiaoyi when he mispronounced his name.

Qian Xiaoyi continued, "If you're trying to help others because I helped you a few days ago and you felt warmth, then you can leave now. You've already done well. The rest will be handled by a professional, which is me. Or perhaps, as a high school student, your chuunibyou spirit has ignited and you want to play the hero? In that case, I apologize, but I don't need an amateur high school student saving the world... But the question is, is that really the reason you want to get involved?"

"..." After a period of thought, Inuyama Heita finally shook his head. "Both reasons you mentioned are somewhat true, but the main reason is not."

"Tell me," Qian Xiaoyi put down his work and stared at Inuyama Heita. "I'm very curious. What reason is driving you to want to get involved in this matter?"

Inuyama Heita was silent for a moment, as if debating whether to reveal his reason. After a long silence, he finally made up his mind and confessed, "...Actually, my family went through something similar to this before."

Qian Xiaoyi showed no surprise. "I recall you mentioning that your mother passed away from illness a long time ago, and your father disappeared, leaving you alone in Tokyo."

"Yes," Inuyama Heita nodded. The office was not lit, and the setting sun shone through the window onto the desk, stopping right in front of Inuyama Heita. In the shadows, his eyes were devoid of light, like stagnant water. He stated plainly, "After my mother died, my father was greatly affected. His work was not going well, and because I could see things that ordinary people couldn't, he didn't know what to do. So, through an acquaintance, he joined a well-known religious group and became a follower of that sect. At that time..."

"You don't need to tell me the rest," Qian Xiaoyi said, waving his hand as he saw the other person's mood darkening. "It's just that he got deeper and deeper into it, pouring all the family fortune into it, and so on. I'd say your situation is actually quite fortunate. Your father didn't leave any debts, and the property is still there. Otherwise, you wouldn't even have a place to live, let alone continue going to school. So, when you saw your classmate in this situation, you couldn't help but step in to help, to prevent her from suffering the same fate. But you must have a deeper reason, right? For example..."

"—Wanting to destroy organizations like this, or something similar." Qian Xiaoyi stared at Inuyama Heita, sensing the hidden disgust and anger in the calm eyes of the other man, he said slowly.