Lucky Mutual Aid Society

Inuyama Heita asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

"Of course, I'm here to learn and exchange," Qian Xiaoyi spread his hands. "Broadly speaking, this so-called Mutual Aid Society and I are in the same line of work."

"How are we in the same line of work?!" Inuyama Heita retorted. "You have nothing in common! One is a religious group, and the other is an exorcism agency."

Qian Xiaoyi said, "We both make money using similar methods, so how are we not in the same line of work? It's you, though, why did you come here? Don't tell me you've finally made up your mind to become a hero for justice, learned magical girl transformations, and can defeat all evil forces?"

"How is that possible..." Inuyama Heita sighed and briefly explained Suzuki's situation.

"I see~ So you're here to check on your classmate's condition?" Qian Xiaoyi glanced at the smiling receptionist at the venue entrance in the distance, saying, "Let's go in first. This isn't a good place to chat. Don't draw attention and let people know we know each other. You know, people in the same industry are most secretive about trade secrets."

"..." Inuyama Heita really wanted to continue complaining, but to avoid drawing attention, he held back and walked to the venue entrance, taking out the flyer Matsui had given him.

The receptionist at the door took it, looked it over, confirmed it was valid, and handed him a numbered badge with a smile. "You're an invited newcomer. Welcome to the Mutual Aid Society. We have free drinks and snacks inside, please help yourself. Please take your assigned seat after the gathering begins."

Qian Xiaoyi didn't have a flyer, but he took out his phone, opened a webpage, and waved it in front of the receptionist. "I registered online. I paid."

"Please take your assigned seat. Good luck," the receptionist said sweetly, handing him a numbered badge. "Welcome to your first time at the Mutual Aid Society. This will definitely be helpful for your life."

"Heh~ I hope so," Qian Xiaoyi muttered, a mocking expression flashing across his face. The attractive female receptionist didn't notice a small, blackish-blue handprint on the back of her neck. Even psychics with clairvoyant eyes like Inuyama Heita couldn't see anything unusual hidden by her hair, but Qian Xiaoyi noticed.

Qian Xiaoyi calmly followed Inuyama Heita into the venue. Unlike the dark scene he'd imagined for a cult gathering, the Lucky Mutual Aid Society's venue was brightly decorated. The long tables on the sides were filled with various snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Members, looking healthy and full of energy, gathered in small groups, chatting cheerfully. If one didn't know better, they might think it was a neighborhood get-together. In any case, the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.

"It's a bit different from what I expected..." Inuyama Heita said, somewhat surprised. "I thought it would be... a bit more unusual."

"If a trap is obvious to the prey, it's no longer a trap," Qian Xiaoyi said, turning as if he'd seen something. He spoke in a low voice, "Follow me, over there. Act natural."

"Huh? What?" Inuyama Heita didn't understand. He didn't see anything noteworthy in that direction, but he still pretended not to know Qian Xiaoyi and slowly moved over with him.

Then he saw Qian Xiaoyi approach the long table, take a plate, and start piling food onto it. He took everything, from small cakes to macarons, and even secretly stuffed some packaged snacks into his pockets, all with extreme naturalness.

"What... what are you doing?" Inuyama Heita asked quietly, taking a plate next to him and pretending to pick at snacks. "Are we here to do this?!"

"What 'we'? I didn't come with you," Qian Xiaoyi replied, his mouth and hands not stopping. He ate a macaron, and the sweetness made his throat tickle, so he put the macaron back on the plate and focused on the small cakes. "I paid several thousand yen to register for this. That's enough for me to eat for several days, comparable to a mid-range all-you-can-eat buffet. What's wrong with taking some things to go? Don't forget our financial situation, and don't forget the identity of the organizers. I have no psychological burden about taking advantage of them."

"That... makes sense." Inuyama Heita was actually convinced by Qian Xiaoyi's words, and the two of them began to clear out the snacks on the long table, afraid they wouldn't get their money's worth. It couldn't be helped; these two were usually stingy, wanting to split every penny in half and only buying discounted items. They rarely bought desserts, so this was their chance to replenish the sugar they usually lacked.

"Heita-kun, you really came."

Just as Inuyama Heita was busy eating and drinking, almost forgetting why he was there, a greeting startled him, nearly making him spill his food.

Matsui was still dressed in his usual black suit, his face wearing the same mask-like smile. He asked, "How are they? Do our little snacks suit your taste?"

Inuyama Heita's face wasn't as thick-skinned as Qian Xiaoyi's, who was more experienced in society. Facing the teasing gaze of the other person, he suddenly felt the shame of being caught red-handed. He had to stop what he was doing, but the next moment, he reacted and asked sternly, "No! You lied to me! Where is Suzuki-chan? Where is she?"

"Good spirit," Matsui maintained his smile. "It would be even better if there wasn't cream on your face."

Inuyama Heita was startled and quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, instantly deflating. His courage waned with his spirit.

Qian Xiaoyi shook his head secretly from the side. "Silly kid, not enough social experience, being played with by words..." He ate a small cake, observing the man in the suit called Matsui from the corner of his eye, pondering something.

"You still haven't answered my question," Inuyama Heita said, emboldened by Qian Xiaoyi's presence. "Answer me!"

Matsui smiled and asked, "Why do you care so much about Miss Suzuki? Could it be that you and she..."

"We're just classmates," Inuyama Heita said. "Don't change the subject. Why isn't she here? Were you lying to me yesterday?"

"Don't worry," Matsui spread his hands. "She's here, but you'll see her later." He paused, then continued, "Heita-kun, I know you have prejudices against our group, but look at the people around you. Do you really think we're an evil religious organization? Don't you feel that they are different from others outside?"

Hearing this, Inuyama Heita looked around. Ever since he entered the venue, he had a strange feeling that the people here were unnaturally enthusiastic. Although they were dressed ordinarily, they all possessed an air of confidence that ordinary, conformist commoners lacked.

"You've noticed, haven't you? This is the meaning of our Lucky Mutual Aid Society," Matsui said, opening his hands. "They were originally ordinary people overlooked in life, with no sense of existence. Only here can they feel their own existence. I have given them salvation."