Lucky Mutual Aid Society

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

"Obviously, to learn and exchange ideas." Qian Xiaoyi shrugged. "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. "We have absolutely nothing in common! One's a religious group, and the other's an exorcism agency."

"We both make money using more or less the same methods, so how are we not in the same line of work?" said Qian Xiaoyi. "But what about you? Why'd you come here? Don't tell me you've finally decided to become a hero of justice, learned how to transform into a magical girl, and can now defeat all the forces of evil?"

"As if..." Inuyama Heita sighed and briefly explained what had happened with Suzuki.

"I see~ You're here to check on your classmate, then?" Qian Xiaoyi glanced at the smiling receptionist by the hall entrance at the far end of the corridor. "Anyway, let's go inside first. This isn't a good place to chat. We don't want to attract attention and let people know we know each other. You know how people in the same line of work are especially wary of anyone prying into their trade secrets."

"..." Inuyama Heita really wanted to keep retorting, but he held back so as not to draw attention. He walked over to the hall entrance and took out the flyer Matsui had given him.

The receptionist at the entrance took it and had a look. After confirming everything was in order, she smiled and handed him a numbered ticket. "You're a new guest who was invited. Welcome to the mutual aid society. We have free drinks and snacks inside, so please help yourself. Once the gathering begins, please take the seat corresponding to your number."

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

"Please take the seat corresponding to your number, and good luck." The receptionist sweetly handed him a numbered ticket. "Welcome to your first mutual aid society gathering. This place will absolutely help you with your life."

"Heh~ I hope so," Qian Xiaoyi muttered. A mocking look flashed across his face. The pretty receptionist hadn't noticed the small, dark purplish handprint on the back of her neck. Even a psychic with the ability to see spirits, like Inuyama Heita, wouldn't have noticed anything amiss with her hair covering it. Only Qian Xiaoyi had spotted it.

Qian Xiaoyi followed Inuyama Heita into the hall without drawing attention to himself. Unlike the gloomy scene he'd imagined for a cult gathering, the Lucky Mutual Aid Society's venue was brightly decorated. The long tables along the sides were laden with snacks and nonalcoholic drinks, while members who all looked healthy and energetic gathered in small groups, chatting about everyday life with rosy faces. If you didn't know better, you'd think it was some neighborhood social gathering. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly.

"This is a little different from what I expected..." Inuyama Heita said, surprised. "I thought it would be... more abnormal."

"If a trap were so obvious that the prey could spot it at a glance, it wouldn't be a trap." Qian Xiaoyi turned his head as if he'd spotted something, then said in a low voice, "Come with me. Over there. Act natural."

"Hm? What?" Inuyama Heita didn't understand. He hadn't noticed anything worth paying attention to in that direction, but he still pretended not to know Qian Xiaoyi and slowly moved over with him.

Then he watched Qian Xiaoyi go to the long table, grab a plate, and start piling food onto it, layer upon layer. He took anything he could get his hands on, from little cakes to macarons, and even stealthily stuffed some packaged snacks into his pockets. He made it all look perfectly natural.

"Y-you... What are you doing?" Inuyama Heita took a plate beside him and pretended to pick up some snacks. He whispered, "Is this really what we came here for?!"

"What do you mean, 'we'? I didn't come here with you." Qian Xiaoyi kept eating and picking up food without pausing. He tried a macaron, but it was so sweet it made his throat hurt, so he put it back on his plate and stuck to the little cakes. "I paid to sign up. The entry fee alone was several thousand yen, enough to buy me food for days. It's as good as an all-you-can-eat buffet at a midrange restaurant. What's wrong with taking some food to go? Don't forget our financial situation—and, more importantly, who's hosting this event. I have absolutely no qualms about taking advantage of them."

"That... makes sense." Inuyama Heita was actually convinced by Qian Xiaoyi. The two of them began clearing out the snacks on the table, determined to get their money's worth. They couldn't help it; these two were so used to pinching pennies that they'd cut every coin in half. They only bought things on sale and rarely ever bought desserts, so of course they had to make up for all the sugar they usually missed out on.

"Heita-kun, you really did come after all."

Inuyama Heita was so busy eating and drinking that he'd almost forgotten why he was there. The greeting startled him so badly that he nearly dropped the food in his hands.

Matsui was dressed in the same old black suit as always, with his usual mask-like smile. "So, what do you think? Are the snacks we prepared to your taste?"

Inuyama Heita wasn't nearly as thick-skinned as Qian Xiaoyi, a seasoned adult in society. Under Matsui's teasing gaze, he immediately felt as guilty as a thief caught red-handed. He stopped what he was doing, but in the next instant, he realized something and demanded sharply, "Wait! You lied to me! Where's Suzuki? Where is she?"

"Nice enthusiasm," Matsui said, keeping his smile. "Would be even better if you didn't have cream on your face."

Inuyama Heita was startled and hurriedly wiped his face with his sleeve. His energy instantly deflated, and as his confidence dwindled, so did his courage.

Qian Xiaoyi shook his head inwardly. What a naive kid. He has no social experience and is being manipulated with wordplay. As he ate a little cake, he studied the suited man called Matsui from the corner of his eye, pondering something.

"You still haven't answered my question." Remembering that someone was standing beside him gave Inuyama Heita a bit more courage. "Answer me!"

Matsui asked with a genial smile, "Why are you so concerned about Miss Suzuki? Don't tell me 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. You'll see her a little later." After a pause, Matsui continued, "Heita-kun, I know you're prejudiced against our group, but look at the people around you. Do you really think we're an evil religious group? Haven't you noticed that there's something different about them compared with everyone else outside?"

At Matsui's words, Inuyama Heita looked around. Ever since entering the hall, he'd felt something strange: the people here were all unnaturally enthusiastic. They dressed ordinarily, but there was an air of confidence about them—a quality you wouldn't find in ordinary people who simply followed the crowd.

"You've noticed, haven't you? That's the purpose of our Lucky Mutual Aid Society." Matsui spread his arms. "They used to be ordinary people who were overlooked in their daily lives, with no sense that their existence mattered. Only here can they feel that they exist. I gave them salvation."