Chapter 170

As she walked along the road leading to Shuchiin, Eriri transformed into an elegant Young Lady, activating her disguise.

Having already revealed their Childhood Friend friendship, the two walked side by side without any attempt to hide it.

"Good day, Sawamura-san, Hasegawa-kun..."

Are you going to school together again today?

"They really are a loving couple!"

Along the way, many people stopped to say hello, and some even made a few jokes.

At that moment, a luxury car stopped not far from Shuchiin.

A girl with long, flowing hair and bright red eyes emerged from the crowd, radiating a chilling aura that made her seem unapproachable.

However, when she saw someone, her lifeless eyes lit up again, and she walked towards that person.

This situation caused other students who were about to enter the campus to stop in their tracks and hold their breath in anticipation.

One is Childhood Friend she has a close relationship, and the other is a girl who has recently been the subject of rumors.

So, what sparks will fly between these two Young Lady?

The gossip-loving desires in everyone's hearts surged forth like a fountain.

"Good morning, Sawamura-san, and... Hasegawa- sensei."

The Shinomiya Kaguya addresses him, one after the other, reveals a subtle shift in tone.

Unless you listen very carefully at close range, you can't sense it at all.

The former is just a very common expression, while the latter seems a bit playful, with a sense of ridicule in it.

In that instant, Eriri seemed to realize something, and a strong sense of crisis caused every cell in her body to tremble.

Could it be that Shinomiya has actually fallen for Izumi?

This is completely unreasonable!

Although Izumi is handsome, cool, and very capable, his occasional bouts of delusional behavior, resembling a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) episode, are a major flaw.

Is there anyone in this world besides myself who could tolerate this?

"Isn't there a need to use that kind of address? Izumi only taught Shinomiya-san a few tricks; your relationship was simply a monetary transaction."

Eriri suppressed her fierceness and said with a smile.

"As the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life,' I was taught this concept from a young age. If a teacher doesn't like it, I can change the title."

Shinomiya Kaguya responded with a smile as well.

This statement also implies that this is a matter between her and Hasegawa, Eriri, as a third party, has no right to interfere.

Despite their seemingly amicable exterior, the two were actually at odds, their hands gripping the handbags tightly.

What do you think?

"Spring..."

"Hasegawa-kun..."

The two of them looked at the third person at the same time, both wearing rather 'kind' smiles.

If it's a visual novel, there are usually two options here: one that decreases affection and the other that increases affection, corresponding to two different romance routes.

Hasegawa Izumi didn't choose anything, just glanced at the time on her phone, looked up and said, "Seeing that you two are having a pleasant conversation, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll be going now."

This sudden, unconventional move caught everyone off guard.

60 Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office

The male lead's departure significantly diminished the enjoyment of the scene.

This greatly disappointed the people around who were there to watch the show.

However, the remaining two female leads had no intention of giving up.

"Sawamura-san, maybe it's just my imagination, but I feel like you're targeting me. Is it because I'm close to Hasegawa-kun that you're unhappy? But those people in the Far East Magic Society were with Hasegawa-kun every day back in school, weren't they?"

In this statement, Shinomiya Kaguya is clearly hiding a sharp edge beneath her gentle words.

"Targeting? That must be your imagination, Shinomiya-san. Did I say something that made you uncomfortable? Sorry, I don't think so. Could you please point it out?"

Eriri, also smiling, chose to retreat in order to advance, turning the tables on them.

On the surface, her words don't seem to point out any problems. If Shinomiya insists on blaming her, then in everyone's mind, the one making trouble will definitely be the other party.

As for the second question, there's no need to answer it; it's clearly a trap.

However, there is an answer: in her mind, those friends who were like playing house together were not worth mentioning at all.

"I see. It was just my imagination after all. That's great. I thought Sawamura-san was just easygoing on the surface, but actually a very jealous and dark person... Then I don't have to worry about being misunderstood."

Shinomiya Kaguya broke free after her attack and turned to leave.

Eriri remained where she was, tried her best to maintain a warm smile on the surface, but the slightly twitching corners of her mouth and the furrowed brows on her forehead revealed her true feelings.

'Shinomiya, it seems you really intend to be my enemy!'

'Hmph, I'll make you understand that if you mess with me, you've really kicked a hornet's nest!'

Before we knew it, it was afternoon.

After the Far East Magic Knot group had all arrived.

"Did you see the message that Atenbo Senpai sent today?"

Nibuya Morika started the conversation.

"Um."

Everyone nodded.

As agreed with them, Atenbo Yume shared the information he had collected that might be related to the supernatural with them. Most of the information was confirmed and was scattered in various locations in Tou-ei.

Of course, it wasn't very detailed, and there's no guarantee that it's completely accurate. After all, it's normal to conceal some key information. But hearing this opened their eyes, and they realized that this world, which seemed calm on the surface, was actually turbulent beneath the surface.

Even in the Tokyo area, more than ten supernatural and malicious incidents have been confirmed.

While the number of deaths may seem small compared to accidents like car crashes, these are actually two different concepts.

Unknown supernatural phenomena not only bring fear, but also tend to grow and are not entirely static.

Although there isn't much information available from current research, one thing is certain: evil spirits can grow stronger, and their killing power will increase.

If no solution is found, humanity may very well face extinction.

"Take a look at this message. Does anyone want to check it?"

"Nibuya Morika suddenly said."

Everyone saw the message she pointed out in the chat group.

"Recently, several people have died suddenly on several train lines in Tokyo, which is unusual and may be due to the influence of unknown supernatural forces. We are still awaiting confirmation from the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office."

"Hmm? These routes overlap quite a bit with our routes to and from school..."

Takanashi Rikka frowned, turned her head and asked, "I haven't seen him... Sage, have you met him?"

"No."

Hasegawa Izumi gently shook her head.

I have seen some newly formed spirits, but they do not have enough destructive power and obviously do not meet the requirements.

"So, it's just a coincidence, or is it death?"

Dekomori Sanae asked, puzzled.

"Perhaps, we just just didn't run into them."

"Nibuya Morika thought for a moment and said."

"There's no need to trouble the Club President with this kind of thing, is there? Didn't Atenbo Senpai say that the Supernatural Disaster Strategy Room will handle it itself? There's no need to get involved."

Natsukawa Masuzu's attitude was indifferent; she slightly raised her hand.

It sounds somewhat heartless, which may be difficult for others to accept at first.

After all, to some extent, this is tantamount to 'letting someone die without offering assistance'.

But at this moment, recalling their past experiences, they realized how arrogant their thoughts had been.

They simply don't have the ability to save everyone; they'd be lucky if they could protect the things around them!

"Some things are best done if you can do them easily, but don't worry about them if you can't. There's no savior in this world, so always remember to do what you're capable of..."

Hasegawa Izumi noticed the change in their expressions and offered advice.

Having a kind heart is a good thing, after all, no one wants to associate with selfish and heartless people. However, there has never been a rule in this world that one must help others. As long as one does what one can, that is enough.

"Um..."

Upon hearing these words, the Girlish Heart felt a sense of comfort and warmth, as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Turning her face to the side, Natsukawa Masuzu's gaze also wavered slightly.

"However, when you encounter some fools, remember to respect their fate and put aside your urge to help them."

After his emotional outburst, he crossed his arms over his chest, his expression turning colder.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of an ordinary high school, two black luxury cars that are rarely seen in public suddenly drove up.

The high school students who were about to leave school stopped in their tracks, wanting to see who this person was there to pick up.

A short while later, a girl with a herringbone hairstyle walked out of the school gate. She had long black hair, purple eyes, wore a black school uniform skirt, and had a slender figure. She looked like the center of attention in the crowd.

Upon seeing the cars, the young girl disregarded the opinions of others and walked towards one of them.

"As expected, it's Isayama-san. I'd heard before that she was from Young Lady, and now it's finally confirmed."

"Indeed, that kind of temperament is not something that can be cultivated in an ordinary family."

"Isayama-san usually goes to and from school like everyone else. Is there something important this time?"

The high school students were buzzing with gossip.

Isayama Yomichi, the only pride of their high school, is not only a beautiful, unattainable beauty, but is also said to have the title of "Kendo Prodigy." In junior high school, she won the national junior high school kendo championship for two consecutive years, and this year, as a first-year high school student, she is one of the strongest contenders besides the defending champion Busujima Saeko!

"Is that so? I understand. I'll go investigate... But please take me back to the Isayama Family first; I need to take my sword with me."

Inside the car, Isayama Yomichi listened to the description from the intelligence personnel in the Strategy Room and nodded slightly.

As she gazed out the car window at the receding campus, a sharp edge flickered in her eyes.

61. When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

The luxury car drove on and stopped in a suburb of Tokyo.

There stands an old Swordsman's Mansion here, the home of the Isayama Family.

The Isayama Family is a branch of the famous Tsuchimiya Family. Although they are not extremely wealthy, they are still very powerful and renowned for their swordsmanship. Their status is comparable to that of the Busujima Family.

Isayama Yomichi lost both her parents in an accident when she was young and was adopted by Isayama Naraku, the current head of the Isayama Family, becoming a true Young Lady. Her talent in swordsmanship is worthy of this status.

She spent her school life like that, just like any other ordinary person, except for practicing swordsmanship.

Until a month ago, everything suddenly changed.

The others waited outside the courtyard, and Isayama Yomichi slowly walked into the mansion, then briefly reported to her adoptive father.

"Thank you for your trouble, Huang Quan. You can take it with you on your mission... Also, it's yours now, so you don't need to report to me anymore."

Isayama Naraku upright on the ground, slowly opened his deep eyes, and then waved his arm.

"Yes, Father."

Isayama Yomichi bowed slightly in greeting, then left with a single sentence.