A Confused and Chaotic Week.

"Alright, let it go. It's annoying to look at!"

Natsukawa Masuzu's gaze fell upon them.

Hearing that even the biggest victim had given in, the girls' attitudes changed.

"Well, this is a one-time thing, and there won't be a next time... Otherwise, I'll have to use the Dark Power to forcibly turn you into my ninja beast."

Takanashi Rikka herself with her arms crossed and closed her eyes.

"I don't care. If I want to tame beasts, I can rely on my own power to die."

Dekomori Sanae also gave up.

"However, we still need to meet with its owner and let her discipline it."

Nibuya Morika made a fairly fair judgment.

"Okay, let's do as you say."

Hasegawa Izumi's lazy voice rang out.

"Meow..."

Kuroneko, feeling like he'd been granted a pardon, surprisingly prostrated himself before everyone in a very humane manner to admit his mistake.

If it were those good-for-nothings who could only bow and say "secret Marseille," people would just hate them. But if it were a cute little cat doing it, it would naturally achieve a different effect.

Everyone nodded in satisfaction.

Today's club activities ended half an hour earlier than usual.

Following in the footsteps of the Black Cat Iori, the members of the Far East Magic Society arrived at a nearby shrine after a long absence.

"I still remember that sunset, when Dekumori followed Master to visit... Death."

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Dekomori Sanae's eyes.

"Yes."

Takanashi Rikka also felt a bit sentimental.

Nibuya Morika and Natsukawa Masuzu also exchanged somewhat strange glances.

Back then, they never imagined they would end up like this.

Takanashi Rikka is still struggling with her exams, Dekomori Sanae is still praying to some unknown god, Nibuya Morika is still worried about her miserable situation after relapsing into her chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), Natsukawa Masuzu is still looking at everyone like they're idiots...

Looking back now, that naive feeling from the past seems so innocently endearing.

"Iori, where have you been playing? Why are you only coming back now? I've been looking for you for ages..."

Hearing the commotion, the girl who was exploring inside the shrine came out.

She had shoulder-length black hair as smooth as silk, deep red eyes, an expressionless face, and an indescribable air of mystery.

Among the people Hasegawa knows, he's probably similar to Kato in that sense.

"Meow..."

The Black Cat Iori, bounced and jumped into her arms.

"Iori?"

The girl looked confused, not understanding why it was like this.

"It's apologizing to you; it's saying it made a mistake..."

The translation of Hasegawa Izumi followed.

"Can you understand what Iori is saying?"

The girl was incredulous, but her expression only showed a slight hint of it.

Actually, it's like this...

"I'm so sorry, I never expected Iori to do such a thing!"

After hearing the explanation, the girl quickly bowed and apologized.

"By the way, I haven't asked your name yet."

Nibuya Morika stepped in to smooth things over and changed the subject.

"My name is Tsukamoto Yagumo, and everyone else...?"

The girl's gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Hasegawa.

She was very concerned about the fact that the other person could hear what Iori was saying.

Then, the members of the Far East Magic Society introduced themselves, and the atmosphere immediately improved.

"Um, Hasegawa-kun, I'd like to ask you something..."

"What's up?"

"How did you understand what Iori was saying? Was it some kind of Beast Language?"

"No, it's telepathy."

"Telepathy?"

Tsukamoto Yagumo's pupils contracted.

"You should be familiar with what I'm about to say, Ms. Tsukamoto."

Hasegawa Izumi loaded with meaning.

The other girls were also slightly surprised, not expecting that this human and cat duo would both possess abilities.

This is a very rare thing in the world.

"I can hear other people's thoughts..."

Tsukamoto Yagumo, on the other hand, was quite innocent and spoke his mind directly.

"Hasegawa-kun, how did you know?"

"Because you clearly can't control your abilities; not only is your power incomplete, but even the echoes of your fluctuations are clearly visible."

Hasegawa Izumi provided the answer.

It's just clearly visible to you!

The other girls rolled their eyes.

They were only able to notice it after being reminded and focusing their senses.

"I see... So I can control the switch freely?"

Upon hearing this, Tsukamoto Yagumo's murmured voice was filled with a great emotional fluctuation.

She didn't know when it started, but she became able to hear the voices of people who liked her. This liking wasn't just the kind between lovers; even a fondness for beautiful things would be included...

Because she was beautiful, a campus beauty queen, many people liked her.

However, because she couldn't control her abilities, those inner voices were like the incessant buzzing of insects, a kind of unique mental torture. If it weren't for her strong will, she might have gone mad.

Do you want to know how to control your abilities?

Hasegawa Izumi saw through her thoughts.

"Think!"

Tsukamoto Yagumo replied without hesitation.

"I can help you."

"But wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

"That depends on whether you find it troublesome."

Hasegawa Izumi's smile carried a hint of mystery.

Leave Yagami Shrine.

"Club President, you're philandering again!"

It was rare for Natsukawa Masuzu to have the energy to criticize him.

"There must be something the Seeker of Truth needs her to do, right?"

"Sage never does anything pointless."

"The Lord Sage is definitely playing a grand strategy."

Nibuya Morika's assessment was agreed upon by the other two.

"I'll help her master the ability, but in exchange, she'll help me accomplish something very important."

Hasegawa Izumi's expression turned serious for the first time.

"What's up?"

Takanashi Rikka asked.

"It's too early to say right now, let me keep you in suspense for now..."

He did not give a direct answer.

The girls felt an itch in their hearts, which made them very uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Shuchiin, there is a hilly area.

There, there was a huge wooden statue that looked like a lucky cat. Unlike ordinary lucky cats, the wooden statue had no expression and its two hands were in a gesture that seemed to be asking people for something.

At this moment, two young men arrived.

"I see it, that's the statue! I heard that if you offer something to it, your wish will be granted, and you can give away things you don't need to those who do."

Is it true?

"Of course it's true! But it seems that those who achieve it will have their lifespan shortened."

How did you know?

"I've heard people talk about the State of Qi. It's a strange tale from an ancient Eastern country. It's said that if it attaches itself to a home, it can grant wishes and bring prosperity to the family, but at the same time, it's cursed with a short lifespan."

"Should we still make a wish? If it's true..."

"What's a little sacrifice of lifespan to achieve a wish!"

"That's true..."

Then, after discussing it, the two boys took out offerings and each made a wish to the Laughingless Cat Statue.

The Laughingless Cat Statue doesn't possess omnipotent divine power; it can only achieve an abstract 'equivalent exchange,' transferring something it doesn't want to others as a surplus. Even so, its power is enough to make people flock to it.

Because most people are dissatisfied with the status quo.

"I want Sunohara's Shamelessness!"

"I want Taishi's Height!"

Because of his quiet and introverted nature, Dazhi didn't have many friends at school, so he wanted to be 'shameless' in order to increase his social circle and build good relationships with those from the Pure Academy Student.

After learning about these Urban Legend, he gathered a few friends over.

As for why Sunohara wanted to be tall?

Sunohara explained that he had always loved basketball, but his height prevented him from becoming a key player.

In short, after a flash of light, both people who made wishes received what they wanted.

"I've really gotten taller! Yay! I'm going to pick up girls tomorrow!"

"Yeah, I suddenly felt fearless, and I immediately went to try and greet other people."

69

Chapter 69 A Week of Upside Down and Chaos.

The next day, at Shuchiin.