The Man Behind Miko.

"Hasegawa-senpai, were able to deduce so much from just a few words I said?"

The girl wore an expression of bewilderment and awe.

Experts see the details, laymen just watch the show.

He smiled.

"Well, Hasegawa-senpai, do you have time to help me with this?"

Iino Miko asked timidly.

"It's nothing serious, I'll take care of it for you after school this afternoon."

He waved and left the rooftop.

Since this is a rare, specifically requested task, we won't outsource it to the group members.

"Very good."

Iino Miko breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of weight lifted off her shoulders, and then muttered to herself.

"Judging from your performance, dealing with that Spirit Channeling should be a piece of cake, right? I hope he won't get hurt, otherwise I'll feel uneasy."

It was time to let out of school.

See you tomorrow, everyone.

Hasegawa Izumi had already relayed the message to the group members through the Sea of Electrons, so she simply greeted them and left the classroom.

"Is Izumi not going to club activities today?"

Eriri couldn't help but ask Nibuya, who was closer and seemed the most approachable.

"It's nothing, just handling a request."

Nibuya Morika told him the truth.

"Oh..."

Eriri nodded thoughtfully.

"Since you care so much, why don't you go and see for yourselves?"

Needless to say, the idea came from a certain lawless Witch.

"I'm not that bored."

Eriri turned and left, showing absolutely no patience for talking to her.

"Where is Shinomiya-san- kun?"

Natsukawa Masuzu then turned her gaze to the other side.

"I don't have any either... Hayasaka, let's go."

Shinomiya Kaguya had no interest in paying her any attention.

"Oh, that's a real headache!"

Natsukawa Masuzu sat on the table and rubbed his temples.

That way, there will be no scapegoat.

After all, it's impossible to avoid being followed by the Club President.

"Alright, stop doing such annoying things."

"Eh... Eh... Eh..."

Nibuya Morika came over, grabbed her shoulder, and dragged her away.

"Greedy Witch, it's been a long time since we sparred. Let's test our skills today!"

Takanashi Rikka also came closer and rubbed her little fists.

"Damn it, when did you two team up?!"

The girl, who was forcibly dragged away, voiced her resentful accusations.

"Xiao Bo, I'm going home alone today, you don't need to come with me."

Looking at her longtime friend, Iino Miko suddenly spoke.

"Miko, are you alright?"

The eyes behind Oobuto Kobato's exaggeratedly round glasses revealed a worried look.

As her closest friend, although she didn't know the specific reasons, she knew that her uncle's mental state was unstable and could feel her friend's anxiety. So recently, she has been accompanying her to and from school to give her friend a sense of security.

"Don't worry, I feel great now."

Iino Miko smiled.

"I see."

The Oobuto Kobato conveyed a sense of peace, so they let them go.

Leaving Shuchiin.

Iino Miko went to a place quite far from the school to meet Hasegawa.

This was her request.

Because if the two of them leave school together, it wouldn't be good if it caused some bad rumors among their seniors.

After all, she had a pretty bad reputation at school.

"Thank you for your help, senior."

She saw the boy sitting on a bench not far away and jogged over to him.

Hasegawa Izumi opened a can of soda, took a sip, and then heard rapid breathing beside her.

"Your stamina is terrible."

"I'm sorry, senior, I'm just an ordinary person."

Iino Miko pouted, a hint of arrogance in her expression.

"Let's go, let's go see your house first."

After he finished drinking, he stood up.

"To my house?"

She stared blankly for a moment.

"Otherwise what? I need to detect that person's presence first, otherwise searching the entire Tokyo would be a huge waste of time."

"Yes, I see..."

Afterwards, Iino Miko took Hasegawa to her home.

"Miko, you're back! I have some good news for you... Eh? Miko, did you bring your boyfriend back!?"

Mrs. Iino heard the door open and came out of the bedroom. When she saw the boy with a unique air about him beside her daughter, she was both surprised and delighted.

10

Chapter 10: The Man Behind the Miko

Mrs. Iino was, of course, very satisfied.

Although she didn't have time to spend with her daughter, she was still concerned about her daughter's situation at school.

Therefore, in her view, her daughter's ability to take this step meant that she had truly grown up.

"No, Mom! Don't talk nonsense! This is my second-year senior Hasegawa-senpai. We just met. Besides, I think dating should be prohibited in schools!"

Iino Miko's face flushed red, and she clenched her fists in front of her chest, looking anxious.

"Hello, Auntie."

Hasegawa Izumi spoke politely.

"Ah, hello, Hasegawa-kun... I'm sorry, I misunderstood. Please forgive my eagerness as a parent for my daughter's feelings... So, Hasegawa-kun, what do you think of Miko?"

Mrs. Iino clasped her hands together, apologized, and then changed the subject.

"He's a good boy."

He answered calmly.

The girl both admired justice and believed in what was right.

Unfortunately, this world is neither just nor right.

But the idea was good, which is why it received this brief yet meaningful evaluation.

"Indeed, Miko is a good child."

Mrs. Iino paused, her voice tinged with a sigh.

[What kind of evaluation is this? It treats people like children.]

Beside her, Iino Miko pouted, inwardly grumbling.

"Ah, I almost forgot."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, her mother raised her finger.

"As the host, I should treat my guests well."

"Hasegawa-kun, is black tea alright?"

Hasegawa Izumi nodded.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Iino was preparing black tea.

"Mom, you're back! Is the good news...?"

Iino Miko came in and asked what was wrong.

"That's right. After my repeated requests, Grandma Saegusa finally agreed to let me come out of the mountains to fight that demonic woman... Your father has also temporarily calmed down because of the exorcism bead given to him by Grandma Saegusa."

Although it was all good news, the girl still saw a hint of worry on her mother's face.

"That Grandma Saegusa, she probably doesn't have much confidence, does she?"

"There's nothing we can do about it. I can't find anyone else willing to help us. We can only hope that Grandma Saegusa is well-prepared and can subdue that demon."

"Actually, Mom, you don't need to..."

Just as Iino Miko was about to tell her senior everything, the doorbell rang.

"Ding-dong."

"It must be Grandma Saegusa. Miko, you continue preparing the black tea. I'll go open the door."

Mrs. Iino's expression brightened, and after giving some instructions, she hurriedly left.

"Snap."

The door opened.

Before me stood an elderly woman wearing wooden clogs and a long white robe, who looked quite sprightly. She held a string of prayer beads in her hand, and her features exuded a certain air of heroism.

"Grandma Saegusa, you've finally arrived."

"Since I promised you, Goddess Mother, I will not run away from it. Besides, that wretched woman caused me such a great loss, and I will never forgive her..."

Takeda Mie spoke with a strong and authoritative voice.

Suddenly, she froze, noticing a stranger sitting on the sofa.

Are there any other guests at your house?

"This is a senior of my daughter's at school; he just happened to be visiting today."

"This is none of anyone else's business, so let's not involve ordinary people."

"That's true, then I'll..."