"If you have one, I'd really appreciate it."
As for drawing the energy from the prayer beads Hana was holding, Miko had no intention of doing that. No matter what, they were a gift for Yurikawa Hana.
"What's the fortune-telling place called?"
"Huh? Let me think. I think it was..."
"Godmother."
Futamido Yuria crouched behind the sign for the Nakano Wagashi Shop, watching an old woman talking to a customer. She paid no attention to the strange looks people around her were giving her.
Her eyes were fixed on the old woman, whose face was hidden beneath a hood. Somehow, she didn't seem like a real exorcist.
"Maybe next time."
Naturally, she gave up on visiting this "Godmother."
Granny Saegusa, who was busy scamming a customer, didn't notice Yuria watching her.
"When the effects wear off, I can replenish them for 30,000 yen. Come back next time."
"I definitely will. Sorry for the trouble."
Granny Saegusa watched the customer leave without saying much, simply murmuring to herself.
I'd say she'll be back in about two more visits.
She wasn't exactly trying to swindle people. She merely used the experience she'd gained along the way to make money. In her eyes, that customer would find a partner before long. This ability to see things before they happened had made her an excellent exorcist when she was young.
But... she was old now.
She turned her attention to the money in her hands, carefully counting the bills.
"After I pay Sakura for chatting her up... I need to find another sucker, quick."
As she spoke, she reached for the box beneath the counter, preparing to put away the bills she'd counted.
But her old body betrayed her, and she wrenched her back.
"Ow, ow, ow... My back..."
Along with the box, she pulled out an opened letter.
Granny Saegusa looked at it and smiled.
(To Mom)
(Mom, you're getting on in years. Why don't you come live with us?)
"At this point, I don't want to be a burden to you."
The old woman was still speaking when a young voice interrupted her.
"Excuse me."
She looked up and saw two girls. The black-haired, golden-eyed one asked her:
"Do you have any prayer beads with really powerful energy?"
"The kind that won't break right away."
Yotsuya Miko asked, and Yurikawa Hana added that she didn't want her friend to end up buying another defective product.
So they were just a couple of kids.
Granny Saegusa thought that to herself, but smiled kindly.
"Well, aren't you two lovely customers?"
She headed toward the back.
"I happen to have prayer beads imbued with Fortune-Bringing Power."
"She has some! We're so lucky!"
Hana said happily. Miko glanced at the Ghost behind her, which was still draining the energy from the prayer beads she carried.
"Yeah, we're really lucky."
I can kill this thing any minute now.
Granny Saegusa had no idea what was going on. As she rummaged through the counter behind her, she wondered how much to charge.
Kids wouldn't pay much, anyway. I'll just pick a pair and sell them for 3,000 yen.
After a moment, she chose the prayer beads for Miko.
"Here you go. These beads are filled with incredible energy."
"They look really powerful."
Hana gazed at the beads laid out before her, impressed. Miko, however, didn't believe a word of it.
She looked at the prayer beads and asked:
"May I try them on?"
Hopefully, they have plenty of energy.
"Of course."
Miko slipped the beads onto her wrist without another word. But before she could reach out with her spiritual energy to examine them, they suddenly burst apart, sending their beads flying in every direction.
"That tickles..."
The Malevolent Ghost behind her said.
Tch, it can interfere with the prayer beads' energy?
Granny Saegusa's expression changed as the beads burst. She looked at Miko seriously.
"Looks like the elastic cord had worn out. I'm so sorry."
At last, she could make out the vague, human-shaped black mist following Miko.
"I'll get you another pair."
"Then... one that'll last a little longer would be fine."
As Miko watched Granny Saegusa turn away, she felt as though she'd found someone like herself.
She suddenly realized that this "Godmother" could see the Malevolent Ghost beside her.
Then it's all right for me to kill this Ghost.
Chapter 16: Downtown Godmother, Miko the Cultivator of Demonic Arts
I used to be known as the "Godmother of the Old Town"—the Downtown Godmother.
Granny Saegusa paused and looked again at the black mist behind Yotsuya Miko.
I can just barely see the black mist beside her.
"Dear, have you seen anything strange lately..."
"No."
"Has anything strange happened..."
"No."
Yotsuya Miko replied like that because she didn't want to startle the Ghost beside her just yet.
"What are you two talking about?"
Hana was confused by their cryptic exchange. Miko, who didn't want Hana to know about the Ghosts, naturally didn't answer her question.
"It's nothing."
She looked back at Granny Saegusa, hoping that the Godmother would give her prayer beads that could hold out a little longer.
But Granny Saegusa misunderstood her look.
She noticed it, but chose to ignore it completely? What a strong girl.
And besides...
Granny Saegusa shifted her attention to the other girl.
The one on the left had astonishing Life Energy. Truly astonishing.
"What is it? You're not talking about something scary, are you?"
"No."
Yotsuya Miko looked at her calmly.
"What we're talking about isn't scary at all."
They were only discussing how to kill a Ghost.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Really really?"
"Really really."
Granny Saegusa didn't join in their conversation. She continued studying the Life Energy surrounding Hana.
She doesn't seem to realize it herself, but she's bound to attract all kinds of things.
Still, with power like that, even if something did come, it probably wouldn't cause any trouble.
"Excuse me..."
Granny Saegusa turned toward Yotsuya Miko, who was simply staring at her.
"What about the prayer beads?"
"Ah..."
The Godmother came back to her senses and stepped through the doorway.
"Just wait here a moment."
The girl beside her can clearly see them. I haven't fallen so far that I'd leave a girl who could be my granddaughter to die.
She went to the safe and slowly unlocked it, revealing the treasured items inside.
I never thought I'd have to bring this out.
She took a small wooden box, sealed with scripture, from the safe and brought it to the counter. Seeing the two girls' astonished expressions, the Godmother smiled.
"Don't worry, dear."
Holding a small knife, she cut through the scripture covering the box.
"This is the genuine article—the best of the best."
As she spoke, she slowly opened the box, revealing prayer beads gleaming with golden light.
"Oh, they're beautiful!"
Hana exclaimed. Miko studied the symbols carved into the beads and their unusual material, and realized they were probably quite valuable.
So the Godmother really does know her stuff.
"The power within these is incomparable to that of the other beads,"
Granny Saegusa said proudly.
"I won't charge you. Just take them."
"Are you sure?"
Before you continue