Six-Coin Lantern Festival?
What was that supposed to be?
Noticing Jiu Ming's baffled expression, Ichimokuren gave a light cough and asked somewhat uncertainly, "Don't tell me you don't know?"
"Of course I don't. ￥⊙" Jiu Ming said as if it were only natural. He barely remembered his own birthday on ordinary days—why would he remember other holidays?
"Then I'd better explain."
Put bluntly, it was a festival of something like self-deception... Ahem, fine. In reality, you wrote down the things you wanted to forget on paper charms, then let lanterns carry them away down the river.
After returning to normal, Youji looked at Jiu Ming with considerable worry. As for asking further questions, seeing him standing here perfectly unharmed meant there was no need to ask.
"Alright, don't worry about it." Jiu Ming waved a hand.
"Honestly, I don't know why Miss didn't refuse his Hell Correspondence request." Ichimokuren shook his head helplessly.
"Perhaps she did refuse, but it was useless," Wanyudo said after thinking for a while. "This isn't the first time it's happened. Miss wouldn't do something that seemed so futile. Perhaps there's another reason."
Ichimokuren and Bone Woman stopped discussing the subject, their expressions carrying a trace of apprehension.
A few days before the Six-Coin Lantern Festival, Akie came to find Jiu Ming. He had no idea what she had encountered, but the girl who had always been so youthful and energetic now seemed utterly downcast. "Can we talk?"
At a café, she looked at Jiu Ming sitting across from her. After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke, her voice even carrying a faint sob. "You have to help me!"
Her agitated tone immediately drew quite a few gazes their way, but Jiu Ming was the one bearing the pressure...
It was as though he