This was information about this friend that Kisaragi Chiyo had mentioned to Hara Kenji on the way here.
"Oh, you shouldn't have brought anything." Reigen Arataka took the Wagyu from Kisaragi Chiyo's hands with a pleasant smile, his expression became even more sincere upon seeing the label for premium Wagyu on the packaging.
So, Kisaragi, what brings you to see me this time? Could it be that you've encountered a difficult problem that only I can solve?
As a friend of Kisaragi Chiyo, Reigen Arataka's personality was certainly more extroverted. Even though Kisaragi Chiyo hadn't said a single word after greeting him, this blonde-haired man could carry on a conversation all by himself without ever letting the mood go cold.
"You actually raised a puppy? It's rare for an animal to be so willing to be close to you." Reigen Arataka's voice instantly became high-pitched when he saw the well-behaved and quiet Bernese Mountain Dog puppy beside him. He crouched down, rubbing the puppy's head with both hands, his eyes, which had previously been listless, suddenly widening, his affection clearly written all over his face.
Idiot, that's no ordinary puppy.
Before Kisaragi Chiyo could even answer, an arrogant voice drifted in from outside the window, followed immediately by a mass of green spirit fire floating in through the half-open window.
The green spirit fire had human facial features; bright red circular blushes were symmetrically distributed on both sides of what could or could not be called cheeks, its purple lips possessed a sense of personality that far exceeded ordinary aesthetic standards.
Kisaragi Chiyo: ".."
The man and the dog had never seen such an existence before; even though the other party's attitude seemed to carry a sense of vigilance and slight hostility, Kisaragi Chiyo and Hara Kenji still could not restrain themselves from taking a few more looks.
Wait, what's with those looks you're giving me?" The green spirit fire narrowed its eyes, revealing a dangerous expression. "Now I'm curious how a guy like Reigen Arataka even met you.
You're back, Dimple." Reigen Arataka stood up from his half-crouched position. He looked at the green spirit fire floating in mid-air, then at the Bernese Mountain Dog looking up with an innocent expression, his voice sounding a bit hesitant. "You just said this isn't an ordinary puppy..
The green spirit fire known as Dimple gave him a sidelong glance, crossed his arms, let out a huff.
This dog is an evil spirit, just like me.
"Eh?" Reigen Arataka widened his eyes, letting out a sound of disbelief.
"Really?" He still looked somewhat unwilling to believe it.
"If you doubt me, then why not just ask your friend to find out?" Dimple said with a cold laugh.
When Reigen Arataka looked over, Kisaragi Chiyo finally found her chance to speak.
It is exactly as this Mr. Dimple said." Kisaragi Chiyo held the leash in one hand and stated the facts with a calm expression: "This puppy's true form is the Hazama evil spirit.
“Hazama..” Upon hearing Kisaragi Chiyo's words, Dimple's expression grew even more solemn.
Although Kisaragi Chiyo was also very confused about how he could see a change in expression from such a green face, he also knew that this was not a good question to ask.
"What do you mean, Hazama?" Reigen Arataka looked back and forth between the two parties, completely bewildered. Even upon hearing that the true form of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy was a spirit, he showed no sign of fear.
On one hand, it was his trust in Kisaragi Chiyo, on the other hand, the presence of Dimple, who was also a spirit, had increased Reigen Arataka's immunity to spirits.
"To put it simply," Dimple said, sighing repeatedly as he looked at Reigen Arataka's complete lack of situational awareness, but in the end, he still spoke up to resolve the man's confusion.
Hazama possesses the ability to cause humans to undergo Kamikakushi. Within its own domain, it is an almost invincible existence; while it might not be called the strongest, it is still quite a headache to deal with.
As he spoke, Dimple stared seriously at the puppy with beautiful purple eyes and asked in a low voice, "Generally speaking, Hazama should have his own range of activity, under normal circumstances, he wouldn't leave it easily."
"So, it's an abnormal situation right now?" Reigen Arataka asked while chewing on a chocolate cookie, his voice muffled. He also handed one to Kisaragi Chiyo beside him.
It's exactly like that." Kisaragi Chiyo took the cookie, took a bite, then continued, "This is also why I came to find Reigen Makoto; I wanted to ask if you have ever encountered a situation like this.
Kisaragi Chiyo bit into the chocolate cookie and gave a brief explanation of the process by which Hara Kenji possessed the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy.
"You've certainly asked the right person about this question, Kisaragi Chiyo." Reigen Arataka still had chocolate cookie crumbs on the corners of his mouth, but that didn't stop him from giving a sharp, stylish snap of his fingers.
As for this simple question, I'll let Dimple answer it for you; there's absolutely no need for me to step in.
"You guy.." Dimple looked exasperated, but he still didn't expose this guy to his face while others were present.
"Just as Reigen said." Dimple cleared his throat and looked down seriously at the man and the dog.
Evil spirits can take advantage of people's vulnerabilities to seize their bodies, possessing a dead puppy is child's play for them.
"But the fact that you are clearly a possessed animal, yet you can transform back into a human form.." Dimple rubbed his chin, his gaze slowly shifting from the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy to Kisaragi Chiyo.
I suspect that this might have something to do with you.
"Me??" Kisaragi Chiyo looked up, her misty gray eyes gazing at the evil spirit floating in mid-air with green ghostly flames, after a few seconds of silence, she gave a soft laugh.
What does that have to do with me?
Do you really not know?" Dimple looked down from his vantage point at the young man with raven-colored hair covering his right eye and an unusual aura. "Or have you already forgotten what you promised the other party?
"What matter.." Kisaragi Chiyo's eyes widened slightly upon hearing this, a hint of confusion flickering within her misty gray pupils.
It seems you really are unaware of this matter," Dimple let out a sneer. "But it's too late for regrets now.
Even though they are both evil spirits, yours is clearly different from mine.
If I'm not mistaken, he must have his own urban legend, right?
Kisaragi Chiyo remained silent, not denying Dimple's guess.
Then, regarding his urban legend, are there any rules that shouldn't be answered?
Kisaragi Chiyo continued to nod in silence.
Then that's where the problem lies. Since he only recently gained a physical form, you should think carefully about what requests you've agreed to or what promises you've made to him lately.
"Evil spirits are a cunning and dangerous type of existence." As Dimple said this, he didn't care at all that he was involving him in the matter as well.
Your promise and response allowed the other party to reach the conditions of existence and visibility, which is the birth of causality." As he spoke, Dimple clicked his tongue in admiration. "I really don't know if you're just unlucky or just too carefree, but if you know even a little bit about beings like Hazama, then you should also know not to give them a response.
Since I've promised, I absolutely cannot fail to fulfill it.
If you make a promise, you have to be prepared to be followed.
Dimple handed down the cold and ruthless verdict: "If you really want to get rid of him."
Dimple pointed at the cute little dog blinking its eyes.
Either fulfill the promise you made, or fulfill the other party's wish and let them attain Buddhahood.
Or.." Dimple narrowed his eyes meaningfully, "Even if I don't say it, you should know the most direct method.
If it was about completely eradicating the spirit from its very roots, Kisaragi Chiyo had indeed come to the right person in seeking out Reigen Arataka; after all, Kageyama Shigeo would be coming over after school very soon.
Although Kisaragi Chiyo caught the implication in Dimple's words, she had no such intention. She lowered her eyes and pursed her lips, lost in thought.
A promise? What kind of promise did he give?
It couldn't be what he said to coax Hara Kenji before, "After I die, do with me as you please," could it?
-----------------------
Author's Note: Thanks to all the little angels for adding this to your collection, mwah 030
Chapter 32
Kisaragi Chiyo probably hadn't expected that a single deceptive sentence at that time would actually bring him such consequences.
After facing reality, Kisaragi Chiyo did not feel any resentment or regret. Such was the truth; no matter how much she looked back on the past, she might not have been able to make a better choice.
Moreover, at that time, Kisaragi Chiyo had truly sensed the paranoia and madness suppressed beneath Hara Kenji's smile.. as well as a killing intent that appeared for only a single instant.
That is why he said those words; although he was seen through, Hara Kenji's agitation was, as expected, soothed.
After that, they returned to their previous way of interacting, harboring ulterior motives toward one another, yet still maintaining this harmonious appearance with an unspoken understanding, as if nothing had happened.
Even now, the illusion of peace seemed to have been torn open at one corner, revealing a twisted, tangled, crimson interior.
Kisaragi Chiyo did not ask his friend to help deal with his own troubles; after thanking Reigen Arataka, he left.
Before leaving, the other person stuffed a crude map into his hands, claiming he would definitely be interested in it, along with a bag of cat food for feeding cats.
The crooked lines were truly unimpressive; Kisaragi Chiyo stared at the map for a long time before she could finally manage to make out north, south, east, west.
The end of the map was a blacked-out semi-circle, with a note beside it: Cats, many cats.
Such tempting words caused an impulse to rise within him.
Literally speaking, it seemed to be some kind of stray cat headquarters, which explained why Reigen Arataka had stuffed a bag of cat food into his own bag before leaving.
Kisaragi Chiyo loved fluffy creatures; this was one of the few topics he shared with his friends, aside from things concerning the supernatural. Whether it was cats, dogs, or hamsters, he was always able to chip in with a few words.
So, after receiving this simple map, Kisaragi Chiyo decided to make this place, which was full of cats, her next destination, ensuring that her trip all the way from Tokyo to Chawashi would not be in vain.
*
On the way away from the Spiritual Consultation Office, Kisaragi Chiyo brushed past a silent student with a bowl cut.
Kisaragi Chiyo noticed that as the other person passed by her, his footsteps faltered unnaturally for a moment, his gaze swept over her, finally landed on the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy nearby.
But in the end, the person said nothing, simply nodding to him before walking away in the opposite direction with a backpack on his back.
That child.. gives off a dangerous feeling.
Something rested naturally on his shoulder. For some reason, the spirit had suddenly shifted from a puppy into a physical form, a cold, faint fragrance enveloped him within the other's embrace.
The evil spirit with dark purple eyes tilted his head; his eyelashes were long, his skin pale, his features handsome. A faint, lingering smile always played at the corners of his mouth as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a natural and intimate manner, his voice soft and carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible tone of coaxing.
He asked, "Kisaragi Chiyo, what are you thinking about?"
It's about what just happened..
The tone was meaningful, Kisaragi Chiyo's hands instinctively tightened around her shoulders. She even suspected that if she failed to provide the answer he wanted, Hara Kenji might perform a sudden, dark transformation right then and there.
Hara Kenji gazed at Kisaragi Chiyo with dark, unreadable eyes, a hint of irritation surging within his heart. He stared intently at the expression on her face, unwilling to miss even the slightest change.
Are you regretting it? Are you thinking about how to get rid of me? Do you have thoughts of killing me? Do you want to leave my side?
..
But unfortunately, I won't let you have your way.
“I was thinking,” Kisaragi Chiyo said, indifferently pushing Hara Kenji's face away as it drew close. He raised his hand calmly, as if completely unaware of the evil spirit's burning gaze, gave the leash in his hand a little shake.
"While I have no right to judge your kinks, please make sure to give me a heads-up next time before you turn into a human," Kisaragi Chiyo said with a straight face. Although her tone was flat, Hara Kenji, who had been watching her closely, still noticed the slight downward curve at the corners of his mouth.
I don't want to be mistaken for someone with strange hobbies along with you.
Although it seemed that ordinary people couldn't perceive anything wrong with the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy suddenly transforming into a living being, when Hara Kenji appeared by his side in physical form, the surrounding area was not empty, the collar that had previously been tied around the puppy's neck appeared exactly as it was around the spirit's neck.
Kisaragi Chiyo did not want to experience being the sudden center of attention on the street a second time.
*
To ensure that Hara Kenji wouldn't make any more strange movements in the next second, Kisaragi Chiyo chose to maintain an appropriate and safe distance from him.
Chiyo-chan