"So this child is going to live at my place now?"
Shaka held his phone, watching a video of Sayu Ogiwara wearing his oversized white shirt, while Kotoko Iwanaga's voice came through the speaker:
"No other choice you know how dangerous it is out there for her. Plus, from what she says, her relatives might be wrapped up in some mysterious incident, so she has nowhere else to go."
Shaka's expression was complicated. From what he knew, Sayu was originally from a moderately wealthy family, in the original work she ran away over money issues and even became a maid. Normally, he wouldn't feel much sympathy for a rich kid running from home, but after learning the actual circumstances, he wasn't sure how to respond.
"She ran away because her entire family became abnormal?"
This was the first supernatural incident Shaka had encountered up close.
"Have these things been happening more often lately?"
"Yeah ever since some time ago, more and more creatures from the other side have been crossing into the mortal world. The gods are probably overwhelmed. Just last night, I felt the world acting strange again like someone testing the waters before making a move, always dragging their feet."
Kotoko scratched her head in frustration: "If you're going to do something, just do it already! Is that even how a man acts?!"
"This has nothing to do with being a man."
Kotoko rubbed her face to compose herself: "Anyway, evil spirits are now pushing ordinary people to commit crimes. Even the smallest argument could turn deadly."
"Look at these recent murder reports three cases in one day just in Sakura City."
Shaka scanned the news links she sent, his eyes widening at the headline: "Dorobiga Park – Roller Coaster Murder Case."
Has the Grim Reaper elementary school student made his appearance? Or is the reason for so many cases in this world simply because the supernatural has resurfaced?
Seeing him go quiet, Kotoko pointed her phone at Sayu and nudged her: "Say something to him too."
Sayu pulled the shirt tighter to cover her legs, blushing as she spoke: "I'm so sorry for bothering you..."
Using this to test my resolve... Shaka coughed into his fist and stated his terms:
"I can let you stay even provide for you but you'll have to became a priestess do what that role requires."
"Huh?" Sayu's face flushed deeper. "I... I've never done this before..."
He's so handsome maybe this isn't such a bad deal, she thought to herself.
Shaka covered his face with his hand.
This girl really lives up to her reputation as a potential lead in adult stories her way of thinking could easily lead someone astray.
He wasn't particularly interested in this type, but with the Grim Reaper kid around as a destabilizing factor, he needed someone to act as his proxy in the real world. Kotoko was too busy, so Sayu would be perfect for handling small tasks: receiving packages, cleaning, buying supplies. Once she got the hang of things, she could even help run a shop to support their cash flow.
Noticing the awkward silence between them, Kotoko smacked Sayu on the head and snapped:
"He means a real priestess just do the work traditional shrine maidens do!"
"But gods... aren't they supposed to..." Sayu pouted, clearly disappointed.
A fallen phoenix taken in by a handsome prince, pampered and cared for – isn't that how novels are supposed to go?
Shaka sighed: "Since you believe your parents are caught up in something from the other world, there's no harm in telling you the truth. You'll be serving as a handmaiden to the goddess."
"Huh?" Sayu was stunned. So it's a fantasy story instead?
She wasn't stupid she immediately clasped her hands together devoutly, clapped twice, and tossed a 50-yen coin.
"Please, God! Save my family! I'll do anything you ask!"
"I'm not a god..."
Kotoko shook her head: "I'll look into your family's situation."
Shaka paused, then asked hesitantly:
"About investigating Sayu's family... Kotoko, isn't it too dangerous for you to go alone?"
Her immortal partner was still just a traffic cop for now without proper combat ability, rushing in would be reckless.
Shaka cleared his throat and pretended to be nonchalant: "How about this join our familia?"
"You mean like Yuuki, becoming a priestess of the gods?"
"Family like siblings."
Kotoko: "...A wife? Oh, Shaka-kun is handsome, but I'm not that kind of person!!"
Shaka is speechless: "..."
She really does jump to conclusions.
Kotoko straightened up, dropping the joke, and closed one eye: "You know I'm the yokai's goddess of wisdom. Can any god really take me in?"
She'd traded an eye and a leg to live in peace with monsters, so she was surprised to be offered unconditional acceptance and family status by a god she'd never met.
Shaka wasn't sure either: "Why don't we let the goddess decide?"
"Ah?"
Shaka left the room and approached Astraea, pointing the camera at her:
"This is my goddess Astraea, the deity of justice and order."
On the screen, both Kotoko and Sayu froze. Even through the phone, the divine presence was palpable, filling them with reverence.
"I was right she's definitely a 'great' god, nothing like the minor deities in the Sakura City. Only the one in Oiwa City might compare."
Astraea stared curiously at the phone a "divine mirror" of sorts.
"What are you doing?"
Shaka puffed out his chest proudly: "Carrying out your will I saved another lost girl today. I'm so diligent!"
Shaka explains about sayu ogiwara
"Really? Is your name Sayu-chan? If you need anything, just tell Shaka-chan," Astraea waved warmly at the camera like a caring mother.
Shaka seized the opportunity:
"Kotoko's situation is special could she join our familia?"
He briefly explained Kotoko's story to the goddess.
Astraea looked at Kotoko seriously, her eyes gleaming:
"You're a very special child."
Shaka could see longing in her gaze.
"So is it possible?"
The goddess smiled beautifully: "We can try. Though your summoning magic might not work I'll need to bestow my blessing personally."
Put her finger through? That'll break the phone!
Shaka was in a bind, but seeing how eager the goddess was, he reluctantly agreed, clutching his waist.
Moments later.
On the screen, Kotoko blushed and turned her back to the camera. A thumb-sized portal opened, and a slender finger marked with holy blood emerged, gently touching her back.
Sayu's eyes went wide: This is all real?!
Kotoko closed her eyes as sacred characters were inscribed on her skin, forming a crest of swords and wings. Numbers flickered around her as the text shaped itself into skills.
"It worked," Astraea said happily.
Like Freya,the goddess of justice had a tendency to collect exceptional individuals and Kotoko was the perfect fit. She'd maintained balance between monsters and humans for years, embodying Astraea's ideals perfectly.
The goddess handwrote Kotoko's stats and had Shaka translate them via phone:
Iwanaga Kotoko – Level 1
- Total Ability: I0
Magic: Princess Wanling (Summoning Magic)
- Can summon contracted monsters and temporarily gain one of their innate abilities.
- Chant: "With one eye and one foot as sacrifice, bearing scales of justice and wisdom – representative of all demons, hope of all beings."
Skills:
1. God of Wisdom
- Passive effect
- Cannot be targeted by non-human races
- Effect is nullified against targets after initiating an attack
2. Seeker of Knowledge
- Growth-type skill
- Activates upon acquiringunknown knowledge
- Permanently increases all stats when activated
- Effect strength depends on knowledge rarity – the less known, the more powerful
Shaka's eyes widened: "Wow!"
The growth skill combined with her immunity to monster attacks guaranteed her safety, while her summoning magic made her worthy of being called a "god" among yokai.
With the School District which held vast knowledge nearby, Shaka immediately invited her:
"Before you leave to investigate, want to come get a limited-time newbie starter pack?"
Kotoko shook her head: "No need my abilities are enough for now. Thanks to certain people, I'm so busy I barely sleep. Just dealt with a man haunted by a vengeful spirit too. Sigh."
An hour later – General Hospital.
Kotoko folded her black umbrella, shook off the rain, and walked past the nurses' station with practiced ease toward a familiar ward. She pushed open the door to the consultation room.
Dr. Kurahashi was organizing patient files when he looked up and smiled: "You're just in time. Here's the list of volunteers for the next infiltration mission take your pick."
Kotoko sat across from him, took the list, then set it aside seriously:
"I'll look at those later. There's something more important first."
She pulled three test tubes from her chest, each containing a pale green liquid.
"What's this?"
"The latest 'antibiotics' Shaka asked me to bring them for Yuuki's parents and sister."
Dr. Kurahashi raised an eyebrow, looking concerned: "You know we need to run tests first eliminate bacterial residues, check for new pathogens that could make things worse."
"That's why I came to you."
Kotoko sighed: "I can only guarantee the medicine is genuine and effective. Yuuki already agreed to let her family take it everything else will need the hospital's help."
The previous treatment Kotoko provided had shown results, and even the doctor couldn't deny patients their last hope.
They headed to the sterile ward, where aiko was curled up in pain but managed a weak smile when she saw them. Kotoko relayed Yuuki's message and opened a video call so Aiko could see her sister's condition.
"Really? That child is working so hard..." aiko's face softened as she looked at the test tubes. "Do it I'll take full responsibility. Do we need to sign a waiver?"
Dr. Kurahashi shook his head: "No need."
He sterilized each test tube separately with specialized equipment, then used a special infusion system to administer the liquid to aiko and her parents. A faint silver glow traveled through the tubing, and aiko's expression relaxed noticeably.
"It works! It really works!"
The pain faded quickly, and a clear-headedness she hadn't felt in years let her smile a rare sight for her. She looked through the glass at her parents; though still thin, they were sleeping peacefully. Tears of joy streamed down her face.
Kotoko explained:
"This is a detoxifier, not a cure you still can't leave the sterile ward. But with proper nutrition, you'll eventually be able to live like normal people."
Aiko covered her face and sobbed: "That's more than enough... thank you, thank you so much!"
"Don't thank me it's all thanks to Yuuki's own efforts."
Not wanting to take credit for Yuuki, Kotoko left with the doctor. As soon as they were out of the ward, Dr. Kurahashi grabbed her arm urgently:
"Do you have more of that medicine? It's far more effective than anything on the market. If we could mass-produce it, do you know how many lives we could save?"
Kotoko understood his meaning and smiled faintly: "It's from an old Chinese medicine doctor."
"Uh," The doctor was left speechless.
Ah, right... the old Chinese medicine doctor excuse.