"This client possesses extensive experience in raising and caring for Raccoon Cats and is capable of providing exceptionally proper care for the pet. This category is worth 20 points. Client’s score: 20." The first category was surprisingly a perfect score.

"This client has professional training in dance and musical instruments, which is highly compatible with the pet and will help maintain the pet’s good mood. This category is worth 20 points. Client’s score: 18." The second category was also very high! ’This is only a little lower than Sun Qian’s score back then. Can she really gain Egg’s approval?’

"This client is in excellent physical health, maintains a good habit of regular exercise, and possesses ample energy to care for a pet. This category is worth 20 points. Client’s score: 15." That’s 53 points already!

"This client’s financial situation is excellent and can fully meet the pet’s daily needs. This category is worth 20 points. Client’s score: 15." Hmm, that’s 68 points now.

"Based on the recent interaction, the client’s behavior made the pet slightly uncomfortable. This category is worth 20 points. Client’s score: 10." When the final score was revealed, Shen Yibin was completely stunned.

’What the hell? Does it have to be this way? Everything else is a perfect fit, but the first impression wasn’t good?’ The total score was dragged down as a result, ending up at only 78 points—just two points shy of the 80-point passing mark. The sheer misery of it was second only to when Shen Yibin had first gotten Hah’Er.

"Sir... Sir! I implore you, please allow me to bring Lord Raccoon Cat back to the Shrine." Seeing that Shen Yibin hadn’t responded for a while, Sakai Kaori bowed again and repeated her plea.

"Ah, well... Miss Sakai, it seems there was a bit of a problem just now," Shen Yibin said, scratching his head. "Based on what just happened, your actions made Egg a little uncomfortable. Under these circumstances, I can’t let you take him."

"Eh? How could this be? Was I not respectful enough just now?" Sakai Kaori instantly grew tense. In her quest to find a suitable Raccoon Cat to bring back to the Honjin Raccoon Shrine, she had already spent a considerable amount of time, traveling to nearly every Raccoon Cat habitat in Japan. Yet, she had been unable to find one that satisfied her. After seeing a video of Egg online not long ago, she became convinced that he was the Raccoon Cat deity the Shrine needed. She had traveled all the way from Japan, crossing the ocean in hopes of bringing Egg back. To think the owner would refuse... She was completely at a loss.

"I’m not clear on the specifics either." ’Sigh, the app only said that the first meeting between Egg and Sakai Kaori wasn’t harmonious, but it didn’t specify what the problem was.’

"Then what exactly should I do?" Sakai Kaori was bewildered. She didn’t really doubt Shen Yibin’s words; instead, she began carefully recalling every detail of her interaction with Egg, trying to figure out where she had gone wrong. ’Was the angle of my bow not deep enough? Or was the aroma of the sake not to Lord Raccoon Cat’s liking?’

The young woman had been too excited to rest on the plane and had rushed to the shop as soon as she landed. Now, having suffered such a blow, she looked exceptionally haggard. Seeing her like this, Shen Yibin couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. "Um, well, Miss Sakai, why don’t you get some rest first? You can figure something out after you’re rested."

"Yes. This must be a trial from Lord Raccoon Cat. As the successor to the Honjin Raccoon Shrine and this generation’s priestess, I will not admit defeat so easily." Sakai Kaori clenched her fists, seemingly resolved to win Lord Raccoon Cat’s trust. She bowed to Shen Yibin again. "Mr. Shopkeeper, I will be in your care then."

"It’s no trouble." Shen Yibin turned to Sun Qian and Sylvie. "Can Miss Sakai use one of your beds to get some rest?" ’It looks like she won’t agree to go to a hotel, so I might as well let her rest for a bit here in the shop.’

"Excuse me, may I sleep in the same room as Lord Raccoon Cat?" Sakai Kaori glanced around the second-floor layout and quickly guessed that the adjacent room was where the two women lived, but she wanted to be even closer to Lord Raccoon Cat.

"He snores so loudly, you think you’d be able to get any sleep next to him?" Sylvie said with a shrug. "I think you’d be better off sleeping in my bed."

"It’s no problem at all. Lord Raccoon Cat’s snore is so deep and sonorous, which means he is in excellent health. I should be happy about it, not disturbed in the slightest," Sakai Kaori replied, unconcerned.

’Sigh, I’ll never understand you people and your superstitions,’ Shen Yibin felt completely helpless. More importantly, he was usually a bit of a slob and was embarrassed to let Sakai Kaori sleep in his bed. But no matter how he, Sun Qian, and Sylvie tried to persuade her, Sakai Kaori refused to budge.

She even refused Shen Yibin’s offer to get her a fresh set of bedding, reasoning that Egg was currently asleep and the commotion of changing the sheets might disturb Lord Raccoon Cat.

"Fine, if you don’t mind, then go ahead and get some sleep." Shen Yibin pressed his hand to his forehead in defeat. He didn’t dare just send Sakai Kaori away. ’Even setting aside the question of whether she’s the one, if she really leaves, where else am I going to find a suitable owner for Egg?’

’I went through hell and back just to find an owner for Cheeky, and in the end, I only managed it by getting lucky with Sun Qian. Right now, Sakai Kaori’s affinity score is only 78, but it seems like if she just spends more time with Egg, that last score could go up to twelve or more. Anyone else would probably score even lower.’

Until he could find a more suitable candidate, Shen Yibin could only temporarily go along with Sakai Kaori’s wishes, lest he fail to find a proper home for Egg before the three-month deadline was up.

"I am terribly sorry to have caused you so much trouble." Sakai Kaori bowed again, then followed Sylvie to go wash up. Shen Yibin went downstairs with Sun Qian, Hah’Er, and Cheeky to prepare for the afternoon’s business.

"I’ve only ever seen priestesses like Kikyo and Kagura Chizuru in anime. I never thought I’d meet a real one," Sun Qian mused. "I wonder what Miss Sakai would look like in a Witch’s Robe? And does she know how to play Shrine music?" Her way of looking at things was certainly different from most people’s.

"It doesn’t look like she’ll be leaving anytime soon. You can ask her yourself once you two get to know each other better," Shen Yibin said wearily. "Sigh, why does she have to be so polite? My back is sore from bowing back to her so much."

A short while later, Sylvie came down as well. She informed them that Sakai Kaori was already asleep in Shen Yibin’s bed.

’Wait, did I forget something? As a single guy, my bed...’ Shen Yibin suddenly realized there was a very serious problem.