I have an infinite number of shikigami-Chapter 104 - 80. Inauguration Ceremony for the New Leader of the Black Spider Group

Chapter 104: 80. Inauguration Ceremony for the New Leader of the Black Spider Group

The sky’s hues slowly transitioned to deeper shades.

Skimming over the pine treetops, in the approaching twilight wind, Fujiwara Reya caught a whiff of rain.

After bidding farewell to junior Asuka, who complained tearfully each time she saw him after being forced to greet guests all day at the shrine by her sister, Fujiwara Reya left the Tokyo Grand Shrine, hoping to reach Asakusa before the rain started and sort out his lodging arrangements.

The Honda Cub moved sluggishly.

There was not a single dark cloud in the twilight sky yet, and looking around, there wasn’t a person with an umbrella in sight. The cool breeze blowing through the gaps between buildings gently lifted the hems of girls’ skirts.

Yet the scent of rain was indeed in the air, and with Fujiwara Reya’s keen sense of smell, there was no mistaking it.

Moreover, it would be no small shower. May rains typically fall relentlessly, and who knows how much it would impact the shrine’s renovation schedule.

By the time he returned to Asakusa, it was already dusk.

Fujiwara Reya parked his bike and walked into the Lemon Bakery, seeing Yukino Ritsuko taking out and washing the cake models displayed in the cabinet. The sky had already darkened, and the light from inside the shop spilled out through the glass windows, illuminating her profile.

"Are these cakes sold in the shop?" Fujiwara Reya asked curiously.

"Yes, they are."

Yukino Ritsuko softly replied, holding a small silicone rubber cake to her chest. In her arms, the fake cake looked soft and fluffy, seemingly delicious.

Fujiwara Reya asked in disbelief, "You can bake cakes?"

"Uh, no, we order them and pick them up from the bakery factory..." Yukino Ritsuko sheepishly smiled, then suddenly remembered something and frowning beautifully, "What do you mean by that expression, Mr. Fujiwara? Can’t I know how to bake cakes?"

"But you don’t, do you." Fujiwara Reya laughed, "I guessed right, no refuting!"

Yukino Ritsuko turned her gaze away angrily, refusing to look at his annoying face.

Fujiwara Reya watched the work with interest.

Every morning, she would move these cakes to the display cabinet outside the shop, and by evening she would move them back inside one by one. Back and forth, this seemed to satisfy her in its simplicity, as if it were a lot of fun.

Once the shop closing tasks were complete, Yukino Ritsuko began speaking to him again, "Mr. Fujiwara, have you had dinner? Want to join me?"

"Not yet, but I’m in a hurry." Fujiwara Reya glanced at the sky outside, still no dark clouds, but the rain was soon to come.

"Is something urgent?"

"Yeah, I need to find a hotel to stay for a while."

"Uh..."

"What’s wrong?"

"Why not stay at my place, Mr. Fujiwara?"

Fujiwara Reya, who was about to bend over to lift a box, turned back in surprise.

In the shop’s warm yellow glow, Yukino Ritsuko smiled lightly and said, "I happen to have a vacant room at my place, you can stay there if you don’t mind."

"Uh, that’s not appropriate." Fujiwara Reya declined softly, "I’ve recently gotten into some trouble and staying here might cause you problems."

"It’s alright, I can protect myself." Yukino Ritsuko crouched down, pressing her hands on Fujiwara’s box, seriously gazing into his face.

An ethereal fragrance wafted over, and her naturally falling bangs almost touched his forehead; this was the second time he was so close, gazing into her eyes.

Her eyes, tinged with a faint blue, were beautiful like those of Snow Treasure.

"Is it okay?"

Yukino Ritsuko asked slowly.

"Why so insistent on this?" Fujiwara Reya felt puzzled.

"Um... I can’t quite explain." Yukino Ritsuko lowered her gaze, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Her voice was as serene as the midnight snow, so beautiful it felt like it would vanish instantly, and in the silence where it felt like frost would fall, she continued in a gentle voice: "There are so many things I don’t understand, like how to bake bread, run a business, or even find my path in life, seemingly none are my strengths. Maybe... you’re the only stranger who’s ever helped me, and I want to help you through tough times, so please accept..."

"Silly woman..." Fujiwara Reya mumbled.

Yukino Ritsuko’s ears twitched, then she lifted her flushed face and glared at him displeased, "Miss Yukino gives her thirty-eighth solemn protest to Fujiwara: she’s not a silly woman!"

"Alright, alright, you’re not." Fujiwara Reya replied with a smile, lifting the box and turning away, "I have a lot of things going on, don’t want to trouble you, but thanks for your kindness."

No sooner had he spoken.

"Boom~" A loud thunderclap echoed from the horizon.

In an instant, within less than a second, the sky unleashed a torrential rain.

Rainwater cascaded onto the stone steps at the shop’s entrance, raising a mist, and the greenery along the Sumida River shore rustled noisily.

"Looks like you can’t go now," Yukino Ritsuko said to the figure at the shop’s door.

"Yeah, it’s quite the fierce rain." Fujiwara Reya admitted helplessly.

The rain outside poured down, even forming streaks of water, enveloping the entire world in a stifling mist.

He turned back to the shop.

Under the warm lighting, Yukino Ritsuko’s eyes beneath her long lashes twinkled brightly.

Their gazes met.

She tilted her head and smiled. freewebnσvel.cøm

"How about having dinner before you go." Fujiwara Reya set the box back down on the floor.

"Wonderful," Yukino Ritsuko asked, "What would you like to eat? I’ll order."

"Can’t you cook?"

"..."

"Silly wo..."

Hearing the first two words, Yukino Ritsuko’s expression hardened defiantly, and she shouted, "I can!"

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m