Chapter 97: The Exorcist’s Request

While Yui Yuigahama was chatting animatedly, Hachiman Hikigaya's pleasant dream was also disturbed. His eyes had just closed, and before he could fall fully asleep, Kawasaki Saki came over and knocked on his desk. "Is there something you need?" Since the last special-grade evil spirit request, Saki Kawasaki hadn't received any exorcism commissions. Now that she suddenly came to him, it must mean she found a new request. "There's a new request. The client is an old lady..." Because last time, due to insufficient investigation of the client, Hachiman had been put in danger, this time Kawasaki thoroughly understood the client's situation before informing Hachiman of the request. "An old lady?" Hachiman raised his eyebrows. "Yes. She calls herself the 'Downtown Shinko' (godmother of the district), and she can see mysterious spirits — that is, what we call evil spirits." "She's seeking our help because she can't handle the target by herself." "Wait!" Just as Kawasaki was about to continue, Hachiman quickly interrupted her. "Is there a problem with the client's identity?" Noticing Hachiman's interruption, Kawasaki instinctively clenched her fists. If there was an issue on her side again, she wouldn't have the face to ask Hachiman for money. "No, I'm just curious about how she can see spirits." Seeing Kawasaki's tense expression, Hachiman explained why he interrupted her. According to the system's information, there are officially only five exorcists in all of Japan. That old lady obviously couldn't be one of them, and she couldn't fully see the evil spirit's form — only a vague shadow. But the problem remained: how did an ordinary old lady gain the ability to see and exorcise evil spirits? "I don't know either..." Kawasaki's eyes showed confusion when asked that question. The old lady's past identity was quite mysterious. Kawasaki only learned over the weekend after asking around that the woman went by the title "Downtown Shinko." "Alright, thanks for the hard work. So what's the request?" Kawasaki hadn't found out the old lady's identity, which didn't surprise Hachiman. Specialists who can exorcise spirits must have some hidden identity; otherwise, in this world full of evil spirits, they would have long since been torn apart. "A small alley in Chiba." "According to the client's information, there seems to be a gathering of many ordinary evil spirits and one very powerful evil spirit there." "The client can't exorcise that powerful evil spirit, so she came to us for help." "As for the reward, she can offer up to 500,000 yen." "Will you take it?" After saying the last sentence, Kawasaki looked up at Hachiman, awaiting his final decision. Compared to the huge payout last time, this payment was too small. When Kawasaki first heard the old lady's offer, she was also shocked. After all, the old lady could exorcise spirits but could only offer a mere 500,000 yen as payment... "That's natural." Facing Kawasaki's doubt, Hachiman nodded, indicating he would accept the request. After the last massive commission, Hachiman no longer cared much about money. At least until Komachi's bank balance hits seven figures, he would keep this attitude. More than the money, Hachiman now wanted to communicate with the old lady. He wanted to learn more about this world from her and whether others like her existed. Of course, if possible, he wanted to know how ordinary people could see and exorcise evil spirits. After all, after the ordeal last night, Hachiman fully understood how terrifying Yotsuya Miko's spirit-summoning nature was. Even if he exorcised spirits at the Yotsuya household every day, their house would still be filled with evil spirits. So it was better to find a way for Yotsuya Miko to have her own means to fight evil spirits. Unfortunately, in the system store, items like Komachi's red ponytail bracelet, which enable ordinary people to resist evil spirits, cost at least 50,000 spirit coins. "Well then, I'll give her a response today and arrange a meeting time." Hachiman had made his decision, and Kawasaki nodded, promptly returning to her seat without wasting time. Watching Kawasaki leave, Hachiman rubbed his eyes and tried to lie down to sleep again. But half a minute later... "I just can't sleep at all!" Hachiman, somewhat frustrated, looked up at the ceiling. His head was pounding, and his body was exhausted, yet his mind remained unusually alert and he simply couldn't fall asleep! Oh no, the first class is with Shizuka Hiratsuka-sensei... if I fall asleep in her class... Thinking of Hiratsuka's kind smile, a trace of fear flickered in Hachiman's heart. "Oh, right!" Suddenly remembering his reliable comrade, Hachiman got up quickly and left the classroom. "Oh ho ho, my dear friend, I never thought you would come to me for help voluntarily one day! Speak! As long as it's a request from a friend, I would oppose the entire world for you!" "No, there's really no need to go that far..." Looking at Zaimokuza Yoshiteru, wearing a long-sleeved coat and thick glasses, Hachiman waved his hand lightly. "Why are you coming to me so early in the morning?" "You're probably still writing that thing, right?" Because they were close friends, Hachiman didn't bother being polite. He got straight to the point about why he came to Zaimokuza. "Oh, you mean the collection of my precious knowledge? I'm surprised you came even before I finished writing it! The magic it emits must have drawn you here, my friend!" "Well, something like that..." Seeing Zaimokuza get teary-eyed with emotion, Hachiman awkwardly looked away. "So, can I see what you've written now? Don't worry, I'll only borrow it for the morning. I'll return it after the first period." "How can I refuse?! Feel free to take it and read it!" Upon hearing Hachiman was willing to read his novel, Zaimokuza rushed back to the classroom at superhuman speed and handed him a thick stack of completed manuscripts. "In that case, thank you very much..." Looking at the thick stack of papers in his hand, Hachiman smiled in relief. With this treasure in hand, he no longer had to worry about falling asleep in Shizuka Hiratsuka's class.