Chapter 4: Carelessly Calling Your Mom
“I don’t know if Lili Zi will scratch out three bedrooms and a living room when she remembers this tomorrow…”
Shangshan Che was helpless and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, comforted Lili Zi all the way while acting as the male mom.
Shangshan Che didn’t know the reason for Lili Zi’s situation where she became the kendo general with a sword in hand, but turned into an impulsive baby mode without one.
But it didn’t matter. At least after that, the atmosphere in the car changed from tense confrontation to extremely cheerful, avoiding further deterioration of her relationship with Nanjo Emi.
“Sister Nanjo, we’re here.”
Accompanied by the sound of the engine shutting off, the muscular boy Hasegawa turned his head and showed a sunny and cheerful smile.
Before getting out of the car, Shangshan Che secretly memorized the five words “Friendship Club” firmly in his heart.
—This name sounded off just from hearing it, and they were selling spirit items full of grudges to ordinary people. It had to be a cult.
Shangshan Che had no interest in uncovering the truth or the conspiracy behind it. He only hoped they wouldn’t come provoke him.
He just wanted to develop steadily and live a peaceful life.
“Hasegawa, take her inside first to make a statement.”
After coaxing and deceiving Lili Zi into the police station first, only a lone man and woman were left by the old van.
With the daruma doll blinking big eyes on Shangshan Che’s head, he saw Nanjo Emi take out a cigarette and light it.
“Want one?”
“No thanks.”
Nanjo Emi didn’t push it and stuffed the remaining half pack of women’s cigarettes back into her pocket.
After a brief silence, the woman spoke first:
“When Hasegawa invites you to join the Onmyo-ryo—also known as the ‘Special Affairs Office’ later—remember to refuse.”
Shangshan Che nodded: “Oh.”
Now it was Nanjo Emi’s turn to be puzzled: “You’re not asking why?”
Shangshan Che: “When the leader speaks, the subordinate just needs to say ‘got it.'”
Nanjo Emi gently exhaled the smoke, showing a smile for the first time: “Shangshan Jun, you’re very calm and very smart. If you walk the path of an onmyoji, you’ll surely leave me far behind in no time.”
She’s praising me like this?
Shangshan Che glanced at the woman beside him with the corner of his eye.
Nanjo Emi’s profile was shrouded in faint smoke, her red lips thin, collarbone delicate. She didn’t look like an office worker who’d been at it for years, but more like a 16-year-old JK from the next class.
The woman noticed his gaze but didn’t mind. She just said the words she’d prepared in advance: “But precisely because of that, I hope you stay away from these things for now.”
As if seeing through the doubt in Shangshan Che’s heart, Nanjo Emi stubbed out her cigarette and said calmly and seriously:
“You’ll die.”
Nanjo Emi took out a pitch-black cloth doll from somewhere: “The ‘First Wave’ symbolizing the full resurgence of the supernatural hasn’t arrived yet; the Special Affairs Office was just established not long ago and its systems are still imperfect; the Friendship Club is still rampant in Arakawa Ward…”
Shangshan Che took the cloth doll and was stunned when he saw the popup panel.
—Ms. Nanjo, are you my mom or something?
【”Nanjo Emi”】
【Quality: Rare】
【Usage: Auto-trigger】
【Effect: After use, “Nanjo Emi” will immediately appear behind you.】
“Carry it with you, and it’ll help you deal with death threats.”
Shangshan Che unhesitatingly put away this highest-quality item he’d ever seen and asked: “So, what’s the price?”
“I like talking to smart people.”
Nanjo Emi leaned in, her work ID dangling in the air, the scent of white musk lingering at Shangshan Che’s nose tip: “But the request can wait. Right now, I just want to hear the answer.”
“—Shangshan Jun, are you willing to accept my investment?”
After staring at the woman for a moment, Shangshan Che silently took out his mobile phone and showed the QR code: “Sister Nanjo, let’s add Line.”
Nanjo Emi blinked, showing an extremely odd expression for a moment, but didn’t say anything more.
After a ding, Shangshan Che looked at Nanjo Emi’s Line name—【Onmyo Junior Official·Nanjo Emi】.
Work account, huh.
……
After refusing Hasegawa’s enthusiastic invitation and Lili Zi’s request to “stay overnight at the police station together,” Shangshan Che prepared to go back to this lifetime’s home first.
On his way out, he still saw Nanjo Emi standing alone in place silently smoking, not knowing what was on her mind.
The little daruma doll sat on her head, silently accompanying her.
After thinking for a moment, Shangshan Che felt it was better to say goodbye:
“Sister Nanjo, I’m off.”
The woman turned back in confusion: “Want me to drive you?”
Shangshan Che shook his head: “Tokugawa took care of a cab for me.”
Nanjo Emi didn’t bother looking at him.
Not sure if it was an illusion, but Shangshan Che felt like she tsked unhappily.
Soon, the cab that rich girl Lili Zi had called via mobile phone arrived. As Shangshan Che breathed a sigh of relief and was about to get in, he heard a cold warning from behind:
“If you don’t want to get more involved, don’t investigate that club.”
“I know, Sister Nanjo.”
Right now, he definitely needed to hunker down and develop first, then wipe out that bunch of ghost things once his strength far surpassed the club.
Half an hour passed in a flash.
Looking at the outrageous large number on the fare screen, even though it wasn’t his money, the thrifty Shangshan Che felt a pang. Back home, 20 bucks would do it.
“Thanks.”
After politely thanking the driver who was still working hard late at night, Shangshan Che took out his key from his pocket and walked to the house doorway.
His nose twitched lightly twice.
This house’s smell… seemed a bit off.
Shangshan Che first used the eyeball to check the indoor situation, raised an eyebrow, then inserted the key into the hole.
He opened the house door and stepped into the entrance hall.
Thus, friendly greetings from inside the house came one after another.
“Xiao Che, welcome home.”
“Brother, welcome home.”
Shangshan Che looked up and saw in the center of the living room a “mother” with extremely distorted features and blood streaming all over her body; and standing beside her, a “sister” with empty pupils emitting a giggly bell-like laugh.
“Xiao Che? Why are you just standing there?”
“Huh? Why is Brother Adult just standing there?”
Eerie and terrifying voices kept coming.
Shangshan Che clearly remembered that the original body’s parents had died young, and he didn’t have the classic stepsister or adoptive sister from light novels.
Parents both deceased, no sister, has house—this was his starting point.
Perhaps because Shangshan Che had stood at the doorway too long, the “mother” and “sister” both walked toward him, dripping scarlet saliva, issuing urgent voices:
“Xiao Che? Can you hear me?! Can you see me!?”
“Brother, can you see me? Can you see me? Can you see me!”
In the silence, Shangshan Che silently put on the oni mask and spread his arms toward the “family members”:
“Mom, sis! Long time no see, of course I can see you…”
Laughing Hannya nodded pleasantly, showing a harvest-like smile:
“I’ve really missed you guys to death!”
