Volume 2 Chapter 4 Return Of Kazuramichi Ako Result： My Life Has Not Become Easier
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Alright, I’ll come back later. We still haven’t had that meal we promised, so make sure to be better next time.”
”Yeah, you take care of yourself too.”
”Well, it depends on how things go.”
After Anya left the room to see Naoshi off, Kanbe Yuzura looked at the person she trusted the most. Her expression was a bit tense.
”Grandpa, you heard the story, right?”
”Yes, young master.”
”She said something about a nurse and a sunshade, right?”
”Yes, it wasn’t very typical of Naoshi-sama to choose those words.”
Naoshi, who only went through basic education and spent most of his life as an exorcist, lacked some knowledge even though he came from a noble family.
This showed in his vocabulary and expressions.
”Naoshi isn’t dumb. If he really changed his mind about something, it wouldn’t be too strange. What do you think?”
”Well, I haven’t heard that he started reading books… But it’s surprising that he didn’t go to Umeda alone.”
”Yeah, that’s true.”
He wasn’t just overconfident, but he also had a hard time relying on others.
When Yuzura heard about the Great Youkai appearing in Umeda, she quickly warned him to be careful.
It was hard to believe that he brought along not just the top exorcist Mibu Itsuki, but also Shiun Suzuri.
”He seemed to think that as long as he could defeat the ayakashi and protect his family’s name, that was all that mattered. It was like he didn’t care about his own stuff.”
Now, even though they were already close, he was clearly working together with the Shiun family and treating their eldest daughter as his actual apprentice.
He probably planned to marry her in the future to strengthen the bond between their families.
He was also more active in reaching out to other families in Sakai──though it seemed like his strict methods hadn’t changed.
This all made sense for the stability of Osaka and Kansai, and it wasn’t a bad thing for him either.
But──.
”It just feels off to me.”
”Still, from what I’ve read in the reports, neither of the Great Youkai seemed to have any mental influence.”
”…”
”Plus, I have no doubt about his determination. If there has been a change in his mindset, it seems like a good thing for now.”
”Hmm, that’s true.”
Even though Yuzura was also born into one of the Kansai 8 families, if she were asked if she could dedicate everything like he did, she would have to shake her head.
Kazuramichi Naoshi had put in more time and effort than anyone else to earn the title of the strongest in Kansai and to fulfill his duty as an exorcist.
Because of his passion, he also made enemies and got some bad reputation──.
”Whatever, what possibilities do you think there are?”
”Changes in a person often come from love or having kids… But taking on an apprentice could also be a similar trigger.”
”Oh really?”
So, it wasn’t that he took Shiun’s eldest daughter as an apprentice as the first step in his current path, but rather that taking her on as an apprentice led him to change direction.
He probably needed not just skill but also a certain image as a master, which might explain why he sought more knowledge.
Especially since Shiun Suzuri had been quite a handful not long ago, even more than Naoshi.
But that wasn’t something she could be sure about.
”Well, logic and excuses can go anywhere──fine. Anyway, Anya’s test is the main thing. We’ll think about Naoshi if something comes up.”
”Yes. By the way, young master, are you really feeling okay?”
”Come on, even you, Grandpa? I’m fine, really.”
Waving her hand dismissively, Yuzura turned her gaze out the window.
”Is that so? My apologies.”
After waiting a bit to confirm that her wishes hadn’t changed, the servant bowed respectfully.
”I’m a bit tired of talking. I want to be alone and rest.”
”Understood.”
Encouraged by Yuzura’s waving hand, Isurugi and the other household members left the room.
The door closed quietly, and the room suddenly became silent.
”────.”
Yuzura sighed deeply while looking out the window in the now empty room.
* * *
On the train back from Hyogo to Osaka, Naoshi crossed his arms and got lost in thought.
Standing tall without holding onto the handrail in the swaying train, he caught a lot of eyes with his outfit of a kimono and an Inverness coat, but he didn’t seem to care at all.
That guy was definitely hiding something.
Kanbe Yuzura is known as a wise person.
Compared to his peer Kazuramichi, who often gets compared to him, Yuzura is smart and calm──this analysis isn’t too far off.
But because of this, people often overlook the fact that he is the opposite of Naoshi when it comes to emotions.
In other words, Naoshi is cold, while Yuzura is emotional, and sometimes that sharpness of his intelligence can dull.
Naoshi thought that his friend’s deep feelings were both a flaw and a strength.
If he wasn’t that kind of person, they probably wouldn’t have been friends.
But that’s why he was worried in this case.
Didn’t the fox say “Yao no Kitsune”?
The yokai fox is also known as a wise being.
Not all of them are harmful to people, as seen in the example of the kudzu leaf fox.
However, the fact that it still interfered with Yuzura after being sealed away couldn’t be ignored.
Generally, the yokai fox gains more power and tails as it ages.
If it’s a Yao no Kitsune, it probably lives for hundreds of years.
With that much time, it could easily take advantage of people’s hearts.
A curse or maybe just words.
Even though Yuzura is weak, it’s rare for something to linger like this, so it’s probably best to keep an eye on it──if it’s overthinking, then that’s fine.
Besides that, his friend had other problems weighing on his mind.
The Kanbe family, which has a long history, follows the rule of firstborn inheritance, but Yuzura’s uncle, the current head, was a soft-hearted man.
He didn’t understand his nephew’s preferences, who was the child of his late sister and brother-in-law, but he didn’t try to change him either, treating him just like his own sons.
No matter how well Yuzura behaved, his talent and his uncle’s attitude made others and his cousins doubt whether he should be the next head of the Kanbe family.
Thinking of his friend’s wry smile as he said, “I’m grateful, but my uncle is a bit of a problem.”
But this was the same inheritance issue for the 8 families.
It’s not something outsiders can easily comment on, and on top of that, the “troublemaker from Osaka” is the only thing the soft-hearted head has ever criticized.
As the one being called a troublemaker, it’s hard to move.
──So, what should I do?
”Eek!”
”Whoa!”
Naoshi’s thoughts were interrupted by a girl in a uniform who leaned against him as the train swayed.
”Sorry, sorry!”
”You alright? You seem a bit frazzled.
”Yes!”
Nearby, a group of girls in the same uniform were whispering excitedly to each other.
”Be careful!”
”Yes! By the way, are you a model or something?”
”Are ya serious? Do I look like a model or what?
”Yes! Your clothes are super stylish, they really suit you, and you’re so tall!”
The other girls nodded in agreement.
It didn’t feel like they were trying to flirt too hard.
They probably just wanted to chat with a good-looking guy.
It was just typical playful behavior for girls their age.
What a difference from Suzuri-chan.
”Thanks a lot──.”
As the train’s announcement for the next stop came on, Naoshi felt a faint presence of a yokai and glanced out the window for a moment.
”──but sorry, I’m just an ordinary fella. So no taking pics, all right?
”Oh!”
He smiled and ended the conversation, joining the flow of people getting off the train.
He had crossed the prefectural border and was already in Osaka. Naoshi didn’t have any major issues moving around.
──Was this area really Shiun-san’s territory?
Well, if it wasn’t, he could just owe him a favor.
Even small changes in a friend’s behavior or the rules of respect for other families come second to the job of an exorcist──at least for Kazuramichi Naoshi.
”Well, it can’t be helped, but no matter how hard I work, it just feels tough.”
On a winter day, he hurried out of the station with the crowd of people heading home after working late. He didn’t feel stressed.
The ayakashi wandering around town weren’t a problem; he knew that for sure, and it wasn’t just his cockiness. And once again, that turned out to be true.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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