Purification Ritual.

In Japan, the character "purification" is meant to remove curses, while "ritual" signifies the cleansing of misfortune; similarly, "ritual" also encompasses meanings of misfortune and impurity.

According to the tradition handed down at Inari Shrine, the purification ritual has the power to remove curses from a person and bring them good luck.

But...

"Why do I always feel like I'm the villain here?..."

Inari Keiichi opened his mouth.

To remove the "ritual" from Beichuan Si, Inari Keiichi had done his best to speak kindly, nearly getting down on his knees to beg him to allow the purification ritual to be performed.

But Beichuan Si was like an iron hedgehog, refusing no matter how persuasively he spoke.

Why? What good does it do you to have spirits deliberately seek you out?!

Inari Keiichi simply couldn't understand.

In the end, he was even forced to sign various contracts with Beichuan Si, including ludicrous terms such as "Beichuan Si must take action first in the event of finding paranormal or strange occurrences."

This led Inari Keiichi to believe perhaps Beichuan Si liked spirits, which was why he insisted on this.

"Alright, given all the conditions you've agreed to, letting you hold the purification ritual isn't entirely out of the question."

Beichuan Si's face carried a trace of reluctance.

This expression almost made Inari Oneji rush up to hammer him.

You feel wronged?!

We're using our energy to purify you!

How can there be such people?

"It's okay, Oneji." Inari Keiichi held Inari Oneji back: "Maybe Brother Beichuan has his reasons."

It must be said, Inari Keiichi's temperament is genuinely admirable.

Even at such a time, he thought of making excuses for Beichuan Si.

After saying this, he checked the time, then continued, "It's already very late today, let's talk about the purification another time, Brother Beichuan. Let's exchange emails and phone numbers first."

Inari Keiichi, pulling Inari Oneji, exchanged contact information with Beichuan Si and Four Directions Huixue, then politely bid farewell and left.

Once the two of them left, the special department room was left with only Beichuan Si and Four Directions Huixue.

Yes...

Just the two of them.

After realizing this situation, Four Directions Huixue initially let out a small "ah," then started to become flustered, not knowing where to rest her gaze.

"Four Directions, do you have something else to say?" Beichuan Si asked.

Hearing Beichuan Si initiate conversation, Four Directions Huixue's previously restless limbs instantly stiffened.

Her voice was as stiff as a robot's, not daring to look at Beichuan Si:

"No, nothing at all!"

"Is that so? Then I will be leaving too, I have matters to attend to back home." Beichuan Si gave Four Directions Huixue another look.

He always felt that Four Directions Huixue had something to say, but she was hesitant to speak out.

Beichuan Si didn't think much of it and headed straight for the door.

His strides were long, and he disappeared from Four Directions Huixue's sight in an instant.

Four Directions Huixue opened her mouth, tried to extend her hand, then helplessly let it fall.

Ah! How frustrating! Why do I always freeze up at times like these!

Four Directions Huixue scratched her head, sinking into inexplicable self-reproach.

...

Beichuan Si sat in Gangye Yoshiko's car, skillfully swiping on his phone screen.

"Oh? Really? Qingchuan Xiu Yi went to handle that strange event alone?" Gangye Yoshiko, with a lollipop in her mouth, raised her brows.

Beichuan Si didn't let her smoke, so she had to settle for hard candies to satisfy her cravings.

"Uh…more or less."

Beichuan Si played with his phone, not particularly concerned about the matter.

"You know, Beichuan, you guys are a team after all, don't be so indifferent when things happen." Gangye Yoshiko glanced at the rearview mirror as she spoke.

"Before that...you shouldn't have hinted at me becoming the team leader." Beichuan Si's tone was absolutely flat.

"Ha ha...that's because I have confidence in your abilities."

Gangye Yoshiko chuckled dryly, explaining.

Though she felt deciding such matters was too troublesome and didn't care who did it, she said it because Beichuan Si was a person she trusted more.

"Do you think deciding was too troublesome, and you didn't care who became the leader, but since I'm a person you trust more, that's why you suggested it?"

Beichuan Si turned his eyes towards her.

Gangye Yoshiko instinctively shrank a bit.

For some reason, she always felt there was something piercing about Beichuan Si's gaze...

In this situation, Gangye Yoshiko didn't hesitate to use a tried-and-true adult tactic—

Changing the subject!

"Alright, let's set aside who becomes the team leader for now. Later, I will send you, along with your colleagues, the detailed information about that strange event. It's somewhat worrying that Qingchuan is handling it alone."

Gangye Yoshiko awkwardly shifted the topic.

"I understand."

Beichuan Si, not bothering to criticize Gangye Yoshiko's clumsy topic shifting, simply nodded and continued looking down at his phone.

Throughout the trip, he and Gangye Yoshiko chatted sporadically.

About forty minutes later, Gangye Yoshiko's car stopped in front of Beichuan Si's house.

"Do you want to come in and sit for a while?" Beichuan Si, who had already gotten out of the car, still decided to ask.

"Huh?" Hearing this, Gangye Yoshiko showed a look of surprise, her voice carrying a trace of incredulity: "Beichuan, you actually know how to make polite small talk now?"

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