Leaving the family restaurant, we began our nightly tour of the city. We’re walking downtown.
By the way, Cui left the bag and flew around.
「Hey, Minato. How many do you exorcise in one patrol?」
「It varies. There are days where I find zero, and there are times where I’ve exorcised more than a dozen」
「Over a dozen? That’s tough」
「There are rare cases where people eroded by the Oni Qi are hanging out. It’s common in a city like this.」
When exorcising Oni Qi, it seems that the basic method is to use Resonant Mind Arts when the subject is weakened. There are other methods, but this one takes the least amount of time.
「How long does it take to exorcise one?」
「Depends on the class, the erosion. For example, I can forcibly exorcise the lowest level, an ice oni without knocking them out」
「I see」
「Although, it depends on the one using resonant mind arts. I can take out a Drum Oni Class in an instant」
「That’s great」
The short answer is that it depends on the strength of the Oni and the exorcist. But it’s better if they’re weakened. And if they’re about to throw hands, then that’s my turn.
But as for the Oni, they no longer return to humans even if you exorcise them. And all of them are powerful, making them stand out from the rest. Cui even finds Harakara, who can use Kigan Techniques, a dangerous opponent.
「I guess the real ones like Harakara don’t appear all the time」
「Didn’t I tell you? It’s uncommon to meet them. They prefer to keep a low profile when doing dirty work」
Those who had been eroded by Oni Qi gained more power than humans. Most of them rampage on impulse, letting Tenyoushuu capture them.
On the other hand, the Oni are somewhat stable in mind. But, many of them use their power to do bad stuff.
「Harakara’s different」
「Really?」
「Yes. He’s an Oni who just wants to fight the strong. At last, he’s not the type who would be violent to an ordinary person」
「I see」
「He’s already looking forward to his rematch with you. I doubt he would want to fight anyone apart from Touya for a while」
「Huh?」
What? He’s now obsessed with me?! No, I thought he already walked away. I didn’t name myself, and I’d rather not get involved with him again.
I recall my fight with Harakara and I’m already losing my energy. The fistfight with him was painful.
While I was thinking… I see three young girls walk in front. These girls all had cloth bags in their hands and what might look like a bamboo sword.
「Good evening, Minato-sama」
「Yes, good evening」
Hmm. I thought so. I’m sure that they’re members of Tenyoushuu.
Two of the three look like high-school students. But one seems like a college student in their early twenties.
I think their age is closer to Kurumi. I think she’s the leader of the two. The three looked at me.
「Minatoo-sama! Could it be… It’s him?」
「Yes. My attendant, Kougo Touya」
「Kyaa! I knew it!」
「But, he seems like an ordinary person no matter how you look at it」
Oh, I get it. Those eyes seem to pierce me But they’re not hostile like the brat from the other time.
「Hey, Touya-san. I heard that you beat up the eldest of the Mahara house, is that true?」
「Oh? You mean the brat who picked a fight?」
「Yes, so it was real? Amazing」
Their interest in me faded out and they shared information with Minato. So the patrol is a shifting system? But I don’t think the patrol area is strictly defined, I guess?
「There seems to be more people eroded by the Oni Qi in this area compared to the previous years. Please take care, Minato-sama」
「Oh, speaking of which. I saw Amari-chan earlier」
「Amari?」
「Motomune Amari. Motomune house」
「Oh!」
Another name I don’t know. I can’t help it. I’m a newcomer.
「What about her?」
「You see. She’s not on duty today and yet she has her sword with her. Furthermore, she went to the club with her friends!」
「Club?」
「Yes. Amari-chan looks like she was about to have fun…or so I think」
A club? Do they allow minors in? Wait, there are places where they don’t even check it. They let people drink and smoke there. Also, playboys live there! Man, I’m jealous!
Now I’m seeing Amari-chan in a prejudiced light. I don’t know how old she is, but the tone makes it seem that she’s not that far from Minato.
After hearing the story, Minato puts her hand on her chin to think.
「Which club was it?」
「Shooting Star. The one gaining reputation recently」
「Thanks」
After finishing the exchange with the three, it’s just us again. Minato checked the location of Shooting Star on her phone.
「What’s wrong?」
「Motomune Amari. I hate that girl」
「Oh?」
What? Must be some kind of clash between girls. I better look away.
「She charges at me just because I’m a Kokuryoin. She’s less talented than me, and yet she’s got a big attitude」
「Woah…Got it」
「But. If she has time to goof around, then she would be polishing her sword and techniques」
Minato closed her phone and began to walk.
「I don’t think that woman, for all her worth, who sees me as her rival, would go out her way to visit a club for fun」
「Maybe that just happens sometimes. You’re both students, aren’t you?」
「It’s not uncommon for them to bring their swords even out of duty, but… I’m a little worried」
Seems like we’re going for Shooting Stars.
Well, I don’t know Motomune Amari. But if Minato, her acquaintance is feeling worried, then I’ve got nothing to say.
Just in time, Cui flies down to my head.
「Your bird sure is smart」
「Isn’t that right?」
Seems like Cui finished flying around. Then, Cui-san talked to me in the usual cunny voice.
『Shooting Star. It’s a bar run by the Meteor Society, they’re making a splash in Tokyo lately』
You were listening? As always, great ears and information-gathering skills.
『By the way, the Meteor Society distributes drugs behind the scenes. A male idol got caught recently purchasing drugs from them』
「Seriously?」
I unconsciously shouted at the info Cui-san gave me. Minato looked at me suspiciously?
「What’s wrong?」
「No, nothing」
Only I can hear Cui’s voice. Naturally, Minato didn’t hear anything.
『Contrary to their appearance, many of them are quite familiar with violence. Ishidate also had his hands full, terrified that they might stretch their territory』
Oh, how do I say it? Wait, not that.
(They’re involved in the distribution of drugs? Also, they’re incredibly violent? That’s not normal human thinking. The Oni Qi has likely eroded them)
I can imagine it based on the information I gained.
Then I remembered what Minato said, which is a great motivation for a subordinate. Saying that great efforts shall be rewarded.
「Hey, Minato. I actually have some great info」
「What could it be?」
「Shooting Star, the club. The guy running the place, Meteor Society is involved in some crimes. Some Oni may likely be involved in it」
I can’t talk about Cui so I fluffed it a bit.
The information is lacking in specifics, and there’s also no evidence. But Minato didn’t dig deep into what I said; she just went deep into her thoughts.
「It’s likely that she knew that the Meteor Society has some Oni involved too. Maybe she went to the club not for fun but to investigate?」
The old-fashioned beauty starts mumbling to herself at the corner of the street. Then, Cui said something more disturbing.
『Hmm. Just now, I’m hearing something at Shooting Star. According to the men who came out, three women, including Motomune Amari, will get gangbanged』
「What?!」
『The men who came out of the bar seem to be frustrated. If you want to see the gangbang, then think of when to come』
「I don’t want to see it! Minato, let’s hurry!」
「Huh?」
「Just come with me! Your friend’s in trouble!」
「S-She’s not!」
「Come!」
I grabbed Minato’s arm without saying anything else. Then, I rushed in the direction Cui pointed at.