Tokyo: My Hundred Demon Scroll

Chihiro really couldn't tell: how could such an important person be so approachable?

"Gu Yunjun's surname is Iijima."

"Hey?"

Akio Ogino and Yuko paused, the latter murmuring, "Iijima Tanigumo, that, that's not..."

There are quite a few people in Japan with the surname Iijima, nearly 250,000, but it's definitely impossible for two people to have the exact same first and last name and attend the same elementary school, Sakuramantei.

Many people in the circle know that Sakuramantei Elementary School has been bought by the Iijima family, and even the chairman of the board is just a figurehead (Nao Hayasaka), the executive director of the Iijima Group.

It's no secret in the elite circle that the heir of the Iijima family is attending elementary school in Sakuramanba.

Many high-ranking officials and nobles wanted to send their children to Yingmanting so that they could get to know Gu Yun.

Over time, Sakura Garden became a gathering place for the children of many people of high status and position.

Even though Gu Yun has graduated now, the established order has already been formed, and it's almost impossible to change the fact that Yingmanting is a prestigious school.

"Hey hey!"

It was in that moment of hesitation that Akio Ogino realized he had taken the wrong turn: "Ah, I think I've taken the wrong turn."

"Gu Yun-kun, your real name is Iijima Gu Yun?!"

Yuko didn't care at all about such a trivial matter as driving the wrong car. All her attention was now focused on Chihiro and Gu Yunjun: "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"Um, is this really that important?"

"His surname is Iijima!"

"Iijima, that Iijima?"

Chihiro also received an aristocratic education. One thing that people of this middle and upper class must do is know who in this society they cannot afford to offend.

Therefore, Chihiro knows about many families, such as the Chitanda and Hiratsuka families.

The Iijima family goes without saying.

In ancient times, the Iijima family was the ruling shogunate, and Chitanda and Heizuka were the daimyo under their command who protected a region.

The Ogino family was insignificant, but they were still retainers of a minor daimyo.

"No way!"

Chihiro simply couldn't reconcile the gentle and kind Tanigumo with the prestigious status of the next generation heir of the Iijima family.

"But, but shouldn't people like that be very arrogant and domineering?"

That's how it's always portrayed in the TV dramas Chihiro has watched.

But things are completely different with Gu Yun.

"His bento box didn't even have two layers!"

This has become a common way for students to tease Gu Yun.

Especially compared to Hiratsuka Shizuka's ultra-luxurious young lady bento, this is truly the epitome of commoner.

However, few people know that Gu Yun's dishes are specially made by demons, and occasionally Hayasaka Nao will cook for him personally.

A bento box filled with love is the taste of happiness and home.

In addition, Gu Yun does not eat much.

Compared to Hiratsuka Shizuka, who can eat a five-layer deluxe bento in one meal by practicing breathing techniques, Gu Yun really doesn't need to pursue this.

"I always thought that Gu Yunjun was of Chinese descent."

The Hua clan that Chihiro mentioned is similar to the commonly known scholarly families. Gu Yun's humility and gentleness made it difficult for Chihiro to associate him with 'money' and 'power'.

"That's amazing."

After hearing Chihiro's description, Yuko compared it to the children of wealthy women she knew: "Is this the heir of the Iijima family?"

"So, Gu Yunjun is very powerful?"

"superb!"

Upon learning Gu Yun's identity, Youzi dared not say anything more: "He and we are from two different worlds."

“We’re just talking about this in private, Chihiro, you absolutely mustn’t tell anyone,” Yuko whispered. “It’s being said in the industry that even our prime minister is a spokesperson chosen by the Iijima family.”

"Okay, so scary!"

The girl covered her mouth in surprise.

She never imagined that her classmate would become a prominent figure standing at the pinnacle of this country.

"The Iijima family's prodigy can lead this giant ship for at least another fifty years."

The Iijima Group's meteoric rise has even prompted the Abe family, known for their fortune-telling, to offer this assessment: 'The next fifty years belong to Iijima.'

"Boom~Boom~"

"what happened?"

The mother and daughter's conversation was interrupted by the shaking of the car, and they looked at Akio Ogino with puzzled expressions.

"that…"

Akio Ogino said embarrassedly, "I... I think I took the completely wrong turn."

"If you take the wrong road, you can just find your way back, right?"

Yuko asked curiously, only to find that the view outside the window had turned into a grove of trees, and the only road in front of her was a muddy path.

"where is this place?"

Yuko sighed, wondering how her husband could possibly drive to such a secluded forest path.

"The air is so fresh."

Chihiro opened the car window and stuck her head out; she quite liked this kind of place.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, Chihiro saw a dilapidated torii gate by the roadside, as well as some small stone houses: "What are those?"

Small stone houses are scattered closely under the torii gate, many of which are also filled with snacks and small items, as if people come here specifically to pray.

“That’s a stone shrine, the home of the gods.”

Yuko got out of the car and first put her hands together in front of the stone shrine to show respect. Then she looked through the trees in a certain direction and said, "I see the highway over there."

"Oh, in that case, this road should be able to bend over too."

"Sit tight!"

Akio Ogino is a very adventurous person, and since it's broad daylight, walking along a forest path is no big deal: "Chihiro, you two continue chatting, I'll leave this to Dad."

"Ok!"

Chihiro glanced at the forest she passed through and saw many stone statues standing in the bushes on both sides.

Their numbers are greater than they originally were.

The stone statue has two sides, which represent a dividing line. It is made of a special kind of stone.

There are many similar stones in this world, such as the Inspiration Stone, the Reversal Stone, and the Essential Stone that can close off the turbid world.

The stone statues here are not made of any of the three elements; their materials are quite ordinary, but the key lies in the blessing of the gods.

God has two sides: one is peaceful, and the other is volatile.

This is also telling those who come from afar, "Don't go any further, just retreat."

Of course, Chihiro was unaware of all this.

However, the amulet in the girl's arms was emitting a faint light. It contained the magic left by Gu Yun and was constantly sending a 'danger' signal to Chihiro.

Strangely, however, the Ogino family seemed to be affected by some kind of force, and even Tanigumo's protective charms failed to awaken any of them.

Chihiro, though not completely immersed in the story, also refrained from raising any questions.

"Isn't it for export?"

Akio Ogino was forced to stop his car when the guardian deity statue blocked his way: "There are houses like this here?"

What appeared before them was a clock tower built in the style of a Western-style mansion.

"Yuko, Chihiro, come quick!"

Akio Ogino called his wife and daughter over. Yuko looked at the clock tower with great interest, while Chihiro felt a bit eerie and said, "Let's go back. This place feels strange."

As Chihiro spoke, the amulet in her arms began to emit spiritual energy fluctuations.

This force enveloped Chihiro and the couple, forming a small, independent protective barrier.

"It seems a bit chilly."

Akio Ogino seemed to have sobered up a bit. He patted the cement wall, then turned to leave: "I was planning to go in and take a look, but if you don't want to go, then forget it."

"This is the first time I've seen buildings like this near a small town."

Yuko followed her husband and turned around: "Were there any travel plans here before?"

"Who knows? There were too many things like this before the 90s. Maybe the town had some plans for this too."

The two chatted as they prepared to return to the car, but the next moment, Akio Ogino started sniffing the air: "What's that smell? Yuko, can you smell it?"

"Mmm, it smells so good!"

After the three finished lunch, they went up the mountain to pay their respects. At that moment, they smelled the aroma of food and were immediately attracted by it.

"The sound is coming from inside!"

Akio Ogino strode toward the tunnel beneath the clock tower. He stood at the entrance and took a deep sniff: "Yes, this is it."

"Hey, Chihiro, Yuuko, let's go get something to eat together."

"Chihiro must be hungry too."

Yuko patted her daughter's head. Knowing that Chihiro was timid, she said, "There's food inside, which means there are people. So you don't have to be afraid, right?"

Chihiro nodded.

If this were an abandoned mansion or something similar, Chihiro definitely wouldn't go there, and she would definitely stop her parents from going in.