The Exorcism Tale of Hachiman

"No, you've already helped me a lot. Leave the rest to me."

Inari was seriously injured because she fought the Nine-Tailed Fox, so how could Hachiman Hikigaya blame her for that?

"Of course, it's not like I can't do anything."

Feeling the drowsiness growing stronger in her mind, while she was still awake, Inari quickly spoke the important matter.

"While you're in Tokyo, I'm sure that guy will target your family and friends. But don't worry about their safety. After I fall into a deep sleep, I'll concentrate most of my power in a shrine. My foxes will lead them there for refuge."

In short, Hachiman Hikigaya doesn't need to worry about his base being raided when he goes to Tokyo to fight the Nine-Tailed Fox.

"Grateful!"

As Hachiman Hikigaya was pondering how to solve the safety problem of Komachi and the others, he heard Inari say these words, and immediately he showed Inari a grateful look.

"After all, we're allies. Just remember our alliance once you become an exorcist in the Kanto region..."

The Inari Goddess's voice grew weaker and weaker until she finally collapsed onto the soft bedding.

Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was about to step forward to check the situation, a golden light suddenly shot out from the Inari God's body and flew out of the tent, finally landing in the Inari shrine closest to Chiba.

"Then, could you please provide me with the list of people who need to enter the shrine, Lord Hikigaya?"

Having received her orders early on, the second priestess entered the tent after the Inari God left and placed a special piece of paper for priestesses in front of Hachiman Hikigaya.

Picking up the paper, Hachiman Hikigaya's mind flashed with the names of people important to him. He was about to ask the second priestess for a pen when he discovered that all those names were already written on the paper.

"Please confirm if there are any names that have been missed."

The second priestess did not immediately take the paper back, but instead asked Hachiman Hikigaya to check it again.

"Komachi, Sakura, Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama, Miko Yotsuya, Irisviel, Illya, Shizuka Hiratsuka, Saki Kawasaki........."

Looking at the names on the list, Hachiman Hikigaya pondered for a while before adding the names of Zaimokuza, Yumiko Miura, and Iroha Isshiki.

Although he thought the probability of the three being attacked by evil spirits was low, he still thought it best to enter the shrine just to be on the safe side.

"That should be all."

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded and asked the second priestess to return the paper to her.

"Alright, I will arrange for a team to bring the people on the list and their families to the shrine for protection. Please rest assured, Lord Hikigaya."

Looking at the paper in her hand, she wondered what method the second priestess had used, but suddenly all the names on the paper turned into golden characters and floated in the air.

Immediately afterwards, one by one, the Inari foxes lined up and walked in from outside the tent. After each one received a name, they quickly retreated.

"Well then, Lord Hikigaya, may you have a safe journey."

After distributing the tasks to the assigned personnel, the second priestess, with half her face hidden under her mask, gave Hachiman Hikigaya a smile reminiscent of a supermarket employee.

"...Can I take that as you trying to get rid of me...?"

Hachiman Hikigaya wanted to chat with Miko Yotsuya for a while before going home to give Komachi and the others some instructions.

But judging from the Second Shrine Maiden's attitude, it seems he has no choice but to go to Tokyo right now...

"how can that be possible?"

After the Inari Goddess left, the second shrine maiden displayed a completely different, cunning personality.

"I imagine you, Lord Hikigaya, also hope to rescue your companion as soon as possible, right? So, every second you set off earlier, doesn't that increase the chances of your companion being rescued by one point?"

Although that's what the second priestess said, Hachiman Hikigaya always felt that what she meant was the same as "Get the hell out of here!"

Ok.

He seems to have really given the foxes at the Inari Shrine a hard time lately. It's understandable that the second shrine maiden might have some complaints about him...

After returning to the tent where Yotsuya Miko was and informing her that he was about to set off to rescue Yurikawa Hana, Hikigaya Hachiman was then taken back to her home by the second shrine maiden, who was looking at him with an impatient expression.

It was already late at night.

After asking the second priestess to wait in the living room, Hachiman Hikigaya slowly walked up the stairs to the second floor.

I had barely stood in the hallway when I heard a dense, rapid tapping of a keyboard coming from my room.

"........."

After standing silently at the door for a while, Hachiman Hikigaya ultimately chose not to hear anything.

"Komachi, are you asleep?"

Hachiman Hikigaya knocked on Komachi's door and asked softly.

Because he had been unconscious for an afternoon, and considering how energetic he was at night, Hachiman Hikigaya concluded that Komachi had most likely just fallen asleep or hadn't even gone to sleep yet.

However, the scene of the door opening quickly was different from what Hachiman Hikigaya had imagined.

There was no response from Komachi's room.

"Are you already fast asleep?"

Somewhat surprised that he had guessed wrong, Hachiman Hikigaya twisted the handle and walked straight into Komachi's room.

"empty?"

Looking at the flat bed, Hachiman Hikigaya was somewhat bewildered.

It's so late at night, where has this girl gone instead of resting in bed?

and many more!

Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly remembered the sound of keyboard typing he had just heard.

"That guy wouldn't possibly...."

Chapter 360 Parting

"Is that really the case?"

Hachiman Hikigaya stood in his room, looking at the four people sitting in a row in front of him, and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Are you guys staying up all night playing games instead of sleeping?"

Seeing Irisviel on the far right trying to keep her figure low so that Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't see her, Hachiman Hikigaya felt a sense of disappointment and frustration.

The other three are one thing, but Irisviel, what are you trying to do by getting involved as a mother?!

"Feel sorry...."

While Hachiman Hikigaya was out, the four of them tried to play video games all night but were caught red-handed. They hung their heads like defeated roosters and let Hachiman Hikigaya lecture them.

"Oh, forget it."

With a sigh, Hachiman Hikigaya had to temporarily suppress his idea of ​​teaching the four a lesson, since he was about to leave for Tokyo.

"I'm going to Tokyo for a few days. Someone will pick you up and take you to a shrine later, okay?"

"Onii-chan, you're leaving again?"

Komachi and Sakura, who had been looking down, both raised their heads when they heard Hachiman Hikigaya's words.

"Yes, I need to take care of things."

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded slightly.

"It must be dangerous, right? Otherwise, Hachiman wouldn't have gathered us all in one place..."

"........."

Hachiman Hikigaya glanced helplessly at Irisviel. Since she had already revealed the truth, he could only reluctantly admit it.

“That’s right. I was worried that the enemy might attack you while I was away if we went to Tokyo. That’s why I arranged for you to be placed in a safe place beforehand.”

"What about Sister Jianzi and the others?"

Komachi then asked.

"I've already arranged for people to take care of Yotsuya and Yukinoshita. So you don't need to worry about that. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

"Um, brother..."

As soon as Hachiman Hikigaya finished speaking, Sakura raised her right hand.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask, Sakura?"

Hachiman Hikigaya's expression was extremely gentle when facing Sakura, who had just been led astray.

"Will my brother encounter any danger if he goes to Tokyo?"

Unlike other issues, Sakura's main concern was Hachiman Hikigaya's safety.

Upon hearing Sakura's question, Hachiman Hikigaya paused for a moment, but then decided to tell the truth.

"I am not confident of winning."

After all, his current strength is still at the peak of the Ghost Emperor level, while even if the Nine-Tailed Fox is injured, her strength is still above the God level.

Furthermore, the nine-tailed fox has been plotting this conspiracy for who knows how long.

Fighting on the Nine-Tailed Fox's territory, Hachiman Hikigaya really didn't have the confidence to say he could win.

"Sakura believes her brother will win."

Knowing Hachiman Hikigaya's personality, Sakura did not try to dissuade him from going, because she knew that since Hachiman Hikigaya had told them these things, he had already made up his mind.

"Thank you, Sakura..."

Seeing how much Sakura cared for and believed in him, Hachiman Hikigaya felt a warmth in his heart, and then he looked at Komachi beside him.

"What are you looking at Komachi for? Do you want Komachi to say something disgusting? Onii-chan, you're such a pervert!"

Noticing Hachiman Hikigaya's gaze, Komachi put on a look of disgust.

No wonder she's his sister, right?

Hearing Komachi's words, Hachiman Hikigaya was both amused and exasperated.

After giving some further instructions and asking Irisviel to take care of his two younger sisters while he was away, Hachiman Hikigaya got up to head to Tokyo.

"that......"

Just then, Komachi's voice rang out again.

"Is there anything else you want to say?"