Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

"It seems there really is a Zashiki-warashi."

Mashu said:

"But I didn't sense any demonic energy or anything like that, so it might not be a Zashiki-warashi; it could be something else entirely."

Regardless, they all sensed traces of some mysterious power in this room, indicating that this hot spring inn was indeed not as simple as they had imagined.

"Anyway, let's investigate first."

However, after making this decision, Fujimaru Ritsuka seemed to have thought of something, and the originally energetic Fujimaru Ritsuka suddenly deflated and couldn't help but let out a long, melancholy sigh.

"Ugh--"

Although she said nothing, it seemed as if she said everything. Mashu understood perfectly and offered words of comfort:

"It's alright, senior. I should be able to help with the writing this time as well."

"……All right."

Since Mashu had already said so, Fujimaru Ritsuka had no choice but to pull herself together and prepare to conduct an investigation.

The primary target of the investigation was naturally the hotel itself. The first step was to search the entire hotel to see if any useful clues could be found.

So the two began to act.

As Azi Inn gradually became famous, there were many other guests in the inn besides them. Because of their outstanding appearance, people kept an eye on them along the way, making it impossible to investigate in many places.

Even so, they found some traces similar to those in the [Doll Room] in other parts of the hotel, but they did not find the real body.

"not here?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka rested her chin on her hand and began to think.

This might be because the other party is hiding in a place they cannot investigate for the time being, such as in other guests' rooms; or perhaps the other party's activities are not limited to the hotel.

"In that case..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka checked the time; it was only just past noon, and there was still a long time before nightfall.

"Let's eat first, and then go to the villages outside to investigate."

"Ah."

Mashu smiled and followed Fujimaru Ritsuka to the front desk to order food.

"A high-class Japanese-style room, thank you."

The two arrived at the hotel reception, where someone was checking in. Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu were slightly taken aback when they saw the person.

At the same time, the other person's gaze inadvertently fell on the two of them, and they said with some surprise:

"Ritsuka, Mashu?"

"Miss Rihe?"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 377 Nanfang Rihe's Purpose: Things Have Become Troublesome

"I never expected to run into you here."

The three sat down in the restaurant. Minami Hitsuru looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu with some surprise and asked:

Is it just the two of you this time?

"Yes."

Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled and said:

"We didn't expect to run into Miss Hizuru here. It's been a long time."

Their last meeting was when they were dealing with the "Shiki Incident." When they parted ways then, Nanami Hizuru said that she would be staying in Tokyo for a while and that he could come to her anytime if anything happened.

Despite saying that, they only met by chance now, even though they are both in Tokyo.

That said, even though it had been a while since we last met, Nanfang Rihe was still wearing that black suit as always, with a black vest underneath. She looked capable, calm, and intellectual, exuding a charming and aloof queen-like aura.

"After all, it started raining non-stop in Tokyo not long after that, and it only returned to normal a few days ago. So I've basically been staying at home during this time, so it's understandable that I haven't seen anything."

She took a sip of her coffee, then seemed to remember something and casually remarked:

"Speaking of which, there have been a lot of strange rumors circulating online about this protracted rain, such as the one about '30 minutes of sunshine'."

"Ritsuka, do you know anything?"

If there really was some mysterious event related to that rain, then as professionals in this field, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others should know something about it.

Of course, it doesn't matter if it's not there.

This was just a casual topic she brought up, and she didn't pay much attention to it.

But to her surprise, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded, giving an affirmative answer, and smiled:

"In that case, there are indeed some issues."

As one of the insiders of the "mystery," Nanakaku had even cooperated with them twice, so there was no need for her to hide anything from them. Thus, Fujimaru Ritsuka simply recounted the situation.

Meanwhile, Nanfang Rihe had somehow pulled out a notebook and started writing furiously. Her previously calm face suddenly contorted into a dazed expression as she muttered to herself:

"Gods, shrine maidens, weather, struggling teenagers, the trolley problem... Not bad, not bad at all, it seems like a very promising subject..."

After a while, Nanfang Rihe finally broke free from her frenzied creative state and regained her composure. She coughed twice and her expression returned to calm.

"Is it another god? But to be precise, this time it's a true god."

Then, she couldn't help but sigh:

"But speaking of which, your lives are really quite colorful."

Of the three mysterious events she knew of, the first was involving aliens (Bodao), the second was involving vampires (Shiki), and the third was involving a true god.

These situations, which most people would never encounter in their lifetime, are as common as editors calling to urge them to finish their work, for Fujimaru Ritsuka and her colleagues.

Upon hearing this, Fujimaru Ritsuka gave a bitter smile and sighed helplessly:

"I would rather my life be a little more peaceful."

After exchanging a brief chat about their recent situations, they then moved on to discussing current events.

Mashu asked with a smile:

"Miss Ritsuku also came here after seeing the information online, right?"

"You could say that. Another reason is that I was invited by a friend."

Nanfang Rihe nodded in reply:

"However, I originally just came here to gather information, but since you're all here, it means the rumors online are true, right?"

"Rumors?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu couldn't help but exchange a glance, looking at each other with confusion in their eyes, feeling that something was amiss.

So, Fujimaru Ritsuka tentatively asked:

"The rumors you mentioned, are you referring to the fact that this inn is haunted by zashiki-warashi (a type of spirit offering a form of worship)?"

"Zashiki-warashi? What's that?"

Nanfang Rihe paused for a moment, then finally realized what was happening and asked in return:

"Didn't you come here to investigate the [Blue Spider Curse] incident?"

"【The Curse of the Blue Spider】? What is that?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu looked bewildered. After exchanging glances for a while, Minakata Hizuru finally got straight to the point:

"It seems we're talking about something different."

"In that case, let's exchange some information first."

First, there's Fujimaru Ritsuka and her group. They're just here for a short two-day, one-night trip, so their clothes are quite casual.

However, upon arriving here, they unexpectedly discovered that there seemed to be something in the hotel, and they have just begun to investigate.

"I see, it seems we were completely wrong."

Nanfang Rihe pushed up his glasses and said:

"Well then, let me introduce my situation."

Nanfang Rizuru knew nothing about the hot spring inn; she had simply been invited by a friend to stay there. What she had to deal with was another strange incident unrelated to the inn itself.

"Near this hotel, there is a girls' school called Private Sansakura Academy."

"This is a very famous aristocratic private girls' academy, where only noble young ladies study. The historic Western-style school buildings are of great historical value and are highly regarded..."

"However, recently, for some reason, a lot of unusual incidents have occurred there, and the victims are all students..."

For example, a student fell down the stairs and broke his leg; a window suddenly shattered, almost blinding a nearby student; and the piano key cover suddenly slammed shut, crushing all of a student's fingers.

There were also students who suffered extensive burns during chemistry experiments due to the mysterious phenomenon of spontaneous combustion; and students who were injured without shedding a drop of blood, yet had cuts that reached the bone, and so on...

However, this alone is not enough to attract people's attention.

Most incredibly, the injured students all had marks on their bodies that looked like streaks.

Photos have been posted online showing bluish-black markings that look like a spider's nest, giving the impression that something ominous has been attached to them.

"...Therefore, based on the appearance of the markings, it has been called the 'Blue Spider Curse' since some time ago, and it has sparked heated discussions on a ghost story forum called MU·MINUS."

At this point, Nanfang Rihe paused slightly before continuing:

"My purpose in coming here is to investigate this incident at the invitation of a friend who is very interested in it, and also to gather some writing material."

At this point, both sides had clearly explained their respective objectives.

However, after hearing about the situation from Nanfang Rizuru, Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression became somewhat conflicted.

The Zashiki-warashi, which brings wealth, and the Blue Spider Curse, which constantly harms students, seem to have little connection.

However, considering that the two locations, Azusa Inn and Private Sansakura Academy, are very close to each other, Fujimaru Ritsuka has to consider whether there might be some kind of connection between them.

For example, the mastermind behind both incidents may be the same person.

But if that's really the case—