Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 144 : Kitsune-sama Pays a Hospital Visit

—We now return to Itou City Hall, the scene of the incident. An unprecedented case of monsters “possessing” humans, with even the mayor among the victims. Reports also suggest the entire town had been placed under some form of mental domination, which delayed discovery of the incident.

—Thank you, Ms. Takanashi. So what measures is the city currently taking in response?

—Yes. At present, Itou City is still struggling to grasp the full scope of the situation. Both the mayor and deputy mayor remain unconscious, with many other citizens also hospitalized or unresponsive. The city has, for all practical purposes, ground to a halt. Authorities say their first priority is rebuilding from this state.

—Thank you. Mr. Midou, what are your thoughts on the matter?

—Yes. What stands out most is that the monsters clearly displayed intelligence. Until now, the public has only seen the violent side of monsters, while their actual nature has been treated as something of a taboo. But this time, with evidence that they can possess true intellect—

The TV went click, screen going dark. Yasuno let out a long, heavy sigh.

The Awakener Association had shown little but failure this time. In fact, it was a blunder. They had even invoked an emergency code—only to fail. Though admittedly, this was the first time such a code had ever been used. Headquarters had dismissed Yasuno’s on-site report with nothing more than a token check.

As a result, “Scenario Case 2” had been triggered at the site and proven correct, yet Headquarters failed to respond. A disaster they could never allow to become public.

And so, officially, “Scenario Case 2” had not been invoked. Politics at work. The staff who mishandled it at HQ would be quietly demoted. As for Yasuno, though some grumbled she “lacked persuasive power on site,” her actions had been judged proper, and she received a mark of competence. But honestly, it had been a terrifying tightrope walk. If she had failed to act, it would have been brushed aside as “unavoidable.” Because she succeeded, however, expectations had risen.

“It’s painful… For once, doing my job right actually hurts…”

Currently, Yasuno herself was hospitalized for observation in a high-end private room, courtesy of the Association. The Director-General had even visited personally to say, “I expect much from you in the future.” The words weighed on her like an iron slab. Heavy.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that every time she accompanied Inari on an HQ case, it would spiral into another incident. And if the Association’s response ever faltered, it would be Yasuno who took the blame.

“This is… too much…”

“Thou seemest rather weary.”

“Huh? Miss Kogami?”

“I knocked, yet received no answer, so I entered. Should I return anon?”

“No, no, no! I’m very glad you came!”

Yasuno’s flustered reply was only natural. Headquarters’s evaluation of Inari had now shifted to “never let her go.” After all, officially, the incident had been resolved by the awakener who accompanied a Headquarters staff member. HQ’s prestige had thus been preserved.

The “Black Witch,” whom HQ had summoned, had also done her part by clearing aquatic monsters blocking the route to Itou. To outside eyes, Headquarters had swiftly resolved the crisis. The Association’s standing was secure. But the truth was, this had been almost entirely thanks to Inari.

Moreover, she was easy to contact, rumored to be entering the ranks, immensely skilled, and possessed of a sterling character. No way could such a figure be left to a mere regional branch.

“Oh-ho, is that so? Then, here. A gift for thy recovery. I knew not what to bring, so I chose this assortment of juices.”

“Ah, thank you very much. I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“Think nothing of it. Thou too hast labored much in this.”

“Well… it was part of my job. More importantly, thank you. Honestly, this case—”

“Nay. Say no more.”

Inari pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.

“This was not a thing that could have been foreseen. A monster disaster is just that—a disaster. By chance, we were there. By chance, I could resolve it. Nothing more than happenstance.”

“…Happenstance, is it.”

“Aye. Hadst thou borne the strength, wouldst thou not also have acted?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then this time it was I. That is all there is to it.”

Yasuno nodded, replying, “You’re right.” But she knew better. Inari called it mere happenstance—but how many could truly do what she did?

After all, the only top ranker reachable at the time had been the Black Witch. The “Hero” had only just returned his call after the incident ended. That said it all.

“I joined Headquarters thinking life would be stable. Instead, it’s nothing but upheaval…”

Still, her performance rating would rise, along with her salary. A special bonus was also promised. She was already daydreaming about what to buy with the windfall.

Unaware, of course, that among the items Inari had brought back was one that would yet again spark new turmoil…