novelraw Chapter 158 : Kitsune-sama Goes to Ikebukuro (2)
Chapter 158 : Kitsune-sama Goes to Ikebukuro (2)
Setting aside the small stroke of luck enjoyed by those schoolgirls, Inari had safely arrived at the Ikebukuro Grand Library.
The Ikebukuro Grand Library was a large-scale facility, spanning three floors above ground and two underground. It was not run by the state but by an awakener corporation, funded through entry fees. Because of this, every librarian and staff member was an awakener.
That alone testified to the library’s high level of security. And so, few complained about the entry fee. Few, meaning there were always some, but really—what could they do? At any rate, there were none today. Inari paid with her awakener card and stepped inside.
“Mhm… this is even more impressive than I imagined.”
Rows upon rows of shelves stretched out, with desks and chairs for reading. For those who wanted absolute quiet, there were reading rooms available for an additional fee.
But Inari had no interest in that. What interested her was simply the books. Studying the directory, she muttered thoughtfully.
“Magazines, history, subculture, geography, foreign, culture… hmm. Mayhap culture?”
“Are you looking for something in particular?”
“Mhm?”
Turning at the voice, Inari saw a library staffer. Their clothes were casual—likely personal attire—but marked by a standardized apron and badge identifying them as staff.
Unbeknownst to Inari, those aprons were specially crafted for awakeners, much like the uniforms of the Servant Uniform Workshop—durable enough to shrug off knives or small-arms fire.
“If you tell me what kind of book you’re seeking, I can assist.”
“That would be helpful indeed. Truth be told, I am searching for books on urban legends.”
“Urban legends… is it?”
“Mhm. Dost thou have any?”
“W-well… um…”
“Mhm?”
Seeing the staffer hesitate, Inari tilted her head. At length, they answered, “Yes, we do.”
“They are… in the children’s book section. Shall I guide you there?”
“Ah, mhm. If you would.”
“Yes—or perhaps, would it be better if I brought the books here?”
“Nay, it would trouble thee. A simple guide suffices.”
“Very well… this way, please.”
Inari wondered why the staffer seemed so reluctant—but she understood soon enough.
Within the library was a section fenced off with transparent walls, designed with extra safety measures: the children’s corner, lined with small bookshelves. Staff were stationed nearby at all times to ensure nothing happened.
When the staffer entered with Inari, the handful of children inside let out excited cries.
“It’s Inari-chan!”
“Wow, Inari-chan!”
“Amazing!”
“Um… perhaps I really should just bring the books out for you.”
“Nay, it’s fine. They are adorable.”
“Ah—”
Inari strode inside, and as expected, the children rushed to her. Of course they did. Whatever Inari thought of herself, a famous awakener was an idol—perhaps even a superhero to children.
To meet such a “person from the TV” in real life, of course they would react this way.
“Let’s play!”
“Now, now. This is a place for reading books.”
“Aww, let’s play!”
“Hmm. Then let us read a picture book together. Bring whichever thou likest.”
Inari sat down on the carpeted floor, and the children eagerly fetched books and clustered around her.
“Here, this one! Harem Taro!”
“Harem? Let’s see… Once upon a time, there was a very popular old man and thirty-seven grandmothers… Mhm.”
Closing the book, Inari quietly set it aside. If she ever met the author, she fully intended to deliver a serious lecture. For now, she pretended it never happened.
“And what else have we here?”
“Yes! Reverse-Harem Princess!”
“…Mhm. Princess Elizabeth lived happily with eleven handsome men… Wait just a moment.”
Still smiling, Inari stood and walked over to the nearby staffer, who was still watching nervously.
The staffer’s gaze wavered under Inari’s smile as she looked up at them.
“…I had thought picture books were meant to be more… tranquil?”
“There is an argument that, rather than throwing children unprepared into the ocean of information, it is better to expose them to a wide range of genres early. That they will grow into well-rounded adults as a result…”
“Well, I’ve no wish to meddle in the raising of others’ children, but…”
The times had changed, and with them, children’s education too. Though for Inari, the changes were bewildering—especially books like Harem Taro.
“Why not this Momotaro instead?”
“Oh, I know that one! Momotaro’s an awakener, right?”
“Oh? So that is how he is interpreted nowadays…”
Indeed, a boy who conversed with animals and fought oni—by today’s standards, Momotaro did seem an awakener. Perhaps his tale was a cutting-edge adventure story for this age.
With such thoughts, Inari read the story aloud. One by one, the children drifted to sleep.
Only after making sure they were resting soundly did Inari rise, ready to search for the book she had truly come for.