Chapter Nine: Uesugi-kun, you're actually quite sturdy, aren't you?

"I have already asked someone to investigate this matter."

Ririko Tokugawa interrupted him: "No need to thank me; it is only what I should do."

"I wanted you *not* to investigate." Seeing that there were too many prying ears around, Uesugi Toru pulled her into a deserted corner of the hallway and frowned. "Didn't Officer Nanjo say that ordinary people shouldn't get involved in these things?"

Pressed against the corner by Uesugi, Ririko’s expression remained unchanged: "If I were to trust that policewoman's words from yesterday, I might as well believe that I am a gender-bent Guan Yu from the *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, capable of slaying demons with a few strokes of my blade."

She pondered for two seconds before adding, "Uesugi-kun, after you went home last night, you must have encountered a new paranormal event as well, right?"

*As well?*

Uesugi’s gaze sharpened.

What did she mean by "as well"? Wasn't Ririko supposed to have spent the night at the police station?

Seeing the look on his face, Ririko sighed: "It seems my speculation was correct."

"Although I don't know what method you used to evade the new paranormal event, one thing is certain." Ririko paused and said, "We have likely already entered the field of vision of the 'Friendly Club'."

He hadn't expected Ririko to have thought this far ahead. Still, Nanjo Aimi shouldn't have been deceiving him; otherwise, there would have been no reason for her to give him that precious doll.

So the question was... was it that obviously suspicious Ouija board?

Watching Uesugi lost in thought, Ririko didn't feel like playing the riddle-master: "As for why I could figure this out, it’s quite simple—all you have to do is put yourself in the shoes of the mastermind, and everything becomes clear."

"—A situation that should have resulted in total annihilation, yet two people unexpectedly survived. What would I do?"

The girl replied calmly: "Cut the weeds and dig up the roots. At the very least, send someone to find out what happened."

"Perhaps we aren't considered a priority yet, but I don't think we can just sit and wait for death. Praying for the Onmyoji to quickly wipe out that club, and then praying that no paranormal events happen to us in the meantime—the probability of that prayer succeeding..."

Ririko paused and said flatly, "Tell me, Uesugi-kun, have you ever pulled four limited-edition characters in a single ten-pull in a mobile game?"

Uesugi shook his head; he was quite accustomed to hitting the "pity" threshold.

"—The probability of that prayer succeeding is much lower than pulling four limited characters in ten tries."

Ririko asked: "So, what is your choice?"

Uesugi stared for a moment at the Kendo charm hanging on Ririko’s chest, thinking that the effect of this item was truly exceptional. Who would have thought that the whimpering girl from last night could transform into the calm and composed Ririko standing before him?

He nodded: "You're right."

***

Hearing this, Ririko Tokugawa exhaled heavily: "Thank you."

Uesugi could clearly feel that the slight trembling in Ririko’s hands had vanished after she said those words. He thought for a moment, then held up a finger: "Since you've told me so much, let me share a piece of information with you as well."

Ririko looked up and heard Uesugi say: "If you encounter a paranormal event you cannot solve, call my phone. I will come as quickly as I can."

Ririko: "?"

Uesugi could clearly read the confusion and skepticism in the girl's eyes, but he didn't offer any further explanation.

"By the way, investigating is fine, but don't go too deep. It wouldn't be good if it caused the opposite effect." Before they parted ways, Uesugi emphasized this point.

"I will manage the 'degree' of the investigation," Ririko nodded. "The person doing the investigating is a third-party contractor, an experienced private detective. I haven't told him too much, and even if he were caught, he wouldn't be able to trace it back to me right away."

*But what if the other side uses supernatural methods?*

On this point, Uesugi didn't speak up. He believed Ririko couldn't have overlooked that possibility. And as she had said, even with the risk of being discovered, they had to act rather than sit and wait for death.

—This was already the best possible response.

Having stumbled upon such a god-tier teammate, Uesugi marveled to himself. He found it hard to imagine that Ririko was, like his original self—a nerd who went crazy over 2D wives—just a second-year high school student.

However... where did Ririko get so much money to do all this?

He didn't dwell on it. Everyone had their own little secrets. Ririko did, and so did he. Rather than obsessing over this, it was better to spend more time in class increasing his proficiency in *Qi-Harmonization*.

During class, Uesugi secretly practiced and discovered that even without gathering his Qi into a ball and shouting aloud, as long as he let the Qi circulate through his body over and over again, he could gradually strengthen it and increase his proficiency.

In this process, not only did his Qi increase, but his control over it became more precise. Uesugi was willing to call this "meditative breathing."

Although it was slower than traditional training methods, the benefit was that he could practice it anytime, anywhere. Perhaps he currently still needed a relatively quiet environment, but Uesugi estimated that once his proficiency was higher, he could continue to improve his *Qi-Harmonization* even while riding the bus or walking.

【Your skill, *Qi-Harmonization (Fragmented)*, proficiency +25!】

Uesugi, having focused on practicing *Qi-Harmonization* all morning, looked at the notification for 【*Qi-Harmonization (Fragmented)* (Novice 26/100)】 and thought the efficiency was quite good. He estimated that in about a day, he would be able to max out the 100 points of proficiency for *Qi-Harmonization*.

***

He wondered what kind of rewards he would get after the skill leveled up... at the very least, it should boost his Physique by 1 point.

While "painting a cake" for himself to look forward to the skill upgrade, Uesugi headed toward the Kendo Club. "Painting a cake" was necessary because practicing *Qi-Harmonization* required total concentration; even the slightest distraction would result in all his previous efforts going to waste.

Because of this, even after only a morning of breathing exercises, Uesugi felt mentally exhausted. Perhaps it was because his Willpower was a measly 4 points.

At the entrance of the Kendo Club, Ririko Tokugawa, dressed in a white kendo uniform, stood like a guardian, head lowered and arms crossed, leaning against the door of the dojo.

Before Uesugi even got close, he heard Ririko’s voice: "Come in."

He scratched his head, puzzled: "You didn't even look up. How did you know it was me?"

"Listen to the footsteps; everyone’s footsteps are different." Ririko pointed to her ears. "For a qualified swordsman, identifying position through sound is the most basic skill."

She closed her eyes, and after a few seconds, said: "For instance, if you turn around now, you will see that there are twenty-seven people besides you and me."

Uesugi counted, and to his surprise, found it was true.

Then, he fell into deep thought.

—How on earth did that useless *Kitsune-bi* manage to corner Ririko and make her tremble in fear? Could it be that women are naturally afraid of ugly-looking animals?

Uesugi forgot that a blue-faced, fanged *Hannya* mask was far more terrifying than a mere *Kitsune-bi*.

"Hurry up and change into your uniform in the side room; there isn't much time left in the lunch break." Ririko walked into the dojo and tossed a set of prepared garments to Uesugi. "Do you know how to put it on?"

Uesugi looked at the pile of items in his hands and honestly shook his head: "No."

Ririko pressed a hand to her forehead: "My fault. I'll help you change."

And just as she grabbed Uesugi’s forearm, those eyes, which had been as calm as water, suddenly lit up. Ririko licked her lips, her tone curious:

"Uesugi-kun, how come I never noticed before? Your body is actually quite solid."