Chapter 13: Snow is Danger
Ever since her father and younger brother died in an accidental car crash, Yotsuya Miko's world consisted of only her and her mother. The once well-off family's finances became tight.
Looking at the special-grade omamori she clutched in her hand like a precious treasure, Miko secretly made a resolution in her heart.
She would get a part-time job to earn money.
Natsume-senpai was a "professional," so his help could not possibly be free. This omamori must be a priceless treasure. She couldn't accept such a gift with a clear conscience. At the very least, the next time she requested an omamori from him, she had to pay the corresponding fee.
With this in mind, the next day on the bus to school, when she saw that familiar figure, Yotsuya Miko almost subconsciously walked over and sat in the empty seat beside him.
Natsume Yu had his usual lazy demeanor, leaning against the window and watching the scenery fly by.
After Miko sat down, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of a soaking wet Cursed Spirit with a stomach bloated like a balloon, floating from the back of the bus towards a sleeping salaryman.
Her heart leaped into her throat, but she forced herself to chant "I can't see it" in her mind.
However, just as the Cursed Spirit was about to touch the salaryman, Natsume Yu, sitting beside her, as if merely annoyed, casually raised his hand and waved it in that direction.
Like swatting an annoying mosquito.
The Cursed Spirit, which was so terrifying in Miko's eyes, went "poof" and dissipated into a wisp of black smoke, vanishing without a trace.
[Exorcised a roaming spirit (Grade 1 Cursed Spirit), obtained 400 anomaly points.]
[Current anomaly points: 1050.]
A system panel that only he could see appeared in Natsume Yu's mind. He had finally gathered a thousand anomaly points again, enough for a low-level lottery draw.
It was an innate ability, but Natsume Yu, having become invincible after obtaining Gojo Satoru's abilities, often subconsciously ignored the system's gains.
He had been exorcising spirits for the past few days, so he had unexpectedly collected quite a few anomaly points.
By the way, anomaly points were a built-in reward for exorcising spirits. When he had enough points, Natsume Yu could perform a lottery draw.
"Perform lottery draw," he thought to himself.
The wheel on the panel spun rapidly, and finally, the pointer landed on a small, faintly glowing skill icon.
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the minor spell: Clairvoyance (Single-use consumable)]
[Clairvoyance: When used on an ordinary person, it allows them to see spiritual bodies for a short period of time.]
The corners of Natsume Yu's mouth lifted slightly.
This was useful.
He had been struggling with how to prove to clients that he wasn't a fraud. After all, not everyone was like Eriri and Yui, who could personally feel the presence of Cursed Spirits. With this, if he ever encountered someone who didn't believe him again, he could just open their "third eye," and all problems would be solved.
However...
He glanced at Yotsuya Miko beside him and sighed.
Lately, he had been feeling the aura of resentful spirits growing stronger and stronger. The peaceful daily life he had been considering would likely be easily disrupted.
Natsume Yu considered whether he should return to his old profession—a dedicated exorcist, responsible for clearing up similar situations. He had some old acquaintances for this.
"Well, it seems it's not up to me."
A thought crossed Natsume Yu's mind. Exorcising spirits would probably be a necessary activity in the future, so there was no need to resist... Besides, he had applied to the teacher for an exorcism club a while ago. He probably had foreseen this development back then.
It was time to get back to his old profession!
At the bus stop, Yotsuya Miko was preparing to get off.
"Wait," Natsume Yu stopped her. He took out another omamori from his pocket and handed it to her. "This is for you."
"Eh? No, I can't, senpai! I've already received such a valuable item from you..." Miko quickly waved her hands in refusal.
"Take it. This one is a little different. It's not as good as the previous one, but it will allow me to sense your location."
Natsume Yu's tone left no room for argument. "Consider it an early investment. A constitution like yours that can see 'the strange' is rare. It might have special value in the future."
His cerulean eyes were so deep they seemed to see through everything, making it impossible for Miko to refuse. In the end, she accepted the talisman with a blush and immense gratitude.
...
The next day at school, Natsume Yu keenly noticed that Yukinoshita Yukino, who was always the first in the classroom with a posture as perfect as a textbook, was absent for the first time ever.
This small anomaly didn't leave much of a mark on his mind.
After school, as he was preparing to leave, the Japanese language teacher and student guidance counselor, Hiratsuka Shizuka, found him.
"Natsume, the 'Paranormal Investigation Club' you applied for has been approved by the student council," Hiratsuka Shizuka said with an unlit cigarette dangling from her lips, a helpless look on her face. "The clubroom is the small equipment room on the first floor of the old school building. Go and clean it up."
"Thank you, sensei," Natsume Yu nodded.
He had no requirements for the clubroom. He had only formed the club to comply with the school's regulations. Having a place where he could stay quietly was enough.
"Yahallo, Natsume-kun! Do we have a clubroom now?" Yuigahama Yui ran over excitedly.
"Yes, let's go."
Just as the two were about to leave, Hiratsuka Shizuka called out to them, "Wait, Natsume, don't go yet. You have visitors."
Natsume Yu turned around in confusion and saw Hiratsuka Shizuka leading two young women with outstanding auras towards him.
One of them, Natsume Yu recognized—his "old client" from the abandoned mental hospital investigation, the university student Hozuki Eiko.
The other had long, smooth black hair and a face that was seven or eight parts similar to Yukinoshita Yukino's, but her aura was completely different. If Yukino was a cold, snowy mountain, then she was the warm spring sun, her face adorned with a flawless, perfect smile that made one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, is this Natsume Yu-san?" the black-haired woman asked with a smile.
"Ah, yes," Hiratsuka Shizuka scratched her head, looking very confused. "Haruno-san, although I find it incredible, but... the student who can 'exorcise spirits' you mentioned is him."
Yukinoshita Haruno, Yukinoshita Yukino's older sister.
Natsume Yu instantly understood her purpose. It seemed to be related to the absent Yukino.
"Eiko, long time no see," Natsume Yu first greeted his old client. "How did the 'late-night snack' taste last time?"
Hozuki Eiko immediately showed a look of lingering fear. "Thanks to you, it was very 'stimulating.' By the way, that abandoned building seems like it's really going to be demolished soon."
To a bystander, their conversation was completely nonsensical, giving Hiratsuka Shizuka an even bigger headache. She felt as if her worldview was being repeatedly ground into the floor.
"Natsume-san, it's a pleasure to meet you," Yukinoshita Haruno's smile vanished, her expression becoming serious and earnest for the first time. "My name is Yukinoshita Haruno. This time, I've come to ask you... to please save my little sister, Yukino."