After her small grumble, the petite Kotoko lifted her head to look up at Luo Shu and said:
"To put it simply, I'm essentially the spokesperson for independent yokai collectives, which is why I was invited to this meeting."
"Of course, Takayanagi Dōgen and Asato Ichijo over there are the representatives of the Bujin-shū and the Vampires, respectively."
"At the moment, only the four of us from each faction are present."
"Aside from us, the representatives from Tokyo's Hyakki Yagyō, the Onmyou Agency, the cabinet ministers, and the Metropolitan Police Department's committee haven't arrived yet."
"Hmm, Luo-san, is this your first time attending a meeting like this?"
"Indeed." Luo Shu didn't hide the fact that he was a newcomer and nodded in acknowledgement.
Hearing this, Kotoko adjusted her beret and said:
"Simply put, this noon meeting is limited to representatives from each faction."
"Once we've settled the details, an internal mobilisation meeting will likely be held at 3 PM to finalise the operational plan based on actual needs."
"Well, in short, today's just another busy day of meetings."
"Not only will I have to endure being scrutinised by a bunch of old geezers for hours, but the pork cutlet rice the Metropolitan Police Department served for lunch was absolutely terrible. I strongly recommend the curry rice instead."
Listening to Kotoko's suggestion, Luo Shu responded with a slightly odd expression:
"I'll keep your advice in mind, Kotoko-san."
Just as the two were conversing, the elevator doors suddenly opened.
A strange old man in a brown kimono, with an absurdly elongated head, sauntered in leisurely:
"My, my, another meeting? Really, can't they show some consideration for these old bones of mine?"
The odd old man complained loudly while glancing around. When his eyes landed on Takayanagi Dōgen and Asato Ichijo, he rudely spat on the floor.
Takayanagi Dōgen, who had been chatting amiably with Asato Ichijo, snorted coldly in response.
The moment they saw each other, the tension between them was palpable.
At that moment, Meer lowered her voice and said:
"That's Nurarihyon, the Supreme Commander of the Nura Clan. Unlike Kotoko, who's a princess in name, he's the actual ruler of the yokai and also an Abyssal visitor."
"The reason he and Takayanagi Dōgen, the leader of the Metropolitan Police Department's Bujin-shū, don't get along is because the Bujin-shū was responsible for dealing with the Nura Clan when they first arrived in our world. Each side lost a high-ranking member to the other."
"I see."
Hearing Meer's explanation, Luo Shu suddenly understood.
Compared to Kotoko Iwanaga, Luo Shu had some prior knowledge of Nurarihyon from his past life:
"But honestly, that head shape is really exaggerated in the real world."
Bald and longer than an arm's length, Nurarihyon's head was downright bizarre.
After exchanging a glare with Takayanagi Dōgen, Nurarihyon disdainfully turned away, no longer sparing the old man a glance.
Shifting his gaze, he spotted Kotoko Iwanaga and immediately broke into a grin, greeting her cheerfully:
"Oh-ho! If it isn't the princess herself? I heard you went to Shikoku last time to help those tanuki with their troubles. Did you bring back any souvenirs for this old man?"
"Hot spring discount coupons, anyone?" Kotoko Iwanaga deftly pulled three coupons from her pocket.
"Oh, now that's a fine thing indeed."
Nurarihyon quickly stepped forward to take the coupons, waving them slightly as he said:
"Perfect timing. My feet have been aching terribly in this damp weather lately. Might as well take some time to soak."
As he spoke, he pocketed the coupons and glanced up at Luo Shu and Meer, exclaiming in surprise:
"Meer-san, have you found yourself a boyfriend?"
Meer started at this: "Eh? Was I that obvious?"
"Of course it's obvious." Nurarihyon sighed with exaggerated regret. "Seems my little grandson doesn't stand a chance now."
Kotoko Iwanaga's mouth twitched at this: "Oi oi, your grandson's only six this year, isn't he?"
"What of it? If you don't secure a marriage arrangement by six, you'll end up single when you grow up. Without a childhood sweetheart, can you even call it a proper childhood?"
Nurarihyon spoke with absolute conviction while rummaging in his pocket, producing a handful of sweets which he offered to Luo Shu:
"Care for some candy?"
"If you accept my sweets, you must invite me to your wedding banquet next time~"
Luo Shu was speechless upon hearing this, but since he was technically the elder in front of Nurarihyon, he couldn't very well refuse. He reached out and accepted the candy.
Nurarihyon chuckled, then glanced around the room and asked:
"Who else hasn't arrived yet?"
"Aside from the Onmyou Agency and cabinet bureaucrats... oh right, Director Tachibana isn't here either."
Just as Kotoko Iwanaga finished speaking, the elevator doors opened again.
Kirika Tachibana and Natsuki Minamiya stepped out together, followed by a golden-haired twin-tailed girl in a kimono with straight, curled hair.
The trio noticed Luo Shu and the others gathered together as soon as they exited the elevator.
"Well, well, you're here awfully early."
Kirika Tachibana gave Luo Shu and Meer a strange look before greeting Kotoko Iwanaga and Nurarihyon. However, compared to her friendly tone with Kotoko, she was much more blunt with Nurarihyon:
"Old Nurarihyon, shouldn't you be resting those old bones of yours? Where's your son?"
"On holiday with his wife. Brazil, I think?"
Nurarihyon rubbed his chin uncertainly, then turned to Natsuki Minamiya with an ingratiating smile:
"Speaking of which, Instructor Natsuki, do you offer private tutoring? My grandson—"
"No." Natsuki shot him a glance. "Have your grandchildren complete primary education first."
She was far too busy to teach children basic skills.
Realising his request was hopeless, Nurarihyon could only sigh. "What a shame."
Natsuki showed no reaction to this, instead turning to Luo Shu with a dark expression:
"Skipping class again, Luo Shu... Should I count how many times this makes?"
Hearing this, Suzuka Dairenji, standing behind Natsuki, glanced curiously at Luo Shu. However, knowing she was only here to observe, she remained silent.
Seeing Natsuki's clearly displeased face, Luo Shu's heart sank:
"I'm pretty sure I submitted a leave request?"
Natsuki seemed prepared for this. She produced a slip of paper and held it up:
"You mean this 'leave to return home and marry my childhood sweetheart' note? Do you honestly think anyone would believe this?"
At this, Kotoko Iwanaga, Nurarihyon and Kirika Tachibana all turned amused gazes his way.
Kisara!! Luo Shu gritted his teeth internally, but steeled himself and pulled Meer forward as a shield:
"Here's the childhood sweetheart in question. Believe it or not, Natsuki-chan, I certainly do."
"Eh?" Meer blinked, clearly bewildered at being used as a shield.
But she quickly caught on and nodded:
"That's right, I'm Luo Shu's childhood sweetheart."
Thwack!
Natsuki's folding fan came down on Meer's forehead:
"Childhood sweetheart, my foot. Do you think I don't know who you are?"
"Ow ow ow!" Meer clutched her forehead, looking tearfully at Natsuki.
"Tch."
Natsuki clicked her tongue and gave Luo Shu a sidelong glance:
"Oh, I almost forgot to congratulate you. Your leave note has been circulated around the staff room. By now, the whole year probably knows. Wishing you a pleasant school life from now on~"
Luo Shu's mouth twitched violently. "...Should I say thanks for the well-wishes?"
Just as Luo Shu stood there speechless...
The elevator doors opened once more.
A group of middle-aged men in suits emerged from within.
Upon seeing this, Luo Shu slightly raised his brows and glanced at the thin, bespectacled man at the forefront.
Though unfamiliar to Luo Shu, he had seen this man in the documents provided by Meer.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Daichi Fujiwara.
The man whom Kirika Tachibana had described as the only cabinet minister with genuine affection for his family.
According to intelligence records, he had three daughters: the eldest Toyomi Fujiwara, the second Chika Fujiwara, and the youngest Moeha Fujiwara.
All names that Luo Shu found strikingly familiar.
Especially that so-called "Cancer of the Earth," Chika Fujiwara.
"...What a chaotic world this is," Luo Shu murmured under his breath.
Beside him, Nurarihyon pretended not to hear, cheerfully stretching his old bones as he remarked:
"My, my, the cabinet bureaucrats have arrived. It seems the meeting is about to begin."
"Well, I do hope this meeting won't drag on too long. These old bones of mine can't take much more."