"I am quite familiar with that fox from the Grand Narukami Shrine. I will handle the cooperation part, and I'll leave the official certification to Ayaka to report to the Shogun."
"As long as it doesn't involve policy, that guy Kujou Takayuki won't secretly obstruct us."
Kujou Takayuki only cares whether this document will affect the clan, and an official application for a journal is clearly not among those concerns.
Furthermore, as mentioned before, we plan to cooperate with Yae Publishing House. What is behind Yae Publishing House? It's the Grand Narukami Shrine. Kujou Takayuki dares to interfere with anything, but he absolutely wouldn't dare touch the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The reason is Yae Miko. With five hundred years of cultivation, handling a single Kujou Takayuki is effortless.
If the Five-Star Ornamental Fish Lady calculated the Shogunate, then Yae Miko calculated everyone. Whether it was the Fatui or Watatsumi Island, she led them all by the nose.
"I understand, but Shiki, is it really appropriate to refer to Lady Yae Guuji like that?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Isn't Yae Miko just a fox? Mostly, she's just too much of a Fox; the moment you meet her, you can't help but want to punch her."
As soon as Yae Miko was mentioned, Shiki frowned. As long as the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception weren't brought out, the other party could keep acting up.
That smile and gaze, which seemed to control everything, allowed her to firmly grasp the initiative from the very beginning of the conversation.
Fortunately, this time we are only using Yae Publishing House to publish the journal. Profit doesn't matter; as long as we don't lose money, it's fine. The main goal is to guide public opinion.
"Uh..."
Ayaka's eye twitched. She had only met Yae Miko a handful of times, but she certainly knew how sharp the other party's words could be; one wrong step and you'd fall right into a trap.
"In any case, let's proceed according to the plan. Once the cooperation is finalized, I will inform the Komore Teahouse."
The Komore Teahouse is one of the Kamisato Clan's properties in Inazuma City. The personnel inside are all affiliated with the Kamisato Clan, so telling them is the same as telling Ayaka.
"Mhm... Oh, right!"
"What is it?"
"Be careful on the road..."
Hearing this, Shiki gently turned her head, gave the other party a smile, and then left the Komore Teahouse.
Walking along the street toward Yae Publishing House, she encountered a familiar person at a roadside food stall.
'Isn't that the Fox? Why is she here?'
After seeing the pink-haired fox, Shiki decided to follow her. The number of times she left the Grand Narukami Shrine was few and far between. Did she have an important appointment this time?
However, the facts proved that she had completely overthought things.
"Hahahahahaha, I am Arataki Itto, the Number One in the World! Bring it on! No matter what we compete in, I won't lose to you!"
A tall Oni youth stood beside the food stall, laughing loudly. He was a man destined to become the King of the Kids in Inazuma!
"Is that so? You said it yourself. Then let's have a ramen eating contest. The loser has to pay for the noodles, okay~" Yae Miko narrowed her eyes, and a mischievous smile familiar to Shiki appeared on her lips.
Needless to say, the Fox was definitely up to something again.
Shiki silently found a good spot to watch the show. Since she had business to discuss later anyway, she might as well see what the Fox was planning.
"Hahaha, just ramen! Watch me devour dozens of bowls! I'm telling you, you're paying for the noodles today!"
"Confidence is good, but don't end up being unable to eat even one bowl later. That would be embarrassing, and the spectators might look down on you~" Yae Miko said with a smile.
Because of the Fried Tofu, she often came to this food stall to eat noodles. Bean products were practically poison to the Oni Tribe, so she didn't believe the other party could eat them.
However, Arataki Itto, that big idiot, didn't know that! Hearing that, he immediately stood up—so fast!
"Hmph, I will win no matter what. Just wait to pay the bill!"
Soon, two steaming bowls of noodles were brought out. Yae Miko, as usual, picked up the noodles and slurped them up, her unhurried manner not at all like someone in a competition.
Logically, with Arataki Itto's physique, he was clearly a big eater, but Shiki noticed something strange.
'Hmm? Why isn't he using his chopsticks?'
Arataki Itto was currently staring at the ramen as if facing a great enemy. That damned stinky fox put Fried Tofu in the ramen!
Just as he hesitated, the Scummy voice of Yae Miko echoed in his mind:
"You'll be looked down upon~"
"Looked down upon~"
"Looked down upon~"
"What a joke!!!"
Arataki Itto roared, his voice so loud that Shiki next to him was startled.
Then, Arataki Itto took a deep breath, picked up the bowl, and violently poured a mouthful into his mouth. The sight made Shiki recall drinking traditional Chinese medicine when she was little.
'It's just one bowl of ramen, is it that serious?'
This was what everyone present was thinking, but Yae Miko looked puzzled. She clearly remembered that the bowl contained Fried Tofu. How could the other party possibly eat it?
'Could it be that he ate it even knowing he would have a severe allergic reaction?' Yae Miko wondered.
Immediately, Yae Miko also sped up her slurping, but compared to Arataki Itto, who was practically funneling the noodles into his mouth, she was still slower.
Bang!
Arataki Itto slammed the bowl heavily onto the table, his face completely red. Then, he stammered, "I... I won..."
Thud!
Before he could finish speaking, Arataki Itto collapsed onto the ground, and even more ridiculously, foam was coming out of his mouth.
"#$%..."
The food stall owner's face turned pale with fright. She was certain there was nothing wrong with her ramen, so why did this big guy look like he had been poisoned?
"You finally got what was coming to you?" Shiki walked forward and said.
"Are you that happy to see me get thwarted? I have to pay for a bowl of noodles for everyone here," Yae Miko said, looking slightly distressed.
However, Shiki remained expressionless: "Very happy."
She then crossed her arms and looked at Arataki Itto, who was lying on the ground foaming at the mouth, refocusing her gaze.
The instant the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception appeared, Yae Miko stiffened completely. It was those eyes again; whenever they appeared, she felt like she would kick the bucket the next second.
"So that's it. It's an allergy. Easily handled."
Through the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, Shiki understood why Arataki Itto was lying on the ground. She hadn't expected the Oni Tribe to have such severe allergies.
Allergies could be fatal, yet this guy had eaten so much.
Author's Note on Going Live
This was written yesterday and scheduled to be sent, so the reward data might be slightly different from the current data, but it shouldn't be too far off; if it is, I'll just make up for it~
It's true that everything is easier the second time around. When my previous book went live, it was my first time writing, so I didn't know anything—no reward challenges were opened, and I had no drafts saved.
But this time is different. I have reward challenges open and saved drafts. I'll start pushing updates promptly at 2 PM, and it'll be nothing but massive updates.
Also, fulfilling my promise: I will post a cross-dressing photo on Friday in the group, 878302597.
Solemn declaration: My gender is male, and my preference is female. Although I'm relatively short, I'm a genuine big eater—the kind who finishes two or three bowls of rice per meal. As for why I eat so much yet weigh only 45 [kg], who knows?
Furthermore, I will definitely write this book until completion. I finished the last one even though its performance was terrible, let alone this new book whose performance far exceeds my expectations.
Once I start something, there must be an end. Even if only one person is reading, I will finish writing it!
Oh, right, let me mention the Raiden Shogun, which is the puppet consciousness created by Ei.
Although she possesses Ei's Remembrance, the highest priority of her programming is to lead Inazuma toward eternity. Any factor that threatens eternity, she will eliminate, even if it is her creator.
This is an original setting from the game, found in the Raiden Shogun's profile and voice lines, not my fan interpretation.
I won't say more; I'm afraid of spoilers.
Finally, please give me all your various votes. I beg you, this is truly important to me!
Current Monthly Votes +2
Recommended Votes +2
Tips +4
Razor Blades +2
Remaining shortfalls combined +1
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