It was almost one in the afternoon when the board eting finally ended.
Fujiwara Reya stood at the temple’s entrance, smiling and exchanging pleasantries with the departing directors, like a gracious host.
Even though he had just t most of them, he acted like they were old acquaintances, able to chat warmly with everyone, without letting any awkward silences linger.
After seeing off a group of people, Inspector Suzuki walked over with a frustrated look on his face.
"What’s wrong, Inspector?" Fujiwara Reya asked with concern.
"My dream of promotion has been shattered..." Inspector Suzuki shook his head and sighed, looking at the vibrant Fujiwara Reya, wondering why he was so unlucky. He said, "Let’s find a place to drink tonight, I need to unburden my heart to the little wizard."
At this mont, Ito Priest also walked over with a troubled expression, sharing a sympathetic look with Inspector Suzuki: "Count in."
No need to say.
He probably wasn’t chosen for his preferred position either.
"Where to?" Fujiwara Reya asked.
Inspector Suzuki pondered for a mont and responded, "Let’s go to Yoshiwara, I’ve been aning to try out the bathhouse..."
Instantly, several people nearby focused their eyes on the trio.
The expressions were filled with a knowing smile that only n understand.
The three looked at each other and fell into silence.
"No, no," Fujiwara Reya broke the awkwardness first and sternly refused, "I won’t go to such places like bathhouses."
Ito Priest also hurriedly stated his position: "Can a priest who goes to bathhouses be considered a proper priest?"
"Exactly!" Fujiwara Reya nodded, "Inspector Suzuki, you can go by yourself."
"I’m not going either!" Inspector Suzuki imdiately shook his head, "As a proper inspector, I never go to bathhouses, except on a case."
"I have things to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first."
"Sa here, have a case to handle, the little wizard bids farewell."
"Goodbye to you both!" Fujiwara Reya bid them farewell, continuing to converse with colleagues as usual.
Kasahara Fumi erged from the crowd, casting a cold glance at him: "I’m off to deal with the ss you left last night, you better have a good explanation ready, or join for an investigation in Section 9."
"Tonight at eight-thirty," Fujiwara Reya whispered to her, "The Empress awaits you."
Kasahara Fumi frowned.
A priest going to a bathhouse cannot be a proper priest, so she ntally classified Fujiwara Reya as an improper priest.
"Congratulations, Director Fujiwara."
"You’re too kind."
Fujiwara Reya turned around and continued exchanging pleasantries with the people around.
The Tsuchimikado Family Head passed by, and he turned to greet him politely like a junior: "Thank you, Family Head. When you have ti, I’ll personally visit your residence."
"Hmm."
The Tsuchimikado Family Head nodded lightly and walked towards the main entrance.
No one stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with him, seemingly due to the intense pressure he exuded or perhaps the unique presence of Tsuchimikado Shinto.
Fujiwara Reya pondered silently.
The Family Head’s goodwill towards him, besides the connection with Aunt Tsuchimikado, likely stemd from seeing a similar plight at Asakusa Shrine compared to the Tsuchimikado Family’s own experiences.
Inside the grand hall, Hoshimi Rinko stood for a long ti, observing Fujiwara Reya from afar.
Not once did he turn his gaze towards her, engrossed in interactions with those around him, surrounded by people yet evidently alone. When the crowd finally thinned out, he turned to look back at the grand hall. His handso features still exuded a serene and wise aura, lips that seed poised to utter unpredictable words, and eyes that radiated an ancient glacial brilliance from their depths.
Hoshimi Rinko suddenly laughed.
Just like before, there remained sothing extraordinary, sothing that couldn’t be taken lightly.
"Senior," Fujiwara Reya greeted her casually, "You should maintain your stern face, whenever you smile, I can’t shake off the feeling that trouble is coming my way."
"Trouble will indeed co your way." Hoshimi Rinko stepped closer, her expression cooling as he wished.
Fujiwara Reya thought for a mont and replied to her, "It wasn’t intentional to deceive you. It’s just that our statuses differed too much before, I thought by working hard in secret, I’d amaze you one day, and look what’s happened today."
Hoshimi Rinko didn’t respond, only shrugged slightly.
Embedded in that gesture was a sense of affirmation.
Today his performance was impressive enough, the na Fujiwara Reya would beco well-known in the Onmyo-ryo. In the future, he is bound to stand at the pinnacle of this country... Suddenly, Hoshimi Rinko envisioned a possibility, if he truly liked her, she would also be willing to call him a man worthy of her. If he confessed during today’s spotlight mont, she might as well reluctantly accept him.
Hmm, ha, hahaha...
Really, after more than a year, how could any man not love , the lady... Hoshimi Rinko smiled gracefully, looking at Fujiwara Reya, with the midday sun peeking through thin clouds cascading onto his coolly beautiful face, even the fine fuzz on his cheeks emitted a sacred glow.
However...
"Senior, senior, senior——"
A flirtatious voice just reached the ears, when an orange streak dashed into view.
"Asuka is so hungry..." Kasahara Asuka, right before Hoshimi Rinko, clutched onto Fujiwara Reya’s arm with her small hands, her small head nudging against his chest, "Take Asuka for so delicious food, and then we can go shopping in the afternoon together."
With her saying so, Fujiwara Reya also felt hungry and asked: "What would you like to eat?"
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