Lin Mo was utterly bewildered.
Yet he couldn't explain himself.
How could he possibly say, I suspect this shrine maiden might be my former lover?
"Shh… Sayu, keep your voice down…"
Lin Mo hurriedly covered Sayu's mouth and whispered, "I just feel that the shrine maiden's way of walking is very dignified. It gives me a sense of reverence—like she shouldn't be profaned."
Even so, their murmurs still reached Hanachirusato's ears.
She slowly turned her head, looking toward the sneaking Lin Mo and Sayu.
Though her face was hidden behind a mask, from her silence alone Lin Mo could vaguely sense it—she must have misunderstood him, probably thought he was some kind of creep.
Just then—
Boom!
Crackle!
The sound of fierce combat erupted from beneath their feet, instantly easing the awkward tension.
"Is that the blonde girl fighting down there?" Lin Mo said quickly. "L-let's go check it out!"
Hanachirusato didn't say anything. She simply quickened her pace and headed toward the cave below.
…
By the time the three arrived, the battle was already over.
Lumine had resolved it.
"Huh? Why are there two more people?"
Paimon was the first to notice Lin Mo, Sayu, and Hanachirusato.
Hanachirusato stepped forward and spoke gently, "Thank you for your hard work. These two are kind friends I happened to meet just now. They said they wished to help you purify the corruption together."
"Huh?"
Paimon looked at Lin Mo, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
For some reason, she felt like she'd seen this man in the golden mask somewhere before.
It wasn't just Paimon.
Lumine was also staring at Lin Mo, equally puzzled, trying to recall where she might have encountered him.
But soon, both of their gazes were drawn away—toward Sayu, who was rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"Eh? Is this cute little raccoon food?" Paimon asked innocently.
"I'm Sayu! Not a raccoon!"
Sayu clenched her tiny fists in anger.
Lumine chimed in, "But… you clearly have a raccoon tail—"
"Even so, I'm not called a raccoon!"
"Please remember my name!"
"I'm a ninja from the Shuumatsuban!"
"Sa~yu~!"
"A ninja who's here to help us?"
Paimon frowned worriedly. "But we just ran into some really powerful samurai spirits. Are you sure you can help?"
"Samurai…"
"Spirits…"
Sayu's face instantly turned pale with fear.
Seeing her reaction, Lumine frowned and said gently, "Purifying corruption is dangerous. Maybe… maybe you shouldn't force yourself. I can handle it on my own."
Sayu could only clutch Lin Mo's hand, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
Her expression clearly said: Teacher… Sayu's scared… Can we not go?
"…Sigh."
Lin Mo let out a soft sigh.
With him around, there wouldn't be any real danger—but Sayu might still be frightened.
That left him conflicted.
Turning to Hanachirusato, he smiled wryly.
"How about this… I'll stay by your side instead. If there's anything you need help with along the way, I'll step in then. Would that be alright?"
"…Mm. That works."
Hanachirusato nodded.
Hearing she wouldn't have to fight the spirits, Sayu finally let out a long breath of relief.
After that came Hanachirusato's conversation with Lumine and Paimon.
Lin Mo listened carefully the entire time.
He listened as Hanachirusato gently and patiently explained, step by step, the origin of the corruption and the ritual of the Sacred Sakura Cleansing.
The more he listened, the more something felt off.
Because Lin Mo believed this himself—he was probably the person in the world who understood Kitsune Saiguu best.
If Kitsune Saiguu were the one handling this matter, she would certainly explain the origins of the Sacred Sakura Cleansing.
But she would never do so with such painstaking patience.
Just then, Hanachirusato said, "After everything you've been through, you must be both tired and hungry. I've prepared some dishes—please don't refuse them."
As she spoke, she took out food that looked absolutely delicious.
"Wow! It looks amazing!"
Paimon exclaimed happily. "Even with a mask on, you really are the best shrine maiden in all of Inazuma!"
Lin Mo knew at a glance—
These dishes were created using the Bake-Danuki's illusion techniques.
Only after eating them would one be able to communicate normally with Ioroi.
If nothing unexpected happened…
Next, Lumine and Paimon would head into Chinju Forest and encounter the storyline involving Ioroi.
As long as he could confirm Hanachirusato's attitude toward Ioroi, Lin Mo would be able to determine, with near certainty—
Whether Hanachirusato was truly the Kitsune Saiguu he was searching for.
Paimon and Lumine happily enjoyed the food.
Lin Mo and Sayu were also invited to eat.
But since the food was created through Bake-Danuki illusions…
No matter how delicious it looked, it still felt oddly hollow.
It wasn't tasteless—
It was delicious.
But after eating, there was no feeling of fullness at all.
"Strange… it tastes great, but why does it feel like I didn't eat anything?"
Lumine voiced the same confusion.
"You're quite sensitive to the supernatural," Hanachirusato said gently. "Please don't worry. This is a technique I learned from the Bake-Danuki. It won't harm you in any way."
"Ah! So it really is basically like not eating at all!"
Paimon complained. "Then Shrine Maiden, why did you even use magic to make food for us?"
Hanachirusato continued patiently, "Within Chinju Forest lies the ward and the roots that need purification. Deep within the forest, there also seems to be… an old friend."
"Seems to be?"
Paimon tilted her head.
"Yes. Because it was a very long time ago."
Hanachirusato nodded slowly. "I'm not sure if he still remembers me… or if he hates me."
"He can't move freely, nor can he communicate with people."
"But after eating the food just now, you'll be able to communicate with him normally."
"That friend should be able to provide you with some help."
"So… for the sake of the Sacred Sakura Cleansing, this is necessary."
Her explanation eased Lumine and Paimon's remaining doubts.
Paimon immediately urged, "Then let's go check out Chinju Forest! It should be just up ahead!"
"Mm. Let's go."
Lumine nodded, and the two of them left the cave together.
After they departed, Hanachirusato turned to Lin Mo and Sayu.
"Would you two like to wait nearby Chinju Forest with me?" she asked.
"Just wait nearby?"
Lin Mo's tone was calm, almost cold.
"Since Ioroi can help with the Sacred Sakura Cleansing, why wouldn't you go and ask him yourself?"
"Even if there were conflicts in the past, as a subordinate of the Raiden Shogun, Ioroi wouldn't refuse in a matter of such importance, would he?"
"How do you know about my past with Ioroi?"
There was clear surprise in Hanachirusato's voice.
"You… could it be… you were once an old friend of Kitsune Saiguu?"
Lin Mo slowly removed his golden mask, revealing his true face.
"Miss Hanachirusato," he said softly,
"please remove your mask."
"I want to know whether you are truly the one I've been longing for all this time."
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T/N:
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