I have an infinite number of shikigami-Chapter 7 - 5. Absolutely not about the money

Returning to Asakusa Shrine, Fujiwara Reya took a shower and changed into his school uniform.

He grabbed a broom and cleaned the entire worship hall, bagged the trash, wiped the dust off the tables and statues, and finally made a simple ham and egg sandwich in the kitchen, with a hot cup of milk. Breakfast was done.

"Remember not to run out of the shrine..."

"If you're bored, you can catch the little cat next door to play with..."

"If a stranger comes in, send me a signal immediately. Don't freeze them without letting me know..."

After repeatedly instructing and ensuring that Snow Woman understood him, Fujiwara Reya shouldered his backpack and, as he stepped out of the torii gate, couldn't help but look back.

On the moss-covered stone steps, Snow Woman raised her fair little hand, waving at him from afar.

In the morning light, her body, covered by ice and snow, exuded an almost transparent beauty.

"I'll work hard to earn points today!" Fujiwara Reya loudly promised!

※※※※※

Leaving Asakusa Shrine, he walked about five minutes to the Tokyo underground Asakusa Station and took the Asakusa Line subway.

After two stops, he transferred to the Chuo-Sobu Line train at Asakusa Bridge Station, heading west through Akihabara, Ochanomizu, Waterway Bridge, Iidabashi, and finally got off at Shibuya Station.

This commute route squeezed Fujiwara Reya every day, making him doubt his demonic life.

It couldn't be helped, as Tokyo's train system is very developed, fast, and convenient, the first choice for most people. The morning school commute for students and the morning work commute for office workers practically overlap, making any station during the morning rush hour unbearable.

He could actually fly over.

But... young yokai shouldn't be too arrogant!

Ahem.

To be more objective, this Japan, parallel yet not completely so, is definitely a peaceful era.

For spirits and yokai, the government has the Ninth Investigation Division handling supernatural crimes, and the Shinto and Buddhist communities have joined together to establish the Onmyo-ryo, both focusing their efforts on tackling supernatural incidents.

Ordinary citizens are well-protected, with spirits and yokai becoming rarer. This has led to their existence being only semi-public in society—those in the know are allowed to know, while the authorities prevent others from finding out using methods like banning videos, having involved parties sign gag orders, or stopping clergy from using extraordinary powers before laypersons.

Another key reason is that besides a few yokai wanting media spotlight, most won't clash with humans.

They either live in secluded deep forests, following ancient traditions, or disguise themselves as humans, blending into urban life.

When yokai do not use demonic power, it's impossible to discern their true identity in human society. They are wise; as long as they do not break the law or disrupt society, nobody bothers them.

As far as Fujiwara Reya knows, a cat yokai named Natsume documented her life in a bestseller "I Am a Cat," eventually becoming a literary master.

So...

If conflict could be avoided, Fujiwara Reya chose to obediently be a studious, law-abiding high school student.

Perhaps one day, he could also write something like "I Am a Mountain" or "I Am a Tengu," and after becoming a renowned writer, use his status as an "intellectual" to score free drinks at bars in Ginza or Harajuku.

"Ah~~"

Yawning, he emerged from the subway platform, then hurriedly ran up to the surface train platform.

"Please stand behind the yellow line while waiting for the train."

"Train approaching, passengers please change trains in an orderly manner."

Announcements blared from the speakers as a train painted in yellow arrived steadily. Amid the crowd's push, Fujiwara Reya managed to squeeze into the packed Sobu Line carriage during rush hour.

His body swayed slightly as the train left Asakusa Bridge Station.

On the way to Shibuya, cherry blossoms bloomed on both sides of the tracks, the petals so luxuriously vibrant it seemed they would paint the entire carriage pink.

At 8:20, he got off at Shibuya Station.

He didn't encounter Naoko, nor did he see Ryoko.

But he did see many female high school students with maxed-out cold endurance, eagerly changing into summer short skirts.

Fujiwara Reya put on his headphones and walked alone along bustling Shinjuku Avenue, heading up a 300-meter slope towards Kitagawa Academy.

This was the best private high school in the country.

Located on an elevated area in Shibuya, the school's campus is expansive, surrounded by high stone walls. Entering through the main gate, you are immediately greeted by a tall oak tree, at least a hundred years old, which is the emblem of Kitagawa Academy.

Beneath the oak is the path leading to the school buildings, lined on both sides with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Walking along the asphalt path dyed pink and white by petals, Fujiwara Reya once again marveled: there are really a lot of cherry blossoms in Tokyo.

Arriving at the shoe lockers, he took out the school-issued white flat shoes, unsurprised to find a pink envelope inside.

Fujiwara Reya tossed the indoor shoes to the ground, slipping his feet in, as a thought crossed his mind: when talking about high school life, people often think of it as rosy, and when thinking of rosy, high school life naturally comes to mind. It's almost customary for people to associate high school life with being rosy.

Is that really the case?

Pondering this question, he leisurely walked toward the second-year class F classroom.

As an ordinary high school student, Fujiwara Reya didn't subscribe to the "love is everything" philosophy, nor had he decided against dating. This notion extended to academics and various aspects of life as well.

Not necessarily proactive, but not passive either.

More accurately, he believed in doing necessary things and avoiding unnecessary ones.

Returning to the classroom, sitting by the window, with a few minutes before the 8:30 class start, Fujiwara Reya pulled out yesterday's homework to review.

Being a diligent "good student" was something his mother deemed very necessary, so he dared not slack in his studies.

"Good morning, Fujiwara." Ikeda Aoshu greeted as he walked in from morning club practice.

"Good morning."

Fujiwara answered without looking up.

This was his friend from first-year, usually they ate together, discussed anime, games, sports, and beauties, and shared various colored pictures and short videos.

Besides being a normal high school student, Ikeda Aoshu was also a hereditary monk of Shankoku Temple, poised to be promoted to intermediate position. He had decent abilities and could be considered a promising young monk.

Ikeda Aoshu returned to his seat, then leaned over Fujiwara Reya's desk, smiling sycophantically.

"Hey, hey, Mr. Fujiwara, you're looking extra handsome today."

Fujiwara Reya kept his hands in his pockets, expressionless: "What do you want?"

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Based on his understanding of the young monk, the forthcoming request was simply that Shankoku Temple received an exorcism commission, and the old monk, to train the young monk, let him do it independently. However, the young monk, fearing for his life, planned to hire outside help.

"It's no big deal, just a small commission." Ikeda Aoshu paused and continued, "A murder occurred last night at a bakery near my house, with lots of spider webs left at the scene. The old monk went to check and determined it was the work of a newly promoted middle-level Spider Demon."

"So he wants you, who is about to be promoted to mid-level, to get rid of the Spider Demon?"

"Eh, how did you know?" Ikeda Aoshu was surprised.

It's always like this when you come looking for me... Fujiwara Reya glared at him, "Continue."

"The old monk used various despicable methods like coercion and bribery, forcing me to exorcise tonight." Ikeda Aoshu continued, "So, I'd like you to accompany me, Mr. Fujiwara."

Fujiwara Reya stared at him expressionlessly.

"There's a reward," Ikeda Aoshu hurriedly added, "1 million yen!"

After a year of studying together, the young monk had figured out the little priest's habits, knowing he cared nothing for sappy love-hate stories, but only wanted to make money.

Fujiwara Reya nodded, "Alright!"

This isn't about the money!

The main reason is that the Snow Woman baby just leveled up, and he wants to test her strength.

"It's settled then," Fujiwara Reya smiled contentedly, looking at the young monk, "I'll meet you at Kagurazaka after school tonight."

Ikeda Aoshu smiled contentedly too.

The little priest needed money, the young monk had money; it was a perfect match!

After this arrangement, the little priest made money, and the young monk didn't have to face dangerous yokai alone; maybe the little priest profited, but the young monk wouldn't lose... after all, the young monk's money came from the old monk.

"Rest assured!" Fujiwara Reya patted his chest, promising, "As a justice-oriented priest, I will definitely eliminate this harmful yokai thoroughly!"

Ikeda Aoshu chimed in supportively, "Mr. Fujiwara, you're amazing!"

"Remember," Fujiwara Reya emphasized, "this is definitely not about the money!"

"For justice!"

Ikeda Aoshu looked at Fujiwara Reya in admiration, while secretly thinking: You're so full of it, you money-grubbing little priest!