Mother!　Nah, why are you here, Yuto?

　Mizuho was extremely flustered by her mother's offer, and Zhu Yin didn't change her expression when she saw the other girls nodding in agreement.

''Be quiet, Mizuho. I'm talking to Yujin-kun, right?

　Yuto looks at Zhu Yin's face with a smile on his face, but his voice has no mood for jokes. And the atmosphere doesn't feel like he's asking her to come as a potential son-in-law.

''Can you tell me why?''

'Sure, I'll talk to you. This is a request from me. No, I'll just assume it's a request from Shitenji.

A request...?

　Yuto nodded his head lightly at Zhu Yin's unexpected offer.

''Yes, that's right, it's a job offer. Therefore, I will also provide you with a reward.''

What does it say about...?

I have already informed you that this celebration will be attended by a wide range of talented people. However, when that happens, there are many foreign substances mixed in with them.

　Yuto put a lot of effort into his eyes.

''Foreign body........''

　Yuuto was beginning to understand what Zhu Yin was trying to say.
　In other words, he is saying that there will be those who think of the wrong thing to come together.
　Some of the potential son-in-law candidates gathered at Shitennji might be spies who pose as participants and aim to find out what's going on inside Shitennji, or.......there might be more than just that.

''Unfortunately, whether Shitenji wants to or not, there's no shortage of people who will look at him as an enemy. So what will happen if those people hear of the Great Festival of the Entry of the House that they will be welcomed into this Shitenji? Yuto-kun can understand, can't he?　No, it doesn't matter what you are thinking. As long as they follow the rules and participate. If that person is good enough, Shitenji will accept him.

　

''But if your only aim is to harm Shitenji in the first place, then you are not limited to that.

So I think what you want me to do is find them.

''Yes, if those people are present, I would ask you to eliminate them, whether it is during the Irike's Grand Festival match or not, Yuto-kun. Since we are in the position of the organizer, we can't act too openly. But that doesn't mean we can't take action. Will you take on the task?

But then, you don't have to participate in the form of an escort.

''In that case, we'll be enough. However, the waiting room and lodging facilities given only to the participants will also be provided on the Shitenji family's premises...

...I see, so it's easier to find out what's going on if you're participating?

And there's another reason I'm asking you.

Is that...?

It's possible that there are traitors in the agency.

....!

　At these words, not only Yuto, but also Mizuho and Marion's eyes widened.

''What's more, it's that there may be some people who are on the inside of the mysterious organization that Count Cagliostro and the others of the Dark Night No Leopard you fought against are connected to. It's not surprising that such people would see this as an opportunity to get into the Shitenji family at the heart of the agency. And cut down on Shitenji from the inside, too. Then, you see, there are only a limited number of people who can make this request. When it comes to trustworthy, yet reasonably competent people, as expected, Masato was the only one who came to mind. And you're one of Mizuho's few male friends.

....

　Yuto remembered the time when he had cornered Count Cagliostro and the others.
　The Count was well versed in the inner workings of the institution, and moreover, the terms of the deal he had offered to Yuto to let them off the hook were a promise to obtain a high rank within the institution.
　Why can the Count, who doesn't belong to the institution, promise such a thing?
　Yuuto gradually felt the creepiness of the organization behind the Count's back.

''And you know, Yuto-kun.......according to the past records, there was a time when blood flowed to Shitenji at the time of the great festival of his entrance into the family due to a murderous act by those things.

!

　Yuto's complexion changed. It was the same for the members there.
　I wondered if there was such a tragic thing.
　Just think that such a thing had happened to the Shitenji family, a famous family with a long history.
　And if we overlap with the case of this time, Mizuho could imagine that she would be a party to it.......
　Yuto shifted his gaze to Akane.

''........I understand. I will accept the request.''

'What?　Hey, Yuto!

　Mizuho was upset that Yuto had decided to participate in the Grand Festival of Irie, even though it was a request.
　However, Yuto is calm itself.

''No........what Akane said just now is quite possible. Besides.........''

　Besides, Yuto was concerned about the organization that was connected to Count Cagliostro.
　Probably, that organization or person was most likely to have a jutsu to create that half-demon's body. And that jutsu, as far as Yuto knew, was something he had only seen in the demon world.

''Fufufu, please, Yuto-kun. The reward will be bouncing. I'll let you know the date of the Irike's Grand Festival at a later date.''

　Zhu Yin returned to her usual tense, smiling face and stood up.

''Well then, my business is done, I'll be leaving. I hope you all have a good time.''

　After saying that, Zhu Yin left the villa with Ming Liang.



　Left behind in the living room, Yuto and the others took a breath for now, just like after the storm had passed.

''Yuto, are you really going to join us?''

　That statement by Mari, who said it with a worried look on her face, was also on behalf of all of them.

''Yeah, that information of Akane's...........I'm a little concerned. Especially about those who might be connected to organizations that are opposed to the agency........

Not so!

What?

　Mari leans forward and lets out a loud cry, and Marion and Nina agree with her.

'Yes!　That's not the important part, Yuto-san!

''What we're trying to say is, what if that's why Mr. Doudou wins out as he investigates a suspicious person!

'Oh that's okay. If you find a suspicious guy and catch him, you can abstain from the game there, and in the end you have to win against Mizuho-san, and Mizuho-san has to admit it herself, the rule has changed, right?　So, in case I win, I'll just lose there on purpose. Hey, Mizuho-san.

"...What?　Oh, yes!　That would make it ... easier.

".........

　Mari, Marion and Nina stare at Zee and Mizuho.

'What?　They all look at me funny.

'Just now, Mizuho-san there was a funny pause, wasn't there?

'Hey, no!　Marion!　What are you talking about...

''Actually, I'm trying to get Mr. Dou Dou Dou to win, and on top of that... Mizuho cut corners...''

No!　No, I don't!　What are you saying, even Nina-san....

What, what?　What do you mean?

　There is no one to answer that question of Yuto.

''There's something about this story that just doesn't make sense to me...''

　Mari crosses her arms and ponders.

'What...Mari?'

'Hmm, what Mizuho-san's mother says makes sense and seems to make sense, but there's something..........like this.

'What?　You're thinking too much, aren't you?　Mari. I think that earlier was usually a concern for the Shitenji family, including my daughter Mizuho-san.

'Ummm...'

　Mari put her hand to her chin and thought about it, even as she took in Yuto's words.

'Well, well, I don't know much about Shitenji, but I think it's good that this time it happened, you know?　Because they got a way for Shitenji-san to avoid getting engaged to a man who doesn't like her will. If it weren't for this discussion, Shitenji-san's fiancé would be forced to decide, right?　I just started high school, and that's not exactly...

　When Ichigo said that, they could all agree on this much.
　I still don't want to see Mizuho suffer in this way.

''Well that's true. At any rate, no matter what, no matter who comes, just make sure that Mizuho-san wins in the end.''

　At Mari's words, Marion nodded in agreement.

''I'll help you with your request, Mizuho-san, and I'll help you with your request, Yuto. And hey, I think I'm afraid of what Akane-san has to say, too.''

　Nina, Ichigo and Shizuka look at each other.

'Can we go and see it too?　Mizuho-san.

'What?　Well if it's in the form of a friend of mine, I think you'll be fine, but try not to be too obvious. Probably because there's a chance our people could be tense too.

I know!　But we also want to help Mizuho-san... and in times like these, I don't think she should be alone. Isn't the pressure from your parents too much?　Especially when it comes to a great family. So let's plan what we're going to do, including Yuto-san!

Nina-san....

　Mizuho looked at Nina and the members who nodded at what Nina said, and her face lit up.

''Thank you........''

　As she said that, Mizuho's face became an ordinary high school girl's face instead of Shitendera's face.



　Ming Liang had placed Zhu Yin in the back seat and was heading to the private jet owned by the Shitendera family.

''Zhu Yin-sama.......We were also careless this time. We had to be the first to realize what Lady Zhu Yin was concerned about. We are sorry. Besides.........we never thought that such a tragedy had occurred in the past at the Four Heavenly Temples......

　Zhu Yin smiled at the serious squire's statement.

If I don't have Yuuto-kun's participation, it would be meaningless to hold an entrance festival this time.

........what?

''Otherwise, I wouldn't go along with Yuto-kun's guidance, trying to get Mizuho to measure and decide on her own opponent at the end. But even so, Masato is still good. Even though he's young, he hits on a good point. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, Yuto of the Shitendera family!　Sounds good......... Now we just have to make sure that Yuto-kun wins.

....!

　As expected, after arriving here, Meira began to understand what Zhu Yin was talking about, and sweat poured from her forehead as she checked in the rearview mirror to see Zhu Yin enjoying herself in the back seat.

''And I explained it in front of Mizuho and everyone else, it's probably necessary to avoid any unnecessary chatter. However.........I'm just wondering if it was that Shirasawa-san?　He's a very interesting boy, that one. Did you see how curious the spirits were?　I don't think he realized who he was yet, though.

So, what about the tragedy in the past of the Great Festival of Entry of the House, the tragedy of Shitenji, or the existence of an enemy that might invade the Great Festival of Entry of the House this time...?

　At Ming Liang's question, which was fearfully asked, Zhu Yin smiled innocently with a smirk.



''It's all a lie, but what is it?''



　At this statement by Zhu Yin, Akiliang froze, with an extremely tense face.



　However, Zhu Yin then murmured in a whisper, a voice that even Ming Liang couldn't hear.

''For now........ Now.........what will happen?''