Huh? The game?
'Hmm. There will be a big match between yin-yang masters soon. Would you be willing to participate in it?

　When I got home, the black cat said something strange. Yin-Yang Master's, a match?

I'm an amateur, remember? Even if we talk about Yin and Yang, the only thing we can do is to make that crow.

　I look at the white crow who is flippantly watching a music program.

'No, if you can make a shikigami like that, it's enough. But I won't force you to do anything. You won't die, but you can get hurt. In exchange, if you're willing to go out, I'll do what I can to thank you.

　The fact that the word "Yin-Yang Master" is mentioned means that the black cat was a monster or something.
　Anyway, a match, eh? I don't need to thank the black cat, but I'm interested in the match itself. If I participate, I should be able to see all sorts of yin and yang techniques.
　I don't want to show off, but I'm curious to be able to use other Yin-Yang techniques as well.

'You're not really going to die or anything, are you?
Yes, I promise you that. If there's any danger, I'll do my best to stop it.

　Not very reliable. But, as long as it's safe, you might as well join us. However...

Can I get out of here if I want to be anonymous?
No problem.

　Okay, I'm out!





◇





'Sis, isn't this enough for you?'
No, not yet. The white crow I saw that time wasn't on this level.

　The temple where the main family of the Mizukami family is located. There, two girls were training hard in the art. The miko's maiden's clothes, which were probably her competition clothes, were already in tatters, indicating the intensity of the two girls' special training.

'You said that the cat god would bring you that crow lord. So you don't have to work so hard, big sister.
'What are you talking about, Junna? Even if it's okay, there's no way I'm going to leave the problems in our house to others. Besides, it's a 3 v. 3 team match, no matter how strong he is, if we drag him down, we might lose. That's why you have to have the guts to take them both down with us.
'Well if you say so, sister, I understand.

　The woman called "big sister" is Mizukami Uruka, a talented woman who is Kosuke's class president. The name of the girl who has the same face as her, but with a slightly younger face, is Mizukami Junna. She is Junkanai's real sister.
　Junkanai and Junna are among the top-ranked sorcerers in the Mizukami family's service. For that reason, they were going to participate in this match as representatives.

''Come on, we're still going to do it!
Yes, sir.

　In the garden of the temple, which was supposed to be quiet, the sounds of the two magicians' intense training resounded.





◇




　Two days have passed since then. The game is tonight and I'm in a great hurry.

'If it's such an important game, you should have told me ahead of time!
'I'm sorry. I was so focused on asking you out that I forgot to tell you why I wanted to fight.

　This cat really seemed to have forgotten about it.
　Since it was said that amateurs like me could participate in this tournament, I thought it would be like an amateur Yin-Yang master's tournament that I could casually participate in... but it was completely different.
　It seems to be an important battle between the two major factions involved in onmyoujutsu, each vying for prestige.

"So why am I being made to represent one faction?

　It seemed that three sorcerers from each faction were chosen to fight in a team battle, and they were made to be one of them.

''Hmm. There is a deep connection with the Mizukami family that you will be representing this time. Since we are going to lose this game, do you know of any excellent yin-yang masters? And that reminded me of my Lord.

　No, no, no, I don't know what that means.
　I'm not a good jutsu master at all, and I can only make crows. To begin with, I only found out about the existence of Yin and Yang techniques a week ago.

''I'm really sorry I forgot to tell you. But you don't have to feel overwhelmed just because you're the representative. But there's no need to get overwhelmed by the fact that you're representing the team. Even if you lose, I won't complain to anyone.

　But... well, it's my fault for not asking for details and agreeing to it. If you're willing to take it easy, I'll take it easy.
　I'm sorry to the Mizukami family, but even if we lose, it's someone else's problem.

'It's about time. Are you ready to go?
Yeah, I think I'm okay.

　For ease of movement, I put any luggage I might need in my waist pouch. Then I put on the mask I got from Black Cat Emon. It is a Noh mask with a sleepy expression.
　A hindrance to recognition? It seems to be a special tool that allows the wearer to not care about one's individuality, such as height and voice color. Therefore, no matter how many times you look at a person wearing this mask, the only thing that remains in your mind is their gender. Furthermore, the mask is transparent when viewed from the inside, so it does not obstruct your view.
　It's the perfect tool for anonymity.

I'll take you to the venue. Get in.

　As he said this, the black cat swelled up, clothed in darkness, and became a golden lion, the size of a large car.

''Surprise, is that what it is supposed to be?''
'Mm, yes. But still, you're not too surprised.
'Yeah, I've had stranger experiences in my time.

　I heard that God resuscitated you.
　Oops, what a déjà vu. Come to think of it, when I first met the black cat, we had this exchange.

"Hwahahahahaha! Well then, let's get going!
'Do you want me to ride on your back? Is it okay to grab the hair?
Mm, no problem.

　Alright, here we go. Yeah? How do we get there from here? Do we run to it? It seems like such a big cat running through a residential area is too small and slow in reverse.

Let's fly!
"Huh?

　Immediately after that, the golden lion rushed through the sky.

''Gyaaahhhh!

　And my screams echoed through the residential streets at night.