'Ha! This place is.....
Did you notice, Lord Hinoyama?

　Hinoyama Gyo wakes up in a three-person hospital room at the city's general hospital.
　Mitsurugi Yuen is sitting on the bed beside him, peeling apples with his expert hands.

''Don't worry, this is a hospital. Have some of this and calm down.

　Hinoyama looked dubiously at the apples that were offered to him. This is because all the apples that were peeled were cut into rabbit shapes.
　However, he was hungry. He eats the apple with a disgusted look on his face.

''Mitsurujo. You, are you injured?

　The sight of Mitsurujo wearing his hospital gown caught his attention, and Hinoyama feared for him.

''No, I'm unharmed thanks to the 'substitute tag'. I just had a thorough examination just to be sure.
Well, that's good to hear.

　At Mitsurujo's words, Hinoyama was relieved. However, he remembered why he was in the sickroom and hurriedly asked Mitsurujo.

''That's right! The game, the game happened!

　Hinoyama, the head of the family, had no memory of the match from the middle of it. This was because he had been blown away by the shockwave caused by the Dragon King's rush and had passed out outside the venue as it was.

''Unfortunately ... we lost the match.
What?

　That Mitsurujo and Kaira challenged the shikigami summoned by the masked jutsu master, but the flying slash caused the two substitute cards to collapse. He also told them briefly that the slash also penetrated the triple ward and slashed down the roof of the match venue.

'Nonsense! It's called the white crow that defeated the air flames, how can that be!

　Even so, Fire Mountain would not listen to him. The reason for this is due to the trust he has in Mitsurujo and the strength of the Qi Flame.
　Understanding this, Sanzurujo continued to speak.

''Hinoyama-sama. As your educator, I seem to have made a mistake. Together, we will receive a scolding.
Scolding?

　Hinoyama, who showed a pouting expression at Mitsurugi Castle's words, immediately understood the meaning of his words.
　An old man with a devilish appearance rushed in while kicking down the door of the hospital room.

''Ji, Grandpa!
'Grandpa? Not that! You, you stupid grandson!

　The iron fist of the old man, known as "Grandfather", explodes into Hinoyama's skull.
　His name is Hiroshi Hinoyama. At the age of 80, he is a powerful old man with an iron fist that could make his hospital bed creak.
　He was forced to retire due to an illness, but he was an outstanding figure who supported the Hinoyama family for several decades until the current head of the family, Gyo, took over.

"Hey, why is grandpa here?
"I just got a call from the kid on the water. He said that you have challenged him to a match before the gods for some stupid reason!

　More iron fists explode.


I got a referral to a good hospital from the boy on the water. I've been recuperating here for the past six months. Due to some kind of conspiracy, no one seemed to know that I was transferred to this hospital!
Go!

　More iron fists exploded.
　In the midst of all this, the words "about six months ago" made Mitsurugi Castle feel uncomfortable. He arrived at one answer, and was amazed at the skill of the head of the Mizukami family.

''I've had the pleasure of watching the match before the gods on video. The Masked Yin-Yang Master and the Masked Sisters were a revelation to the flames, though no comparison is necessary. How about you, on the other hand?
That's not...

　It's a good thing that you're able to do something about it.

"Well I am sorry too. Because you were the only one who could succeed me, I raised you too harshly. And I forced you, a young man, to sit in a position of responsibility as the head of the family.

　With a sad expression on his face, the former head of the family, Hiroshi, muttered to himself.

''Dai(Hiroshi)-sama. This matter is my responsibility as well. I was ordered to be in charge of teaching, but together with Goro-sama, I went down the wrong path.
You're right. You may have thought it was to make the faction recognize Karma as the new leader of the family, but attacking the cat god was a bit much. And of course, the match before the gods.

　The former head of the family, Hiroshi, continues to speak to the two men, who are sullen.

But I'm sure you've all learned something from this match. You must correct your shallow way of thinking. And if you are in love with a woman, you must win her by your own strength. Using the power of Hinoyama for that is outrageous!
"Okay, all right, Grandpa...

　Kari nodded at his words while holding his head.

''Three Crane Castle. You have an excellent sense of loyalty, but obeying your master is not the only way to be loyal. From now on, don't make a mistake.
Ha!

　Taking Dai (Hiroshi)'s words to heart, Mitsurujo bowed deeply.

''And Kire, you are too attached to the fight. Use your head a little.
'Geez! You noticed!

　The curtains were closed and the Qi Flame, which had been oblivious to the signs, shouted in surprise.

''Three Crane Castle, Qi Flame.......line up!

　An iron fist exploded into the skulls of the two men.






◇






　It was the first night after the pre-game and I hadn't slept a wink.

"Mm, I think we got the mail.
'Hi! ...or I'll go check it out!

　Hurry up and check the mailbox. Hey, the bill!

What's the internet price?

　Dammit, you scared me.

　The reason why I'm so frightened is because in last night's game in front of the gods the shikigami I summoned collapsed the roof of the 'Tsudomu'.
　After the collapse, my mind went blank and I have almost no memory of reaching home. All I heard was that we won the game... but for now, I was scared all night long that I wouldn't get a bill for the Tsudomu repairs. Or rather, I'm still frightened.

I'm still frightened," he said, "I was told that Takumi would take care of it. You have nothing to worry about. And since no one knows who you are, we can't send a bill to this house.
I mean, it's true.

　What if they find out about some great technique or something?

Anyway, that's not a problem. But if you can't do anything about it, I'll take care of it.

　What a... well, juggling act! You mean to earn money for repairs through juggling!
　If we did a golden lion ball ride or something like that, we'd be making a lot of money!

I mean, that's your crap!
'What are you talking about? For now, calm down.

　A crow, sensing something unusual, brought me some barley tea. Phew, I've calmed down for now.
　Incidentally, our little girl, who dismantled the crow, took the remote control from the crow and is watching a cooking program in the living room.
　Like crows, this one, too, doesn't seem to disappear at all. It's a mystery. Maybe I'll ask the chairman's father about it sometime via the black cat.

"There's nothing to worry about. I didn't expect this result, but I asked him to participate in the game. The responsibility is mine and Tatsuumi and I will take care of it.
Yeah, well I get it. Sorry, I was distracted.

　I agree. If I think about it calmly, Black Cat might be right.
　But, just in case I'm in charge, I might look for a part-time job. There's no way your pocket money will be enough.

I'm glad to hear that. In that case, I'll be going home.
Yeah, you wanna go?
Yeah. To your old shrine.

　Oh, I was so familiar with it that I forgot about it. Come to think of it, the black cat has a place to go.

Well take care of yourself. I'll pay a visit to you every now and then.
Mm. I'm ready for you.

　The crows also look somewhat lonely. I summoned the crow the day after the black cat came home, so I've been spending the same amount of time with the black cat as I have with me.

'Don't be so sad. It's not like we're parting ways for this lifetime.
Yeah, I know.

　It's a little sad, though.

Can I have a quick word before I go?
Hmm? What is it?
I want to know your name.
...Oh!

　Come to think of it, I haven't said my name once since we met!

Sorry, I didn't recognize you at all. So, as you can see, my name is Yuuki Kosuke. Nice to meet you.
Yuki Kosuke... that's a good name.

　I don't remember how it got its name. I think my mom said something about helping him and being happy or something.

"The black cat's name was Cat God, right?
No. Nekogami is a name chosen by my idolaters. It's not my real name.

　Oh, I see.

'The real name ... seems like it was a long time ago, but I've forgotten it.
So you don't mind if I give you a nickname?
Yes, you're fine with me.

　However, I've been calling her a black cat so much that I can't get away from calling her that.

''Well then ... it's cheesy, but how about 'Black'?
Black? .....

　Black Cat...not Black, but Black suddenly fell silent.

'What's wrong?'
No I'm sorry.
'What? What?
"I didn't realize it because I wasn't aware I was doing it I'm really sorry.

　....What? So what?