Chapter 83 - Barbeque Party and Controlling Chubu?

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After the incident where Nishina-sensei saved by us, day by day, the relationship between her and my family grew closer.

If initially Nishina-sensei presence at the villa was strictly professional as only my private tutor, but after that incident, a genuine bond began to form between us.

She asked us to just call her with her first name, Shigure, rather than her family name, Nishina.

And even when I asked her to teach me the basics of fighting using daggers because of her proficiency in using kunai/ninjato, she's readily agree because she said that she owes me.

The shared moments of study, training, and conversation revealed more about Nishina-sensei's character, and she found herself welcomed into the fold as more than just a tutor but also a friend and ally.

One day in August, because now is Summer, I decided to hold a small barbecue party at the mansion at the weekend.

It was an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company outside the structured environment of lessons and training.

I also extended an invitation to Shigure-san and she agreed. But she also asked if she could brought a few people too which I decided to allow it after she explained a little who they are.

Saturday dusk, Shigure-san arrived at the mansion, bringing two other people. A pair of girls in early teenage. They two looks lively and cheerful, their excitement palpable as they approached the villa.

I greeted them warmly, sensing the kindred spirits in the two girls.

"Welcome, Shigure-san. I'm glad you're coming."

I said to Shigure-san with a friendly smile.

"Onee-chan, Onee-chan, this place is amazing!"

The girl with long, black hair exclaimed to Shigure-san with her large, sparkling eyes taking in the spacious mansion and the beautiful surroundings.

"Yes, it's beautiful."

The other little girl agreed with her voice soft but filled with awe.

"Restraint yourselves!"

Shigure-san reprimanded them lightly.

"Yes~...."

"I'm sorry...."

The two girls said shortly and then stood silently besides Shigure-san.

Shigure-san then looked at me with a smile.

"Thank you for the invitation, Rey-kun. And I'm sorry for their rudeness."

Shigure-san said to me with a little remorse.

"It's okay."

I said and shaking my head slightly.

"Then let me introduce them.... This girl is Tsumugi."

Shigure-san said to me and then introduced the lively, cheerful girl with long black hair on her right.

"Hello, Onii-chan!"

The girl, Tsumugi, greeted me with a wide, innocent, smile.

"And this one is Yunagi."

She introduced the soft-spoken girl with short black hair on her left.

"Nice to meet you, Onii-san."

The girl, Yunagi, said to me with a soft smile and little bow.

"Nice to meet you two too. My name is Rey. And I'm glad you liked this place. Make yourselves at home."

I said and smiled to the two girls then lead the three of them inside.

And when we're heading to the backyard where the barbecue was already set up, the two girls undergoes transformation where their clothes changes to miko-style clothes and on their heads appeared a pair of small, short, white horns.

Now they truly looks like what Shigure-san told me before, Oni-Miko.

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After we're at the backyard and introduced the two sisters to my family, Sakuya-san helped by Shigure-san soon busy preparing the foods, while I was setting up tables, chairs, and other things.

Tsumugi and Yunagi were about the same age as me, at least in appearances and behaviors, their youthful energy was contagious.

Tsumugi, with her boundless enthusiasm and curiosity, quickly struck up a conversation with Kulshedra-san and Scathach-sama about this and that. Yunagi, quieter but equally curious also gravitated towards Kulshedra-san and Scathach-sama, fascinated by their stories of ancient battles and legendary warriors.

The aroma of grilled meat and vegetables soon filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the group. It was a scene of warmth and camaraderie, a stark contrast to the sometime tense and secretive world we inhabited.

"Tsumugi-chan, Yunagi-chan, would you like to try some?"

Sakuya offered the grilled skewers with her smile gentle and inviting.

"Yes!"

Tsumugi said eagerly with her eyes lighting up and then took one and soon bit it.

"Thank you, Sakuya-san"

Yunagi added said and also took one with polite.

"Mmmm!!!!! Delicious!!!!"

"Yes. It's tasty."

The two girls said their feelings directly into words and actions.

And we the others smiled gently at them while we also enjoyed the skewers.

The two sisters quickly integrated into the group with their laughter and chatter blending seamlessly with the conversations around them.

I watched with a sense of contentment as my family and Shigure-san's bonded over this small gathering.

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As the night goes on, we sat around a bonfire which casting a warm golden glow over us while the two sisters sleeping soundly with their heads on Shigure-san's laps after they tired from eatings and playings.

Shigure-san then turned to me with her expression softening.

"Thank you for inviting us, Rey-kun. This means a lot to Tsumugi and Yunagi. They've never had a chance to be part of a gathering like this before."

Shigure-san said with her hands caressing the sleeping sisters heads softly.

"It's my pleasure too, Shigure-san. I'm glad you and the sisters could join us."

I said with smile to her while the others also responded with nodded their heads slightly.

After that, we all just silently watching the bonfire for a moment.

But then Shigure-san looked at me with more serious expression.

"Rey-kun.... Are you interested to take control of Chubu's underworld?"

Shigure-san said with a bit tense tone.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

I tilted my head slightly in surprise and confusion with what she just said suddenly.

"The underworld I mean is not the criminal or yakuza-like things. What I mean is the supernaturals which consist of yokais and the other apparitions."

She continued and made clear about what she meant.

"I know that Chubu is not like other regions in Japan where there are some yokai clans/organization lording over them, but it's not my problem, right?"

I don't understand why she suddenly asked me if I interested to control all of Chubu. After all, the territory given to me was only Nagano, even though if there's any supernatural problems in another city in Chubu, I don't mind dealing with it as long as it's Devil's problems just like the Stray Devil case before. But to control the underworld of all Chubu? I think it's not my jurisdiction to do so. After all I'm not even a yokai. So there's no way the yokais around here will truly acknowledge a Devil like me.

"I know it's not really your problem. But, do you know why this region have no Leader?"

Shigure-san asked.

"Ah. I wondered about that actually. Why?"

Yes. I truly wondered why this central region of Japan was without Lord.

"Actually, there was a Yokai Leader in this region. Do you know Togakushi no Kijou?"

"Togakushi no Kijou? You mean from the Tale of Momojigari? After all, it's famous around here."

Yes. The Tale of Momojigari was famous around here in Togakushi because it was said that this village used to be the center stage of the legend. Especially with how that tale was also adapted to few theatrics and even movies since the early 1900s.

"Yes. Togakushi no Kijou or Sarashina-hime/Momiji was the last Lord of Chubu Yokais. But it was slain by Taira no Koremochi long ago."

"So that story was true?"

"Yes. And since then, Chubu have no Lord and eventually became a lawless region for yokais. This region now known as the center of rogue yokais, yokais who couldn't survive in the other regions for various reasons. That's why actually this region is the most dangerous among others."

Shigure-san explained and then I nodded in understanding.

"I see.... Wait. Don't tell me that the reason this region was supervised by the strongest of Five Principal Clans, Nakiri/Ouryuu, was also for that reason?"

"Un. Exactly."

"I see...."

I understand now.

So the reason Nakiri Family overseer this region was not only because its positioned in the center of Japan but also because this region was the most problematic one.

"But still there's no reason for me to intervene, right?"

Yeah. Because of the existence of Nakiri Family, the more I thought that my intervention was unnecessary.

"Yes, you're right. It's just that I proposed it to you because if you're interested, it would make this region safer and more ordered. After all, eventually the Five Principal Clans only control the supernatural problems on the surface, but the more murky waters beneath it was largely uncontrollable. I'm sure Nakiri Family wouldn't mind either if the underworld of Chubu united in one banner just like the other regions. After all, it would make their job lighter and easier if the problems around here lessened.... Also, we have this two as the banner if we decided to do so."

Shigure-san explained and then looked at two sleeping sisters.

"Oh? These two? How so?"

I looked at the two sisters.

Shigure-san then nodded slightly.

"Yes. They're... actually the descendants of Sarashina-hime."

"Wait. Seriously?"

I honestly surprised with the revelation.

"Yes. I found them badly injured one night. Then I treated them and eventually take care of them like my own sisters."

Shigure-san said with a frown looking concerned.

"Badly injured?"

I asked with a bit frown too. Sakuya-san and others also frowned.

Shigure-san nodded slightly.

"Yes. They said they were attacked by another yokai and then they were forcefully expelled from their own abode."

Shigure-san said and then the two sleeping sisters looks frowned a bit too as if they sensed what we're talking about even though they clearly still fast asleep.

"Why? They're descendants of Togakushi no Kijou, right?"

Yeah. I mean, if they're truly the descendants of former Yokai Lord of Chubu, shouldn't they be respected?

Why did they attacked by other yokais and even they have to left their place in search of safety?

And also, were there no other yokais to protect them because they're the descendants of the former Lord?

"Yes. But after all, they're just a pair of weak children with no one else but them in the eyes of other yokais especially they who's originally not from this region. Added with no strong yokais to protect them because the strongest of them were lost together with Togakushi no Kijou."

Shigure-san explained with more concerns to two sisters.

"I see...."

So that's the reason why.

If truly there's no one who can protect them enough from harms, it's not really strange if they decided to just left.

Especially with the lawless situation of Chubu's underworld, they have no choice to do so if they want to survive.

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