Volume 4 - CH 9

Hjiri Ryozenji’s home, the Ryozenji residence, stood on top of a small hill.

The hill itself was the private property of his family.

The perimeter of the hill was covered with barbed wire, so the only entrance was a long stone staircase leading to the main entrance.

At the top of the stairs, a large gate like a shrine gate awaits you.

“Wow… what should I say, it looks a bit like Yuzuru-san’s house.”

“It’s not as big as your fiancé’s house, and there are a lot of people living there. Don’t expect too much from it.”

In response to Arisa’s impression, Hijiri replied with a wry smile.

The similarity between the Ryozenji residence and the Takasegawa residence was not a coincidence.

The reason is that the man who built the Ryozenji residence, Hijiri’s great-grandfather, built it to resemble the Takasegawa residence.

Then, with Hijiri in the lead, Yuzuru and Arisa entered through a small doorway right next to the outer gate…

A man dressed in black with a shaved head and sunglasses was waiting for them.

The man bowed lightly to Hijiri.

“Welcome back. The people in the back are Takasegawa-san and…”

Through his sunglasses, the man caught sight of Yuzuru and Arisa.

Arisa looked a little frightened and grabbed the sleeve of Yuzuru’s shirt.

“It’s Yuzuru Takasegawa and his fiancée, Arisa Yukishiro.”

“I see… I apologize for my rudeness.”

The man bowed his head deeply.

Meanwhile, Hijiri gave a small nod and turned back to Yuzuru and Arisa.

“So come in then.”

“Ah.”

“Y-Yes.”

Following Hijiri’s lead, Yuzuru and Arisa also entered the mansion.

Once inside, the big difference between the Takasegawa residence and the Ryozenji residence became clear.

The number of people in the house is different.

The Takasegawa residence has only the Takasegawa family and a minimum number of servants.

On the other hand, there were many people – and they were not very friendly people – working at the Ryozenji residence.

“…It’s pretty authentic, isn’t it?”

Arisa let out an indescribable feeling.

Yuzuru grabbed Arisa’s hand and held it tightly.

After walking around the house for a while, Hijiri opened one of the sliding doors.

It was a prestigious-looking Japanese-style room.

“This is the guest room. Please make yourselves at home.”

As they were told, Yuzuru and Arisa entered the room and sat down on the cushions.

Hijiri sat facing them.

After a while, a man in black clothes brought them tea and Japanese sweets.

While Yuzuru picked up a teacup and drank the tea normally, Arisa sipped the tea with reluctance.

“How long has it been since Yuzuru came like this?”

“Hmm, not since elementary school, I think”

After he became a junior high school student, Yuzuru no longer went to my friends’ houses to play.

Because he spent more and more time playing games or studying at coffee shops or family restaurants.

“How does it feel after coming here after a long time?”

“Same as ever… Well, some things have changed.”

“Oh, which aspects?”

“…more foreigners?”

“Very perceptive.”

It seemed that a wave of globalization was sweeping through the Ryozenji residence.

Now that the place has warmed up a bit(?) Arisa spoke up,  Arisa spoke up.

“What is the relationship between Takasegawa-san and Ryozenji-san?　…I’ve heard that there are strong ties, but…”

Of course, the “Takasegawa-san” and the “Ryozenji-san” here are not Yuzuru and Hijiri, but the two families.

As for Arisa, who will be marrying into the Takasegawa family, it would be natural for her to be curious about the relationship between such a “typical” house and the Takasegawa family before that.

Now, Yuzuru and Hijiri looked at each other in response to the question.

Then Hijiri said,

“The relationship between our family and the Takasegawas started with my great-grandfather… During the confusion after the war, my great-grandfather organized a kind of vigilante group. I heard that it all started when the Takasegawa family asked him to be their bouncer.”

After that, the relationship continued…

And that’s where things stand now.

“Well, as you can see, we are a diversified company. We have a wide range of businesses… The general entertainment facility where Arisa-san and Yuzuru had their date is also affiliated with our company.”

“Ohh~… you’ve got a surprisingly straightforward business.”

Arisa muttered to herself.

Hijiri smiled in response.

“…because if it’s not straight, you’ll get caught.”

“…That’s true, too.”

When the air became a little more delicate, Yuzuru interrupted.

“Speaking of dates, you and Tenka-san had a date, too.”

“Please stop calling it a date.”

Hijiri frowned at him.

It seems that he is not very happy to be told this and that about his relationship with her.

But it’s human nature to be curious when someone acts like that.

“If a boy and a girl are hanging out with each other by themselves, I think that’s generally called a date… If it’s not a date, what was it?”

“…It was a survey.”

“…Survey? Of what?”

Yuzuru tilted his head.

Then Hijri pulled Yuzuru close to him and softly whispered in his ear.

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“What is it?”

“It’s supposed to be there… That one.”

“….that one?”

“The thing that Arisa-san hates.”

“Ah…”

In other words, it’s a ghost.

And then Yuzuru was startled.

“Eh, really?”

“Who knows?　I didn’t see it. And I don’t believe in it. There should be no such thing as haunting when our grandpa is so spunky.”

“Sure.”

“It’s just that …Tenka is very psychic, so I asked her to take a look… And that’s how it was.”

Yuzuru nodded, “I see”.

Tenka Nagiri’s family is a religious establishment that is quite famous.

When they say that she has a strong psychic sense, it makes sense.

In addition, there is another spiritual girl, Chiharu Uenishi.

However, while the Uenishi family is secular, she is a fashion religious person.

Tenka, who is a serious religious practitioner, would be more reliable in such matters.

“Eh, What is it?　What are you talking about?”

On the other hand, Arisa, who was left out of the talk, tilted her head.

Yuzuru and Hijiri looked at each other.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“It’s no big deal.”

If Arisa heard that the place was haunted, she would never go there again on a date with Yuzuru.

And as far as the Hijiri is concerned, it is not a good thing to lose customers.

Therefore, they decided to keep this matter a secret.

Arisa was curious, but fortunately, she did not persist in asking.