97. The opening of the board meeting, meeting the Hoshimi Miko
It's still raining in Tokyo, a gentle drizzle.
There were no people on the street, and the sun had not come out. Only the early morning commotion could be heard from the breakfast shop on the roadside. Fujiwara Izaya passed by a coffee shop holding an umbrella, ordered a paper cup of coffee, and drank it while walking back to Asakusa.
As the car passed by, there was the sound of thin water splashing on the road.
Fujiwara Izaya loved Tokyo at this time from the first day he arrived.
Morning mist, the smell of coffee, people's sleepy eyes, early crows, clear air, a day without pollution damage...
There is still the smell of the sea in the wind.
Of course, the smell was very weak. The wind blowing from Tokyo Bay was probably the only one who could smell the breath of the sea.
After drinking the coffee from the paper cup, Fujiwara Izaya saw the small building facing [lemon] from a distance.
The original white exterior wall of the single-family two-story building has been slightly yellowed by the sun for a long time, as if it had lost everything in the wind and rain. On the narrow balcony on the second floor, there is a slender flower bed ten centimeters wide.
The flower beds are neatly trimmed. Riho Yukino said that crocuses, pansies and marigolds will bloom in the flower field in spring, and cosmos will bloom in autumn.
Fujiwara Izaya also liked the feeling of being inside.
This is a secluded and elegant section of the Sumida River. While strolling leisurely by the river, it is not difficult to find its past. There are quaint Edo-style buildings on both sides of the road. Children and women are playing among them, and the air is always filled with food.
Warm scent.
When I arrived at the store, I found that it hadn't opened yet and the store was closed.
A blue women's bicycle is parked in front of the door. There is no bread brought back from the bakery in the plastic frame.
I looked at the time, it was half past six in the morning.
At this time in the past, Yukino Riho had already opened a store... Fujiwara Izaya took out the key and opened the door. After entering the store, he walked directly up the small stairs to the second floor.
Pushing open the partition door of the stairs, maybe because of his nervousness or because he was injured, Izaya Fujiwara felt that the air in the room was colder and more solemn than ever before, as if he were in the Siberian coniferous forest in winter, and there was no human breath around him.
Snow.
The whole world only smells like snow.
Fujiwara Izaya took off his shoes at the entrance and walked to the living room.
The lights were not turned on, the light was dim, and the corridor seemed much longer than before. The house was quiet, except for the sound of footsteps making a strange sound like stepping on ashes in the darkness.
When he came to the living room and glanced at the sofa, Fujiwara Izaya relaxed his worries.
In the faint morning light with thin curtains, Yukino Riho curled up her legs and fell asleep on the sofa. Due to the hazy morning light, the outline of her body was thinner than usual, so pale that it was almost transparent.
There is cold food on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
The coffee in the transparent kettle is white and turbid, like the water of the Sumida River in the rainy season.
Did she wait for him all night... Fujiwara Izaya moved to the sofa and looked down at this woman who he thought was a stupid woman. As usual, she was wearing a blue cardigan that was as blue as cutting out the sky.
She wore a sweater, her hair tied into a bunch and tucked into her neckline. She exuded a cold aura, and the light particles illuminated by the morning light danced on her back.
Just looking at her body, one could feel the cold air hitting her skin, chilling her bones.
"Miss Yukino..."
Fujiwara Izaya shouted softly.
"Um……"
Yukino Riho opened her eyes drowsily, murmured a few times as if she was dreaming, and closed her eyes again.
"Miss Yukino." Fujiwara Izaya called again.
This time, she rubbed the corners of her eyes and slowly opened her eyes.
After seeing the person in front of him clearly, the snow-cold woman had a slight smile on her face, just like the first ray of sunshine after the snow.
"As long as you're okay..."
"Well, I'm fine, I made you worry."
"You look very tired..." Yukino Riho sat up and brushed her bangs from her forehead, "Did something happen last night? I called your mobile phone and couldn't get through all night..."
"It's okay, I'm just a little tired." Fujiwara Izaya shook his head, "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Yukino Riho nodded slightly.
Last night was a difficult night for her. She heard some news from the Furukawa Kaikan. She was worried about Fujiwara Izaya, but she couldn't get through when she called him. She spent almost the whole night in anxiety.
"Are you hungry? I'm going to heat up some food for you..." After saying that, Yukino Riho stood up and brought the food on the table into the kitchen to heat it up. There is no microwave, so you can only add water to the pot and steam it with steam.
.
"I'll buy a microwave tomorrow."
"Hey, I don't know how to use it."
"It's very simple. Just let me teach you. You can get started after just one use."
"Thank you Fujiwara-kun."
After a while, the water in the pot boiled and made a pleasant sound.
Yukino Riho came out with a pot, which contained stew, including onions, potatoes and various fungi. In addition, she also brought some bread with walnuts and brought it to the table. The two sat opposite each other,
I ate in silence. The food itself was very simple, and the seasoning was a bit strange. It didn't taste bad at all. After eating, I felt warm all over my body.
Fujiwara Izaya thought to himself that this warm feeling was one hundred percent psychological.
After dinner, he returned to his room, found the priest's uniform and put it on. Yukino Riho leaned against the door and watched him put on his belt: "You are going to the Yin Yang Lao later, right?"
Fujiwara Izaya looked back at her: "You know this?"
"You know..." Yukino Riho looked away, "Is everything going to be okay?"
"Of course nothing will happen," Izaya Fujiwara showed her a reassuring smile, "Board meetings and other matters will not trouble me."
"come on!"
Yukino Riho walked in and gently smoothed the wrinkles on his collar.
Then, she took a step back and said with soft eyes: "This dress really suits you. You must not let others take it off you."
"Do you need to say more?" Fujiwara Izaya raised his eyebrows arrogantly and pointed at the tip of his nose: "I am the most handsome priest in the world and the one with the most sense of justice!"
The youthful look made Yukino Riho clasp her hands together and laugh happily while clapping her palms.
Such a scene made Fujiwara Izaya feel extremely kind.
The dim light reflected on the opaque glass, the warm steam coming out of the pot, the memories permeating every corner of the room, Miss Yukino's quietness and virtuousness, everything made Fujiwara Izaya feel like he was reunited after a long absence.
He relaxed his body as much as possible and immersed himself in such a warm atmosphere motionlessly.
Fujiwara Izaya believed that he could not lose this quiet and safe bakery no matter what, so he must win the next board meeting.
It was too early to leave the bakery.
Fujiwara Izaya held an umbrella, thought for a moment, and decided to take the subway to the place where today's meeting would be held.
At the crossroads in the rain, colorful vehicles were busy coming and going, and the sound of trams came from far to near and then far away from time to time.
He was not notified to attend the board of directors meeting. The content of the meeting was essentially to criticize him unilaterally and then expel him from the Onnyang dormitory. However, he had Chairman Kasahara as a mole, so he could boldly join in to cause trouble and attack several elders.
Give the guy a few slaps on the face.
After squeezing onto the Ginza Line subway, looking at the colorful advertisements hanging in the carriages and the brilliant light, Izaya Fujiwara probably thought of something, and his expression became a little cold.
※※※※※
The rain pattered.
The blue hydrangeas on the streets and alleys have absorbed enough rainwater to bloom in full bloom in the rain. Under the continuous rain, the streets of Sangenchaya are hazy and rainy, and most of the cafes on both sides are not open for business.
The meeting hall of Yin Yangliao is located in a remote corner of Sanxuan Tea House.
It doesn't look like what it looks like from the outside, but when you walk in, you can find that this is a frighteningly spacious, imitation Tang-style mansion. Pools and rockeries, bright green bamboo groves, blooming flowers, and long-standing ancient buildings can be seen everywhere.
Every step leads to a view, and it is quiet everywhere. It is a good place to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the tranquility.
But today, the place is not clean. On the contrary, it is very noisy.
The chicks, dressed in priest or witch costumes, walked quickly in the rain, discussing the relevant events that happened yesterday.
"Hey, you all know the reason for holding the board meeting today, right?"
"Who doesn't know about such a big thing?"
"Tsk tsk, he is really a monster..."
"It's still the Great Tengu."
"Not only the Daitengu, but also the most powerful Daitengu."
"Kick him out!"
"This is inevitable. Who can tolerate a monster pretending to be a priest?"
In the drizzle, more and more people walked into the courtyard and headed towards the main hall.
Hoshimi Rinko came very early.
But she didn't rush in, but waited at the door.
She knew what kind of person Fujiwara Izaya was and knew that he would definitely come today.
He is calm beyond his age, calm in situations, and thoughtful, and he also has a youthful mentality that matches his age. As for the youthful mentality that Rinko Hoshimi understands, it can be summed up in a sentence by Dostoyevsky
.
[A young man is a young man. He is not happy when looking at the spring breeze, is not annoyed when looking at the summer cicadas, is not sad when looking at the autumn wind, does not sigh when looking at the winter snow, is too lazy to notice when he is surrounded by wealth, and does not dare to face injustice. Just because he is a boy.]
Well……
Cross out the "too lazy to notice when you are rich and wealthy", that guy is very greedy for money.
Apart from these, he is a very interesting person.
Hoshimi Rinko herself doesn't like to communicate with others.
But Fujiwara Izaya seems to understand very well.
Almost every teacher and student in the school likes him because he always looks gentle and elegant, and his etiquette in dealing with others is very good and sincere.
In the communication with the two of them, Fujiwara Izaya is a master of chatting who can discern the timing and hit the funny points at the right time. He can quickly find several interesting parts in a not-so-interesting conversation. When chatting with him, Hoshi
When I see Rinko, I will often be immersed in the illusion that I am a very interesting person.
besides.
He is a man who tells lies.
On the surface, he has always told her that there are no supernatural beings in the world, but secretly he has completed hundreds of ghost extermination commissions in a year. On the surface, he told her that he only likes the eldest sister who is a senior in the department, but secretly, he is not interested in the first-year school girl.
Together, we also met our parents.
Do you think I don’t know these things?
snort!
Just wait, Fujiwara Izaya, you will pay for your lies!
"Hoshimi-senpai!"
The voice coming from the side interrupted Hoshimi Rinko's thoughts.
Looking sideways, I saw several younger mikos approaching with their mobile phones, "Senior, can you take a photo with us?"
"Sorry~"
Hoshimi Rinko smiled gracefully and flatly refused.
"Master Xingjian~" Several young people came over to say hello, "It's getting late, do you want to go in together?"
"Waiting for someone."
Hoshimi Rinko still had an elegant smile on her face.
She may look kind on the surface, but if you look deeper, you can read the indifference of "That's it for now" in her eyes.
Everyone who came up to talk to me left in embarrassment. Of course, there were also some people who muttered behind their backs such things as "You can't afford a genius," "What's the air about you," "Isn't he just a little prettier?"
Regarding this, Hoshimi Rinko had no emotions in her heart.
Because, she is Hoshimi Rinko.
In the history of Shintoism for more than a thousand years, she is the fourth genius shrine maiden who has reached the threshold of general rank at the tender age of eighteen.
She is the face of Shintoism.
She is the undisputed number one among the younger generation.
The morning breeze ruffled the white feathers draped around her shoulders, and the black hair hanging down from her ears fluttered over her beautiful cheeks, causing a smile to appear on her lips.
In the misty drizzle, Fujiwara Izaya walked slowly with an umbrella, his pure white priest uniform swaying lightly in the wind, just like the elegant young man walking out of the ancient paintings of Heian Kyo.
Hoshimi Rinko stood in front of the door, waiting for him to come over and explain to her.
The morning light penetrated through the thick clouds, and then was dispersed by the moist water vapor. After falling on her face, it became extremely soft. Looking from a distance, her face was not clearly visible, but it was more beautiful and moving, and even had a certain
A sense of sacredness.
The first time he saw his senior sister, Fujiwara Izaya felt his head tremble.
There is no doubt about it.
I still feel guilty after spending a long time alone and seeing my wife sitting on the sofa with a cold face when I get home.
Be reasonable!
We're not married yet!
Not only are they not married, they have never even held hands!
"Hello, senior." Fujiwara Izaya came to her side to say hello.
Hoshimi Rinko glanced at him, said nothing, and just smiled gracefully.
"I'm sorry!" Fujiwara Izaya said immediately.
"There's no need to say this."
Seeing Rinzi's back straight, Hoshi looked at him calmly.
"It's very beautiful!" Fujiwara Izaya immediately changed the subject and pointed to the miko uniform she was wearing, "This is the first time I've seen my senior wearing a miko uniform. How should I put it? It feels light and fluttery and will be blown away by the wind at any time.
Escape from the secular spirit."
This is not a compliment.
The senior sister is wearing a traditional red and white miko costume today, with a white haori on her shoulders. She has a cool and soft face, and her long black hair is tied with a red hairband. Whether it is from the side or the front, she looks fresh and plump.
, reminiscent of orchids blooming in valleys that are inaccessible to humans.
"There are no supernatural beings in this world." Hoshimi Rinko said calmly.
"..."
Fujiwara Izaya's mind suddenly turned around, he looked at her hairband and said, "It's been a year, time flies so fast."
Hoshi saw Rinzi stunned for a moment, then touched the hair tie on the back of his head with his hand, and sighed along with his words: "Yes, I have been deceived by you for a year."
"Ha ha."
Fujiwara Izaya laughed.
The laughter was not awkward at all, but rather kind.
That red hair tie was bought by him as a gift to Hoshimi Rinko during the Sumida River Fireworks Festival last year. The style is very simple, just a red rope with a small cherry blossom hair ornament inlaid at the end.
But wearing a simple headband on her body can exude an awe-inspiring and mysterious atmosphere.
This is of course due to her pure beauty and strong strength, as well as her graceful posture that straightens her back all the time, and her aristocratic temperament that is revealed in every smile.
After meeting today, Fujiwara Izaya also unlocked another side of her.
A powerful, noble, pure existence, a miko... To be honest, when she wore this miko uniform, Fujiwara Izaya felt greatly impressed, and it might even be called shocking.
Speaking of witches alone, he had seen quite a few.
Among them, there are lively and lovely girls like Kasahara Asuka, but unlike her schoolmate’s quirky spirit, her temperament is completely different. Her straightforward and clear eyes and her noble expression are like a
Like a bird about to spread its wings and fly to a distant world, it is wrapped in a special wind, and the witch costume she wears seems to have gained new life.
The last miko Fujiwara Izaya met with such a temperament was her mother.
Moreover, my senior sister is also flat-chested like my mother. Isn’t it a coincidence...
"Senior," Fujiwara Izaya looked at Rinko Hoshimi sincerely and affectionately, as if looking at his mother, with a nostalgic smile on his lips, "You and my mother have similar temperaments. When I see you, I always...
It will sound like a mother who is hard to see again."
That look and that smile are impossible to fake.
Hoshimi Rinko decided not to embarrass him for the time being, and turned around and walked inside: "Go in, the conference is about to begin."
"I'll hold an umbrella for you." Fujiwara Izaya held an umbrella, and they walked in side by side.
One is in a pure white priest uniform, and the other is in a witch costume with a red dress and white skirt. The two are walking on the edge of violet lace in the rain. Their silhouettes perfectly blend into the rainy scenery. The eyes of people passing by are always subconsciously attracted to them.
Some people sighed "Ah", some whispered, and some kept peeking over here.
"...I always feel like I'm still an outsider."
"You'd better be mentally prepared."
"On the first day I came to Tokyo, I was preparing for today." Fujiwara Izaya observed the faces of his colleagues on the roadside with a fearless smile.
He was looking at others. When Hoshi saw Rinzi looking at him, he said calmly: "I won't help you today."
"Why?"
"Because you lied to me for so long."
"mean!"
"oh?"
"Isn't it?"
"Who is it, who hooked up with a school girl without telling me, and then made it clear to the world that he has nothing to do with me?"
"……Well"
"Fujiwara-san," Rinko Hoshimi tilted her head and smiled elegantly at him, "Is it really okay at all?"
Looking at her like this, Fujiwara Izaya felt like a scumbag.