【Ch. 10 - Girl Next Door ①】

Just like that, I became the first properly contracted Shikigami in who knows how long. As for the ceremony? It was an absolutely routine affair. In fact, it was nothing more than a written contract with our blood serving as the catalyst for the agreement. Kitohana-sama was quite cross with its mundanity. Serves her right.

According to her, ceremonies of the past were more lavish affairs and frequently established between pairs who had developed intimate relationships. They had rituals to match that dynamic too, of course. I am sure she wanted us to perform something similar, but Takeda-kun and I were hardly going to be in that sort of relationship in such short time.

Not to mention, my own attempts of courting seemed to have failed too. I wonder why?

At any rate, I could actually feel my own powers surging in potency the moment the contract was signed. I couldn't tangibly measure just how much it increased, but it was definitely not a small amount. Still not nearly enough to actually land a hit on Kitohana-sama, I'm sure. I'll just have to work up to that.

I'm not sure if anything else has changed, but it didn't seem so. Takeda-kun himself said that he felt pretty much no different from before and neither Kitohana-sama or I could sense anything different about him either, power-based or otherwise.

So, without nothing else to gain or do at the shrine, we departed shortly after signing the contract. Right now, we were now well on our way travelling down the route to Takeda-kun's home in Motoyama.

"I'm hoping that worked to suppress the aura."

"We'll probably find out soon enough. I'm not sure how far Kitohana-sama sent her attendants away, but now that she's called them back, we may run into them. Even if we don't, we'll run into someone on our way."

I try channeling some of my newfound energy through my body as a test, opening and closing my fists in front of me. One might imagine that some sort of aura would form around me as I do this or something, but no such thing seems to occur here. Still, I could feel the increase in power.

"I should be able to subdue anyone if things go awry, but lets hope it doesn't come to that."

"Yeah, I hope so."

Takeda lets out a sigh. We haven't run into anyone else since our departure, and it did seem we were going to miss Kitohana-sama's returning attendants as we were approaching the exit to the side paths that led to her shrine.

"Anyway, what did Kitohana-sama give you in the end?"

I glance over at the small parcel Takeda-kun was carrying underneath his arm. Kitohana-sama had impressed it onto him right before we left and I had no doubt it was trouble no matter what it was. Of course that kami would leave a ticking bomb for us even after we escaped her clutches.

"Its soft, whatever it is, but I'm not sure. Definitely not a book like I thought it was when she pulled it out. She said to open it once I got home, so we'll find out?"

"How worrying."

"You really don't trust her at all do you, Tama-san?"

"Absolutely not."

I sincerely wonder if any of her subordinates or peers would, given her personality. Frankly, I'm mortified she now has more justifications to mess with me given my position as Takeda-kun's subordinate. This hierarchy was just unfair.

Hmm? Come to think of it, there was a small problem we should sort out about that.

"By the way, with our now current relationship, there's a need to change the way we address each other, I think. I can hardly refer to my master with 'kun' you know."

"I guess so? What would you use then?"

I ponder this for a moment. While the contract itself was, on paper, a master-subordinate relationship, the actual contents put our dynamic closer to that of partners. It did not grant him an ability like compulsory orders or anything along those lines. It merely made it in my best interest to follow orders if I wanted to continue receiving his energy.

Really the best way to describe it was a team leader and their members or a boss and their employees. Still, there was the matter of our traditions and optics to uphold as well.

"Master?"

"Anything but that. What sort of social execution are you trying for here?"

"Well, I suppose not. Takeda-dono?"

"I'm pretty sure that'd get me strange looks for another reason. Could you just leave it at Takeda?"

"Hmm... By your will then, master."

"You're doing that on purpose now, aren't you?"

Seems like he's the type who doesn't like being revered or overly respected, given he didn't even ask me to at least append 'san'. Well, even if I thought it was a little too casual, I can grant him at least that. Maybe his capabilities as a leader will be questioned in the future, but I'll just have to whip him into shape before that time comes.

"I'll go with Takeda, then. You should just call me Tama in turn, at least. I can't do with you being more respectful towards me than I am to you."

"Alright, sure, that works."

With that concluded, we continue onward silently from there on out. While there was a lot we could talk about, I believe we both just wanted to get some rest after today's events. We were already fairly close to the Motoyama region by now too.

Of course, that meant it was only inevitable we would eventually run across another messenger or spirit. I could now see a figure approaching us at a steady pace in the distance. Takeda tenses up immediately once he notices himself.

"Calm down. The others pretty much lost themselves by now, so the fact she isn't running at you on sight probably means our contract did its job."

"Ah, yeah... You're right."

I continue observing the figure as the distance closed between us. Another female spirit it seems, but not a messenger. Strange. I prepare a hex just in case. She tilts her head when she notices Takeda, but doesn't seem to react beyond that.

Without much more further fanfare, the two of us pass her without incident.

"Phew."

Takeda breaths a sigh of relief and I release my prepared hex.

"Well that's one problem solved. Still, we should make haste. It is still odd for a human to be here this deep at the end of the day. She was probably eyeing you oddly because of that."

"She was?"

"Yeah, you probably didn't notice tensed up like that."

Strangely, I noticed she was a Tsuchigumo. Not exactly a common presence on these paths. Still, it's not unheard of and I wasn't one to look into it simply due to curiosity regardless. Let's just treat it as a passing curiosity. We continue forward, leaving her behind us.

Mercifully, the remaining trip was just as mundane. A few greetings exchanged here and there and a question or two regarding Takeda's presence were all that we encountered on our way. A thankful situation, especially once we exited the pathways and entered the Motoyama region proper.

"Wow, this place is super crowed, huh?"

"With as major of a city as Motoyama, it is to be expected."

While not as boisterous as the Capital regions, Motoyama was still one of the largest metropolises of Oyashima. Naturally, this translated to the spirit realm's side of things being bustling as well. As the occasional human was escorted from shrine to shrine on the local paths here, the questions about Takeda's presence ceased too.

Once we arrived at the shrine closet to Takeda’s residence, a small local one by the name of Aoki Jinja, I check in with a resident attendant. Unslinging my bag from my shoulder, I hand it over to her alongside a message I procured from Kitohana-sama before I left.

"I have been assigned an emergency mission from Inari-sama, as such my correspondence delivery for today will need to be reallocated."

"Understood. Do you require anything else?"

"Just a passage into the mortal realm for this human."

I gesture to Takeda. She nods curtly before taking my bag and motioning to Takeda to follow her.

"Very well, please follow me, Sir."

"Huh? Aren't you coming with me, Tama?"

He looks at me with confusion. Hmm? Did he expect me to accompany him to his home? I was not planning on returning to my mortal residence, and it was nowhere near here anyway. Furthermore, there should be no potential danger once he returned to the mortal realm.

The stipulations of our contract didn't require me to be by his side at all times, either.

"No? My home is a fair ways from here and I suspect you can make your way home easily from here. Ah, but we should exchange contact information come to think of it."

Takeda had a complicated look on his face. Why did this seem to matter so much? I mean, I was simply dropping him off at a shrine near his home. This was akin to just seeing somehow off after work. It wasn't as if this was to be the last time we saw each other.

"How should I say this? Um, I'm sorry? Kitohana-sama told me to give you this letter if you tried to part ways with me at here..."

He retrieves the aforementioned letter from his pocket. I eye it with tremendous trepidation. A pre-prepared letter? For this exact scenario? Just what the hell did she prepare for me...

Taking it, I tear it open and scan the contents.

『Tama-chan, if you are reading this letter, then I am quite disappointed, you know!』

...

『Attempting to abandon poor Takeda behind, despite the bond you have just woven! Actions such as this hardly appeal your image to those around you. Something you must bear in mind for your image!

But! I have suspected as much that you would view this sacred bond as akin to nothing more than a business relationship. It is quite in line with your atypical grasp on interpersonal relations. Hence my preparations for this correspondence you are reading.』

What atypical grasp? That was simply the truth of the matter. In the first place, you're the very reason this contract ended up this way! I continue reading in frustration.

『So, it would be prudent to cease your remarks of unfair blame of this being the results of my machinations and simply receive my gift without complaint this time.』

...This damned kami. A gift? I'd rather refuse, thank you.

『You see, I am quite worried about your persistent lack of human compatriots. This does you no good if you truly desire to form a more intimate relation with at least one. The values of our realm and of your house do you no favors in courtship as you are most intimately aware.

How fortuitous it is then, that you may take advantage of a decidedly ⁽ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒʷ⁾ non-romantic bond to further your understanding of the mortal realm and the relationships therein?

Thus, you shall find enclosed within this letter a simple key. My gift to you.』

There was, in fact, a small object in the envelope that I hadn't noticed. It was as she wrote, a key. One that looked like it was meant for an apartment. I had a bad feeling about this.

『From here-on out, you are to be little Takeda's neighbor. The closer the better, after-all! Do not worry yourself about the little matters of legal and legislative origin. Those trivialities have already been sorted. We have even taken care to transfer your belongings from your prior abode to your new, so you may proceed there apace with him.

Do please get along with your new neighbors, and perhaps form some newfound friendships. 'Tis only proper that you do so. You may consider this a divine order, if you wish!』

...

I stare at this inexplicable last passage for a while. You're kidding me, right? What do you mean you moved my mortal residence next to his? All this within that time you were gone? How much more am I going to dance into the palm of your hand today?

As questions swirl in my head, I notice there was a final message near the bottom of the letter.

『P.S. I have taken the liberty of informing your familial estate about your circumstances. They have agreed that it be prudent that you quickly develop your relations with Takeda. As such your primary residence will be your little neighborly abode within the mortal realm starting today.

Ah, but you may always visit your former estate and family at any time, of course! Do bring Takeda along when you do~.』

Please just give me a break already.