The Kagurazaka area is close to Shinjuku.
This district is small and elegant, with quaint cobblestone streets, stylish shops, French schools, and French restaurants scattered everywhere, earning the nickname "Little Paris" of Tokyo.
Historically, this place was frequented by many geishas. Nowadays, if you're lucky enough, you might still catch a glimpse of the rare sight of geishas attending banquets in the quiet alleyways.
Anyway, Fujiwara Reya, such an unlucky guy who can't even draw an SSR, has been here a few times and hasn't spotted a geisha yet.
After exiting Kagurazaka Station and walking along Kagurazaka Avenue for more than ten minutes, the gate of Shankoku Temple, predominantly red in color, came into view.
From afar, Fujiwara Reya saw Ikeda Aoshu chatting with a girl at the temple entrance. He stopped in his tracks, standing at a distance waiting.
The girl was wearing a Kitagawa uniform, with tan skin and short hair neatly held in place with hair clips.
"Hey, Fujiwara," Ikeda Aoshu noticed him and waved, "come over, let me introduce you to a beautiful girl."
Only then did Fujiwara Reya approach the two.
"This is Koike Asami, a miko from Akasaka Shrine." Ikeda Aoshu introduced the short-haired girl, adding, "She's my good friend from childhood."
Akasaka Shrine is right at Kagurazaka, and it's barely 500 meters from Shankoku Temple in a straight line.
"So, she's your childhood friend, Mr. Ikeda," Fujiwara Reya smiled and greeted the short-haired girl, "Hello, I'm Fujiwara Reya, from Asakusa Shrine."
Koike Asami waved, "Hello, Senior Fujiwara."
The smile seemed to convey that he shouldn't feel awkward, everybody is a friend here. In today's indifferent society, it's rare to see such a warm smile, so Fujiwara Reya exchanged a few friendly words with her.
During the conversation, he learned she was a first-year, Class B student at Kitagawa Academy, a freshman this year.
She seemed a bit familiar...
Fujiwara Reya scrutinized her for a few moments and tentatively asked, "Did I see you having lunch with an orange-haired girl at the cafeteria today?"
"Oh, you're talking about Asuka, we're both in Class B," Koike Asami showed a gossiping expression, "Is Senior asking because you're interested in Asuka? Need help talking to her? I'm just about to go shopping with her tonight, why don't you join us..."
"Just asking casually."
Fujiwara Reya interrupted her directly.
"Alright then, call me when needed." Koike Asami smiled understandingly.
After all, most guys feel insecure in front of a girl as exquisite as Asuka; she understood why the senior wouldn't dare to follow.
"Ikeda and I are off to check out the bread factory," Ikeda Aoshu asked from the side, "Koike, want to join us?"
"I'll wait for Asuka here."
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
Koike Asami waved as she watched the two leave.
Time passed slowly; the sunset lazily descended below the horizon, a flock of crows flew over the rooftops of office buildings, and the aroma of stir-frying garlic wafted from the Chinese Restaurant along the street.
A beauty with long orange hair appeared at the temple gates against the backdrop of the sunset, more dazzling than the fiery clouds in the sky.
"Hey, Asuka, why are you so late..." Koike Asami dashed over excitedly, grabbing her arm, "If you had arrived earlier, you'd have seen Senior Fujiwara from Class F, Year 2."
"Yes, just like the rumors say, Senior Fujiwara is a fair-skinned, elegant, ethereal beauty. Especially his eyes, clear and bright, with a unique spark of talent shining within."
Kasahara Asuka glanced slightly at her classmate.
The short-haired girl was clutching her fists lightly to her chest, looking every bit like a fangirl swooning over her idol.
"Where did they go?" Kasahara Asuka asked calmly.
"They went to the bread factory ahead with Mr. Ikeda; rumor has it there's a Spider Demon murder case, and the old monk asked Ikeda to check it out."
"Oh, you go shopping on your own tonight; I have something to do first."
Kasahara Asuka waved her hand and hurried towards the bread factory, her orange hair swaying lightly in the wind.
Koike Asami just realized and had already lost sight of her.
Is she going to find Senior Fujiwara?
The little miko from Akasaka Shrine was a bit puzzled, wondering to herself, "Using a speed enchantment, is there really a need to be in such a hurry?"
"Have you seen Asuka from Year 1, Class B?"
"Saw her at lunch in the cafeteria, didn't know her name back then."
"I've heard she's very beautiful, right?"
"Indeed, she's a rare beauty, ranks top four among the women I've seen."
"Quick," Ikeda Aoshu spun around excitedly looking at Fujiwara Reya, "can we turn back now? What's more important than removing spirits when there's a chance to stroll with a beauty?"
Fujiwara Reya looked at him blankly.
If the little monk nags one more word, he'd take action and drag him to the bread factory like escorting a criminal.
"I'm just kidding..." Ikeda Aoshu laughed awkwardly, patting his short hair.
After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but start again, "Hey, Asuka's a miko at Tokyo Grand Shrine! The little monk just wants to meet her, exchange exorcism experiences, you know, such a good chance, how about we..."
Fujiwara Reya silently rolled up his sleeves.
"...Can I shut up now!" Ikeda Aoshu sensibly quieted down.
The little monk gets it!
The little priest doesn't want any crappy romantic love, he just wants to make money.
They passed through the commercial street, walked past a large hospital with lit windows, made their way through a dense area of cheap residential buildings, finally stopping at a bread factory surrounded by barbed wire.
The workers hadn't started their shift yet, the factory lights were off, and the dark building looked a bit oppressive.
Ikeda Aoshu greeted the security guard at the entrance, who led them to the building where the murder had occurred.
"This morning, after the workers left their shift, a cleaner discovered the remnants of a female corpse in the third-floor reception room, just a skin of the person, all the flesh inside drained dry..."
After briefly explaining the situation, Ikeda Aoshu pointed to a third-floor window, "There, that room. Take a look."
Fujiwara Reya looked up.
With exceptionally sharp senses, he could clearly see the half-open window, even in the darkness.
Between the rusty window frames, many spider webs were strung up, enclosing a small rubber tree with leaves that had long withered to a tea color. A tiny black spider clung tightly to its web, patiently awaiting prey to fall into its trap.