Ryouzenji Hijiri’s residence—the Ryouzenji estate—stood atop a small hill.
The entire mountain itself was his family’s private property.
Barbed wire surrounded the mountain, so the only way in or out was a long stone stairway leading to the front entrance.
Climbing those steps, a massive gate—resembling a temple’s sanmon—stood waiting.
“Wow… in a way, it kind of resembles your house, Yuzuru-san.”
“It’s not nearly as large as your fiancé’s place, and there are a lot more people living here. Don’t expect too much.”
Hijiri replied with a wry smile.
Incidentally, the resemblance between the Ryouzenji estate and the Takasegawa estate was no coincidence.
Hijiri’s great-grandfather had deliberately modelled it after the Takasegawa residence.
Following Hijiri’s lead, Yuzuru and Arisa entered through a small side entrance next to the outer gate.
Inside, a man in black—shaved head, sunglasses, the whole intimidating look—was waiting.
He gave a slight bow to Hijiri.
“Welcome back, sir. The people behind you would be Takasegawa-san and…”
The man looked at Yuzuru and Arisa through his sunglasses.
Arisa, looking slightly intimidated, clutched Yuzuru’s sleeve.
“This is Takasegawa Yuzuru-san, and his fiancée, Yukishiro Arisa-san.”
“I see… my apologies.”
The man bowed deeply.
Hijiri gave a small nod, then turned back to them.
“Come on in.”
“Yeah.”
“Y-yes.”
Following his lead, they stepped into the mansion.
Once inside, the difference between the Takasegawa estate and the Ryouzenji estate became immediately clear.
There were simply far more people.
The Takasegawa residence housed only family members and a minimal number of servants.
In contrast, the Ryouzenji estate was filled with numerous staff—
many of whom looked rather rough around the edges.
“…It’s quite… serious, isn’t it?”
Arisa muttered, unsure how else to put it.
Yuzuru quietly took her hand and held it firmly.
After walking for a while, Hijiri opened one of the sliding doors.
Inside was a refined-looking Japanese-style room.
“This is the guest room. Make yourselves comfortable.”
As instructed, Yuzuru and Arisa entered and sat on the zabuton cushions.
Hijiri sat facing them.
After a short while, the same black-clad man brought in tea and wagashi.
Yuzuru picked up his teacup and took a sip, and Arisa followed hesitantly.
“How long’s it been since you last came over, Yuzuru?”
“Hmm… since primary school, I think?”
After entering middle school, they’d stopped visiting each other’s homes.
Instead, they’d started spending time at cafés or family restaurants, playing games or studying.
“How does it feel, coming back?”
“Pretty much the same… though some things have changed.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“…More foreigners?”
“Sharp.”
It seemed the wave of globalisation had reached the Ryouzenji estate as well.
Once the atmosphere had loosened a little, Arisa spoke up.
“What kind of relationship do the Takasegawa and Ryouzenji families have? …I’ve heard they’re closely connected.”
Of course, she wasn’t referring to Yuzuru and Hijiri, but to their families.
As someone set to marry into the Takasegawa family—and given the rather distinctive nature of this household—it was only natural she’d be curious.
Yuzuru and Hijiri exchanged glances.
Then Hijiri began.
“Our connection with the Takasegawa family goes back to my great-grandfather. …During the chaos after the war, he organised something like a local militia. It started when the Takasegawa family hired them as bodyguards.”
From there, the relationship continued—
and eventually became what it is today.
“As you can see, our company is fairly diversified. We’re involved in a wide range of businesses. …That entertainment complex where you two were on a date? That’s part of our group.”
“Oh… so you’re actually running legitimate businesses.”
Arisa muttered.
Hijiri gave a dry smile.
“…If we weren’t, we’d be arrested.”
“…Fair point.”
As the atmosphere turned slightly awkward, Yuzuru cut in.
“Speaking of dates—you and Tenka-san went on one too, didn’t you?”
“Don’t call it a date.”
Hijiri frowned.
Apparently, he didn’t like having his relationship with her teased.
But that kind of reaction only made it more intriguing.
“If a guy and a girl go out alone together, most people would call that a date… If it’s not, then what is it?”
“…An investigation.”
“…An investigation? Into what?”
Yuzuru tilted his head.
Hijiri leaned closer and whispered into his ear.
“Don’t say anything, alright?”
“What is it?”
“…Apparently, something shows up there.”
“…Something?”
“Something Arisa-san doesn’t like.”
“…Ah.”
In other words—a ghost.
At that, Yuzuru stiffened.
“Wait, seriously?”
“Who knows? I haven’t seen it myself. I don’t believe in that stuff anyway. …I mean, my grandfather’s still going strong—hardly seems like there’s any curse going around.”
“Fair enough.”
“But… Tenka apparently has strong spiritual sensitivity, so I had her check it out. Something like that.”
I see, Yuzuru thought with a nod.
Nagiri Tenka’s family ran a fairly well-known religious organisation.
Hearing that she had strong spiritual awareness made sense.
Incidentally, another spiritually-inclined girl was Uenishi Chiharu—
but her family was more of a worldly, performative kind of religious group.
Compared to that, Tenka—who took it seriously—was probably more reliable for this sort of thing.
“Hm? What are you talking about?”
Meanwhile, Arisa, left out of the conversation, tilted her head.
Yuzuru and Hijiri exchanged looks.
“…It’s nothing.”
“Nothing important.”
If she heard ghosts appeared there, Arisa would never agree to go on another date with Yuzuru at that entertainment complex.
And for Hijiri, losing customers wouldn’t be ideal either.
So the two of them silently agreed to keep it a secret.
Arisa still looked curious, but fortunately, she didn’t press the matter further.
