Volume 5 Chapter 44 What Do You Do On Your Day Off, Can You Hang Out With Me For A Bit
The time goes back a little bit from the start of the Souten Festival, to mid-September.
Kagami Ayaka was in Shinjuku.
By the way, Ayaka hates the question, "What do you do on your day off?"
Friends she hasn't seen in a while or men she met at a mixer all ask her that question in unison. She doesn't think it's a bad thing, though.
Of course, it's a versatile word that allows the conversation to expand and allows people to learn about the other person's interests. Especially in mixers between Anti-Demon Officials, it can be a question that hits the nail on.
After all, those who become Anti-Demon Officials tend to lead gray lives, dedicating most of their time to magic.
It's a common story that someone highly respected as an Anti-Demon Official may have a disastrous personal life.
By the way, Ayaka's go-to line is,
"I enjoy practicing cooking and watching movies."
It's a perfect response, combining a homely appeal with a hobby like movie-watching, which makes it easy to invite for a date.
In reality, her days off involve being forcibly placed in the kitchen by her mother, who insists, "You should be practicing to become a bride already! How long do you plan to remain single?" And she spends the remaining time surfing streaming platforms and drinking.
Anyway, while her classmates and friends flood social media with elegant lunch and date pictures, anything she posts immediately turns into ghostly images.
And recently, she hasn't had a proper day off.
Demons, God-Demon Wars, job requests just keep coming.
However, nevertheless.
Ayaka is in her twenties and, during her belated summer vacation, she's been told that she needs to rest her body and mind properly to focus on her work.
So, a few days into this slightly delayed summer vacation, she's here in Shinjuku.
The incident involving Lisha and the others has concluded, and they've entered the second semester.
Lately, a new issue involving magic coins has emerged, and although she feels guilty for taking time off when everyone else is working, she believes it has helped her regain some of her humanity.
Well, for the first three days, she just slept, so her mother scolded her.
Actually, coming to Shinjuku is not unusual. A place with a high population inevitably leads to supernatural incidents.
But the purpose of her visit today was not for work.
Someone was waiting for Ayaka next to a flower shop at the south exit.
"I made you wait."
When she spoke, Tsukiko, who had been looking at the flowers, raised her head. Her damp, ashen hair was tied in a half-up style, and a gold necklace gleamed at her neck.
It was clear that the attention of passersby immediately converged on her. As her name suggests, she looks good in the evening, but even during the day, her appearance draws attention.
"I'm sorry for calling you out on a day off."
"It's fine. Sometimes, you need to get out of the house on your days off."
"Yes, our friendship is as strong as ever."
Ordinary, right? Ayaka wanted to say that, but she swallowed her words. She knew about Tsukiko's family situation, so it wasn't something she could casually mention.
"Well then, let's go. I made a reservation at the restaurant."
"Yes, yes."
Ayaka walked with Tsukiko. While Yuusuke and Lisha were missing, Ayaka poured out everything that had been building up inside her to Tsukiko.
And they hadn't spoken since then.
However, Ayaka never expected Tsukiko to invite her.
Now, Tsukiko and her headed towards the vicinity of Shinjuku Gyoen National Park. They descended a staircase from a less crowded back alley and arrived at the shop.
It was a shop run by a store owner who understood magic, an official anti-demon shop.
It may seem like a suspicious shop that deals with curse tools, but the interior was a warm and cozy café filled with soft light.
When they took their seats, a waitress came to take their order. Most of the people employed here had experienced a spiritual disaster in the past or had a spiritual sense.
"Jasmine iced tea for me."
"I'll have iced coffee."
Shortly after ordering, the drinks arrived in front of the two. The glasses sparkled under the lights in the shop.
They silently took a sip.
Tsukiko wasn't talkative, and now Ayaka was also silent, so the only sound was the clinking of ice.
And after a few minutes, Tsukiko unusually spoke up.
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