Chapter 117: Let's Go to O Hall for the Appointment!

The headquarters of Ninoto Hall is located in Kamitoba Hokotatecho, Minami Ward, Kyoto City, about a thirty-minute public transit ride from Shimogamo Shrine.

A century ago, Ninoto Hall was a manufacturer of playing cards and toys.

Today, it has grown into one of the world’s largest video game companies, beloved by players across all age groups.

“I wonder if we’ll get to see the production of the new Zelda game, and what about Pokémon? Ah, wait, Pokémon isn’t developed here, is it? Suzuka, right now, it feels like we’re in a dream,” Suzuka said, her eyes sparkling on the subway.

For all gamers, the headquarters of Ninoto Hall must be a place of great admiration.

“But why didn’t the shrine maiden with the normal figure come along?” Suzuka glanced at the side of Joe Hashi, where only Nanase Hayami was staring at her phone.

Ariko Asano was nowhere to be seen.

Something felt missing.

“Asano-san has to accompany Maki-san this afternoon for negotiations related to the Gion Festival, so she couldn’t come. Otherwise, I’m sure she’d love to visit Ninoto Hall’s headquarters too,” Joe Hashi explained.

When he heard that Joe Hashi would be going to Ninoto Hall headquarters in the afternoon, Ariko Asano had been quite torn.

In the end, she accompanied Maki Araki to the meeting.

She probably thought she could visit another time.

“By the way, Joe-san, is it really okay for you to take a three-year-old deer yokai along for an exorcism?” Suzuka asked again.

Hearing the question, Nanase Hayami instinctively shrugged.

Click-clack.

She typed out another string of text.

Joe Hashi glanced at the phone.

Sure enough, on “Nanase Nanami’s” Twitter, there was a fresh update.

Nanase Nanami: I have a feeling I’m sitting on the same subway as a really scary person. Anyone have any good advice?

Is the scary person she’s talking about Suzuka?

Joe Hashi was momentarily confused but decided to answer Suzuka’s question first.

“It’s because Suzuka knows a lot about games. Maybe she can be of help.”

Previously, at the gray-hat software firm in Tokyo, Joe Hashi—clumsy with his hands—was not very good at dealing with game-related supernatural phenomena. Since this case involved a gaming company again, he brought Suzuka just in case.

“Oh, in that case, my gaming skills are pretty impressive!” Suzuka nodded eagerly.

Nanase Hayami glanced over at them briefly.

“By the way, Joe-san, what kind of job is this?” Suzuka asked curiously.

Though a yokai herself, she had come into contact with several exorcists and kept in touch with Ms. Sakura.

Having been influenced by Joe Hashi, she had naturally picked up some related knowledge.

“Well, roughly speaking... Hayami-san, why don’t you listen too?” Joe Hashi picked up his phone, intending to give a brief explanation, then remembered Nanase Hayami’s silence.

“Huh? Uh, well, I guess I’ll listen unwillingly then,” Nanase Hayami replied awkwardly.

Could this be tsundere behavior?

Joe Hashi recalled some tweets Ariko Asano had shown him before.

Things like “It’s not like I dressed like this on purpose,” “Don’t misunderstand, I just happened to be passing by, not specifically coming here,” and “Since you’re asking so earnestly, I’ll reluctantly listen,” and the like.

With these thoughts in mind, Joe Hashi began to explain.

“This request comes from Daisuke Miyagi of Ninoto Hall’s Second Development Department.”

“He has recently been feeling fatigued at work, lacking energy, and making many mistakes.”

“At first, Mr. Miyagi thought he might be ill, but after going to the hospital, he was found to be perfectly healthy.”

“Furthermore, unlike when he’s at work, he is full of energy and vitality at home, never feeling tired.”

“Feeling that this situation couldn’t continue, Mr. Miyagi contacted Shimogamo Shrine, with whom he had some prior interaction due to his wedding.”

“Wait a minute, Joe-san, what do you mean by ‘wedding’?” Suzuka interrupted during Joe Hashi’s explanation.

“Well, literally, he had a Shinto wedding ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine a year ago. That’s when he got to know the shrine’s personnel,” Joe Hashi flipped through some files.

Although Shimogamo Shrine’s exorcism skills were lacking, in other areas it was quite competent, diligently organizing various festivals, activities, and handling weddings.

“I hadn’t come to the shrine a year ago,” Nanase Hayami muttered to herself.

“Tsk, tsk, turns out he’s living a fulfilling life after all,” Suzuka remarked with a sigh, then added, “But if he feels sleepy at work and energetic at rest, and that means he’s possessed by a vengeful spirit, then Joe-san, I must be possessed too! Can you help me exorcise it?”

Click-clack.

Nanase Hayami didn’t respond but typed another tweet.

Joe Hashi glanced at the phone.

Nanase Nanami: Oh no, there’s a lovey-dovey couple next to me, flirting and teasing. What’s going on with the world these days?

This girl really had no filter.

Joe Hashi put down his phone and decided to ignore Nanase Hayami’s inner thoughts for a while.

“No, after Mr. Miyagi contacted the shrine, we went to his house to investigate. Although no vengeful spirit was found, there was indeed a strong presence of yin energy around him. It’s very likely he is possessed by a vengeful spirit.”

He added further explanation.

After analysis, the shrine concluded the problem might lie in Mr. Miyagi’s work environment. With the company’s consent, they arranged to visit his home today for an inspection.

“But if he’s possessed by a vengeful spirit, wouldn’t it be better to resolve it sooner?” Suzuka glanced at the files. Joe Hashi’s account dated back three days.

In other words, Mr. Miyagi had endured three days after suspecting possession before receiving their help.

It was hard to imagine.

“Because the issue might stem from the company’s work environment, the exorcism must be conducted with great caution,” Joe Hashi explained.

It’s like if a workplace causes illness, not only the individual but the entire company might face inspections, and other employees would become uneasy.

Therefore, Mr. Miyagi, not wanting to cause trouble, patiently awaited the company’s approval and the shrine’s arrangements.

Finally, taking advantage of the light staffing on this Saturday, Joe Hashi and the others were able to visit for the inspection.

To be honest, as a foreigner, Joe Hashi didn’t quite understand this mindset shared by many Japanese.

The three got off the subway and walked for a while before reaching the industrial park where Ninoto Hall’s headquarters stood.

Unlike Suzuka’s impression, it wasn’t a building radiating the atmosphere of gaming entertainment, like some kind of Disney park. From the outside, apart from the company logo, it was just an ordinary office building.

But as Joe Hashi stepped inside, he sensed something was amiss.