Chapter 127: Unboxing Packages Is One of Life's Great Joys

The Yamato Transport delivery truck pulled up to the side entrance of Shimogamo Shrine. While the company's official name is Yamato Transport, people often call it "Black Cat Delivery" because its mascot logo is a black cat. Incidentally, the popular anime "Kiki's Delivery Service" also features a black cat accompanying a witch delivery girl. Although it had nothing to do with the company originally, the courier service eventually became one of the show's sponsors.

"Is this for Mr. Qiao Qiao?"

The courier, wearing the signature green uniform and a cap adorned with the black cat logo, held a clipboard and asked.

"Yes, that's me." Qiao Qiao presented his student ID. This was important cargo, after all; there was no room for error.

"Quite a large order you've got here. The Gion Festival parade is coming up soon—is this for some shrine event?" The courier, a typical Kansai local, spoke with a friendly Kyoto accent.

"Yes, you could say that." Qiao Qiao nodded and asked the shrine staff to unload the goods, which were then wheeled into the backyard.

"What is all this, Teacher?" Asano Ariko asked, eyeing the waist-high crates with curiosity, suppressing the urge to use her clairvoyance to spoil the surprise.

"This is..."

Before Qiao Qiao could finish, his phone rang again.

"...Yes, I understand. Please, just drive right in."

This time, it was a Sagawa Express truck—the one represented by idols from Nogizaka. The driver seemed to know the Black Cat courier, as they paused to exchange pleasantries as their trucks passed each other.

"Are you Mr. Qiao Qiao from Shimogamo Shrine?"

After repeating the sign-off process, two more crates were added to the backyard pile. As soon as they finished, Qiao Qiao’s phone rang yet again.

"Don't tell me, is it the post office next?" Asano Ariko had already guessed the pattern.

"That would be correct."

Qiao Qiao nodded. Twenty minutes later, three more crates sat in the yard. In total, ten crates were now resting in the back of the shrine.

"That should be everything, except for the last one... Ah, it’s here." Qiao Qiao muttered to himself, looking down at the ground.

The solid earth began to ripple like the surface of a pond. A wooden crate emerged from the ground.

"?"

Asano Ariko, having never seen such a spectacle, didn't know how to react. Once the crate fully surfaced, she realized it was being carried by two wheels. On the wheel axle was an aged human face.

"Is that... a Wanyudo?"

Asano never expected to see a yokai at Shimogamo Shrine, let alone one working as a courier.

"This is the Onmyo Bureau's delivery service. Don't worry, they are both shikigami."

After verifying Qiao Qiao’s credentials, the two Wanyudo vanished back into the ground, leaving only the wooden crate behind.

"That should be the lot. Let’s open them up."

Qiao Qiao opened one of the crates. As a shrine maiden with plenty of online shopping experience, Asano was excited. "Are these the tools you purchased, Teacher?"

She peered into the crate, expecting to see gear, but found only rods of various lengths and materials—some plastic, some metal—nestled in white foam padding. Their only similarity was their black color. Other crates contained different assortments of parts.

"What are these?" Asano asked, holding up something that looked like a water pipe.

"This? Well, I believe that’s the barrel for a sniper grenade launcher," Qiao Qiao replied after a glance.

"?"

Asano scrutinized the tube. She couldn't see it at all. Wait—if that was a barrel, then the other crates... She looked at the remaining boxes.

"Yes, exactly. These are all pieces of equipment I bought from my contact. Since finished weapons can't be shipped through normal courier services, they have to be disassembled into parts and transported by three different companies. As for the critical combat components, they are delivered by the Onmyo Bureau’s shikigami."

"Enough talk. Let's assemble this gear. Shrine Maiden Asano, this is a good chance for me to teach you a thing or two."

Qiao Qiao grouped parts from several different crates. At first glance, they seemed entirely unrelated.

"O-Okay!" Asano stood by, watching intently, her excitement palpable.

"Just like this, and here—connect this part to that. Be careful with the slot here; you can't force it with brute strength..."

Qiao Qiao explained, slowing his movements as he assembled a sniper rifle. Modular design was truly a magnificent invention.

"It's quite simple, right? Just like building a model kit."

"???"

Although Asano had read many magazines on weaponry and watched videos of foreign firearms assembly online, Qiao Qiao's technique was far too proficient. It was as if the movements were etched into his DNA. She knew some hobbyists who built models, but even they struggled to find the right pieces among a pile of confusing parts. Only after long-term training could one reach such a level. Yet, Qiao Qiao’s skill far exceeded her imagination.

"Hmm? That part doesn't go there. Although it looks similar, forcing it could cause a jam later."

"There are three types of replacement parts for this section, depending on the situation. For now, let’s use the standard configuration."

"Don't worry, you don't need to be so delicate. Weapons aren't that fragile. This assembly requires a bit of force—I suppose you're still a bit lacking there, Shrine Maiden Asano."

As he spoke, Qiao Qiao assembled the weapons while keeping an eye on Asano's progress. By lunch, Asano had devoured two full bowls of rice. Assembling weapons was truly exhausting.

"Qiao-san, are you going to the Manga Museum?"

In the afternoon, Suzuka finally crawled out of bed. She poked her head out to ask, only to be intimidated by the terrifying scene in the backyard.

"I... I think I'll go see my friends instead."

She seemed to have lingering trauma, especially after seeing the familiar 35mm caliber device Asano was fiddling with. Suzuka tucked her tail and fled.

By dinner, they had finished assembling most of the weapons: a QLU-11 sniper grenade launcher, a CS/LR4 sniper rifle, five CS/LS5 submachine guns, two Hawk 982 18.4mm military shotguns, and five Type 92 semi-automatic pistols.

The haul also included five modular ballistic tactical vests, helmets integrated with radio communication and night vision, riot shields, and other defensive gear. Naturally, specialized equipment like fiber-optic scopes, breaching rams, plastic explosives, detonators, and grappling hooks were all present. There was more than enough ammunition of every caliber. Asano even spotted several explosive devices resting quietly in the foam. There were also two crates of equipment she couldn't even identify.

She had originally thought Qiao Qiao meant he would train them to be brave against vengeful spirits. She hadn't expected him to be serious about this.