Chapter 169: Wanting to Taste the Teacher's Ice Cream

"Anomalous incidents are becoming fewer... Isn't that a good thing?"

Asano Ariko did not quite understand.

She simply wished for fewer paranormal events in Tokyo.

That way, Qiao Qiao would have much more free time.

As for financial matters, Asano Ariko had never given them a second thought.

She lacked for nothing anyway.

"No, Asano shrine maiden."

Qiao Qiao put away his weapon.

"According to statistics from the past few decades, anomalous incidents generally occur at a stable rate. Although they fluctuate over time, they generally remain within a certain range."

"Suppose that for a certain period, anomalous incidents suddenly surge or plummet, exhibiting such anomalies; there is usually a deeper reason behind it."

"For instance, well, before the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the number of paranormal events across the entire Tokyo metropolitan area reached a terrifying level. Of course, there were human factors involved in that as well."

He explained earnestly, but after glancing at Asano Ariko, he changed the subject.

"However, none of this concerns us. We are here on vacation," Qiao Qiao said.

Perhaps the reason Kamo Akira had such an attitude initially was simply out of fear that Qiao Qiao and his companions would steal his work.

Qiao Qiao could understand that.

"I was merely asking out of safety concerns. Please rest assured, Kamo-san, we will not interfere with the exorcism work in Hawaii."

"No, now that you put it that way, I actually quite want you to interfere..."

Kamo Akira muttered under his breath.

"There is one more thing," Qiao Qiao said, causing Kamo Akira to instinctively tense his body.

"Due to not knowing the situation beforehand, I employed some relatively heavy-handed methods, which may have caused some damage to your house, Kamo-san."

He looked around. Due to the sonic waves of the flashbang, fragile porcelain and glass in the room had shattered into dust.

Opening the doorway, one could see a direct crater leading down to the first floor.

Buried in the rubble was a butler who twitched from time to time.

"I'm not sure if you have insurance for this place. If not, I can provide some compensation," Qiao Qiao asked.

"Yes, it's all insured! You don't need to worry about it, Qiao-san, hahaha," Kamo Akira forced a laugh.

He had no idea whether insurance companies covered this level of destruction.

However, Kamo Akira knew very well that he dared not accept Qiao Qiao's compensation.

Wasn't it wonderful to stay alive?

"That's good," Qiao Qiao nodded.

After exchanging a few more brief pleasantries, the two left through the front door.

Kamo Akira sat in his chair, seemingly still in a daze.

His father and grandfather had once imparted the family motto of the Kamo clan to him.

Endure, and the winds and waves will calm; take a step back, and the ocean and sky will open wide.

Well, that particular one was decided after coming to Hawaii.

The Kamo family lineage had survived until now purely by playing it safe.

Yet Kamo Akira, having grown up in affluent circumstances since childhood, had unknowingly become arrogant.

Take today, for instance: trying to show off in front of Asano Ariko had almost resulted in the complete obliteration of his home.

At this very moment, Kamo Akira truly comprehended the importance of the family motto.

Tears began to stream down his face.

...

"How come you seem to be in such a good mood?"

Leaving Kamo Akira's villa, Qiao Qiao and Asano Ariko simply decided to stroll around the neighborhood and were now waiting outside an ice cream parlor with a long queue.

Watching Asano Ariko, who looked as if she was about to hum a tune, Qiao Qiao asked.

She had clearly almost been kidnapped by a strange exorcist not long ago, yet the shrine maiden seemed thoroughly delighted?

"Huh? Oh, hehe."
Asano Ariko gave no reply, save for a smile she could not quite conceal.

Qiao Qiao did not quite understand.

Perhaps she was simply thrilled at the prospect of eating internet-famous ice cream.

After waiting another ten minutes—during which a foreign woman even approached to ask for a photo with Qiao Qiao—they finally secured their ice cream.

Qiao Qiao's was standard chocolate flavor.

Asano Ariko's was a tropical pineapple and mango flavor.

"Hehe, would Teacher like to taste mine?"

Asano Ariko scooped up a spoonful of her ice cream and tentatively extended it toward Qiao Qiao.

"No need, I'm not very good with things that are too sweet," Qiao Qiao replied, seemingly completely indifferent to Asano Ariko's spoon.

"Fine then, I want to taste Teacher's ice cream."

"?"

Asano shrine maiden truly had a deep obsession with ice cream.

Thus, Qiao Qiao held his portion out to Asano Ariko.

"Mmh."

Resigned, Asano Ariko had no choice but to scoop a bite with her own spoon.

The taste of chocolate was bitter.

"...That area feels a bit terrifying, you know."

"Right? Do you think they ran into some evil entity?"

While eating his ice cream, Qiao Qiao listened to the conversation of people nearby.

It wasn't out of any gossipy spirit, but rather sheer habit.

An exorcist who could not accurately gauge their surroundings was bound to encounter danger easily.

During the [Bleep—] War, it was said that even trees might be disguised enemy soldiers, so Qiao Qiao paying attention to the movements of those around him was entirely rational.

The speakers were two waitresses responsible for clearing tables, and they spoke English with a slightly peculiar accent.

It was likely local Hawaiian English.

"I heard the church went over there two days ago as well, but nothing came of it. It's still cordoned off."

"Oh dear, what are they going to do about Sunday service?"

"Who knows, probably have to go to the neighboring district."

The two waitresses chatted back and forth.

Qiao Qiao sensed something amiss.

His mind began to piece together clues to deduce potential scenarios.

Then he suddenly caught sight of Asano Ariko happily eating her ice cream.

Ah, right. This trip to Hawaii was a vacation.

Any anomalies or exorcisms had nothing to do with him.

He should simply trust the local Hawaiian exorcists.

"Teacher, Teacher, how about we go to the Big Island Volcano Park later? I heard you can view the volcano up close from there," Asano Ariko said, holding up the travel guide on her phone.

"Alright, sounds good."

Qiao Qiao nodded.

After finishing their ice cream, the two headed straight to the volcano park, not returning to the hotel until dusk.

"Tom, sit."

Just as they walked into the lobby, they saw a slightly chubby little girl issuing commands to a calico cat.

However, the cat merely busied itself licking its paws, acknowledging the command only by twitching its ears to show it understood.

"Sigh, you're already a mature little cat, you need to learn how to sit down on your own," the little girl lamented sighingly.

This was Boss Cheng's daughter, whose name seemed to be Cheng Ying.

Fortunately, her name wasn't Cheng Xin.

Qiao Qiao silently offered a mental remark.

"How was it? Was the black sand beach fun? I heard there's a legend that any couple who visits there will stay together happily for a hundred years," said Boss Cheng, sitting at the reception desk while playing a mobile game, seemingly a battle royale type.

Seeing the two return, he greeted them, then as if remembering something, added:

"Oh right, Mr. Qiao, I received a phone call for you today."