Beichuan Si indeed did not care about the 150,000 yen, for compared to that, removing the "resentment" from Qian Xia Chiyuki and her friend Lisha was the top priority.
"We should first check on your friend. We can take action together then," Beichuan Si finished his coffee and deliberately placed the café bill in front of the wealthy woman who could take out 250,000 yen.
Of course, he was not displeased about losing the 150,000 yen. From the beginning, it was agreed that Qian Xia Chiyuki should settle the bill.
Qian Xia Chiyuki did not mind either; she took off her baseball cap and large mask, tucked them into her student leather handbag, and then picked up the bill to head to the counter.
Meanwhile, Beichuan Si walked to the door to wait.
It was now 4:20 in the afternoon, and he had been here for nearly an hour.
The gains were considerable, having learned the location of the medium-grade vengeful spirits and even being able to receive due compensation.
Although the only small regret was not getting an additional 150,000 yen, Beichuan Si's heart was calm.
Yes—
Calm.
Beichuan Si stood serenely at the door, waiting for Qian Xia Chiyuki. When she was almost out, he asked, "Where does your friend live?"
"It's a quick walk from here. But Beichuan, you should be mentally prepared... Lisha is a bit... not quite normal," Qian Xia Chiyuki hesitated and glanced at Beichuan Si, speaking in a soft voice.
"I understand," Beichuan Si replied calmly.
People tormented by strong resentment lived in illusions for a long time and might even exhibit self-harming behavior without meaningful reason.
Only pain made such people feel the reality of being alive.
According to Qian Xia Chiyuki's description, that "Lisha" had not yet reached this point, but it seemed she was not far from it.
The two talked as they walked, with mostly Beichuan Si asking and Qian Xia Chiyuki answering.
From Qian Xia Chiyuki's answers, Beichuan Si also learned her friend's full name.
Her name was Tsukishima Risa, the former student council president of Kyubei Private High School, with whom Qian Xia Chiyuki had a good personal relationship.
That was primarily why Qian Xia Chiyuki was willing to apologize on her behalf.
At that time, in her third year, Tsukishima Risa's parents had high expectations for her, hoping she could get into a good university.
And Tsukishima Risa indeed lived up to expectations, entering a state of intense competition from her second year, always ranking among the top in her grade. With the added bonus of being the student council president, she had hopes for Tohoku University; with a bit more effort, she might even make it to the gates of Waseda.
Originally, Tsukishima Risa planned to refocus during this winter vacation, say a proper goodbye to Qian Xia Chiyuki, and devote herself entirely to preparing for the upcoming national exams and subsequent individual tests for Waseda and Tohoku University.
However, Qian Xia Chiyuki never expected that the promise of eternal friendship would spoil things.
She accompanied Tsukishima Risa into the Sanmu Abandoned Doll Factory for a tour, and upon their return, her friend's mental state gradually started deteriorating.
"Lisha had always worked hard, and I hope she can get into the university she wants. But if this continues, let alone university, it's questionable whether she can even make it to the exam day," Qian Xia Chiyuki said, her voice choked with emotion, her eyes slightly red.
Many believed Japanese high schools were very relaxed, but that was undoubtedly incorrect.
Japan's university enrollment rate hovered around forty-five percent, meaning fifty-five percent of students chose to enter the workforce after high school. The relaxed high school experience mainly applied to the fifty-five percent, whereas the forty-five percent began to gear up for college from their second year, with after-school tutoring being routine.
Beichuan Si listened without interrupting.
It wasn't until Qian Xia Chiyuki could not stop her tears that he took out a handkerchief and calmly asked,
"How much farther?"
Uh—
Qian Xia Chiyuki, taking the handkerchief, froze.
She had been speaking passionately, even shedding tears, while Beichuan Si remained unfazed?
Seemingly sensing Qian Xia Chiyuki's change in mood, Beichuan Si looked up and, in an unchanged tone, said, "You didn't bring me here just to cry with you, right?"
"I'm here to solve the problem."
His steady and calm voice inexplicably gave Qian Xia Chiyuki a sense of reassurance, calming her previously emotional and sad state.
"…Thank you, Beichuan."
Qian Xia Chiyuki did not know why she felt the need to thank Beichuan Si, but she did bow deeply to him.
Beichuan Si remained expressionless and accepted the gesture.
Silence fell as they both continued to walk forward without speaking.
After a while, Qian Xia Chiyuki stopped and softly said, "Here it is."
"Here?" Beichuan Si could not help but look up.
It was a Western-style, European composite two-story building. From the naked eye, the height of each floor should be about four meters.
The courtyard, stone path, shrubs, and ornamental trees in the flower bed revealed the owner's sense of style.
Beside the small Western-style iron gate hung a small plaque with two words inscribed—
Tsukishima.
Well, this was also a wealthy household.
Beichuan Si was as clear as a mirror inside.
"Lisha's father is a well-known literary novelist. Recently, to help her, he leveraged his connections to hire several psychiatrists, but they couldn't give a definitive diagnosis, only prescribed some relatively harmless medications to temporarily help calm her mind at home."
Qian Xia Chiyuki paused and added,
"At this time, Uncle Tsukishima is probably not home, only Aunt Tsukishima is inside. But Beichuan, be careful and don't act recklessly," Qian Xia Chiyuki cautioned.
"Mm. I understand," Beichuan Si nodded, indicating he understood.
Since that was the case—
Qian Xia Chiyuki took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.
After it rang for a moment, a mature woman's voice came from the intercom by the door.
"Hello, who is it?"
"Aunt Tsukishima, it's me, Chiyuki. I've come to visit Sister Lisha," Qian Xia Chiyuki approached the intercom and politely greeted.
"Mm, I'll open the door for you."
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Aunt Tsukishima did not hesitate. The small iron gate made a crisp sound as Beichuan Si and Qian Xia Chiyuki stepped into the front yard and approached the front door.
With a click, the door opened, revealing a mature and beautiful woman in front of Beichuan Si and Qian Xia Chiyuki.
This woman was the mother of Tsukishima Risa, Tsukishima Reimi.