Zongman I fight weirdness in everyday world

On the other hand, those people who sell figures do so for their own selfish desires, purely to make money.

The owner of this store, however, donates all the proceeds from the sale of figures to the families of the victims in the 'Sunny Doll Killer' case. This is what truly gives the 'Mask' figure its soul.

"It's already sold out so quickly…"

"Ahem."

Seeing Rikka Takanashi's disappointed expression, Miko Yotsuya coughed lightly and, as if casually, pointed to the figure on the shelf wearing a pure white coat with light gold patterns, and a mask with light gold patterns resembling eyes, a figure made according to his actions, and smiled at Rikka.

"Actually… this one is also quite nice."

"This one?"

Rikka Takanashi pursed her lips, not hiding her disappointment.

"Forget it, I only want 'Mask'."

Miko Yotsuya sighed slightly, thinking that among the members of the Overload Club team, Yoi Hoshi's popularity was overwhelmingly high.

"This."

Just as Rikka Takanashi looked dejected and was about to turn away, she saw Yoi Hoshi handing her the box in his hand.

"Here, the 'Mask' figure, take it."

"Eh?"

Rikka Takanashi was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly waved her hands, stammering.

"This… this… I can't…"

"Don't worry about it, the owner gave it to me for free anyway."

Yoi Hoshi looked at the store owner and smiled.

"Seeing her so flustered and eager to buy the figure, she must be a loyal supporter of 'Mask'. It's okay if I give it to her, right?"

"No problem, no problem."

The owner waved his hand grandly, laughing heartily.

"Rather, this kind of behavior, helping others solve their problems, is the meaning of 'Mask'."

Seeing the owner like this, Miko Yotsuya couldn't help but ask curiously.

"But, why do you like 'Mask' so much? To say something a bit rude, shouldn't you be past the stage of chasing idols at your age?"

"You don't know about this."

The owner's smile faded, and he said with a look of emotion.

"The amusement park terrorist attack, I don't know if you saw it online?"

Miko Yotsuya nodded.

"Yes, I saw it."

"My wife and daughter were in the Ferris wheel at the time."

"Eh!?"

Seeing Miko Yotsuya's surprised expression, the owner scratched his head and smiled.

"So, to be honest, 'Mask' is the benefactor who saved my wife and daughter. All I can do is repay him in this way."

"I see…"

Hearing the owner's words, Miko Yotsuya felt a strong stirring somewhere in her heart.

She stole a glance at Yoi Hoshi beside her, wanting to see what kind of reaction he would have when he heard his heroic deeds from someone else's mouth.

The result was as expected.

Yoi Hoshi still had that relaxed expression, without the slightest fluctuation in his eyes.

Miko Yotsuya recalled what he had said in McDonald's at the time.

"Acting to save others, or acting to live up to the expectations of others, is certainly a kind of motivation."

"However, while enjoying the sense of accomplishment of saving other people's fates, you may also doubt your own actions because of being misunderstood, questioned, or even criticized by others."

"So my choice is to only do what I want to do, and not be bound by the opinions and ideas of others."

Unaffected by anyone, acting freely according to one's heart.

It sounds simple, but it's hard to do.

Whether it's praise, dislike, or criticism.

Ignoring all of this completely, perhaps this kind of mentality is also one of the unique skills that Yoi Hoshi possesses as a professional exorcist.

"This… is it okay?"

Seeing that the owner had said so, Rikka Takanashi carefully took the box containing the figure that Yoi Hoshi handed over, her eyes filled with undisguised joy.

Only at this time did she raise her head to look at Yoi Hoshi, as if wanting to say some words of thanks, but after seeing the other person's face clearly, she couldn't help but be stunned.

"That… are you… Yoi Hoshi-kun?"

Yoi Hoshi smiled.

"You only recognize me now? Takanashi-san."

Miko Yotsuya was surprised when she heard this.

"Eh, do you guys know each other?"

"I wouldn't say we know each other."

Yoi Hoshi pointed to Rikka Takanashi.

"This is Rikka Takanashi-san from the class next to ours. Our classrooms are next to each other, and we always meet in the hallway, right? It's rude to not remember her name, Miko."

Miko Yotsuya curled her lips and muttered softly.

"Rather, it's suspicious that you even remember the names of girls from other classes that you don't know, right?"

Yoi Hoshi, as always, gave a sincere answer.

"Because Takanashi-san is very cute, so I remembered her."

Miko Yotsuya: "…As expected of you."

She didn't find it strange that Rikka Takanashi knew Yoi Hoshi.

Throughout Soubu High School, from the third year to the first year, who wouldn't know this famous figure of Soubu High School, who defeated all the first-year students of Shuchin Academy in the joint exams?

"Takanashi-san, it's nice to meet you."

Miko Yotsuya smiled and nodded at Rikka Takanashi, considering it a greeting. Then, a hint of jealousy appeared on her face, and she grabbed Yoi Hoshi's arm, as if declaring her ownership, and said grumpily.

"Let's go, let's go home."

"Okay."

After the two of them gradually walked away and disappeared from sight, Rikka Takanashi hugged the box containing the "Mask" figure tightly, muttering to herself.

"Yoi Hoshi-kun… is also a fan of 'Mask'…"

… …

On the other side, after arriving at Yoi Hoshi's house, Miko Yotsuya took off her coat, looking eager to try something.

"You sit down, I'll cook, it'll be ready soon."

"I'll do it."

"Eh? Can you cook?"

"What are you saying, of course I can, I'm just usually too lazy to do it."

"Eh, then you do it."

Miko Yotsuya rested her chin on her hand, watching Yoi Hoshi take out the ingredients from the refrigerator, then tie on the apron with extremely skilled movements and start processing the ingredients, a smile appearing on her lips.

She lay on the sofa, her fair feet dangling in the air, her voice filled with laughter.

"Since you're cooking for me, I won't hold it against you that you've never given me a gift, but you gave Takanashi-san a gift."

Yoi Hoshi, who was busy in the kitchen, laughed lightly and replied.

"Didn't I prepare a gift for you?"

"Eh?"

Miko Yotsuya asked in confusion.

"What gift did you prepare for me?"

"Mikazuki Munechika."

"Eh?"

Miko Yotsuya was stunned for a moment, surprised.

"Isn't… Mikazuki Munechika… for me?"

"What else would it be?"

Yoi Hoshi asked back.

"Don't tell me I'm going to take two swords by myself? I don't do dual-wielding either. Besides, you know Kunitsuna Onimaru's personality, he'll get sulky with me."

Hearing the second half, Miko Yotsuya sighed slightly.

As expected of you.

Kunitsuna Onimaru, as a sword, has also started to get jealous?

… …

Half an hour later.

"Mmm, delicious."

Miko Yotsuya picked up a chopstick of food and put it in her mouth, her face full of happiness.

"I didn't expect you to be such a good cook."

"Of course."

Yoi Hoshi didn't hold back at all, saying lightly.

"I am perfect."

"Tch… Being able to say such things proves that your personality is very narcissistic."

"Just stating the facts, the last one as strong as me started to do whatever he wanted."

"That makes sense."

… …

After finishing the meal, Yoi Hoshi looked at the sky outside the window, which was gradually darkening, then looked at Miko Yotsuya and smiled.

"Are you going to stay here tonight?"

Hearing this, Miko Yotsuya's pretty face flushed red, and she fidgeted.

"That… if you want… staying isn't impossible…"

"Then you have to send a message to Mom, telling her that you won't be going back tonight."

"What 'Mom'… we're not married yet, and you're already changing your address?"

Miko Yotsuya first complained softly, then the blush on her face became even more obvious, and she nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, muttering softly.

"That… I, I, I already sent a message to Mom."

Yoi Hoshi dragged out his voice, meaningfully.

"Oh, is that so?"

"D-Don't be so verbose!"

Miko Yotsuya said in shame and anger, then sat directly on Yoi Hoshi, wrapped her arms around his neck, and, enduring the shyness in her heart, leaned close to his ear.

"What… what S-S-S-Sakura did, I want to do it too…"