Mob Yandere

[Part 4/4]

The former Omnyouji Bureau head seems to read my anxiety and fear as she opens her mouth. She folds her arms, looking annoyed. The Tanuki tail behind her also wilts, as if expressing her emotions. The tail of the beast yokai is more expressive of emotions than its face, making it easy to deceive.

"It's not a threat... but I can't say that completely. Why don't we make a promise about that incident instead?"

"No, it's not that..."

As Tanuki held out his arm, I refrained. I didn't have the courage to be so bold in front of the current head of the Omnyouji Bureau, who was present. After all, I was just a Household Member Coordinator.

"...Shall we get to the main topic?"

Gensei seemed to cut in at the right moment, and I turned my gaze to him. He confirmed that everyone's attention was on him, and then gave the order.

"It's not a difficult task. I understand your physical condition. I don't intend to burden you with impossible tasks. ...I just want to ask you to take on a simple security job."

"Security, you say?"

Whose or what kind of security? My doubts were immediately dispelled. The dots connected, and I turned to Azuma. The youkai Tanuki met my gaze and nodded.

"If I go into the service, I won't be able to look after them properly. Could you take care of my people for about ten days?"

" Babysitting, you mean?"

I couldn't help but feel a bit relieved, but at the same time, I was certain that it was a much easier task compared to my previous reckless behavior.

"Officially, we'll give you the title of Half-Youkai Inspector for the city. Please take it seriously. ...So, with this, Azuma-dono can focus on your duties without worrying, right?"

It was a somewhat theatrical appointment, and the current head of the Omnyouji Bureau asked me with a hint of emotion.

"Yes. Take care of them. ...You too, Household Member Coordinator."

"No..."

Azuma bowed her head to Gensei and then to me.

"There's no need to be humble. I truly appreciate it. If I couldn't ensure the safety of those kids, I would be troubled about serving as well. I have many worries, and I couldn't focus on my duties."

"I'll do my best to support you, Azuma-dono, so you can ensure your duties without worry."

I vowed that from the bottom of my heart. In reality, it was also very convenient for me. There was no doubt about the abilities of Azuma Hibari, a character who had already been killed off in the original story. And the task of babysitting was not entirely risk-free, but compared to the usual troubles I encountered, it was much easier... wasn't it?

"Umm, umm. Good response. ...Then shall I hand this over?"

Azuma, seemingly very satisfied with my reaction, suddenly pulled out something from her pocket and handed it to me as if she was producing it from thin air.

"What's this?"

"It's a copied document, but it's handmade. It's a confidential file. Don't lose it, okay?"

"A confidential file..."

I received the thick book and stared at it in awe, feeling a sense of weight, both physically and mentally, from Azuma's words. I glanced at Azuma, then opened the book. Each page was filled with tightly written text. This is...

"Wait, what is this?"

"It's a childcare manual, isn't it? Ah, from page 38 onwards, it's about daily meal plans and cooking methods. From page 66 onwards, it's about individual notes on the kids' behavior. Memorize it well."

"Eh..."

I couldn't help but let out a bewildered voice at Azuma's unusually serious tone. Oh, she's considering nutrition values, likes, and dislikes, and even strategies for dealing with kids who refuse to take baths... Do I have to do all this?

"Of course, it's a given?"

"So, are they good kids, by the way?"

"They're full of energy."

"In other words, there are a lot of problem children?"

If I thought about it calmly, all of them were half-youkai, so it was no wonder they were troublesome. If I wasn't careful, they might even cry loudly and breathe fire... Physically, they might even break my arm if I let my guard down...

"Is that so, and you're one of them too?"

"Do you think it's unrelated to trust or something, and that's the reason?"

"...?"

"Don't counterargue!!?"

I couldn't help but interject, ignoring my position. It was an unpleasant truth I didn't want to know.

"Cough... ...Azuma-dono, that's enough."

"Hm? Ah, yes. That's it. Our business is done. There might be things you want to say, but give up. ...Don't think ill of me. It would be better if you came to the bookstore to visit and sell books."

"Geh."

Azuma's words made me twist my face more than ever before. You're exposed, old man.

"Your response wasn't bad, though. Just keep being honest and sincere, and you'll become a good man. Don't become a pathetic adult who can't even bow their head in apology."

"Y-yes..."

Even I didn't know who Azuma's words were directed at, but when I saw Gensei's suspicious expression, I thought that even on that face, there was no sign of mutual understanding.

It's not likely due to laziness, but rather....

"Alright then. I've said what I needed to say, so I'll be off. Shiro, you were the attendant, right? It's been a while, so come visit."

Azuma stood up, stroking Shiro's head as she declared. I was convinced that Shiro was chosen for this role for a reason. White looked at me with a bitter smile. I wonder how much she understood the content...

"Will you go, Azuma-dono?"

"Bureau Head, I would like you to keep an eye on him. If that's the case, I'll have no regrets."

Azuma's cheerful and carefree tone was as if she was treating him like an old friend, without regard for their positions or social standing.

"Don't joke around. You're someone who would suddenly come back from the dead. ...I understand. Let's do it that way."

"Right. I'm counting on you."

He confirmed his current position with a bitter smile and a look of exasperation. Tanuki... naturally returned to my side.

"Ah, that's right. I forgot."

"What?"

By the time I realized it, Azuma was right in front of me, her face inches from mine. Then, with a natural motion, she swiftly pulled my face towards her, grasped my jaw, and stared into my eyes. She stared and stared, then spoke.

"I'll warn you? Don't think of using our conversation here as material for gossip. ...I don't want to make unnecessary enemies?"

It was as if she was saying it to me, but also to someone or something else through me, who was driving the point home...

"Hahaha! I heard that! You're being driven into a tight spot again, aren't you? You became the Household Member Coordinator, but it's pathetic how far you've fallen! I have no choice but to show my face... 'You're so slow, go for it!!' Uwa-wa-wa! My favorite visiting attire is ruined!!?"

"Ah, I expected this would happen."

As I watched the daughter of the Ako family, with her gloating face, eating mud dangos with the kids gang and screaming, I felt a sense of déjà vu and shrugged my shoulders....