Chapter 45: Prepare a Trap
Takeda Misae thought to herself: Even though these Dharma beads can't handle high-level vengeful spirits, one bead is more than enough to scare off a mouse. I used three just now—by rights, that thing should be cowering.
She turned her gaze back toward the cabinet, expecting to see a dazed rodent. Instead, the mouse stared directly at her, unblinking—until it blinked. For a moment, it almost looked confused, as if asking her what she was doing.
Misae stiffened. The creature wasn't reacting at all to her spiritual power.
Insensitive to spiritual power? That must be it, she told herself. There's no way my energy is that weak.
Fortunately, the girls around her probably hadn't noticed her failed attempt. She smoothed her expression, closed her eyes, and struck a sensing pose.
"Hmm… the residual life force in this house is strong," she said calmly. "Your life force has become much stronger than when we met days ago. Such power naturally attracts things most people never encounter. Be careful in the future."
Ruri Gokou nodded slowly, not questioning the explanation. Once, she had thought of this woman as a charlatan. But after reading Renji Miyauchi's diary and learning that Misae did have some skill, albeit dulled with age, her attitude softened.
As a chuunibyou, Ruri was fascinated by the exorcist profession. She had even tried practicing spiritual techniques on her own with Reading Value, though her progress was minimal. Even so, she could sense the "pressure" of Misae's energy just now. She wondered when—if ever—she could reach such a level.
On the cabinet, Jerry tilted his head.
Is this old woman provoking me?
Though unfamiliar with spiritual power until now, Jerry had clearly felt the strange energy she released. It must be what Renji had called spiritual power. If Ripple was physical energy, then this was its mental counterpart.
But the force was weak—hardly worth mentioning. To Jerry, it felt like being tickled. Compared with the Stands he had seen, or the Seamless Extension Charm he'd learned to use, this old woman's output was unimpressive. Renji had said true curse users could do incredible things with spiritual power. Clearly, this woman wasn't one of them.
Jerry flicked his whiskers. Perhaps there was something to study here—maybe spiritual energy could inspire new uses of magic. But for now, he decided the old woman needed a lesson. She ignored him outright, closing her eyes and rambling nonsense about "life force attracting monsters."
Jerry leapt from the cabinet. Let's see how she handles this.
Misae shivered suddenly. Though she felt no malice, her instincts screamed. Even in her old age, an exorcist's body did not betray her. This wasn't normal. She frowned.
Not a vengeful spirit… is this really a monster?
Before she could dwell further, the lights flickered and died.
"Not again!" Tama-chan pouted, upset her cartoon had been cut short.
Hinata instantly clung to her little sister, trembling, afraid something would snatch her away.
Ruri, however, was ready. She flicked on the flashlight she had prepared, casting a pale glow around the living room. She looked to Misae.
"Shenmu, did you find anything?"
Misae coughed, embarrassed. She had felt nothing but a chill.
"Ahem… yes, there's a problem. Take me to the circuit breaker. If the monster's here, it will have left traces."
Ruri hesitated, but decided not to leave her sisters behind. Together, the four of them went to check the breaker box.
Misae crouched to inspect it. She found mouse hairs, gnaw marks, even a small hole nearby. Evidence of rodents was expected—but nothing else.
"It's cunning," she muttered. "A shadow creature, no doubt. I'll need to prepare a trap."
She clenched her jaw, determination flickering. She would have to use more than beads tonight. For her pension, for her reputation—she needed to impress these girls and Lady Kaguya behind them.
She pulled tools from her bag and began arranging a barrier. Though crude compared to what she had seen in her youth, it was her trump card: a small, tight net of spiritual power, reinforced by nodes around the room.
"Monsters, spirits, exorcists—all use barriers," she explained, half to reassure herself. "This one will be enough to catch a small trickster."
From her pocket she withdrew a dull-looking piece of jade. Ordinary to normal eyes, but glowing with power to those attuned. Unlike her beads, which were single-use, this jade could recharge over time, slowly absorbing ambient energy. In this era of resurging spirits, its value was immeasurable.
"This is a costly bait," she admitted under her breath. But if Lady Kaguya sees my skill, my future is secure.
She set the jade down, wiping sweat from her brow, and finished with two more Dharma beads.
"There. The trap is ready," she told Ruri. "Now we act as if nothing happened and wait."
Relieved, Ruri bowed slightly. "Then… please rest. I'll make you tea. You've worked hard."
Misae nodded with satisfaction. Respect was something she craved.
She glanced back at the jade—
And froze.
It was gone.
"W-where is it!?" she shouted, panic rising. She dropped to her knees, searching frantically. The jade, her most precious tool, had vanished. Several Dharma beads were missing too.
Ruri stared, stunned. "What? Already?"
Sweat poured down Misae's face. This wasn't part of her plan. Was the monster here after all? Had it stolen her treasures?
Before they could regroup, a cry came from the living room.
"Hina! Tama-chan!" Ruri's heart lurched. She rushed back inside.
Her sisters were safe. Hinata clutched Tama-chan tightly, eyes shut in fear. But Tama-chan herself beamed with excitement.
"Big Sis! A really amazing little mouse just came through!" she chirped, gesturing wildly. "It carried a pile of shiny things—and then it did tricks! It juggled the beads like balls! And then… it bowed and walked away!"
Ruri blinked. A yellow mouse… juggling Dharma beads?
Her blood ran cold. Whatever it was, it was no ordinary rodent.
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✨ End of Chapter 45
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