Chapter 995: Chapter 24 Delicious Beginnings!_2

Silver-7-201, Shimura Tetsuya.

0200-775327, Kusakabe.

The handwriting on the note was clear, the former was likely a second-hand TV seller, and the latter…

Kusakabe?

What kind of odd surname is that?

Jason’s eyes revealed his shock.

The owner, Mr. Stone, noticed this surprise.

“The Kusakabe clan is a formidable family of Onmyoji.”

“My friend comes from that family but left due to certain reasons.”

“But they are a good person and very strong.”

The elderly man explained.

“Hmm.”

“Thank you.”

Jason nodded to express his gratitude.

“I’m glad I could help.”

“I need to go back for a nap.”

“When you get old, your energy just doesn’t keep up.”

The sleep-deprived elder stood up, stretched his back, waved at the bustling Hui Lijing with a smile, and left the cafe amidst the sound of the chimes hanging at the door.

Half an hour after Mr. Stone left, the food was finally served by Hui Lijing.

It was a plate of grilled meat.

The meat, pan-fried to a golden brown, was accompanied by shredded cabbage shaped into a ball.

Three hash browns were stacked next to the cabbage, topped with a little flag.

On the other side, there were four types of sauces – honey mustard, ketchup, salad dressing, and barbecue sauce, arranged like petals around the meat.

It very much resembled… a children’s meal.

That was Jason’s first impression.

Of course, the portion was much larger than a kid’s meal.

The taste?

It exceeded Jason’s expectations.

“I used ice water to remove the sourness, then washed it with salt water.”

“It’s a pity there wasn’t enough time.”

“Otherwise, it could have been even more flavorful.”

Hui Lijing, the chef, said this.

Jason had already started dipping the grilled meat into each of the four sauces.

Sweet and sour, savory, the tastes were fully encapsulated in the sauces.

Especially the honey mustard, which wasn’t as spicy as he imagined but rather uniquely fragrant with a sweet touch, something Jason particularly loved, and when paired with a bit of ketchup, it was truly delicious.

He tried the barbecue sauce by itself and squinted with pleasure.

The shredded cabbage with salad dressing was mixed well, and Jason quickly scooped it into his mouth.

Crisp and refreshing, it effectively balanced the slight greasiness of the meat.

“Not bad.”

Jason praised after finishing his meal.

“Of course.”

“I’m the female detective who dreams of becoming a barista.”

“Would you like to try some of my field rations next time?”

Hui Lijing asked.

“Sure.”

Jason nodded straight away.

He never refused food.

Especially recommended by a chef who had managed to make something pretty decent.

Of course, Jason hadn’t forgotten the main issue.

“Shimura Tetsuya, do you know this name?”

Jason asked.

“The ‘cursed videotape’ stuff?”

“You want to use my detective network?”

Hui Lijing, although straightforward, wasn’t foolish and immediately understood Jason’s idea.

“Yes.”

“Using a detective’s name to solve these bizarre cases adds more weight for us.”

Jason said.

Hui Lijing didn’t fully grasp Jason’s words, but that was part of their deal–she assisted Jason with these bizarre cases, and Jason taught her Mystical knowledge.

“One moment.”

“I’ll ask around.”

“With so many deaths, someone must have noticed.”

After saying this, Hui Lijing went back to the bar, took out a phonebook, and began looking up numbers.

Jason, meanwhile, turned his gaze forward.

[Consumed ‘Racoon Spirit’ (Miscellaneous)]

[Physical Strength, Energy, Mild Injury Recovery!]

[Satiation +20]

[Satiation: 718]

…

“Racoon Spirit?”

Jason eyed the term, puzzled.

The “Mystical Side” of the world before him was clearly different from the “Mystical Side” he had encountered before, although knowledge, skills, and secret techniques were transferable.

But for the “common sense” knowledge, he was lacking a lot.

Subconsciously, Jason thought of his subordinate, Tsuchimikado Motoharu.

Being an Onmyoji by birth, he naturally had such knowledge.

But contacting him now… would most likely affect the original plan.

Then…

Jason’s gaze involuntarily shifted to another phone number left by the rock boss.

Kusakabe?

Jason immediately shook his head.

He was not familiar with him.

To rashly call and ask for some knowledge would most likely be rejected.

It might even provoke disgust from the other party.

If this were to involve the well-meaning rock boss, it’s something Jason would hate to see.

“So, I can only take it one step at a time.”

“Gather secretly?”

“Or…”

“Be more direct?”

Jason thought and slightly narrowed his eyes.

Previously, the ‘raccoon spirit’ coming to his door disguised as Modo was not something Jason considered a coincidence.

It could very well be a probe!

Maybe a probe induced by ‘him’ before.

Or possibly, a probe attracted by the ‘Fear Banner’ of Tongshou Temple after the Omagatoki.

But whichever it was, things were far from simply concluding.

This time the other party failed.

Next time, they must have prepared for another attempt.

And the methods would certainly be harsh.

Jason had no qualms about accepting all the delivered ‘takeout.’

At the same time, he could gather more ‘knowledge’ from these ‘meals.’

Acquiring experimental knowledge shouldn’t be difficult.

Jason thought this way.

Hui Lijing, on the other hand, had ended the call.

“Shimura Tetsuya’s case, there is a related commission.”

“But it’s not Shimura Tetsuya himself, it’s a brother of a deceased person around him.”

“I have obtained the address; do we need to go see him?”

Hui Lijing asked.

“Of course.”

Jason stood up and walked out.

Hui Lijing quickly put on her coat loaded with pepper powder, chili water, lime, a pistol, and grenades, hurriedly followed Jason out of the White Bear Cafe, locked the door, hung up a ‘Owner Temporarily Out’ sign, then headed straight to her car.

This car was parked at the real entrance of Tongshou Town.

Hui Lijing had specifically driven it back in the morning.

As the key turned, amid the roaring of the engine, Hui Lijing floored the accelerator.

The car quickly disappeared into the noonday sun.

…

Sato held a stir-fried noodle sandwich bought from a snack shop, walking distractedly on the school path.

He declined an invitation to have lunch with two friends, hiding in a secluded corner, nibbling on the sandwich.

However, the normally delicious stir-fried noodle sandwich tasted like wax to Sato at this moment.

His eyes unfocused, he mechanically put the sandwich into his mouth.

“How could my brother die for no reason?”

“What did Shimura Tetsuya mean?”

“Did he kill my brother?”

“And then, forged everything?”

“Why can’t those detectives find any evidence?”

“Is Shimura Tetsuya’s ability that strong?”

Sato recalled the information about Shimura Tetsuya.

Both he and his brother were members of the ‘Summer Seminar (Ghost Stories).’

Shimura Tetsuya was the club president.

His brother was a club member.

The relationship between them was normal; according to his brother, they were just ordinary friends. Moreover, Shimura Tetsuya seemed gloomy, which he didn’t like. But his brother loved those scary urban legends, which is why he joined.

“Hey!”

The sound from behind startled the contemplating Sato. When he turned his head and saw that it was Shimura Tetsuya calling him, the sandwich nearly dropped.

“Do you want to know the cause of your brother’s death?”

“Come to the club’s activity room with me.”

“If you pass the test, I’ll tell you everything.”

Shimura Tetsuya, with a gloomy face, mumbled rapidly.

Then, without waiting for Sato’s response, he turned and walked away.

Sato was momentarily stunned.

Then he hurried after him.

His thoughts were simple.

Everyone was at school, and even if Shimura Tetsuya was a murderer, he wouldn’t dare do anything.

He, certainly, would be alright.