Anime Crossover: The Losing Heroines Have Become Witches

Chapter 571 566: Shikigami

Perhaps because she had received the event-limited edition game from Ruri, Kirino was much better behaved after that and didn't make as much of a fuss.

After passing through the dōjin game hall, they arrived at the hall for corporate exhibitors.

Although it's often said the world is just a giant makeshift stage, a regular army is clearly different from the small-scale operations of dōjin circles and tiny studios—at the very least, the costumes and props for things like cosplay looked much more professional.

Everyone scattered to look at the booths of the manufacturers they were interested in.

Asakura didn't have much sentiment for the manufacturers of this world—after all, he had only been here for two and a half years, and two of those years were spent scrambling just to put food on the table, so he really didn't have the heart to follow game companies—consequently, he didn't want to buy any official art books or official dōjinshi. However, since these booths all gave away free merchandise, he was happy to collect some "fashionable junk" to use as decorations for the Rabbit House later.

But when Asakura revealed his thoughts to Ruri, the girl first instinctively glanced at the bag in Asakura's hand, which was printed with a pattern of a semi-clothed beast-eared loli, and then looked up at him with a "Are you serious?" gaze.

"Rabbit House will be mistaken for some kind of strange shop, won't it?"

"...That's true."

Asakura nodded in agreement. He felt like asking, "Is there any potential in snacks that collaborate with 2D characters?", but on second thought, the house-elves were currently too busy making Rabbit Dango to keep up, so he simply gave up on the idea.

As a side note, due to the house-elves' tireless research and improvements, the Rabbit Dango at Rabbit House had already reached version 3.2. The texture and the ratio of filling had garnered an unprecedented wave of praise; even Kawaragi Momoka's "Death Special Brew" could no longer stop foodies from loving the Rabbit Dango.

Asakura had even encountered large-brand dessert chains wanting to buy the recipe for the Rabbit Dango, or even going a step further to acquire Rabbit House directly. To be honest, the price they offered was quite good; even if it wouldn't bring Asakura immediate financial freedom, it would allow him to live comfortably for over ten years without doing anything, even at the current rate of inflation.

After Kawaragi Momoka reported several times that those people were starting to affect Rabbit House's operations, Asakura decisively activated the same blocking function for Rabbit House that was used for the Club Room.

Now, without Asakura's or a Rabbit House employee's consent or guidance, anyone whose primary goal wasn't to buy snacks could no longer see Rabbit House, even if they wandered around the entrance all day.

Even if someone wanted to stake out a customer entering Rabbit House, they would only experience a sensation of "their eyes blurring and the person disappearing," and would instinctively feel it was normal and nothing to be surprised about.

Although at first glance there wasn't anything particularly fun in the corporate hall, and the number of booths couldn't compare to the previous two halls (though the corporate booths or stands were much larger than those of individuals and circles), the group ended up spending no less time in this hall than in the previous two.

"Oh my, after all, whether it's a brand-new version of a game currently in operation or those new games that haven't hit the shelves yet, they are all quite worth playing," Saori said, scratching her head sheepishly.

"But actually, the time spent playing wasn't much; most of the time was spent standing in line." Marin, who wasn't as interested in games as the others, looked a bit wilted: "And maybe because there are so many game consoles and computers, this hall feels particularly hot... I even have to line up just to go to the restroom to take off my chest binder and wipe off sweat, it's terrifying..."

"Most of these games aren't really my cup of tea."

Kirino's spirits didn't seem as high as they were in the previous hall. She grumbled dissatisfiedly: "There are so few younger sister elements; it feels inferior to galgames..."

"That may be true, but Kiririn-shi still seems to be having a lot of fun."

Saori pointed significantly at the paper bag in Kirino's hand, which was clearly fuller than everyone else's; she had obviously waited in more lines in the limited time they had.

"Be quiet, I'm just slightly interested in the artwork of these games!" Kirino said stubbornly.

You were just screaming and having a super great time playing "Monster Hunter" on a demo console earlier.

Asakura, who was standing behind the girl in line, complained internally.

"Anyway, let's leave through the side door. I think Sawamura-shi is about to throw up."

"It feels stuffy, hot, and stinky... My choice not to come to Comiket before was definitely correct... ugh..."

Eriri's face was pale; she really looked like she could no longer stand the environment inside the venue.

Stepping outside from the side door, a summer breeze instantly blew across everyone. Although it was also somewhat hot, it was enough to refresh everyone's spirits.

There were actually quite a few people here too, but compared to the inside, the population density could be considered quite moderate, making it suitable for a temporary rest.

"Phew... it's much cooler out here."

"Even though outside is theoretically the height of midsummer, I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with you..."

Marin and Eriri, sharing the same plight, both wore expressions of having survived a disaster.

"How weak," Ruri said contemptuously, looking at them crossly. "You can't even stand this level of intensity? Yesterday was an even more brutal battlefield than this."

"Speaking of which, Kuroneko-shi really doesn't seem to have broken a single drop of sweat." Saori looked at Ruri curiously.

"That is because I have spread a thin film of magical power over my body—"

It was actually a lie; Asakura didn't sense any magical fluctuations from her.

"What are you doing?!" Before Ruri could finish, she was grabbed by Kirino and began to struggle in a panic.

"Stop saying that chunibyo stuff," Kirino said with a look of disgust. "It looks hot just watching you, take it off quickly."

"What I wear is my own freedom!" Ruri resisted with all her might.

"People watching from the side feel stifled too; your freedom has already infringed upon others," Kirino argued sophistically. "Stop wasting words, even if it's just taking off the overshirt."

"Wait, wait... you..."

Kirino's technique for removing clothes was incredibly skilled and swift; Ruri's resistance had almost no effect. The Gothic-style long-sleeved overshirt was instantly removed, revealing a sleeveless lace T-shirt underneath.

From Asakura's perspective, it certainly looked much cooler than the heavy Gothic Lolita dress.

"There, that's better."

For some reason, with techniques more skillful than a playboy's, Kirino puffed out her chest in satisfaction, holding the overshirt she had stripped off Kuroneko in one hand, and said in a very mature manner: "Clothing taste varies from person to person, but no matter when you dress, you must pay attention to TPO (Note: Abbreviation for Time, Place, and Opportunity). Just like a normal person wouldn't wear pajamas to a convenience store—well, the 'Black' you probably wouldn't do that either, right?"

"Do you take me for an idiot?!" Ruri trembled all over with anger.

"Then that's that! So in summer, you should dress like it's summer, otherwise it's bad for your body. Got it?"

"I already told you this temperature isn't a problem for me..." Ruri looked like she was still a bit unconvinced.

But Asakura knew that her actual thoughts weren't as dissatisfied as her words suggested.

One must know that magic spells like [Snake] affect the self to a certain extent; for instance, Asakura actually has permanent abilities like infrared vision.

Although Ruri hasn't shown it much, she should be the same.

Leaving aside when the spell was still [Cat]—after all, the power of a single cat didn't seem to have much impact—her spell has now sublimated into [Beast]. Although it is a very broad concept, in terms of physical strength alone, Asakura probably wouldn't even be her match in an arm-wrestling match right now.

Therefore, facing Kirino's pestering, it should have been very easy for Ruri to break free if she wanted to.

"It looks like going this way can also lead to the outdoor cosplay exhibition area."

Saori said to Asakura and the others after looking at the map and then at the route guidance not far away.

"The cosplay area, huh."

Asakura looked at Eriri. Although the latter's small face was still a bit pale, her complexion looked much better than before. She nodded understandingly and took out her phone to contact Utaha, intending to call her directly to the outdoor cosplay area.

Then the two of them could only listen to Utaha making "Aaa~re~" sounds through the phone; it seemed she had been swept away to who-knows-where by the crowd, leaving both of them speechless.

"What should we do now?" Eriri asked Asakura, somewhat at a loss.

"You and the others go to the cosplay exhibition area first," Asakura took off Eriri's hat and plopped it onto his own head: "Lend me this for a bit, I'm going to find Kasumigaoka."

"Eh, why take my hat?" the girl asked in surprise.

"That girl's wariness is quite strong. Without something to serve as proof, I feel she might not necessarily go with me."

Asakura answered.

"Then why don't I just go with you?" Eriri asked again, puzzled.

"What if Kasumigaoka overcomes all obstacles and actually runs to the cosplay exhibition area herself? Are you going to let her wander around here aimlessly alone?" Asakura explained: "She doesn't know or isn't familiar with the others; only if you are there will she feel at ease staying here to wait for me to come back."

"Ugh..." Although Eriri was somewhat dissatisfied—after all, she wasn't familiar with the other people in the 'Otaku Girls Unite' community either—she still accepted Asakura's explanation.

"And Ruri, you are for the same reason." Asakura looked at Ruri, who had come to his side at some unknown time: "It hasn't been confirmed yet that the sprout on Kasumigaoka's head is completely harmless, so as a combatant, you must also stay here to serve as insurance in case she arrives here before I find her."

"...I understand. Rest assured, until you return, Senior Dreamer, nothing will happen here."

"That's good then."

Asakura nodded with satisfaction.

"Wait a minute, you mean, knowing Kasumigaoka could have a problem at any time, you're still letting her stay alone in a Comiket venue with so many ordinary people?" Eriri's eyes widened in disbelief.

"It's just to be safe. I'm the type of selfish person who, in a trolley problem where one side is a friend and the other is a hundred strangers, would choose to save the friend without hesitation."

Mr. Asakura, who was sorted into Azkaban by the Sorting Hat, spread his hands: "Of course, if such a situation really occurred in reality, I would probably choose to just burn the trolley."

"I know! I would choose the friend's side too... probably." Eriri muttered uncertainly.

"Huh, you actually have other friends besides Kasumigaoka?" Asakura was surprised.

"Of course I do! What kind of image do you think I have at school!" Eriri complained dissatisfiedly, baring her small canine teeth.

"I know, I was just joking. Of course, if a certain Service Club President were here, she might redefine the 'friends' you're talking about."

Asakura said meaningfully. Then, he held his thumb against his ring and middle fingers and softly uttered the word "Knock."

In the next instant, his shadow under the sun suddenly lengthened, and then a humanoid figure slightly shorter than Asakura emerged from the ink-puddle-like shadow.

This time, Asakura did not directly call out the Fox Monstrosity, for the same reason as before: to prevent any accidents.

What emerged from the shadow was something like a spirit or a Shikigami of the Fox Monstrosity.

Originally, after the Fox Monstrosity fulfilled the wishes of those who came to the shrine to pray, it would eat them and turn them into these Shikigami-like existences. After Asakura subdued the Fox Monstrosity, he released all of those Shikigami.

Subsequently, along with the Fox Monstrosity consuming a portion of Asakura's magic power and regaining some strength, it pieced together new Shikigami from the remnants of the past. However, these Shikigami were not the victims of the past, but the "remnants" of worshippers from who-knows-how-many years ago who regarded it as a deity, or rather, made it a deity. Their strength and other aspects were much weaker than those victim Shikigami.

After all, they were just remnants...

This was a Shikigami that looked like a human female figure, about the same height as Eriri, perhaps even a bit shorter. It wore a pale fox-patterned mask and had fox ears on top of its head.

If it appeared before humans in normal times, it would probably be treated as a monster or a lunatic.

But this was Summer Comiket, where cosplayers weirder than it were everywhere. Its appearance actually looked somewhat harmless, even having the texture of an animation from Hayao Miyazaki's era...

However, as a Shikigami, it was naturally not as powerful or fully functional as the Fox Monstrosity. It probably couldn't even beat a Yamano-ken and could only take advantage of earthbound spirits or ordinary vengeful spirits.

But if it was just used for pathfinding, it could manage such a small task.