Please to Kitsune-sama!

“So, are you interested in stocks? ‘Cause my senior runs a really great investment workshop—”

“Begone. Lest thou wish thy hindquarters kicked with divine precision.”

Inari spat the words without even turning to look at the sleazy-looking man who’d approached her.

She had, quite literally just now, read an article about avoiding exactly these kinds of scams. What made him think she’d be an easy mark?

“Wait, are you assuming it’s some kind of shady pitch? It’s just a seminar—really! Totally harmless, just a study group! You’ll even get—GAAH!”

With a sharp spin, Inari landed a clean roundhouse kick to his side. The man stumbled and turned around with a furious “What the hell—!?”

But before he could recover, Inari quickly ducked behind a nearby staff member who had noticed the commotion and was heading her way. She pointed.

“That man was tryin’ to whisk me off somewhere, prattling strange nonsense.”

“Eh!?”

“Huh!?”

The staffer’s eyes widened, and they immediately reached for their emergency whistle. The scammer, stunned, couldn’t think of a proper excuse—because Inari hadn’t said a single false word—and all he managed to mutter was the worst possible thing.

“You little brat…”

That was it. Sure, he was a fraud trying to lead someone to a shady seminar, but now, with those words and that tone—he’d crossed into much darker territory.

The whistle blew.

Security came running. And the words shouted out by the staff member?

“It’s a pedo kidnapper!”

If he’d just been caught as a con artist, maybe he could talk his way out. But “pedo” was social death—even among criminals. He panicked and tried to run, only to be instantly tackled and dragged away, screaming, “No, wait, this is a misunderstanding!”

Well, whatever explanation he planned to offer would be interesting to hear—not that Inari had any intention of listening.

“You’re safe now, okay?”

“Aye. Much obliged. Honestly, to think such a fellow would be prowling around whilst I merely await a party assignment.”

“It’s awful… Wait just a second—”

The staffer glanced at their ringing phone, answered, then looked back at Inari with a face full of concern, not suspicion.

“That guy earlier? Looks like he was a con artist pretending to be an Awakener. If you ever see someone shady again, don’t hesitate—shout out loud and ask for help right away.”

“Aye, I shall do so.”

“I mean, seriously… This room’s full of Awakeners, and not one person stepped up to help a little girl…”

A few people awkwardly averted their eyes at that. But Inari didn’t push the issue. Sure, the ways of humans were often disappointing—but there might be potential party members here. No need to make a fuss and leave a bad impression.

“Well, I suppose most here be beginners like me, aye? ‘Twould be a bit cruel to expect them to face villains head-on.”

“You’re really sweet… But you’ll be facing scarier monsters than that guy, you know?”

That was true, and Inari had no intention of defending them further.

She also wasn’t holding out too much hope for the “party” that she was supposed to be matched with soon.

“By the way… I have a small favor to ask.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“...Can I touch your ears?”

“Aye.”

Why were humans so eager to touch ears? Inari didn’t understand. But if it helped build trust or goodwill, she supposed it was fine. As she thought that, the staffer gently began to pet her with surprisingly experienced technique.

Then a voice rang out from a speaker.

“Numbers 7, 11, 17, and 24—please come to the counter.”

“Oh, that be me. Pardon, but I must take my leave.”

“Aww… Please let me touch them again sometime, okay?”

“U-umu…”

She had no idea what had them so obsessed with her fox ears. Regardless, Inari looked around, found the one and only counter in the waiting area, and walked over.

There, she saw one male staffer… and a group of three other people.

One was a flashy blond guy with a glittery sword on his hip, wearing something like a futuristic chest protector.

One was a short-haired girl who looked a bit timid, clad in armor and carrying a huge shield on her back.

One was a smiling short-haired man, light on gear, wearing a jacket with a mace at his side.

Their appearances, gear, and general vibes were all completely different—but to them, Inari was the one who looked like the odd one out.

As she approached, the staffer cleared his throat and said:

“All right, looks like everyone’s here. We have swordsman Kanda Rei, shield warrior Tanabe Mai, healer Shimbashi Genzou, and…”

He glanced between his tablet and Inari, cleared his throat again, and continued.

“…Fox Shrine Maiden, Kogami Inari.”