A High School Sophomore Girl Linked with a Black-crowned Night Heron and the World Moved by 1mm [Episode 19] The Curse Operation

I obtained Goicchi's consent to hold a mental meeting starting at 8 PM using the pink part of our brains. I had him approach Lord Michizane via Goicchi, and I informed Kimie via LINE. Everyone is scheduled to attend.

I had Kimie wrap up her club activities early to make time. Above all, since we are inviting Lord Sugawara no Michizane, the 'God of Learning,' this is not a meeting that can be convened lightly.

Everyone linked up before the scheduled time and was gathered by 8 o'clock, so they seem to have guessed that this is an urgent agenda.

'I hear that the Goisagi Daimyojin shrine is bustling, but has something happened?'

Lord Michizane brought it up. He must have grasped a certain amount of information through his divine powers.

First, I explained the circumstances behind the rear-end collision caused by Mr. Goro Kusano and the existence of the mysterious woman, Asahi Dozono, who was the victim Mr. Kusano hit.

'When we visited Mr. Kusano's house on Saturday, his grandchildren and the neighborhood children were playing so happily, weren't they? It's completely unreasonable that there were complaints to the administrative district head.'

Having met Mr. Kusano and knowing his simple personality, Kimie seemed unable to believe that such an unexpected situation had occurred.

I also talked about how Asahi Dozono was accompanied by a man in a suit during the police's on-site investigation, and how Mr. Kusano's claim that he had left skid marks from braking hard was dismissed.

'The problem starts here.'

After explaining everything at once, I took a breath and got to the main point.

'It seems that while Dozono and the man in the suit visited Mr. Kusano's house, they barely touched on the compensation for the accident and left after hinting that they deal in real estate.'

'In other words, are they targeting the mountain where the Goisagi Daimyojin stands?'

Kimie asked back as if she had realized what I was worried about.

'I won't let them lay a hand on the Goisagi Daimyojin!'

Goicchi was also excited, sensing the unusual atmosphere.

'It's not certain yet, so don't panic.'

I managed to calm Goicchi down.

The God's unexpected withdrawal

'It may have started moving sooner than I thought.'

That was Lord Michizane who muttered that.

"Is that really so?"

When I asked back, wanting to know his true intentions, Lord Michizane spoke about the trap he had set.

It all started with the goal of stopping a secret plan to clear a corner of Mount Kora to build a recreational facility.

He figured that if he built a Goisagi Daimyojin shrine and it got picked up by the news and became a hot topic, it would make the forest development difficult to carry out.

However, he said the real purpose was to flush out the organization that was secretly pushing the plan forward.

Kimie had a hunch after hearing Lord Michizane's story.

"Lord Michizane, you said the Domakiya Group was buying up private land, didn't you?"

"Indeed."

"Isn't it suspicious that both the Domakiya Group and Asahi Dozono have the character 'Do' in them?"

It seems Kimie's curiosity had been ignited.

"As expected of Lord Michizane. I'm proud to be your ally!"

Goicchi said something rude that made me nervous, but Lord Michizane seemed to be thinking about something else and didn't notice.

"So, how shall we stop the Domakiya Group's movements?"

Kimie asked with great enthusiasm, but no good ideas came to my mind.

"Lord Michizane, don't you have an idea?"

This is a situation where we should ask for the opinion of Lord Michizane, who provided the information.

"Hmm... actually..."

"Actually?"

Lord Michizane's response was somewhat hesitant, so I ended up urging him on.

I must withdraw from this matter.

Huh!? No way! What is that?

At this sudden declaration of withdrawal, everyone let out voices that one would hardly expect to use toward a god.

But Lord Michizane, you were the one who brought this up. That's a problem.

I calmed down and appealed to him.

Do not blame me so. My main job is about to get busy, you see. I must focus on that.

Lord Michizane replied apologetically. It seemed he really intended to withdraw from this matter.

Lord Michizane's main job? Oh! Does that mean the 'God of Learning' is...

Kimie seemed to have realized something.

The exam season is about to get into full swing. I cannot take my eyes off the examinees until next spring.

But you don't make them pass with your power, do you, Lord Michizane? What exactly are you focusing on?

Even if the person is a god, she will thoroughly pursue anything she finds unconvincing. That is Kimie Ryugeji.

Indeed, exam results are influenced by all sorts of factors, starting with the individual's own ability, as well as their physical condition, compatibility with the questions, and the environment in which they can concentrate.

Then, to be blunt, doesn't that mean you have nothing to do with it, Lord Michizane?

She is relentless, no matter what. That is Kimie Ryugeji.

Examinees, their relatives, or even their close friends and lovers make wishes not only at Dazaifu Tenmangu but at Tenmangu shrines all over the country. My role is to receive those thoughts and calm their hearts.

If you say it like that, it's going to be an incredible number of people.

I cut in before Kimie could run wild.

That is why I must focus. If you had made a wish on an ema and imagined that the god wouldn't even look at it, you would feel lonely, wouldn't you?

That's true... I see.

Since I was strangely convinced, it seems Kimie also missed the timing to press Lord Michizane.

"It will be fine. I believe that even without me, if you combine your wisdom and ability to act, you can get through most things."

"That 'most things' part bothers me a little, though."

Kimie retorted immediately.

"I can't say 100% because I have to tell the truth as the 'God of Learning,' or I'll be questioned about it later."

Lord Michizane replied sarcastically, and Kimie gave a bitter smile.

"I will leave this 'Pink Room' as it is, so you should get Goicchi's permission to use it."

The pink part of Goicchi's brain was named the 'Pink Room' by Lord Michizane at this moment.

Having declared his departure in that way, Lord Michizane taught them a plan to counter Asahi Dozono and the others as a parting gift.

The Curse Operation

Goro Kusano was nervous. He had been contacted by Asahi Dozono, who was scheduled to visit Kusano's home at 10:00 AM that day.

"The on-site inspection the other day was also at 10:00 AM. Maybe they like to schedule the work they want to finish first thing at 10:00 AM."

Kusano sat still and waited alone while thinking about such things. He had called a high school student named Natsuki, but she told him she couldn't come because she had classes.

Imagining what that Asahi Dozono and the man in the suit might say, he wished he had someone with him, even if it was just a high school girl. Just being able to talk to her on the phone was a little bit of a relief.

As it approached 10:00, a car stopped at the entrance and he heard the sound of doors closing. 'Bang.' 'Bang.' It seemed two people had come.

"Mr. Kusano, excuse me-"

The sliding door at the entrance was open, so they greeted him and peeked inside.

Asahi Dozono had her usual light brown hair tied back and was wearing a gray jacket and pants. The other person was the same man as before, with short black hair and a navy blue suit.

"Please, come in."

Kusano brought the two into the living room and they sat facing each other across the low table.

Has the insurance company contacted you regarding the accident?

Dozono brought it up.

I apologize for the trouble.

Kusano replied as such, since he had left it to the insurance company.

Well, you see, Mr. Kusano.

This time, a man in a suit spoke.

Our Dozono here says his neck hurts and he feels dizzy.

I thought it would just be a vehicle accident, so I took it lightly. But to be suffering from these symptoms now...

Dozono frowned in pain and held his neck.

Well, I believe the insurance company will be in touch regarding this matter.

The man reset the conversation and changed the subject to the land.

Mr. Kusano, you own your home and the land on the hill behind it, correct?

Yes, it is precious land that has been protected by my ancestors for generations.

Kusano answered cautiously, but the man seemed not to care.

Actually, there is a plan to create a recreational area for citizens throughout the hill behind your property.

I haven't heard a word about that.

I'm sure you haven't. It hasn't been announced publicly yet. We are informing landowners early and recommending a plan that allows you to sell your valuable land at an advantageous price.

As Kusano listened, cold sweat broke out on his sides. He felt anxious that he might be talked into it, yet he couldn't firmly refuse.

Perhaps due to the stress, he started coughing, "Cough, cough, cough!" at that moment.

"Gwaa! Gwaa!"

Flap, flap, flap!

A large bird flew into the living room from out of nowhere and started thrashing about.

“Eek! What is this bird?!”

“Whoa, get away!”

Dozono and the man were clearly terrified by the sudden, violent intrusion of the bird.

“Oh no! The Great Night Heron Deity is angry! It’s the curse of the Night Heron!”

Kusano, feigning terror, urged the two of them on.

“This is because you tried to ruin the land. You’ve incurred the wrath of the Great Night Heron Deity. Go home, hurry up and leave!”

Overwhelmed by the thrashing bird and Kusano’s intensity, Dozono and the man were driven outside with no way to fight back.

“I’ve had enough of being cursed. Don’t ever come back.”

Kusano cornered the two, forcing them into their car, and shouted at them.

Natsuki, who had been watching the whole scene from high school by linking to Goicchi’s brain, nodded with satisfaction.

“Good work, Goicchi. Kusano-san, you were perfect too. The curse operation was a huge success.”

To be continued in [Episode 20]

← To [Episode 18]

All episodes of 'When a High School Sophomore Linked with a Black-crowned Night Heron, the World Moved by 1mm' are collected in this magazine.

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Image: 'photoAC Photo Material: Black-crowned Night Heron, Author: Daruma-chan'