ULUHTWSBN 64

The Disturbance at the Hour of the Ox

A few days after that complete uproar—

In the middle of the night, evil spirits increased.

Makino was dragged out of bed,

and for backup, Mukai, Sakuma, and Tadokoro also descended to the human world.

The Hour of the Ox is considered an unlucky gate,

and since ancient times, it is said to be the time when darkness slips in.

The “Ushi-mitsu” hour connects to the underworld.

For people of the underworld, it does not matter,

but for humans, looking into a mirror at that time is one of the taboos.

However, many humans purposely break taboos,

and they make spirits run wild during the Hour of the Ox.

The ones who get possessed and cause trouble are humans,

and the ones who are chased and scream are also humans.

And during that time,

while trying desperately to drive spirits away by chanting sutras,

it is also the Ushi-mitsu hour when spirits possess them.

“I really want them to stop already.

What’s the point of helping such idiots?”

Makino crossed his arms

and looked at the young men being chased by evil spirits.

“Didn’t they summon them themselves?”

“Makino-kun, haven’t you done something like that before?”

Tadokoro, who had just destroyed an evil spirit in the back alley with his spirit gun, said with a laugh.

“I’m not that stupid!!”

“Alright, alright. Let’s just erase them quickly and go home.
If you want to collect spirit electricity, you need Underworld talismans.”

Sakuma tapped Makino’s shoulder, who was still sulking.

“If they come to the underworld,

I don’t think you’ll be able to sleep peacefully either, Makino-kun.”

When Mukai stopped time, Makino reluctantly faced the evil spirits,

blew a breath at them, and threw an Underworld talisman.

The ominous aura was instantly absorbed into the talisman,

and the quiet night returned.

The young men, whose legs had given out, had fainted,

but there was no obligation to take care of them that far.

Makino seemed irritated from lack of sleep,

so they decided to end their work.

“Makino-kun, aren’t you hungry?

There’s a 24-hour tsukemen shop behind here.

Let’s eat before we go back.”

Tadokoro said,

“Ramen!? Sounds good~”

It was easy to restore Makino’s mood.

Mukai and the others started walking, laughing.

When they returned to the underworld,

Seze was still at the reception desk of the Shinigami Division.

Although he usually worked in the kitchen,

he had the looks of an idol

and was also active in stage-related possessions.

“Good work.

If you’d like dessert, it’s prepared in the cafeteria.”

“I’ll eat! I’ll eat~”

Makino happily ran off.

“He ate that much and it still fits in his stomach…”

Tadokoro laughed.

“I’m going to sleep. Working in the middle of the night is really tough.”

He returned to his room.

“I’ll go get some cake from the cafeteria.”

Sakuma also followed after Makino.

“Actually, until just now, the Underworld King was beside Adachi-kun,

waiting for all of you to return…”

Seze’s words surprised Mukai.

“Did something happen to Adachi-kun?”

“It’s fine.

Well, today is Adachi-kun’s death anniversary, isn’t it?”

Come to think of it, on his death anniversary, Adachi always took a day off from work

and spent it with the Underworld King.

On the calendar, regardless of the old or new system,

October is called Kannazuki—

the month when the gods are said to leave.

Adachi was born in Kannazuki,

and he also died in that same month.

“On the day he was murdered,

his soul usually goes out of control.

But this year, his ring and soul are stable,

as if they’re sealed.

This has never happened before.

Until just now, we were celebrating with dessert.”

“I see. That’s good.

So the dessert—is that what’s left?”

“Yes.

When all of you went out in the middle of the night,

he said we would eat together when you returned.

But in the end, he ate with the Underworld King,

and after getting tired of waiting, the two of them fell asleep in the break room.

It’s quite funny. You should take a look.”

Seze said with a laugh.

When Mukai peeked into the break room,

he saw the Underworld King and Adachi sleeping close together.

It really was amusing.

Mukai then headed toward the cafeteria.