It seems Ookis little sister, Rino-chan, also couldnt hide her surprise.

He isnt here

Guiding us through the house, eventually all 3 of us made it to Ookis room.

The design really drew the picture of an ordinary house with Ookis room on the second floor.

What do you mean?

Rino-chan let a deep breath out of her nose seeming troubled at my question.

Well since this morning there was no way he was leaving his room

However, now Ooki wasnt in his room.

The room reeked of a mans scent but its not like it was a mess.

Since he is a weird guy, I definitely thought he was an otaku.

However, Ooki didnt have any distinctive characteristics.

I wonder where he went

Rino-chan enters his room seeming a bit worried.

Mia and I were idly standing in the corridor.

Ah, sorry. Can you please wait in the living room?

I honestly felt its better to leave.

However, Mia and I had no plan to head home.

When we got down to the living room, we sat on the sofa.

It was a living room with a hint of a Japanese style to it and yet it was a bit spacious.

It was filled with things making it feel homey.

After a while, I could hear light footsteps running down the staircase.

Continuing to the living room and opening the door, Rino-chan, who had changed into a gray parka from her uniform, appeared.

Im really sorry. Even though, you expressly came all the way here

Opening the refrigerator, Rino-chan poured some sort of beverage for us.

Well, we were just a bit worried

Dont worry. Onii-chan occasionally does this

Rino-chan replied to my words with a surprised tone.

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So, do you know where he went?

This time Mia asked.

Placing the drinks on a tray, Rino-chan comes around to us.

She sits one the same sofa as me and Mia.

Probably the mountain

Mountain?

Yes. It seems like Onii-chan will be a sage in the future

Huh?

When I went to drink my beverage, I stopped my hand.

As I thought, Ooki is a genuinely strange guy.

I dont really understand it well myself butwell, it seems his master for becoming a sage lives on Mt. Nomiya

Speaking of Mt. Nomiya, its supposedly a famous sacred mountain.

The altitude of it wasnt that high but it was quite steep. The summit is always hidden by clouds.

Thats where he went. When I just checked his belongings, his whole set of tools he uses to go to the mountain is missing

Huh

Mia gave a vague reply.

And then I looked at Rino-chans face.

How long until he returns?

I wonder

After drinking a mouthful of barley tea, Rino-chan looks upwards.

Before he came back after three days. I think it should be the same this time

Why the mountain?

He said to clear away wicked thoughtsHe said if he doesnt purify his worldly desires regularly, then he cant become a sage

Ooki likes Mia.

Since it became difficult to go to school, he confined himself to his room.

And then, he must have remembered to train in the mountains in order to become a sage.

Dont worry

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After finishing my drink, I stood up.

Mia also stands.

Sorry, even though you came and everything

Rino-chan was courteous to the very end.

Ah, thats right. Is it fine if I could get an address I could contact you with?

Mia and I turn around at Rino-chans proposal.

If she wants to contact someone it would probably be better if it was me, who belonged to the Human Culture Research Club.

When I took out my phone from my pocket, we quickly exchanged addresses.

Then, Ill call if something happensThank you very much

Rino-chan sees us off bowing her head and Mia and I start to head out.

It was an unexpected development but we will come back 3 days later when Ooki finishes his cleansing.

I hope this wont turn into something annoying.

Shes a good kid, huh

N?

You know, his little sister

Yeah

Walking down the street, we were casually strolling to the station.

I gave a short reply to Mias words.

Certainly, Rino-chan was a good kid.

She was a bit different from her older brother. She was quite a popular girl.

Her face and the development of her cute boobs was good as well.

She must be the most popular girl at school.

Its still quite early

Yeah

Its too late to go anywhere.

But, its not late enough to go home.

Where do you usually go to play around?

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Eh?

Mia was confused at my sudden question.

Where you say, the normal placesI go shopping and to karaoke? And then afterwards, go somewhere like a cafe?

Fuun

Thats quite an invite

I know that.

Even if I try to meet her, she is usually busy with a previous engagement.

Certainly, she does consider me special but Mia isnt the kind of person who can ignore her friends.

Since I want to put off dating, she doesnt consider me a priority.

Thats why a day like today is quite special to me.

It seems she realized that as her pace starts to slow down as well.

NeeWhere should we go?

We were quite a ways away from the station when Mia said that.

I stopped and stared at Mia.

Where would be good?

Thats for the guy to decide

Lifting her chin up a bit, Mia smiled.

After a bit of silence, I tried asking a question as a joke.

What about a hotel?

There was even more silence.

Even though Mia should have heard me, she didnt show a reaction.

She couldnt help her face from turning a bit red.

I inevitably rephrased it.

Lets go to a hotel

And then we immediately head out.

Mia followed behind and said.

You pass

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