I Can See Health Bars in Real Life

Love hotel...

Well, that’s certainly impossible.

Actually, it’s just an ordinary coffee shop. Yatsugaya Miko hasn’t come to this street much, so there’s nothing particularly recommended here. She just happened to see a shop nearby that looked clean and simple, so she chose it directly.

The main reason was a bit of panic because she didn’t expect him to agree so readily—

She didn’t have a destination in mind and didn’t want to keep him waiting long, fearing the situation might change, so she hastily settled on a place.

Sitting near the window in the coffee shop, gazing at the Strategy Room headquarters building and feeling the spiritual light emanating, the girl with long black hair let out a long sigh. If possible, she’d love to move her home here, but unfortunately, this area near the city center is quite expensive.

She’s not some sort of wealthy girl, just an ordinary JK.

So she can only dream about such things.

"Hello... may I take your order?"

At this moment, a waiter approached the table politely asking the girl, and placed the menu on the table.

"Hmm, let me see..."

Yatsugaya Miko blinked her eyes, withdrew her gaze, picked up the menu from the table, and looked at the young man opposite, still a bit awkward as she spoke: "Um, sorry, I’m not sure what suits your taste, may I ask what you’d like..."

At the same time, her heart was pounding.

It’s her first time inviting a stranger, especially someone with such a special identity, inevitably leading to a swirl of thoughts.

"The first item is fine, thank you..."

Gu Mo initially wanted to say anything is fine, but upon reconsideration, he provided a clear answer. The phrase "whatever" is often the hardest, and he didn’t want to seem difficult.

"Oh, then... two of these, please..."

Yatsugaya Miko subtly relaxed a bit, extending her slender index finger to point at the first signature item on the menu and looked up at the waiter and said.

"..."

"..."

"...Alright, please wait a moment."

The waiter obviously hesitated for a moment, opened his mouth, and reflexively glanced at the empty seat opposite but still adhered to the rule of maintaining service standards regardless of what peculiar things a customer might say. Ultimately, he nodded with a usual smile, though his gaze at the girl grew somewhat odd.

Yatsugaya Miko suddenly remembered that typically people couldn’t see the person opposite—

Just like the masses who can’t see those invisible evil spirits... Even just days ago, she was one of them.

No wonder his expression seemed curious upon hearing her invitation... The girl with long black hair suddenly felt embarrassed, as she subtly lowered her head, her cheeks and earlobes reddening. Would people in the café think she’s mentally ill?

Talking to the air...

Ordering two coffees earnestly...

—from an outsider’s perspective, sitting at a clearly solo table, such behavior might be quite conspicuous?

But her mind was still chaotic, the silence already broken.

"Do you want to say something?"

Gu Mo asked with playful curiosity, although considerate, he’s not above indulging in some mischief. Despite the unawareness of this subplot’s theme or "plot," he can grasp key points.

With the Power of the Time Gem, he has seen many instances of Yatsugaya Miko being scared.

Like holding a comic book, except the comic narrates the girl’s original fate and life... Quite intriguing, all her embarrassed, frightened, or otherwise less composed expressions seem much more entertaining than the usual calm standard JK demeanor.

Or perhaps... quite adorable?

The girl with long black hair was unwittingly unaware of the playful nature opposite her, nor did she realize the person knew her even better than herself. She only pursed her lips, paused before saying, "I... I... I came here today to thank you, truly grateful."

"It was nothing, no need to be polite. I just happened to be there..."

Gu Mo casually replied, boldly acknowledging it. He knew the girl’s words carried some tentative uncertainty, but claiming it was indeed his contribution, acknowledging it was guilt-free since he did help her a lot.

So it really was him...

Confirmed, Yatsugaya Miko’s heart immediately relaxed, showing that he truly bore no malice and wasn’t an evil spirit.

"No matter what, thank you. You truly helped a lot..." She thanked again, this time sincerely, deeply grateful. "And I, I still don’t know how to repay you, really embarrassed..."

"What’s there to be embarrassed about?"

The young man opposite showed a gentle smile, his gaze holding a peculiar significance, tone playful yet inexplicably: "Besides, for repayment, you already mentioned terms before, didn’t you? I think those were quite good, sincere."

"..."

"..."

The terms already mentioned... and sincere?

Understandably, the girl with long black hair had trouble grasping immediately, but soon she remembered, and the whole person felt a bit uncomfortable, those previous dialogues seemed fresh, akin to ringing in her ears—

"Anything you want is okay"...

"Willing to pay any price"...

At the moment she recalled this, she opened her mouth and instantly became unsettled. It was a complete misunderstanding on my part at that time. Due to my subconscious preconceived notions, I assumed that the entity that only I could see was on par with those evil spirits, and I was unfortunate enough to reveal myself.

I even interpreted that final meaningful smile of his as some kind of bloodlust, convinced that I couldn’t escape this predicament, fearing that going home wouldn’t offer protection and might even endanger my family. That’s why I recklessly walked towards my own doom...

I only hoped that my death could end everything, and at the very least, not implicate my friends or family.

It was a complete misunderstanding at that time, thinking like that... But now, it seems that misunderstanding has been cleared up. The other party doesn’t seem to be an evil spirit nor harbor any malice against me. This situation is quite awkward, and she lowered her head, staring at the menu on the table, her face flushing red.

This, this must be a joke, right...

The other person shouldn’t be serious, right? Or is it truly because I foolishly went over and signed a pact of enslavement with them, that’s why they started meddling in my affairs, offering assistance...?

A teenager’s heart is always complicated.

In that instant, Yatsugaya Miko thought of a myriad of things.

"Mikko..."

And at that moment, the other party gently called her name, causing her body to involuntarily shiver slightly, her heartbeat pounding as if it were in her throat.

"You..."

"Have you ever considered becoming a shrine maiden?"

Gu Mo scrutinized the black-haired girl across the table, increasingly sensing that she was an unpolished gem, an apt talent destined for this calling, even her name was "Mikko"! This was like a divine fate, indicating that she was naturally meant for this line of work.

Yes, yes, it certainly was destiny’s doing, definitely not because he was a shrine maiden enthusiast or anything.

"Shrine, shrine maiden..."

Yatsugaya Miko was taken aback for a moment. She was actually scared that the other person would just continue on the previous topic, demanding a satisfactory recompense... But unexpectedly, he raised such an inexplicable question, which also significantly relieved her.

Not harping on the earlier incident, it truly seems like merely a joke, right?

Perhaps he just saw how tense and restrained I was, so he used such a joke to maybe ease my mood?

But was the other person someone from the shrine? Hmm, thinking about it now, it does seem logical; if evil spirits exist, then those temples, shrines, and such must have something real, right? It’s quite likely that people associated with this world come from such backgrounds?

Her thoughts were still somewhat jumbled, and trying to conceal it, she let her gaze wander elsewhere, avoiding eye contact, while using a somewhat uncertain tone to answer, "I, I’ve thought about it before, but..."

"It’s good that you’ve thought about it. I happen to have an open position right now. Are you interested?"

Before she could articulate further, the young man with the black hair and white outfit immediately shifted to a "you’re really lucky" expression, decisively replacing it with a friendly smile, and his tone switched to recruitment mode: "Our shrine has always offered excellent benefits, respecting the clergy, with work hours that can be freely arranged every day..."

"There are no rules, the workload is light, and there’s no KPI performance assessment..."

"And after work, we don’t interfere with personal life. There’s a share of the incense money, and the internship period only needs to be completed in two years to become permanent..."

"..."

"..."

He just rambled on like this, his speech filled with allure, causing the high school girl across from him to appear utterly bewildered, with a face full of confusion, and strangely, she inexplicably felt a stirring deep within her heart.

Flexible working hours, no KPI performance assessments, and after the internship, the Abbot personally teaches the Seventy-Two Techniques... Ahem, I mean, the Lord God personally teaches spells.

This really sounds quite appealing, providing exceptionally good working conditions.

Although there was an underlying sense that something wasn’t quite right, a sense of discord, Yatsugaya Miko absentmindedly, yet earnestly, started to ponder along this line of thought, considering whether or not to accept the other person’s invitation. If she were truly planning to become a shrine maiden someday, this seemed like a special offer opportunity.

"Well, I, I..."

Somewhat struggling to organize her words, the girl reluctantly prepared to refuse.

She was genuinely tempted, why did the other person’s words sound so alluring?

It was like painting a beautiful picture of the future, making her almost reluctant to pass up this opportunity.

But she remained aware of her current status as a student, and upon glancing out at the Strategy Room headquarters building, she subconsciously thought that since there was a powerful organization against evil spirits in this world, perhaps she didn’t need to be so pessimistic.

Maybe if she sought their help, there might be a chance to regain a normal life?

In that case, she wouldn’t need to think about becoming a shrine maiden in the future.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t really feasible. Gu Mo had seen her future, knew her prayers, and initially tried to seal away the girl’s spiritual vision by force, even attempting to use the power of lies to transfer the ability onto himself.

But it unexpectedly failed...

It was during that action that he realized Yatsugaya Miko’s role in the current scenario was practically like a singularity in the world.

Very unusual.

Thus, her wish to become a normal person was unlikely to happen...

"Don’t rush to decline, perhaps you could enter the trial period first?" Gu Mo lightly waved his hand, unfazed by her rejection. "This is a mutual assessment trial period; not only am I trying you out, but you can also try the conditions I’m offering..."

"Or maybe they’ll come in handy soon?"

He pointed out the window. "Your little brother seems to be in a bit of trouble..."