If he had his own Shrine, he wouldn't want to spend the night in a rundown temple!

In short, it's a story full of bitterness and tears, the kind that makes listeners and viewers alike cry.

Listening to this sad story and seeing Yato reminisce about the past, Ichijima Hiyori couldn't help but twitch her mouth: "So, so tragic... Is the world of the Gods really this cruel? The competition is extraordinarily fierce..."

"You definitely wouldn't understand, the pressure in our line of work is too great..."

Yato said with a face full of desolation, wearing an expression like 'you just don't get it'.

"After all, compared to you humans, we are the ones who really live from hand to mouth. If no one makes a bond with us, if no one remembers our names, we will soon disappear..."

"Is... is that so..." Ichijima Hiyori put her hands together in front of her apologetically, sincerely apologizing, "I really didn't know, I'm sorry for making you recall unpleasant things..."

She truly didn't realize the Gods' job market had deteriorated to this extent, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt arise within her.

Seeing Yato looking so disinterested, Ichijima Hiyori anxiously looked around, and then, not knowing what she thought of, awkwardly changed the subject: "How about this? I'll treat you to something to eat as my way of apologizing..."

"Really?! You're treating me to food?!"

Yato immediately shed his gloomy demeanor, and his eyes began to sparkle, as if the sadness and helplessness he had just shown had been left behind in an instant, leaving only the anticipation of a grand meal.

The rapid shift in mood was so sudden and abrupt that it left the girl bewildered, and she nodded almost instinctively.

Having confirmed this, Yato excitedly clenched his fists and waved them: "Of course, I'm going! Since you're offering this meal to a God like me, I'll reluctantly give you some face! Are we going right now? Lead the way, lead the way!"

"..."

"..."

Ichijima Hiyori opened her mouth, watching Yato suddenly become full of himself and pompous, and ultimately sighed, deciding not to explain that it wasn't an offering, and she wasn't actually his follower... For now, just let it be, make him happy.

Even though his quick change in attitude left her feeling like his earlier words were just to gain sympathy, and she felt slightly duped, she considered her Constitution issue that needed his help... Treating him to a meal was no big deal.

"By the way, that... Fei? She's not coming?"

She looked around but didn't see the peculiar girl with the Celestial Crown that she'd noticed earlier. Thinking back, she realized she'd gotten up early today, since it was a rest day without school, so she came directly to find Yato.

It seemed she hadn't seen that Kimono-wearing girl named Fei since then.

"Fei... don't worry about her, she's got some business right now and won't be back for a while..."

Yato raised his eyebrows slightly, his gaze turning slightly subtle, but he still acted as if nothing had happened as he said this.

Fei had seemed quite busy these past few days, today being no different. She left early, only informing him that she wouldn't wander too far and would notice if Visakha came close to this land, promising to rush over in time and telling him not to worry...

—But Yato's concerns lay elsewhere entirely.

Fei was his father's Divine Artifact and also his, but ultimately, she was still his father's. She might have many masters, with various names inscribed on her, but she was truly loyal only to his father... So when she's not with him, she's usually reporting back to his father, or running around due to some task assigned by him.

Fei's activities in the past few days had subtly revealed one thing to Yato—that his father was likely in this city or somewhere nearby on this land.

And he was probably scheming something, centered around this city—after all, Yato knew that ruthless man all too well, being his son.

Yet there was nothing Yato could do about it, so he could only bury his head in the sand, pretending not to see it, as long as his father didn't come for him, he acted like he knew nothing... Perhaps that's really cowardly, he thought with a self-deprecating smile, but that's how it was.

It's tough to muster the courage to confront the authority figures in one's heart, at least for Yato right now, despite his aversion, rejection, and rebellion, he wasn't prepared... Like going independent, setting up on his own, or severing the father-son relationship with that man.

"Oh, did you send her to do something?" Ichijima Hiyori didn't think too much of it, she just nodded slightly regretfully.

"Sort of... Anyway, let's go eat now, no need to say more." Yato vaguely glossed over it, while constantly urging the girl to change the topic.

"Alright then, follow me. I remember there's a place nearby that isn't too bad. I've been there a few times with friends... Let's head there."

Ichijima Hiyori waved her hand, turned around, and began leading the way towards the alley exit, gesturing for Yato to follow.

"By the way, speaking of which... Yato, how old are you now?" The girl asked curiously while walking. Yato's earlier words made her think of this, so she couldn't help but ask.

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