Please to Kitsune-sama!

That day, Inari was walking down the street after leaving Aniki Mart.

"Dependable like your bro, count on Aniki Mart when in need."

Even though the TV commercial sang its praises, Inari hadn't expected it to not sell smartphones.

Now the question was: where could she get one?

She could ask Yasuno, but she couldn’t rely on others forever. Living in the modern world meant she had to figure some things out on her own.

“Still... wandering around without a destination shan’t yield much either, shall it…”

Where could one obtain a smartphone? Racking her knowledge, Inari figured it would be the local electronics shop. But... wasn't it strange that she saw so few stores?

“Mu... There be many a building and mansion, yet no grocer, no fishmonger, no butcher in sight. Nay, not even a rice seller doth appear... How doth folk in this era procure their goods, I wonder...?”

Inari’s understanding of shops was frozen in time—rooted in the old mountain village she once knew, where small stores were scattered like village shrines. The idea of supermarkets or department stores was alien to her. Maybe if she’d seen a commercial about one recently, she’d have caught on—but such ads had become rare.

Thus, even though this was her first shopping trip in modern society, the goal of finding a smartphone was proving unexpectedly high in difficulty. High, yes, but once Inari had resolved to do something, she wouldn’t back down.

“Muuh... This world be far too different from what I once knew... Too different, yet...”

She watched some ongoing construction. Apparently they were building an apartment complex, and though barely begun, a banner already read “All Units Sold.”

“Hmm... Come to think, this be Tokyo, is it not? The famed Tokyo in full bloom, perchance?”

Of course, the reason Tokyo was crowded wasn’t because it was fashionable, but because it had the highest defensive capability. That’s what drew both Awakeners and civilians alike.

“Tokyo... Tokyo, eh... Oh! Now that I recall, there should be a depaato in Tokyo! Surely they shall have what I seek!”

Though, in reality, whether a department store carried smartphones was hit or miss. And she didn’t even know where one was.

“Um, excuse me—you looking for something?”

“Hmm?”

Just as Inari was fired up to search for a department store, a voice called out to her. She turned to see three people—two men and a woman—standing together. Judging by their gear, they were Awakeners, and they wore badges that read “Tokyo Branch – Awakener Association Patrol.”

“Ah, sorry! We’re a patrol unit contracted by the Tokyo Branch. You looked like you might be lost, so we thought to ask.”

“Ohh, that be kind of thee. I thank thee for thy concern.”

When Inari smiled gently, the female Awakener whispered, “So cute…”

“It’s no trouble. Anything we can help with?”

“Ohh, 'tis most welcome! The truth be, I was hoping to find a depaato, thou see.”

“A department store? You look like an Awakener yourself, but what are you trying to buy there?”

“Verily, a sumaatohon. Surely, a depaato would carry all manner of things, aye?”

The three patrol members glanced at one another and started whispering.

“Is she... serious?”

“Don’t think I’ve ever seen smartphones sold at a department store...”

“Maybe, but... doubtful.”

After exchanging looks, the apparent leader cleared his throat.

“Just to confirm—you’re an Awakener, right?”

“Indeed. Here be my card.”

Inari showed them her white Awakener card. The leader nodded, murmuring, “Ah, a beginner.”

That explained the lack of knowledge. Fair enough.

“Awakener gear can’t be sold in department stores. You need a special license to handle it.”

“Ooh, so that be why Aniki Mart lacked such things as well!”

“Eh—uh, yeah.”

Inari’s completely earnest smile made the leader swallow back the words “No one sells smartphones at convenience stores.” It felt like a crime to dim that bright expression.

“So in that case... I think you should try heading to Akihabara.”

“Akihabara, thou say?”

“Yeah. It used to be called an ‘electric town,’ but nowadays it’s known as the ‘Awakener District.’ Tons of specialized gear is sold there, including smartphones made just for Awakeners.”

“Ohh, to think such a place existed! Truly, this encounter hath borne great fruit. Fate be wondrous indeed!”

“If you’re going, take the bus—it’s quicker. The stop right over there will take you to Akihabara.”

“Ohh, I be deeply in thy debt. Truly, I thank thee!”

Inari bowed and dashed off in the direction of the bus stop. Watching her go, the leader muttered.

“...Those ears and tail—gotta be an artifact, right?”

“Probably. Maybe she’s actually some noble’s daughter?”

“She was unbelievably cute. Man, I should’ve asked to touch her ears…”

Apparently, to some, Inari looked like an innocent rich girl. That impression had played no small part in why the patrol team approached her. But thanks to them, Inari now had a proper lead on her quest to obtain a smartphone.