Chapter 4

## Ignorance is Bliss

* Textless
* Volume
* Magazine

## Chapter Chronology

**"Ignorance is Bliss"** (知らぬが仏, *Shiranu ga hotoke*) serves as the fourth chapter in the *Gokurakugai* manga series, a work written and illustrated by Yuto Sano. It is also featured as the first chapter within the second volume of the series.

## Summary

In this chapter, Alma encounters a man at Meito Shrine who seems lost and emotional. Alma shares a snack with him and offers a tissue pack with the agency's contact information. The man introduces himself as Yoru.

Alma returns to the agency and tells Tao about meeting Yoru. They watch TV together and discuss their encounter with Yoru. Tao advises caution in giving out tissue packs without knowing names.

Meanwhile, Yoru meets a man named Yomi at the shrine. They talk about Alma, and Yomi reveals he has been observing Alma since birth and intends to take him in as a friend. Yomi believes Alma will eventually become a part of someone's daily life.

Their conversation is interrupted by two drunk women who invite Yoru and Yomi to join them at a bar. Yoru suddenly strangles one of the women with an unseen force. Yomi is intrigued by Yoru's actions and the transformation of the strangled woman into a Maga.

## Plot Details

Alma encountered an unfamiliar man at the entrance of Meito Shrine. The man seemed flustered when asked about his identity. He explained that he had been casually exploring and had unintentionally ended up at the Shrine. He went on to share his reasons for being there, clearly anxious about the situation.

Alma proceeded to assess the situation by observing the man's behavior and went on sniffing him, which indicated to Alma that the man was telling the truth despite the man appearing suspicious, while he was in tears. Alma comforted him and pointed out that he should stop crying, considering his age of 21, which was older than Yaya. Alma then offered the man a tissue pack containing the agency's contact information. This gesture served as an assurance that the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter Agency was available to assist him if he ever faced any problems.

Curious about the man's distress, Alma inquired about the reason behind his tears. The man revealed that Alma had startled him by unexpectedly addressing him while he was observing Alma's snacks in his left hand. This comment led Alma to playfully call him crafty. Contemplating whether to share his snacks, Alma wondered how Tao would handle the situation. Ultimately, Alma decided to share at least one snack, checking if the man had a preference for sweets despite being an adult. When the man expressed his liking for sweets, Alma offered him one, even though it caused Alma some emotional distress.

With that, Alma bid farewell to the man, mentioning that he had plans to watch a show by 9 pm. Before leaving the man near the shrine, Alma advised him to sit down while eating due to his apparent clumsiness. Alma also reminded the man not to get lost again, although the man clarified that he wasn't lost to begin with.

Alma had recently arrived at the agency, although he had missed the show he had been looking forward to due to arriving after nine. He informed Tao about encountering an unfamiliar man at the shrine, whom he believed wasn't from their usual circle. He described the man as lost, easily emotional, and hungry. Alma shared a taiyaki with him, then sought a compliment from Tao. Tao initiated a conversation with the man, while Alma focused on getting the remote control.

Meanwhile, the man Alma had met earlier was sitting down to eat the taiyaki when another person named Yomi approached him, addressing him as Yoru. Yoru invited Yomi to sit beside him, and Yomi asked about the source of his food. Yoru revealed that he hadn't learned the giver's name, but he described Alma – a taller guy with red hair – and showed the tissue pack Alma had given him.

Yomi remarked that Alma was their "score" and inquired about Yoru's impression of him. Yoru found Alma a bit intimidating but not necessarily a bad person. Yomi asked if Yoru could imagine being friends with Alma, to which Yoru expressed uncertainty. Yomi asserted that they would indeed become friends as they were both good individuals, leaving Yoru puzzled since he hadn't yet met Alma.

Yomi disclosed that he had been observing Alma since birth. He mentioned Alma having turned him down before, but he conveyed his intention to take Alma in when they next met. Yomi emphasized his readiness to meet Alma at any time, even immediately. He mused on people's vulnerability when their familiar routines are disrupted, referencing the sudden disappearance of favorite shops, loss of possessions, or relationships changing. Yomi believed that Alma would persist until someone became an integral part of his daily life.

During their discussion about Alma, Yomi suggested that Yoru should engage with Alma if they were to cross paths again, an idea to which Yoru responded enthusiastically. However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of two inebriated women. These women inquired if Yoru and Yomi were available and expressed an interest in finding another bar to visit, extending an invitation for Yoru and Yomi to join them. The conversation with the drunk women was cut short as one of them experienced a sudden tightening sensation around their necks, even though no physical contact was apparent. Yoru was responsible for this, using some form of unseen strangulation.

Amidst the chaos, Yoru forcefully strangled the dark-haired woman, causing her to gasp for air while her friend succumbed to the strangulation and perished. Yomi, having arrived at Yoru's side, acknowledged that he hadn't anticipated witnessing this side of Yoru but found both facets of his personality captivating. Yoru retrieved a capsule, holding it in his right hand, and attempted to open the mouth of the strangled woman using his left hand. His intention was to make her swallow the capsule, which he accomplished before closing her mouth to prevent her from regurgitating it. Shortly after consuming the unidentified capsule, the woman's body underwent a transformation, resembling that of a creature known as a Maga. She struggled to breathe, her form distorted and her breathing labored.

In the aftermath of this unexpected event, Yomi commented that the women in question were far from suitable pawns, describing them as ineffectual and unremarkable. Yoru's actions toward the dark-haired woman illustrated his lack of compassion. Yoru then switched to an informal tone, asking Yomi if they were a family in which Yomi confirmed this, and Yoru responded with an unsettling smile, exclaiming that it was great.

Alma informed Tao that he had given one of their tissue packs to the man they had encountered, suggesting that it could serve as a way to reconnect if any situations arose. He proudly displayed the free taiyaki sandwich he had received and even included a non-sweet taiyaki for Tao, considering her preferences. However, Tao had already consumed sushi, was currently on her smoking break, and enjoying a cup of black coffee. Alma remained undeterred, stating that he understood their eating habits might differ, but he believed Tao had a robust palate influenced by nicotine, allowing her to mix flavors without issue. Tao silently acknowledged this point.

Alma also boasted about particular foods that Tao disliked, which Tatsuomi appeared to be unaware of. Tao brushed off this comment and instead advised Alma that distributing their tissue packs should be done with restraint, especially when dealing with individuals of questionable intentions. Tao emphasized the importance of first obtaining names from such individuals. Alma concurred with this perspective.

Subsequently, the two of them savored the taiyaki that Tao had acquired while watching television shows together.

## Quick References

### Chapter Notes

* Alma encounters a mysterious man at Meito Shrine who appears anxious and lost. Despite initial suspicion, Alma assesses the man's sincerity and offers him a tissue pack with the agency's contact information.
	+ Alma learns that the man is emotional, hungry, and easily startled. He shares a taiyaki snack with him and advises him to sit while eating.
	+ Back at the agency, Alma shares his encounter with Tao and introduces the man as Yoru. They engage in a casual conversation.
* Yoru meets another individual named Yomi, and they discuss Alma, with Yomi expressing a strong desire to meet him.
	+ Yoru displays a dark and violent side when he unexpectedly strangles a woman, causing her transformation into a Maga creature.
	+ Yoru and Yomi's relationship takes an eerie turn as they discuss their connection and reveal themselves as a family.

### Characters in Order of Appearance

**Yoru**Debut
**Alma**
**Tao**
**Yomi**Debut
**Drunk Girl 1**Debut
**Drunk Girl 2**Debut
**Tatsuomi**Mentioned