Monday, November 20th.
As the weather grew colder, the air conditioning on the Shinkansen had already begun shifting toward heating.
"Hey, Miku, isn't it about ti you let go of ?"
In the passenger seat, a green haired girl protested in dissatisfaction.
"Oh my, we haven't reached Izu yet, Natsumi-san."
The bluish purple haired girl hugged the green haired girl while rubbing her cheek against her.
"So I'm going to be hugged all the way until we arrive?"
The green-haired girl—Natsumi—complained to the girl holding her in her arms—Miku.
"Mm, of course!"
"I want to go ho…"
Hearing Miku's overly matter of fact tone, Natsumi wore an expression like she was about to cry.
The two of them were currently on the Shinkansen bound for Izu. As for the reason—Miku was going to Izu to film the music video for her new album, as well as hold a concert to promote it.
Before departing, the girl had said that she would feel lonely without cute girls or Darling accompanying her, and hoped soone could co with her to Izu. Considering that the poor idol would also be heading to Kansai in early December, aning she would be unable to see everyone for quite so ti, Kotori thought it over and decided this mission could only fall to Natsumi.
As for the reason:
Shido and Mikoto were out , and Miku was especially fond of Natsumi.
Kotori have both school and Ratatoskr's work, and Miku was especially fond of Natsumi.
The other Spirits still had school, and Miku was especially fond of Natsumi.
Yoshino's personality was not suited for traveling, and Miku was especially fond of Natsumi.
(TL: and I was especially fond of Natsumi too)
In conclusion, Natsumi beca Miku's hugging pillow and boarded the Shinkansen to Izu.
"I want… to go ho…"
After who knew how long, little Natsumi, who had been hugged, nuzzled, and kissed by the idol, finally had spiral eyes. Her head tilted to the side, a milky white ghost drifted out of her mouth, and she passed out.
"Dear passengers, we have arrived at our final stop—Izu…"
Along with the arrival announcent, the Shinkansen doors slowly opened. The passengers stepped off the train one after another, beginning their journeys in Izu.
"Mm, that was a comfortable trip."
Just like a celebrity on TV, Miku wore sunglasses and stretched happily. Beside her, poor Natsumi was draped over the suitcase, colored in shades of gray and white.
"Well then, let's go."
Miku happily said to Natsumi, while the latter reluctantly dragged out a long groan and barely managed to pull herself together.
"Shido, over here!"
"Wait for , Yakumo-senpai."
At that mont, a familiar conversation reached their ears. The two turned around and saw Mikoto energetically waving her arm, along with Shido, who could not move very quickly because he was dragging a suitcase. (TL:They on a honeymoon trip or sothing lol~)
"Shido! Mikoto!"
Natsumi shouted toward them.
"Huh… Natsumi?"
"And Miku?"
Mikoto and Shido also noticed the two of them and imdiately wore surprised expressions.
____________
Five minutes later…
In the special car that had co to pick up Miku, the idol and Natsumi heard the circumstances from Mikoto. Three days ago, Matsuto, the chief of the Tengu City police, had co to Mikoto, hoping she could help out a friend of his.
"Yuko-san, the head priestess of Hie Shrine, and her daughter passed away the week before last, leaving her husband, Doma-san, to manage the shrine alone."
Although he had married into Yuko's family, Doma's main profession was not that of a shrine priest, but a detective. After losing the person at the center of everything, the shrine's managent fell into difficulty. Because of this, Chief Matsuto, who had been Doma's old classmate, hoped Mikoto could go to Hie Shrine and help Doma get the shrine's operations back on track.
"There's no need to do anything special. I just need to help Doma-san maintain the shrine's operation until a new head priest arrives, and teach him the necessary knowledge for running a shrine."
Mikoto said in conclusion.
As for Shido, Kotori, who was worried about Mikoto going to Izu alone, simply asked for leave on Shido's behalf too. In fact, if not for the fact that everyone else still had school, and having everyone take leave together would be far too exaggerated, the whole group might have co here.
"When Kotori-san said Darling and Mikoto-san had gone out together, I didn't expect the destination to be Izu too. Ahh, this must be a destined encounter."
Miku made no attempt to hide her happy smile.
"Hah…"
Natsumi also quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Having to accompany Miku alone felt like a very dangerous thing.
"Mm, it really is quite the coincidence."
Mikoto also seed very happy to encounter Miku and Natsumi in a place away from ho.
"Yeah, it's really great to see Miku and Natsumi."
Shido nodded as well.
Half an hour later, the car dropped Mikoto and Shido off in front of Hie Shrine, then drove away.
"Hello, I am the shrine maiden introduced by Chief Matsuto. My na is Yakumo Mikoto."
After entering the shrine, Mikoto introduced herself to the man sitting in the shrine office.
"Ah, welco, Yakumo-san. And this gentleman is?"
The man looked to be in his thirties. He was thin, with short hair, sparse stubble, and a cigarette in his mouth. He seed sowhat worn down, yet there was also a certain strong will in his eyes.
"Hello, I'm Itsuka Shido, Yakumo-senpai's friend."
Shido introduced himself.
"Yakumo-san, Itsuka-san, nice to et you. I'm Ono Doma. Just call Doma." (TL:First ti in a while translating a na that isn't a canon na so I might be wrong, last ti I did this was Ryougi Yutsuki and Tsukino Yumi lol~)
The man took a drag from his cigarette, then continued:
"As you can see, I'm a detective, not a priest. I'm a complete amateur when it cos to managing a shrine. Until the new head priest arrives, please allow to learn from you, Yakumo-san."
"Mm, please leave it to ."
Mikoto nodded, then smiled and said:
"Then first of all, Doma-san—smoking is prohibited inside the shrine."
"Uh…"
Hearing Mikoto's words, Doma froze for a mont. Then he smiled wryly, put out the cigarette in his hand, and said:
"Then I'll show you around the place."
Doma took the two of them around the shrine. Afterward, the three went to Doma's ho.
The room, which should once have been filled with the atmosphere of daily life, now felt lifeless. In the living room, black and white portraits spoke to those who ca there of the misfortune that had occurred.
"Doma-san's wife and daughter…"
Shido looked at the portraits and said softly.
"Yeah. They passed away."
Doma nodded. He walked forward, picked up his daughter's portrait, and said with a sorrowful expression:
"She left before , her father."
"Was it a car accident?"
Mikoto asked quietly. There was sothing that bothered her. Doma's wife must have passed away very suddenly. Otherwise, she would not have left the shrine's future arrangents unsettled and handed Doma, a complete outsider to the field, such an impossible ss.
"No. They were murdered."
Doma shook his head. Perhaps it was her imagination, but Mikoto felt that his expression was terribly frightening.
"They were killed by a Spirit." (TL: Damn~ I love an original arc~ this is interesting already)
Looking at the two of them, Doma said that.
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