So it was better not to indulge in unrealistic fantasies.
Following Hojo Maki and Kondo Kiyoshi forward, Morikawa Yu stepped into the main hall grounds and spotted several shrine maidens dressed in chihaya robes.
Some were kneeling in prayer, while others were huddled together, whispering among themselves.
When they noticed the three approaching, curious glances immediately turned their way.
"They're the official shrine maidens here. Probably discussing tomorrow's festival rituals," Kondo Kiyoshi explained casually.
"Though honestly, I don't know much. All of this was supposed to be what my little sister studied."
As he said this, he nudged Morikawa Yu with his elbow, his eyes carrying a knowing look.
"Morikawa-kun, I really do like you. Sure, you've got… a little problem clinging to you right now, but my aunt can definitely fix that. And if you ever date my sister, I'll put in a good word with the family— Ow, ow, ow!"
"Enough nonsense!"
Hojo Maki pulled her fist back, glaring.
She grabbed Morikawa Yu's arm and picked up her pace.
Past the main hall lay a spacious courtyard, flanked on all sides by towering shrine buildings.
Without stopping, Hojo Maki headed straight toward one brightly lit pavilion.
The closer they got, the clearer it became—music was drifting faintly from within, soft at first, then distinct.
"Ran! Get out here!" Hojo Maki barked, her voice sharp.
Morikawa Yu and Kondo Kiyoshi trailed behind.
But the Kagura Hall remained silent.
Maki snorted coldly and dragged Morikawa Yu through the entrance.
The brightly lit interior… was completely empty.
As Morikawa Yu frowned, puzzled by the scene, a sharp, clear voice suddenly rang out beside their ears.
"Monster!"
A girl stepped from the side hall—white robes, scarlet chihaya draped over her shoulders, a golden mae-kanmuri crown on her head.
She strained to draw a long curved bow, the string taut, arrowhead leveled straight at them.
Before she could speak further, Hojo Maki glared daggers at her.
"Ran, what the hell is wrong with you!?"
"Exactly, Auntie—put the bow down! That's dangerous!" Kondo Kiyoshi flailed his hands.
Morikawa Yu's gaze fixed on the bow aimed at them. His back tensed instinctively.
So this was the so-called goshinshiko of Asada Shrine that Maki-sensei mentioned?
Why did she look… a little unhinged?
"No! There must be a monster right beside you—I have to protect myself!" Kondo Ran shook her head firmly.
"If you're protecting yourself, why are you aiming a bow at us?"
"You planning to kill us instead?"
"Eh?"
She froze—and in that instant, her fingers slipped.
The arrow shot loose.
It whistled past in a blink. Morikawa Yu twisted his body aside, and the shaft buried itself in the wooden pillar behind him with a vibrating thrum.
His face drained pale. He didn't even want to imagine what would've happened if it had struck.
System or no, his body wasn't digitized. Flesh was still flesh. One misstep, and he'd be lying here with an arrow through his skull.
"S-sorry! I lost my strength!"
Kondo Ran's face went equally pale. The bow clattered from her hands as she stumbled back a few steps, frightened of her own mistake.
Morikawa Yu exhaled slowly, disappointment creeping in.
He'd come here with Hojo Maki seeking help—only to almost be killed by a scatterbrained shrine maiden.
This was starting to feel pointless.
"Sensei… can I just go home?" he asked quietly, refusing to look at the flustered Ran any longer.
Hojo Maki hesitated.
"Don't rush, Morikawa. I'll get revenge for you."
She strode up, seized Ran's cheeks in both hands, and yanked.
"Ran! You jealous I've got such a good student, so you tried to kill him!?"
"Mmfhh—i-it's not like that—j-just my hands slipped—!"
Ran mumbled incoherently, wriggling against the grip.
"Don't even try! I know what you were thinking!"
Maki released her with a sharp huff.
"Enough. Quit playing dumb and start the purification ritual."
"O-okay… please wait a moment."
She spun around, then glanced back nervously when Maki took a threatening step closer—her hands flew quicker, gathering scattered ofuda talismans and a gohei wand from the side hall.
"See? All ready to go! It won't take a moment!"
"Good. Then I'll trouble the honored goshinshiko to exorcise for us."
Forcing down his irritation, Morikawa Yu gave her a polite smile.
"R-right!"
She immediately turned her face aside, almost too shy to meet his eyes, and flung the gohei in his direction.
Morikawa Yu sneered inwardly.
Maki-sensei might have called her here to "purify" him—but he knew full well there was nothing to exorcise.
Let's see how this unreliable girl handles purging a monster that doesn't exist.
Ran must have realized her own performance earlier was pathetic. She waved the gohei with all her strength, her expression deadly serious.
From Yu's perspective, a faint golden light began radiating from her body, wrapping her form before flowing outward and spilling across him.
So this so-called shrine maiden… really did possess some extraordinary power.
But Hojo Maki and Kondo Kiyoshi clearly couldn't see it. Maki even sounded annoyed.
"Ran, did the ritual even start?"
"It's started! It's started!" Ran hurriedly replied, the golden glow intensifying around her.
Yet as time passed, her face grew increasingly grim.
"What's wrong, Ran? Is the monster too strong to handle?"
"No… I can't find its presence."
"How is that possible?"
Maki's eyes narrowed.
"I really can't sense it," Ran admitted helplessly.
Of course you can't.
Yu almost laughed aloud.
Because there's nothing there to find.
"Search again," Maki ordered with a frown.
Ran bit her lip, swung the gohei again.
Minutes dragged on. Her shoulders sagged, her face fell into despair.
"No use… I still can't locate it. If you hadn't been so certain he was possessed, I wouldn't even believe such a monster could hide its aura this perfectly. It's… impossible to track."
Impossible?
Yes, Yu thought, almost smirking.Utterly impossible—because it doesn't exist.
"So… forgive me. I'm powerless."
Ran stepped back two paces, turning to leave.
But Maki seized her arm.
"Powerless? Or just chickening out again!?"
"Cowardly? How could the duty of a goshinshiko be cowardice?"
Ran snapped back, flustered.
"It's called knowing my limits—knowing my limits!"
"Knowing your limits? Ha! You're just a disgrace of a shrine maiden—trying to make me lose face in front of my student, aren't you!?"
Maki's teeth clenched, fury blazing in her eyes as she twisted Ran's ear, shaking her head in anger.
Ran winced in pain, face pale, but still refused to back down.
"Spare me, Maki! Anyone can tell—if it hides this well, it's definitely a great monster! How could a mere shrine maiden like me handle it? You know that, don't you? You must know! If it weren't for Kaori still in school, refusing to inherit the shrine, do you think Mother would ever have made me the goshinshiko? Please, let me go!"
Maki's face faltered.
But she didn't let go.
"No! Morikawa is my best student. You have to help. I won't let him be tormented by some monster!"