After finishing the sweets, Hiru's mood—trampled into the ground over the course of the night—gradually recovered, and he finally began thinking seriously about how to proceed.
I'll stick to the original plan and go straight there. If I spend ages scheming only to find out he's just some small-time nobody, that'd be humiliating.
"Young lady."
Hiru looked up at the sweets shop owner, who was approaching with another plate of wagashi. He glanced around, then looked back. "Is something the matter?"
"Hehe, when you get old, you can't help but meddle," the owner said as he set the wagashi down in front of Hiru. "I saw you sitting here looking so worried for quite a while, so I thought I'd ask. What's troubling you?"
After a brief pause, Hiru lowered his gaze. "…It's not something you can help with."
"Oh my, how would an old man know if you don't tell me?" The owner's voice softened as he looked at the girl's tightly pressed lips. "I've lived longer than you, seen more things. Maybe I really can help."
"…It's like this. A friend of mine got engaged," Hiru said quietly. "But the family she's marrying into has a terrible reputation. There were even rumors they beat a maid to death… My friend doesn't want to marry into that household, but… no one supports her."
"Oh dear, oh dear, what a poor child…" The owner looked at Hiru with deep sympathy. "Has your friend never thought of resisting?"
"The engagement was arranged by the elders. How could she go against them?" Hiru said. "I'm really worried about what her life will be like afterward…"
"What kind of age are we living in, that parents can be so heartless to their own child?" The owner slammed the table angrily. "Don't be afraid, young lady! If you're truly scared, just hide here with me. I'll stand in their way for you!"
"Boss, I'm not talking about myself. I mean my friend—you've misunderstood."
"Alright, alright, not you, not you," the shop owner waved his hand. "But then, young lady, haven't you thought of a way to help your friend?"
"What could I do? No matter what, I can't oppose the family…" Hiru hesitated, then shook his head. "Sorry, I've said too much. Please just pretend you didn't hear anything."
"…What a sin, truly…" The owner sighed. "Oh, right. Young lady, if you really want to help your—no, help your friend, you could go take a look at the Eternal Paradise Faith."
"The Eternal… Paradise Faith?"
"Yes, yes. Our leader is a very good person. He founded the Eternal Paradise Faith from the very beginning to save poor souls like us…"
What an unexpected gain… As the owner spoke, a faint, hidden smile curved at the corner of Hiru's lips before quickly disappearing as he continued the act. "Then… where is this Eternal Paradise Faith? How… how would my friend join?"
"Just follow this road into the mountains and keep heading upward. The Eternal Paradise Faith is halfway up the mountain. The believers have cleared the path along the way—it's easy to walk."
"Thank you so much," Hiru said, pressing his palms together in earnest gratitude. "I'll go pray on my friend's behalf right away."
After taking the payment, the owner watched Hiru leave. Only when that figure dwindled into a tiny speck did he press his palms together against his forehead.
"Ah… Cult Leader, please guide this child. Bless her with a good outcome…"
...
Hiru had imagined many different ways to infiltrate, but never expected that simply acting a little pitiful would get him accepted by the Eternal Paradise Faith's believers and led straight inside the organization.
This is… unexpectedly easy, Hiru thought as he followed the female believer guiding him. I can't tell whether my acting is just that good, or if they're simply too easy to fool.
"Don't be nervous," the woman said gently. "Our Cult Leader is a very kind person."
Your Cult Leader might not even be human, Hiru thought.
He lifted his head and looked at her. "Could you tell me about the Cult Leader and the Eternal Paradise Faith?"
"Of course," the believer said with a soft smile. "Our Cult Leader is extremely gentle. His hair is the color of white oak, his eyes like rainbows. He listens carefully to your suffering and will even weep for you. He is selfless and loving, and he can communicate with the gods, conveying their teachings to the world. He is a truly, truly great person."
"And what about the Eternal Paradise Faith?"
Hiru asked.
"Why that name?"
"Our doctrine is to save all beings sinking in the sea of suffering and guide them to eternal bliss. Because those most often harmed are women and children, the faith gradually became a sanctuary for them—but in truth, we also protect the elderly and men.
"And honestly," the believer continued, pressing her palms together at her forehead with a devout expression, "I was someone personally saved by the Cult Leader. My family always favored sons over daughters. I had to do the most work, eat the least food, and was sometimes beaten and scolded by my brothers…
"So I ran away and came to the Eternal Paradise Faith. The Cult Leader heard my prayers. That holy figure knelt halfway before me, held my hand, and spoke so gently: 'You don't need to be afraid anymore. I have seen your suffering, and I will save you.'
"At that moment, I felt that even dying right then would have been worth it—because someone had finally heard my voice and was willing to grant my wish. After that, I stayed in the faith and served the Cult Leader…"
"In that case, the Cult Leader really is a good person," Hiru said softly, mimicking the believer as he pressed his palms together, looking even more devout than she did. "To listen to every believer's wish and help them… he truly sounds gentle. I really hope I can meet him soon…"
"Yes," the believer agreed. "Though I didn't expect Keiko to give up her chance to meet the Cult Leader for you."
"So it's not easy for believers to see the Cult Leader?" Hiru asked.
"Of course not. The Cult Leader is very busy. Aside from the weekly grand service, ordinary believers have to wait a long time to meet him privately."
"Privately?"
"Yes. At that time, the Cult Leader guides our souls to eternal bliss," the believer said, her expression tinged with fervor. "It's the highest honor—"
Hiru tilted his head slightly. "Then… will I be guided to eternal bliss this time as well?"
"That depends entirely on the Cult Leader's decision. How could we possibly guess the thoughts of the Divine Child?" The believer shook her head and stopped walking. "This is as far as I can go. Beyond this door is another one—behind it is where the Cult Leader resides. I don't have permission, so you'll have to go in alone."
"Alright. Please help me pass along my thanks to Sister Keiko."
"I will," the believer said with a faint smile. "Be sure to cherish this opportunity to meet the Cult Leader."
"Yes," Hiru replied brightly.
Watching the believer leave, his smile never changed as he reached out and pulled the door open.
"I'll cherish it well."