Chapter 20: Hitomi Hizhao’s Bizarre Adventure

Early morning.

Hitomi saw a warm golden light in her dream.

The light surged from afar, spreading through her consciousness like a tide. Then a voice came from within the glow.

“Go to Hakone Shrine. Find Tsukuyomi’s Divine Child. I have something to say to him.”

Hitomi bowed respectfully in the dream.

“I understand, Amaterasu Omikami. I will follow your will.”

The golden light vanished.

Hitomi woke from the dream. She opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling, and sighed.

“I never thought I’d receive a divine oracle like in the legends.”

Her face was a picture of disbelief.

‘If my parents knew, they’d be so happy…’

She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow.

‘But this is such a hassle…’

Her voice was muffled against the pillow.

After lying there for a while, she sat up and patted her cheeks.

“Don’t say such discouraging things, Hitomi. Carrying out a deity’s will is a miko’s honor.”

She scrambled out of bed, washed up, and changed clothes. She tied her hair up, then let it down, then tied it up again, fussing three times until she was satisfied. Almost forgot her wallet on the way out, so she ran back to grab it.

She jogged all the way to the station, boarded the train, and finally sat down to catch her breath.

‘I feel like I forgot something…’

She slapped her forehead and yelped.

“Oh no.”

A nearby passenger glanced at her.

“I forgot to request leave from the Imperial Household Agency first.”

She sighed and leaned back against the seat.

“Can’t be helped. Amaterasu Omikami’s mission is more important. I’ll just have to sort out the paperwork later.”

She stared at the scenery speeding past the window, her expression a bit downcast.

“Great, just great. My two-year perfect attendance record is going down the drain.”

“But if I hurry, maybe I can get back tonight—one day off shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Her voice trailed off, as if even she couldn’t convince herself.

***

The moment of Amaterasu’s Divine Descent.

When Amaterasu descended into Hitomi’s body, she could feel it.

During the Divine Descent, her consciousness remained clear. She could see everything, hear everything—but her body wouldn’t obey her. It was like riding in a car she couldn’t drive, only able to watch through the window.

Before leaving, Amaterasu left one last sentence.

“You’re Nissho Hitomi, right? Go marry the Divine Child. Report to me anytime if Tsukuyomi tries anything.”

Her tone was light, as casual as saying, “The weather is nice today.”

Then, before Hitomi could respond, the scorching power withdrew from her body.

Hitomi stood there, blinking.

The body was hers again.

***

Hitomi passed through the shrine’s torii gate and confirmed no one behind her could see her.

Her face turned red in an instant.

Starting from her neck, the flush spread all the way to her earlobes. Her entire face was as red as a boiled shrimp.

She covered her face with her hands and let out a wail.

“Amaterasu Omikami—how did this happen?”

Her voice was muffled by her palms.

‘I just came to Hakone for a short trip!’

‘Why do I have to marry a Divine Child I’ve never even met?’

‘Carrying out a deity’s will is a miko’s honor, but this is way too reckless.’

‘Even if I accept the marriage—now everyone knows I’m Amaterasu Omikami’s spy. How am I supposed to get along with them after this?’

The faces of three young women flashed through her mind.

‘These three… they should be easy to get along with, right?’

She wasn’t sure.

It’s over.

Totally over.

And how was she supposed to take leave? If she skipped work, the Imperial Household Agency would have complaints.

Hitomi’s thoughts spiraled into chaos.

She crouched beside the torii gate, buried her face in her knees, and curled into a ball.

Yes, this Nissho Hitomi was essentially a “routine person.”

Do what she’s supposed to do, fulfill her family and divine duties, and enjoy each day happily—that was her life philosophy.

But this sudden change had clearly dealt her a mental shock.

She crouched there moaning for a while.

After about five minutes, she slowly stood up.

She adjusted her collar, brushed imaginary dust off her skirt, and retied her hair.

The flush on her face hadn’t fully faded, but her expression had returned to that gentle, water-like calm.

“I can’t take too long.”

She clenched her fist, as if psyching herself up.

“The Divine Child is still waiting for me outside.”

She took a deep breath.

‘Maybe the Divine Child is a good person—he just apologized on behalf of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto…’

‘Take it slow, Hitomi. Take it slow. Amaterasu Omikami didn’t set a deadline, right?’

Her heartbeat gradually steadied.

She stepped forward and walked out of the torii gate.

***

You stood outside the torii gate, checking the time.

Almost twenty minutes had passed.

Chihaya stood to his left, hands clasped in front of her, expression calm. Mai stood to his right, drawing circles on the ground with her toe. Futaba stood at the outermost, fan waving in a desultory rhythm.

“Why isn’t she out yet?”

Mai muttered under her breath.

“Does changing clothes really take that long?”

Chihaya said nothing, but her eyebrow twitched slightly.

Futaba’s fan stopped.

“She’s coming.”

She said two words.

You looked up.

Hitomi was slowly walking out from the shrine’s torii gate.

She wore a cream-white blouse, collar slightly open, revealing a hint of collarbone. The blouse’s hem was tucked into her skirt, drawing attention to her slender waist.

Her skirt was a light khaki style that stopped at the knee, showing off pale, well-shaped calves.

On her feet were white canvas shoes.

The overall look was the standard “gentle-girl” outfit. Except for her chest—

The fabric was stretched taut. The blouse’s folds were normal at the shoulders and sleeves, but at the chest they were pulled completely straight. The buttons looked like they were under immense pressure, ready to pop at any moment.

Curse that gravity doing its work again. You’s gaze was unconsciously drawn there, then he quickly looked away.

‘Chihaya and the others are watching,’ he warned himself.

“Let’s go.”

He spoke first, his voice a little higher than usual.

“Let’s find a place to eat and talk.”

Chihaya raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Mai’s smile was clearly strained, the corners of her mouth unnatural.

Futaba started waving her fan again, observing the others with interest.

Hitomi nodded and walked over to stand among them.

She kept a little distance beside Chihaya.

They walked back along the lakeside path.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the stone path. Lake Ashi glistened in the distance, its surface rippled by the wind, shimmering like fish scales.

The air smelled of lake water mixed with the fresh scent of sun-warmed leaves.

You walked a little ahead, peripherally aware of the four girls walking side by side behind him. He had noticed their expressions earlier. He had a bad feeling about this.

‘This joint meal is going to be trouble, isn’t it?’