“So, what exactly is Curse Art? Can you tell me about it? I’m pretty curious.”
You asked the question with a poorly concealed curiosity.
Chihaya paused for a moment.
“The Divine Child is interested in Curse Art too?”
Her voice still carried a hint of residual excitement.
“It’s actually nothing special.”
You smiled.
“Anyone would be interested in something like this, right? Wasn’t Chihaya curious about this kind of technique when she was learning Curse Art?”
Chihaya tilted her head.
It was a small movement, but combined with her cool expression, it created an indescribable contrast.
You clicked his tongue internally.
“Not really.”
Her answer was crisp and direct.
“I only learned it because it’s a required subject for a Miko.”
That answer completely caught You off guard.
‘How can someone not be interested in techniques like that?’ he shouted in his mind.
‘That’s so cool! This is supernatural power! This is something that, in both my lives combined, only existed in fantasies!’
Chihaya seemed to read his thoughts from his expression.
She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then added,
“The Divine Child might be mistaken. Curse Art may not be as magical as you imagine.”
She looked at the table, then casually poured the remaining tea from her cup onto it—splash—the surface was soaked.
Then she extended her finger and lightly tapped the puddle.
A faint glimmer passed.
It was so dim that if You hadn’t been watching closely, he might have thought his eyes were playing tricks.
But after that nearly negligible flash, the water stain on the table vanished.
Not a single trace remained, and the tabletop was as clean as if it had just been wiped.
“You see.”
Chihaya withdrew her hand, her tone flat.
“Most of a Miko’s Curse Art is just this level of technique. Calming the mind, cleansing a small area, restoring energy, healing minor wounds, and other little tricks like that.”
You’s expression froze.
He stared at the table for several seconds, confirming that the water was indeed gone without any other extra effects.
‘That’s it? A Cleanse Spell?’
‘The Curse Art I was looking forward to for so long is just this?’
“Are there no combat-type Curse Arts?”
he pressed, unwilling to give up.
“Like summoning a fireball or something?”
Chihaya casually tucked a strand of hair that had fallen beside her ear behind it.
The glimpse of her snow-white neck in that moment involuntarily drew You’s gaze.
‘So white. Almost blindingly white.’
He quickly looked away, chanting in his mind,
‘It’s only natural. It’s only natural.’
Chihaya didn’t seem to notice his wandering eyes.
She continued speaking in her unhurried tone.
“A Miko’s inheritance only includes these support-type Curse Arts. As for offensive Curse Arts, Onmyoji probably have them.”
She thought for a moment.
“I’m not too sure about the details, actually. In modern society, there haven’t been any reports of Ghostly Beings or Yokai for a long time, so the inheritance of Onmyoji has also declined.”
You sighed.
‘Alright. Looks like I was overthinking it. I thought I could learn some cool techniques. Fireball Spell, Lightning Strike Spell, Barrier Spell—they probably only exist in light novels.’
While he was immersed in disappointment, a voice came from beside him.
“Chihaya, you’re having too much fun talking with the Divine Child.”
It was Mai.
She was sitting still, wringing her hands together, her head lowered, her voice growing softer and softer.
“Are you forgetting about me? I’m… I’m also… the Divine Child’s… fi… fiancée…”
When she got to the last few words, her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
If the room hadn’t been so quiet, You probably wouldn’t have heard it.
His heart skipped a beat.
‘Oh no. I was so absorbed in asking about Curse Art that I only talked to Chihaya and neglected Mai. Even though Mai doesn’t say much and is less conspicuous, she’s still one of the ‘main characters’ today. Putting myself in her shoes, if I were left aside watching others chat, I’d definitely feel uncomfortable.’
‘But—I have no idea how to comfort a girl.’
‘In both lives combined, over thirty years, zero romantic experience. What should I say now? What should I do? My mind is completely blank.’
In a flash, only one phrase surfaced in his mind.
‘”Sincerity is the ultimate technique.”‘
‘Whatever. Might as well give it a shot.’
You stood up and walked over to Mai.
Mai didn’t look up, but her body tensed.
Her hands twisted even tighter.
You reached out and gently patted her head.
Her hair was very soft.
He could feel a slight warmth seeping through the strands.
“I’m sorry, Mai.”
He tried to make his voice sound as sincere as possible.
“I was wrong just now. I shouldn’t have neglected you.”
Mai’s body shuddered.
She slowly raised her head.
Her already big eyes were now watery, as if covered with a thin mist, the corners slightly red.
You’s hand was still on top of her head, and she didn’t pull away or say anything.
She just looked at him.
After about three seconds.
“The Divine Child is very gentle like this right now.”
Her voice was still soft, but unlike her earlier shy withdrawal, it sounded more like a cautious confirmation.
Then she added.
“Completely different from when you said those frivolous things to Futaba earlier.”
You’s mouth twitched.
‘Well, looks like she still remembers that.’
But seeing Mai’s expression—her eyes were still red, but the corners of her mouth were slightly lifted—it seemed his move had been the right one.
Chihaya also came over, crouched beside Mai, and gently took her sister’s hand.
“It’s big sister’s fault. Don’t be angry, Mai.”
Her tone was several notches softer than when she spoke to You, and her fingers gently squeezed Mai’s palm.
Under the attention of the two, the slight displeasure Mai had felt quickly dissipated.
She blinked hard to force back the moisture in her eyes and then revealed a slightly embarrassed smile.
The atmosphere suddenly became very harmonious.
You felt the momentum was good and was about to find another topic to get closer—like asking what they usually liked to do, if they had any hobbies—when a knock came from outside the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three times, with a very light rhythm.
“I’m coming in~”
It was Masako’s voice.
Before anyone inside could answer, the door slid open.
Masako stood at the entrance, phone in hand, a smile so bright it was almost too much.
As soon as she came in, she saw the three of them standing together—Chihaya crouched beside Mai, You standing in front of Mai, and his hand not yet withdrawn from her head.
“Oh my.”
Masako covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes curving into two beautiful arcs.
“Isn’t this getting quite intimate already?”
Her gaze swept back and forth between the three of them, her “I understand everything” expression completely undisguised.
“I came for one thing—I’ve already booked the inn for the Hakone trip.”
She waved her phone.
“For a month.”
You felt something ring in his head.
‘A month?’
‘I mean, a week is already long for a normal hot spring trip. What’s with a month?’
Masako continued, her tone carrying an indescribable ambiguity.
“Youngsters don’t need to worry about accidents. Just have fun.”
She emphasized the word “accidents” particularly clearly.
Paired with the playful smile on her lips, the subtext was obvious.
The three reacted as if shocked.
You stepped back two paces, almost hitting the wall behind him.
Chihaya shot to her feet, her knee banging against the corner of the table with a thud, but she seemed too shocked to feel the pain.
Mai jumped up from the ground, standing straight, her hands starting to twist her skirt again.
The tips of Chihaya’s ears were slightly red, but she managed to keep her voice steady.
“I understand. I’ll make proper preparations.”
Mai’s face was bright red, and her words were a little jumbled.
“I-I’ll carry out my duties properly, Moon Princess!”
You wore a pained expression.
‘Judging by Mom’s attitude, this is already set in stone. This isn’t a discussion—it’s a notice. There’s no room for negotiation.’
‘But I’m not ready yet!’
‘We just met today for the first time. Isn’t the normal procedure supposed to be having a meal first, watching a movie, exchanging LINE messages for a few days, and slowly building feelings? Jumping straight to a hot spring trip, and staying for a month—this is clearly…’
‘Forget it. Can’t think about it. Thinking about it gives me a headache.’
You took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
‘Since it’s come to this, I’ll take it one step at a time.’