On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Once inside the café, the usual scenario played out. The waitresses, a pair of bored university students, were shocked when I walked in. I’d given up trying to disguise myself, as I was getting far too well known now, so they immediately froze, before they came rushing over. After the usual autographs and selfies, with their agreement they wouldn’t post them to social media until we were gone, Daiyu, Tsurugi and I took our seats in one corner of the small establishment.

“What will you have, Daiyu?” I asked, before smiling warmly at Tsurugi, who still refused to let go of my hand. “I know you probably want something sweet. But you’ll have to let go, eating one-handed is awkward. Don’t worry, I’m not running away. I promise.”

Tsurugi nodded, and slowly relinquished my hand. “That’s good, father. Don’t go anywhere! Yata and Magatama don’t want you to go either!” Her expression was a little pitiful, like a kicked dog, so I patted her head, stroking her hair until she squirmed in embarrassment and happiness. I could hear the waitresses giggling and taking pictures of the sight, and so I cleared my throat, also a little embarrassed.

“We’ll have…” I glanced at Daiyu, who scanned the menu, now entirely capable of reading Japanese.

“I shall take this… the matcha green tea cookies, with dark chocolate ice cream. And a mixed fruit juice.” Daiyu made her selection, and for Tsurugi I ordered a jumbo parfait, as well as some black sesame cookies and the same juice as Daiyu. For myself, I just ordered a sweet coffee, as I wasn’t that hungry.

“Now I feel rather a glutton.” Daiyu observed dryly.

“Don’t. I enjoy watching you eat and enjoy yourself.” I promised. “Besides… I’m sure I’ll eat plenty later.”

As the waitresses took our order, Daiyu nodded, understanding. “Ah, yes. It is… your night with Tsukiko, under the moon and the sight of her God.” Daiyu’s lips quirked into her usual slight smile, that only those close to her could interpret. “It is an event, as a Cultivator, I feel has special significance. We aim to shatter and surmount the Heavens, and to bestride and dominate the Earth. Now, Heavens is surely not that which religions speak of, no, it is more the concept of the skies above the skies…”

Tsurugi was listening idly, kicking her legs restlessly as she snuggled against me, but I found Daiyu’s perspective fascinating, and was also drawn to her elegant, doll-like beauty. While at first glance she seemed similar to Eri, with crisp, black hair and eyes, her facial features had that exotic cast, and her figure and bearing were completely different. Seeing me staring so intently, a faint blush bloomed on Daiyu’s cheeks, but she continued her explanation.

“…and there cannot be two skies. So to snatch the treasured disciple of a God… to take her loyalty and her heart… it is a deed I can only applaud.” Her smile shifted slightly, and I could understand her even without Lovers’ Link. “Though I confess to slight jealousy.”

“Don’t worry.” I kissed her cheek, and one of the waitresses held in a squeal at that open display of emotion. “I want to spend a lot of time with you, Daiyu, it’s just…”

“I know. I accepted and understood it. You are not the Dao Companion I would have expected, but you are the one I have chosen. And I am a patient woman. I can wait my turn.”

“Don’t think you have to wait too long.” I promised. “Anyway, I’ve had a text from Shiro. They are with Magatama…” I told the two of them. “…experimenting with Shiro’s buffs and Magatama’s ability to amplify. I’m told I should be hopeful…”

Daiyu nodded just as the waitresses brought over our order. One of them smiled warmly at me, despite being younger she seemed a touch condescending, but I merely shrugged wryly, glancing at Daiyu, which made her giggle. Taking a sip of my coffee, I sighed contentedly, getting this brief moment to relax myself, at least here in the Material, as in the Boundary before we moved to the next shrine, I was again hurriedly making gifts. At least the Adamant ones are all mass produced. That makes it a lot easier and quicker.

“It seems Shiro has learned to keep you informed.” Daiyu suggested. “I do know Eri has been very firm with her on such matters. I do not disagree. You are our anchor, our husband, and while we would delight in bringing you a pleasant surprise, we must also be aware our actions are no longer our own. Just as a Sect Disciple can bring honour or shame to the entire Sect, so too we for you, and our new sisters. Fortunately…” Daiyu leaned back proudly, a cookie in her hand still not spoiling her regal beauty. “…it is a life I am used to, and have no issues. Besides…” She took a savage bite, the cookie crunching pleasingly. “…I am Daiyu, the Ever-Beautiful Black Jade. And like jade, I am hard, cold and beautiful, yet…”

“…yet just like jade, you’re rare, tough and worth the price.” I kissed her other cheek, and she let out a low giggle.

“I should certainly think so. Though the price you pay and continue to pay… could have bought me and all the female Disciples of the Incorruptible Jade from my honoured Patriarch.” She was a little melancholy as she spooned some dark ice cream into her mouth, though I could see the pleasure in her eyes at the rich, cold treat. “Cultivators are not often known to shame, we share that with beings such as Tamamo-no-Mae, we act for our own benefits, yet… even I feel slightly troubled at your largesse. The Spirit Water,. And now… now this.”

My Eyes flashed subtly, and I could see the strand of the Droplet from Urðarbrunnr’s Mirror being… attacked, for want of a better word, by Daiyu’s Chakra network and Lower Dantian, trying to discorporate it into an essence it could absorb and tame. I was the same, and despite my somewhat stronger Chakra network, I was having a hard time, the water was so dense, so rich in potency.

A Price we had already received. I have my doubts about the veracity of our Trial of Three. It was… far too easy. Don’t get me wrong, we did our best, but… the Norns were too generous. It makes me wonder whether the Price we had already paid, supposedly, even exists? Or whether it’s all a scam… I guess we’ll find out one day, although…

I chuckled, remembering Rose had advised me to stay away from the Norns now, ever since I had consummated my love with Tan, and gained the Goddess Eater Class. I still loathe the damn name though, and how the hell am I ever going to Level it up? I’m not making a play for the Norns, that’s for sure!

“Don’t worry.” I assured Daiyu. “I think it’s only natural for lovers to give each other gifts.”

Daiyu agreed. “Yes. Hence why… I can accept it, without truly feeling shameful. But I am as proud as I am beautiful…” Her unusual humour surprised and pleased me. Daiyu’s come a long way from the bitter, revenge-driven woman she was when we met. Sure, she still aches to deal with those who destroyed her Sect and betrayed her, but… she knows that we’ve got her back when the time comes.

“…so I wish to match your love with an equal one. I would say greater, such as Eri, Shaeula or Shiro might, but… I am not so boastful.” Daiyu surprised me by winking, one of her beautiful dark eyes hidden from view for a brief moment, long eyelashes fluttering. “After all, Dao Companions are partners, and partners should be equal.”

“I agree!” I laughed, drinking deeply from my mug of hot coffee, draining most of it. I signalled for a refill, and as the waitress bustled off, Tsurugi, who had been focussed on her food, piped up.

“Father, that man… he seems angry. I don’t like his eyes. Should I cut him in half?”

“Oh.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. Yes, the man, likely the café owner, or perhaps the chef, was occasionally glancing out from the kitchen at us, and his scowl when he saw me was bitter. “No, while I’m grateful you are looking out for me, Tsurugi…” I patted her head again, pleasing her. “…he’s no danger. He’s just… well, I’m surprisingly popular with women, it seems, though you do get some, like Prince Henry’s fiancée, that loathe my womanising.. Men, however… sure, I have my fans, who like the heroism, or envy me… but then there’s those that envy me a bit too much…” I chuckled again. “Honestly, I’d have hated me if I was someone else. The rich get richer… and…” I smiled at Daiyu. “…I’m wealthy indeed. After all, I have the most precious piece of Jade in the world within my grasp.”

Daiyu’s face flushed a faint pink, even her ears and neck reddening, but she managed to retort. “Indeed you do. So be sure to treasure me, and… polish me regularly, so I maintain my lustre!”

“Innuendo? From you?” I was surprised, but it was also a little thrilling seeing the stoic woman hinting at her needs. Though honestly, in the bedroom, Daiyu’s got a large appetite and is happy to experiment, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.

“Merely a reminder.” Daiyu replied primly, dropping down her silver spoon, ice cream eaten, and she took the last of her cookies. Tsurugi was eyeing them wistfully, so I ordered more, and as the Tsukumogami glared at the man, he made himself scarce, ducking back out of sight into the kitchen.

“Don’t mind him…” the waitress apologised as she put down a fresh plate of snacks for our hungry sword. “He’s just jealous. He only opened a café because he wanted to meet girls. It worked… but he’s still too lame for any of our customers!” She giggled. “He’s nothing like you! I can hardly wait to post that I met you. All my friends from university will be so jealous!”

We chatted idly for a minute, and she ended up snapping a photo of Tsurugi too, remembering her from the broadcast. That gave me an idea, to test how public sentiment was moving. “So what do you think of everything, uh…” I glanced at the nametag the waitress wore on her chest. “…Kimi-chan?” As the waitress smiled at my polite endearment, which was rather more forward than I would have been in the past, I pressed on. “What with the renunciation of the Humanity Declaration, my… marriage to Yukiko… uh, Princess Mikasa, and… the Regalia.”

 “You’re in luck, Akio-kun…” she returned my display of closeness with amusement. “Oh, sorry, do you mind?” she asked Daiyu, who merely shrugged, sipping at her juice, unconcerned.

“She’s adorable. Not Japanese though, is she?” It seemed the waitress liked to talk a lot. “I think that’s nice. It’s a wide world out there. Anyway…” She nodded towards her fellow waitress, who was attending to a group of young women who had just entered. Fortunately, we were seated in the corner and a privacy screen had been erected for us, so we escaped their notice. “She’s studying Drama and Modern Dance, but me… I major in Political Science.” She raised an eyebrow at my surprise. “I know, you find it odd I’m working here, right? My family isn’t rich, the pay is okay, our boss just wants to see cute women, so he’s not that demanding… and besides, money, however it’s earned, all spends, doesn’t it?” At her smile, I couldn’t help but nod, though then her demeanour changed.

“I get why you are asking. It all makes sense to me, anyway.” she continued, seeming to be delighted to be talking about a subject relevant to her studies, an event I was sure didn’t crop up too much at her workplace. “It’s about the goodwill of the populace. And you and the Princess… Yukiko, hmm?” Kimi-chan’s smile was amused. “It seems you are close enough to know her by her actual name, not her Imperial name. I did think the pair of you had chemistry. You were both quite regal, and yet seemed approachable. Unlike Prince Gorohito…”

“I hate him! Ugh…” Tsurugi cried, frustrated. “Father, only you can wield me! I don’t want him touching me with his hands!”

“Do not fear. You know Akio shall not abandon you.” Daiyu promised, and Kimi-chan gave us a warm look.

“Yeah, he’s… not popular right now. I don’t know if that was your intent, but… at the same time that the older generation who remember the time after the War, when we were an occupied, beaten, shamed people, are rejoicing that the Imperial Family has reasserted their claim to Divinity…” She paused, thinking, eyes going wide. “I never thought about it, but… it’s not just a story, is it? I mean… the Gods are real, aren’t they?”

I nodded. “I’m not sure whether the Imperial Family is truly descended from Amaterasu. But Amaterasu is real, if perhaps not like the myths make her out to be.”

“In that case, I see you in a new light!” she enthused, eyes sparkling. “That was a masterstroke then! You return power and authority to the Imperial Family, and simultaneously provoke Prince Gorohito, the heir, to torpedo his own popularity and dignity! All the while standing there beside the Princess, clearly a perfect match! It’s diabolically cunning!”

“I’ll have you know Gorohito’s meltdown was all his own doing.” I denied her accusations. “I’ve no intention of causing trouble for Yukiko’s family, just… supporting her.”

“Sure, I’ll believe you. I’m a student of politics. It seems too masterfully planned to be just a coincidence. And…” She nodded towards her colleague. “She’s been talking about it. How noble and brave Princess Mikasa appeared, and how she’s the proof that Amaterasu loves Japan. She doesn’t get how Machiavellian politics can be, and she’s young, and frustrated with the rigid senpai-kouhai structure of seniority that Japan is built on. To her, it seems archaic, and she longs for a more Westernised style of culture. To her, Princess Mikasa is the logical choice, with you as Imperial Consort, or even… even you as Emperor.”

Daiyu nodded, agreeing, but I denied that. “I… don’t want to usurp what doesn’t belong to me. Besides, I’ve… other goals. I was more wondering what you thought of Tsurugi and her sisters, rather than the Imperial Family…”

“I’ll let you change the subject.” she laughed. “I’ll be quick. The boss will complain if I stand here chatting to the guests, when I could be flirting with him. He’s harmless enough, but can be annoying… the way I see it, she looks just like an ordinary little girl to me. And politically… it’d be suicide forcing a crying young girl, even if she’s not human, to serve. All my friends from university, and my family… they all felt proud when you stood up for her. It’s another crack in the respect for the Imperial Family…”

“Are you done?” her boss called, and Kimi-chan scowled.

“Yeah, coming!” she replied, and shrugged.

“Sorry I couldn’t talk more. But… if you want to talk politics, want to exchange numbers?” She flourished her phone cheekily, but Daiyu shot her down.

“I do not believe Eri would approve. Your intentions are obvious. But…” Daiyu exchanged numbers, which in the end satisfied her. I put in an order for her to box up as many cookies of various flavours the café could spare, and as she bustled off to do that, I watched her go, a pensive expression on my face.

“I know your misgivings, but… the numberless masses who dwell within this country seem to be supportive.” Daiyu then narrowed her eyes, and I knew she was back in her role as a Sect Matriarch. “…even were you to concede, and this foolish Prince ascends to the… what was it Yukiko called it, ah yes, the… Chrysanthemum Throne, he will still be subordinate to you, as ruler of this world. Surely you will not entertain the foolishness of saying otherwise?”

“Nope. I get it.” I sighed. “Now that Tan has conceded, it’s me or nobody. And you’re right, of course, but… it feels different. But what it all comes down to…” I thanked Kimi-chan as she brought back a bumper box of cookies, as well as some additional cakes that were easy to transport and would stay fresh a while. “…is what Yukiko wants to do. Though… she’d probably be swayed by public opinion…”

We left, Daiyu’s and Tsurugi’s hands in mine, the Tsukumogami carrying the heavy box of snacks joyfully, her earlier irritation forgotten. She’s as mercurial as the clouds she gathers, and the storms she cuts… Daiyu ordinarily didn’t like me to have my movements restrained, in case we were attacked, but under the circumstances, she was confident we could handle ourselves, as Tsurugi could become the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi in a mere moment.

“So, we still have a little while. Want to find somewhere quiet to sit and talk about Cultivation?” I asked, and Daiyu’s smile returned.

“Indeed, that would be quite pleasant. Everyone else is making the most of their time, and while I would never claim this was a waste, for being close to you resonates within me…” Daiyu squeezed my hand. “…strength above all, and then… then none can interrupt our pleasant days and escape without facing due punishment.”

None can interrupt, huh? She’s right. Time is of the essence. I’ll feel better when the Quest is done, and our Territory is safely into Rank Four. But… we’ll never be safe until we finish matters with that damn toad, and also the Church of True Revelation. But finish things… we will…

***

Kudou Shiori, Osaki-Hachimangu Shrine, Sendai, The Pilgrimage

“Quite the fucking show, yeah?” Hotaru-chan was swearing, as usual. “Arisugawa-chan’s a fucking Goddess, isn’t she? Brains, beauty, power, got the whole package. Even the shitty TV execs are cosying up to her like flies on shit! And she’s even got Akio-kun’s respect. Fuck me…”

“Did you want to be an actor, Hotaru-chan?” Kiaria-chan asked innocently, looking adorable in her shrine hakama. In fact, the whole group, except one member, a daughter of the Three-Hundred from Hanafubuki, the bespectacled and bookish Watari-san, was wearing hakama, though Shiori’s was richly decorated with golden threads and little ornaments, as befitted her role as one of the guides of the Pilgrimage. A role that is giving me a wretched stomach ache, though it hasn’t been as bad as I feared so far…

“No thanks. I’ll pass on that shit!” Hotaru-chan snorted. Her foul language still surprised Shiori, though it shouldn’t have, as they’d been acquainted a fair while now, and quickly become friends after meeting at the rather intimidating party Fujiwara house had hosted. It doesn’t suit her either. Her hakama does, but…

Hotaru-chan was tall, with a good figure, and slightly boyish features, accentuated by her short haircut. Her face was definitely cute though, and Shiori imagined she’d be very popular with the boys back in Kyoto… at least until she opened her mouth.

“Nope, too much like hard work for me. Fucking hell, I’ve seen how my shitty dad’s pulling his hair out every day with the stress. I’m too pretty to go bald! Anyway, shit, where was I? Oh yeah…” She waved a hand dismissively. “Dad’s going to live and die on how Akio-kun does. If he fucks up, and Japan takes the hit, all the voters can do is take it out on dad. But if he fucking knocks it out of the park, keeps everyone happy and proud to be Japanese, then my shitty dad’s the beneficiary, yeah? Nobody votes for change when the times are fucking wonderful, do they?”

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Hotaru-chan’s smart. She’s often funny, and friendly too. I just wish… she wouldn’t swear quite so much… “You should watch your language in front of Kiaria-chan, she’s too young to hear such profanity. And Watari-sama…”

“I told you, Watari-san… my family makes sake bowls and vases, sure they’re still made with traditional techniques, along with other pottery, but… we’re not so special. I’m not Motoko-sama or Natsumi-sama, who deserve all your respect… and love…” Her face was pink, and her braids swayed as she laughed rather offputtingly. Though having her here is reassuring. The Pilgrimage is filled with powerhouses, so there’s no real danger, and Watari-san is only a new member of Adamant, but… she’s brave, and will fight. She proved that with her blood at Hanafubuki…

“What about me and my ears?” Mizuki-chan demanded. As always, she was more on the cute side than beautiful, like her younger sister, whereas her older one was rather elegant, but…

“Who cares about your ears, my dear Mizuki-chan?” Hotaru-chan smirked, holding her hands out and flexing the fingers, as if grabbing a pair of ripe and large objects. “It’s your fucking tits that matter! If I had those, I’d be able to hook a big catch! Shit, if you wag them at Akio-kun, you’d have it made, girl!”

As Hotaru-chan advanced, Mizuki-chan backed off, a scowl on her cute face, as she tried to shield her ample figure by crossing her arms defensively.

“Touch me and… and I’ll bite!” Mizuki- chan warned, baring her teeth, before Hotaru-chan burst into laughter.

“Don’t be like that, we’re all girls here, so shit, it doesn’t matter!” Watari-san nodded almost eagerly along to Hotaru-chan’s words, before the later let out a long sigh. “Not kidding though, Mizuki-chan. Your jugs are a fucking work of art.”

“That’s enough, I think.” The eldest there, Katsuki-san, broke in. With her gentle smile, calm black eyes and long black hair she was the image of an archetypical shrine maiden in her red and white hakama. “Hotaru-chan, stop teasing my little sister. And you shouldn’t defame Oshiro-san so. He wouldn’t be interested in Mizuki, she is far too young. Though… I suppose, like all men, his eyes do wander.”

“No kidding.” Mizuki-chan complained, but Shiori detected a trace of pride in her voice, despite her outward display of annoyance. “We Takakura sisters are all beautiful! Though…” She glanced at her older sister, who was tall and with a willowy, elegant figure. “…sometimes I wonder if we have the same father…”

“Shit, sorry.” Hotaru-chan sighed then. “I was just a bit frustrated. I mean, my shitty dad forked out a load of cash getting me in here, and I’m grateful, but it’s a fucking shame, isn’t it? I have to do something, or my whole future depends on crap outside of my control, you know? Dad’s not going to be Prime Minister forever, and while we’re not fucking poor, we haven’t exactly got a fortune.”

“I understand that.” Watari-san agreed, pushing up her glasses idly with one finger as she pondered. In her Adamant uniform, she looked rather dashing, Shiori thought, though the effect was spoiled a bit when she saw Motoko-sama and Natsumi-sama, and her expression turned rather… if she was a man, I’d say… lustful. But… we’re all girls here. Though… ever since I started teaching at Hanafubuki, I’ve been aware of… a lot of close relationships between girls…

As if sensing her thoughts, Watari-san coughed. “Anyway, I’m also not wealthy. Our family is old, and our pottery workshop is famous, but… compared to modern industries we’re poor. But… I don’t need wealth, I just… I just want to be close to those I admire. And… I’m prepared to do anything for that.”

“Anything, huh?” Hotaru-chan eyed her contemplatively for a long moment, before nodding. “Shit, gotcha, girl. I applaud your go-getter fucking spirit! Me… I’m at a loss, but… got to make the most of what we fucking well have, right? Anyway… this shrine was something, yeah?”

Shiori nodded, glad that the subject was on safer ground. She certainly liked Hotaru-chan, but… she’s… unique. And a bit crazy. I just hope she doesn’t do something stupid…

“Yes, Sendai, or rather, what became Sendai, was established by Date Masaumune, when he built his castle here in the early sixteen-hundreds. There were a handful of shrines and temples in the area, but over time many notable ones were established. Though seemingly too new, many shrine families who had lost their homes due to war, famine or pestilence were resettled here, and so Sendai actually houses a half-dozen important true shrines, despite the youth of the city. But Osaki-Hachimangu Shrine is a little different, as it was subsumed into Sendai, and existed previously, and enshrines a trio of old Imperial lineage, as well as worships Hachiman.”

“Thank you, Shiori-sensei!” the young Kiaria-chan was polite as ever, but Hotaru-chan…

“Hachiman was that guy on TV, yeah? Can’t believe we could fucking see a real God. Some of these Kami aren’t too impressive, yeah? Think you could cut the fuckers down, Watari-chan?”

“No… no way!” Watari-san denied that, her braids shaking vigorously along with her head. “I’m not confident. I’ve never studied martial arts before. My parents wouldn’t let me. Girls don’t do rough activities, they… stay pretty, quiet, studious and get married, then look after the home and have babies.” Her face twisted. “I… just wanted to be like Motoko-sama and Natsumi-sama. I always looked up to them. Now… now I can be. Now being in Adamant…” She grimaced. “…mother and father treat it like being a concubine for Oshiro-sama. And they’re overjoyed.”

“That must be rough.” Shiori commiserated. Fortunately, my grandfather isn’t under the same pressure. And honestly… Akio-san isn’t the sort to demand for his aid… I get wanting to strengthen their position in the new order, but… there’s a lot of other ways than… offering themselves. “But you know if you asked, Akio-san would set them straight…”

“Oh, you misunderstand me.” Watari-san shrugged. “I don’t hate the idea. Not… not for my family, but… if I could be with Motoko-sama and Natsumi-sama… share some of their happiness, I have no issues offering my chastity. I’m a woman, I don’t… don’t dislike men, but… compared to the brilliance of Motoko-sama and…”

As she launched into a passionate rant about how she was more than ready to be taken to Akio-san’s bed, alongside her idols, in the hope of getting to embrace them too, the rest of them exchanged bemused glances.

“Shit. Yeah, do anything, huh? More like let him fucking do her. But I guess I get it. What she values isn’t what her family values. I wonder how many other landmines like her are lurking in Adamant? Fuck me, it’ll be a shitstorm when it all blows up. Funny as fuck though!” Hotaru-chan smirked. “I’m cheering for you, Watari-chan! Go live your best life. Me, I’m still working out my shit… how about you girls?”

The Takakura sisters exchanged glances, before Katsuki-san spoke. “We are happy to revive Takakura house. Yes, that will involve at least one of us marrying and giving birth to a new line of heirs, bringing in fresh blood, but grandfather Takakura assures us that we will have a lot of choice. Besides…” Her smile was rather beautiful, Shiori thought. “…Oshiro-san will not let us be bullied.”

“No kidding!” Mizuki-chan agreed. “He owes us anyway. You helped him by selling him that Tsukumogami, didn’t you? And… oh, what’s the use?” She shook her head, unwilling to say more. “Besides, we’re here… perhaps we can even awaken the old Takakura gifts, like you have, Shiori-san… and then, when I’m old enough… I’ll get a job working for him. I know he won’t turn me down!” she insisted, before her tone give way to a more clinical explanation, showing she’d put a lot of thought into it. “I don’t particularly want to get married for the sake of Takakura house. We were happy enough living in Inuyama, a quiet, humble life. Don’t get me wrong…”

As Mizuki-chan spoke, Shiori was once more impressed at her maturity. She was childish, petulant and abrasive sometimes, yes, but… she was clever, and had wisdom beyond her years. I guess it’s not just only her figure which is enviably mature… “…maybe I’ll find love, and he’ll be someone who can marry in who won’t shame grandfather and our history. And I certainly don’t want either big sister or Kia to be forced to shoulder that. So the best way… the best way is to build our own value. And while we women are certainly valuable for our looks and ability to bear children…” Her scowl showed what she thought of that. “…Watari-san here knows that’s not all. Not even what’s most important now.”

“That’s right!” she agreed, coming out of her daze, and Shiori wasn’t the only one who didn’t point out she had drool at the corners of her slack lips. “Motoko-sama is one of the most illustrious daughters of the nobility, yet she… she sought her own path! A beautiful path! And… now, even…”

“Hinata-sama, Miyu-sama… even Sakura-sama and Honoka-sama…” Shiori agreed. “To be bold, to strive, to… learn to be strong… even I get the urge to be better.” Wind and flame, her previously mediocre gifts, swirled around her for a second, orders of magnitude in excess of her in the past. “That is why we are here. To beseech the Kami to extend us their blessings, so that… we have a clear path on the road before us.”

“You’re really sounding like a fucking teacher now, Shiori-chan!” Hotaru-chan approved, before pulling her and the squealing Mizuki-chan into a hug. “Shit, I wish I went to Hanafubuki and could marry a rich, hot noble guy… but fucking sucks they don’t let in daughters of politicians. Even if I get it. My shitty dad could be out on his ass any day shit goes south…”

“So… hey, let me go, no groping! I’ll bite!” Mizuki-chan bared her teeth and lowered her head, and Hotaru-chan let go, laughing uproariously. As she dusted herself down, Mizuki-chan frowned. “I don’t disagree, I’m here to improve my own value. Our life was fine before, but now… now I want the comfort, the dignity… but I want to pay a price I can accept for it. And we’ve seen… those who have value can choose what they buy with it.”

“Well said, Mizuki.” Katsuki-san approved. “So, Shiori-san, you’re more knowledgeable than we are. What should we do?”

After a moment, Shiori asked Watari-san her thoughts. “I can speak to some of the others, but… Watari-san, you are in Adamant. You must be able to speak to the commanders if you have questions or needs?”

“I’m still a fresh recruit.” she shrugged. “But… I got a lot of credit for standing my ground at Hanafubuki, taking no backwards steps. So did the others. It’s still not enough to get an invite to the elite training, I’m not skilled enough yet… oh, how I wish I was there, to see Motoko-sama and  Natsumi-sama… oh, sorry…” She giggled, face flushed. “…I lost myself there. I… can see if any of the other more senior members have some advice? Or can get us some training equipment? I’d owe them a favour, but…”

“Just fucking go for it!” Hotaru-chan cried, continuing to squeeze Shiori playfully.. “I’m all hyped up now. And if you get any trouble…” She winked. “I’m sure we can handle it with our feminine charms! So, come on, Shiori-chan, teach, teach! I didn’t find the Kami of this shrine that impressive, but… maybe I’m just not seeing clearly?”

That’s a bit sacrilegious, but… “That’s not entirely fair. The powerful Kami apparently have all left, or can only send avatars, so only the minor ones are left behind. But… I do admit, compared to Shaeula or Hyacinth they do seem… less than inspiring. But… their time will come. As will ours.” Yes, as will ours.

There were two more shrines to visit here in Sendai, and then the final stop of the evening was the famed shrine to Tsukuyomi, Gassan-jinja, atop Mount Gassan to the west. I’ve always wanted to see it… and the last broadcast of the day for WTV is being streamed live from there… maybe I’ll get chance to see it before the training. Training, huh?

Seeing Mizuki-chan and even the irreverent, playful Hotaru-chan so enthused about getting stronger and increasing their own value, Shiori realised she had been too lax. I can’t let Tsukuyomi down, nor grandfather… and most of all, I can’t let myself down, nor my friends…

Mind made up, after squeezing out of Hotaru-chan’s hug, Shiori reached for her phone, as did Watari-san. All right then. I know just who to call. This Pilgrimage… I think… if anyone comes out of this at the other side and isn’t greedy to improve… Akio-san should cut them loose. Fortunately… my friends see that clearly. I’m done going with the flow…