Disclaimer : Touhou Project belongs to ZUN
/1
There's barely any sound from the wind bell today. In exchange, the soft song of the rain is what has been filling the shrine since even before the breakfast.
Because of the bad weather outside, the shrine duty outside of cleaning the buildings get postponed. Without anything to do in such weather, I'm currently having myself in a luxury time in the kotatsu inside the main hall with Sanae. I'm eating an orange, with my eyes staring at the blank white colored card that Kanako gave me three days ago while Sanae is reading something like a magazine for some reason. In contrast of what we usually do in the morning, one can say that this is quite a sluggish day.
Inside a room where the silence only gets broken by the sound of raindrops and flipped page, it surely is luxurious.
"…..."
Actually, this is starting to get boring. I guess I'll take more orange to keep myself awake…
"The rain hasn't stopped yet, isn't it?"
It's unknown whether it's coincidence or not, but the moment I take another orange from the table, Sanae suddenly says as she looks outside the room where the rain falls.
"No, it hasn't." I don't know whether she wants a reply or not, but as it's getting boring, I decide to give her a reply. "And maybe it won't stop soon."
"Jeez… and when I really need to do the laundry too… it's just too much for the heater to handle to dry it all up."
"If you can't help it, then you can just ditch it."
"I hope I can, but the laundry this week is just too much, so it'll be bad to postpone it for too long."
"Huh? Is it already that much? I don't think it's that much from what I saw when I went to bath last night. Are you in your period or something that we've a lot of laundries?"
"…That's not a question to ask to a girl…."
After Sanae gives her answer with a pout and an angry glare, the silence once again fill the room, marking the end of the conversation between us. It's kind of unproductive, though it's already kind of expected, so I just decide to go with the flow by ignoring her and start to peel the orange.
The silence, however, doesn't last as long as expected. With the soft sound of the magazine being closed and a soft sigh, the conversation suddenly continues.
"At times like this, at least we need to stay productive, you know?"
"Isn't resting a part of being productive?"
"That's not wrong, but we haven't really does anything since the morning."
Even when she says that, it's actually already obvious as our shrine duty is kind of restricted with this kind of weather. And even when it can be forced to be done, it won't be as effective, so it'll just turn out tiring. But I suppose not everyone will agree with it.
Putting the orange I've peeled on the table, I look up toward her.
"Well, if you've any idea on what to do, just tell. I'm all ears."
"Eh? Me?"
It's kind of cruel to say that as it sounds just like she has to tell what's in her mind immediately. Despite of that, however, Sanae nods without hesitation.
Honestly, that's quite surprising that she immediately has an answer to it. Her immediate response is quite interesting to hear, so I take an orange and eat it as I give Sanae a gesture to continue.
"I've some idea, but we're in work time, so we should do something work-related, right?"
"I actually want to reject, but we've nothing to do… fine, go on."
"Alright, then…"
With somehow a proud smile, Sanae puts both of her hands on her hips as she puffs her chest–
"Let's learn about the shrine history to deepen our faith!"
–And suddenly, she declares with a full of spirit voice.
Learning about the shrine history?
To be honest, before I started to work in the shrine in the outside world when I was young, I already accidentally read some old scrolls related to the shrine. There's quite a number of it, so the contents also have a lot of variations. Even when not in details, I still roughly remember what's written in the scroll, starting from the history of the shrine to even some war strategy in the Great Suwa War.
Those are interesting things to read, if I may say. But now, I no longer have the interest in learning it. And ironically, despite working in this shrine, I don't even have any interest on deepening my faith to those questionable goddesses, not even once.
However, the idea of learning itself isn't a bad one. It takes a moment, but after I give it some thought, I decide to ask.
"…Can we learn something else?"
The question comes out naturally. But unfortunately, Sanae shakes her head and looks with convincing eyes.
"I don't think there's anything better than this. And if our faith deepens, doesn't that mean the shrine will be in better condition too as it affects both Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama?"
"…What?"
"It's not a lie. If we've strong faith, then the goddesses we worship will be stronger as well."
My lips open as something almost comes out from it. But somehow, it doesn't take long for it to be closed again, and in exchange, turns into a deadpan stare at Sanae who's still full of spirit after all that speeches.
It's not like I don't understand what she said. In fact, it won't be wrong to say that I understand it pretty well. Without faith, gods are nothing but the same as some divine spirit. Some of them might disappear as well if they're purely made of faith. But is faith coming from two persons enough to make that much change? I don't think so. That's why it sounds like a bother.
"Is there really nothing else to be learnt other than that?"
"Um… No, I don't think so."
"Whatever..." This is getting tiring, so I stop on bothering. "If you really insist on it, then is there some way to make it interesting?"
"Hm… ah! What about a play about the Great Suwa War? We can play as Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama ourselves."
"That's even more troublesome than learning from scrolls or books…"
"Is it? It sounds fun to me…" Sanae honestly shares her opinion, before then she starts to think again. It doesn't take long before she nods. "Um, a play should be fun. And games are effective way to learn, isn't it?"
"…"
Actually, what she said isn't wrong because if we do have fun with it, then it'll at least be more memorable. But there's also some problem in how it'll looks like a child drama play which then we'll fight with something like paper equipments, so it'll take too much time in preparing the equipments. But knowing that arguing will just lead her to explain in somehow a technical way, I gulp the orange and decide to go with it.
"Fine, let's do a play. But what will we use to make it realistic and dramatic without making any paper craft of equipments?"
"Eh? We'll seriously do a play with that much detail?"
I actually regret for over thinking this stupid play, but as it's already decided and remembering the fact that I'm the one who asks about it, then there'll no turning back anymore. With that thought, I continue.
"I mean, how are we going to play it again?"
"Um… we'll just play it, right?"
"We'll replay a scene of a war, right? How will we do it?"
Even when it sounds like a cake walk, replaying a war-like scene isn't something that can be done just by anyone. In a drama, that kind of scene, usually, is one of the mostly trained one because timings between action and dialogue is important. Although it's not like we'll play it in a tier of drama, that doesn't mean it's we can just do it casually, so at least it should be important to know how we'll play it.
Unfortunately, the answer that I receive isn't a pleasant, positive one as it comes out in a form of a head shake.
"I'm not sure. It should be epic and dramatic, so I don't think using paper would work…"
"You don't think that far, don't you?"
"I-it's not like that! I've thought of something that can make it great and dramatic, but…"
Sanae looks a bit troubled on continuing. It's kind of weird for her to suddenly get like that after all the excitement before, so I stare at her with a frown.
A play without any equipment but can still turns great and dramatic… if I think of it, maybe it's what Kanako told me about before? Not that I remember that much details, but as far as I remember, it has something to do with bullets. And this useless white card on the table is actually something like a trigger for the powerful technique for the games.
Is that what she wants to use in the play? I doubt I can know without asking, so I lightly tap on the table, exactly on where the card is.
"Do you want to use this in the play?"
"Eh? But you haven't learned how to use it, haven't you?"
"No."
I simply give the answer while I pull the card closer and take a look at it again. And just as expected, no matter how much I look at it, there's not even a slightest change to it.
Actually, it won't be a lie to say that I've lost interest in it as there's nothing happening to it no matter what's being done to it. And I don't think I'll ever want to learn it when it already gets like this unless it's an urgent or anything. By that reason alone, it'd take some time until the time actually comes.
But certainly enough, throwing this chance away is without a doubt a waste. Oh, well…
"Um… do you want me to teach you while we're at it?"
As I'm in the middle of thinking, however, Sanae suddenly comes to that conclusion and asks.
"That's not a bad idea. But is this thing different depends on the owner? Then that means the way of learning is different too, isn't it?"
"It is. But if it's the basic, it should be fine, I think."
"Hn…"
The basic, huh? It doesn't sound like a bad idea. Even if it's unique to everyone, one must've at least held the basic of it. It's more or less likes that on everything, whether it's being done consciously or not. In this one, at least, I think I can agree without even needing to have a headache.
"Well, that's fine by me."
"Then it's settled… ah, wait. But if we do that, I don't think we can do the play right away…."
"Oh…"
Well, isn't that nice? That means there's no need to do anything troublesome like thinking on how to make a dramatic talk. It's honestly a good thing, but it'll be kind of bad to say it, so I'll just play along.
"Yeah, that's too bad. But we need it to at least play it properly."
"That's true. Um… too bad, but it seems we need to postpone the play for a while. I'm sorry, Nagisa-san."
"I should say the same; sorry for the trouble."
Both of us apologize, though the only one who earnestly apologizes fully is Sanae, as I only mean it for the latter. It looks like that I'm the bad person here if it's seen from that way, but whatever.
"By the way, when should we start?"
Sanae earnestly asks as soon as she looks up to me from apologizing.
"We don't have anything to do right now, so… now?"
"Sure."
She looks excited at the prospect, as if she's not disappointed by the postponement of the play at all. Then after she puts aside the magazine she was reading a moment ago, she takes out one of her spell card and puts it on the table with a thud.
And so with the thud sound as a replacement of a school bell, Kochiya Sanae danmaku class begins.
/2
It seems my thought on this girl change a little.
Usually, when it comes to it, this girl is a bit clumsy and curious in daily and full of spirit to the point it's forceful in work. And when it's something related to work, we also sometime fight just because of simple things. To put it simply, I might say that she's kind of dumb if it's not something academic.
Right now, however, perhaps I should be grateful that she's the one who teaches me. After all, compared to the other two, her method is relatively safe and less tiring. Obviously, if I've to choose between the three, I'll without a doubt choose her.
At the same time though, her explanation is a bit too technical which makes me have to re-think it over to get on my own conclusion. Not that it's a problem though, so it's all fine.
"Um… alright, I think I've explained it all."
It's been more or less thirty minutes since she explains in the most technical way possible. Seems satisfied with her explanation, she nods as if agreeing with herself and looks at me.
"Do you've any question, Nagisa-san?"
"Question… can I resume it for a moment in my mind?"
"Sure; please take your time."
"Thanks. Now… let's see…."
Now then, let's see how much can I remember from what she has told me.
First is the fact that not everyone can play this game. Only some who has something like a special ability, be it trained or born with one can play it, as one needs it as a base of their spell cards and bullets. It leads to some question, but as it's not for her, I'll skip this one.
Second is the rule of the game. To put it simply, the rules are simple. One must make the spell card to express what they want to. One must declare the numbers of spell card they'll use in the game and not repeat the same spell in one game. The attack; be it spell cards or normal bullets should have a meaning. Finally, the one who lose must admit defeat and the one who win must spare the loser. Those are the basic rules.
Honestly said, I thought at first that this game is pretty complicated. But now that I heard the rules, it sounds pretty simple. But even as simple as it is, one of the rules piques my interest.
"Sanae, can I ask the one in the rules?"
"Sure. I'll try my best to give an answer, so please ask."
"Well then, it's the one where a person makes a spell card to express something. I wonder… but what it literally means anyway?"
"About that one, I don't think I can give a satisfying answer, but from my experience, it means that the spell card will be the one expressing what you think or feel about something."
Spell card will be the one which expresses our thought? I think I understand what she means by that, but at the same time, it's still confusing.
"Can you give me the case in your experience?"
"Um… for example… oh, yes. This one, Miracle "Miracle Fruit" was made when I read about a fruit that can turn sour things to sweet if we eat it first. I mean, it's amazing, right?"
"Uh… sure, okay. So what you've in thought, if you want to express it through the spell card, it'll come out, is it?"
"Yes, it's something like that. Do you wish to hear on another example?"
"Uh… well, I think I get it already. Thanks."
I've a bad feeling that it'll turn bad if I ask her more about it, so I choose to back down instead. Fortunately, Sanae doesn't force herself on explaining. With a nod, she backs down.
"Is there anything else you want to ask? Please don't hesitate to ask."
"Hn… give me a moment."
For now, about the second one, I at least get a hold of it. So to put, the spell card is made through what we want to express, and it can be anything. In Sanae's case, it sounds kind of childish, but maybe that just how she is.
In a way, it won't be a lie to say that it makes me wonder about what kind of things I'll get, but for now, I'll put it aside and continue the resume.
Third, the game isn't a game that hurts other physically. It's the same as what Kanako had explained to me before. To put it simply, in this game, despite the theme is "a duel to solve and resolve", which is mostly related to a brawl, the context behind it is expression instead of strength. That way, the rule of the jungle will no longer serve as the truth as long as what's used to resolve things is the game.
It doesn't hurt physically… actually, that's kind of weird if the context of the game is "duel". I wonder…
"Is this game really doesn't inflict any damage or anything?"
"Eh?" Sanae is a bit startled by the sudden question. "Um… it does a little, but not really harsh. Why do you ask?"
"Well, Kanako said the same, but now that I think of it, there are some who are just so much of a hardhead that they need to be beaten until they're knocked down. So I wonder will it really work if it does no real damage…"
"That's a pretty barbaric way of thought."
Sanae smiles bitterly at my explanation. Not only Kanako, but it seems Sanae thinks that way too. I wonder whether my life style before is that barbaric as they said. But before I can even ask that, she continues.
"Anyway, this duel does damage too, as far as I remember."
"Oh, it does? What kind?"
"Um… it does rip clothes. And I think some strong one can knock someone out and leaves some bruises if it hits."
"…Rip clothes? Is this a perverted game or something?"
"I-it does rip clothes, but that's not what I mean! Beside, you're the one asking this!"
"Somehow I'm worried with my sanity if I play this game… but whatever."
Sighing softly, I make myself a mental note to not go overboard or I'll end up branded as a pervert. It takes a moment, but as soon as I get calmed down, I let out another sigh.
"So simply put, there's damage, but not severe to the body?"
"A-ah, um, yes, that's right."
"…Why are you flustered?"
"P-please don't mind that!"
Sanae waves her hand frantically in rejection with red face. It looks kind of fun to tease somehow. But now isn't the time, so I shall keep it for later.
Now then, let's back to the resuming. What was all of it again… oh right, there are three I've resumed. First is who can use it. The second is the rules of the game. The third is the purpose of the game and how it's when you get hit. So then, with that three resumed all that left is the final point.
Finally, the most beautiful one win. In other words, the duel isn't a duel of physical brawl where the strongest in literal terms win. In this game, the one who win is the one who has stronger mentality and expressions.
"…"
"Is there something wrong?"
"Huh? What?"
"Um… you look confused with this weird frown. Is it something related to my explanation?"
I'm surprised. Do I really make that kind of face earlier? Well, not that it matters though. If she realizes the confusion, then I should just confirm this now rather than being confused later.
"Well, then can you explain what it means by the one with strongest mentality and expression win?"
"That is… oh, is it the last one?"
"It is."
Surprisingly, to my question, Sanae who asks without pause to all of the others question this time starts to think before answering instead. As her finger tapping her chin, her gaze sometime wanders around. Because of that, for once, the room suddenly filled by silence.
As time passes, slowly a frown also formed in Sanae's expression. It takes around five minutes for the silence to be broken by an answer.
"I don't know how I can explain it. But from my games with the other before, I think it has something to do with the spell card."
"…Really?"
"I'm telling the truth! I mean… um… how can I put this? I think the spell card which is made from strong expression is stronger than the one made by just a sudden interest."
Sanae explains while she has her gaze focused on her spell card. After nodding as if agreeing with something, she puts the spell card back on the table and looks on me once again before she continues.
"I think that's how it is. But I might be wrong, so I think you should ask Reimu-san for this later if you're interested."
"Reimu… is it the shrine maiden at that rundown shrine?"
"Ah… um… she'll be mad if she hears that, but… yes, she's the shrine maiden at the other shrine."
"Oh, well, I guess that's that then."
Letting out a soft sigh, I do some stretch up and unconsciously lets out a moan as I do so. It sound kind of girlish, but it's not like I can help it anyway, so I decide to just ignore it. Then after relaxing myself back, I take the blank spell card on the table and take a look at it.
Now then, the resume is done. I've gotten the grip on what this game is for and its rules. With this, supposedly, everything should be ready by now.
"….…"
–Or that's how it supposedly is. Because actually, hearing those entire theories make my thought stuck instead of filling it with ideas.
Another sigh unintentionally comes out in place of the unvoiced protest. Holding the card with my hand, I lay down on the cold tatami mat, hoping that it'll cool my head down so some ideas would just come and fill in.
Surprisingly, however, as if replying to my unvoiced protest, Sanae giggles, as if she's voicing her astonishment without saying anything. I honestly have no intention on replying on her. And fortunately to it, Sanae, after she has done with her laugh, actually opens her lips.
"Are you still confused on what to make even after the explanation, Nagisa-san?"
"…I am." There's no point in hiding it if she has realized it, so I answer honestly. "I don't mind expressing myself, but it's a problem when I don't even know what to express."
"Um… that's not weird once you know it. But you can express anything you've in mind, you know? As long as it's related to what you have, the spell card will definitely answer your call!"
"…That's kind of childish way to see it."
"B-but that's not wrong! I can attest to it!"
Even with an embarrassed blush on her face, Sanae actually trying to convince me with a convincing look. Unfortunately for her, that tomato-colored face of hers makes it less convincing, so I answer her with a dismissive hand wave.
Despite the dismissal, however, Sanae hasn't relented yet. Rising her hand, she shows me her spell card she pulled out before and waves it around in a teaching-like manner.
"I'm really serious. As long as you've something to express through or has something in mind that you want to show to other, the spell card will help you in it."
"The thing is, I don't even have anything to express or show to other, so how can I make one?"
"But it can be anything you've in mind, so I don't think it'll be that hard except you're too embarrassed to express yourself open…"
"… "
That was sharp of her. I don't want to meet her eyes because it'll be troublesome if it happens, so I look away from her and act as if I'm staring at the card. It's fortunate that being naïve as she is, Sanae doesn't realize it and just ponders about something; leaving me alone for now. So using the momentum, I decide to cool my head down and think about something.
Basically, to make a spell card, all that's need to be done is to express things which I want to show to other. Who the target is shouldn't matter. As long as it's intended to be expressed, then it should be expressed out through the spell card.
Sanae never say what's the method of how to make a spell card except the general ideas of it, so… maybe everyone has their own way to make one. Not that I care with that, but I wonder is literally anything fine as long as it's within the range of my capabilities... If it's really like that, then… hn… what was the last thing I did which is related to spiritual things again…
Just before I start to remember the things I did clearly, the card suddenly vibrates. The vibration's actually pretty strong that it makes some loud sound on the tatami mat as my hand is holding the card down on there. It's quite uncomfortable, so I rise up into a seat to take a look at the card.
And there, surprisingly, the white useless card is no longer there.
Now, instead of the white useless card, what's on my hand is a card with an image of hitodamas flying toward a bright place on the sky, leaving their body behind.
"Oh, you finally made one!" The first one who gives a positive respond surprisingly is Sanae who has already leans forward from the desk to take a look. It seems she heard the sound of the vibration, that's why she's in that position right now. "Can I take a look at it? I'm curious."
"Hn… sure. It's not like you'll understand anyway."
Giving the spell card to her, Sanae takes it with a pout on her face. It seems she doesn't accept that I said something like that. Though it's not like what I say is baseless accusation, so whatever.
"Um… let me see…" With the spell card on her hand, Sanae mutters. "It is enlightenment. Between countless paths, one shall lead the way through dream… um… what does it means?"
"See? You don't understand at all."
"I-it's not my fault that I can't understand..."
"Nah, don't worry, it isn't except the fact that you act smart. Let me see it."
"Uu…"
Oh, she looks really dejected by that. Well, let's just hope that'll stop her for being so much of a pushover. Now, shall I see what kind of odd things have my weird way of thought made?
Taking the spell card from the dejected Sanae, I immediately take a look at it. This weird pictures and odd description… oh, so it comes from there. I see, no wonder it's like this then. And I guess I've the idea on how it'll go if it's used later, so it's all fine now. All that left for this thing is a name which surprisingly hasn't came out yet.
"…Sanae, do I need to name this myself too?"
"Eh?" Sanae seems a bit startled by being suddenly called. Fortunately, it doesn't take long for her to regain herself back and nods. "Um, yes, you have to. Without a name, it can't be used."
"Oh… I thought it'll come out with a name by itself."
"Of course it won't. You should name it after you've made it. That's how it is."
"That's too bad. Hn… well, if that's the case…"
I stare at the spell card on my hand as my mind start to wander around, looking for ideas. With this kind of picture and description, as weird as it is, there's only one name I can think of. So… well, guess I'll just use that.
"…Divination Arts "Enlightenment through Dream"..."
Softly muttering the name, the spell card suddenly emits white light that envelopes it. It takes a moment until the light dims out, revealing the card. The name's not carved on the card, but for some reason it tells me that the name I just gave is its name now.
"Oh… it seems that's all I've to do to give the card a name. It's just like naming a lost kid somehow."
Muttering so without any reason in particular, I look at the card that now is a named spell card. It's kind of funny that now I feel some kind of attachment to this card now when before I treat it as useless paper. Guess that's just how it is to express something on an object, huh? What an interesting things to invent. Not that it's important now.
With a soft sigh, I put the spell card inside my hakama pocket as I lean back and use my hand to prop my body from falling to the tatami mat. My head feels a bit in heat after all of that thinking, so a rest should be good–
–Or so that's what I thought, until I see Sanae who's now looking at me with an eager smile.
"Er… do you need something?"
…I've a bad feeling about this. After a month of living with her, when she has shown her expression like that, Sanae tends to be straight to the point, so…
"Let's test that spell card out, Nagisa-san!"
Dream View – Miracle Work, Fleeting Dream
It's already close to noon, and yet, the rain hasn't shown a sign of stopping. As the drizzle keeps showering outside, the head goddess of Moriya Shrine; Yasaka Kanako decides to tell her wind priestess to postpone the work of laundry for tomorrow. Thus, as soon as she has finished with her business, she immediately goes to meet the wind priestess in the main hall of the living quarter.
As usual, her steps are proud. But today, it's even more proud. Perhaps she's in a good mood. Unfortunately, the proud steps stop and turns into a confused and worry gaze when she sees nobody in the main hall despite there are empty cups of tea and bowl of snack on the table.
"…How unusual. Usually, she would tell me beforehand if she has a plan to go somewhere."
She doesn't like to show it blatantly, but as there's nobody, her frown is filled with worry as she starts to look around. It doesn't take long for her to finally spot a familiar childish figure with usual weird hat, holding a big lily pad as an umbrella. Thus, spotting the figure, after coughing once to conceal her worry because she knows that little girl will make fun of her if she sees her stature like that, she then walks toward the little girl.
"Suwako." Upon reaching beside the little girl, the head goddess calls her name. "Have you seen Sanae? It's rare for her to not tell me before going somewhere."
"Hm? Oh, I thought you weren't here. Where were you earlier? There's something interesting happening before."
"Interesting? What is it?"
"Those things."
With barely concealed excitement, the little girl points at the sky as if guiding. It's obvious what it means, so the head goddess turns her head toward the direction the little girl points–
–And there, under the drizzly sky, she finds the wind priestess she has been looking for together with the new priest, flying.
The distance isn't so far, so she can see their expression clearly, where there she sees two variations.
One is the wind priestess who's gleaming with excitement.
And the other is the unenthusiastic priest.
Those are the variations she sees. But what surprises her isn't only that, but also the fact that those two are flying while facing each other. As far as she knows, there's only one thing which has such an obvious start and makes the wind priestess looks so excited.
"Oh, so he already makes one, isn't he? And if who he faces is Sanae, then Sanae's the one teaching him about it."
"Yep. Quick on catching on, aren't you?"
"Of course, as I'm the head goddess, I should keep my mind sharp unlike some freelancer who stays here without doing anything."
"Geh. I'm working too. You can't call me that!"
"Have I ever said who the freelancer is? Or maybe you get into the conclusion yourself? If that's how it is, I've to commend you for that."
"…What a bully."
Pouts, the little girl focus back on the sky where the wind priestess and the priest are, ignoring the laugh of the head goddess. However, surprisingly, the laugh doesn't last long. As soon as she stops, the head goddess has her eyes focus on the sky.
"It's rare for you to not go on what you think is interesting. You've been watching them from the start, aren't you?"
"Hm… maybe…"
"I'll take that as a positive response." With a smirk, the head goddess folds her hand under her chest. "Then, you should've seen what kind of spell card it is. Mind to tell me what kind is it?"
"Well… I dunno. I just heard the description because Sanae reads it out loud. So we should just see it from here, right?"
"Ahahahaha. I see. Yes, that's not a bad idea."
With a laugh, the head goddess takes a seat beside the little girl. As she does so, her gaze never leave the two who's flying on the sky, as if waiting for them to show what they got.
Together with the drizzling raindrops, beautiful yet deadly bullets are pouring from the sky.
The numbers are large, without a doubt, as it almost fully fills the sky with color other than gray of cloud. And in the middle of those bullets curtain, the priest is indirectly being forced to move around to keep himself away from getting hit.
Passing through, grazing through.
How much bullets have rips through his sleeves right now? It happens so many times that it's impossible to count. But even with how tattered his clothes are, there's no way the game will stop until one winner finally comes out from it.
"...This is getting tiring…"
Frown, the priest once again thinking of the images of bullets he can shot. All he can think of is talisman seal, as that's what he's most familiar with. Thus, slowly, the images of countless talismans seal forms inside his mind.
While evading, while grazing, slowly, the images turns into dim blue colored talismans with the same color as the common hitodama.
"…Let's try this out."
Snatching the talismans from the air, the priest then throws the talismans seal he just visualizes toward the wind priestess, who's flying on the other side of the sky.
But of course, some talismans won't be enough.
Seeing the straight path of the talismans, the wind priestess avoids it easily, before then she spreads more of her own bullets. The priest who realizes that what he does just getting him further into disadvantage, stares at the countless bullets of the wind priestess' with a deadpan stare.
"If it's too straight, it won't hit me, Nagisa-san." Suddenly, the wind priestess says with a smile. "If the track is too predictable, it'll be easy to avoid. But I'm surprised that you've a good maneuver in flight compared to how it was a month ago."
"It's just the result of having to deal with this kind of things for a full month."
"Eh? Um… you mean Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama taught you to control your flight with this?"
"That's how it is. Now, do you mind to not remind me of it?"
"…I feel sorry for you. But don't worry! That means all of it paid off, right?"
"Maybe it does… not that it matters to me."
With those words, the conversation gets cut as the priest has visualized another talisman and throws it toward the wind priestess, who once again avoids it easily because of its straight track.
All of those talk earlier, the visualization, everything are done while avoiding the bullets curtain. It's as if saying that this game is merciless toward whoever lost their focus in the middle of it. But at the same time, it's also saying that this game is beautiful for those who keep their focus as long as it goes on.
Like a flower in bloom. In other words, it's a game of transient beauty, where the one who shows longer lasting beauty and elegance shall win the game. That's what spell card rule is.
Yet right now; in the current phase where the bullets curtain's spreading widely around, the flower hasn't blossomed yet.
Right now, if one has to say, the current phase is what can be called as budding. A phase of development; a phase the flower develops and prepares itself for the blossom in the near future. And if one has to determine which the blossoming phase is, then…
"It's getting nowhere…"
With a sigh of resignation, as he floats back to avoid the falling bullets from the wind priestess, the priest mutters and take a card out from his sleeves. But right before he can even activate it, hesitation stops him.
Before the game starts, they have decided that this game only allows a use of one spell card without repetition. And ever since it's decided, the result is already obvious. Of course, both of them realize it, that's why the wind priestess subtly handicapped herself so it'll still be a fun game. The priest too, has realizes it from the start, and yet…
...as much as he realizes it, he just hate losing against handicap.
"…Whatever. I'll take the risk."
Holding the card with his index and middle finger, the priest straightens his hand frontward as if he has chanted a mantra with a talisman–
"…Divination Arts "Enlightenment through Dream"…"
–and the moment he calls its name, the spell card shines, before it slowly dissipates into thin air like a cracked glass.
Slowly, around the priest, a small dim colored ball appears. It's small at first, but in a short moment, it gets as big as a size of a child fist, before then blue colored flame starts to burn and envelope the ball, making it like that of hitodama.
But that's not where it stops.
As the bullets passes, as the priest slowly avoids the incoming bullets, more and more hitodama starts to appear until there are six of it in total, surrounding the priest as if following him.
"Oh! Hitodama is used as a form of spell card!" The first one to vocal her surprise is the wind priestess. "That's impressive. How did you get the idea, Nagisa-san?"
"How… well, just like that? There's nothing much I can think of; so that's the one that first come into my mind."
"…Hitodama is? That's kind of weird… but that's unique as well. Um, yes, I think that should be fine."
"Can you just be blunt if you've something to protest at?"
"I-it's not like that! It's… um…"
"It's what?"
"Um… it's… A-anyway!" Suddenly though, after all the pondering, the wind priestess decides to stop instead and focus back on the game. "Because you've use your own spell card, now I shall use my own too!"
"Huh? Is that really fine?"
"Yes, it should be fine. You can actually use the spell card you've agreed to use whenever you want in the game after all."
"…Well, that's fine then… eh?"
In the middle of the conversation, however, some of the hitodama which are floating around the priest starts to wane. But unfortunately, from the other side of the sky–
"Alright, then come to me, sweet miracle fruits! Miracle "Miracle Fruit"!"
–The wind priestess who doesn't realize the waning hitodama shouts the name of her spell card, activating it at the same time as the time when the three hitodama suddenly gets extinguished and disappears into the thin air.
For the priest, it's truly a surprise, as he can only stare at the place where the three hitodama are disappearing in wonder. For the competitive wind priestess, however, it's another thing,
With a smile on her face, the wind priestess raises her hand, throwing berries shaped bullets toward the sky. The bullets stay in its shape for a while as it slowly flies up on the sky. But the moment it stops rising up, it immediately scatters into the ground, creating a shower of small bullets.
In terms of numbers, it clearly shows that it's in larger amount compare to the bullets curtain from before. And in terms of density, it's more packed up as well; having lesser gaps to evade as the wind priestess keeps throwing the fruit shaped bullets toward the sky. Seeing that, the priest smiles with a deadpan expression in contrast of the wind priestess who smiles brightly.
"...This won't end well…"
"Here we go, Nagisa-san!"
Two different expressions face two different patterns of expressions. By that as a sign, the blossom part of the game begins.
"Whoa, what a weird spell card."
On the rooftop of one of the building, with a snort following afterward, the little girl who's sitting next to the head goddess gives a blatant, honest comment. Perhaps because she agrees with what the little girl said, the head goddess laughs.
"Yes, it's an interesting concept despite of how it looks. But I do agree with you that it's weird because even here, there's barely any human who expresses things in that form."
"Yep, it is. The last one which is similar would be that hell cat and the red-haired shinigami, right?"
"Exactly, and that's because they work with that kinds."
With the usual proud smile on her face, the head goddess states the fact. Reaching another agreement with her, the little girl nods cheerfully, her eyes never leave the spectacle of the bullets that are flying all over the sky.
The exchange of pattern, the exchange of bullets, it all happens on the sky under the drizzle. Despite of that, neither of the wind priestess nor the priest minds with the drizzle. Under the rain of bullets and raindrops, they're so focused, unwilling to lose against each other thus giving the common yet interesting spectacle.
"But the expression coming to him is pretty weak compared to Sanae's, isn't it?"
Suddenly, the earlier relaxing atmosphere changes slightly by the comment from the head goddess. But surprisingly, even when she realizes the change of topic, the little girl nods at it.
"Hm… yeah, it's really weak if it just poof into half of its numbers in the beginning of the spell card. It never happens to any of us, right?"
"Yes, it never happens, and I don't think I've seen this kind before. What about you?"
"It's the same, I guess. It's too bad, huh?"
"I suppose we indeed can't really rush things in this."
The talk continues as if even with that kind of vague questions and answers, they already understand what the other means behind it. Then as if they already get the answer they want from each other, the talk suddenly stops when they focus back on the spectacle of bullets curtain.
Unfortunately for the two goddesses, the moment they turn back on the spectacle, the obvious winner of the match have taken the winner seat.
And so with the winner decided, the curtain of the show falls as it totally ignores the two goddesses who blame each other for keep speaking in the time of show.
/3
Under the grey colored cloudy sky, the drizzle hasn't showed the sign of stopping. Bathed by the droplets falling from the sky and puddles on the messed up pathway; I'm staring at the sky, letting the coldness of the drizzle and the wet pathway to seep through my body.
…That was surprisingly tiring. I know that evading is tiring, but I never thought that shooting bullets would be so exhausting. Actually, even remembering it is quite tiring by itself.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, letting the coldness seeps through my back and the wetness of the rain shower seeps through my front. At times like this, it must be nice to be a plant in a healthy environment…
"Nagisa-san! Are you okay!?"
Unfortunately, however, I'm not a plant. And I don't think I can decide to be one like when I can choose a role to play in a theater or something. Sighing softly, I raise my hand and wave it in dismissal before I put it down again, hoping that Sanae who seems to be rushing here to see it as a good sign and just leave me be for a while.
Oh, this place sure is really nice. I hope I can stay like this for some time without catching on stupid serious sickness from overworking in bad weather again…
"Nagisa-san!" Though, it seems my wish won't be granted with this meddlesome wind priestess around. "Are you really okay? I'm sorry for going overboard!"
"I told you already I'm fine with a hand wave, haven't I?"
"It doesn't help at all because you don't wake up, jeez…" Arriving beside where I'm lying down, she then leans down. "Do you've any serious wound?"
"Serious wound… if there's any, I guess it's my uniform."
"Eh…?"
"It's not 'eh,' idiot." Her reaction is kind of irritating, so I force myself to a seat. "This is my one and only uniform, and now it's all tattered."
"Ah… um… i-it's true that your uniform is really tattered… but I mean your body…"
"My body is just a bit numb in some place, but that isn't serious. This uniform on the other hand… oh, why do I agree to play knowing it rips clothes again..."
As it's followed by a heave of sigh, my protests flies into the thin air as it has no real target to go. While doing so, my eyes start to take a look at the tattered uniform that covers my body.
For the upper part, the long sleeved white kimono has turned out to be half sleeveless, as one of the sleeves is completely ripped off while the other one is barely hanging. And for the bottom part, the hakama is also ripped that one of it is only knee-long. Seriously, if someone who doesn't know what happens and what my gender is sees it, they might assume that I just got assaulted by a rapist or something…
Not that I mind with it, to be honest. I don't mind on what people sees me as. But having my one and only uniform to be tattered this far is just too much…
Surprisingly, before I can even let out a sigh, Sanae actually lets out sigh first.
"Jeez… all my worried turns out to be nothing. If it's only uniform, I can repair it."
"What? I don't want to. You'll just add frills here and there."
"I-I won't do that without asking! And what's wrong with frills!? They're cute!"
"I'm. Not. A. Girl."
"A-ah!" Startled by the reminder, Sanae then bows down a bit in apologize. "I-I'm sorry, I just remember that you're not a girl. I mean… you're so girlish…"
"…Did you just insult me or something? It sounds like one."
"Ah, I didn't, don't worry! It's a compliment about how girlish you are."
"That's not even a compliment!"
I don't even have a shred intention to do it, but for some reason, I end up raising my voice as I give my protest. As a respond to that, however, instead of being surprised or anything, Sanae stares at me for a while before it suddenly turns into a muffled laugh.
Is there something funny with it? It's kind of irritating to have my protest being laughed at like that, so I end up chopping her head with my hand. I think it's kind of a hard, blunt strike, because the laugh ends up stopped by a squeal.
"O-ow… that hurts…" Squealing in pain, Sanae holds her head. "I don't mean it as an insult, you know?"
"Really? Then what is it for? I might chop you again depends on the answer."
"T-that… um…"
This time, unlike the usual, she falters a bit before she gives an answer, as if pondering it over. Waiting for her answer, I keep staring at Sanae with a frown.
"A-anyway!" After a moment, however, instead of giving an answer, she decides to change the topic. Quite a wise answer, I guess, so I decide to leave it be as it is and let her talk. "It'll be bad to stay here for too long. I'll prepare some clothes for you, so you can take a bath first."
"Hn… well, fine. Then I'll go to bath first."
"Yes, please do so… ah, please wait a moment. Are you fine with kimono, Nagisa-san?"
"Kimono? I actually prefer it compared to nowadays modern clothes. Not that I mind wearing shirt or anything though."
"I see. Then I shall prepare it and put it at front of the bathroom later." With a nod, Sanae then turns around. "Ah, yes, I haven't prepared the bath…"
"Nah, don't mind that. I'll prepare it by myself while I'm at it."
"Are you sure? I mean, you've been lying on the ground, so your body must be cold…"
"It'll be better to work rather than waiting with wet tattered clothes like this, so… yeah, as much as I want to say no, I'd rather prepare it myself."
"Um, thank you. I'll see you after bath, Nagisa-san."
While smiling, Sanae waves her hand before then she completely turns around and walks inside the shrine living building. The figure of her back as she walks slowly becomes smaller until it can't be seen anymore as she gets inside the building. As the drizzle falls on my body, I take a glance around, before then I let out a sigh as my eyes gaze upon the card on my hand.
"I wonder what's wrong with this card…"
This spell card isn't as tame as how Sanae and Kanako said it. I thought at first it'll just activate without any trouble when I've done with all the procedure, but…
What happened earlier is nothing like that. In fact, it's the total opposite.
The disappearance of the three hitodama wasn't something I intended to do. It was something that happened just like that, so I was truly surprised. Maybe something was wrong when I activated it earlier, or there's something I'm still missing…
"Oh, well, whatever."
With another sigh, I put the spell card inside the hakama pocket. I still don't know how to make it appears and disappears as I wish, so I've no choice but to put it in my pocket. How troublesome. Guess I'll do something about it and all later.
As for now…
Stretching up my body, I let out a relieved sigh as soon as I relax it back. Then after I stand up, I walk toward the bathroom to clean myself up.
Author Note:
Real life can be real busy... sorry for the two weeks of delay, but here is the thirteenth chapter!
To be honest, I don't think I've much to say in this chapter despite it having some lengthy explanation of spell card rules and some other important things. But either way, I hope it can conclude and explains some things about spell card rules, or at least how it is and how it'll be used in this story. And I hope I'll be forgiven to conclude it all by myself up until how to make it.
For the second note, even when I include spell card rules and even write lengthy introduction and explanation of it, this story won't be focused on the battle. And even if there's any, it'll be made in simple details (or not detailed at all) like how it was in this chapter. So for anyone who's hoping for an epic fight, I'm sorry, but there won't be any that's detailed epic battles. But even with that, I'll still try to write it and make it interesting to read, so for anyone who decides on keep reading, thank you for the support, and for anyone else, thank you for reading until now!
As usual, sorry if I mess up things, and review will be appreciated.
And finally with that, that marks the end of the author note for this chapter. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter!