Chapter 5

The courtyard of the Hakurei Shrine shimmered faintly under the sunlight.

Not far away, Reimu stood in her designated spot, wearing her red and white shrine maiden outfit, lightly twirling spiritual talismans in her hand.

Opposite her, Kyouya stood seemingly relaxed, unarmed, with only a soft breeze tousling his black hair. Surrounding them, the audience—Yukari, Yuyuko, Marisa, Sakuya, Sanae, Remilia, Flandre, Patchouli, Mokou, Kaguya, Suika, Aya, Youmu, Komachi—as well as Kengo and Tamami, waited at the edge of the courtyard for the first match to begin.

Reimu squinted slightly, a smirk curling her lips. "Kyouya, you keep claiming to be 'ordinary,' so let me see just how 'ordinary' you really are." Her tone carried a hint of mockery, clearly doubting Kyouya's feigned innocence.

Kyouya scratched the back of his head, putting on a look of helpless innocence. "Oh, Reimu, don't be so mean! I'm really weak, you know, with barely any strength. This kind of sparring match... won't it be boring?"

Reimu let out a cold laugh. "Boring? I don't think so. Last time, you used your wind to blow my broom into the sky and laughed so hard about it. Now it's my turn for payback."

Kyouya let out an awkward chuckle, inwardly thinking, Great, she's holding a grudge... Yet he maintained his harmless smile. "That was just an accident! I only wanted to see if I could help your broom fly higher, but the wind got out of control... haha."

Reimu didn't say another word. She waved her gohei, and spiritual talismans rained down like flower petals toward Kyouya. The shimmering papers descended elegantly yet dangerously, like a celestial cascade. Kyouya knew his plan well: to act ordinary, he couldn't make it look too easy.

So, in that instant, he deliberately acted "a split-second too slow," letting the first talisman hit his shoulder directly. When it exploded, he dramatically shouted, "Ouch! Shrine maiden charms hurt! I'm filing for worker's compensation!"

The audience froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. Yuyuko lightly covered her mouth as she giggled, Marisa laughed so hard she elbowed Youmu, Sakuya raised an eyebrow, and Patchouli casually turned a page in her book without comment.

Komachi quipped with a chuckle, "With all that exaggeration, Kyouya, you might as well lie down and give up!"

Suika hugged her gourd, laughing as she slapped her thigh. "This guy's hilarious! The charm barely hit him, and he's already crying about it. Is he really pretending to be ordinary?"

Reimu wore a half-exasperated, half-amused expression. "Worker's compensation? Are you here to work for me?"

Kyouya clutched his "injured" shoulder, putting on a pitiful face. "Well, don't I help out at your shrine? If the boss's charms hurt me, shouldn't that count? At least treat me to dinner as compensation!"

Reimu let out a frustrated laugh and waved her hand to launch a few more charms. "Stop spouting nonsense! Take this!"

This time, Kyouya didn't dodge immediately. He created a faint breeze around himself but intentionally controlled it poorly, as if struggling to deflect Reimu's attacks. Another talisman struck his right leg, emitting a small spark of spiritual energy.

Kyouya immediately feigned panic, hopping twice on one foot. "Ow, ow, miko-sama, you're so ruthless! At this rate, are you going to turn me into green onions?" He struck a comical pose, prompting Aya to snap a photo with an audible click.

Aya chuckled, "This photo is going to make headlines: 'Kyouya Amaba's Ordinary Sparring Turns into Comedy Show!'"

Remilia crossed her arms, letting out a cold hum. "This fool is unbelievably stupid. Reimu, let me teach him a lesson instead." Despite her words, there was a subtle hint of expectation in her tone, as if curious to see more of Kyouya's antics.

Reimu, unwilling to lose her composure, took a deep breath and decided to increase her power. Dozens of spiritual talismans filled the air, converging on Kyouya from all angles. Kyouya "panicked," dodging clumsily while occasionally nudging the talismans' trajectories with weak breezes. Still, he deliberately let some hit him, resulting in exaggerated "ow ow ow" reactions.

Patchouli muttered softly while turning a page in her book, "Is he really bad at using wind, or is he faking it? This looks like a joke."

Yuyuko leisurely nibbled on a snack, smiling as she said, "Who cares if it's real or fake? This performance is quite entertaining."

A talisman grazed Kyouya's cheek, and he quickly dropped to one knee, dramatically clutching the ground as he exclaimed, "Oh, shrine maiden, have mercy! I'm just a fragile tsukumogami—don't aim for the face!"

Reimu rolled her eyes, but the corner of her lips betrayed a small smile. "Aren't you supposed to be good with wind? Why not use it now?"

Kyouya fanned himself with his hand, pretending to be overheated. "There's been a wind shortage lately—probably due to atmospheric pressure. I should lodge a complaint with the weather bureau!"

Sanae couldn't help but interject, "Kyouya-san, are you really taking this seriously with all these jokes?"

"Of course I am!" Kyouya answered with feigned sincerity, only to be struck on the back by another talisman. He pretended to stagger before collapsing. "Ahh! The shrine maiden's spiritual power is too strong—I can't take it anymore!"

Flandre covered her mouth, giggling. "He doesn't look like he's in pain at all. It's more like he's acting!"

The audience roared with laughter, and even Reimu found herself inexplicably relaxing. What was supposed to be a sparring match felt more like a comedy show. She recalled his earlier complaints about worker's compensation and dinner invitations, and for a brief moment, an unfamiliar flutter stirred in her heart.

"Hmph, Kyouya, no amount of humor can hide the fact that you're far from ordinary," Reimu thought, attempting to provoke him into revealing more of his true strength. She intensified the barrage, filling the courtyard with a veritable rain of talismans.

Kyouya inwardly sighed. His current strategy was to appear "completely ordinary," but Reimu clearly wasn't going to hold back. He continued to feign "unstable wind control," deflecting some talismans while letting others strike the ground around him or his deliberately exposed limbs. Each hit prompted dramatic cries of pain and absurd remarks.

"Ouch! Shrine maiden charms hurt so much—I'm filing for worker's comp!"

"Oh no, my wind's jammed today—there's a pressure drop in the atmosphere!"

"Help me, spectators! Don't just watch me get beaten—cheer me on at least!"

Suika nearly spit out her drink, Marisa doubled over with laughter, Sakuya smirked slightly, Sanae covered her mouth to stifle her giggles, and Yuyuko was practically leaning on Aya in hysterics.

Surprisingly, Reimu didn't get angry. While she "seriously" increased her spiritual energy output, she watched Kyouya's exaggerated antics escalate into outright slapstick. Her heart stirred with an odd sensation—an inexplicable mix of exasperation and amusement.

"This idiot..." she murmured softly.

Kyouya's sharp ears caught her muttered words. Just as he was about to tease her, another talisman struck his back. He staggered dramatically, supporting himself with one hand on the ground. Glancing sideways at

Reimu, he groaned, "Ow... shrine maiden, can you go a little easier on me? I'm really delicate, you know."

Reimu smirked faintly, her voice cold but playful. "I don't recall promising to hold back."

Feigning hurt, Kyouya whispered just loud enough for her to hear, "If you're this heartless, I... I might just quit helping you sweep the shrine next time!"

Reimu stifled a laugh, thinking, So this guy remembers his 'job,' huh? Outwardly, she remained stoic. "Fine by me. You think I can't find another helper?"

Kyouya sighed theatrically, brushing dust off his cheek with one finger. His gaze held a surprising warmth. "Ah, such a ruthless shrine maiden. You've shown me a new side of you today."

Reimu froze momentarily, feeling a faint, ambiguous tension between them. She quickly dismissed it, raising her hand for another volley of talismans. "Stop babbling and keep fighting!"

Eventually, after several minutes of relentless attacks, Kyouya—covered in dust and feigning exhaustion—raised his hand in surrender. "Alright, alright, I give up! Shrine maiden, you're too strong. I'm applying for sick leave and medical benefits!"

Reimu brushed off her sleeves nonchalantly. While she knew Kyouya was likely faking, his performance was so convincing she couldn't gauge his true strength. Moreover, his occasional warm glances and playful remarks left a faint sweetness lingering over their comedic battle.

"Next match. I've already proven he's 'ordinary enough,'" Reimu said with a sly smile as she turned to leave.

Kyouya, leaning on his knees, waved to the audience. "Phew, what a fierce battle... I almost didn't make it..." His mock-weary act sent the crowd into another round of laughter.

Among the laughter, Reimu's retreating figure seemed to shake slightly—was that a suppressed chuckle? Kyouya wasn't sure, but he felt secretly triumphant. His strategy had worked; everyone still believed his strength was limited. And in Reimu's gaze, that trace of complex emotion might just become the subtle spark that deepened their relationship in the future.

Flandre propped her chin on her hands, laughing heartily. "Kyouya-niisan is so funny! I thought he'd be super strong!"

Patchouli spoke calmly. "His wind control is incredibly precise. Those 'mistakes' earlier were far from simple."
Yuyuko chuckled. "Regardless, Kyouya-san certainly brought plenty of joy to everyone."

Kyouya returned to Kengo and Tamami, whispering, "Alright, my act's done. Now it's your turn!"

Kengo replied softly, "Not bad, but make sure to tone down the humor and keep it natural."

Tamami gave a sheepish smile. "Kyouya, that fall you did looked so real!"
Kyouya grinned smugly. "Of course! That's called acting!"

Next up: Kengo versus Sakuya in the second match!

The Hakurei Shrine's courtyard shimmered softly under the afternoon sunlight.

The first match between Kyouya and Reimu had left everyone roaring with laughter, but now the atmosphere had taken a sharp turn as the second match began: Kengo Tsuchimikado versus Sakuya Izayoi. The moment the two stepped into position, the air grew tense, a stark contrast to the previous lighthearted bout.

Sakuya stood tall, her silver hair lightly swaying in the breeze. The throwing knives in her hands gleamed with a cold light, and her gaze was calm and steady, like the serene yet unyielding stars of a winter night.

She recalled her first meeting with Kengo—a composed and warm tsukumogami who had left her with a positive impression. Unlike others who loved to mock or speak flippantly, he carried himself with the steadiness of a mountain, earning her respect almost instinctively.

Now, with their official sparring match about to begin, she felt a twinge of curiosity. Would she witness a deeper display of his strength, or was he truly as "ordinary" as he claimed?

Kengo stepped forward, his demeanor calm and steady. Internally, he reminded himself of his task: to appear ordinary, even to the point of being defeated. Yet, he couldn't make it too obvious by outright refusing to defend himself.

Instead, he opted to employ his earth manipulation in a subdued and deliberately delayed manner, ensuring Sakuya's attacks could still land effectively.

He respected Sakuya as a serious and elegant opponent and decided to engage with subtlety.

Sakuya made the first move. With a flick of her wrist, several knives flew through the air, their silver arcs glinting under the distortion of her time manipulation—like shooting stars streaking through the sky.

Kengo could have easily shifted the terrain to block her assault, raising walls of earth or tilting the ground to deflect the knives' trajectories. Instead, he lightly tapped the ground with his toe, tilting a stone slab just enough to slightly alter the path of a few knives.

As a result, one or two blades shifted course, but a single knife still managed to slice through his shoulder fabric with ease.

The spectators let out quiet gasps.

Reimu crossed her arms, a cold smile tugging at her lips. "He's clearly holding back. Look how convincing he's trying to be."

Yukari chuckled softly. "Perhaps he really is just ordinary?" There was a distinct note of intrigue in her voice.

Marisa muttered under her breath, "That kind of defense is hilarious. It's making me want to jump in and test him myself."

Sanae murmured gently, "Maybe he's just being polite. Kengo-san usually isn't this clumsy."

Sakuya furrowed her brows slightly. Strange. If he was truly adept at earth manipulation, why didn't he block completely?

Kengo let out a small, self-deprecating laugh, his tone gentle. "Sakuya-san, your knife skills are impeccable—so precise, like a chef slicing vegetables."

He glanced at his torn sleeve and offered a smile that was equal parts apologetic and good-natured.

Hearing such an odd analogy, Sakuya felt both amused and exasperated. Comparing her attacks to slicing vegetables? She wanted to retort but found herself holding back when she saw his warm smile. Recalling his composed and respectful demeanor from their previous interaction, she felt an unexpected warmth. Perhaps it was just a flustered joke made in the heat of the moment?

Determined to probe further, she moved again, her toes barely grazing the ground as she manipulated time to send knives hurtling from multiple angles. This time, Kengo quietly raised a low wall of earth—but deliberately left it too short. Two knives ricocheted off the top of the wall, while a third skimmed over its edge and nicked his waist, leaving a shallow cut.

Gasps rippled through the crowd once more.

Flandre's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This feels like a game! Is he doing this on purpose?"

Patchouli's calm voice offered analysis. "The height wasn't enough. It could be intentional, or it might indicate a lack of skill."

Yuyuko, nibbling on a snack, commented with a relaxed smile, "Whatever the reason, it's fun to watch. Let's see what happens next."

Sakuya's confusion deepened. The timing of the wall's emergence was impeccable, yet it felt incomplete, like a hastily constructed defense. Her instincts told her that Kengo was capable of much more.

If he refused to reveal his full strength, she resolved to push him further.

She activated her time manipulation once more, her figure flitting across the courtyard like a phantom.

From the air, she unleashed a volley of knives at sharp, unpredictable angles. Feeling the pressure, Kengo lightly stomped the ground, raising another thin wall of earth and attempting to cause a slight depression where Sakuya might land. However, he deliberately miscalculated by half a second.

The wall only rose halfway before a knife sailed over it, grazing his arm and leaving a slender cut.

Suika, sipping from her gourd, grinned. "This guy's playing dumb, isn't he? It's obvious he's got more tricks up his sleeve."

Komachi leaned lazily against a pillar, shaking her head. "Whatever he's doing, it's entertaining, like watching a stage play."

Kengo exhaled softly, a hint of embarrassment in his gentle smile. "Sakuya-san, your technique keeps getting sharper. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to outwit you. Maybe someday you could teach me, so I can improve my… vegetable-slicing skills."

Sakuya couldn't help but chuckle at his humor, even as she found it exasperating. She suspected his "ordinary" demeanor was an act, yet seeing him accumulate minor injuries while maintaining a respectful tone and even complimenting her left her surprisingly charmed.

A person who could remain composed under pressure, she thought, deserved admiration.

One final time, Sakuya sought to test him. She froze time briefly, appearing behind Kengo to launch two knives aimed at vital points. Kengo reacted instantly, lightly stepping on the ground to raise a small mound of earth.

Theoretically, it could have deflected one knife and altered the other's trajectory. Instead, he deliberately applied insufficient force, leaving the mound half-formed. Both knives passed over the incomplete defense, one grazing his back and leaving a faint scratch.

"Ugh…" Kengo let out a quiet groan, his body swaying as if unsteady. Even so, he turned to Sakuya with a gentle smile, bowing slightly. "I concede, Sakuya-san. Your mastery of time manipulation is truly remarkable. I couldn't defend myself any better."

Sakuya studied him, conflicted. She had no intention of driving him to his limits, and seeing him in such a state, she retracted her knives, choosing not to press further.

Whether she had reached his true limits or not, his torn clothing and accumulating injuries painted a convincing picture of defeat.

She smiled faintly, her tone softening. "Kengo-san, it seems you truly can't match my speed and precision. I'll take this victory."

Kengo nodded, his expression respectful. "Indeed, Sakuya-san. Your skill is truly impressive. I did my best, but this is all I could manage. If there's a next time, perhaps I'll refine… my vegetable-slicing technique."

Hearing the phrase "vegetable-slicing" again, Sakuya felt equal parts amused and exasperated. She didn't rebut him, instead remembering the positive impression he had left on her. Though she hadn't seen his true strength, his gentlemanly restraint and humor left her good opinion intact.

Perhaps one day, in another setting, he would reveal his real power—a thought that lingered in her mind with quiet anticipation.

Sakuya bowed slightly. "Thank you for the match."

With that, she turned and returned to the spectators, her graceful and composed demeanor unbroken. Yet, as she walked away, her feelings toward Kengo had softened, a hint of warmth replacing her usual cool detachment.

Kengo gently pressed his wound and slowly exited the field. On the surface, he appeared to be a defeated underdog, but in truth, his mission had been a resounding success. Watching from the sidelines, Tamami and Kyouya exchanged subtle nods of approval. Meanwhile, Yukari, Patchouli, and Yuyuko—ever perceptive—each harbored their own suspicions. Was this man truly so inept, or was there a deeper layer to his actions?

The second match ended in a delicate balance of tension and ambiguity. While Sakuya's initial good impression of Kengo hadn't diminished due to his "defeat," it had subtly grown due to his humor and grace under pressure.

Though the trio's true strength remained elusive, the ongoing performance ensured that no one in Gensokyo dared to underestimate these so-called "ordinary" tsukumogami.

Match Three: Tamami Shiomi vs. Sanae Kochiya

A gentle breeze swept through the Hakurei Shrine courtyard, where the comedic antics and mysteries of the previous two matches had yet to dissipate. All eyes turned to the center of the field.

Tamami stood there, his short silver hair lightly swaying in the breeze, his expression soft and exuding an air of obliviousness. Opposite him, Sanae, as kind and composed as ever, stood in her blue and white shrine maiden attire, gleaming brightly under the sunlight. The atmosphere between them was unusually gentle as they exchanged glances.

Sanae already harbored a certain fondness for Tamami. Over the past few days, he had often visited the Moriya Shrine to prepare breakfast—not only earning the praise of Kanako and Suwako but also endearing himself to Sanae with his culinary skills and warm personality. Now that they were to spar officially, she felt a mixture of anticipation and concern. Could someone as "ordinary" and "clumsy" as this tsukumogami really handle her divine power?

Tamami, on the other hand, understood his mission: he had to appear weak and ultimately "get defeated." His plan was to use water to counter Sanae's attacks but to intentionally make mistakes that would highlight his supposed lack of skill.

The thought of getting closer to Sanae during the match made him nervous—not only did he have to act convincingly, but he also had to ensure she remained unharmed and didn't form a negative impression of him.

Sanae raised her gohei and spoke softly, her tone gentle. "Tamami-san, I've always admired your kindness and cooking, but today we must test each other. Please be careful—I'll hold back my strength so you won't get seriously hurt."

Tamami smiled gratefully, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Thank you, Sanae-san. I… may be very 'ordinary,' but I'll do my best."

Sanae smiled back and took a deep breath, summoning her divine power. She could control wind and rain, wielding her divine essence with precision.

Although she had no intention of harming Tamami, her attacks would still pose significant pressure if used at full force.

Raising her hand, she formed a gentle stream of divine energy, transforming it into wind-and-rain arrows that shot toward Tamami.

Tamami suppressed his power to one-billionth of its capacity, casually raising a hand to summon a thin stream of water that formed a barrier in midair.

While he could have precisely controlled the water to perfectly neutralize the attack, he deliberately "lagged by half a second," causing the water to spray too high and off-course.

As a result, the water barrier only partially dissolved the attack, leaving splashes everywhere—including a good amount on his own face.

The spectators erupted in laughter.

Marisa burst out laughing. "Is he trying to wash his own face?"

Yuyuko smiled behind her hand. "He's certainly… 'ordinary.'"

Reimu frowned. "Is he really that inept?"

Patchouli, observing calmly, muttered, "He still managed to control the water precisely, but he deliberately left it incomplete… Curious."

Flandre waved her arms excitedly. "Tamami-nii, come on! Don't lose so badly!"

Kaguya chuckled lightly. "How amusing. It seems he's working hard to mess everything up."

Sanae, looking slightly concerned, called out, "Tamami-san, are you alright?" She hadn't used her full strength, and seeing him in such a messy state made her feel a little guilty.

Tamami wiped his face, offering an awkward smile. "Haha, Sanae-san's attack was amazing! I got flustered… But it's fine, I'll try again!"

Sanae took another deep breath and swung her gohei again, this time summoning a small wind sphere crackling with thunderous energy.

Tamami formed another water barrier, a narrow water wall. It should have perfectly deflected the sphere, but he intentionally built it halfway, causing the water column to wobble.

The wind sphere struck the barrier's top, shattering it into a burst of water that sent Tamami sliding backward. He fell onto the wet ground with a loud splash.

The spectators exploded with laughter, some even starting to jeer.

Suika laughed uproariously, shaking her gourd. "This guy is too funny!"

Aya snapped photos excitedly. "This is front-page material!"

Mokou sneered. "This is ridiculous!"

Patchouli murmured, "It's definitely intentional… but why?"

Yukari murmured, "He's acting well enough, but what's next?"

Tamami, lying in the puddle, raised his hand in surrender and shouted, "Sanae-san, you're amazing! I surrender already!" But as he waved for mercy, his position on the ground caused him to misjudge his movement, and he accidentally leaned forward—his hands instinctively reaching out to break his fall, only to land directly on a soft, inappropriate spot on Sanae's chest as she rushed forward to check on him.

The air froze.

Sanae's cheeks turned bright red, and she was momentarily speechless.

Tamami's face flushed as red as an overripe apple. He quickly pulled his hands back, stammering apologies. "I-I'm so sorry! Sanae-san, I didn't mean to! I just fell…"

Sanae, despite her embarrassment, maintained her gentle nature. She shook her head slightly, her voice soft. "I… I know it wasn't on purpose… Don't worry about it."

Around them, the other girls began whispering and teasing.

Marisa whistled, laughing so hard she nearly fell over. "Oh boy, what a scene!"

Remilia smirked behind her hand. "My, my. Tamami's 'accident' is rather… bold."

Flandre giggled. "Tamami-nii, is that your way of surrendering?"

Yukari fanned herself with a knowing smile, saying nothing.

Yuyuko shook her head with a chuckle. "This is chaotic, but isn't it entertaining?"

Kaguya chuckled softly. "It seems this match is more of a farce than a test of skill."

Sanae, both embarrassed and flustered, took a deep breath to steady herself. "Ahem… Tamami-san, it's alright. Should we… try again? Don't give up so soon!"

Tamami didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he nodded. "O-okay, I'll try harder…"

Sanae, regaining some composure, unleashed a gentler attack—a flurry of wind blades aimed to give Tamami a chance to respond properly. Tamami formed a thin water membrane, which should have diverted the blades easily, but he overdid it. The water membrane shattered, splashing onto Sanae's shrine maiden outfit.

"Ah…!" Sanae gasped as water soaked the front of her outfit, leaving much of the fabric clinging to her skin. The sight left her red-faced and panicked. The audience, meanwhile, erupted into another round of uproarious laughter.

Tamami, seeing her drenched state, panicked further. He stammered out apologies. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Sanae-san! I couldn't control it!"

Sanae, mortified but still kind, replied softly. "It's… it's alright. I know it wasn't intentional." Yet her feelings grew more complicated—embarrassment mingled with a strange fondness. Her heart raced: Why is he so clumsy?

Flandre whispered, "Tamami-nii really seems… ordinary."

Kaguya added, "Yes, his performance is certainly unexpected."

Tamami, overwhelmed by guilt and nervousness, suddenly felt his nose start to bleed.

The sight of Sanae's drenched outfit had overstimulated him, and before anyone could react, he fainted dramatically on the spot.

"Tamami-san!" Sanae exclaimed, rushing to his side. She couldn't believe her light attack had caused such an extreme reaction. Surely it hadn't been powerful enough to make someone bleed and faint—this was too much!

The audience erupted into chaos.

Marisa doubled over with laughter. "Oh my gosh, this is over the top!"

Flandre shook someone next to her. "He even got a nosebleed! Haha!"

Mokou frowned impatiently. "What is this nonsense?"

Aya snapped photos non-stop. "Exclusive content!"

Patchouli sighed softly. "This is… incomprehensible."

Kyouya and Kengo exchanged glances before quietly turning away. They knew the real reason for Tamami's nosebleed and fainting wasn't any injury but rather the "stimulating" sight of Sanae's soaked shrine maiden outfit.

Yukari hid her smile behind her fan. "Hehe, it seems he's 'ordinary' enough to be overwhelmed by the scene."

Reimu, watching coldly, rolled her eyes. "Another farce… What are these three even doing?"

Sanae, her face still red, knelt beside Tamami and gently patted his shoulder. "Tamami-san, are you okay? I didn't use much force… How could this happen?" She began to doubt whether she had been too strong, but no, this was absurd.

Tamami lay unconscious, his nosebleed already stopped. He had perfectly executed his role as the "defeated" underdog, even if the process was chaotic, embarrassing, and utterly ridiculous. He had succeeded in appearing weak and utterly outmatched.

Though the girls teased him, some couldn't help but suspect there was more to the story. Sanae, despite her confusion, focused on Tamami's wellbeing.

Her gentle nature led her to chalk the incident up to his clumsiness and bad luck, choosing to believe in his innocence.

The third match ended in a flurry of laughter and awkwardness. Tamami's Oscar-worthy performance, his comical blunders, and dramatic fainting became the talk of the day.

The audience was left at a loss for words to describe these "ordinary" tsukumogami, caught between exasperation and amusement.

As for Sanae, though she didn't say it outright, her fondness for Tamami grew a touch deeper.

His "fragility" evoked her sympathy, and coupled with her existing admiration for him, their connection became all the more subtle and intriguing.