Shinjuku.
Yuuki Asuna had just finished her various Saturday lessons.
After the female tutor responsible for coaching her left the room, she stretched languidly.
“Hehe, finally I can go see Kami-sama.” After simply tidying up, Yuuki Asuna changed out of her pajamas, tied up her hair, and checked her reflection in the mirror.
Confirming everything was perfect, she walked out of her room.
In the living room on the first floor, her mother, Yuuki Kyoko, was sitting on the sofa drinking tea.
Seeing her daughter walking down the stairs, dressed and ready to go out, she asked with a blank expression, “Asuna, are you planning to go to the shrine again?” “Yes, Mother.” Yuuki Asuna restrained her smile slightly.
She had never held much affection for her mother, a university professor who had always been strict with her.
“I have told you many times, Asuna.
You should be prioritizing your studies right now.
It’s not as if Yuen-sama can’t function without you.” Yuuki Kyoko took a sip of tea from the cup in her hand, her tone sounding like a serious lecture.
Yuuki Asuna frowned slightly.
She was growing impatient with these words; her originally good mood was instantly dampened.
“Mother, I have completed all of today’s coursework.
I just want to go out for a breather.” “Besides, going to the shrine every day is a task Grandfather assigned to me.
If you have objections, Mother, please speak to Grandfather.” With those words, Yuuki Asuna withdrew her gaze, walked to the entryway, and put on her leather shoes.
“I’m leaving.” Walking out of the villa into the spacious courtyard, Yuuki Asuna let the smile return to her face.
She approached a middle-aged woman who was weeding the garden ahead.
“Rei-san, could you please drive me to the shrine?” The middle-aged woman’s name was Shirai Rei.
She was the Yuuki family’s driver.
Before Yuuki Asuna was born, she had been responsible for driving Yuuki Kyoko.
Three or four years ago, after Yuuki Kyoko transferred to Waseda University near their home, she began walking to work, eliminating the need for a car.
Thus, Shirai Rei’s duties shifted from serving Yuuki Kyoko to serving Yuuki Asuna.
Shirai Rei glanced at the road outside the courtyard, which was still wet.
“The rain stopped only recently, Miss.
It is too dangerous for you to go to the shrine right now.” Reaching Yuen Shrine required climbing a mountain.
The stone steps would undoubtedly be slippery than usual due to the rain.
If she were to accidentally fall, the consequences would be unthinkable.
“Oh, come on, Rei-san~ Just take me there.” “I’ve gone alone on rainy days before.
I know perfectly well that nothing will happen!” Yuuki Asuna shook Shirai Rei’s arm relentlessly.
Unable to withstand Yuuki Asuna’s coquettish pleading, Shirai Rei’s heart softened.
“I can drive you there.
But let’s be clear: once we arrive, I will climb the mountain with you, Miss.” “Huh?” Yuuki Asuna froze, pursing her lips in conflict.
She just wanted to see Kami-sama alone.
But seeing the firm look on Shirai Rei’s face, Yuuki Asuna knew there was no room for compromise on this matter.
She had no choice but to grit her teeth and agree helplessly.
“Fine, then.” “Wait for me to change my clothes.” Yuuki Asuna nodded.
“Please hurry, Rei-san.” It was already 3:30 PM.
The time she could stay out was limited.
The later she arrived at the shrine, the less time she would have to spend with Yuen.
….
Driving from the Yuuki residence in the city to the shrine’s location, Shirai Rei barely lifted her foot off the gas pedal, arriving in less than twenty minutes.
Yuuki Asuna was delighted by this and couldn’t help but praise her.
“…Rei-san, your driving skills are amazing.” “You flatter me, Miss.” Shirai Rei’s expression remained unchanged, revealing no emotion.
Summer temperatures were high.
Even though the sun was still obscured by clouds, the rainwater on the ground had already half-dried.
“Rei-san, look, the stairs aren’t that wet anymore.
How about letting me go up to the shrine alone?” Yuuki Asuna cunningly tried to persuade Shirai Rei to stay behind.
“No.” Shirai Rei refused immediately without a second thought.
“Please, Rei-san~ Just let me go up alone.” “Miss, you agreed to go up together.
If you do not keep your promise, I will drag you back home right now.” Shirai Rei stared at Yuuki Asuna with calm eyes.
On matters of principle, she would not soften her heart, especially when it concerned Yuuki Asuna’s safety.
It wasn’t just out of duty; she had watched Yuuki Asuna grow up since childhood, and her affection for the girl ran deep.
“Ugh…” Yuuki Asuna pouted unhappily.
But compared to going home, going up with Shirai Rei was the better option.
The two began ascending the steps toward the mountaintop shrine.
Since Yuuki Asuna was accustomed to walking this path, her pace was much faster than the average person.
Halfway up the stairs, Yuuki Asuna looked back.
Shirai Rei was following not far behind.
“I didn’t expect Rei-san to keep up so well.” she muttered with slight surprise, then turned back and continued walking.
Entering the shrine grounds, Yuuki Asuna immediately trotted into the Main Hall.
She called out to Yuen’s statue: “Kami-sama, I’m here!” Usually, after she shouted this, Yuen would emerge from the dimensional space.
But today, there was no movement at all.
This uncharacteristic situation made Yuuki Asuna pause.
“…Is Kami-sama not here?” Yuuki Asuna walked out of the Main Hall just as Shirai Rei finished climbing the stairs and approached.
“What is wrong?” “Kami-sama seems to be absent.
I’m going to look for him in other places.” Yuuki Asuna replied, then immediately went to search the other halls for Yuen.
But after searching the entire shrine, Yuuki Asuna found no trace of Yuen-sama.
She began to feel somewhat at a loss.
“Kami-sama is gone…?” Seeing Yuuki Asuna looking so crestfallen, Shirai Rei walked over to comfort her.
“I imagine he must have gone out.” “But Kami-sama never goes out!” Tears filled Yuuki Asuna’s eyes; she was so anxious she was on the verge of crying.
“Perhaps Yuen-sama suddenly decided he wanted to go out?
Aren’t there security cameras installed at the foot of the mountain?
Why don’t you check them, Miss, and see if that is the case?” Yuuki Asuna didn’t hold much hope for Shirai Rei’s suggestion, but she took out her phone to check today’s surveillance footage anyway.
Watching at 5x speed, Yuuki Asuna saw a girl about her age climb the mountain on the screen.
Then, not long after, the girl came down—bringing someone with her.
“Ka…
Kami-sama?” Although the face captured by the camera was a bit blurry, she could still clearly recognize Yuen.
Yuuki Asuna watched it again in disbelief.
After confirming it, her expression turned slightly blank.
“Kami-sama has been abducted by a wicked woman.”