The Grand Narukami Shrine is built at the summit of Mt.
Yougou, with the sacred path constructed along the mountainside, ensuring that no one who passes this way could doubt the piety of its builders.
Looking out from the mountain top on a clear day, a vast expanse of land can be seen in its entirety.
Upon entering the Grand Narukami Shrine, one is greeted by vermilion wooden structures and roofs covered in specially made tiles.
Shallow water flows around the shrine, and plants like Naku Weed and Sakura Bloom are not uncommon here, making the place seem all the more like a masterpiece of divine beauty.
Long stone steps lead from the entrance to the Haiden of the shrine, with a Shrine Office on the side responsible for daily matters such as managing fortune slips.
At this time, there was no one around the shrine; Kitsune Saiguu had likely sent the shrine maidens away in advance, giving the buildings a more sacred and peaceful atmosphere.
Clementine noticed a multi-layered wooden rack on one side of the shrine, hung with wooden plaques of various shapes.
According to Makoto, these were called Ema, and people would write their wishes on them, praying for the gods to grant their fulfillment.
Makoto clearly showed quite a bit of interest when she said this.
People’s wishes—it sounded like something she would linger for.
Thus, Clementine said considerately: “Do you want to go look at those wishes?
I’ll wait for you here, so don’t worry about me being bored.” Makoto pulled Clementine back instead.
“Why are you always thinking of me?
I can’t just leave you hanging here.
Since we’re on the subject, why don’t you come and look with me?
We can also chat.” The Thunder Dragon naturally complied.
The written wishes were varied.
Some prayed for favorable weather, some for good health and family happiness, while more people prayed for a peaceful and stable life.
If it were her, she would surely make all these wishes come true.
Clementine watched as Makoto looked through the Wishes one by one, making such a judgment in her heart.
After all, Makoto didn’t just take these wishes to heart; she was always thinking about how to realize them.
She couldn’t help but wonder: if a god who loves people strives to fulfill everyone’s wishes, then who fulfills the god’s own wishes?
“Then what is your wish?” Makoto, who had bent over to look at the Ema hanging on the lower level, straightened up and looked at Clementine with a smile.
“Does that mean you want me to make a Wish?
Then can I be a bit greedy and make several wishes?” “No one says you can only have one Wish.
Of course you can; as many as you like.” “Then my Wish is to fulfill everyone’s wishes.” Clementine pressed further: “And what else?” “If there’s more…
I hope I can protect Ei in return and let her be more at ease.” Afterwards, Makoto teased with a hint of helplessness.
“If you keep asking, I’ll really have nothing left to say.
That’s all I’m thinking about.” So Clementine replied: “Then I can change the question.” “Why not save a Wish for yourself?” “For me?” Makoto was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward, closing the distance between them until they could look into each other’s eyes.
The Thunder Dragon blinked, her golden pupils seemingly swirling with warm light.
Makoto subconsciously complimented her.
“Looking closely, I’ve realized your eyes are very beautiful too.” Clementine didn’t quite understand how the topic had jumped to that, so she could only give a vague affirmation.
Makoto suddenly returned to the previous question.
“I know what my new Wish is.
I hope you can always stay by my side.” “Then I will try my best,” the Thunder Dragon replied sincerely.
Makoto stared at her for a few more seconds, then withdrew her gaze as if giving up on something, and started another topic.
“We’ve delayed a bit.
Let’s go to Saiguu’s side.
There isn’t a single shrine maiden in the shrine today; everyone should have been called over there.” “Everyone?” Clementine was a bit confused.
“Just the few friends I mentioned to you before, and Ei is here too.
We’ll just head over.
This way.” It was Clementine’s first time at the Grand Narukami Shrine, and she was a bit disoriented by the many winding buildings.
So Makoto took her hand from the close distance and said, “Just follow me.” Bypassing the area for worship and wishes, the back of the Grand Narukami Shrine contained the residences of the Guuji and other personnel.
In the courtyard where the Guuji lived, Kitsune Saiguu had already set out a small banquet.
Besides Ei, whom she hadn’t seen for days, and Kitsune Saiguu, who was looking at her with a strange expression for some reason, there were two new, unfamiliar faces at the table.
One had horns on their forehead, and the other had wings on their back; clearly, neither was an ordinary person.
As usual, Makoto introduced those who didn’t yet know each other.
The Oni with horns was called Chiyo, and the Yougou Tengu with black feathers was named Sasayuri.
Clementine felt she wasn’t very good at socializing, but she could at least keep a conversation going.
Combined with the Oni’s boisterous enthusiasm and vitality, and the Tengu’s steady and composed nature, they skillfully avoided any potentially awkward situations.
They didn’t find each other’s company unpleasant.
Of course, Clementine felt that the credit mostly belonged to the others, and she mentally increased her favorability for everyone present.
After a few rounds of wine and several rounds of conversation, the group gradually became familiar with one another.