3: Chapter 2: Who the Hell Prays to a Deity Without Giving Their Address?
3: Chapter 2: Who the Hell Prays to a Deity Without Giving Their Address?
Under the terrified gaze of her roommate, she began offering sacrifices to an unknown deity, muttering prayers under her breath as if no one else was there.
“I am Tojo Keiko, living at Hokkaido, XX Road, XX School, Dorm XXX.
Please watch over me.
I promise I’ll bring you more expensive offerings in the future!” After finishing her ritual, she turned around and made eye contact with her roommate.
Seeing the other girl holding up her phone as if ready to call emergency services, she quickly explained.
“This is a custom from my hometown!
Just think of it as praying for a good life!” “…Are you really okay, Tojo-san?” Compared to an ordinary girl like her, her roommate was a big deal.
She was the young lady of the Satono family, known as the lady of ladies among Umamusume: Satono Diamond.
Her reputation at school was excellent.
Although there were some strange rumors, Keiko knew they were probably spread by jealous people.
At least, the original owner’s diary never said anything bad about her.
“I swear, everything is fine.” She wiped her sweat and answered seriously.
“It’s a tradition from back home.
Whenever we have to make a big decision, we pray to a god for some good luck.” “That is a strange custom.
But does it really work to pray only at the last minute?” Although Satono Diamond showed understanding, she still asked a question.
“If you don’t show respect normally, why would the gods help you when you’re in trouble?” “Who actually prays when nothing is wrong…” Keiko waved her hand.
“Deities are just for peace of mind.
When real trouble hits, relying on them doesn’t do much!” “…Tojo-san, you’re joking, right?” Satono Diamond’s face suddenly turned serious, making Keiko’s heart skip a beat.
Did the Satono family have some religious background?
It seemed she had offended her.
She quickly tried to fix it.
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful!
I just want to rely on myself.
If we ask the gods for every little thing, they would get exhausted too, right?” Keiko thought her explanation was perfectly logical.
But Diamond’s strange look made her decide not to act weird in front of her again.
“Well, you have a point.
The Triple Goddesses should be respected in our hearts, rather than being asked to solve every problem.
That would just be lazy.” Diamond sighed, accepting her explanation.
“But, Tojo-san, you’re unusually lively today…” “…Eh?
Really?!
She scratched her head, realizing she had gotten too excited.
She didn’t want to blow her cover on her very first day in this world.
That would be embarrassing.
But she still had a chance to fix it.
Thinking fast was her only strength right now.
“P-Probably because I suddenly realized…
the only ones I can rely on in this world are the Triple Goddesses.” She played a sad song in her head, and her voice became quiet and low.
“I have no parents, and I rely on student loans to go to school.
Even though people help me, they are just helping a helpless Umamusume, not really me.
That’s why I’ve been afraid to connect with others.
But I suddenly realized…
if I just push everyone away, I can’t return the kindness this society has shown me.
I want to return kindness with kindness.
Keeping myself locked away is pointless!” “…I see, Tojo-san…” Diamond’s eyes softened.
It was true that Keiko’s background was tragic, which explained why she was so isolated.
Growing up like that, it was natural she struggled to fit in.
Shutting herself off was probably her way of protecting herself.
Since this lonely girl was trying to change, Diamond felt she had to support her.
She decided to take care of Keiko from now on.
“That’s wonderful.
Tell you what—dinner is on me tonight.
Let’s go out for a nice meal.
The school cafeteria is healthy, but we all need a treat once in a while.” “Wait, really?!” She practically started drooling.
Before reincarnating, she hadn’t eaten real meat in a long time.
The ham sausages she added to her instant noodles were mostly starch anyway.
Hearing this, her mouth watered instantly.
“Won’t it be too expensive?” “…Tojo-san, maybe you don’t know much about my family—” Diamond had never met an Umamusume who worried about her spending money.
Even if one was completely clueless about the world, they usually knew the Satono name.
But she could tell Keiko was genuinely traumatized by poverty.
She quickly comforted her.
“Don’t worry.
Order whatever you want.
It’s not an expensive restaurant.” “Then…
I will gladly accept your offer, Diamond-san.” Keiko secretly wiped her drool and tried to act calm.
In reality, she was so touched she wanted to cry.
In her past life, she hadn’t tasted meat in months, and now she got to eat a feast right after reincarnating.
What a relief.
Thank you, young lady of the Satono family!
Right now, your status in my heart is right up there with the goddess who sent me to this world!
Diamond had no idea that her simple gesture had raised her status in Keiko’s mind to the level of the Triple Goddesses.
Since she was treating her to dinner, she had an idea and thought of her childhood friend.
If Keiko wanted to make connections, she might as well introduce her to Kitasan Black.
After all, Kita-chan was very warm and could easily break down any walls.
It would be a great boost for Keiko, who had just decided to rejoin society.
Plus, Diamond had a feeling that Keiko would become great friends with them.
She trusted her intuition.
“Since we’re going out for dinner, you should change into something a bit more formal.
We’ll be eating in public, after all.” Diamond reminded her.
But as soon as she said those words, Keiko’s expression fell.
“Diamond-san…
I only have my school uniform.” Her voice sounded a bit sad.
As a teenage girl, her school uniform was the only formal clothing she owned.
Even her pajamas were a gift from Miss Hayakawa, who had pitied her.
Aside from a few coins, she was completely broke.
“…I’m sorry, that was inconsiderate of me.” Diamond felt guilty and quickly said, “Well…
we’re about the same size.
Would you like to wear some of my clothes?” “Um…
is that really okay?” Keiko scratched her head awkwardly.
“You’re already buying me dinner, and now you’re giving me clothes too.” “It’s fine.
They’re just some old clothes, not worth much.” To make up for her mistake, Diamond would never choose old clothes.
She pulled a casual dress from her closet that she rarely wore herself.
It was a light green dress, simple in design, but extremely comfortable and made of high-quality fabric.
It was the dress she wore the least, but cherished the most.
But because she cherished it too much, it ended up sitting in her closet gathering dust.
Even though she was hesitant, she handed this meaningful gift to Keiko.
“I’ll give this to you.
I think it will look great on you.”