落とし穴１４０堀：聖女と女神と神楽 (Part2)
"That is precisely why it is so delightful. The sound of love, the very name of *Kagura*—it is a performance that never fails to amuse me."
The voice came suddenly from behind. I turned to find Konohanasakuyahime standing there.
"W-who are you?! Stay away from them! Who are you people?!"
Kagura and the others bristled with caution at the sudden appearance of Konohanasakuyahime behind me. Well, I am one of the key figures of Weed, after all. Still…
"It is quite alright. You needn't worry."
"Indeed."
"H-huh? Do you know this person?"
Kagura and the others tilted their heads in confusion, clearly unable to grasp what Konohanasakuyahime was talking about. Seeing their reaction, Konohanasakuyahime offered an elegant smile.
"I welcomed you earlier, did I not? Though, it seems only Kagura-han could hear me."
"Earlier? Oh, that voice at the park entrance..."
It seems she had stepped away earlier specifically to go and meet them.
"Well, since you clearly couldn't see me before, I shall introduce myself now..."
"That won't be necessary. If you can see me manifested as I am now, I shall introduce myself."
With that, Konohanasakuyahime straightened her kimono with a sharp, graceful motion.
"Oh, oh..."
"Eek!?"
"Hya..."
A sense of awe—or perhaps the sheer weight of her divine aura—washed over them. Struck by the intensity, the three of them looked on in shock.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Konohanasakuyahime, who dwells within these cherry blossoms. Kagura, you who carry the blood of my children—I look forward to your future *Kagura*."
"Y-yes!! Wait, you look forward to *my* future?"
"Oh my, it seems you do not know the origin of your own name. Well, you have been in this land for quite some time, so I suppose it cannot be helped. *Kagura* is written with the characters for 'God' and 'to enjoy.' It is, quite literally, the work of a shrine maiden who offers her service to the gods. One could say it is a vital ritual that bridges the gap between humanity and the divine. That is the meaning behind your name, Kagura-han."
It appeared Kagura had been unaware of the meaning of her own name. Upon hearing it, Mikos and the others looked equally astonished.
"Wow, so that's what Kagura's name means."
"Well, that is true for everyone. Surely, your parents held specific wishes when they named you, Mikos and Soro-han."
"Us too?"
"You wouldn't give a child born of love a pathetic name, would you? Though, I suppose there are children in this world who were never wished for, but let us not speak of such exceptions on a festive occasion like this."
"H-huh. I suppose that's true... Wait, is this person truly a god?"
"Well, that is what I am called in the streets."
As Konohanasakuyahime spoke, Suishin-no-Mikoto appeared in the air.
"What do you mean 'in the streets'? You are nearly the oldest in Japan, are you not?"
"A water god, how boorish. Ah, I see now. With someone like you being worshipped, it is no wonder they don't even know the meaning of their own names."
"Wait!? That is hardly my fault..."
"Do not think you can make excuses after revealing a woman's age. Kagura-han, you shall become my shrine maiden."
"Wait."
"Ehh!?"
...Well, the earlier bit was certainly Suishin-no-Mikoto's fault. However, Konohanasakuyahime was laughing as she said it, so it didn't seem she was entirely serious. She was merely teasing them—an inevitable outcome, considering Suishin-no-Mikoto's earlier remark.
As I thought this, Konohanasakuyahime added:
"If you become my shrine maiden, there shall be many blessings. For instance, the fulfillment of love, and the like."
" " " !? " " "
The look in Kagura and the others' eyes changed instantly.
"As that water god over there implied, I am the elder, and I possess the greater power, you see."
"Konohanasakuyahime-sama, that kind of talk is..."
"I'll become your shrine maiden!!"
" "We shall offer our faith!!" "
Ah, ah... the effect on Kagura and the others was absolute.
And so, Kagura and the others began to excitedly brainstorm ways to approach their Master, with Konohanasakuyahime joining in the fray.
"Say, should we be helping them too?"
"I wonder? Perhaps we should if Konohanasakuyahime-sama asks us to?"
"...True. She clearly has that look on her face—the one that says she's enjoying watching how Kagura and the others will move."
"...Ahaha."
I hope things go well for Kagura and the others. I suppose I should mention it to the Master, just in case.
Well then, whether the effort of worshipping Konohanasakuyahime was worth it—that is a story for another time.
Love is such a fun thing.
Especially when you're the one watching from the sidelines! (How low of me.)