落とし穴番外：人形の正体 (Part2)
It felt as though the deity deep within the shrine had been stirred to anger.
"Decay? It ended ages ago. Luna-sama brought this place here and restored it, which is the only reason your consciousness returned at all."
*What utter nonsense...*
Just as this strange exchange began to escalate...
*Cling, cling...*
The clear, piercing sound of a bell resonated through the air. It was a beautiful, crystalline tone.
"I pray that both of you might find calm. I, Suzuhikohime, shall take charge of this situation."
Suzuhikohime entered from the entrance, holding a *kagura* bell. Yuki and the others followed close behind. The moment Yuki spotted me, he rushed over and pulled me into an embrace.
"Eep!?"
"Thank goodness. Are you alright? You aren't hurt?"
"U-um, I'm fine for now, but what on earth happened? I mean, I know I came here on my own, but..."
"You suddenly vanished, and I was worried you’d been lured away by something sinister. Though, it seems that idiot over there was the one who took you."
"Who are you calling an idiot! I am a goddess! And Kagura is my shrine maiden! There is no problem with her following me."
"There is a massive problem! Don't go dragging someone else's wife around! Good grief... so, that’s the source of the doll, then?"
"The doll?"
I was completely lost, unable to keep up with the conversation. But the small deity within the shrine seemed to grasp the situation perfectly.
*...Indeed, I am the deity of fertility, the one who grants the wishes of the villagers here.*
"Huh?"
Fertility? What could that possibly mean...?
"I understand now, after hearing Yuki-sama’s account and seeing the photographs of the doll worshipped in the village. You are a manifestation born from the interweaving of local land-deity worship and the doll cult."
*Cling.*
Suzuhikohime rang her bell.
*Indeed. ...And are you, perhaps, the true Kagura bell deity, Suzuhikohime-sama?*
"I believe you know the answer to that yourself, do you not?"
*Cling.*
Ah, every time the bell rang, my heart grew calm, filled with a cool, refreshing sensation.
*...Suzuhikohime-sama. Why do you intercede for these people? I only desire a shrine maiden. I only wish to convey my will to see this village flourish once more.*
"Unfortunately, as Hairen says, this village has already reached its end. This land is merely a reconstruction of what was, summoned to this otherworld by Amaterasu-Omikami-sama. Therefore, those who originally dwelt here are no longer among us. You must know this as well."
*...*
"You were likely activated by the influence of Weed’s magical power. Even so, it pains me to simply tell you to vanish. If you wish, I shall intercede and have a new shrine built for you. What say you?"
*...Would that be acceptable?*
"Yes. I have already received permission from Yuki-sama, who governs this land. Fertility—is that not a magnificent thing? It is essential for the prosperity of mankind. It is far more vital than the work of one such as I, who merely rings a bell to soothe."
Suzuhikohime smiled as she said this, and she looked truly radiant.
However.
"Ah, but do not go calling people to you so carelessly. By the way, this Kagura-sama here is the wife of Yuki-sama, a direct retainer of Amaterasu-Omikami-sama. To claim her as your own shrine maiden is an act of grave irreverence. Keep that in mind. Should you ever attempt such a thing again, I, who act as your guardian, shall have no choice but to erase you. Do you understand?"
*Y-yes!!*
To be so terrifying while wearing such a smile—truly, she is a goddess.
And so, the mysterious night drew to a close...
"Well, the trouble is resolved. Let’s watch the fireflies for a while longer."
"Indeed. I think I’ll head down to the riverbank."
"Don't fall in. Alright, Kagura, shall we go?"
"Eh? But what about that deity?"
"Souta and the others, along with Suzuhikohime, will handle that. Let’s just enjoy the scenery."
And so, my night did not end there. On the contrary, I was granted the immense fortune of spending a quiet moment with Yuki in this small, fantastical village, where the green lights known as fireflies danced through the air.
"Yuki, everyone is going to be begging you for this tomorrow, aren't they?"
"I suppose so. Well, I'll do my best. Who knows how many days these fireflies will last."
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, fireflies only live for about a week or so. They spend that short time courting and creating new life. Perhaps they really are the symbols of fertility."
"I see."
The gentle green light dancing in the night was the light of life. A certain light, meant to build the future.
The next installment is scheduled to be the finale.
How did you spend your Obon holiday?
Summer is already drawing to a close.
Let us enjoy it as much as we possibly can.