2022年年始スペシャル あけましておめでとうございます (Part2)
As we were talking, time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time. We entrusted the care of the children to Sasari and the others, and our entire family headed to the shrine, but…
"Wow, there are so many torii gates," Villia exclaimed.
"It wasn't like this before, was it?"
"Yeah. When Hiiro came last time, there were only about three torii gates."
Before their astonished eyes, a seemingly endless line of a thousand torii gates had been erected.
*Why?*
No, there was only one person who would do such a thing.
As if on cue, the sound of a bell echoed. A clear, pure tone. And from within the thousand torii gates, Suzuhikohime walked serenely.
"Lord Yuki. And ladies, I have been waiting for you." Suzuhikohime bowed respectfully.
"First of all, about these thousand torii gates?" Yuki asked.
"Yes. As there was a request for a kagura dance to Amaterasu Omikami, I have prepared a proper path for the gods. The word 'torii' originally meant 'to enter and pass through,' and also 'for wishes to pass.' Therefore, these torii gates are a manifestation of faith. There is nothing that stabilizes the gods more than this."
Ah, so that's what it was. Yuki had wondered why there were so many, as torii gates likely didn't exist in Suzuhikohime's time. But he figured she had prepared them as a way to strengthen the gods, perhaps after hearing about it from Souta.
"The other gods have already gathered. You are the last to arrive, Lord Yuki."
"Does 'all' include Luna too?"
"Yes. Amaterasu Omikami has already appeared. And as guests, the Seven Lucky Gods are also here."
"!!!"
The unexpected guests caused Yuki's wives, who were knowledgeable about Japan, to burst out laughing simultaneously.
"W-wait a minute. So, the gods of commerce..."
"Yes. Ebisu, Benzaiten, and Daikokuten are also present."
Ratz was trembling. And it seemed Suzuhikohime was referring to the Seven Lucky Gods so casually. Of course, considering the hierarchy of gods, as a tsukumogami from ancient Japan and a tool of Ame-no-Uzume, she was above the Seven Lucky Gods. Furthermore, Suzuhikohime's legend involved pulling Amaterasu Omikami out of the Heavenly Rock Cave along with Ame-no-Uzume, suggesting she specialized in drawing out gods.
"You, what are we going to do about this? I never expected the number of gods to increase!" Seraria whispered to Yuki.
Suzuhikohime, however, could hear her. "Lady Seraria, there is no need to fear. All of them are direct vassals and descendants of Amaterasu Omikami. You should show them respect, and there will be no problem. And Kagura can be considered a modern-day Ame-no-Uzume."
"..."
*This is bad.*
So, Ame-no-Uzume was the progenitor of kagura dance, the very origin of miko. If Suzuhikohime was here, then Kagura could, in this context, become Ame-no-Uzume.
"Will Kagura be alright? That's the important thing."
"You need not worry about that either. There is no fool who would force Kagura to overexert herself in front of Amaterasu Omikami. Now, this way."
And so, with a mixture of indescribable emotions, we headed towards the shrine. We watched the kagura dance and chatted with the gods, though initially, the atmosphere between us was…
"Ah, hello."
"Ah, yes. Hello."
It was undeniably awkward. And it was thanks to the children, like Aslin, that this strange atmosphere was broken. However, this only led to even more blessings being bestowed upon them, and Yuki couldn't help but worry about what would happen next.
Meanwhile, Souta had long passed the point of a wry smile and was simply laughing. Taizo, who had come to pick up Hifi, bowed deeply to the Seven Lucky Gods with the stern, serious expression of an imperial soldier, and then immediately returned home. However, his eyes were dead. Taiki, on the other hand, was muttering, "Ahhh, I'm glad I didn't have to meet them," so Yuki intended to make sure they met properly at a later date.
When asked if the Seven Lucky Gods shouldn't be in Japan or India, they replied that it was fine because they were "split souls." They even added that the split souls that came here would stay here.
Ah, my stomach, my stomach hurts!?
Happy New Year.
Thank you for your continued support this year.
The "Must-Win Dungeon" will continue.
More books are scheduled to be released, so we would appreciate your support.
Now, let's have a good start to the New Year.