夏のスペシャル２０２４年 その３
Side: Yuki
The summer shrine feels brimming with vitality.
How should I put it? The greenery is lush, and the cicadas are singing.
Is this what they mean when they say you can hear the heartbeat of life?
Once you climb the stairs and pass through the torii gate, you aren't in a solemn, quiet shrine anymore; instead, a festival atmosphere unfolds with rows of stalls, a departure from the everyday.
However, since the sun is still high, few shops are open.
Actually, it’s no exaggeration to say they’re only open for our sake, which makes me feel like this is quite a luxury.
"Now then, shall we purify ourselves at the water pavilion?"
Prompted by Sota-san, we proceed to wash our hands and purify our bodies.
The deity here gained consciousness through doll worship, but now, Suzuhikohime manages it properly, overseeing the prosperity—or rather, the peace—of the village.
*It has been a long time. You may use my water.*
"Thank you, Water."
Before I knew it, Water—the water deity who is Sota-san’s partner—was pouring water over our hands.
There is no doubt that this is more spiritually potent than the water pavilion, but I worry slightly whether using another god’s water might cause offense.
The gods worshipped in Japan are the so-called "eight million," meaning anything goes, but there are certainly some who forbid praying to other deities.
Perhaps that worry was written on my face.
"It’s fine. Water gets along well with the deity here."
*Indeed. Compared to this newcomer, I am of a higher rank.*
It is true that compared to a deity who only recently ascended, a being who has been a dragon and a water god since ancient times would naturally hold a higher rank.
And if they have already explained it, then all the better.
Just then, I realize something.
"Come to think of it, I didn't bring a gift. I have alcohol, but is something casual okay?"
"In these matters, it’s the thought that counts. It’s not a problem. Besides, alcohol is chosen partly because it lasts a long time."
*And it’s better than having something that rots left out. It’s not like they can actually eat it.*
Well, that’s true.
I’ve heard that the people at shrines and temples dispose of food offerings that spoil.
If the gods got angry over that, every shrine and temple would be in trouble with curses and the like.
So, the important thing is the sentiment.
"In that case, I’ll offer this."
I take a high-quality bottle of liquor from my item box and entrust it to Sota-san.
I don't know the proper way to make an offering, after all.
Sota-san understands this, accepting it with a smile before heading into the main hall where the sacred object is enshrined.
It isn't a large shrine, just a single building, so without taking much time, he offers his bows and presumably a prayer before returning.
"How was it?"
"Ordinary. I would say it is peaceful. Now, everyone, please go ahead and pay your respects."
"Yes."
Told this, we press our hands together and close our eyes.
...When asked to pray, the first things that come to mind are the health of my family and my companions.
May we spend this year without injury.
No, I suppose that’s a tall order since I’m carrying the weight of a nation, but I can’t help but wish for it anyway.
Thinking that I’m making an impossible request, I open my eyes.
There is no particular change; the offering box simply sits there.
Taiki-kun, Taizo-san, and Sota-san finish their prayers as well, and we turn our gaze toward the stalls.
"Shall we take a look?"
"Indeed. Although most will open at night, a preliminary survey is necessary."
"That's true."
"Do you think it will get crowded here?"
Since everyone here is essentially family, there is almost no chance of it getting crowded as Taiki-kun suggests, but it’s fun to walk around and look at the stalls during a festival like this.
Well, Taiki-kun seems to understand that, as he follows along obediently.
In fact, we’ll be passing in front of the stalls on our way back anyway.
"Oh, they have a ball-scooping game. Was goldfish scooping impossible?"
"Living creatures are a bit much, after all. And it looks like they have *katanuki* (sugar-mold cutting) as well."
"How do you play that?"
"Well, would you like to try it?"
Taizo-san doesn't seem to know about *katanuki*.
Come to think of it, I believe that originated after the war.
However, there doesn't seem to be a shopkeeper at the stall... just as I think that:
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you go!"
Lieutenant Yamamoto rushes over to the stall to serve as the clerk.
Lieutenant Yamamoto is someone who fought and died in World War II, just like Taizo-san.
Currently, he is cooperating with Weed as the person in charge of the ghosts.
By the way, it was the incredibly troublesome Luna who called for Lieutenant Yamamoto and the others.
"Thank you. Then, four simple ones, please."
"Yes, sir. Here you are."
Lieutenant Yamamoto immediately produces the simple *katanuki* molds for my order, along with the tools to carve them out—they look like toothpicks.
"Taizo-san, the way you do it is..."
Taiki-kun seems to be teaching him properly, so I decide to talk to Lieutenant Yamamoto.
"So, you and the others are managing the stalls?"
"Yes. Our main duties are the night watch of Weed and the maintenance of this village. Fortunately, there are many members from Japan, so this village is comfortable and we are grateful for it."
"Ah, that’s right, I remember now."
As we are talking, a voice suddenly calls out from the side.
"Oh, if it isn't Yuki-sama. If we had known you were coming, we would have guided you."
"That’s right. You’re being a stranger, aren't you?"
"It’s good to see you looking well, Chaea-san, Hope."
These two are ghost members who are not Japanese, as mentioned earlier; they are relatives of Emperor Yupia of the Zuraburu Empire and the Great Emperor Show.
They are already deceased, and from the keepsakes brought into this shrine—or rather, this village—they were revived, or perhaps ghost-like manifestations emerged from their lingering thoughts.
Since then, they have been cooperating with Weed, centering their activities around the village.
"Haha, it’s strange to say a ghost is 'looking well,' but you look good."
"Yes. We are allowed to work in a good environment with delicious food."
"Ah, come to think of it, you were helping Hivia with space development. How is that going?"
These two are helping Hivia with her space program.
I’ve heard about the progress from Hivia, but right now, it’s a phase of gathering knowledge first.
I forced the knowledge into them, but knowing it and being able to use it effectively are two different things, so they are currently in the middle of studying.
"It is quite difficult. Space is truly something else. We are reading the records from the past, but there are many unknown territories, and above all, the knowledge really comes from all over the place."
"That’s true. It feels like we’re mobilizing all the knowledge we have, but lately, we’ve decided to make just reaching space our primary goal."
"Well, if we can't reach space, talking about what happens after we get there is a dream within a dream."
That’s a given, but knowing about space is what’s important.
Hivia and the others didn't know anything about space, and by properly supplementing that themselves, they are learning.
At the beginning, they were saying things like, "When we go to space, we'll go outside and do a spacewalk!"
I don't know what would happen to a ghost, but they didn't know that for people or living creatures, it’s an environment where you would die instantly if you left the ship.
"So, we’re talking about building a craft—a spaceship—to get into space first."
"Without a separation function, and with a proper return capability."
"That’s a dream worth having."
Basically, the Space Shuttle uses boosters that are discarded at the launch stage, and the shuttle itself usually requires an overhaul after landing; it’s often a one-time-use deal.
That’s how much wear and tear occurs.
Being able to overcome that is a feat that hasn't even been achieved on Earth.
"Well, talk is cheap. Besides, we have magic here."
"I think that’s the most important part."
As we were talking like that:
"How is it?"
"Yes, this is perfect. Congratulations. Although, as a reward, I can only offer you something to eat from the stalls."
"That’s plenty."
"I failed mine..."
It seems that while we were talking, the *katanuki* challenge ended.
"By the way, are you two on a break?"
"Yes. It is partly because everyone is here, but it is also true that we returned for a break."
"We are indebted to this shrine, so we help with the cleaning."
"I see. So, what will you do now? We’ve finished our *katanuki*, so we’ll probably head back home."
"We came to clean the shrine, so we shall part ways here."
"I’ll come to see you again later."
"I see."
And so, we parted ways with Chaea-san and Hope, and we headed back home.
Man, I wonder if I’m enjoying summer in my own way?
It’s difficult to truly "enjoy" summer, isn't it?
But I suppose this is a way of enjoying it, too.
Did everyone enjoy their summer this year?