It was a scene that Zeyan would never forget, even after a very long time.
The torrential rain, the fluttering cherry blossoms, and the girl in the storm, her whole body soaked, her figure perfectly outlined yet still dancing with her sword.
If such a girl could appear in a dream, it would surely be a beautiful one.
Zeyan watched with satisfaction, and Kamisato Ayaka only stopped after a long while.
Seeing the smile on Zeyan's face, Ayaka quietly reminded herself that no matter what, she had to stabilize her emotions. If even she collapsed, could the person beside her truly hold on?
But could she really steady herself?
She lifted her gaze toward the mountaintop not too far away. The shrine under the heavy rain stood silent, so silent that it felt unsettling.
"I have finished eating. Let us continue," Zeyan said as he walked over.
"The closer we get to the summit, the flatter the path becomes. Let us go," Ayaka said, pursing her lips.
Stone steps stretched before them, continuously climbing toward the summit. Streetlights lined the sides, but some had been extinguished by the pounding rain.
Stone steps, torii gates, shrines, cherry blossom trees, and fallen crimson petals became the scenery that filled their eyes.
If it were a sunny day instead of this rainy one, this place would surely be breathtaking.
The final path leading to the shrine was lined with twelve torii gates in succession. Lanterns that once adorned the gates had been knocked into disarray by the storm.
Seeing this scene, Zeyan glanced at Kamisato Ayaka once more.
By now, Ayaka must have realized what kind of answer awaited her at the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Yet she still walked forward with unwavering steps, showing none of the hesitation she had displayed at Tenshukaku.
Was it because she had grown stronger after everything they had faced over the past two days, or had she simply resigned herself to fate?
Zeyan did not know.
He silently watched her, no longer distracted by how beautiful her soaked figure was. Instead, he faintly saw a fragile emotion shimmering in her.
When someone is disturbed and on the edge of despair, how could he possibly entertain any improper thoughts?
Finally, they arrived before the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The cherry blossom trees rustled violently in the heavy rain, crimson petals scattered all across the ground.
The blue pool in front of the shrine was overflowing with rainwater. Fortunately, this was the mountaintop, and the excess water only cascaded down the slopes. Otherwise, the shrine built atop the pool might have been submerged.
The vermilion shrine, antique and elegant, had all the traditional decorations one would expect, but under the onslaught of the storm, it looked messy and abandoned.
Crimson petals had been blown inside, covering the floors. Hanging lanterns had fallen to the ground, and the ones placed at the corners had vanished entirely.
The fortune slip rack had toppled over, scattering fortunes everywhere.
How could anyone still remain in such a place?
Zeyan looked at Kamisato Ayaka, concern written across his face.
She stood silently in the rain, her chest heaving as if the sight before her had stolen her breath away.
Then her slender body swayed and she collapsed to the side.
Zeyan's expression changed instantly as he rushed forward to catch her.
"Miss Kamisato? Miss Kamisato?"
Only then did Ayaka realize she was not as strong as she had imagined.
She was fragile too. This fragility, usually hidden beneath her composed exterior, had now finally surfaced under the crushing pressure from all sides.
In a daze, Ayaka heard Zeyan's anxious voice calling to her.
How embarrassing.
Clearly, she was someone trusted by many, even called the White Heron Princess and praised by all. Yet, at such a critical moment, she was the first to fall.
Was she the only one hurting? Was she the only one in pain?
Zeyan was enduring it all too.
She did not know how much time had passed before she slowly opened her eyes.
She found herself lying in a corridor of the shrine. The eaves above shielded her from the rain, though the cold wind still bit through the air.
However, she was lying in a warm embrace.
A very unfamiliar experience, yet the warmth made her heart feel like it was melting.
This was Zeyan's embrace.
Ayaka's cheeks flushed crimson.
She quickly supported herself and rose from his arms.
Standing up, she lowered her head and said, her voice full of embarrassment, "I am alright now... Sorry, Zeyan."
Zeyan let out a long breath and said, "It is good that you are alright. You have no idea how worried I was.
You were so strong, helping me all the way up Mt. Yougou to the Grand Narukami Shrine. You even split so many falling rocks. The storm could not conquer you, yet you suddenly collapsed just now. That moment almost stopped my heart."
He had so much he wanted to say.
Ayaka's sudden collapse had truly terrified him.
When he had held her delicate body, he had not even noticed how soft and slender she was.
All he had cared about then was the urgency of the moment.
Even now, his heart was filled with worry for her emotions, not her appearance.
The girl's sorrow and fragility were laid bare before his eyes, and his gaze toward Ayaka was filled with nothing but deep pity.
Hearing Zeyan's words, Ayaka lowered her head even more.
"I am sorry, Zeyan. I made you worry."
Zeyan still had so much more he wanted to say, but seeing Ayaka looking so remorseful, he could not bring himself to voice it all.
He simply sighed softly and said, "Miss Kamisato, please be strong. I am here with you. I will always be here with you."
Ayaka nodded.
She looked up at Zeyan, then quickly lowered her gaze again.
She realized that the Zeyan standing before her was different from the Zeyan she had first met.
At that time, he had been an ordinary man who needed her help.
But now, Zeyan had become someone she could depend on.
"Speaking of the shrine, drawing a fortune slip is an indispensable part of the visit. Shall we draw one?" Zeyan said, taking a few steps forward.
There, in the open space ahead, was the place where visitors usually drew their fortunes.
Normally, a shrine maiden would stand behind the counter, handing out fortune tubes and helping interpret the slips.
Now, there was no one there, only the fortune slip box lying on its side.
Zeyan picked up the fortune slip tube and shook it.
A single bamboo stick fell out.
"What should I do next? If the shrine maiden were here, she would help me exchange this for a paper slip, right?" Zeyan said thoughtfully.
"Let me do it. I know a little about this," Kamisato Ayaka said, walking over.
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