Chapter Thirty-Four: The Grass-Eating Priestess and the Joyful Amusement Park

There was a girl—a girl lying on the grass, eating the grass as if it were the most natural thing in the world. On her head rested a large red ribbon, and she wore a shrine maiden’s outfit of red and white. Yet her garments were not traditional, for they bared her underarms, lending her an air of frivolity.

Because she was turned away, her face was hidden from view. But even with this scant information, Gao Jizhai instantly knew who the girl munching on grass before him was. He had checked the records of this residence; there was no one matching her description. That meant this was no impersonator—she was the real thing.

This realization struck him with overwhelming force. He hesitated, unsure whether to approach her, when two small figures darted up to the grass-eating girl.

He was equally familiar with these two. Turning his head in delight, he watched them approach. Their elder sister was one of the mission’s targets—though Manami was also a target, men are ever fickle, wanting both what’s in the bowl and what’s still simmering in the pot.

Within his line of sight, that Yamato Nadeshiko silhouette appeared just as he expected. Excitement spurred him forward, but suddenly, he froze. Terror flashed in his eyes, and he immediately turned and ran. That man—known online as the “Demon”—was his waking nightmare.

...

Qi watched the fleeing figure with mild curiosity. A moment’s reflection revealed the man’s identity; his eyes flickered, but he paid him no further mind. The man was just an ordinary person—there was no need to concern himself.

He turned his gaze back to the flowerbeds. The early sunlight was already dazzling, casting a gentle warmth over everything it touched. On the garden lawn, beneath that same golden light, two inquisitive little girls and a petite shrine maiden of twelve or thirteen years were—quite contentedly—eating grass. The scene was so surreal, so picturesque, it was almost painful to look at.

Qi felt compelled to break this improbable tableau. He walked over, patted Tamaki’s head, and said, “This big sister is... performing performance art. Let’s not disturb her. Why don’t we go play inside the amusement park instead?” When faced with such odd people and strange happenings, the best response is always non-involvement and indifference.

“Onii-chan, what’s performance art?” Tamaki asked in puzzlement.

“It’s like what your sister Ruri does—immersed in her own world, doing whatever she wants without caring about what others think.”

“Oh, so this big sister is also a little eccentric. But why doesn’t Ruri eat grass?”

“It’s not the same. Anyway, you’ll understand when you’re older. Let’s go inside now; if we wait any longer, there’ll be lots of people and we’ll have to stand in line forever.” Qi was always gentle with the girls, but never overly indulgent.

“Oh. Then, big sister, we’re going now. Don’t eat grass anymore—I’ll give you some candy instead,” Tamaki said, handing the shrine maiden a piece of candy.

The shrine maiden sat up, unwrapped the candy, and popped it into her mouth. She straightened her back and declared, “I was only eating grass because I was hungry. No one’s come to the shrine to pray lately, so I haven’t had any money for food. Food used to appear on its own at the shrine, but now I can’t find my way back.”

“You’re hungry and can’t find your way home? That’s so sad,” Tamaki said, tilting her head and patting the shrine maiden.

“Don’t let her fool you, Tamaki. Food doesn’t just appear on its own,” Hinata said, pulling Tamaki back and eyeing the shrine maiden warily.

“In any case, this shrine maiden is just hungry and broke. Let me make a donation—you eat first, then try to find your way home,” Qi said with a shrug. The sooner he shook off this trouble, the better.

The shrine maiden’s eyes lit up. “Are you one of those legendary rich people? I’ve heard that rich people out here keep girls—they give them food, a place to live, and spending money. Are you going to keep me? Keep me, won’t you? Hurry up and keep me,” she said, her words so outrageous that the two older girls’ mouths dropped open in shock. Qi, caught off guard, choked on his own saliva and coughed repeatedly. Little Tamaki looked on, puzzled.

“I’m not keeping you! What are you saying in front of children, you little rascal? Wait—you’re still a child, too. Stop spouting nonsense. I’m only giving you money out of sympathy, with no ulterior motives. Tamaki, Hinata, let’s go, or you’ll start picking up bad habits.” Qi threw down a thousand yen and tried to pull his two sisters away.

The shrine maiden quickly grabbed his sleeve and cried out, “Why don’t you want to keep me? I’m cute, aren’t I? If you keep me, we’ll be family living under the same roof. Won’t you be happy seeing this adorable face every day?”

Flustered, Qi shook off her hand and shouted, “Stop yelling about being kept, you little idiot! And it’s not that simple—forget it! Here’s ten thousand yen. Go home, it’s dangerous out here. And don’t shout that kind of thing ever again!” He tossed her the money and hurried off with his sisters.

“You’re really passing up such a chance? Opportunities for the minions of the gods to fall from grace don’t come around often, you know, Nii-san,” Black Cat remarked meaningfully.

“Ani-vi, if you don’t have a girlfriend, maybe you should think about it,” said precocious ten-year-old Hinata with a mischievous grin.

“Think about it,” Tamaki echoed, mimicking her sister and gazing at Qi.

“There aren’t enough rooms at home,” Qi replied calmly.

“Oh my—Ani-vi, are you planning to bring her home outright? That’s far too improper.”

“You’re the one who’s improper, thinking about such things at ten years old. If you tease your big brother again, I won’t buy tickets for you—you’ll have to use your own pocket money,” Qi retorted.

“I’m sorry, I apologize!”

“Apology not accepted.”

Bickering all the while, Qi bought tickets for his three “sisters” and led them into the amusement park. It was Sunday, but still early, so the park was nearly empty—no lines for any of the rides.

“Hooray! The whole park is ours!” Hinata cheered, running around with little Tamaki in tow. Qi had never been to an amusement park before and didn’t find the rides particularly exciting, but a strange emotion welled up inside him—a warmth and happiness he had never known.

First stop: the carousel. The three girls rode together on one horse, while Qi took another, childishly competing to see whose horse could go faster or higher. Their laughter echoed, and a magically conjured camera captured this moment for posterity.

Next up was the bumper cars, where Qi was beset by Hinata and Black Cat, their mischievous grins spelling his defeat as he was battered senseless. Tamaki, meanwhile, adorably wobbled past and, perhaps by accident, landed a hit of her own. The resulting photo showed Qi’s wry, defeated smile and three victorious V-signs.

In the haunted house, bold and outgoing Hinata became as timid as a quail. Normally too scared to enter, she had been coaxed inside by her unscrupulous siblings, but had barely made it ten meters before clinging to Qi’s back. Eyes shut the whole way, she demanded hugs out of envy when she saw Tamaki, so Qi was forced to carry one in front and one on his back. As they continued, with Hinata’s occasional shrieks behind him, Qi noticed Black Cat gradually inching closer. He thought she was being bold, taking advantage of the darkness, but realized she was trembling and that her eyes were moist. She was terrified too, only putting on a brave face. Qi secretly committed the memory to heart.

When they emerged, the brilliant sunlight chased away their lingering fear. The older girls, using hunger as an excuse, suggested a rest and a snack. By then, the park had filled with people. They ate, then happily resumed their journey, creating a string of memories together.

The background was filled with pirate ships, Ferris wheels, rowboats gliding over the lake, and the Black Dragon roller coaster. Every face—beaming, crying, exasperated, or disappointed—radiated warmth. At last, after watching Meruru’s performance, they left the amusement park, still reluctant for the day to end.

(That’s all for now. Has anyone guessed her true identity? She’ll appear again in the next chapter.)