【Ch. 5 - Truth of the Matter ①】

Kitohana-no-mikoto is known as a kami of relationships. Her blessings covered the breadth of that concept from friendships, business partnerships, families, etc. As you would expect, though, her raison d'être was in romance.

The vast majority of visitors and prayers at her shrine dealt with it. She by no means was unique in this respect, kami known for their blessings in romance could be found all over. Hers though, were regarded and sought after for their potency.

As with all kami she only sporadically granted the wishes of those prayers. When she did, however, they were lauded for their effects. Moreover, the courtships of those she did bless often turned into romantic comedy-esque developments. It was a frequent enough occurrence that a small reputation was birthed, especially in comparison with other shrines.

Of course, the reason for this all is not what you would think. Her blessings were not so much the usual fate-based machinations or adjustments as much as her simply directly meddling into the affairs of those she found amusing. In fact, she rarely ever actually truly blessed individuals with divine power behind it.

This lack of direct divine intervention did often too show results. With enough meddling in setting up situations and opportunities, so long as there was some affection, one could nurture and mold that relationship into something truly genuine. A bond much stronger than one forced by divine intervention.

At least, this is how she likes to tell it.

In reality, this meddling left her attendants and messengers quite exasperated at her frequent absences from the shrine grounds as she chased around those she found an interest in. In other words, she was simply slacking off.

Not that I had ever had trouble meeting her. She somehow always found time to see me when I had business with her. This time was no exception as she looked between me and Takeda.

“Perhaps, finally, my veritable mountain of blessings have finally graced you with some luck, no?”

Yes. She had always found time. It was, of course, to witness my continued romantic misfortune. I currently hold a near countless amount of times actually divinely blessed by her for luck in romance.

By no means did blessings by kami last forever so it is not as if such effects accumulated over time, but I had truly stopped counting the amount of times she tossed one my way.

In fact, it was basically her tradition to grant a blessing or a dozen my way upon my delivering of whatever message I had been assigned to send her.

Damn her. Worst of all, I often get petitioned to be assigned her deliveries as it was one of the only surefire ways to guarantee her presence.

“Given that you're not meeting me within your shrine this time, Kitohana-sama, you already know that this isn't like that.”

“Ara, no fun as always. 'Tis truly a remarkable man you have brought before me, you know. It may do you some good to pursue what is in front of you for once, my dear Tama. I wager you haven't even taken advantage of your situation to appeal yourself towards him?”

“With what's been happening to him, I would think the last thing he'd want is yet another suitor. I'm sure you're fully aware of the circumstances.”

Truthfully, he wasn't really my type either way.

“Ho, Is that right?”

Takeda was still behind me, eyeing Kitohana-sama carefully. With a tilt of her head she smiled at him knowingly before deciding to slowly approach. Ugh, she seduction she wove into her stride was definitely intentional today.

Dressed in an ornate kimono, with raven hair flowing past her waist, and the other-worldly beauty you'd expect of a kami, it would be no surprise to see many a suitor prostrate themselves before her with just a single sway of her hips.

She was the textbook definition of an enemy of men even before you factor in her divinity. An unreachable flower to many. Frankly, she had no need to even try; Simply being in her presence could seduce a man. With her doing it deliberately, though?

I hear Takeda gulp audibly behind me as she neared.

“Ara?”

An irritatingly smug grin formed on her lips.

“I would believe you to be incorrect, my dear Tama. Whilst your kin may have frightened him with their actions, it would seem he is not yet tired of sincere advances. Tell me, what is your name?”

She tilted his head up with her index finger underneath his chin. Sigh. With that look locked on her, it would seem yet another one fell under her spell in record time.

“I- It's Takeda Ryota, ma'am!”

“Please, no need for the formalities, Takeda-kun. You may simply call me in the same way Tama-chan does. Or perhaps...”

Sporting a wide smile, she brought her face close to his, whispering straight into his ear by now. Given their height difference, he must have subconsciously hunched down at some point in response to her provocations. I could only look on with exasperation.

“If you surrender yourself to me, I may just allow you to simply drop the pretense, no?”

He was practically luminescent now. I guess it is true that a blush can spread to someone's ears.

“I... I c-couldn't p-p-possibly do that! E-Especially without knowing what you'd actually do to me!”

Still, to his credit, he somehow stammers out a refusal to her invitation.

“Ho? How rare. Yes yes, it is quite a fool's errand to simply fall for one's honeyed words. I should reward you for doing so. Perhaps I should actually take you under my wing, hm?”

She was starting to press herself onto him now in earnest. This was starting to get dangerous. Let's stop this before he actually blows a gasket.

“Are you done playing around yet, Kitohana-sama? We have business.”

I cross my arms, and provoke her bluntly. Aha, there's that irritated glance I've become oh so familiar with.

“Hmph. Never one to read the mood, are you? If you must insist on being such a boor at all times, I'm afraid that no matter how many blessings I grant you, they will never help, you know.”

“I am forever grateful for your continued assistance, o' reverent Kitohana-sama.”

She continues to shoot me an annoyed look at my monotonous delivery. We stare at each other for a few moments more before she finally relents and retreats away from Takeda. With the tension released, he starts putting himself back together again.

”Haa, there is no helping you is there? Yes yes, let us get to the actual matter at hand. I am sure you have many questions.”

It looks like Takeda is going to take some time to calm himself down from her assault, so I guess I'll get to asking first.

”I see you sent your attendants away already.”

”Quite. I did so at once when I felt your presence decide on its path here. I do appreciate your choice to come to me, my dear Tama.”

”You were the closest, is all. There's hardly any other meaning in my choice.”

”Ever the shy child.”

”Tch. That's- No, nevermind that. Do you know what's wrong with Takeda-kun, then?”

The less time I spend trading barbs with her the better. Given her actions thus far, it was probably safe to assume she had some if not all of the answers about Takeda's condition.

Especially since she wasn't enamored like the others. Whether or not it was due to her status as a kami didn't really matter.

”'Wrong' is quite the implicit expression. In a way, you are insulting his very being. Of course, it is a small miracle an existence like his has lived to his age. Quite curious indeed.”

"What do you mean by 'an existence like his' exactly?"

”Hm? Ah, of course. It is no surprise that you do not know, they are quite rare in these times.”

”...And they are?”

”Why, I mean he is a true Onmyōji. A descendent of one, at least.”

”Huh?”

An answer that ends up raising more questions. How typical.