The restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel was small but cozy. The interior design was a fusion between modern and vintage, with furniture made of ocher colored wood. The white walls and antique lamps with yellow lights added just the right touches to complement the design.

The strong smell of coffee mixed with the subtle aromas of different foods spread throughout the place. The employees were cleaning the counter and dishes, waiting for the clock to mark the time to close the kitchen and rest.

At the end of a row of empty tables, a group of four people were leisurely chatting. As they finished their drinks they also determined the route they should take to their first destination of the day, the Hie Shrine.

“According to the map, the shrine is about a 400-meter walk away, so we'll get there pretty quickly. When we leave, we go to the taxi stand half a block down the street, and continue on our way towards the Tokyo Skytree, is that okay?” The redhead confirmed with the rest one more time.

“It seems perfect to me,” the brunette agreed as she put the last bite of her dessert into her mouth. “Them we'ff haf mom time tu walf afound,” she mumbled with a mouthful of food.

“Do we have enough cash?” the black-haired girl asked after sipping her strawberry smoothie. Meanwhile, her free hand smacked her friend's head in reproach. The brunette retaliated by opening her mouth to show her the half-chewed food.

“Yep.” The boy replied, ignoring the typical antics of his friends. His side of the table had more plates than the rest, although now they were all clean as new.

“Then let's get going.” The brunette looked at the time on her phone and stood up. Her fair complexion had regained its natural color and her mood had returned to normal; so much so that what happened last night seemed like a bad illusion.

It was the middle of spring in Japan and the weather was mild, perfect for walking. Still, the morning breeze was quite cool, so many people had light coats on. The area they were in was full of restaurants, bars, and hotels. Luckily, there weren't many people at that time, so the walk was rather pleasant. 

Passing by the Bank of China, they reached Sotobori-dori avenue. Across the street and between two buildings was a dark gray torii gate with a green sign with gold letters written on it. On the side there was also a map with the necessary information about the shrine.

They all gawked at the giant torii, for it was the first time they had visited a shrine. Although none of them were fervent believers, they couldn't help but feel the sacred air that the place emanated. Indeed, it was as if the gate separated the human world from the divine world.

When they crossed the torii, the four of them suddenly stopped and looked at each other quizzically.

“Was it just me or…?” asked the redhead.

“No, I felt it too,” the boy said in wonder, his big brown eyes wide open.

“I thought I was the only one,” the black-haired woman added in amazement.

The brunette nodded twice, for she had felt it too. It was as if she had broken through some kind of membrane and was now inside a bubble. The air actually felt cleaner and her body became lighter. She even believed that her surroundings had become more radiant.

On the other side of the torii was a short flight of steps that connected to another street. In the center of the wooden lanterns was a stone sign with the words “Sanno Hie Shrine” engraved on it.

“Let's take a photo here,” the black-haired woman proposed, showing her phone.

The problem was that their tripod had broken and they had not yet purchased a replacement. So if they wanted a group photo, they had to ask someone else.

While they were debating whether to just take a selfie and continue on their way, a man approached them. Although they couldn't see his full face since he was wearing a facemask, his amber eyes were a mix of European and Asian features. A professional camera hung around his neck, so everyone believed it was another tourist who had realized their dilemma.

“Excuse me, if you don't mind, can I take you some photos?” The man asked in a perfect British accent as he raised his camera. “Free of charge,” he clarified when he saw them hesitate. “I can show you my Instagram so you can see some of my latest works. I'll send the photos to one of your numbers after editing them.”

“Can you show me, please?” The boy approached the photographer.

While both of them were talking, the brunette watched the man discreetly. He seemed to be their age, around thirty years old. He didn't act strange and was very polite, however, she felt that something didn't fit.

Unconsciously, she averted her gaze to the other two girls. The redhead was carefully examining the exchange between the guys, and the black-haired girl exchanged glances with her; her hazel eyes reflected the same discomfort. Noticing their exchange, the redhead looked at them out of the corner of her eye and raised her eyebrows, implying something.

The three of them came to the same conclusion without saying a word.

After a few minutes, the boy returned and the four of them posed. After taking a few photos with his camera and one of their phones, the man bid a polite farewell and walked down the path to the right. They, however, went down the left side. Before going up another flight of stairs, the brunette turned and looked over her shoulder.

Great was their discomfort and surprise when she realized that the man had also turned and was watching them from afar. Instinctively, she gave a small smile, and he returned the gesture by waving his hand.

‘How awkward,’ she thought as she turned quickly to follow her friends.

The long flight of stairs was narrow, so they were forced to go up in a single row. The path was adorned with ninety vermilion-colored torii gates that were clustered together. Despite being amused taking photos as they went up, the brunette occasionally turned around to check if the man was following them, but she only saw a few other tourists who were also taking photos like them.

At last she thought she was being too paranoid and stopped.

Upon reaching the top, the group followed the path until they found one of the side entrances to the main shrine. After walking in, the first thing they noticed was the enormous main building to their right, where several people were lining up to pray and pay their respects to the gods. Luckily, the place was not so crowded and they could walk around easily.

They also saw two stalls where people were also lining up; in one you could buy the popular amulets and other souvenirs. In the other stall they could get the ‘goshuin seal’, but for that they needed a special booklet which they didn't have.

In the center of the courtyard was a large hoop that appeared to be made of straw, and there were two long bamboo poles on the sides. Visitors first went through the hoop and then lined up to pray. On the sides were roofed passages embellished with wisteria trees in full bloom that gave off a musky fragrance.

“Where is it…?” the brunette murmured, searching for something with her eyes, and the rest did the same.

According to their information, they first had to find a water ablution pavilion, in which they were to perform a ceremonial purification rite, which consisted of washing their hands, mouth, and also the water ladle before presenting their prayers.

“Is that it?” The redhead pointed to the other corner of the courtyard, where three people were each holding a wooden ladle.

“Yes, that's it!” The brunette exclaimed excitedly when she recognized the pavilion.

While they were doing the ritual, they couldn't help but laugh at themselves as they watched their clumsy actions as they tried to imitate the locals. When they finished, they joined the line to pass through the straw hoop.

“Do it again, just in case,” the boy suggested with a mischievous smile to the black-haired girl, who looked at him confused. “I don't think a single purification is enough,” and he moved his eyebrows up and down several times.

“And you need a few exorcisms, let me ask if they do those here,” she retorted, pretending to be looking for a shrine employee.

“Ask them if they do two for one,” the brunette added, pointing to herself.

“Guys, we came to visit the shrine, not to set it on fire,” the redhead joined in and everyone laughed quietly.

The line in front of the huge hoop moved quickly as they joked around until it was finally their turn. While waiting for the others to cross one by one, the brunette gazed at the hoop in wonder and imagined that it was some sort of portal to another world. 

Suddenly, she felt a horrible sensation on the back of her neck that made her shrank her shoulders. She immediately scanned her surroundings, until her gaze stopped on a figure standing in the middle of the front door. However, before she could focus her sight, she was startled to hear her friends calling her name and turned around.

“Hurry up, don't hold up the line,” the boy urged her.

“Ah, yes, sorry,” she muttered in embarrassment, quickly crossing the hoop to join them.

When one of her legs crossed to the other side, she again experienced the sensation of passing through a thin membrane, although this time the sensation was more realistic.

A series of images flashed through her head. Shadowed faces of strange people appeared one after another, followed by a beautiful and eerie forest of snowy flowers. The world was spinning and she was falling from the sky, until a bright light blinded her. 

A din of voices penetrated her ears in such a way that she staggered from the sudden dizziness that assailed her. The redhead and the boy reacted quickly and held her arms before she fell to the floor.

“Are you okay?” they both asked at the same time.

“Yes, I just got dizzy for a moment. I'm fine now,” the brunette tried to calm them down and once she regained her balance they let her go.

“If you feel bad, we can sit for a while and then come back,” the black-haired woman suggested, but the brunette refused.

“I'm fine, let's move on.”

The three examined her face with concern, but in the end decided to continue standing in line. After about fifteen minutes, it was their turn. 

The brunette did not affirm the existence of what was known as gods, but she did not deny it either. To be honest, relying on something unknown and intangible like a god gave her a feeling of uncertainty, which is why she preferred to rely on herself and the people who were always by her side through thick and thin. However, when she visited a church, a temple, or a shrine, she tried to respect their beliefs, like now.

‘I don't know if they really exist, but... Whoever is listening, I don't want to dream anymore, please,’ she begged with all her might. Her intertwined fingers turned white from squeezing them so much. ‘Allow us to return home safely... Thank you.’ She bowed and stepped to the side, waiting for her friends to finish.

Then, everyone headed straight for the stall where they sold souvenirs, amulets, and so on.

“I want to buy an amulet.”

“Me too. And I want that wooden tablet to write wishes on.”

“Let's buy those fortune papers,” the boy suggested as they stood in line again. “Although I wouldn't be surprised if we all got the unlucky ones,” he joked.

After a few minutes, the four of them were under the wisteria-covered passage, putting their new purchases in their bags. Afterwards they busied themselves writing on their wishing boards, leaving the fortune papers for last. 

“What did you write?” The black-haired girl finished writing on her tablet and looked at the others'.

“May we always find our way home safe and sound, and may we be together forever,” the brunette answered honestly, showing hers. “And you?”

“Prosperity and health for my loved ones,” she replied with an expression overflowing with affection.

“May I never lack the wisdom to solve things and overcome any situations,” the redhead continued.

“May my mental health be stable and may no passion enslave me,” said the boy, turning his tablet over. “Happiness and health for all those who seek it.”

“Stop, holy sir, your magnanimity hurts me,” the brunette teased him, making the rest laugh.

After everyone revealed their wishes, the most anticipated moment arrived: the mysterious omikuji that contained their fortune. Since they were in Japanese, they decided to use the translators on their phones for greater convenience.

The four then concentrated on reading, but the heavy silence that surrounded them was evident. The girls raised their gazes almost at the same time, fixing their somber eyes on the boy's face. 

“Don't tell me... You're kidding, right?” He began to laugh out of nervousness as he felt the threatening pressure on him.

“Mine says ‘kyō’.” The first to speak was the redhead. “According to the translator, it means misfortune.”

“Mine too,” the black-haired woman followed.

“Mine says ‘dai-kyō’... Great misfortune.” The brunette wore a scathing expression as she glared at the boy who moments before had joked about this.

“Mine also says ‘kyō’.” The boy couldn't contain his laughter, since the chances of something like this happening were slim, and yet, they had pulled it off.

Between laughter and disbelief —and a few well deserved hits—, everyone hung up their tablets and tied their papers before continuing on their way. When they passed through the passageway full of violet flowers again, the brunette heard a faint voice calling her and turned around thinking it was one of her friends.

“Did you say something?”

“No?” The redhead, who had been checking the route and visiting hours of their next destination, shook her head with a frown.

“Let's buy something to drink.” Thirsty, the other girl couldn't wait to get a bottle or two of water.

 “And something to eat on the way,” the boy added.

Puzzled, she thought she had misheard and continued walking. Before leaving through the huge front door, the brunette heard it again. It was a high-pitched, desperate voice screaming her name, but the rest was unintelligible. 

Chills ran through her body, making her skin crawl, as she once again experienced that horrible feeling that someone or something was watching her with almost palpable malice. A strong gust of wind shook the wisteria branches and hundreds of purplish petals whirled through the courtyard like a whirlwind, drowning out all sounds.

“Don't fall behind, or you'll get lost!”

“Hurry up!”

“Coming!”

The only voices that resonated in the abysmal silence were those of her friends. The brunette ran towards them, completely ignoring what was lurking behind them.