Chapter 532: 185. Senior Sister’s Confession_2
"There’s no other way." The Tsuchimikado Family Head said calmly, "Our Tsuchimikado family has records of the sealing magic, but when our ancestor performed the seal, they also used the power of the Eight-foot Jade Hook. And now, the Eight-foot Jade Hook is sealing Rashomon, unless we break the seal of Rashomon..."
Fujiwara Reya said helplessly, "Then forget it."
Rashomon is located in the Capital City, serving as the gateway between Yomi Country and the human world.
Compared to the overwhelming army of spirits from Yomi Country... Yuzao is quite adorable.
"The Killing Stone is located in the volcanic crater, where the extremely high temperatures prevent humans from staying long." The Tsuchimikado Family Head continued, "What we can do is keep watch on the perimeter, and rush in to handle any abnormalities at the first sign. If a heat-resistant yokai sets up a barrier in the crater, it would be very dangerous for us. So what you need to do now is very important."
Fujiwara Reya lifted his head, gazing at the Tsuchimikado Family Head.
"I will find the best solution." He said each word clearly.
"Alright, I’ll be waiting for your news in Tochigi County." The Tsuchimikado Family Head stood up, kindly patting his shoulder before leaving, "For the sake of Kanto, for the peace of the world, please do your utmost, Mr. Fujiwara."
"Rinko, see the Family Head off." Mrs. Hoshimi instructed.
"I’ll go too."
Embodied with the shameless thought of being half the host, Fujiwara Reya trotted after them.
The evening glow was dimmer, and the gentle red daylight gradually thinned.
After seeing the Tsuchimikado Family Head off, the two walked back to the main building along the stone steps. As the sun sank westward, the twilight mist became hazy, peacefully oblivious like disappearing shadows, as the night slowly spread across the sky.
"Senior, don’t you think I’m very polite?" Fujiwara Reya suddenly asked.
"What?" Hoshimi Rinko didn’t immediately understand what he meant.
"Look, as half the host, I personally sent the guest out. Isn’t this a kind of hospitality etiquette?"
"See that pool?"
"The Genji Pond, right? What’s up with it?"
"Go in and wash, see if you can cleanse the filth from your soul."
"Can I bathe together?"
"Can you understand what I’m saying?"
"Wait for me a moment, I’ll chase everyone away first. I won’t allow anyone apart from me to see your little—ouch, don’t hit me!"
The two ascended the mountain with synchronized steps.
The girl’s pace was slow, and Fujiwara Reya had long since adjusted to this, so he would unconsciously slow down to match her, as the two leisurely gazed at the twilight of the mountains and forests.
The mountain was not high, appearing as undulating waves in the dim light.
Pale purple and pink hues floated on the rooftops of buildings, and the lush branches of maple trees freely stretched in all directions. Looking up from below, the tips of the dark red leaves resembled lace trims set against the sky.
"So beautiful." Hoshimi Rinko said happily.
Fujiwara Reya looked over at her.
Half of the girl’s delicate face, up to her neck, was bathed in the lingering glow of the fiery sunset. Rarely showing such an innocent side, she must be filled with a warm brightness at this moment.
"It’s mainly because I’m with you that the scenery is so beautiful." Fujiwara Reya said rather narcissistically.
"Perhaps so, you’re still fairly handsome, but somewhat dull. But that’s alright..." Hoshimi Rinko expressed her disdain with a very elegant smile.
A handsome but boring man... Fujiwara Reya didn’t believe this was truly her inner self.
Hoshimi Rinko placed her hands behind her back, and in this very girlish posture, candidly said, "As for me, I’m usually more forgiving towards handsome boys, but you’re an exception."
Fujiwara Reya was about to ask why she couldn’t be a bit more forgiving towards him, when Hoshimi Rinko continued, "I can’t be forgiving towards you because when I’m around you, I feel helpless. It’s as if anything rational stops working when it comes to you. Even when I know there’s a problem, I still find myself powerless, unable to change it. For someone like me, who’s perfect in every other aspect, this is perhaps my most fatal weakness."
Why did it feel like a sudden confession... Fujiwara Reya chuckled and said, "It’s some kind of chronic ailment."
"Perhaps it is." Hoshimi Rinko stepped onto the highest step, looking back at him, her hair fluttering in the wind, "An incurable, inexplicable ailment, a chronic one. Whether it can be cured or not, I’m still waiting for your prescription."
"That puts a lot of pressure on me." Fujiwara Reya scratched his cheek.
Hoshimi Rinko didn’t offer comfort, just smiled happily, her smile less than elegant.
Senior wasn’t very tall, her head reaching only up to Fujiwara Reya’s nose. Yet her upper body was elegantly proportioned, with beautiful and long legs. Her bare, youthful face, because of her bold words, was tinged with a faint red, bashfully charming.
Fujiwara Reya’s mood floated like a dandelion.
Being with Senior was still quite difficult.
But at the very least, when with him, she would never be bored, always having cheerful conversations. They never tired of chatting, with endless topics, more engrossed and intimate than lovers—about novels, about the world, about sceneries, about language. Simply put, they were well-matched in temperament.
Being lovers might be even better.
That way, they could feel the warmth of each other’s skin.
It’s just a pity that it’s not possible now.
Fujiwara Reya understood this clearly.
Whether it’s Senior or a Junior, since childhood, their education was about guarding the human world and fighting yokai. It’s the duty of a miko, and also their belief. They are now at the most critical stage of growth, if they found out the boy they like is a yokai, their faith would collapse.
If they couldn’t accept that fact, their life’s achievements would halt there.
Of course, they might be able to accept the one they like being a yokai with composure, it’s just Fujiwara Reya wouldn’t dare gamble on their futures. The difference between human and yokai is too great.
The relationship between gods, yokai, and humans can be summed up as "government, bandit, citizen."
Government is the side that sets rules and maintains order; bandit is the evil presence that breaks rules; citizen is the side fighting bandits under the government’s protection and guidance.
Yet under certain circumstances, a bandit might be pardoned and turn into a government official.
Adults might accept such a notion, but children might not, as in a child’s mind, government and bandit are inherently opposing forces of justice and evil.
Fujiwara Reya didn’t know if Senior counted as an adult, but Junior was certainly just a naive girl.
Before they both grew up, he had to continue to hide his secret for a while longer, waiting patiently for the right opportunity.
By the time they returned to the main building, it was already dark.
The lanterns along the mountainside were being lit one by one.
The bluestone paths glowed with the firelight, turning a tangerine hue.
Over by the pavilion, all the lamps were lit as well, casting long reflections on the water, forming a curtain of light. In the middle of this curtain, only Mrs. Hoshimi stood waiting, with an apparently tense face.
"Mother." Hoshimi Rinko stepped forward.
Mrs. Hoshimi nodded at her, then looked towards Fujiwara Reya: "I’d like to talk with you, without Rinko. But thinking about how Rinko might blame me later, we might as well talk together."
"Uh, there’s really no need for such a big fuss, I almost thought I’d done something wrong..." Fujiwara Reya felt a bit anxious.
Mrs. Hoshimi chuckled softly.
Her demeanor was noble and elegant, possessing a curious charm that made people feel warm and let down their guard. Once Fujiwara Reya approached, she spoke in a gentle tone, saying very candid words: "Rinko spends her time on you, sometimes I feel sorry for her."
Fujiwara Reya glanced at Hoshimi Rinko.
In the dim light, Senior’s eyes glimmered slightly with firelight.
Could it be that she knew her mother would talk to him and had already given her inner answer... thinking of this, Fujiwara Reya felt as if something warm struck his heart hard.
Mrs. Hoshimi continued, "I don’t approve of Rinko continuing to like you."
As she said this, there was no sign of hostility or ill will, still maintaining a kind demeanor. After speaking, she even tugged on her daughter’s sleeve, signaling her to quickly state her stance, to side with her mother.
"Mom..."
Hoshimi Rinko murmured softly.
Mrs. Hoshimi looked towards her daughter.
Her daughter didn’t look at her, instead lowering her eyes to gaze at Fujiwara Reya across from her, with a gaze that seemed to carry the intention of moving to his side to pour out her heart.
"Change your surname to Fujiwara tomorrow." Mrs. Hoshimi said helplessly.
Hoshimi Rinko was stunned.
When she regained her senses, her face instantly turned a deep shade of red, and she quickly used a bowing gesture to hide her embarrassment.