“Save… save me…”
From the sea, Hoshimori Shion’s intermittent gurgling cries could be heard.
…
After struggling vigorously for a few moments, Hoshimori Shion felt herself slowly sinking. Her body was enveloped by the clear, blue expanse of the sea, and even her thoughts seemed utterly swallowed by its depths.
Her senses gradually began to fade. Though she had felt intensely cold just moments before, that sensation was now slowly receding.
‘Impossible,’ she thought. ‘To avoid being devoured by an evil spirit, only to be swallowed by the sea here… this is an incredibly peculiar way to meet my end…’
Gradually, even such thoughts became difficult to sustain.
All she could perceive was the sunlight, dappling through the ocean’s surface, swaying with the waves. That bright sun, transforming into rippling white surges within the water, grew increasingly distant, increasingly indistinct.
Yet, at that very moment, something seemed to reach out from within those white surges.
It was Nanami, extending a hand towards her. Hoshimori Shion, realizing this, mustered every ounce of her strength, lifting her left hand and straining to grasp Nanami’s.
Hoshimori Shion felt herself being seized. A powerful arm pulled her back from the brink of death, and then, her body was uncontrollably hoisted upwards, instantly breaking the surface. Opening her eyes, she was met once again by the vast, azure sky.
“Wah!” Hoshimori Shion gasped, once again making contact with the air. She gulped down great breaths, spitting out the water from her mouth. As the realization of what had just transpired dawned on her, she nearly burst into tears. “I… I almost drowned just now!”
Nanami, who had already disembarked from the boat, stood in the water and quickly moved to reassure Hoshimori Shion. “No, you won’t,” she said. “Look, the water level is only a bit higher here due to the high tide; that’s why I dared to bring the boat so close. The water only just reaches my waist!”
Only then did Hoshimori Shion glance around, realizing that the water level where she had fallen was not actually deep—just a little over a meter. In truth, had she simply calmed down and adjusted her posture, she could have stood up immediately.
“But, but I still almost drowned!” Hoshimori Shion exclaimed, wanting to stomp her foot in frustration, though she knew her small leather shoes wouldn’t make a sound in the water.
Nanami simply embraced Hoshimori Shion, as if comforting a startled kitten.
“There, there, it’s alright,” Nanami cooed. “How could anyone drown here? I’m right here with you.” The usually lively Nanami had suddenly become incredibly gentle, soothing Hoshimori Shion with soft, tender words.
Hoshimori Shion, enveloped in the sudden embrace, felt a surge of awkwardness. Especially since they were still in the sea. Even though she was now standing, her long white hair floated gently, buoyed by the water.
The anger Hoshimori Shion had felt moments ago slowly dissipated, and she grew quiet. Though soaking in the sea was chilling, Nanami’s embrace offered her a profound sense of warmth. She thus accepted her position, leaning against Nanami.
“Let’s head to the beach first,” Nanami suggested. “Staying in the sea for too long will definitely give us a cold.” She then led Hoshimori Shion onto the shore. Afterward, Nanami quickly returned to the water to secure the Capybara’s anchor, then used a sturdy rope from the boat to tie the Capybara to a nearby rock on the beach. This, she reasoned, should prevent the boat from drifting away.
On the beach, Hoshimori Shion sneezed. The sea breeze swept past, causing her clothes, thoroughly soaked by the saltwater, to cling tightly to her form. Her not-so-impressive figure was thus outlined for all to see. The damp, cool garments caused her body temperature to gradually drop, as if she carried several blocks of ice upon her.
Hearing Hoshimori Shion’s sneeze, Nanami climbed back onto the boat and retrieved a blanket. While on board, she couldn’t resist a playful grumble: “This boat has everything now, except for a marine chart!”
Hoshimori Shion sat on the pebble beach as Nanami draped the blanket over her. With no change of clothes immediately available on the boat, this was the warmest solution Nanami could devise.
“Don’t catch a cold, now,” Nanami murmured, gently rubbing Hoshimori Shion, who was huddled within the blanket. “Seriously, I never expected an accident on our very first outing…”
Hoshimori Shion shot her a sidelong glance. “Kazama-san,” she quipped, “you probably don’t even know my name yet, do you?”
Nanami paused, then nodded slowly. “Oh, that’s right,” she admitted, “I actually don’t think I do…”
“Hoshimori Shion, Class 1-A,” Hoshimori Shion stated curtly.
“Hoshimori-san, huh…” Nanami mused. “Wait, don’t we have a shrine around here called Hoshimori Shrine?” she asked, as if a memory had just resurfaced.
“Yes,” Hoshimori Shion confirmed. “That’s my family’s shrine, and I am its miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden or priestess in Japanese Shinto).”
“So Hoshimori-san is the miko of Hoshimori Shrine!” Nanami chuckled, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. “Heh heh, then this is my first time taking a miko out, and I’ve already capsized the boat…” As she spoke, she nimbly retrieved fire-starting tools from the boat, ignited a small flame before Hoshimori Shion, and then settled beside her. When Nanami had jumped in to rescue Hoshimori Shion, her own school uniform had also gotten soaked, so both of them now needed to warm themselves by the fire.
Hoshimori Shion felt an intense urge to slap herself. Seriously, if only she had stayed home today, simply wearing her miko attire, playing on her phone in the shrine’s main hall, and waiting for her sister to return. But no, she just had to give in to her impatience and venture out, only for things to go awry the moment she did.
With that thought, she buried her face in her knees. What a mess, truly. How was she going to explain this dishevelled state to her sister when she got back?
Nanami, sensing Hoshimori Shion’s current despondency, sat closer and gently stroked Hoshimori Shion’s snow-white hair.
“Don’t worry, don’t worry, it’s fine,” Nanami reassured her, continuing to rub Hoshimori Shion’s hair. “For those of us who go out to sea, capsizing once or twice is perfectly normal, as long as everyone’s safe. How about this: if you come out with me again, Hoshimori-san, all your trips will be free?”
Hoshimori Shion’s mood slowly began to settle. Perhaps it was the warmth of the fire that soothed her body and eased the discomfort in her heart. She pouted, uttering with a hint of dissatisfaction, “What do you mean? You want me to come again after we just capsized? Seriously, I’m never coming back!” She turned her head away from Nanami with a petulant twist, like a child sulking.
“Please, don’t say that,” Nanami pleaded with Hoshimori Shion. “My very first customer isn’t satisfied, and I’ll never be able to run my business after this! And please, Hoshimori-san, don’t say anything like that on Instagram!”
“Then… let me rest, and I won’t say anything,” Hoshimori Shion conceded, leaning against Nanami and closing her eyes. Nanami straightened up, adjusting into a more comfortable position that allowed Hoshimori Shion to rest against her.
Then, she heard Hoshimori Shion, nestled against her, emit a soft, gentle snore.
“Hoshimori-san… she’s fallen asleep.”