Upon reaching Class E, there were still nearly ten minutes remaining until the next performance was set to begin.
Kujou Sakuya now clung tightly to Shion, the two of them arriving at the venue together.
Shion had clipped several small hairpins, whose colors closely matched Sakuya’s school uniform skirt, onto the hem of Sakuya’s dress.
This clever arrangement effectively prevented the skirt from being unexpectedly blown up by the wind, yet remained inconspicuous.
At the very least, it ensured no one would discover Sakuya was currently going commando.
Consequently, as they walked down the corridor, Sakuya dared not stray even a single step from Shion’s side.
“Hello there, students, tickets for sale here! Only a few tickets left for the next show!”
The girl at the ticket booth by the Class E entrance instinctively called out to the two as they approached.
However, the moment she recognized Sakuya, her greeting immediately shifted.
“Ah! Kujou-san! Are you here to watch this performance too?”
Sakuya nodded, producing two tickets from her pocket.
“These are staff passes.”
“Haha, if Kujou-san is bringing them, you can both go right in.
We’re incredibly popular today; the tickets for the previous shows all sold out, thanks to Kujou-san’s script!”
The girl exclaimed with a smile.
“You flatter me.
All the students performing and those working behind the scenes have been wonderful.”
Despite her humble reply, Sakuya felt a surge of delight upon hearing her script praised.
The Class E classroom, though not particularly large, had been transformed into a beautifully adorned space through the meticulous efforts of the Class E students.
At that moment, the makeshift auditorium within the classroom was already filled with spectators, with even a few students having purchased standing tickets, waiting at the very back to watch.
Ayane, already dressed in the Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) attire that served as her costume, spotted her older sister the moment she entered and quickly waved her hand.
Seeing her younger sister, Shion also quickened her pace, heading towards the corner of the classroom now designated as the backstage area.
“Sister, you finally have time to come see me… Huh? Kujou-san, why are you here too?”
Ayane’s initially delighted tone dropped several degrees the moment she saw Sakuya, especially noting how tightly Sakuya was clinging to her sister.
“I saw Shion-san coming, so I just followed along.
Oh, speaking of which, I should probably head to the audience area now and save a seat for Shion-san.”
Sakuya, ever resourceful, quickly fabricated an excuse.
Shion cast a slightly uneasy glance at Sakuya.
Though Sakuya understood her unspoken concern, she gave a small “OK” gesture with her hand.
After all, only the front of the stage at the performance area had dedicated lighting; the rest of the space was shrouded in darkness, akin to a haunted house.
Moreover, her designated staff seat was only about five meters away, so there was little cause for worry.
“Shion-san… Sister, you’ve only known Kujou-san for a few days, haven’t you? And you’re already on a first-name basis?”
Ayane pressed, her gaze fixed on Shion’s eyes.
“Well, we just got to know each other, didn’t we?
Anyway, Ayane, how was your morning performance?”
Shion quickly changed the subject.
Ayane poked her cheek with a finger.
“It was actually pretty good, except… the hat of the boy playing the daimyo (TL Note: A powerful Japanese feudal lord) actually ripped, the torii (TL Note: A traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine) frame at the shrine has started to fade, and today the spotlight for my prayer scene was completely off-target…”
“That doesn’t sound ‘pretty good’ at all!”
Shion retorted, exasperated.
“Actually, it’s fine~ Oh, right, Sister, look how pretty this outfit is!”
Ayane said, lifting the hem of her Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) uniform and gently twirling in front of Shion.
“It’s wonderful!”
Shion gave a thumbs-up, then reached out to pinch Ayane’s cheek.
Compared to the other students waiting backstage, Ayane’s makeup was only the light application Shion had done for her that morning, simple yet exceedingly beautiful.
Shion pulled out her phone and opened the camera app.
Ayane, ever cooperative, flashed a wide smile and made a big “V” sign with her fingers.
Although the backstage lighting was a little dim, Ayane possessed a unique beauty under its glow.
“Still, it’s a bit different from the Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) uniform I usually wear.
The skirt is so long.”
Shion remarked, her gaze sweeping over her younger sister.
“Sister, yours is way too short, but it’s super hot!”
Ayane clapped her hands.
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, she exclaimed with a flash of inspiration:
“Sister, I want to see you wear this Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) uniform!”
“Eh? But the performance is about to start…”
“My scene is much later, you silly sister~”
Ayane declared, already beginning to shed her Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) uniform.
“Eh?! Now?! But there are still people around!”
Shion hastily tried to stop her.
However, as Ayane unfastened the buttons of the Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) uniform, her white school uniform was revealed underneath.
Ayane playfully stuck out her tongue.
“Silly sister, I wouldn’t take off my clothes in front of others, only you!”
Shion reached out and flicked Ayane’s forehead.
“What nonsense are you spouting, silly Ayane!”
Wincing from the pain, Ayane handed the uniform to Shion.
“Sister, hurry and try it on, I want to take pictures too!”
Although Ayane referred to it as a costume, the Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) attire’s quality was surprisingly excellent, comparable to the genuine, inherited uniform kept at home.
The moment Shion slipped into it, she truly felt as if she were at a shrine.
“Sister looks so cute in this too!”
Ayane likewise pulled out her phone, snapping countless photos, all while remembering to hand Shion her Kagura suzu (TL Note: A bell-laden staff used in Shinto rituals).
Seeing Ayane so enthusiastically taking pictures, Shion chuckled and instinctively began to perform the Kagura dance (TL Note: A sacred Shinto dance) she usually performed during festivals.
The young woman danced gracefully under the dim lights, gently swaying the Kagura suzu (TL Note: A bell-laden staff used in Shinto rituals) in her hand.
Its crisp ringing echoed through the small preparation room, drawing the gazes of the other Class E students waiting backstage.
Her beauty was beyond description.
After Shion performed just a short segment, several Class E students nearby spontaneously applauded.
Ayane proudly introduced her to her classmates:
“This is my sister! The Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden) of Hoshimori Shrine!”
Shion sheepishly scratched her head.
Just then, the student acting as the announcer suddenly pulled back the curtain.
“Hoshimori-san, it’s time for your scene!”
Ayane, still immersed in her sister’s recent dance, blinked in surprise.
“Already? Wasn’t my scene scheduled much later?”
“We just mentioned the slight adjustment at noon, remember?
For this part, you just need to pray at the back; no lines.”
The announcer explained.
Ayane bit her lip, then looked at her sister.
“There’s no time to change back, Sister, you go on!
Just make the prayer gesture behind the torii (TL Note: A traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine)! As soon as the lights go out, you can exit!”
Shion stared, dumbfounded.
“Eh?! I have to go on stage?”
“No time! Please, Sister!”
Ayane exclaimed, pushing Shion onto the stage with a swift motion.
Shion, bewildered, found herself propelled onto the stage.
Yet, seeing countless eyes fixed on her and the spotlight illuminating her, she quickly composed her expression, then slowly walked onto the stage.
On the other side of the stage, a torii (TL Note: A traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine) had been constructed from red cardboard boxes.
Below the stage, Kujou Sakuya, who could easily distinguish between the Hoshimori sisters, wore a remarkably astonished expression.
‘This must be it,’ Shion thought to herself, as she walked beneath the red torii (TL Note: A traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine).
She knelt on both knees, pressed her hands together, and closed her eyes.
The very next moment, however, she felt a sudden dizziness, for reasons unknown…
A wind was blowing, and the scent it carried was wrong; it was the smell of blood.
‘Had they even managed to simulate the smell of blood for the set design?’ Shion wondered.
From afar, the sounds of battle echoed.
Shion did not open her eyes.
It wasn’t until the aura of an evil spirit reached her, its bone-chilling cold sending another shiver through Shion’s entire body.
“Wait, this isn’t right!”
Shion hastily opened her eyes.
The sky was stained ink-black by storm clouds.
A fierce wind roared, rustling the surrounding leaves, and the air was thick with the scent of blood, imbued with the potent aura of evil spirits.
She still maintained her praying posture, but before her knelt another maiden, also in prayer.
The maiden before her opened her eyes, revealing beautiful white hair, albeit disheveled.
Her lovely face was marred by numerous scars.
Yet, those eyes were undeniably familiar.
“You, you’re…”
Shion froze, unable to utter another word.
The maiden smiled, a faint glimmer of joy finally breaking through her weary gaze.
“You finally answered me, Sister.”