“Iori-san? Please reply to me if you’re free~”
Shion had sent numerous messages to Shigure, but today, even after school, Shigure still hadn’t replied.
This was… quite strange.
While Shigure occasionally failed to reply to Shion’s messages due to her busy schedule, this time, Shion couldn’t shake a growing sense of unease.
After inquiring with Ayane, Nanami, Rie, and Sakuya, and receiving the consistent reply of ‘I haven’t seen her,’ Shion resolved to visit the hospital after school today.
The afternoon classes had already been a struggle, but without any news from Shigure, the hours became even more excruciating.
‘Had I said something yesterday that upset Shigure, causing her to ignore me?’
This thought flickered through Shion’s mind, but she immediately shook her head. Shigure had shown no signs of displeasure when she went home yesterday; in fact, she seemed almost… reluctant to leave?
Shion recalled the warmth in Shigure’s hand yesterday in the shrine’s main hall. ‘Ah, what am I thinking?! That was in the presence of a Divine Being! As a Miko of the shrine, what was I doing before a Divine Being?!’
Shion sent a message to Ayane, explaining that she was going to look for Shigure and would be home late. After Ayane replied with, “[Come home early and make me dinner~]” followed by a sticker, Shion packed her bag and hurried towards the hospital.
The sky today was rather bleak, with grey clouds staining the once azure expanse a dull, hazy color. As autumn slowly encroached, the absence of sunlight left Shion, clad only in her autumn school uniform, feeling a faint chill.
Shion exhaled a breath, warming her hands slightly.
However, as Shion hastened towards the hospital, the malevolent aura emanating from a patient room sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
This was likely why Shion rarely sought out Shigure proactively. The oppressive spiritual energy, which she couldn’t fully mitigate, invariably left Shion feeling helpless and distressed.
Before coming, Shion had actually made an effort to recall Iori Grandma’s room number. Yet, upon arriving at the hospital, she realized her concern had been entirely superfluous.
If she couldn’t sense Iori Grandma’s exact room amidst such pervasive evil energy, then Shion, the Miko responsible for protecting the town, might as well abandon her duties.
“Iori Grandma, excuse my intrusion,” Shion said softly, pushing open the door and stepping into the room. Iori Grandma lay in her hospital bed, a look of surprise crossing her face as she saw Shion.
“Little Shion? What brings you here?”
Shion placed a few pastries and two freshly bought apples from the fruit store, offered as a small gift, onto the bedside table.
“Iori Grandma, have you been feeling any better lately?” Shion began with a few pleasantries.
However, from Shion’s perspective, Iori Grandma was currently emanating a dark, malevolent aura. This aura wasn’t originating from Iori Grandma herself, but rather…
It was as if something had been persistently clinging to Iori Grandma. Or perhaps, hanging, or even sprawling? Shion struggled to find the right words to describe it. However, since her abilities had advanced, her perceptive senses had grown even sharper. Moreover, Shion felt that her exorcism capabilities were now considerably more potent than when they had first been enhanced.
While exchanging pleasantries, Shion subtly activated her Spirit-Suppressing Constitution, attempting to separate Iori Grandma from the malevolent attachment.
Yet, just as Shion perceived a slight loosening of the evil energy from Iori Grandma, she distinctly saw a pained expression cross Iori Grandma’s face. Shion quickly withdrew her ability, and the malevolent aura re-merged with Iori Grandma.
‘Damn it,’ Shion cursed inwardly, though she maintained a composed expression.
It appeared the malevolent aura was deeply intertwined with Iori Grandma. If Shion were to forcefully attempt to sever it as she had just done, the evil spirit could be expelled, but Iori Grandma would undoubtedly be unable to endure the pain of its removal.
“Well, you seem a bit tired, Iori Grandma. Please rest well. By the way, do you know where Shigure is?” Shion finally posed the most crucial question of her visit.
“Little Shigure? She brought me lunch today. I haven’t seen her since. Is something wrong with her?” Iori Grandma’s face clouded with confusion and concern.
Although Iori Grandma’s reply startled Shion, she knew she couldn’t let the elderly woman worry too much. Thus, Shion resorted to a white lie. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to discuss the Autumn Festival with Shigure this afternoon. I had class duties, so I was a bit late getting out and couldn’t find her.”
“I see,” Iori Grandma said, seemingly without suspicion. “Then, Little Shion, why don’t you check our house? She might be there preparing my bento.”
Shion nodded. “Then, Iori Grandma, please take care of yourself.”
On her way to Shigure’s house, Shion found herself worrying not only about Shigure but also about Iori Grandma. Shion had no immediate solution for the malevolent aura clinging to Iori Grandma. Yet, she couldn’t simply leave it unresolved. Although the evil energy didn’t feel overtly malicious, it would eventually erode the human body.
For both logical and emotional reasons, whether as a Miko protecting the town’s residents or simply to bring a smile to Shigure’s face, Shion knew she had to find a way to save Iori Grandma.
As the Miko of Hoshimori Shrine, the town’s “Guardian,” Shion was the only one capable of such a feat.
Arriving at Shigure’s doorstep, Shion couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur of the house and its entrance. Centuries ago, even if they couldn’t rival the Igarashi family, the Iori family must have been a prominent noble house in the town.
Shion knocked on the door, raising her voice. “Iori-san, are you home?”
No one answered from within.
“Iori-san! It’s Shion!” Shion’s voice rose several pitches.
After waiting a few more seconds with no response, Shion sighed, just as she was about to turn and leave.
From inside the house, Shion felt as though she heard Shigure’s voice. It was incredibly faint, like a cat’s soft gasp, yet Shion was certain she’d heard it. Even if her rational mind told her it was likely a delusion, Shion absolutely believed she had heard Shigure’s voice!
“Shion-san, please help me!”