“N-not my fault!” Sakuya quickly tried to distance herself, “It was Ayane who suggested it!”
“You were just as excited, Sakuya!”
The two girls fell silent as they took in the sight of Shion’s disheveled appearance. The silver-white maid uniform hung loosely on her, revealing her right shoulder. Her skirt was equally disarrayed, the zipper undone, barely clinging to her body, exposing her milky white skin beneath.
Shion, flushing red, pushed the two girls out of the room. “Stop thinking about those H things all the time!”
Outside, Sakuya and Ayane stood in stunned silence. Finally, Sakuya spoke, “Wow.”
They had seen Shion like this before, especially Ayane, who lived with her. But today, there was something different, a certain allure in Shion’s appearance.
“I told you we shouldn’t have done this. Now Shion’s mad at us,” Sakuya said glumly.
Ayane licked her lips and checked her phone, finally selecting a photo. “What do you think of this one?”
She showed Sakuya the photo, capturing Shion’s surprised and embarrassed expression, her shoulder exposed by the ill-fitted uniform.
“Send it to me!” Sakuya eagerly opened her phone. “You must have other photos!”
“No, these are mine. Such a beautiful sister is only for me to see.” Ayane playfully held her phone to her chest.
“Come on, share and share alike!”
Just as they were arguing, a hand rested on each of their heads. Sakuya felt a murderous intent.
“What are you two looking at?”
Sakuya and Ayane turned to see Shion, her face dark with anger, her bangs hiding her furrowed brow. “I-I’ll delete it right now,” Sakuya stammered, quickly deleting the photo in front of Shion.
Shion then turned to Ayane. “You know, even if you break my phone, the photos won’t disappear.”
“How confident,” Sakuya muttered.
Shion sighed, “Fine, you two don’t need to take photos. You’ll have to wear this outfit for the event anyway.”
She stepped back, letting them see her fully. “So, how do I look?”
Sakuya nodded enthusiastically, and Ayane gave a thumbs up, leaning in to whisper, “I told you, she loves new clothes.”
“I can tell,” Sakuya agreed. “Even though she acted mad just now.”
“Her body gives her away,” Ayane whispered back.
“You two, keep it down!” Shion interrupted.
Ayane stuck her tongue out at her sister.
“This could be a great promotional photo,” Sakuya commented, examining Shion.
“You two are going to put me on a poster?” Shion sighed. “I don’t think we need extra photos.”
“Of course we do! You’re the star of the cultural festival!” Ayane eagerly opened her phone. “A photo of you is much better than a edited one! We need the real thing, expressions, movements, everything!”
Sakuya smirked, “Are you sure you’re not a sister feticist?”
“Of course not…”
“Phew,” Sakuya breathed a sigh of relief.
“Of course I am!”
Sakuya would have spat out her water if she had been drinking any.
****
Night deepened as Sakuya and Ayane continued to sort through materials for the fall festival in the storage room. Although these were leftovers from previous visits, with some modifications, they could be sold again at a lower price.
Sakuya and Ayane can handle the inventory, Shion thought, stretching. She made her way to the main shrine to practice the Kagura dance.
Despite practicing almost daily, she continued her routine to maintain her best form. As she completed her final prayer dance, a chill ran through her.
“What’s wrong? Is there a ghost here?”
She focused her senses, but detected no obvious signs of evil spirits. What could it be? Had Rie released more spirits? But if Rie had, she should have sensed them.
“Rie, are you releasing spirits from the seal?” Shion messaged, skipping any pleasantries.
Rie replied quickly, “No, the seal is stable. What’s wrong?”
If Rie hadn’t released any spirits, what was causing this feeling? Shion pondered, then messaged again. “I’ll come over tonight, Rie.”