Chapter 7

Struggling to keep her composure, Rei took unsteady steps away from the main hall, causing Kirara to look at her suspiciously.

"Rei, let's go and offer some coins."

"Sorry, I think I'm feeling a bit car sick, so I'll rest. You can put my share in the offering box for me."

"Okay? Got it. Then, just rest and wait here."

With that, Kirara headed towards the offering box. Other tour participants were also making their way to the main hall. The guide noticed Rei and tried to come over, but she gestured with her hands to say, "It's fine, I'm okay."

She sat down on a wooden bench under a large ginkgo tree and wiped her cold sweat with a handkerchief.

Looking up at the main hall, the sharp and intense golden light was still radiating as usual.

"You don't look well, miss."

Hearing the voice, she slowly turned her head to see a young man with naturally curly, light-colored hair and glasses looking at her. His face seemed more curious than worried, so Rei replied with a bright smile.

"I think I got car sick from the long bus ride. It would be better if you don't come too close, or I might vomit."

"Hmm. This bench is in a spot where the light doesn't reach, so it's good for you."

Turning to the young man again with a creaking movement, she noticed that his eyes were now clearly filled with curiosity.

"I don't understand what you mean by light. Sorry, but I really don't feel well."

"That light is coming from the Sea Beast Insect Mirror enshrined in the main hall."

The young man explained the light as if he hadn't heard Rei's words. Can he see that light?

With over a hundred million people in this country, it wouldn't be strange if there was someone who could see it. Is this common knowledge? Or is he just trying to bluff me into revealing something? Rei thought busily.

"I see. Thank you for your kindness. Unfortunately, I can't see the light you're talking about."

"Come on, don't be so guarded. Sometimes people can see it. Those who can see it are often affected by the intensity of the light."

"Really, I—"

"I'm sorry to bother you. See you later."

Rei silently replied in her heart, "I don't want to see you again."

She had been thrown into this world for five years.

Overcoming loneliness and anxiety, she had built her own world. She couldn't let it go now. Yuki, the owner of the snack bar, Kirara, who often forgets what people say, and Nakata, her boss, were all important acquaintances. She couldn't afford to lose them.

"Oh, I forgot to blur his memory."

She usually blurs the memories of troublesome people, but she had been so surprised that she let him leave without doing it.

However, with over a hundred million people in this country, she would probably never see him again.

Eventually, the tour group returned.

Rei seamlessly rejoined the group as if she had been with them all along. Next was lunch.

"Kirara, thank you. Here, this is for the coins."

"Thanks. Are you okay?"

"Yeah! I feel completely better. Can I eat some dango before lunch?"

"You're still a big eater. I don't see why not."

Rei bought two skewers of dango, which were soft and fluffy, with a crispy, charred sauce, and started eating them. After letting Kirara have a bite, she finished both skewers. Led by the guide, they entered a soba shop.

"Delicious! This shrimp tempura is so fresh, Rei."

"It is delicious. I bet these shrimp aren't frozen. Kirara, isn't the Nine Star Shrine a power spot?"

"Of course. It's a place where you can get energy."

"Kirara, do you feel it?"

"Well, not exactly feel it, but when I go to a power spot, I don't feel down for a while. I feel my heart become lighter. It might just be a placebo effect."

"I see."

"Why?"

"Earlier, a boy who said light was coming from the main hall talked to me."

"Was he hitting on you? You're pretty, Rei."

"It didn't feel like that."

"Well, if nothing happened, just forget about it."

"You're right."

After finishing the shrimp tempura soba, including the broth, Rei, feeling full, decided to forget about it as Kirara suggested. She slept soundly on the bus ride back.

"I'll go to Yuki's place tonight," she decided. She was feeling unusually lonely.