On the small hillside, Natsume and the gathered yokai watched the black sphere being annihilated, their expressions shifting between shock and joy.
"What exactly was that light dragon?" Natsume asked in bewilderment.
"It felt like divine power... but with such a massive amount of light-attribute divinity, could it be that Amaterasu Omikami has descended?"
"Amaterasu Omikami?" Natsume jumped in surprise.
That was the supreme deity of Shinto!
"Shh! Don't say it out loud!" Chobihige whispered nervously, noticing that the light dragon had turned its head to look in their direction.
A moment later, the light dragon dissipated. A streak of light shot out from where its heart had been, landing right beside Natsume and the others.
"Watch out!"
The yokai immediately scattered. Madara, in his white fox form, scooped Natsume up in his mouth and leapt to the side.
Who knew if this entity, fresh from slaying a demon, might decide on a whim to start an "exorcism" on them too?
As the light faded, a person wearing a fox mask was revealed.
This was, of course, Aomori.
He had long since realized the giant black ball was a "paper tiger" as its body wasn't solid but rather a condensation of a massive cloud of black miasma.
Thus, he had followed suit, using Holy Light to manifest a Winged Dragon of Ra to deal with it, finally using a point-blank "breath attack"—a favorite of Godzilla—as the finishing move.
After the fight, seeing a large group of onlookers, Aomori felt a strange resonance, which prompted him to fly over.
Upon closer inspection, he realized they were all "familiar faces."
Aomori looked toward the only human present and spoke with certainty, "Are you a direct descendant of Reiko Natsume?"
"Hello... My name is Takashi Natsume. I am her grandson. You knew my grandmother?" Natsume asked, astonished.
He knew she had a wide circle of acquaintances during her life, but he never imagined she could have been friends with someone this powerful.
Madara and the other yokai were equally shocked.
"Of course. Not only did I know her, but I also know all the yokai present. For instance... you are Madara, right?" Aomori stared at the white fox. The little fox in his arms also stared intently at the large white fox.
"How do you know my name? Who exactly are you?" the white fox asked in a low voice.
"I am the God of Justice, Aosora."
"God of Justice?" The yokai looked at each other in confusion.
"I've never heard of that divine name," Misuzu stated bluntly, being his usual honest self.
"It's normal that you haven't, because I used to be a Stray God. Just recently, a generous friend gifted me a shrine," Aomori replied with a smile.
"A Stray God? Impossible! With divine power this strong, you could pass for an Enshrined God. How could you be a Stray God?"
"Why is it impossible?" Natsume asked curiously.
"Have you forgotten Dew God?" the white fox reminded him. "Stray Gods generally have very few believers because they lack their own shrine. Especially now, with Shintoism in decline, Stray Gods have almost entirely disappeared, let alone possessed such immense strength."
"I see." Recalling Dew God, who had vanished when his last believer passed away, Natsume couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy.
"Well, there are various reasons and secrets involved that I'm afraid I cannot disclose," Aomori said.
The little fox in his arms began to struggle. Aomori patted its head and said, "I mean no ill will toward any of you. On the contrary, as a 'Good God,' I can offer you assistance; for a price, of course."
"Oh, and because of Reiko, Natsume, you have one chance to ask for my help for free."
"Uh... thank you."
Having said his piece, Aomori released the hand he had been using to hold the little fox.
"Awoo!" The little fox couldn't wait to jump down from his arms. Once freed from his "clutches," it let out a joyful howl toward the sky and lunged straight for the white fox.
While the white fox was still pondering Aomori's intentions, the little fox had already started climbing up its leg.
"Hey! What are you doing?" The white fox didn't dare move too much for fear of hurting the tiny thing, so it watched as the little fox climbed all the way to the top of its head.
The little fox gave a sniff, then curled up and lay down right there.
"Nyanko-sensei, it seems it really likes you," Natsume said with a smile.
"How annoying! Who wants its affection?"
"Sorry, it's a bit mischievous." Seeing the adorable little fox easily dissolve the suspicion and close the distance, Aomori immediately decided to appoint it as the shrine's Diplomat and Brand Ambassador.
With the little fox for those who like cute things, Miko for those who like beauties, and Aomori for those who like handsome men, how could the shrine fail to flourish?
Seeing that the little fox intended to make a nest on its head, the white fox hurriedly transformed back into a plump calico cat.
Nyanko-sensei... he really is as fat as the rumors say. Aomori watched their interaction with a smile.
Having lost its perch, the little fox fell through the air, only to be caught by a frantic Natsume.
"Nyanko-sensei, that was dangerous!"
"Who cares?" Nyanko-sensei snorted and began licking his paw.
Having spent so much time as a cat, he had adopted many feline habits.
"The little fox is so cute. Oh, it has two tails. And it's a girl." Natsume held the little fox up, giving it a once-over.
Amazingly, the little fox cooperated without a fuss. Perhaps Natsume had a "fox affinity" constitution?
"Is it a yokai too?"
"No, it's closer to the divine category," Nyanko-sensei answered.
Aomori nodded. "She is my Divine Messenger."
"Divine Messenger?" Looking at the little fox, Natsume found it hard to associate her with the title. "Does she have a name?"
"Her name is Nibi." (Two-Tails)
"Nibi?"
It felt like a name given on the spot.
No, no, no. How can I think such things about a Kami-sama?
Natsume cleared his mind and smiled at the little fox. "Hello, Nibi."
"Awoo."
After playing for a while, the sky grew dark, and Natsume bid his farewells.
"I have to go home and do my homework."
"Alright. My shrine is on that mountain over there. Feel free to visit when you have time." Aomori picked up Nibi, waved goodbye, and took to the sky.
"I never imagined Aosora-sama would be so strong yet so down-to-earth," Natsume remarked.
"Hmph. You always run into strange characters."
"Nyanko-sensei, are you one too?"
"I'm a Great Yokai, yet I'm in this form. Isn't that strange enough?"
"Haha. I'll make you something good to eat when we get home."
"Hmph. Don't think you can butter me up that easily. At least ten bean buns."
"Yes, yes, yes."
…
I never thought I'd run into Takashi Natsume and his group. Their "vibe" is completely different from Miko's. Did they crossover into her world? No, if we're talking about crossovers, Miko is more likely the one who crossed over.
In terms of world-building and plot, Natsume's world far outweighed Miko's.
Moreover, Aomori's own style leaned more toward the "healing" vibe of Natsume's series.
So, this is most likely the world of Natsume's Book of Friends?
But it didn't really matter. Meet a god, slay a god; meet a monster, farm a monster. It was all the same.
Opening the system, the believer count was 0, but there was one "Bond" formed.
It was Miko's. Despite talking with Natsume for so long, he hadn't successfully formed a bond with him.
Do I need a "deeper" level of interaction? Aomori recalled his interactions with both and realized the difference was that he had helped Miko fulfill a wish and established a contract with her.
Fulfilling wishes and establishing contracts… these two paths were very likely the criteria the system used to determine a Bond.
Lost in thought, Aomori flew back to the shrine and released Absol, Pidgeot, and Ditto all together.
"You guys guard the shrine here. Don't wander off too far."
Who knew what might pop up, but these three should be able to handle it.
After giving his instructions, Aomori took off again, carrying the little fox and following the mark he had left on Miko, heading due west.
…
"I wonder if Kami-sama has already finished off that giant monster?"
Miko took the bus home. Along the way, she encountered many ghosts as usual, but as soon as they got close, they were repelled by a white light, and blue smoke would rise from their bodies.
Ghosts that learned their lesson stopped approaching her.
Only then did Miko realize Kami-sama had left a protective mantra on her. Its power was far superior to her previously blessed prayer beads.
"As expected of protection personally bestowed by a god. The quality is guaranteed."
Because of this, Miko felt even more grateful to Aomori. She would finally be able to stop living in fear and lead a normal life.
"As if."
Seeing a ghost atop a trash pile near her house, Miko sighed softly. "How can it be that easy to just ignore them?"
"I'm home!"
After entering the house and changing her shoes, Miko went up to the second floor.
As she pulled open her bedroom door, a black, floating mass blocked the entrance, instantly taking up most of her field of vision.
"!"
For a split second, Miko felt her heart skip a beat. Relying on her natural talent to force her throat shut and prevent any sound, she took a sharp breath.
It's okay. I have Kami-sama's protection. I don't need to be afraid now.
Miko steadied her nerves and walked straight forward, pretending she didn't see it.
Thud!
She felt as if she had hit a wall and was bounced back, landing on her bottom on the floor.
Eh? Why couldn't I pass through? Is this a physical entity? And why didn't Kami-sama's protective mantra work? Is this a super-powerful Great Evil Spirit? Did I get targeted because I was too high-profile on the way back?
Miko's mind was full of questions, and she remained dazed on the floor for a moment.
Then, she watched in horror as the giant spirit reached its palm toward her.
What should I do? No, I have to run.
But her legs were numb, and she couldn't stand up, let alone run.
I just received a god's favor... I was finally going to live a good life... I'm so unwilling... I wonder if I'll turn into an ugly spirit like this after I die. No, I don't want to. So ugly...
Watching the palm get closer, Miko closed her eyes in despair, tears flowing uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.
The next second, she felt herself being lifted by the arm, followed by a familiar voice: "Alright, Darkrai, come back now. Or she's going to faint from your scare."
"Eh? Kami-sama?!" Miko opened her eyes to find the giant spirit retreating into the room, while Kami-sama sat in the chair at her desk, looking at her with a hint of a smile.
"Sorry, are you okay? He's my companion. I asked him to protect you just now. He's not a bad guy; he's just a bit mischievous and loves scaring people."
Darkrai rolled his eyes imperceptibly. You were the one who told me to go greet her.
"No, no need to apologize. I'm... I'm okay."
Except for almost dying of fright. Miko wiped away her tears, walked into the room, and closed the door.
After patting her chest to calm herself down, she finally had time to look at Darkrai.
He really does look different from other ghosts. He's very clean, without that murky gas, and his eyes are very clear. Looking closely... he's actually quite cute.
"Um... is he called Darkrai?"
"That's right." Aomori said meaningfully, "He has another name: the Pitch-Black Pokémon, or the God of Nightmares."
"God of... Nightmares?!"
This one was a god too?!
Well, it makes sense. Only a god would be considered a companion to another god.
Miko's body trembled; she didn't dare stare at Darkrai casually anymore.
Seeing this, Aomori said, "Darkrai, your presence is putting too much pressure on Miko. Go back for now."
Darkrai gave a slight nod and turned into a shadow, sinking into Miko's own shadow.
"Eh? This is—?!" Miko looked down at her shadow in confusion. "Is he inside my shadow?"
"Yes. As the only shrine maiden of my shrine, you need to be well-protected. I can't stay by your side all the time, so I'll have Darkrai protect you personally. Don't worry about it; just act as if he isn't there."
How could I not worry about it!
Having a god by her side at all times made her feel incredibly self-conscious.
And... Miko tugged at the hem of her skirt awkwardly. ...wouldn't he see everything when I wear a skirt?
"Um, Aosora-sama, actually... it's fine. I don't need the Nightmare Kami-sama to protect me so closely."
"Why? Isn't it better to be safe? Besides, you've noticed too, right? That friend of yours is a magnet for evil spirits. What if there's an emergency?" Aomori spoke with the patient tone of a father.
So Hana really does have that kind of constitution?
Miko thought about it, and for Hana's and her own safety, she finally compromised.
Right.
She suddenly remembered that Kami-sama had gone to deal with that mountain-sized demon. Now that he was back, did it mean the matter was resolved?
Kami-sama is so strong. Being protected by him feels so safe.
However...
"Aosora-sama, why did you come here? Is the shrine okay?" Miko asked.
"It's fine. It's just a dilapidated shrine; no one is going to go out of their way to cause trouble there. In my heart, Miko, the little shrine maiden, is a bit more important."
"!" Miko was deeply moved. She silently resolved to work hard in her role as a shrine maiden for the next three months to repay Kami-sama's kindness.
Now that her questions were answered and she felt completely at ease, Miko realized her body felt sticky and uncomfortable.
I want to take a bath, but...
Miko took a deep breath and summoned her courage to speak to Aomori. "Kami-sama, could you and the Nightmare Kami-sama wait in the living room for a bit?"
"Why?"
"I... I want to take a bath."
"Oh, it's fine. In my eyes, you're no different from the little fox, so there's no need to worry about us. Just pretend we don't exist and go about your business," Aomori said seriously.
"No way!"
Darkrai was one thing, but Aosora-sama looked just like an ordinary boy. She could not accept it no matter what.
After much persuasion, she successfully escorted the two "Great Deities" out, and Miko breathed a long sigh of relief.
She took her change of underwear and pajamas and entered the bathroom.
Even though she saw a ghost, she was no longer afraid.
After chasing it away, Miko lay in the bathtub, feeling the warmth of the hot water. Unconsciously, she began to hum a song.