Miyamizu Mitsuha and Mori Tsukisa were the same age, both having just started high school this year.
"Does Mitsuha go to school in town?"
"It's a small school."
The girl led Mori Tsukisa around the stream, greeting the townspeople along the way. "Itomori Town is a very small town; we almost all know each other—Ms. Tsukisa should have seen that over the past two days."
"We just live like this day after day, isolated from the World."
Mori Tsukisa didn't understand how a World with the internet could be isolated.
Miyamizu Mitsuha: "Look."
The girl pointed to the side of the road.
It was a worn-out utility pole, with an almost decaying wooden bench next to a pile of weeds, and beside it was a vending machine with 'BOSS COFFEE' on it.
"This is Itomori Town's 'café,' strange, isn't it?" Mitsuha's voice was a bit low. "I haven't been to a real café yet..."
Lines left by birds streaked across the shimmering lake, piles of stones were covered in moss, green plant thickets, Gassho-style buildings, and the town under the quiet sky... "Haha, what a hardcore café," Mori Tsukisa turned her head, raising her index finger as a black-and-gold butterfly landed on her fingertip. "Does Mitsuha like big cities?"
"I... do."
Miyamizu Mitsuha indeed longed for the big city, for the bustling steel jungle full of freshness; she didn't hate her birthplace, it was just that here... "That's a wish that can be easily fulfilled." The little butterfly flapped its wings and flew onto the girl's head, taking over Arrietty's spot. Under Mitsuha's peculiar gaze, Mori Tsukisa spoke in a light tone with a butterfly on her head.
"Come to Tokyo and visit me!" Patting her chest confidently, the slender girl curled her lips. "Both Mitsuha and Yotsuha should come, my house is huge!"
Miyamizu Mitsuha also laughed. "What? Since you can afford to buy a shrine, Tsukisa really is an Eldest Miss."
Chatting as they walked, Mitsuha gradually became familiar with this quirky girl. Perhaps people from prominent families always had a way of making others feel close to them? She wasn't sure, but at least this girl from the 'metropolis' indeed made Miyamizu Mitsuha feel a sense of fondness.
She was a bit like her own younger sister, yet more mature than her sister.
And more mischievous.
"...That black sea urchin cat just—" The girl spoke, wrinkling her nose and raising her hands like 'claws.' "She jumped down from the roof looking ugly and grumpy, saying: 'Wah! I'm going to eat you!'"
Miyamizu Mitsuha covered her mouth and giggled. "Then what did you do?"
"I said: 'Your tail is too short! I won't be eaten by a short-tailed ugly black cat! Don't become food for such an ugly monster.' She got a bit embarrassed, covered her head, and ran away!"
"Pfft." Mitsuha laughed, clutching her stomach. "Where did you read that fairy tale?"
"How could it be a fairy tale? The ugly black cat monster and the gi-ant legendary pyramid really exist!" Mori Tsukisa looked serious. Through the sunlight and the butterfly's wings, Miyamizu Mitsuha caught a glimpse of a thin layer of fuzz on the girl's face and ears. Her personality was like a Child who hadn't grown up, but her appearance was like a demon created by the devil to tempt humans.
Under her slightly drooping eyes, that small tear mole made the whole scene instantly twist. Along the way, Mitsuha noticed that Mori Tsukisa had already been glanced at countless times—whether by young Boys or older men, they all looked at Mori Tsukisa with some deep meaning, carefully observing this beautiful and charming girl from outside.
As their footsteps moved one after another, the tinkling of bells followed them all the way.
Miyamizu Mitsuha thought that if Mori Tsukisa had a cautious and shy personality—blushing and lowering her head when embarrassed, toes pointing inward, looking up from below with those seductive eyes... no one could refuse her.
Miyamizu Mitsuha herself probably couldn't either.
"Mitsuha?"
A call rang out by the girl's ear.
The sudden daze made it even harder for Miyamizu Mitsuha to look directly at Mori Tsukisa. The girl was like a sprite that only existed in dreams, leaning against the faint sunlight that pierced through the dust, her red lips tilted up, pressing extremely close to her eyes.
A sharp scent of mint wafted into Miyamizu Mitsuha's nose.
"Mitsuha? What are you thinking about?"
Miyamizu Mitsuha shook her head, tossing the strange images out of her mind.
"Tsukisa... are you leaving tomorrow?"
Mori Tsukisa pouted unhappily. "I have to go to school; my medical leave is already over."
"I see... if you're free," Miyamizu Mitsuha paused, "if, if you're free, can I go find you?"
"Of course! I'm not just being polite. Come on, I'll introduce you to some fun friends." Before they knew it, the two girls had walked to the center of the town—the Miyamizu Shrine jumped into view.
"Mitsuha is a Shrine Maiden, right?" Remembering what the girl in old clothes had said, Mori Tsukisa was curious. "I've never seen a real ritual before."
Traditional rituals... Miyamizu Mitsuha didn't know if Mori Tsukisa knew about 'Kuchikamizake.' She was a bit worried she might find the tradition disgusting. Moving past that, the girl only mentioned a few other minor things.
But Mori Tsukisa actually wanted to ask about the Kuchikamizake.
"I heard it, you know. Chew and chew, and it turns into wine."
Miyamizu Mitsuha asked in a low voice, "Tsukisa, don't you think it's very..."
"Disgusting?"
Mori Tsukisa took two steps back and looked Miyamizu Mitsuha up and down with a smile. "That depends on who it is. If it were some Mr. Manservant, it wouldn't do... Eh, I finally understand why Shrine Maidens are all girls..."
"Heh..."
What are you thinking, Miss Mori Tsukisa?
Mitsuha gave the girl a reproachful look and explained in detail, "We've been doing this for many years. It's the oldest tradition. Every generation of Shrine Maiden must make Kuchikamizake in front of everyone during the ritual. Although..."
"Although it's embarrassing and strange at first..."
"Little Mitsuha, this is a blessing in your bloodline," Mori Tsukisa said cryptically, staring blankly at the shrine before her. In her perception, the energy of this shrine could no longer cover Itomori Town.
Logically speaking, the enshrined deity should protect the people who worship Him. But clearly, this shrine... or the deity behind it, had disappeared. The residual energy seemed only to cling to the Miyamizu family. Hitoha had the least, and Yotsuha had the most.
Hitoha... Yotsuha... Speaking of which, the Miyamizu family's naming is quite strange.
Mori Tsukisa turned around with a giggle, looking at the bewildered Miyamizu Mitsuha. "The grandmother is called Hitoha, and the granddaughters are Mitsuha and Yotsuha..."
"Would the ancestors be Miyamizu Zeroha and Miyamizu Negative-Oneha?"
"Eh, not necessarily. Maybe your ancestors hated math just like Eriri... Would it be something else then?"
Without waiting for the other to retort, Mori Tsukisa put her hands behind her back and began to seriously ponder the naming issue of the Miyamizu family—if it's 'ha' for leaf, then it must be related to trees?
Before a large tree grows, it's a seedling, a root, a seed.
So, if it's not Miyamizu Zeroha and Miyamizu Negative-Oneha... Miyamizu Nae?
Miyamizu Ne.
Miyamizu... Tane?
Miyamizu Mitsuha poked Mori Tsukisa's waist hard with her finger!
"Who's ancestors would have such strange names!"
---------------------------------
I hope you enjoy this fanfiction! If you're having fun and want to read 30 chapters in advance, feel free to check out my Patreon: patreon.com/TLScarlet
Your support means a lot so if you like the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone.