Chương 6: Meet the Miko

The time skip button has been pushed again.

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[The Year 2003]

It's been two years since Asahi reincarnated into this world, and his life has changed dramatically since then.

Asahi turned eight years old, and his physique resembles an eleven-year-old's due to his intense training regimen.

His strength has multiplied, and he's mastered the basics of Haki—both Observation and Armament.

Confident in his foundation, he thinks,

"Time to move up a level."

Asahi's swordsmanship has also progressed, allowing him to hear the "breath of all things" and cut steel with intent alone.

During all these years, he tried to challenge dojos in Tokyo while hiding his identity; due to his small stature and fox mask, he earned the nickname "Little Fox."

Soon, he aims to master breathing styles like water, moon, and thunder, though he knows his body will need more strength and endurance to handle the strain.

Beyond combat skills, he's even started learning to craft weapons and armor and studying vehicles to make his inspired favorite mecha anime and games. His magic and concealment skills have also grown, building on his impressive foundation.

[A/n: A strong foundation leads to unstoppable strength.]

Besides training, Asahi has a lazy side. Shizuka, noticing his slack moments, often scolds him for not cleaning his house, which he takes with a sheepish apology.

He's come to admire her, feeling she's grown into a supportive figure like his grandma Chiyo and mother.

One day, Godou invites Asahi to play catch and shares exciting news: the organizers have selected him as one of the first nine players to play for their team in the kid's baseball tournament.

Asahi is happy for him and advises him, saying, "Just stay sharp and put your spirit into each play." Inspired, Godou nods, ready to give it his all.

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At the Shrine

Nestled within a serene grove, the Tokyo shrine is a testament to ancient traditions, its architecture steeped in history.

As one approaches, the air feels charged with an ethereal energy, hinting at the shrine's deep connection to the divine.

The path to the shrine is lined with meticulously cared-for stone lanterns, each casting a warm, inviting glow as dusk falls. Stone steps lead up to the main hall, which features an intricate wooden structure adorned with elaborate carvings of mythical creatures and auspicious symbols, all painted in rich colors that have weathered the years yet remain vibrant.

Surrounding the shrine is a tranquil garden, filled with cherry blossoms and carefully arranged rocks that symbolize the harmony between nature and the spiritual world. Hidden among the foliage, there are subtle signs of the supernatural, like flickering lights or fleeting shadows, suggesting that powerful beings watch over this sacred ground.

The shrine serves not only as a place of worship but also as a sanctuary for those seeking protection and guidance against the myriad supernatural forces that inhabit the world, making it a vital location for those entangled in the conflicts between gods and Campione

Asahi visits a local shrine to find a protective charm for his friends and family.

Though he can make accessories himself, he feels a charm from a sacred shrine might offer some protection added luck.

With his Observation Haki, he sometimes senses an odd, otherworldly gaze on him, but he shrugs it off for now, planning to confront this presence once he becomes a Campione.

As he climbs the shrine stairs, munching on his homemade cookies, he senses someone watching him but pretends not to notice. Upon reaching the top, he spots a little girl with brown hair peeking from behind a tree, dressed in a child-sized priestess uniform.

"You can come out now, kid," he says with a smirk, taking another bite of his cookie.

"W-who are you calling a kid? And you shouldn't eat here—it's a sacred shrine!" she huffs, her eyes glued to the cookies.

Amused, he pulls out a small bag of cookies, pretending to retrieve them from his pocket. "Here, take some. I only offer these to cute girls, so you're lucky."

"Cu-cute!?" she stammers, her cheeks turning red as she accepts the cookies. Despite her earlier scolding, she takes a bite, and her eyes light up. "These are amazing!"

"Glad you like them," he says, watching her eat with a satisfied smile.

Their moment is soon interrupted by someone calling her name.

"Yuri-san! Yuri-san, where are you!"

Startled, the girl remembers she'd sneaked out from her shrine maiden lesson. Asahi, guessing her identity, asks for confirmation.

"So, what's your name?"

"I… told you I'm not a kid! My name is Mariya Yuri," she says, her tone indignant but softened by her blush.

Asahi's eyes widen slightly. This is Mariya Yuri, the future Hime Miko and a heroine of this world. He leans in, studying her face closely, causing Yuri to blush harder. She stares back, flustered. "Uh, is there something on my face?"

Realizing he's making her uncomfortable, he quickly steps back. "Sorry about that."

"It's okay," she mumbles. Then, trying to keep her composure, she asks, "So… what about you?"

"Oh, right—I'm Aito Asahi. You can also call me Asahi. It's nice to meet you, Mariya-san," he smiles brightly.

For a moment, Yuri is dazed by his smile and stammers, "N-nice to meet you too. You can… also just call me Yuri."

The two chat while Yuri guides him toward the charms.

She explains which charms are good for protection and luck, taking her role as a shrine maiden quite seriously.

During the conversation, Asahi learns that Yuri lives at the shrine as a shrine maiden apprentice and has a little sister named Hikari.

When he tells her they're the same age, she looks surprised, obviously assuming he was older.

"You… we're the same age?" she asks, studying him. "I thought you were at least… twelve?"

Asahi smirks. "What can I say? Good genetics."

As they laugh, an older woman suddenly appears, calling for Yuri. "There you are, Yuri-san! Lady Head Priestess is looking for you."

Yuri jumps, realizing she's overdue. "Ah, yes, I'm coming!" She turns to Asahi. "Sorry, I have to go now."

"Don't worry. Be a good little shrine maiden, kid," Asahi teases, reaching out to pat her head.

She blushes but quickly scowls. "I told you, stop calling me a kid!"

Asahi chuckles. "Alright, alright. But for the record, you're pretty cute when you're mad."

Flustered, Yuri's face turns bright red. She pouts, trying to look annoyed, but her cheeks give her away.

"Meanie," she mutters.

He laughs, waving as she's pulled away by the older woman. But just before she leaves, Yuri tugs at his sleeve.

"We… can meet again, right?" she asks, her voice shy.

Asahi smiles, nodding. "Of course."

A grin lights up her face, and she nods, letting go of his sleeve before turning to leave. As he walks home, Asahi's mood is light. Meeting a real-life version of a heroine he once admired is far better than any VR experience he had in his previous life.

On his way back, he stops by the Kusanagi house to give Shizuka a charm for good luck. She thanks him, blushing slightly, which leads to teasing from her family.

Asahi and Godou laugh as Shizuka's cheeks turn redder by the second, caught in the good-natured teasing from her grandparents.

--- CUT!-----