Yes, you've grown up. So much time has passed.
But seeing you now, hearing you speak, it feels like I'm back in my childhood.
It must be said, this mask is excellent. It hid Hanachirusato's face, making Yae Miko directly see the person behind it as Kitsune Saiguu.
After all, Kitsune Saiguu had worn a similar mask in the past.
"You're still young. When you grow up, you can join everyone in the Hyakki Yako," Kitsune Saiguu had comforted her back then, as a young Yae Miko watched everyone 'competing' in the sky with eyes full of envy.
Now, I've grown up, but you and the others are gone. I can 'shine' in the sky, but where are the youkai to compete with me?
I've become a renowned great youkai in Inazuma, and now I've finally earned your recognition…
I finally heard those words: "You've grown up."
Hearing this, Yae Miko nearly couldn't resist the impulse to rush into Hanachirusato's arms.
Thankfully, she had prepared herself mentally and managed to hold back.
Composing herself, Yae Miko said, "Sigh, because of a certain someone, I had to grow up quickly."
Hanachirusato thought Yae Miko was referring to her, as if she hadn't died, Yae Miko could have remained a carefree little fox.
Hanachirusato's tone was apologetic. "I'm sorry, Miko. Are you doing alright?"
Miko shook her head. Hanachirusato thought she meant she wasn't doing well, but Miko said, "You shouldn't apologize."
"I'm doing great, happy every day, truly."
"But you lied to me. Becoming a shrine maiden didn't come with endless fried tofu—just endless paperwork."
At this, Yae Miko sighed, as if lamenting her youthful naivety.
Then she resumed her smile and continued, "But I'm still very happy. I even founded a publishing house—pretty impressive, right?"
Finally, her expression turned slightly wistful. "It's just that sometimes, really just sometimes, I think of you all."
"That's the only time I'm a little unhappy."
Hanachirusato looked at Yae Miko, wanting to reach out and pat her head to comfort her, just like before.
But thinking of her current identity and seeing the grown-up Miko, she ultimately didn't.
Quietly lowering her raised hand, Hanachirusato said:
"Miko, I'm so happy to see you again, but I hope you won't stop the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual."
Hanachirusato was worried Yae Miko might do something foolish out of reluctance to lose 'her.'
The Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual must proceed—for Inazuma, for Kitsune Saiguu.
Yes, this was best for everyone, except for Hanachirusato herself.
Hanachirusato understood Yae Miko, but her memories held the Miko from centuries ago. She didn't know how the current Miko had changed.
"Of course I won't stop it," Yae Miko said with a sly smile.
"I won't stop it, but…" Yae Miko's eyes signaled to Lumine.
Lumine understood and took out the 'puppet' Lucian had given her from her 'backpack.'
"What's this?" Hanachirusato was puzzled, feeling inexplicably drawn to the 'puppet.'
Hanachirusato's essence was a fusion of obsession and filth, without a 'physical body,' which is why she felt attracted to this 'body.'
"A gift from a friend. Sigh, you don't know how much I sacrificed for this," Yae Miko said with fox-like nonsense.
Her fingers brushed her eye corner, putting on a pitiful act.
But those tears weren't from grievance—they were because she couldn't hold back seeing Hanachirusato.
Seizing the chance to wipe her tears, no one would know Miss Fox had cried.
After her 'act,' Yae Miko explained the puppet's wondrous use to Hanachirusato.
"So miraculous?" Hanachirusato was astonished.
In these centuries, humans had created such a 'divine artifact'?
She was delighted. Hanachirusato didn't have a self-destructive streak; she was simply noble enough to sacrifice herself willingly. But surviving was naturally best.
More importantly, entering the puppet would mean she was no longer a 'monster.'
But Hanachirusato didn't know whether, after entering the puppet, she would become Kitsune Saiguu or remain Hanachirusato.
To some extent, Hanachirusato was reluctant to admit she was Kitsune Saiguu. Though they shared memories and emotions, their consciousness and personalities differed slightly.
For instance, Hanachirusato wouldn't tease people as playfully as Miss Fox did.
And in her heart, she was always a monster, not the great Kitsune Saiguu.
"I understand. This way, after the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, I won't disappear," Hanachirusato said.
By entering the puppet, her identity would shift from 'monster' to 'human.'
The power from the filth would vanish with the cleansing, but her memories and emotions would remain in the puppet, shaping a 'new her.'
She wouldn't disappear, though it was unclear whether the one remaining would be her or 'her.'
But Hanachirusato didn't mind. If she didn't fear dissipation, why would she fear 'becoming' Kitsune Saiguu?
Still, before vanishing, Hanachirusato wanted to know a few things. She worried that becoming Kitsune Saiguu would mean losing Hanachirusato's emotions entirely.
So, as Hanachirusato, with her emotions, she wanted to confirm some things.
"How is Ei doing?" Hanachirusato asked.
"That Ei? She's doing great, eating well, drinking well. Probably just finished reading your story," Yae Miko said with a laugh.
"She's likely hiding in the Plane of Euthymia, crying and making a fuss—boo-hoo, so pitiful."
Though she had no system, she knew Ei well.
If even she couldn't hold back after reading this story, how could Ei?
Good thing Ei didn't know, or she'd retort, "I cried, but I didn't make a fuss!"
"My story?" Hanachirusato realized only then that the book's story centered on her.
She had thought the focus was the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, perhaps revealing her identity at most. She hadn't expected to be the story's core.
Hanachirusato was momentarily dazed. She hadn't imagined she'd become the protagonist of a story.
Would the people of Inazuma remember her? Not Kitsune Saiguu, but Hanachirusato.
…Was that too much to ask?
Snapping back, Hanachirusato smiled. "Is that so? That's good."
After a moment's hesitation, Hanachirusato lifted her mask to reveal her lips, letting everyone see her smile. "I hope Ei will be even happier when she sees Kitsune Saiguu again."
As if resolved, she took off her mask.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Hanachirusato: About Kitsune Saiguu
"To think she could separate my consciousness… She truly was a great person."