Facing two pairs of intensely curious eyes, Hozuki Nozomi considered for a moment and decided that a small demonstration of power was in order. After all, if he was going to save this town from its impending destruction, allies like Natori Sayaka and Teshigawara Katsuhiko would prove indispensable. He was currently operating in the timeline three years prior to the comet's impact—a time where his own direct intervention was limited. Once the power of the braided cord weakened, only Miyamizu Mitsuha herself would be able to change Itomori Town's fate.
Thinking quickly, he raised Mitsuha's hand, and with a subtle flex of will, two protective talismans materialized in her palm.
"Here," he said, offering them to his companions. "These two talismans are a welcome gift for you. When you encounter danger, they can shield you from one instance of harm."
Natori Sayaka's eyes widened to improbable sizes. "Is this for real? It's not just some sales pitch from the shrine, is it?!"
"Of course it's real." Hozuki Nozomi, in Mitsuha's body, stood tall and proud, exuding an air of absolute confidence. The effect was somewhat undermined by Mitsuha's naturally cute appearance—the combination of determined expression and delicate features somehow made her even more charming. Confidence, it seemed, magnified Mitsuha's inherent appeal several times over. Every small movement drew the eye.
"However," he continued, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "this must remain our secret. I'm only telling you because you're Mitsuha's good friends. Don't mention this to anyone else!"
Natori Sayaka and Teshigawara Katsuhiko exchanged glances, then nodded quickly and emphatically. They weren't foolish—if word spread about a "divine envoy" possessing their friend, people might conclude Mitsuha had suffered a mental breakdown. The rumors would never stop.
Satisfied with their sincere expressions, Hozuki Nozomi nodded. "To prove I'm not lying, let's test the talisman's power right now."
He raised his right hand, and suddenly—
A ball of sacred flame materialized above his palm, burning with an otherworldly light.
This time, both Sayaka and Teshigawara genuinely nearly dropped their jaws in shock. They'd assumed Mitsuha was simply engaging in some elaborate role-play. But this flame, appearing from nothing, with no strings or tricks—there was no way an ordinary person could produce such a thing!
Before they could fully process their shock, Hozuki Nozomi casually flicked the flame toward Teshigawara Katsuhiko.
"Ah!" Natori Sayaka screamed, throwing her hands over her mouth.
But as the flame reached him, the protective card in Teshigawara's hand blazed with light. A shimmering shield materialized around him, absorbing the fire completely. The flame vanished harmlessly.
And then the card slowly dissolved into motes of light, its power expended.
Teshigawara Katsuhiko broke out in a cold sweat. His mouth opened and closed several times before he managed to speak, his expression caught between awe and dismay.
"Mitsuha... why did you use me as the test subject?! And... the talisman is gone!"
Hozuki Nozomi waved dismissively, a playful smile on Mitsuha's lips. "Would I really use Sayaka—a delicate girl—for such an experiment? You're a big strong man, Teshigawara. Don't be so petty." She reached into her pocket and produced another talisman. "Here, have a replacement. This time, keep it safe."
Teshigawara accepted the new card with trembling hands, his expression shifting to one of reverent excitement.
After witnessing this display, both Sayaka and Teshigawara became noticeably more reserved in their demeanor. They regarded "Mitsuha" with something approaching awe.
Hozuki Nozomi rolled his eyes at them. "What, are you afraid of me now? Don't worry—as long as you're not working against Mitsuha, I won't harm you. You're her friends, after all. And I'll need your help in the future, so consider yourselves blessed."
His reassurance visibly relaxed them. Natori Sayaka found her voice again.
"What should we call you, then?" she asked, her tone more respectful than before.
Hozuki Nozomi considered. "Just call me Mitsuha. I won't always be present, and it's better if others don't know of my existence." He adopted a knowing, almost weary expression. "Humans are troublesome creatures. Once they learn of a god's existence, they immediately want something for nothing—wishes granted without cost. They don't understand that this world is fair. Wishing upon a god always comes with a price."
He had, in that moment, successfully established himself as a deity with deep experience and wisdom.
Teshigawara's eyes sparkled with fascination. "So... you're actually the god of Miyamizu Shrine?"
Natori Sayaka held her breath.
Hozuki Nozomi offered them a mysterious smile. "It's enough that you know. But tell no one. Mitsuha awakened me because a crisis approaches this town. To investigate the source of this danger, I'll need your cooperation. Can I count on you?"
"Of course!"
"Absolutely! Leave it to us!"
Both friends immediately pledged their assistance. After receiving such precious protective talismans, how could they do anything less?
"Excellent. Now, let's proceed to school." A gleam entered Hozuki Nozomi's eyes. "I find myself in the mood for basketball again."
There was something uniquely satisfying about dominating opponents who had no idea what they were up against.
As they walked—Hozuki Nozomi and Natori Sayaka side by side, Teshigawara trailing on his bicycle—they passed through an open area near the town's broadcast speakers.
There, as if summoned by fate itself, stood Miyamizu Toshiki. The mayoral candidate was mid-speech, delivering his usual campaign rhetoric to a small gathered crowd. His practiced politician's cadence carried across the space.
When his speech concluded, his gaze happened to fall upon the group passing by—and specifically upon his daughter.
Their eyes met.
Hozuki Nozomi smiled warmly and raised a hand in greeting. "Yo, Father! Good morning!"
Miyamizu Toshiki's expression froze in comical surprise.
"Oh... g-good morning!" he managed to stammer back.
He stared at his daughter with barely concealed bewilderment. Was this really Mitsuha? She'd actually greeted him? Warmly? Without resentment or awkwardness?
"Keep up the good work," Hozuki Nozomi added cheerfully, embodying the very picture of a polite, well-raised daughter. "I'm off to school now."
With another smile and a small wave, he continued on his way, Natori Sayaka and Teshigawara Katsuhiko trailing behind.
Miyamizu Toshiki stood frozen, watching them go.
Why... why did he suddenly feel even more motivated? His daughter's encouragement had struck something deep within him. His eyes grew slightly moist.
Had she finally begun to understand?
As they neared the school gates, a voice dripping with malicious amusement reached their ears.
"Well, well. The mayor's daughter certainly seems cozy with the construction company boss's son, doesn't she? Walking to school together every day like that—think they'll get married someday?"
Natori Sayaka's heart clenched. She glanced involuntarily at Teshigawara, who, to her surprise, had developed a faint blush.
Was he... affected by that comment?
Hozuki Nozomi's mouth twitched in irritation. Without breaking stride, he altered his course and walked directly toward the source of the voice.
Tano Ichiro stood with Yamauchi Mami and several other students, his dyed yellow hair styled in what he clearly believed was an impressive Korean-inspired look. He was objectively somewhat handsome, but his petty, poisonous words completely undermined any physical appeal.
As "Miyamizu Mitsuha" approached with purpose, the group's smug expressions flickered. Yamauchi Mami and the others suddenly looked flustered.
Tano Ichiro, however, felt his bravado falter. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as Mitsuha drew closer, her expression cold and focused. But he was a boy, damn it! He couldn't back down from a girl!
Mustering his courage, he glared back. "M-Miyamizu! What do you think you're doing?"
Hozuki Nozomi stopped before him, a cold smile curving Mitsuha's lips. Disdain radiated from every line of her posture.
"Tano," he said quietly, his voice carrying clearly to everyone watching, "I should be asking you that question. Do you have no shame at all?"
Tano blinked, caught off guard by the direct attack. Around them, other students had stopped to watch, their expressions eagerly anticipating the drama. Tano felt his face burn with humiliation as he registered their amused, expectant gazes.
"How am I shameless?!" he sputtered, trying to regain some dignity.
Hozuki Nozomi's sneer widened, Mitsuha's delicate features somehow conveying absolute contempt. "Your own abilities are lacking, your family's circumstances are modest, so you attack others for their backgrounds out of pure jealousy. You glare at people with those resentful eyes and whisper poison behind their backs. How can your skin be so thick?"
"You—Miyamizu—I'm not jealous of you! I just—"
"Don't bother explaining." Hozuki Nozomi cut him off ruthlessly. "You are jealous. Jealous that Teshigawara's father is successful enough to own a construction company. Jealous that my father can serve as mayor. Instead of working to improve yourself, you project your own inadequacies onto others and slander them behind their backs. Don't you feel even a shred of shame?"
Tano opened his mouth, but no words came.
"Please stop this behavior. It brings shame to your family, and it's genuinely pathetic." Hozuki Nozomi's voice carried clearly to every onlooker. "If you have legitimate concerns about my father's re-election, find evidence and report him properly. Let the facts speak for themselves. If you have a problem with me personally, say it to my face. But if I hear one more word of your poisonous gossip, don't blame me for being impolite."
Without waiting for a response, Hozuki Nozomi turned and strode away, Natori Sayaka and Teshigawara Katsuhiko falling into step beside him.
Tano stood frozen, his face ashen. Only after they'd disappeared did he find his voice, shouting after them in impotent rage: "Who's afraid of you?! Impolite? You're just a woman!"
The words hung in the air.
Yamauchi Mami's head whipped toward him, her expression shifting from shock to fury. "What's wrong with being a woman?!"
Tano blinked, startled by her intensity. "Mami... I..."
"Did women do something to you? You were clearly just bitter because she called you out, and now you can't handle it?" Her voice rose. "I've been standing here listening to you gossip about Miyamizu day after day, agreeing with you like an idiot, and for what? So you can turn around and insult all women the moment you're embarrassed?"
"Mami, you... how can you talk to me like that? Whose side are you on?"
Yamauchi Mami took a deep, steadying breath. When she spoke again, her voice was calm but firm. "Tano, I've realized I was wrong. Targeting Miyamizu out of jealousy is a shameful thing to do. I'm going to apologize to her." She paused, meeting his eyes. "And as for us... it's over. I don't want a boyfriend who's so insecure he has to tear down girls to feel better about himself."
She turned and walked away without looking back.
Tano stared after her, disbelief warring with humiliation on his face. He'd only said a few sentences! How had this happened? He'd said worse things countless times before, and Mami had always nodded along, agreeing with him. Why now? Why had she suddenly... dumped him?
The strange looks from the remaining onlookers felt like knives. Someone whispered loudly enough for him to hear—something about a boy being so thoroughly dismantled by a girl that he lost his girlfriend in the process. How weak could you get?
Tano fled.
Hozuki Nozomi, walking toward the school with his companions, had no idea that his few pointed retorts had cost Tano Ichiro his relationship. If he knew, he would probably laugh out loud.
The guy had brought it entirely upon himself.
And really, looking at it objectively, Miyamizu Mitsuha had no reason to feel inferior about anything. Whether as a shrine maiden connected to ancient traditions or as the mayor's daughter with a father working hard for the community, these were all assets—parts of her identity she could embrace. There was no need to feel ashamed simply because bitter people couldn't handle their own inadequacies.