With a confident smile playing on Mitsuha's lips, Hozuki Nozomi stepped through the classroom doorway as if he owned the place. His—or rather, her—ponytail swayed gently with each step, catching the light and highlighting the vibrant youthful energy that now radiated from the girl's form. It was a completely different aura from yesterday's timid version, and the classmates couldn't help but take notice.
Hozuki Nozomi observed the glances directed his way and sighed inwardly. Beautiful girls truly commanded attention wherever they went. It was the same at Soubu High School—though he was undeniably handsome, he had remarkably few male friends. Not that he minded, of course. Male friends were largely unnecessary when one had such wonderful female companions.
Reaching Mitsuha's seat, he checked the day's timetable and promptly took out the corresponding textbooks. With nothing better to do, he might as well familiarize himself with Itomori Town's curriculum. More importantly, he could establish a "top student" persona for Mitsuha. Given her position as the mayor's daughter, poor academic performance would only invite more criticism from those already inclined to judge her.
Based on his observations, he was currently inhabiting the Miyamizu Mitsuha of three years ago. That meant Mitsuha was actually three years older than him—when he was a first-year high school student, she would likely be attending university, having matured into something akin to Hachiman's older sister figure.
With this in mind, he began crafting detailed math notes in his unique style. Perhaps they would prove useful to her.
During the break between classes, Yamauchi Mami approached his desk and asked him to step outside. Once they were alone, she offered a sincere, heartfelt apology for her past behavior.
Hozuki Nozomi saw no reason to make things difficult for her. As the saying went, to err is human, to forgive divine. Those brave enough to acknowledge their mistakes and genuinely work to correct them were never truly bad people. On Mitsuha's behalf, he accepted the apology and offered forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Tano Ichiro—the blond classmate who had made mocking Mitsuha his personal hobby—had lost all his previous vitality. He lay slumped across his desk like a deflated balloon, radiating an almost tangible aura of despair.
Curious, Hozuki Nozomi asked Natori Sayaka for an explanation and learned that Yamauchi Mami had dumped him. The news brought him immense satisfaction.
Tano Ichiro had made himself into a clown. He'd spent so much energy sneering at Mitsuha, and now he'd become the object of everyone else's scorn. The public, it seemed, had sharp eyes.
Miyamizu Mitsuha's father was the mayor—a position not to be underestimated. The entire region fell under Miyamizu Toshiki's jurisdiction. When he made a broadcast announcement, everyone listened. Offending his daughter offered no benefits whatsoever, and smart people understood this instinctively.
At that moment, Tano Ichiro could hear the whispers around him. Some voices carried mockery: "Getting dumped by your girlfriend? That's pathetic." Others laughed openly.
Tano's face burned with humiliation. He glared fiercely in Miyamizu Mitsuha's direction, his fists clenching involuntarily beneath his desk.
Damn Miyamizu! Just wait—he'd make her pay for this humiliation!
His eyes grew increasingly resentful, dark with poorly concealed hatred.
Hozuki Nozomi felt the weight of that stare. He turned slowly, met Tano's gaze directly, and allowed a slight smirk to curl Mitsuha's lips. The expression conveyed absolute disdain—the look of someone who had already won and knew it.
Physical education class arrived, and Hozuki Nozomi once again demonstrated his basketball prowess using Mitsuha's body. A graceful dunk left both male and female students cheering wildly. Miyamizu Mitsuha had undeniably become the center of attention.
In art class, he casually sketched a campus landscape that left the art teacher stunned.
The truth was, he'd drawn it quite casually. His style drew inspiration from Shiina Mashiro's techniques—not that he understood art on any deep level, but through observation and exposure, he'd absorbed certain methods. He couldn't compare to someone of Mashiro's caliber, but astounding a rural high school art teacher was well within his capabilities.
Because of that single painting, Miyamizu Mitsuha's reputation soared even higher. If Natori Sayaka hadn't known that her friend was currently inhabited by a divine envoy, she might have felt envious of such natural talent.
Afternoon arrived, and under the admiring gazes of their classmates, Hozuki Nozomi walked home with Natori Sayaka and Teshigawara Katsuhiko.
"Speaking of which," he asked casually, "what kind of people do you want to become in the future? Where do you see yourselves settling down?"
Teshigawara rubbed his short-cropped head thoughtfully. "I'll probably stay here forever. My father owns the construction company, and the development projects in this area are long-term. There's always work."
Natori Sayaka tilted her head curiously. "Why does the divine envoy ask such questions? Are you planning to leave the shrine?"
Hozuki Nozomi smiled, shaking Mitsuha's head. "Not leave, exactly. But for certain special reasons, you may need to depart from here someday."
"Special reasons?"
"I'm still investigating the details. When the time comes, I'll need your help."
Teshigawara immediately thumped his chest. "No problem! Just call on us whenever you need anything!"
After parting ways with his companions, Hozuki Nozomi returned alone to the shrine. He'd barely stepped through the entrance when Miyamizu Hitoha—Mitsuha's maternal grandmother, since Miyamizu Toshiki had married into the family—drafted him into weaving shrine items.
As he worked, he pondered the timing of these soul swaps. He really needed to figure out the pattern. The shrine festival was approaching, and on that day, Mitsuha would need to wear the miko outfit, perform the sacred Kagura dance, and participate in making the ritual kuchikamizake. Surely such intimate shrine traditions should be performed by Mitsuha herself, not by him—a man—inhabiting her body?
Then again, perhaps it didn't matter. He suspected the Kagura dance and kuchikamizake preparation were precisely the processes that formed and strengthened the spiritual connections. Once completed and placed in the "Inner Shrine," the kuchikamizake would become imbued with divine power.
Lost in thought, his fingers continued working automatically, skillfully crafting the shrine items with practiced ease.
Beside him, little Yotsuha pouted unhappily. "Grandma, I want to do what big sister is doing!"
Miyamizu Hitoha smiled gently but shook her head. "You're still too young. It's not appropriate for you to make Musubi cords yet. Wait until you're in junior high."
"Oh..." The little loli's response was sullen, her disappointment evident.
She'd wanted to help create more items for the festival—more products meant more sales. Since her father had left the shrine and severed ties with Grandma, the old woman refused to accept any money from her disobedient son-in-law. She would rather apply for scholarships than take a single yen from him.
Looking at it this way, Miyamizu Hitoha had her own stubborn side. Proud, independent, and unwilling to compromise her principles even when life became difficult.