Miyamizu Yotsuha stared at her sister for a long moment, watching as Mitsuha continued to giggle foolishly at nothing. The little loli's suspicion grew with each passing second. Without a word, she turned and marched back to the kitchen.
When she returned, her small hand clutched a generous pinch of salt.
Before Miyamizu Mitsuha could even register what was happening, Yotsuha hurled the salt directly at her sister's head and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Evil spirits, begone! Return my real sister!"
Miyamizu Mitsuha sat frozen, salt crystals scattered across her hair and shoulders like an ill-timed snowfall. She blinked slowly.
"...Mitsuha."
The word emerged with dangerous calm.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, she shot to her feet and began frantically shaking the salt from her hair, glaring at her younger sister with murderous intent.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Yotsuha, seeing the unfriendly expression on her sister's face, decided that discretion was the better part of valor. "Nothing! I'm going to school now! Goodbye, Sister!"
With that, the little loli bolted from the house as if demons themselves were chasing her, her small feet practically sliding across the floor in her haste to escape.
Miyamizu Mitsuha's entire body trembled with indignation. She turned to her grandmother, who had observed the entire scene with serene amusement.
"Grandma! She threw salt all over my head! Does she think I'm possessed by some evil spirit or something?!"
Miyamizu Hitoha's lips curved in a gentle smile. "Go wash up quickly, or you'll be late for school."
Grumbling under her breath, Mitsuha had no choice but to retreat to the bathroom, wash her hair thoroughly, and change into a fresh school uniform before finally heading out.
Walking along the familiar road, the memories of her time inhabiting that strange boy's body grew increasingly clear in her mind. Vivid details surfaced—the luxurious Tokyo apartment, the beautiful girls, the incredible food.
Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she crossed her arms protectively over her chest and felt her face flame.
"What a pervert!"
She couldn't understand it. Was that guy really just a little handsome? How had he managed to attract so many incredibly cute girls? And those girls—each one was more elegant and charming than the last. They seemed to genuinely care about him, despite his obvious flaws.
Remembering how she'd used his body to eat all kinds of delicious desserts and drink rich coffee, experiencing the prosperity of the big city firsthand, her heart stirred with longing. They'd already shared such an intimate connection through this bizarre soul-swapping. If she went to Tokyo to find him, surely he'd treat her well, right?
Then again...
What if he used the opportunity to rub her chest again? When he'd possessed her body, he'd been absolutely shameless about it. If she went to him in person, who knew how excessive he might become?
But the food in Tokyo was so delicious. And despite being a guy, his cooking skills were incredible—that braised pork this morning had nearly made her cry with joy.
Maybe she could visit this weekend? She'd saved up some pocket money. It should be enough for a round trip to Tokyo.
Lost in these conflicting thoughts, she almost didn't notice her two friends approaching.
"Yo! Good morning, Mitsuha!" Natori Sayaka's cheerful voice broke through her reverie.
"Sayaka! Teshigawara! Good morning!"
Natori Sayaka studied her friend carefully, noting the small braid coiled at the back of her head. "Ah, this hairstyle means it's the real Mitsuha today."
Teshigawara Katsuhiko nodded sagely. "Definitely the real one."
Miyamizu Mitsuha blinked. "Eh? What are you two talking about?"
Teshigawara shrugged as if it were obvious. "Don't bother pretending. We already know about the divine envoy! You should have told us something so interesting from the start."
"The divine envoy was really generous," Sayaka added enthusiastically. "He gave us protective talismans and explained everything. He even asked for our help with some important mission."
Miyamizu Mitsuha's mouth twitched. Divine envoy? That Hozuki Nozomi guy had really told them... something.
"Um... what exactly did he tell you?" she asked cautiously, her expression nervous.
Teshigawara happily filled her in. "About being a divine envoy, of course! He said he'd descended to resolve some crisis affecting the town and asked for our assistance. Don't worry, Mitsuha—we'll definitely keep it secret." His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Speaking of which, you won't believe what the divine envoy accomplished yesterday while using your body!"
Miyamizu Mitsuha's premonition of doom intensified with every word.
By the time Teshigawara finished recounting the day's events—dominating PE class, publicly confronting Tano, and somehow befriending Yamauchi Mami—Mitsuha stood completely stunned.
Yamauchi Mami? The girl who'd always looked down on her, who'd insinuated that Mitsuha's scholarship was only obtained through her father's political connections? That same Yamauchi Mami had apologized to her? Wanted to be friends?
And she'd dumped Tano?
It seemed almost too incredible to believe. Yet here were her two closest friends, confirming every detail.
Miyamizu Mitsuha found herself marveling at Hozuki Nozomi's inexplicable charm. Using her female body, he'd managed to win over someone who'd been her antagonist for years. It was both terrifying and impressive.
Despite her resentment about the chest-touching, she had to admit—being possessed by him wasn't entirely bad. He'd shown her that she didn't have to simply retreat in the face of others' cruelty. There was another way to respond.
When she finally entered the classroom at Itomori High School, Miyamizu Mitsuha was immediately struck by the intensity of her classmates' gazes. All eyes seemed to track her movements. The feeling of being the center of attention made her slightly uncomfortable, but she pressed forward.
"Good morning, Miyamizu!"
"Hey, are we playing basketball again today?"
"Miyamizu, I had some trouble with that math problem from yesterday—could you maybe explain it later?"
The enthusiastic greetings came from all directions, catching her off guard. But what surprised her most was seeing Yamauchi Mami among those looking at her with friendly, expectant eyes.
She'd actually become friends with this girl? Unbelievable.
Hozuki Nozomi's charm really was terrifying. If she went to Tokyo to find him, would she end up falling for him too?
Pushing that concerning thought aside, Miyamizu Mitsuha began navigating the sudden popularity. Basketball was absolutely out of the question—she was a shrine maiden, not an athlete! But helping with homework? That she could manage.
When she'd inhabited Hozuki Nozomi's body, those incredibly kind and beautiful girls—Yukino Yukinoshita and Shiina Mahiru—had actually tutored her. The memory still made her emotional. That guy's girlfriends were genuinely wonderful people. She didn't have many friends herself, but spending time with them had felt natural and easy.
Unconsciously, Miyamizu Mitsuha found herself settling into her new role as the class center. And she had to admit—after adapting, she rather enjoyed those worshipful, enthusiastic gazes.
So this was what popularity felt like?
Why had she spent so long living timidly, hiding from attention? She could be charismatic too.
Hozuki Nozomi really was an incredible man. Perhaps his own excellence was what made those beautiful girls willing to stay with him despite his flaws.
Of course, Miyamizu Mitsuha still felt compelled to express her disdain for his shameless, philandering ways.