Hagakure Sakura Does Not Lament

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

“Are you asking me? I remember that Suzushiro-san, Hyuga-san, and Agatsuma-san are supposed to be in the government today…”

It varied from day to day, but there should always be about three members of Jukka waiting in the government at any given time. Since there was no big news today, Tsugumi couldn’t figure out why those three were unavailable.

“…Hagakure-san, do you know that there are three Goddesses on Itsukushima?”

When Inaba asked him that, Tsugumi thought of the three Goddesses of Munakata. The three Goddesses were born from the sword that Amaterasu and Susanoo chewed up when they made a pact.

“Yes. You mean the Goddess who was born in the process of the oath between Amaterasu and Susanoo, don’t you? What about it?”

When Tsugumi asked her that, Inaba said in a terribly apologetic voice.

“I contacted the people at Itsukushima about this incident, and they told me that they had received an oracle from these Goddesses. They said, ‘No matter how necessary it may be, we can’t stand for Itsukushima to be overrun by Miko who serve the Gods of an outer land’. …As a compromise, they are willing to accept a Magical Girl who has a contract with a high-ranking God. I checked with the Ministry of Divine Worship and they said that the only people in Jukka who can meet that requirement are Toono-san and Hagakure-san…”

–In other words, was it correct to interpret that as the three Munakata Goddesses descending on this world making reckless demands of the government? …He heard that Gods with strong power often made troublesome requests to the government, but that seemed overkill.

“…As I recall, Toono-san, said that today and tomorrow are festivals.”

“Yes, that’s right. We, the Demonic Beast Countermeasure Headquarters, were thinking of refusing such a joke of a request, but there was an order from the upper management, so we have no choice but to contact Hagakure-san. What do you think? I would be happy if Hagakure-san would consider it, though I don’t say it’s unreasonable.”

Listening to the story, it seemed Inaba was unwilling to make this request.

The upper management of the government might not have wanted to offend the three Goddesses, who were Gods related to Amaterasu. He understood their feelings but it was a nuisance to those involved.

–Well, what should I do? If it was not compulsory, it would have been fine to refuse. From the looks of it, there seemed to be no particular penalty for refusing.

Thinking about this, he looked at Bell, who was listening to the conversation beside him, and she clicked her tongue, not even hiding her displeasure.

“The Goddess associated with Amaterasu? It seems that they are taking advantage of the tiger’s authority. Perhaps they will wake up once their roost is destroyed to shreds by the Demonic Beasts?”

But, Bell continued.

“This time, accept the request. I guess I’ll have to show these puny little shits how different they are from the rest of us.”

Bell ordered Tsugumi with a grin. …He sensed something disturbing, but there was no reason to disobey Bell, so Tsugumi slowly shook his head.

Then he exhaled a deep breath and addressed the terminal in a firm voice.

“Inaba-san. I’m going to accept your request. –It seems that my God is very much in favor of it.”

“Really?! Thank you, I will send you the coordinate as soon as possible. I would appreciate it if you could come immediately. By rule, we will send someone from Jukka as a backup, but please don’t worry, we are not doubting Hagakure-san’s ability. And–“

Inaba thanked him for his reassurance, explained the personnel and support that would be meeting him there, and hung up the call.

Tsugumi put down the terminal, which had lost its light, and scratched his head with his left hand. He didn’t know how to put it, but it felt like he was getting himself into a lot of trouble.

“But then again, it’s a B-class Irregularity. … I have to be careful.”

There were examples like Radon, an A-class Irregular, and there was also the B-class Irregular that had taken over Hitsugi’s body. He didn’t know what characteristics the Irregular had this time, but he shouldn’t let his guard down.

In the past few months since he started going to the government as a Jukka, he had fought strong Demonic Beasts in the simulator many times. He’d gained some confidence after having gone through a certain amount of battle patterns, but he was still worried.

–However, Bell didn’t seem to hesitate and tell him to fight. Because she believed that he could win. He had to answer that trust.

“Tsugumi. You go to Itsukushima first. I have some business to attend to. Don’t worry, I’ll be there later.”

“That’s fine, but what are you going to do?”

When Tsugumi asked curiously, Bell wagged her tail in a good mood and said in a sing-song voice.

“I’m just going to do a little negotiating with the three-legged raven. Look forward to it.”

◆◆◆

–Thirty minutes after Inaba’s call. Tsugumi, now transforming into a Magical Girl, was looking out over Hiroshima Bay from the worship hall of the shrine on Itsukushima. The residents and most of the tourists had evacuated the island by temporary ferry, and there was no one around the shrine, which was the predicted area where the Demonic Beast would appear, except for Tsugumi.

“…I don’t know how she got permission for that.”

Tsugumi sighed and rubbed his hands together.

The red torii stood offshore of the shrine grounds. He was standing next to it.

There was a black leopard, ten times the size of the main gate, with six transparent wings like dragonflies on its back. On its head, it held a crown formed of flames, and its golden eyes were sharp as if they pierced everything.

The terrifying creature stared at the place where Tsugumi – Itsukushima Shrine – was with a low roar.

“It’s really scary. I can feel the intimidation that pierces my skin even here…”

The massive divine authority that gave goosebumps and the water surface that rippled around Bell in proportion to her. Bell’s appearance was just like the mythical Demon (God). Tsugumi that had contracted with Bell only got goosebumps, but those who had this hostility directed straight at them wouldn’t be able to bear it.

–After parting with Tsugumi, Bell negotiated with Yatagarasu, Amaterasu’s follower in the government, and obtained permission for the temporary release of God’s authority. This included an aspect of punishment for the outburst of the three Goddesses who borrowed Amaterasu’s authority. The fact that the permission was granted relatively easily was probably because Yatagarasu had his own reasons for doing so.

Although there were some restrictions, Bell was standing next to the torii gate in a barely reinforced state that did not affect the barrier. If a human were to see this figure, confusion would be inevitable, so only those with a certain level of aptitude could see it, but anyone with good instincts would know that something terrible was coming down to earth, even if they couldn’t see it.

And even the Gods here were no exception. Tsugumi was sensitive to the frightening presence in the main shrine at his back. The three Munakata Goddesses were Gods who governed roads and navigation and had nothing to do with conflicts. He guessed they weren’t compatible with the raging God of Storms–Bell.

“I guess it doesn’t really matter to us, humans. God has God’s reasons. …But you shouldn’t overdo it. I’ll make sure to mention it to Bell-sama later.”

As if to admonish him, Tsugumi looked up at the rainy sky. The sun was peeking through lightly, and a rainbow could be seen in the distance.

The government personnel and the backup Magical Girl – Hyuga – were waiting at a nearby port and would respond immediately if Tsugumi lost.

-The relationship between Hyuga and “Hagakure Sakura” had improved a lot compared to before. Perhaps it had something to do with the retirement of the Magical Girl they had been close to – Hitsugi.

Although there were times when she got sarcastic, it was only to hide her embarrassment and it didn’t bother him. They had become so close that government officials and other Magical Girls had heard rumors that “Hyuga-san has become much more mature.”

When she went to greet Hyuga before leaving for Itsukushima, she choked up at him for going out on an off-day, but also expressed her concern for Tsugumi. Hyuga might be worried about Tsugumi in her own way.

“Hagakure Sakura” was blessed.

The government officials were all friendly, and there was much less scrutiny from other Magical Girls than he had expected. The people at Jukka, who dared to reduce interaction with people, were not afraid to talk to Tsugumi. Each time they did, a warm feeling gradually spread through his chest. It was both comforting and unsettling.

–It felt like he had a lot more to carry than he did when he had fought Radon before.

In the past, as long as Chidori was happy, that was all that mattered. Whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, Tsugumi couldn’t decide. But–

“…Let’s do our best. Because all I can do now is to survive.”

With that determination, Tsugumi looked up at the sky. –The rainbow had already disappeared.