Shayu Shrine is situated on a small hill near the city, and because of its proximity, it has always had a steady flow of visitors.
The entrance path is paved with stone slabs, flanked by stone lanterns, shrubs, and flowers. A few pine trees grow around the Torii, and the forest next to the shrine is called the Guardian Forest.
This place is open for international students, and many of them come here to experience the daily life of an Assistant Witch.
Inside the office. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
"Why did Hanabi-chan suddenly decide to become a witch?"
Hanamaru Hanabi, while stroking the fur of the orange cat in her arms, replied, "Mainly because I’ve been drawing designs for witches lately. I haven’t experienced a witch’s life since childhood, so I wanted to take advantage of the summer vacation. I believe that to create art, one should personally experience it to better understand, and then derive more vivid images from the basics."
Uesugi cat loved her small hands, warm and gentle, and when she touched the area near its neck, it would instinctively purr.
"I can tell Hanabi-chan is very meticulous about everything," Miss Sakihara said with an elegant smile, "Just like when I taught you how to make traditional Japanese confectionery last time, the results were quite beautiful."
Becoming an Assistant Witch requires signing a contract, which counts as formal employment.
The prerequisite is that any unmarried woman under the age of 25 can sign up to become a witch.
Therefore, being a witch is not a mysterious profession.
Of course, witches must undergo training beforehand, and the Shrine Master, wearing the Seimei uniform, repeatedly emphasizes working with respect for the gods and devoutly welcoming each visiting worshipper.
Assistant Witches, as Uesugi cat had seen before, sweep fallen leaves, sell divination slips and Divine Blessings.
The shrine also hosts corporate team-building events, where witches are responsible for pouring sacred wine for each group in the shrine hall.
After spending a morning learning from Hanabi, Uesugi cat felt it was purely a service-oriented job, just switching the restaurant to a shrine and the uniform to a Witch Dress.
The more he got involved, the more he realized that real-life witches were far from as idealistic as imagined.
However, the experience worth mentioning was dressing in white robes with scarlet hakama in the Kagura Hall, wearing headpieces and performing the Kagura Dance.
In unison, they shook bells, and the pure white Hwaji danced with their movements, creating quite an atmosphere.
Of course, it’s just an experience; the official attire is required for formal festivals, which only senior witches can conduct.
In the afternoon, after a day of experiences ended, Uesugi cat returned to the shrine and squatted on a stone lantern, waiting for Hanabi.
It’s uncertain whether she had an enjoyable day.
"Hmm, see you tomorrow."
Hanamaru Hanabi, having changed into her regular clothes, bid farewell to a group of girls, chatted with the Shrine Master’s daughter, Sahaya Ling, and then noticed Uesugi Sakura waiting for her as she walked along the path.
"Sakura-kun, didn’t you go to the dojo for training today?" Hanamaru Hanabi’s face, lit by the setting sun, looked cute and delicate.
Upon seeing her, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but smile, "I did, but I’m here now to take you home."
"Sakura-kun looks quite happy today, but... why did you suddenly disappear this morning without saying a word?" Hanamaru Hanabi asked like an upset little deer.
Yet, she still walked beside him, following his steps, and together they descended the mountain through the Torii along the path.
"You can’t blame me for that. I did call you to get up."
"Of course it’s true."
Uesugi Sakura brought out his hands from behind, "Look what I brought for you?"
"Spicy cake!" Hanamaru Hanabi immediately took it with both hands, delighted.
"You can make it yourself, can’t you? Why so happy?"
Spicy-flavored cakes aren’t easy to find; only quirky cake shops make this flavor.
"Sakura-kun doesn’t understand," Hanamaru Hanabi continued smiling, holding the gift protectively.
Uesugi Sakura saw all this and smiled too.
In his heart, he did understand, but he just wanted to see her cheerful smile.
When she earned money to buy a watch as a gift, he felt that same happy emotion.
To continue this joyous feeling, it’s best to get the sickness in his head treated soon.
Uesugi Sakura checked the store; the Great Recovery Potion was 10 points a bottle, and he’s still 5 points short.
Completing the next task will do the job.
With the Sword Dao competition imminent, Uesugi Sakura leisurely swung basic moves at the Kendo Dojo as if without a care.
Some students in the dojo wanted to spar with him but hesitated when it came to actually stepping up to the platform.
They feared ending up like a certain someone before, who was knocked down with just one move.
Everyone trained in Sword Dao their whole lives, building self-esteem over many years, and losing so easily to one move is a frustration no one can bear.
So everyone instinctively sought his guidance, without ever thinking of challenging Uesugi Sakura to a sparring match.
After the morning training, Miss Sakihara had prepared lunch in advance, and everyone dined together in the Japanese-style house beside the courtyard.
Outside the window, the courtyard emitted sounds of flowing water over wood and bamboo, creating an artistic atmosphere.
"Senior Brother Uesugi, the Vice Master is coming back."
The title Uesugi Vice Master was one that Uesugi Sakura specifically asked them not to call him.
He only taught a few classes, considering himself a junior, as he joined late.
If they insisted on calling him that, then just call him Senior Brother.
"Vice Master?" Uesugi Sakura stopped his actions and looked at the disciple beside him named Miyahara Yuji, "The one you mentioned before, who slipped and broke his right hand when he went out?"
"It’s not easy to recover from a fracture, right?" Uesugi Sakura asked.
"It’s indeed not healed, but the Vice Master won’t be demonstrating, just teaching. He recently went to Kansai to lead some skilled senior brothers in a competition, and he’s returning this afternoon."