"Eh?"
Looking at the cute, petite girl in an oversized Miko outfit who emerged slowly from the Gate supporting Ye Xing, both Futaba and Mitsuha froze.
"You are...?"
"How cruel."
The girl shook her head with an exasperated expression.
"I've just changed my appearance a bit, and you can't even recognise the deity your family has served for generations? Little Mitsuha and little Futaba, you're really too much."
"Ah?"
Staring at this girl whose playful tone felt strangely familiar, Mitsuha Miyamizu examined her carefully, thinking to herself, 'This is just changing appearance a bit?'
You've changed species entirely!
"Your true form... wasn't it that red thread?"
"Who told you that?"
The guardian deity of Itomori Town showed a somewhat proud, cute expression.
"That so-called red thread was just because, in your understanding, you believed the red thread contained revelations from the deity - that is, me. So... eh... ehehe!"
Just as the guardian deity of Itomori Town was halfway through her explanation, her petite body suddenly staggered as if losing balance. Fortunately, Mitsuha Miyamizu reacted quickly and caught Ye Xing before he could fall to the ground.
Only then did Mitsuha Miyamizu notice that Ye Xing had lost even the ability to walk on his own, clearly completely exhausted. She couldn't help but ask worriedly in a low voice.
"Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Before Ye Xing could answer, the guardian deity of Itomori Town shook her head helplessly.
"This guy really loves to act recklessly. He actually went and eliminated that world within the Gate, along with 1,200 years' worth of accumulated evil spirits. He overused his power and ended up like this."
Facing Mitsuha Miyamizu's sceptical gaze, Ye Xing nodded honestly.
"Mm, that's right. What your deity says is correct."
"What should we do now?"
Looking at Mitsuha Miyamizu's worried expression, the guardian deity of Itomori Town reached out her hand. Though significantly shorter than the other girl, she adopted the strange attitude of an elder addressing a junior, smiling as she spoke.
"Little Mitsuha, you should take little Futaba and leave this place first. Itomori Town is currently under evacuation, and you've had a long day today. Lord Ye Xing will be left in my care - I'll take him home and let him rest properly."
"Home?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu blinked in confusion, hesitating.
"Your home... where is it?"
The guardian deity of Itomori Town pointed at the Miyamizu Shrine right in front of them, speaking as if it were obvious.
"Isn't it right there?"
Well now, well now.
Mitsuha Miyamizu thought that what this deity said actually made perfect sense.
Since she was a deity, wouldn't the Miyamizu family shrine naturally be her residence?
"But..."
"No buts, little Mitsuha."
The guardian deity of Itomori Town stood on tiptoe, reaching out to pat Mitsuha Miyamizu's head. Though still bearing a youthful appearance, she deliberately adopted a mature demeanour that seemed beyond her years.
"You haven't seen little Futaba for so long, you must have much to discuss! And little Yotsuha and little Hitoha would certainly love to see little Futaba, too. Leave Ye Xing in my care; you should return and rest. We'll visit you tomorrow morning, alright?"
Seeing the other party's insistence, Mitsuha Miyamizu could only hesitate before nodding. She glanced at Ye Xing, her cheeks slightly flushed as she spoke softly.
"I'll come find you tomorrow then. Take care."
"Alright."
...
Ten minutes later, at Miyamizu Shrine.
"Lord Ye Xing, are you alright!? Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Is there anything this humble one can assist you with!?"
After Mitsuha Miyamizu and Futaba Miyamizu departed together, the guardian deity of Itomori Town seemed like an entirely different being. Shedding her previously somewhat resigned tone, she now knelt before the seated Ye Xing with tears welling in her eyes, appearing deeply remorseful.
"Really, it's nothing serious."
Ye Xing waved a dismissive hand, replying with a light laugh.
"At most, I'm just physically weakened. Having expended so much spiritual power, this is unavoidable."
The guardian deity's eyes showed traces of guilt as she bowed her head and whispered.
"My apologies, Ye Xing-kun, it's all because of me... If not for saving me... You wouldn't have needed to..."
"There's nothing to apologise for."
Ye Xing maintained his carefree, amused expression.
"I saved you partly because of the pact between us. From my understanding, as the guardian deity of Itomori Town, you naturally constitute part of the town itself - someone I'm responsible for saving."
"And on the other hand..."
"If I cannot save those I wish to save, what meaning does this power hold?"
Hearing these words, the guardian deity lifted her small face. Seeing his earnest expression without any trace of anger towards her, she finally wiped her face with her wide Miko outfit sleeves, breaking into a teary smile.
"But I'm not human, you know."
"Doesn't matter, it's unimportant. I wanted to save you, so I did. That's all."
After speaking, Ye Xing studied the guardian deity before him seriously, his smile fading as he spoke in a solemn tone.
"However, there is indeed one thing you could help me with."
"Mhm, please do tell."
The guardian deity nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.
"You were injured while saving me! Whatever I can do - even what I cannot do - I'll certainly exert my utmost effort to accomplish!"
Ye Xing nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, speaking softly.
"As I mentioned before, I differ from other psychics. My power originates from devouring spirits myself, so..."
"You mean... you want to eat me?"
On the adorable little face of Itomori Town's guardian deity, a dazed expression appeared. After remaining silent for a moment, she suddenly lifted the wide sleeve of her Miko outfit and offered her pale arm to Ye Xing's mouth, turning her face aside as if unwilling to witness herself being bitten, her voice beginning to tremble.
"You... you may eat. If it can help you recover... you may have as much as you want."
"Er..."
Ye Xing remarked with an exasperated expression.
"Although I do like beautiful young girls, and your appearance is quite cute, with the Miko outfit hitting all my preferences, I don't mean to eat you in that way."
"Eh? You're not going to eat me?"
Hearing this, Itomori Town's guardian deity breathed a sigh of relief, instantly switching back to her lively smiling face—truly wearing her heart on her sleeve.
"It's not that I won't eat."
Ye Xing spoke slowly with a meaningful look.
"It's just that it's not quite the kind of eating you're thinking of."
Facing Ye Xing's gaze, Itomori Town's guardian deity felt an inexplicable shyness, her cute little face flushing slightly as she whispered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"I... I don't quite understand what you mean... but... if it can help you recover, I'm willing to do anything."
"No need to be so serious."
Ye Xing spoke earnestly.
"Actually, just kissing for a while should be enough."
"Huh? Kiss?"
Itomori Town's guardian deity froze for a moment upon hearing this, her face growing even redder.
"Th-then... let's kiss."
Itomori Town's guardian deity nervously closed her eyes, feeling Ye Xing's breath drawing closer until their lips finally touched.
Her entire body stiffened at first, her petite frame trembling involuntarily.
Not only did she have no experience with such intimate contact with a man, but until half an hour ago, this guardian deity of Itomori Town, who had existed for over a thousand years, hadn't even possessed a human form.
Just thinking back a few days ago, she had been inwardly complaining, feeling that her divine envoy, Mitsuha, was far too timid—if it were her, she would have long since taken the initiative with Lord Ye Xing and acted first without overthinking.
But at this moment, Itomori Town's guardian deity realised her own naivety.
When she was still just a red thread, she could indeed say such things, but now that she had taken human form and could clearly feel this palpitation and nervousness, her performance wasn't much better than Mitsuha Miyamizu's.
"Mmm..."
Right then, Itomori Town's guardian deity suddenly felt her tightly closed lips being somewhat forcefully invaded by Kyoto's number one eroge protagonist.
Meanwhile, his left hand, sliding along the wide sleeve of her Miko outfit, caressed her pale, tender arm, while his right hand ventured into her bosom, beginning to advance toward several crucial areas.
"Ye... Ye Xing-kun..."
Before Itomori Town's guardian deity could finish speaking, her petite body was scooped up by Ye Xing, who had regained his strength, and placed upon the large wooden table.
"You... you've... got your strength back now?"
Listening to Itomori Town's guardian deity's slightly heavy breathing and seeing the somewhat shy, adorable expression on her beautiful face, Ye Xing chuckled softly.
"Based on extensive personal research experience with multiple collaborators, even certain bodily fluids... can be considered part of one's physical form. Though I usually play the role of converter, this time I need to absorb your spiritual power."
"Fluids...?"
"Mmm... Let me taste yours first, then you can taste mine. Or we could proceed simultaneously."
That evening, Ye Xing confirmed two things.
Depleted spiritual power could be replenished through this particular method.
And...
The petite body of Itomori Town's guardian deity was indeed remarkably soft.
...
Early next morning, outside Itomori Town.
Toshiki Miyamizu, who had been busy all night, was resting with closed eyes inside a temporarily erected tent.
This emergency had truly thrown him into disarray.
Fortunately, although the tourists who had travelled from elsewhere initially complained during the evacuation, they could still witness the comet streaking across the sky even from outside Itomori Town's boundaries, not missing the once-in-a-millennium spectacle.
Just then, the tent flap was suddenly pulled aside.
Opening his eyes, Toshiki saw his daughter Mitsuha and that boy he'd met before entering. He unconsciously furrowed his brow and waved his hand with a weary expression.
"I've been busy all night and I'm exhausted. If there's something, let's discuss it later."
Hearing this, Ye Xing chuckled softly and said, "You needn't trouble yourself any further. You can have everyone return to Itomori Town now."
Before Toshiki could respond, his phone rang. Answering it, he heard a familiar voice.
"Councilman Miyamizu, after thorough inspection, the danger within Itomori Town has been resolved. You may allow the residents to return."
"This..."
Hearing Soichiro Yagami's words over the phone, Toshiki glanced at Ye Xing, who stood nearby, his eyes showing surprise, then nodded and said, "Alright, understood."
After hanging up the phone, Toshiki Miyamizu finally looked towards Ye Xing, standing there, and his daughter Mitsuha Miyamizu, letting out a heavy sigh.
"What... exactly is going on? Is this so-called terrorist attack real or not?"
Having stayed up all night, Toshiki Miyamizu felt his brain was like mud, with no extra mental capacity to ponder why Soichiro Yagami - former Director of Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, now head of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's special investigation team - would follow a young boy's arrangements and use the excuse of a terrorist attack to make him evacuate the residents of Itomori Town.
He simply couldn't find a reasonable answer, so he figured he might as well ask directly.
"Father, I..."
Mitsuha Miyamizu pressed her lips together, then took a deep breath and looked directly into Toshiki Miyamizu's eyes as she spoke softly.
"Let Mother explain it to you."
"Huh?"
Before Toshiki Miyamizu could ask any questions, he suddenly saw a familiar figure in a kimono enter through the tent opening.
Staring at that familiar face with its gentle smile, he froze completely. Only after a long moment did he murmur as if unable to believe his eyes.
"Futaba... is... is that you? Futaba?"
Tears glistened in Futaba Miyamizu's eyes as she nodded with a smile.
"It's me, Toshiki."
Watching this couple who had truly experienced life-and-death separation reunite once more, Ye Xing and Mitsuha Miyamizu tactfully withdrew.
After they had walked some distance away, Mitsuha Miyamizu said thoughtfully.
"I never thought Father could actually see Mother... Even though he doesn't believe in the existence of any Kishin and resists these so-called superstitious beliefs so strongly..."
Ye Xing smiled and said softly.
"Your father only became like this after your mother passed away. In his heart, he's always been concerned about you and Yotsuha - it's just that there are some differences in beliefs."
"Ye Xing, I..."
"No need to say more."
Seeing Mitsuha Miyamizu, who looked as if she wanted to speak but was hesitating, Ye Xing interrupted with a smile.
"Your mother has just escaped from that place, and so many things have happened in Itomori Town. There's really no need for you to rush to leave Itomori Town right now."
"Mmm..."
Mitsuha Miyamizu responded softly, then raised her head to look directly into Ye Xing's eyes and spoke with great seriousness.
"During winter break, I'll definitely come to Kyoto to find you, then discuss with Father about transferring to your school!"
"Alright."
Ye Xing nodded slightly.
"We should be going now. Any later and we'll miss the school trip."
"Mmm, travel safely."
Watching Ye Xing's retreating figure and the petite girl in Miko outfit skipping happily beside him, seeming quite cheerful, Mitsuha Miyamizu couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
Itomori Town had indeed been saved, but their family's deity had taken the form of a cute young girl and run off with him.
What ceremonies would they hold from now on? What kuchikamizake offerings would they make?
The main deity wasn't even here anymore.
...
Later that day, on the Shinkansen train heading to Osaka.
"Woo-hoo, woo-hoo, finally out we go!"
Watching the guardian deity of Itomori Town press her utterly excited, adorable little face against the train window, curiously observing the scenery flashing by outside, Ye Xing chuckled lightly and teased.
"Leaving Itomori Town makes you this happy?"
"Of course."
The guardian deity of Itomori Town placed both legs on the seat—an uncivilised gesture, but since no one else could see her anyway, she did as she pleased.
"To be honest..."
The guardian deity of Itomori Town rested her cheek in one hand and murmured.
"As a guardian deity born in response to people's expectations, I never once considered what I should do when Itomori Town no longer needed my protection. Nor do I know whether, as a deity, more duties await me ahead."
At this point, the guardian deity of Itomori Town paused slightly, leaning her head against Ye Xing's shoulder before continuing with a smile.
"But I'm certain that I want to move forward into the future with my favourite Lord Ye Xing."
The guardian deity of Itomori Town lifted her head and planted a kiss on Ye Xing's cheek, then said thoughtfully.
"Though... since I've left Itomori Town and my duty as its guardian is complete... wouldn't continuing to be called the guardian deity of Itomori Town be somewhat inappropriate? I should choose a new name... What would be good..."
Hearing the guardian deity's murmuring, Ye Xing smiled and spoke up.
"How about... being called the Matchmaking Deity? A deity who connects people with red threads of fate to help them form bonds."
"Matchmaking Deity..."
The newly named Matchmaking Deity repeated the name, her face lighting up with joy as she nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, I like this name! From now on, I'm no longer the guardian deity of Itomori Town, but the Matchmaking Deity who brings people together."
"Matchmaking Deity... Matchmaking Deity... Ehehe"
Watching the Matchmaking Deity repeat her new name while grinning foolishly, Ye Xing teased.
"I can see you're very happy."
"Of course."
The Matchmaking Deity said this first, then suddenly seemed to remember something, frowning slightly with a thoughtful expression.
"But there's one thing I don't understand. Logically, as the residents of Itomori Town gradually forget about me, my power should weaken more and more... So why haven't I disappeared, and why have I suddenly taken human form? It's truly puzzling."
"Isn't the answer simple?"
Ye Xing gazed at the scenery rapidly passing outside the window and the Matchmaking Deity in her Miko outfit beside him, speaking slowly.
"Because you're a deity firmly remembered by Kyoto's number one eroge player."