Under Platinum's gaze, a hand slowly extended from Matikanefukukitaru's fortune-telling booth, beckoning inward.
…What in the world?
Platinum frowned.
After a brief pause, the arm from the booth waved again, more insistently this time, as though inviting someone inside.
"…Me?" She glanced around. Gold Ship was chatting with Fuji Kiseki, while Mejiro McQueen watched expectantly as Leap of Faith stood by with an awkward smile.
Platinum alone seemed to notice the beckoning hand.
Matikanefukukitaru… Is this how she gets customers?
Pretty bizarre.
Hesitating a moment, Platinum finally walked toward the fortune-telling tent.
She hadn't planned on visiting Matikanefukukitaru at first… But if the girl was this determined to get her attention, a quick fortune-telling couldn't hurt—might as well complete the set.
And besides… Even if Matikanefukukitaru's readings tended to be ominous, they were often unsettlingly accurate.
As Platinum drew closer, the arm withdrew back inside. So it really had been meant for her.
"Hello— Do you offer readings?" Lifting the tent flap, Platinum peered inside.
No one answered. The booth was draped in heavy curtains, blocking out all sunlight. In the middle stood a desk with several slowly burning candles, their flickering flames casting wavering shadows.
On the desk sat a glimmering crystal ball, veiled under a layer of translucent black gauze. Behind it was a figure draped in a thick, heavy robe.
The robe was so bulky it completely covered the person from head to toe, leaving not an inch of skin visible. With the hood drawn, their face remained hidden in shadow.
"…Matikanefukukitaru? Is that you?" Platinum felt uncertain. Was Matikanefukukitaru always this… dramatic?
Now that she thought about it, she didn't see Meisho Doto inside either. In Platinum's memory, Matikanefukukitaru and Meisho Doto were practically a matched set, always appearing together in the fortune-telling booth.
Maybe she's on break, or out for lunch? Platinum didn't dwell on it.
Matikanefukukitaru didn't speak, merely gesturing with one hand for Platinum to take the seat in front of the desk.
So mysterious… Won't even talk? Frowning, Platinum sat down.
"I wanted to have my fortune read about recent—"
"You are lost."
Platinum's words were cut off. Matikanefukukitaru clasped her hands, her form shrouded in the shadowy robe.
"Not only are you lost, you are confused, adrift."
"You've come to a brand-new world, alone, without attachments. And you want none of them."
"…Look, let's skip the generic spiel, alright? I just came for a reading." Platinum's impression of the place instantly soured.
She had expected something mystical from Matikanefukukitaru, but it seemed like the same old routine after all.
Vague statements, a bit of prior research, a mysterious atmosphere—and people fell for it—
"O traveler from a distant shore, you are also impatient, desperate. For Hela still watches you. That greedy goddess raises her gluttonous blade, drooling as she awaits the moment your soul drifts down to her feast. She so loves decayed morsels."
"But do not despair just yet. Only after the sun has risen and set a thousand times will the traveler's soul cross the Gjöll. Until then, the wide-jawed goddess can only wait with neck outstretched."
Platinum froze. For a moment, her scalp tingled.
"What are you talking about?"
The dim candlelight flickered faintly. Inside the tent felt like a completely different world from outside. Above, the starry drapery swayed as if touched by a breeze, like a real galaxy slowly turning.
The black veil over the crystal ball remained in place, yet a faint light glimmered within, as though images were flashing inside.
A chill seemed to seep into the air around Platinum, her breath misting before her…
She thought she saw a massive block of ice, tall as a person. Reflected in its eerie blue surface was her own face.
Compelled by some unseen force, Platinum reached out to lift the veil from the crystal ball. She needed to see what was inside, needed desperately to know what lay ahead… She thirsted to drink deep from the well of wisdom…
"Customer."Just as her fingers were about to touch the gauze, Matikanefukukitaru caught her hand. Her skin was so cold Platinum shivered.
"Are you ready? Once you see the future, it cannot be unchanged."
The icy touch jolted Platinum back to her senses.
Her lips felt dry, slightly parted. She stared at Matikanefukukitaru with desperate longing.
This was the real deal! The deepest secret in Platinum's heart had just been laid bare!
"I— I…"
"I know what you seek."
Beneath the hood, Matikanefukukitaru smiled.
"Customer, your soul is adrift, unmoored. Should the anchor's chain break, your soul will flow down the river."
"But fate is not set in stone. A chance exists to deceive the Weaving Maidens."
"Wind the threads around yourself… the more, the better… Perhaps one day, you may swim against the current."
"What does that mean?" Platinum grabbed Matikanefukukitaru's wrist, pressing urgently. "Can't you speak more plainly?"
"Moreover… there are three anchors." Ignoring her, Matikanefukukitaru continued, her voice as light as a ghost's whisper.
"Grasp the anchors. They are your chance to turn despair into victory."
"One is close by you. At the hour when day has set and risen again, follow the shadow at noon, behind the cross, where the number is three."
"Another, at the mouth of ten thousand rivers, the golden harbor."
"The last, in the land where day and night are reversed. Wait patiently for the time to come."
"Why speak in riddles?" Tears of frustration glistened in Platinum's eyes. "You understand what I mean, don't you? Can't you be clearer?"
"What are the threads? What are the anchors?"
Just as Platinum rose to her feet, leaning forward intently, the tent flap was swept aside.
"Platinum— Are you in there?" Mejiro McQueen's voice called from outside.
"I'm here, just a moment!" Platinum called back over her shoulder. But when she turned again, the seat across from her was empty.
Matikanefukukitaru had rolled under the gap between the tent wall and the ground, and slipped out.
Platinum didn't know whether to be furious or to laugh.
"Hey, Matikanefukukitaru!" She hurriedly ducked and lifted the curtain, but the space behind the tent was empty.
--+--
T/N: Oh nah that was Shiraoki-sama
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.