This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame

Dream...

It's that dream again.

Rainy weather, a dark path stretching into the distance.

On both sides, stone lanterns flicker with a ghastly red glow.

The stone lanterns are made of gray stone, with slippery moss clinging to them.

Surrounded by people... it's all people...

Their faces are filled with gray miasma, and at a glance, their features seem dislocated.

The priest carries a tin staff... it's unclear what these tin staffs are for, with long, sharp bottoms and three tin rings hanging above them. Just a single step forward makes a clanging noise.

This crisp sound is faint amidst the pouring rain, accompanied by incessant, softly sung chants, giving an inexplicable, eerie feeling.

It's as if everything has lost its color.

Except for the flickering flames, everything is a ghastly gray...

Forward... keep moving forward...

Shen Gu Mirai can see... she herself has also become distorted and warped... on her ghastly gray arm... there is a vivid totem.

Huh?!

Shen Gu Mirai shivers awake and flips over.

"What was that just now...?"

Shen Gu Mirai instinctively reached out to wipe the sweat from her face.

But at the moment she reached out, she could clearly see a ghastly red totem flash across her wrist.

This totem flickered so quickly that it almost felt like an illusion to Shen Gu Mirai.

Hmm?!

Shen Gu Mirai hesitantly examined her wrist repeatedly.

The snow-white wrist was empty, appearing smooth and even.

"What's wrong, Mirai?"

Beichuan Si was awakened by her movements and propped himself up, looking over calmly.

Hearing Beichuan Si's question, Shen Gu Mirai blinked.

Was it really an illusion just now? Or did a totem truly appear on her wrist?

Shen Gu Mirai couldn't tell at all.

Moreover, telling Beichuan Si about such things could just add to his burden...

Shen Gu Mirai thought about it repeatedly, finally clapped her hands, nodded, and made a pleading sound:

"Mr. Temple! Just now, something like a totem from my dream seemed to appear on my wrist!"

Though reluctant to add to Beichuan Si's burden, this anomaly had to be told to him first, if left unaddressed and leading to more severe problems that Beichuan couldn't remedy... that would be the true folly!

Whether it's an illusion or not, telling Beichuan Si about it here is the wise and correct choice.

Like those TV dramas and novels where the heroine hides leukemia or similar ailments, only confessing when the condition worsens—

Indecisive? That's certainly not Shen Gu Mirai's style!

"A totem-like mark from the dream?"

After hearing Shen Gu Mirai's words, Beichuan Si directly reached out to hold Shen Gu Mirai's wrist.

And Shen Gu Mirai obediently watched him, waiting for him to discover the result.

"..." Beichuan Si.

Beichuan Si stared at her wrists for a long time, using both lifeless energy and Magong Yongshi's kind thoughts.

But he couldn't see anything.

Shen Gu Mirai's hands were still the same, very beautiful hands to Beichuan Si.

"There's nothing I can temporarily find."

Beichuan Si released Shen Gu Mirai's wrist and pondered: "Looks like there'll be more to ask tomorrow."

Mouchi Witch, strange dream... All things for Beichuan Si to inquire with the Mouchi family tomorrow.

It seems now a 'totem' needs to be added to the list.

Beichuan Si consoled Shen Gu Mirai to lie back down, but he continued to lie down thinking.

And Beichuan Si's thoughts continued until dawn.

Unable to sleep, Beichuan Si quietly got up.

He did some simple washing, had breakfast, and then took a bus to the long road by Kagoshima Port.

He heard Nakajima Hiroto say that this long road nearby has the best scenery and is a great place for relaxing.

Since he couldn't sleep anyway, why not come here to clear his mind and enjoy the sights.

This road skirting the port is mainly used by students near Kagoshima Port to walk to class.

Standing here and looking towards the coastline, one can clearly see the early morning scenery of Kagoshima Port.

It's a magnificent panorama.

Mist rises from the sea surface but the dawn's orange light pierces through, reflected directly on the sea, making the shimmering sea enchanting.

On this grand sea surface, rows of ferries and fishing boats dock at the port, and tiny fishermen scurry back and forth on the boats like ants.

They've hauled in their nets and returned.

What an excellent view indeed.

Captivated by this charming scenery, Beichuan Si wanted to take a deep breath to feel the morning air... but in the next moment, he abruptly turned his head, his dark eyes flashing with lifelessness.

From his perspective, he could clearly see a woman in a black kimono standing not far from him.

The woman wore ebony wood clogs, her long hair tied in a hime style, with bows tied on both sides of her black hair.

The surface of the black kimono was adorned with gold and red carvings, appearing expensive and exquisite.

Anyone who dresses like this is certainly not ordinary.

Especially since she could appear silently beside him and get this close!

It doesn't seem normal at all.

Beichuan Si squinted his eyes.