Trapped on a Terrifying Island, This Good-for-Nothing Just Wants to Survive

After hastily leaving the Kasahara household, Genji dashed towards the seaside where he had earlier parted ways with Sahsa. The quiet of the night enveloped the town, with only the distant sound of the ocean waves breaking the silence.

He reached the spot where he last saw Sahsa but found no one there. The beach was deserted, with only the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. The moon cast a pale light over the sea, creating a serene yet eerie atmosphere.

Panic surged through Genji. “Sahsa!” he called out into the darkness, but his voice was swallowed by the vast emptiness around him.

Just as he was about to head back, a faint rustling noise from the nearby bushes caught his attention. He cautiously approached and peered into the thicket. There, he found Sahsa, crouching low, her eyes fixed on something in the distance.

“Sahsa, what are you doing here? It’s dangerous!” Genji whispered, trying to pull her away.

“Shh! Look!” Sahsa gestured towards the shoreline. There, a figure in white, presumably the shrine maiden Somezaki Airi, was walking along the water’s edge, her movements graceful yet solemn.

Genji watched, transfixed. The shrine maiden moved with a purpose, occasionally stopping to perform what appeared to be a ritualistic gesture. It was a mesmerizing sight, yet an undercurrent of something ominous seemed to permeate the air.

“What is she doing?” Genji asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“She’s performing the ‘Ghost Banishing Ritual.’ It’s said that she uses it to protect the town from evil spirits,” Sahsa explained, her gaze never leaving the figure by the sea.

Genji felt a mix of awe and unease. The ritual, the shrine maiden’s presence, and the whole setting felt like something out of an ancient tale. Yet, the danger that Sahsa had warned him about seemed all too real.

“Let’s go back. We shouldn’t disturb her,” Genji finally said, gently tugging at Sahsa’s arm.

Reluctantly, Sahsa nodded, and they quietly made their way back to her house. As they walked away, Genji couldn’t shake the feeling that the serene façade of Ye Island concealed mysteries and secrets far beyond his understanding.