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

Genji quietly hid in the bushes closest to the scene, holding his breath and concentrating. Not far away, Sahsa Kasahara was crouching behind a stone known as ‘Divine Blood Stone.’

After a while, the slender figure of the shrine maiden appeared.

As the shrine maiden came within a step of the girl’s hiding spot, she did not continue with her ritual. Instead, she glanced at the ground, looked around briefly, and then began inscribing talismans on the stone.

Was there something nearby?

Under the dim streetlight, Genji squinted and tilted his head, barely making out a shimmering silver wire on the ground, one end tied to the light pole opposite the Divine Blood Stone.

Steel wire? Was Sahsa planning to use such an old trick as a tripwire?

After inscribing the talismans, the shrine maiden concealed her brush, holding a blood bottle in one hand and her skirt in the other, tiptoeing as if to avoid a trap.

It seemed their ambush had failed.

Unexpectedly, the short-haired girl suddenly emerged from behind the stele and struck the shrine maiden on the back of her head with lightning speed.

What? Genji barely managed to stifle his shout.

“The ground wire is a decoy. The real attack is from behind. You lose,” said Sahsa.

As Airi Somezaki, the shrine maiden, lay unconscious, Sahsa crouched down, removed her mantis mask, checked her breathing, then tidied up the scene. She bound Airi’s limbs with rope and hoisted her over her shoulder, quickly leaving.

Sahsa Kasahara had kidnapped the fiancée of a deity’s descendent!

Genji couldn’t call the police, as it would reveal his violation of the town’s rules, and he didn’t want to betray the Kasaharas, who had given him shelter.

So, he chose to follow her. He moved stealthily, careful not to disturb Sahsa.

Walking with his head down and back bent, Genji grew sore and tired. Sahsa, tall and sturdy, carried the delicate shrine maiden without rest.

Eventually, Sahsa stopped at an abandoned warehouse. After ensuring they were alone, she entered.

The warehouse was cluttered. Genji kept his distance, hiding as Sahsa secured Airi to a chair.

Sahsa poured water over Airi to wake her up.

“I’m sorry, but this is necessary to revive you quickly.”

Airi slowly opened her eyes, her lips parted, but she remained silent. She accepted her situation with unsettling calm.

The night air made her wet, thin garment cold. She clenched her fists to control her shivering.

Sahsa began: “Something happened in May, do you know? Every week of the month is themed after a different country. One evening, French songs played on the town’s disaster prevention broadcast, a mistake that led to the dismissal and subsequent disappearance of the young broadcaster.”

Genji was shocked; he hadn’t known about this.

The shrine maiden looked up slightly at Sahsa’s words.

“That song was ‘Ah! The Beautiful May in Paris,’ found on a record from the port market. He didn’t understand French but loved the melody. Maybe he wanted to share it or couldn’t part with the record. But why was such a minor error treated so harshly, and why is he missing now?”

Airi remained silent.

“If you want, we can help you leave him. With my guarantee, the organization won’t pursue your past actions, considering them coerced.”

After a pause, Airi replied, “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You still want to help him after how he’s treated you?”

Airi sighed, wanting to end the drama: “Sadly, I’m bound to him and the family.”

“Do you really have feelings for him? You were brought to the shrine at 12, betrothed without consent, and now revered as the ‘Divine Maiden.’ But why?”

“This is none of your concern.”

“Since the Divine Maiden has abandoned us, we will do the same…” Sahsa said harshly and left the warehouse.

Airi then looked towards Genji’s hiding place: “How long will you hide? Can you untie me?”

“Yes!”

Genji hurried to free her, but she winced in pain.

“I’m sorry! Did I hurt you? It wasn’t intentional!” he apologized frantically.

“It’s okay, thank you for saving me…”

Airi, pale, struggled to stand and started to sway.

Genji caught her as she nearly collapsed. Her arm, which Sahsa had grabbed, was bleeding profusely.

He tore off part of her garment to bandage her, urging her to stay conscious: “Hang in there! I’ll take you to the town center hospital right away!”

“No… don’t go there… I want… to go home…”