The shrine that Ryosuke left was filled with silence.
The murmuring sound of the rustling leaves, the breathing created by the swaying branches—
Even the sounds of the insects chirping and the wings of flying bugs had completely vanished, making the forest seem as if the present world had abruptly transformed into another realm, where darkness appeared and vanished under the moonlight, creating an atmosphere heavy with eeriness.
Then, almost as if to slice through that silence, a man’s voice leaked from the smartphone, accompanied by static.
[ Tsk tsk. It’s truly unfortunate that you were given a chance yet suddenly decided to bolt. ]
Risè gulped after hearing the words flowing from the smartphone and bit down on the strap attached to it. With the smartphone clutched in her mouth, she fidgeted with her thin yukata to tidy herself up and then raised the smartphone to face her.
Risè locked eyes with Jinseong reflected on the smartphone and asked.
“Deity, I have a question.”
[ What is it? ]
“Why did you just let him go?”
Risè’s expression seemed slightly angry.
“From my perspective, that council member clearly betrayed you. Besides, even after you lowered yourself to make a request, he refused and instead made excuses as if dealing with a nuisance. It was absolutely an ungrateful behavior that one could never believe coming from a benefactor.”
Risè paused for a moment, seemingly taking a breath, and then asked.
“Is that council member, Ryosuke, indeed a clear betrayer of you?”
[ Indeed. ]
Jinseong affirmatively responded to Risè’s question.
[ Just as you said, there was fear but no awe, and he was filled with hesitation. Trust was nowhere to be found, nor did he sense the divine. It was akin to a person trying to escape when faced with a wild beast, or a human in adversity desperate to flee rather than face it. Even from just this, you can tell that loyalty and belief have shattered. ]
“Then, why….”
Risè attempted to ask again why he just let him go but swallowed her words.
She had seen Jinseong’s mouth moving.
[ Yes. It would be an understandable curiosity. I called upon him to organize the divine objects, yet the summoned one didn’t even contemplate entering in front of the torii, nor did he utter a word regarding the relationship with the Onmyoji that ought to have been interrogated or about the betrayal, leaving room for doubt. ]
Jinseong gently wiped the front of the smartphone with his hand.
Suddenly, the dim and dirty camera lens was cleaned, making Jinseong’s image appear distinctly, and as if he had just washed, his face looked fresh.
[ You know the meaning of the torii. It is the border that divides the land of the divine from the land of humans—a gateway. Crossing that signifies entrusting one’s body to the divine, handing over the rights of life and death to another. Naturally, such an act requires profound trust—a belief strong enough to entrust even one’s life. ]
“Y-yes….”
[ One without belief cannot see nor cross it. Wouldn’t that be the very indicator of trust? Especially since that Ryosuke fellow did not grasp this through reason or knowledge, but instinctively recoiled from it. His instincts rejected us. ]
Having said this, Jinseong briefly closed his mouth before opening it again.
[ However…. Yes. I never would have thought that he possessed just enough intuition not to approach the torii; that should be a gross miscalculation. But even if it is a miscalculation, it incurs no loss, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing. ]
Risè nodded at Jinseong’s words.
[ If not entering through the torii was a miscalculation, then what lay beyond was merely a test. A precious opportunity to seize and ensure one’s life, a vital trial where one could gather some of the pouring water. ]
With that, Jinseong smiled fiercely.
[ To the weak, he is endlessly strong, and to the strong, he is endlessly weak—what a truly futile countenance. Yet had he proven his worth, he could have preserved his life and maintained wealth and power…. Ah, truly worthless. It’s not that he is useless, but rather that he possesses utility yet fails to utilize it. What should it be called if not just junk! ]
He then looked at Risè.
[ Long ago, there was a man named Jiriso. He was such a severe hunchback that his chin was buried below his navel, his shoulders were taller than his head, and his insides were above his head, with his thick thighs nearly touching his sides, making him a far cry from what one would call beauty. ]
Jinseong began to recount.
[ However, even the useless can have a purpose. A seemingly useless tree can grow undisturbed by its lack of utility, and barren land can maintain its purity without being uprooted due to its seeming worthlessness. This Jiriso, contrary to his looks, was skilled enough to feed himself and managed to support a family of ten with his talent in selecting rice. Besides, he evaded conscription due to his dreadful appearance and escaped labor demands due to his chronic illness. Furthermore, he had the ability to survive, and due to his own inconveniences, he received rations and firewood from the state, living a long life—this is the worth of what seems useless! ]
Jinseong paused mid-sentence and then smiled.
A face that looked like a rabbit, but the smile bore a certain wickedness.
[ However, Ryosuke is an entity that deviates from the logic of uselessness. He proved his worth by leading people through politics, showed ambition by trying to climb while holding onto the branches of a giant tree, and distanced himself from uselessness by rejecting pleasure to achieve something special. Yet, he has succumbed to the strong, hiding his blade at all times and ready to switch lords, and in terms of emotions, there is no devotion…. Thus, his utility is solely what keeps his life intact… ]
“…He has failed to prove his worth.”
[ Indeed. If one does not exhibit their abilities where they should be utilized, how would that differ from having no ability at all? Thus, he has determined his destiny right here and now. However, yes, he spoke of auspicious days and made future promises; that is the end of the destined lifespan, the day he will depart for the afterlife. ]
Risè slightly raised her head and gazed at the sky deep in thought.
Ryosuke, who committed betrayal and failed to prove his worth, must die.
The reasons to die were ample. He didn’t even grasp the magnitude of the grace he received and tried to stab it in the back.
He deserves to die.
But if the conditions determine one’s life—
If Ryosuke’s life hinges upon the condition of ‘utility’—
What condition then allows oneself to continue living?
And if that condition were to disappear, would I similarly be cast aside like this?
Risè briefly dismissed the bewilderment that had surfaced.
‘He said he would make me happy….’
Why did such negative thoughts suddenly arise?
Why is such nonsensical doubt creeping in?
Could it be because he left Japan and is less in touch?
Is it because physical distance has sparked this turmoil in my heart?
‘…I said I believe.’
Risè desperately tried to erase the slight, the very slight, suspicion growing in her heart.
She pushed those thoughts aside and repeatedly reaffirmed the resolution she had made in the past, lowering her head once more.
When she looked back at the smartphone, she could see Jinseong staring back at her just as before.
However, Jinseong’s mouth was tightly shut, and his eyes seemed tense as he carefully scrutinized her.
Just how long did this silent gaze last?
[ You’re getting oddly entranced by strange things. ]
“What? Huh?”
Risè was flustered by the sudden piercing remark.
[ Tsk tsk. Yes, training does come with mental anguish. Polishing the body and mind while seeking the way feels like wandering blindly in a pitch-black place, where dark thoughts often intrude. ]
Jinseong kindly offered teachings to the flustered Risè.
[ Is the path I take correct? Is the direction right? Is there a precipice or a poisonous snake ahead? If I walk further, will I crash into a massive tree? Is there a thief on the other side eyeing my money? Will an unnamed assailant grab me to take me away? These concerns, weighing down like a mountain, are only natural. Such thoughts are common; it’s a path everyone must traverse. Only true belief can serve as a compass guiding you rightly. ]
Jinseong spoke firmly.
And clearly.
[ Trust in me. ]
His face appeared serious as he uttered those words.
[ Trust in me, who promised to make you happy. And thus free yourself from confusion to see the truth. ]
Upon hearing that firmness, Risè momentarily wore a blank expression.
[ How could I drive away someone who doesn’t even understand the definition of happiness? It’s like releasing a young beast that cannot fend for itself into the wild, or dropping a bird that can’t even flap its wings off a cliff. So, forget your worries and follow me; trust me. Thus, you must seek the path to happiness and strengthen your heart with a new deity and new faith, moving forward. ]
Risè’s expression began to change.
Every time she heard Jinseong’s words, promising not to abandon her and to make her happy, her expression gradually softened, and the corners of her mouth began to rise. Eventually, the bewilderment in her eyes transformed into belief, and those sweet words melted her face.
“Y-yes, I will believe!”
Risè smiled brightly.
That expression seemed, somewhat, happy.
