Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 243, Section 18: "Isn't this the kind of thing you should do when the mood is right?"

The clouds dispersed, and moonlight poured down upon the Shindai Shrine.

The young shrine maiden, dressed in white robes and crimson hakama, exuded her youthful charm.

Her hair, meticulously maintained, appeared jet black and glossy, neatly tied up, revealing her snow-white ears that were usually hidden from view.

"A shrine maiden...?"

Rinne tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.

“Yes.” Masumi nodded matter-of-factly. “You’re wearing a shrine maiden outfit right now, aren’t you?”

"...It's a shrine maiden's outfit...that's right."

The shrine maiden's expression was just like that of a little girl whose secret had been discovered.

"However, this sounds a bit like hitting on someone."

"I'm innocent! I've never done anything so frivolous."

Masumi naturally raised the corners of her mouth, feeling as if she were talking to a beautiful girl in a landscape painting, a feeling that was quite incredible.

"When did you... uh, this is..."

Masumi suddenly changed his target halfway through his question, the reason being Rinne's shrine maiden outfit; for a moment, his breath stopped completely.

This shrine maiden outfit doesn't include a white outer robe or Chihaya; the upper body consists of only a pure white blouse.

The design is so daring that it's "leaky everywhere," resembling a backless sweater, yet it's not completely covered up, with side openings revealing rounded shoulders, smooth armpits, and snow-white breasts.

The sleeves are worn separately on the arms and secured with elastic bands, making Rinne's exposed hands and upper arms appear even more slender and long.

Fortunately, the red hakama was just a regular red pleated skirt above the knee, not too much... That's what Masumi originally thought.

Upon closer inspection, it turns out there's a very high slit; quite a few openings and slits can be found on this shrine maiden outfit.

"You've been staring at it for too long."

Rinne's calm tone subtly conveyed a sense of shyness.

"Feel sorry."

Out of politeness, Masumi subconsciously lowered her gaze.

Rinne wasn't wearing tabi socks; her bare feet were encased in a pair of wooden clogs, and the red ropes embedded between her fair toes accentuated the delicate softness of her beautiful feet.

"The shrine maiden's outfit at Kamishiro Shrine, isn't the style a bit...?"

He carefully considered his words, trying to be as tactful as possible.

"Don't misunderstand!" Rinne interrupted him, quickly explaining.

"The shrine maiden's original clothes have been piled up in the closet for so long that they can no longer be worn. This improper outfit was brought by Asami-nee."

"Oh! I see..."

It's a Nobunaga Bookstore cosplay outfit, no wonder.

What a feast for the eyes! Thank you, Nobunaga Myojin!

Rinne knows this outfit isn't exactly respectable, so why...?

"Let me make this clear first." As if she could read his mind, Rinne emphasized loudly, "I didn't wear this style of clothing because I like it."

"Oh, oh..."

very scary.

Could the shrine maiden read minds?

"How should I put it about this outfit..."

Rinne blushed with embarrassment, her fingers gripping the red inner layer of her furisode, and she sighed helplessly.

"It's like breathing through the sides of the chest and armpits as cheeks."

Masumi nodded silently, a very apt description.

The shrine maiden's fair and smooth armpits parted slightly with her breath, her saccharine breasts almost spilling out, emphasizing her full presence.

She shyly tugged at the edge of her blouse, wanting it to be wrapped up more tightly.

However, this was all in vain.

According to the law of conservation of fabric, as Rinne desperately pulls to one side, it also means that the other side...

"Where are you looking?"

The heiress's cold voice rang out.

"Guuuuu!"

"Fine..." Rinne said with a resigned expression, "I've already dressed up, so look if you want."

"Huh? Is this really possible?"

We're in a pretty bad situation now.

Then I won't stand on ceremony; I must quickly imprint this scene in my mind, otherwise it would be a terrible waste.

Unfortunately, this sight was only a fleeting glimpse, disappearing beneath her pure white robe in the next second.

"Wait! I didn't say you could watch it there too!"

Rinne hurriedly covered her chest. Masumi was probably seeing her face flushed red, not just her ears, but also her forehead.

Thank goodness, this outfit is practically a virginity killer.

"I was planning to change back by myself later, but I didn't expect you to see me."

She spoke as she adjusted the fabric around her neck, the blush on her face lingering.

"Don't worry about it," Masumi comforted her. "Ten-Ten no Mikoto was in an even worse state than Rinne back then."

Is this meant to comfort someone?

The shrine maiden's gaze, filled with shame and indignation, pierced upwards.

(Note: Ame-no-Mikoto is a shrine maiden who appears in the Age of Gods chapter of the Nihon Shoki. Legend has it that after Amaterasu hid in the Ame-no-Iwato, the world fell into darkness. The gods held a banquet and had Ame-no-Mikoto dance with bamboo leaves in hand. The sounds of the banquet lured Amaterasu out, and then the god Ame-no-Tama pulled Amaterasu out. Only then did the earth regain its light.)
(In this myth, Ame-no-Mikoto, holding bamboo leaves, dances on an upside-down sake barrel, so energetically that her clothes become disheveled.)
Masumi awkwardly looked away.

Rinne's imposing aura gradually subsided, and she spoke in a slightly hoarse voice than usual.

"...I just really wanted to wear a shrine maiden outfit once."

"Ok?"

As the crimson tide slowly receded, Rinne returned to her aloof and icy demeanor, as if she were an embodiment of ice and snow.

She walked to a bench not far from the worship hall and sat down, her long hair swaying, revealing her fair and slender back.

Even the back is openwork; this outfit is truly not to be underestimated.

Masumi sat down next to Rinne. The shrine maiden still smelled of her bath, which was very alluring.

"When I was little, I always longed to wear that shrine maiden outfit."

Her gaze wandered aimlessly in the air.

“Every generation of the Kamishiro family has fulfilled the duty of protecting the shrine. Although my mother went to Tokyo to study, she eventually chose to return to the shrine.”

Rinne sighed quietly.

"So, I've always felt that I would also live a peaceful life in this shrine where I was born, grew up, and spent my childhood."

Although the topic of conversation was quite serious, it sounded a bit like whispered conversations.

In the dim light, their figures were clearer than usual.

"But... I never expected that kind of thing would happen later, that I would go to such a far away city and live away from my parents, so seeing this shrine from my memories again today, I feel very complicated."

Masumi remained silent, clenching his fists, his palms damp with sticky sweat.

At this moment, he should gently touch Rinne's skin and say some comforting words.

However, the shrine maiden outfit she wore added a touch of dark sensuality to Rinne's exposed skin, making it somewhat embarrassing to touch her with my sweaty hands.

Perhaps sensing Masumi's unusual behavior, Rinne turned her head slightly, her purple eyes narrowing as she smiled.

Are you trying to say something to comfort me?

"Ah."

Masumi nodded with a heavy heart.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"That's not true, I didn't do anything." Masumi shook her head in denial.

There was no need for an apology.

It's clearly not your fault.

Rinne is the one who bears the grief of her mother's death, Rinne is the one who was abandoned by her father to the orphanage, and Rinne is the one who was forced to mature prematurely in the orphanage.

Carrying the pain of the past, she used the meager warmth she received from orphanages and coffee shops to fight against this cruel and narrow-minded world, stumbling and falling all the way.

You are too quiet, too strong, too beautiful; I forgot you were in pain.

Masumi felt a pang of heartache; he had so much to say, but his tongue seemed paralyzed and he couldn't get it out.

"...Masumi, you're so gentle."

Rinne's lips curved into a rare, faint smile. "However... I think you've probably misunderstood."

"Or rather, I misspoke."

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble—that's what I really want to say."

She lowered her eyes quietly, her eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings.

“At the orphanage on Mount Rokko, and on Mount Daikichi in Uji, you always comforted me when I showed my vulnerability. Thank you.” Rinne’s tone was so sincere that Masumi couldn’t help but lower her eyelashes as she listened to her continue.

"However, this is the end of it. If I become depressed every time I arrive at a place that evokes memories, how can I continue?"

Her usually icy eyes held a hint of warmth as she gazed directly at him, but Masumi felt as if she were looking into the distance.

"As expected of Rinne, she has a truly strong will."

Masumi smiled.

"Really? It's pretty ordinary."

Rinne scoffed, "This is exactly what I answered when Chiai was asked 'What kind of person do you want to become' back in high school."

"It is meaningless and useless to make so many people understand my true thoughts and feelings."

Masumi listened quietly. "However—" the shrine maiden changed the subject.

"This does not mean that I do not need others to help me share some of the real burdens."

Rinne reached out her hand, her slender, pale fingers gently touching Masumi's forehead.

"Is it really a good idea to choose me for such an important role?"

Masumi's expression was like a smile without any real joy.

Although it is a question, when a person asks a question with a choice, it often means that he already has a preference and an answer in mind.

Rinne gently shook her head.

“Not only does Masumi share the burden of reality, but she is also the reason why I want to move forward.”

"Eh."

Rinne stared straight at him and continued speaking, as if she would lose the courage to continue if she slowed down her speech even slightly.

"It was because of Masumi that I was able to make up my mind and resolve to achieve happiness."

"..."

Masumi held her breath, forcefully suppressing the fervent emotions welling up inside her.

"...Is this...the ultimate confession?"

Upon hearing this, the shrine maiden's cheeks flushed red as if they were bleeding.

Even when they were in a dark place without any lights, Masumi could clearly see the change.

Rinne has always been like this, expressing her likes and dislikes very directly. Although she can be shy, she doesn't beat around the bush, and she is very easy to understand.

"...Oops, I blurted it out unconsciously because of the atmosphere."

Rinne's usual calm and composure had vanished. Her reaction was so obvious that even those around her could sense her panic, and she reached out to cover her face.

The arm was raised a bit too high, and the line under the armpit, forming a rounded shape, was exactly the missing part of the crescent moon in the night sky above.

The way the beautiful girl covered the blush on her face with her hands made her look even more alluring, and Masumi quickly grabbed her wrist.

And... what's going on? I suddenly want to see her reaction a little longer.

"I'm sorry, please forget what I just said and pretend nothing happened."

"How can we pretend nothing happened?" Masumi said helplessly.

As if realizing she had no way out, the shrine maiden kept making "woo-woo" sounds, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The blush seemed to be softened and slowly spread across her entire face.

This part is quite cute too.

It seems I'm now acting like a mountain spirit coercing a shrine maiden.

Rinne gave up struggling, and Masumi belatedly let go of her hand.

Her arms hung down, her armpits, slightly damp with sweat, were tucked together, which only accentuated her chest.

"I just... didn't want to put you in such a difficult position."

Rinne's fingers fell limply, she scratched her cheek shyly, and said softly.

A deep sigh escaped from Masumi's lips.

"what happened?"

"I was just thinking that I've always been so pathetic to expect a girl I like to go to this extent for me. I'm sorry."

"do not do that."

Rinne cupped his cheeks in her hands, and a "smack" sound came from beside her ear.

Seeing you so down makes me feel bad.

"Hmm, Rinne?"

"I will do my best, so you should too."

She looked directly into Masumi's eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"……Um."

Masumi nodded earnestly in Rinne's palm.

"I'm actually prepared for what's to come, but... I'm just waiting for the right moment to say it... but I won't just wait around like an idiot!"

"Yeah."

Rinne released her hand, her clear and stern voice unusually gentle at this moment, melting deep into Masumi's eardrums.

"Whatever choice you make, I will support you."

"Thank you, Rinne."

"It's nothing. I just wish that days like this could last forever."

Her voice was so soft it seemed to disappear.

After a long enough time for those words to dissipate into the air, Masumi quietly exhaled.

"Speaking of which, doesn't Rinne feel cold?"

The autumn night is as cool as water, especially in the mountains, where the chill is even more pronounced once the surroundings quiet down.

The leaves on the treetops rustled softly, and the sound of flowing water could be heard in the distance.

"Yes, it is a bit cold..."

"That……"

The broad, slender palms provided a steady stream of comforting warmth in the autumn night, and in this warmth, the shrine maiden squinted her eyes contentedly.

However, when her hand slipped between her skin and the fabric, following the line under her armpit and climbing towards the center of the mountain, Rinne finally lost her composure.

"Wait! What are you going to do?"

She was taken aback, and all the heat in her body rushed to her face.

"Hey, well, given the atmosphere just now, isn't that how things usually go?"

"No, that's not it! If we're talking about keeping warm, isn't it enough to just cover your hands? Why would you put them in there!?"

"Uh, I was considering it from the perspective of exposed skin area."

Masumi's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her shoulders were trembling with tension.

"And in a place like this... Unbelievable!"

"So that means anywhere else is fine—"

The shrine maiden silenced Masumi's instinctive words with her icy gaze.

"Besides, I'm wearing a shrine maiden's outfit, it's really too blasphemous!"

"No, this is exactly how it should be... Wait! Can Rinne really be considered a shrine maiden's outfit?"

"Doesn't it count?"

Rinne, like a spoiled kitten, gently bumped her forehead against Masumi.

"This is Rinne's territory, you're in charge."

In no time, Masumi raised the white flag and surrendered.

"However, don't get me wrong, I don't dislike you."

Rinne's eyes darted around.

"It's just that the environment here... is really too rough."

"I'm sorry, I ignored your feelings."

It was a huge failure; Masumi blushed to the same degree as Rinne.

Seeing Masumi's helpless expression, Rinne seemed to feel sorry for her and nervously scratched her hair.

"That's not the case. If it's just something like what happened at Ikaho Onsen... well, it's not impossible..."

The priestess is required to dedicate herself to the gods, both physically and mentally, and must never be involved in matters of love or romance.

However, Rinne's words now are like a beast rushing headlong down a path that completely contradicts the four words "pure, bright, and upright".

"Eh."

Masumi was taken aback by the unexpected reaction.

Then, Rinne gently rested her forehead on Masumi's shoulder.

Like a kitten that's drunk, or a plant that's had its fill of water, the shrine maiden slumped down, sticky and soft, almost melting into sweet, thick dew.

(End of this chapter)