Japanese Terrorist: What? I'll fight Hellstar!

"Of course I am Tomoyuki, your future husband."

Faced with Hinako Fukami's questioning, Tokiyuki gazed at her with gentle eyes, his tone unwavering.

"I've been working hard all along. Finally, today has arrived..."

Tokiyuki walked step by step toward Fukami Hinako. His eyes, peering through the cutouts of the fox mask, were filled with the familiar tenderness, and a hint of stubbornness she had never seen before.

"Hinako, do you know? I've waited so long for this day. Ever since I left the village, I've thought about you every day, about the things you wrote in your letters, about all the little things we shared, about where you wrote those letters—sitting by the window or lying on the bed? Were you happy or sad when you wrote to me? I wondered when we could meet again... So, I worked so hard to gain a foothold in the Toki family and to earn my grandfather's approval. All of this was so I could marry you, so I could give you happiness, Hinako."

A profound love, accompanied by Tokihisa's words, poured out upon Fukami Hinako.

"Suke... I'm sorry..."

Hinako Fukami couldn't help but take a few steps back. The love was too intense for her to bear, and she glanced warily at Tokiyuki's face.

However, she also wavered, moved by Toki Hisayuki's love.

That was definitely Toshiyuki, there was no mistake. Although she hadn't seen Toshiyuki's face yet, her intuition wouldn't be wrong.

However, even though she was moved by Tokiyuki's love, Fukami Hinako's body couldn't completely relax with the man in front of her.

She suddenly raised her head, pointed at the lamppost in front of her, and stopped Tokihisa from getting any closer.

"Shuyuki, don't change the subject!"

Hinako Fukami spoke resolutely, looking directly into his eyes behind the mask.

Tokiyuki paused slightly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, but he still waited quietly for her questioning.

"Even if you really are Susuke, then tell me, why are you in this eerie shrine? Why are you wearing that white fox mask? And why am I here?"

Hinako Fukami asked calmly.

"I know you must be confused and uneasy right now. Anyone would feel this way if they were suddenly dragged into a place like this and saw those terrifying monsters. But Hinako, you must believe me—we are here for our wedding."

"wedding?"

Hinako Fukami frowned, genuinely resenting the term.

"What do you mean?"

Tokiyuki sighed softly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes before he regained his composure.

"This is a custom passed down through generations in our Changxi family. Outsiders who want to marry into the Changxi family must first cleanse themselves of impurities. This shrine is the sacred domain of the Changxi family and a place for purification. The bride needs to cleanse herself of the impurities clinging to her body here in order to truly become a member of the Changxi family. As your future husband, I am here to accompany you on this final journey."

"I don't understand a word you're saying!"

Deepwater Hinako raised her voice.

Marrying into the Changxi family, becoming a member of the Changxi family, and being arranged and controlled by the Changxi family—just hearing these words makes my head start to ache.

"What about the fox bride? What about her disappearance? What about human sacrifice? I've already learned from Mr. Seven and Xiu that there's a long-standing legend of the fox bride in Rong Hill. Young women mysteriously disappear, all becoming sacrifices to the fox spirit! Your so-called purification is nothing but human sacrifice!"

Shaking her head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the pain inside her head, Hinako Fukami impatiently questioned the man in front of her.

Tokihisa's gaze darkened, and a hint of seriousness appeared beneath his fox-faced expression.

"Hinako, you've been tricked."

He shook his head, his tone earnest yet tinged with heartache.

"Outsiders don't know the inside story. Those who tell you this have also been deceived by the filth entrenched in the village. What they know is not the truth. The disappearance of a spirit, the fox bride—those are just rumors, embellishments of the woman's disappearance, and comforting words for the victim's family. Hinako, you should know that Rongzhi Hill has been worshipping a fox spirit for hundreds of years. If it really were some kind of evil god, would our ancestors have known nothing about it for generations?"

"filthy?"

Toki Hisashi's question made Fukami Hinako hesitate.

"Long ago, there were two forces in Ebisu Hill: the Sacred Tree and the Fox Spirit who later moved there. Later, the Sacred Tree was proven unable to protect Ebisu Hill, so people began to worship the Fox Spirit. After the Fox Spirit became the guardian of Ebisu Hill, the Sacred Tree fell and became the Ninety-Nine Gods. Unwilling to be replaced by the Fox Spirits, it has been trying to make a comeback. Both you and Sakiko are pawns targeted by the Ninety-Nine Gods. Its power extends to you, and it wants to use you to defeat the Fox Spirits."

Tokiyuki looked directly at Hinako Fukami and spoke with absolute certainty.

"Ninety-nine Gods..."

Hinako Fukami frowned. Tokiyuki's explanation only deepened the mystery for her and put pressure on her mind.

Suddenly, Hinako's temples throbbed with intense pain, making her very uncomfortable.

What is the truth?

Hinako Fukami didn't know.

She didn't know how to answer Toki Hisayuki, nor did she know who to believe.

Ultraman Seven would never lie to her.

But would Toshiyuki deceive her? Would Toshiyuki hurt her?

Hinako Fukami thought it was unlikely.

So, was Ultraman Seven deceived as Toshiyuki claimed?

I don't know, because even Ultraman Seven isn't omniscient.

"ah--!"

Hinako let out a painful groan. The more she thought, the greater the pressure on her brain became, and her headaches would flare up.

"Hinako!"

Tokiyuki called out anxiously, wanting to go forward and comfort Hinako Fukami, but Hinako Fukami instinctively raised the lamppost, its scalding end blocking Tokiyuki's path.

"I'm so worried about you, Hinako."

Tokihisa stopped in his tracks.

Hinako Fukami held the lamppost in her right hand and pressed her left hand against her forehead. As her breathing rose and fell, the throbbing pain in her brain gradually subsided.

She gave up; she gave up on thinking about it any further.

Who is right and who is wrong is not something she can figure out by standing here.

"What do you want me to do?"

Raising her head to look at Tokiyuki across from her, Hinako Fukami asked.

"To the shrine, to our sacred place. Today is the day to welcome you. Come with me, Hinako. I will not hurt you."

Tokiyuki extended his hand to Hinako Fukami and said gently.

"No! I refuse!"

Hinako Fukami did not hesitate this time and resolutely rejected Toki Toshiyuki's invitation.

"For your safety and happiness, Hinako, you must come with me to the shrine to cleanse yourself of the impurities."

Upon being rejected by Hinako Fukami once again, Tokitoshi's tone became anxious.