give it all to miss machima

Jingma was breathing heavily. She offered a token resistance for a moment, then tried to change the subject to distract the other person.

"Is this also... a visit to Lady Kikyo?"

"I guess so. I'm planning to take a short break soon, so I thought I'd drop by to see you. I realized I haven't given my little rose a treat in a while. Oh, right~ do you remember last time?"

"Last time?"

Garden Jingma trembled slightly again, her voice sounding both fearful and expectant.

"Here...here!?"

Don't you want it?

"But...this place might be...someone could see us..."

Machima laughed and picked the other person up in a hug:

"Oh? Then wouldn't that be... even more exciting?"

Chapter 253 Hiiragi Nana Found a Clue

"Yo~ Nana, you're back so early today?"

In the evening, the Sakurai sisters didn't pay much attention to Hiiragi Nana as she walked in, until they saw her collapse onto the bed without saying a word. Only then did they belatedly realize that she seemed to be in a bad mood today.

"What's wrong, Nana?"

"Did something happen?"

Hiiragi Nana forced a smile and said:

"It's nothing, it's just... I'm not feeling well."

After dealing with the two sisters, Hiiragi Nana snuggled back into bed, gripped the blankets tightly, and glared at the ceiling through gritted teeth.

That... hateful woman!

The usually dignified and elegant senior, Shizuma, was actually coerced by that guy into secretly engaging in that kind of play in public!

Even Shizuma-senpai didn't seem to have any resistance; on the contrary, she seemed to be enjoying it...

What angered Nana Hiiragi even more was that after the two finished, Shizuma-senpai, without even having time to clean up her wet pants, pretended nothing had happened and waited for her there after saying goodbye to Makima…

And her!

I had to pretend I knew nothing and quietly study literature with Senior Jingma, who had been trembling and limp just minutes before...

This is absolutely outrageous!

How dare they toy with Shizuma-senpai like that! How enviable... yet utterly despicable!

Of course, Hiiragi Nana was certain that her anger stemmed from her deep disgust for Aphrodite's despicable behavior, and not from any other factor.

—That guy must be so reckless because he can manipulate the elders in Shizuma-senpai's family at will!

Coupled with her sweet talk, this made the ignorant senior, Jingma, willingly let her play with her!

It wasn't just Shizuma-senpai; perhaps other girls in the school were also being manipulated by Aphrodite in the same way!

That despicable woman... what does she take this academy for!

The parents of those innocent children all sent their daughters here with the hope of raising them to be daughters of noble families, but... but that guy! He treated this place like a backyard where he could enjoy himself at will!

Hiiragi Nana made up her mind once again: she must find a way to eliminate this terrible demon hiding beneath the surface of Japanese society!

After taking some time to calm herself down, she became completely composed and began to think about her future plans.

First of all... she absolutely cannot let her relationship with Shizuma-senpai sever; in fact... she must intensify her efforts to win her over as soon as possible, trying to obtain as much information about Machima from her through indirect means.

And... if possible, she had to find a way to make Shizuma-senpai understand just how dangerous that woman was...

Secondly, in the conversation between Aphrodite and Shizuma-senpai, a person named Kikyo was mentioned...

That person was clearly also at the school, and seemed to have a close relationship with Aphrodite, often visiting her – this was also a clue.

Secondly, we need to find a way to report Aphrodite's presence here to Commander Ada.

Hiiragi Nana gritted her teeth, got out of bed again, washed up, and went to bed early. She then tried to clear her mind and emotions and fall asleep as soon as possible.

The next day, she didn't sleep well. After covering her dark circles with makeup, she immediately began her investigation.

Through her relationships with several "good sisters" in the student union, she pretended to help with paperwork while secretly obtaining a list of faculty, staff, and all students in the school.

However, after searching, no one was found whose name contained the characters "桔梗" (Ji Geng).

Could Kikyo be some kind of code name? If so, that would be troublesome...

but……

Hiiragi Nana probably guesses that this "Kikyo-sama" is also a very beautiful woman—unlike Aphrodite, who wouldn't care so much.

After investigating for several days, Hiiragi Nana found nothing.

Even Shizuma-senpai's progress has slowed down—undoubtedly, Aphrodite has been visiting Shizuma-senpai quite often lately, and Hiiragi Nana can clearly feel that the senpai, who was usually somewhat interested in her, is now completely distracted.

hateful……

I can't ask Senior Jingma directly, otherwise there's a risk of being exposed...

But if things continue like this, yielding nothing...

Distracted, she accidentally bumped into a girl with a princess cut hairstyle in the dormitory corridor.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

Hiiragi Nana quickly helped the girl up from the ground, only to discover that the girl was Amakura Mayu from the next class—the older of the famous twins.

I remember when I first arrived, I even interrupted the two sisters' good time...

"You... your name is Hiiragi Nana, right?"

Amakura Mayu stood up and looked her over with a strange gaze, which even made Hiiragi Nana feel a little uneasy.

"That's right, Tiancang, have you heard of me? But are you alright?"

"I'm fine, but you..."

Amakura Cocoon suddenly moved closer to the other person.

"You look very tired, and... anxious?"

Hiiragi Nana was slightly startled, then subconsciously explained:

"No, it's just..."

“There’s no need to lie. I can sense other people’s emotions. Hiding them is useless, for example…”

Amagura's cool voice interrupted her, and she moved even closer, even taking a light sniff:

"You seem a little panicked now? Why? Could it be... that you have some secret you're hiding?"

"Tian... Tiancang-kun?"

Hiiragi Nana was already internally screaming – What's wrong with this guy?!

These past two days, she's been incredibly frustrated because she's vaguely discovered two more instances of "little games" between Shizuma and Aphrodite. However, she's managed to hide her emotions well—even her roommates and the senior she lives with haven't noticed anything amiss. But…

But the girl saw it immediately!

"Cocoon!? What are you doing now?!"

Fortunately, someone came to the rescue.

Amakura Mayu's older sister was just returning from outside carrying some things when she saw her sister seemingly making things difficult for others. She quickly pulled her away while apologizing to Hiiragi Nana.

"I'm so sorry! My sister often says strange things to other people, please don't mind it!"

When Hiiragi Nana was reminded of this, she remembered that the reason why the Amakura sisters were quite famous in the grade was because the older sister, Amakura Mayu, was eccentric. According to many rumors, she also had psychic abilities and could see things that others couldn't.

Amakura Mio, who seemed more like the older sister but was actually the younger sister, pushed away her older sister, who was still staring intently at Hiiragi Nana, and looked at her apologetically before taking out a small amulet from her pocket:

"Please don't mind what my sister said. As an apology, please accept this amulet. It was given to us by the shrine maiden when we went to the shrine not long ago. It can protect you and is very effective!"

"Uh... thank you..."

Hiiragi Nana took it and found it to be a very delicate little amulet, with a faint floral fragrance and an embroidered flower on it...

Bellflower?

Chapter 254 Destined Love

Tokiwadai Academy has long been associated with campus legends about a shrine and a shrine maiden. Rumors circulated among some upperclassmen, with some even claiming with certainty that the shrine maiden was actually an upperclassman from the first year.

Although the college has official rules prohibiting students from trespassing into the back mountain, and those caught will have their credits deducted...

But this rule is just like Hogwarts' rule against nighttime outings—any student with enough courage and curiosity will try it.

However, it is said that most of the time, the shrine is empty, with only three annoying and unruly cats there. Only if you are lucky will you encounter the legendary shrine maiden.

It took Hiiragi Nana some time to investigate these school legends, and she has now confirmed that the school legend is not unfounded, and... it is said that the shrine maiden introduced herself as Kikyo in her conversation with the students who sneaked into the shrine.

After confirming the news, Hiiragi Nana reported the information to Ada when she left school to "go home" the following weekend. Ada immediately asked her to find a way to investigate along the clues.

All information about Aphrodite is valuable, and if we can gain a better understanding of Machima through this woman named Kikyo, that would be an important clue.

—There's no way around it, that guy is just too mysterious…

The FBI and CIA still can't understand how Japan, which is the United States' backyard, with its people everywhere in the military, political, and business spheres, could have been inexplicably taken over and seized by a woman of unknown origin a few years ago without their knowledge...

All investigations into Machima have come to nothing, and the United States doesn't even know what framework Machima uses to maintain its power, which is really strange.

What is the source of her power? How can she command such unwavering obedience from so many people?

Several politicians loyal to Machima were ruined by the CIA's methods, but even so, some of them were even put in the CIA's secret room, yet they showed no remorse.

It should be noted that the last time the Japanese showed such a resolute attitude towards the United States was during World War II.

Having received the order, Nana Hiiragi could only put aside Shizuma-senpai's matter for the time being and begin her own actions.

Choosing an afternoon when there were no classes, Hiiragi Nana climbed over the low wall and left the junior high school section. She bypassed the sign that read "Danger on the mountain path" and quickly climbed up the mountain behind the shrine along the steps of the mountain path.

Although it seemed a bit reckless to go forward like this, ... Hiiragi Nana felt that the risk was worth taking.

After all, quite a few students have already sneaked up the mountain, so if they get caught, they'll have an excuse and won't make her stand out.

After walking along the mountain path for more than ten minutes, Hiiragi Nana soon arrived at the entrance of this mysterious shrine—a tall torii gate that separates the divine realm where the gods dwell from the secular world inhabited by humans, reminding visitors to be mindful of their behavior once they enter this place.

Although she had no sense of reverence, Hiiragi Nana still cleansed her hands at the tesumu-sha (purification fountain) next to the approach to the temple.

Judging from the surrounding shrine buildings, this shrine is obviously very new, probably completed a few years ago along with the academy. However, it doesn't have the hustle and bustle of typical tourist attractions. On the contrary, there's almost no sense of human activity here, and those who step into this place can truly feel the tranquility and peace.

Three cats of slightly different colors appeared out of nowhere and suddenly landed in front of her.

They squatted on the stone lanterns in the courtyard, smiling as they looked at Hiiragi Nana, their eyes as if they were looking at a little mouse that had wandered into their dinner plate.

Nana Hiiragi reached out to touch them, but they easily dodged her and even gave her disdainful looks—it's hard to imagine seeing this emotion on a cat's face, but Nana Hiiragi really felt that she was being looked down upon by the three cats.

Just as she was about to walk away after failing to tease the cats, one of them suddenly leaped up and flashed past Hiiragi Nana like a bolt of lightning.

The next second, Hiiragi Nana realized that her amulet hanging on her waist had been snatched away by it, and the other creature even had a provocative expression that said, "Come and chase me if you want it."

Bad cat!

Hiiragi Nana, who never imagined she would be teased by a cat, quickly chased after it. This cunning cat seemed to give Hiiragi Nana an opportunity each time, but in reality, it always dodged by the slightest margin.

In the end, Nana Hiiragi's lunge not only failed to catch the cat, but also knocked down a figure who had heard the commotion and rushed over at the corner, pinning him to the ground.

"It hurts...you...who are you?"

Hiiragi Nana rubbed her head and looked at the young girl beneath her—the girl seemed to be younger than her, with light yellow curly hair and wearing a very well-fitting shrine maiden outfit.

At this moment, the other person was still a little dizzy from being bumped by Hiiragi Nana, and it took a while for him to open his eyes—Hiiragi Nana was immediately drawn to his eyes—they were a pair of very beautiful orange-yellow eyes.

"Um... could you get off me?" the other person asked timidly.

"...Sorry! That cat just took my things, I..."

Hiiragi Nana quickly helped the other person up, while also curiously looking at her—this person shouldn't be the wise and mysterious shrine maiden from the rumors, right?

But I haven't heard of a second shrine maiden.

"Are you... the shrine maiden here?"

"Huh? Me? No, it's Lady Kikyo who is the real priestess."

The other party replied, sounding embarrassed.

“I’m just a trainee priestess who’s only been here a short time, you…”