Miyamizu Toshiki stood his ground, visibly trembling but maintaining his mayoral composure as he faced the tiny figure before him. His paternal instincts warred with his political caution—this creature wearing his youngest daughter's face held power he couldn't comprehend.
Hozuki Nozomi observed the man's conflicted expression and chuckled softly, the sound emerging in Yotsuha's high-pitched voice. "Relax, Mayor Miyamizu. I'm not here to harm anyone."
He held up Yotsuha's small hand, the flames dancing harmlessly across her palm. "I've been sent by the gods to save Itomori Town. Tonight, the Tiamat Comet will fall here. Everyone will die."
Toshiki's face paled.
"Not only that—you've already died once. Because you didn't meet with Mitsuha, didn't believe her, this town was destroyed. I'm using the last of my power to give you this second chance. If nothing changes, destruction is inevitable."
Silence hung heavy in the office.
Mitsuha stepped forward, her voice earnest. "Father, please believe him. I have vague memories—we've already died. We Miyamizu women are special. After a certain age, we form connections with our destined partners. You must have experienced something similar with Mother, right?"
She pressed on. "Why else would you have married into the shrine and become a shrine priest?"
Something shifted in Toshiki's expression. His eyes grew distant, as if recalling memories long buried. His shoulders, rigid with tension, slowly relaxed.
Finally, he let out a long sigh. "Mitsuha. And... whoever you are. What must we do?"
"Hozuki Nozomi." The small figure inclined Yotsuha's head. "I'm temporarily inhabiting Yotsuha's body because I drank the kuchikamizake. We exist in different timelines."
He explained quickly: "In my timeline, Itomori Town was destroyed. Not just by the meteor—there were other dark forces at work. Mitsuha and I have already set things in motion. Our classmate Teshigawara is preparing to use water gel bombs from his family's warehouse to demolish an abandoned building. Natori Sayaka will broadcast news of a severe natural disaster."
His voice grew firm. "What we need from you, Mayor, is cooperation. Acknowledge the broadcast as official. Order everyone to evacuate to Itomori High School. I'll handle any supernatural threats that arise."
He added, "Don't worry. Yotsuha will be safe."
Toshiki absorbed this, then nodded slowly. "I understand. After the explosion, I'll coordinate the evacuation."
Though skepticism lingered, the display of genuine power had convinced him. His career meant nothing compared to his daughters' lives—compared to everyone's lives.
...
Outside the mayor's office, Mitsuha walked in a daze. "That's it? You just... convinced him like that?"
Hozuki Nozomi shrugged Yotsuha's small shoulders, amused. "What, you think it should be harder?"
Mitsuha's cheeks flushed. She couldn't admit she'd lacked the confidence to approach her father directly.
Hozuki Nozomi's voice softened. "Mitsuha, he's your father. The ancient texts were burned—the shrine maidens couldn't communicate with the gods, and the gods couldn't save your mother. Your father has been using his ordinary human power to build a better life for you and Yotsuha. Try to understand him."
"I... I understand. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Now let's find Teshigawara and Sayaka. We need to move fast. I don't know how long this kuchikamizake's power will last in Yotsuha's body—she's young, her shrine maiden qualities aren't as strong as yours."
"I understand!"
...
They found Teshigawara Katsuhiko and Natori Sayaka waiting anxiously at their meeting spot. Hozuki Nozomi, still in Yotsuha's form, quickly outlined the situation.
Sayaka's face crumpled. "Wait, you convinced the mayor? Then I don't have to broadcast fake news? Wahhh, if I got caught, I'd be dead!"
Hozuki Nozomi reached up and patted her thigh—the highest point Yotsuha's arm could reach. "Don't panic. You're essential. Don't you want to be a hero and save the town? Opportunities like this don't come often!"
Sayaka sniffled, then straightened. Her friends were risking everything. She wouldn't be the one to back down.
...
The plan proceeded.
Teshigawara prepared the water gel bombs from his family's construction warehouse. At the designated time, he initiated the demolition.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the town, sending tremors through the ground. Nearby residents staggered, terror flashing across their faces.
Perfect timing. Hozuki Nozomi had chosen the afternoon deliberately—everyone was preparing for the evening festival. Boys and girls had changed into their finest kimonos, anticipating a night of celebration. None realized that without intervention, this would become their tomb.
Natori Sayaka slipped into the broadcast station, heart pounding. She activated the equipment, pulled out her prepared note, and spoke:
"Residents of Itomori Town, this is an emergency announcement. Seismic activity has been detected indicating an imminent natural disaster. For your safety, please evacuate immediately to Itomori High School from the following areas..."
The list of evacuation zones crackled through every speaker in town.
Confused residents hesitated, murmuring among themselves. A disaster? Today?
Then the mayor's voice joined the broadcast, confirming the order. Authoritative. Unmistakable.
The mayor had spoken. Residents grabbed their valuables and began moving toward the high school.
Time passed. Miyamizu Toshiki stood in the school plaza, maintaining order as crowds streamed in. Beside him, Mitsuha watched the sky anxiously, Hozuki Nozomi—still in Yotsuha's body—standing quietly at her side.
As dusk deepened, restlessness grew.
"There's no disaster," someone grumbled loudly. "What's this about?"
"Making such a fuss—has the mayor lost his mind? Tonight's the festival! We're supposed to watch the comet!"
"My date's ruined! We could have had such a romantic evening!"
The complaints multiplied. Toshiki's assistant broke into a cold sweat, tugging at his sleeve.
"Mayor, is this really okay? If nothing happens, your career—"
Toshiki glanced at the small figure beside his daughter. "I'll bear all consequences."
If the meteor didn't fall, he'd lose everything. But if it did—if his daughters were right—then nothing else mattered.
The sky darkened fully.
Then—
Light.
A streak of fire tore across the heavens, growing larger, brighter, more terrifying with each passing second.
Under everyone's horrified gaze, a meteor wreathed in raging flames plummeted earthward.
It struck.
The areas on the evacuation list—the ones just emptied—exploded into ruin. Fire. Debris. Oblivion.
Silence fell over the plaza. Then gasps. Then shouts.
Every eye turned to Miyamizu Toshiki.
The mayor stood frozen, outwardly calm but inwardly shaken. If he hadn't listened to his daughter...
...
Hozuki Nozomi, however, frowned and quietly slipped away from the crowd.
Miyamizu Mitsuha noticed immediately and chased after him. "Nozomi! Where are you going?"
He stopped, turning to face her. As he did, the world around them shifted—flickering lights, a sense of unreality, and suddenly they stood on a pure white platform, suspended between worlds.
Hozuki Nozomi smiled gently. "Mitsuha. This is goodbye."
Her eyes widened in alarm.
"You've already changed fate. The people are safe. But there's one last step—and it's my stage now."
Mitsuha stared at him, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. Before her stood not Yotsuha's small form, but the person from her dreams—tall, handsome, real.
She stepped forward and threw herself into his arms.
"We'll meet again, won't we? You'll be okay?"
"Absolutely." He stroked her hair one last time, then gently pushed her away.
In a flash of light, the Elven Holy Sword materialized in his hand. Divine Demon Dragon Armor coalesced around his body. Hozuki Nozomi leaped upward, transforming into a shooting star that pierced the heavens.
High above Itomori Town, a meteor streaked toward the high school—but this was no ordinary rock. Black energy writhed around it, and within the flames, a red-glowing head could be seen. A helmet. A familiar, malevolent presence.
"Hehehehe!" The Headless Horseman's head cackled. "Useless, boy! You can't stop me! I am immortal! Once I land, I'll gain the power to form a body!"
Hozuki Nozomi met it head-on, holy sword blazing. Their collision lit the sky. But the creature's power was immense—his magic drained rapidly. At this rate, he couldn't hold.
[Ding! Key point detected. Would you like to use the key spell?]
The system's prompt was a lifeline.
Hozuki Nozomi's lips curved. "Eris's chest is padded!"
The Headless Horseman paused mid-laugh. "What?"
Dazzling light erupted from Hozuki Nozomi's body—pure, holy, absolute.
"GAHHHH! Such holiness! I'm dying—I'M DYING!"
Bathed in radiant power, the Elven Holy Sword swept through the sky, cleaving the cursed head in two. Black energy dissolved like mist before dawn.
Below, the residents of Itomori Town saw only a meteor explode, then scatter. The impact pulverized the surrounding areas, but Itomori High School remained untouched—a perfect circle of safety in a sea of destruction.
Only Miyamizu Mitsuha saw the truth. Only she witnessed the figure falling, fading, disappearing.
Her tears flowed freely.
When Teshigawara Katsuhiko found her, she stood alone, staring at an empty sky.
"Mitsuha? What's wrong?"
She turned to him, her expression blank, confused. "Teshigawara... I can't remember his name."
The crisis was resolved. The gods' power faded.
But in Hozuki Nozomi's mind, a final notification chimed.
[Ding! Congratulations to the player for completing the mission: Inherit Miyamizu Shrine.]
[Reward obtained: Special skill entry—Power of Affinity!]