I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 751 Love and Hate

"I apologize for the lack of hospitality at the shrine, as it is simple and inadequate."

In the cherry blossom grove behind the small shrine, two masked children came carrying tea sets, and the high school girl apologetically placed the tea in front of Fiona.

As for why guests aren't received in the main shrine? The 'main shrine' is the dwelling place of the gods, and anyone other than those associated with the gods is considered to be committing blasphemy. Besides the main shrine, there are no other buildings in this small shrine.

"It is I who need your help, and I apologize for disturbing you."

The lady, adapting to local customs, sat on the grass and took a sip of the tea.

“Good tea!”

Its delicate fragrance is refreshing and invigorating; it truly lives up to its reputation as a 'divine' item.

My gaze swept across the surrounding cherry blossom grove. On each cherry blossom tree, there was a piece of white paper with two black characters written in calligraphy: 'Blooming'.

"This is?"

"Oh, this is the 'divine magic' I'm practicing."

Nanami Momozono, a high school girl who calls herself an "apprentice goddess of marriage," explains.
"I have only recently become a 'god' and I must constantly practice divine arts in order to fulfill the responsibilities of this shrine."

?

The young girl clenched her fist with passion, brimming with energy;
But in Fiona's eyes, it seemed completely unreliable.

"May I ask, since you are an 'Apprentice God of Marriage,' who was the former owner of this shrine?"

Judging from the appearance of this shrine, it doesn't seem to have existed for just a day or two; besides, the Japanese high school girl in front of me just said that she had only recently become a 'god'.

If we can contact the old-timer "God of Marriage" (or "Kanjani God"), we'll have a better chance of dealing with the curse on her.

"No, that won't work,"

Speaking of this, former high school student Nanami Momozono, now an apprentice Yorimitsu, waved her hand with a headache.

"Lord Mikage has been away from home for twenty years, and Tomoe hates him to death."

"Ah, Tomoe is my 'guiding light,' and Lord Mikage is the former master of this shrine: the Goddess of Marriage."

After a lengthy explanation from the talkative Nanami Momozono, Fiona finally understood everything.

In short, the high school girl named 'Momozono Nanami's' background is the standard 'early-dead mother, gambling father', thankfully she doesn't have a 'brother in school', otherwise she would have all the elements of 'her broken life'.

However, unlike the self-pitying yandere, Momozono Nanami has been self-reliant since childhood and has a very strong and cheerful personality.

But he couldn't resist his unscrupulous father's horse racing betting, and in the end, he lost even his own house.
"Horse racing?"

Fiona was taken aback when she heard the word.

In this extraordinary era, how can there still be such an 'ancient' pastime?

"Sigh, there are always people who dream of getting rich overnight, and my dad is one of them: that's why he started betting on 'Female Horse Races'."

Nanami Momozono's story is full of tears.
The so-called 'Horse Racing Girls' is a new sport, or rather a form of gambling, in the island nation.

Betting on horse races is legal in island nations. Legal gambling activities in these countries include horse racing, cycling skating, speedboat racing, and lotteries. Horse racing is the most popular, with many well-known races held at Tokyo Racecourse, such as the Island Cup and the Island Derby.

Horse racing characters have become a standard feature in various TV shows, movies, and anime.
For example, if Kogoro Mouri hadn't been betting on horse races every day, he would have become a millionaire long ago by relying on the crime-solving rate provided by "Death God Elementary School Student" (a character from a popular TV show).

Now that we live in the extraordinary era, horse racing must also keep up with the times. As a result, a group of young extraordinary girls have taken on the role of 'horse race girls'. Not all extraordinary individuals enjoy fighting, and the combination of elements such as 'gambling,' 'speed,' and 'girls' is even more eye-catching, making the organizers very wealthy.

As for those who went bankrupt because of this—they are just fools eliminated by society. The weak have no right to survive in Tokyo!
"After being kicked out of my home, I was wandering in the park when I rescued Lord 'Mikage' who was being chased by stray dogs. He gave me his 'home'—"

At this point, Nanami Momozono couldn't help but facepalm. She never expected that Mikage's home was a shrine; and she had become an apprentice matchmaker god in such a muddled way.

They listen to the wishes of those who come to worship and help lovers find their way to each other; while managing the shrine, they also attend classes.
Don't ask why 'god' has to attend classes; this is a unique feature of island nations.

Even if the sky falls, you still have to go to school!
Just like that esteemed 'principal',
It was the same back then.

what? !

Fiona was completely numb.
The high school girl in front of me spoke with a tone of 'what a hassle,' but the whole story can be summarized as follows:

"You only helped chase away the stray dogs, and that's all."

He became a god?
this--

Now it was Fiona's turn to raise her hand to her forehead, unable to accept it.

Compared to the girl in front of them, what are they, these veterans who fought to the death in the 'Nightmare Space' to exchange for abilities?
No, no, no!

Taking the opportunity to rub her forehead, Fiona's eyes suddenly turned blood red, and her pupils became a horizontal line.

The spiritual power emanating from this girl is pure and immense, far beyond what an ordinary person could gain power out of thin air; she is likely quite extraordinary as well.

"Lord of Destiny"

"Miss Fiona, just call me Nanami."

The energetic girl placed her hands on her chest. Not long ago, she was just a homeless high school girl. The term 'Your Excellency' felt so strange.

"Okay, Nana will give birth to a little sister."

Fiona readily accepted the suggestion; after all, she was a legendary expert.
In the mythology of the island nation, she could already be called a 'god'. It wouldn't be considered presumptuous for her to treat this newly appointed god of marriage as an equal.

"What can I do about my situation?"

"Cursed by Cupid's lead arrow,"

When it comes to serious matters, Nanami Momozono becomes earnest.

"I can try to dispel it with talismans, but given my current strength, the chances of success are very low."

After apologizing, the girl took out a brush and talisman paper and began to draw talismans on the spot: actually, she was just writing words on the talisman paper.

In theory, a 'god' can do anything by expending divine power. But this is only in theory: as a talisman inscribed with 'Expel the Curse' was affixed to Fiona...
"No response at all?"

The high school girl was at a loss; after all, she was just a 'trainee' Goddess of Love. So:
"Let's wait for Tomoe to come back from grocery shopping and see if he has any good ideas."

"The Tomoe you're talking about, is it—?"

Fiona raised her head slightly.
"A tall man with short silver hair, fox ears, and wearing an antique kimono, holding a folding fan?"

"Yes, that's him, the 'beacon' of this shrine."

Nanami Momozono sighed.
"He's an arrogant, cunning, and sharp-tongued guy; but rest assured, he's capable."

"Hey,"

shock--!
Startled by the voice behind her, the high school girl named 'Momozono Nanami' stiffly turned around and saw a tall man with short silver hair, fox ears, and a folding fan standing behind her.

"Tomoe?"

"when did you come?"

To the high school girl's surprise, the newcomer covered the lower half of his face with a folding fan.

"Before you said 'tsundere, scheming, and sharp-tongued'."

"Heh, the guy who hides in the red-light district drinking and doesn't want to go home, I wasn't wrong."

"Oh? That stupid woman who ran off to Monster Street has the right to talk to me like that?"

Seeing the two 'master and servant'—no, the god and the demon—start arguing, Fiona glanced down at the tea in her hand.

Suddenly I feel so sore.

I'm not here to watch you two show off your love, I'm here to find out how to break the curse!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Setagaya Ward,

This is an area where the island nation's 'old aristocracy' gathers.

Just as a seasoned individual, who had been busy pursuing his 'love' only to be force-fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), was speechless, a black luxury car pulled up in front of the Tokugawa family mansion.

"Welcome home, Miss Jing, Miss 10087."

The men in black suits respectfully opened the car door, and the maids bowed as Tokugawa Shizuka and Busujima 10087 stepped out of the black sedan.

Is Touma home?

As soon as Tokugawa Shizuka got out of the car, he asked the question.

Although he repeatedly emphasized that his name was "Kamijou Touma", everyone assumed that he was "Kamijou Touma", the quality inspector of the masters of this era: those who died with a touch from him were obviously small fry, those who could dodge and deal with him were demon-level masters, and those who could resist and confront him were dragon-level powerhouses.

If such a strong person insists on living in the student dormitory, who would dare to stay in that building?
The aftershocks of a battle between the strong are enough to send everyone else to sleep!
Thus, Touma Kamijou reluctantly moved into the Tokugawa household; along with Tokugawa Shizuka, the ninja 'Hikari,' and over seven thousand clones of his sister, they were dubbed the 'Kamijou Force' on the dark web—a powerful supernatural force capable of destroying cities and countries. "In the training room, Miss."

A maid bowed in response, which pleased Tokugawa Shizuka.

"I'm coming right now—"

As the saying goes, "a day apart feels like three autumns," and the time for the "exchange meeting" in the dark demiplane can be measured in months. Tokugawa Shizuka was already eager to return home.

"Number 10087, can you go and rest by yourself?"

"OK,"

In the calm reply from Poison Island 10087, Tokugawa Shizuka had already flown away, eager to see her beloved.

This made the Dokjima clone sister, who remained in place, slightly raise her eyelids; in fact, she also had an urge to go and see Kamijou Touma.

No, that won't work.
What Touma wants to see right now is stillness.

'Heh~~'

A soft laugh echoed in Poison Island 10087's mind.

War is fought with guns and swords, and with gold; love is fought with vows, and with tears.

?

Before Poison Island 10087 could recover, the eerie voice continued to sigh like a poet:
Waiting will not bring any victory; in love and war, the first strike is always the right thing to do.

? !
"Miss 10087, Miss 10087?"

The maid's voice made Poison Island 10087's eyes twitch.

"Miss, are you okay?"

"I'm fine,"

Poison Island 10087 answered calmly, then stepped inside.

Thanks to their more than seven thousand clones, all of whom had this blank and lifeless appearance, the servants didn't find anything strange about it.

'You want to go to your sister 'Hikari's' side?'

The voice in my mind continued to ring out, carrying a hint of inexplicable mockery.

'Poor little ones, in front of that older sister, you are all just helpless puppets.'

With just a thought, the ninja 'light' could descend upon any Tokishima clone; in a sense, what the voice said was not wrong.

"Please stop talking in my head,"

As Poison Island 10087 walked toward the room of 'light', he seemed to be 'talking to himself'.

"Dreadlord: Mr. Diablo".

As a clone, Poison Island 10087 is just dull, not stupid.

The voice in her mind could only be one thing: it was the demon god from the 'Dark Demiplane'.

The Metropolitan Police Department's testing personnel are a bunch of idiots; how could they not notice such a massive demon?

Poison Island 10087 was somewhat angry, and even frowned.

"Miss Hikari?"

"Ah, it's Miss 10087, I'm so sorry!"

A maid approached and instinctively called out the name 'Hikari,' before realizing her mistake from the name tag hanging on the maid's chest.

"Well, it's me."

He gave a curt reply.
Poison Island 10087 brushed past this maid.

?

"I actually made a mistake? And..."

Even after Busujima 10087 had gone far away, the Tokugawa family's maid was still standing there in surprise.

The reason she admitted her mistake was because of the displeased expression on Tokushima 10087's face just now: Don't these clone 'sisters' always have the same face?
Don't worry, I won't hurt you.

The voice continued to echo in the mind of Busu Island 10087, who was walking briskly.

'This city is under the 'domain' of some god; I merely allowed a wisp of my will to reside within you.'

I dare not, and cannot, harm anyone here;
Otherwise, it would be a provocation against that 'God of Abundance'!

However, Poison Island 10087 remained silent and focused solely on his journey, soon arriving at 'Light's' residence.

哗、

Open the wooden door,

The ninja girl 'Hikari', who was sitting and drinking tea, turned her head.

"10087?"

With 'Light's' strength, he doesn't need any name tag; he can naturally tell which 'sister' is in front of him.

"What's matter?"

Standing at the door, Poison Island 10087 remained silent for a few seconds, then calmly shook his head amidst the ninja 'Hikari's' puzzled expression.

"No,"

"Would you like to have a cup of tea together?"

Faced with her sister 'Hikari's' invitation, Poison Island 10087 shook her head again.

"Thank you, no need."

As he spoke, he pulled the door shut, leaving the bewildered 'light' in the room.

Why am I hesitating?

Leaving the room of 'light', Poison Island 10087 walked back and forth restlessly in a courtyard, his brows furrowing more and more.

For some reason, she didn't tell her sister the truth just now—

Because you are now a "person".

in my mind,
Diablo's voice rang out.

Everyone has secrets.

'They have their own judgment and their own desires!'

A thirst?

Just as the bewildered 'Poison Island 10087' was chewing on the word, a soft chuckle sounded in his mind again.

Of course, for example, strength, for example, freedom, for example...

Kamijou Touma!

The image of the boy with the urchin-head hairstyle and his cheerful smile flashed through Poison Island 10087's mind.

This made her instinctively grab the front of her clothes!

Clones, interesting.

Diablo, who had secretly implanted a wisp of his will into 'Poison Island 10087', watched all of this with a leisurely air.

Don't assume that demons are mindless brutes. On the contrary, precisely because they represent all kinds of 'malice,' demons are more adept at understanding human nature: the many humans, and even angels, who have been corrupted and fallen by them are proof of this.

'I can help you,'

As with all descriptions of 'demon',

Diablo's seductive voice echoed in Poison Island 10087's mind.

'It will give you the power to control your own destiny, and let you capture the heart of the man you love!'

Diablo: A love expert.

(End of this chapter)