Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Adam kept staring at Ayaka for a long time.

The rain was pouring hard, the cherry blossoms were swirling around, the wet clothes perfectly displayed her excellent curvature while dancing along with the swords.

Such a fantastic scene made Adam wonder whether he was in a dream.

Adam finally got back to his senses after Aayaka finished her performance. He was satisfied after looking at it.

Kamisato Ayaka felt warm after seeing the smile on Adam's face. So, she decided to stabilize her emotions. She would never give up unless she was utterly alone.

If she collapsed, what would happen to people around her?

But can she really hold on? It's difficult to control your emotions.

Ayaka raised her head and looked at the top of the mountain, which was not too far away. The heavy rain made the shrine seem quiet... unnervingly quiet.

"I've finished eating. Let's continue moving." Adam walked over and said.

"The closer you get to the top of the mountain, the smoother the road will be. So, let's get going." Ayaka pursed her lips and started walking up the mountain.

There were stone steps in front of them, spreading towards the top of the mountain. Street lights were placed on both sides of the steps, illuminating the way. But, some of the lights were blown out by the rainstorm.

Along the way, two of them caught sights of stone steps, torii gates, small shrines, and swirling cherry blossoms.

It would have been even more beautiful and romantic if not a rainy day.

On the last section of the road near the shrine, there are 12 torii gates connected together. Initially, some lanterns were placed under the gates, but most of them were blown away.

Seeing the scene, Adam couldn't help but look in Ayaka's direction.

At this point, Ayaka should know what kind of answer she will get at the Grand Narukami Shrine.

But Kamisato Ayaka was still walking firmly ahead without being timid like before. Did she strengthen her spirit? Or, the previous failure lowered her expectation?

Adam didn't know the answer, but he silently looked at Ayaka's back. He didn't pay much attention to her attractive body due to the rain because he faintly saw some traces of vulnerability in her. Is she feeling upset or desperate to find nobody here?

Finally, both of them came in front of the shrine.

The cherry tree shook violently in the torrential rain, and clusters of pink cherry blossoms fell on the ground.

The pond in front of the shrine was overflowing with water. Fortunately, this is the top of the mountain, so the overflowed water can flow down the mountains. Otherwise, most of the shrines will be submerged.

The vermilion shrine looks old and antique. It has all the furnishings it needs in such a place. It was messy due to the heavy rainstorms, with wet cherry blossoms scattered everywhere. The nearby lanterns were also blown away.

How could people live in such a mess?

Adam looked worriedly at Kamisato Ayaka, only to find her standing quietly in front of the shrine. Obviously, the sight in front of them stimulated her quiet a bit.

Immediately afterward, Ayaka's delicate body swayed, and she fell to the side.

Adam's expression changed when he saw this scene. So, he immediately rushed over to her and hugged her. "Miss Ayaka? Miss Ayaka!?"

Now, Ayaka knew that she was not as strong as she imagined. She is also vulnerable like an ordinary girl. But this vulnerability is entirely invisible in standard times. But now, when she faces such a supernatural incident and repeated failures, she finally couldn't support it.

She was tired physically and mentally.

Kamisato Ayaka heard Adam's anxious voice calling out her name in her groggy state.

It was embarrassing!

She was obviously trusted by many Inazuma citizens, even given the title 'Shirasagi Himegimi.' Still, she fell down first at this juncture.

Is she the only one sad? Is she the only one suffering?

No, she is not.

Obviously, Adam is also enduring this.

After quite some time, Kamisato Ayaka slowly opened her eyes and found herself in the corridor inside the shrine. The eaves blocked the rain, but the wind was still cold.

However, she was lying in a warm embrace. It was an unfamiliar experience for her, but the warmth made her reluctant to part away.

Is this... Adam's embrace?

Kamisato Ayaka's face was flushed red. She hurriedly supported herself to get up from Adam's arms.

After standing up, Ayaka lowered her head and said in embarrassment. "I'm fine now... I'm sorry about before, Adam."

Adam let out a sigh and said, "It's good that you're fine. You didn't know how worried I was when you suddenly fainted. I didn't expect a strong woman like you to fall down all of a sudden. It made my heart stop beating for a second."

Adam really wanted to say many things because that fall really took him by surprise.

When he hugged the delicate body of Kamisato Ayaka, he didn't even realize the ambiguous posture of the two. At that time, he was full of worry about her.

The girl's sorrow and fragility were fully displayed in front of his eyes, making him feel guilty for her suffering.

After hearing Adam's words, Ayaka further lowered her head. "I'm really sorry for worrying you, Adam."

Adam wanted to say something else, but after hearing the sincere apology of Ayaka, her could not say it anymore.

Adam sighed and said, "Miss Ayaka, please be strong. Don't give up like before. At least, I will always stay with you before finding someone else."

Kamisato Ayaka nodded in agreement.

She raised her head, looked at Adam, and then quickly lowered her head again. She felt that Adam was a lot more reliable and dependable person.

"By the way, when it comes to shrine, fortune slips are inevitable part of it, do you want to draw one?" Adam took a few steps forward and asked.

In the Grand Narukami Shrine, there is a place to draw fortune slips. On weekdays, usually, there should be a shrine maiden standing beside the shrine, helping people unravel their fortune slips. Obviously, there is no one here anymore. Only the lottery box is left.

Adam picked up the bamboo stick and shook it.

"What should I do next? If the shrine maidens were still present, how will they help me get a fortune slips?" Adam muttered to himself.

"Let me come and help. I know a little bit about this." Kamisato Ayaka came over to help.

A/N: Sorry for not uploading more chapters. I was busy with my life. xD