Chapter 2: The strangely ordinary friend

So there we were, staring at the white figure, trying to figure out why he appeared in front of us all of a sudden. Before I could ask, however, it started talking.

"Humans often dream of something so grand that they can only wish for it to happen in reality. But even with all their efforts, they can't do it alone. At least, not without the blessings of-"

At that moment, Mako and I walked out from the entrance, ignoring everything it was saying. We didn't see the point in explaining something we weren't interested in.

"Wait!" The figure pleaded, "At least let me finish!"

Out of pity, we stayed to listen. Besides, it wasn't like we had anything else to do. It stood firm once more and continued explaining: "Basically, everyone has something they desire. And if you ask blessings from the gods, they'll surely be delivered!"

We still couldn't understand what it was saying. Mako and I looked at each other, asking what the white figure was talking about.

"In short, I'm your shrine god!" it exclaimed, "Anything you desire, I will deliver!"

Then we gained an interest in his speech. But we still had a lot of questions. For one, what's a shrine god doing in a circus tent? Where was his shrine? Why does he look like a disfigured man who dyed his body white? Still, his offer was tempting. If I could have anything I desired right there and then, it would be... a box of Pocky.

"Yes, that's right! Think of your greatest pleasures!" the white figure said.

It was tempting, yes, but I didn't need a shrine god to help me get it. I could just buy one at a convenience store.

"It's fine. I'll just buy it."

That was my answer. But I wondered what Mako's desire was. He really didn't need anything else since he was already perfect in every way. He got me beat in every way possible, in looks, physique, charm, you name it.

"I'll just study for it." Mako responded.

Oh that's right. Despite looking like the perfect student, he's actually not the brightest. Guess I beat him at that.

"Are you guys really that simple minded?" he asked, "I can also take away your phobias, you know?"

Did I hear that right? He could take away our phobias? That was something that struck us more than anything he said so far.

The white figure turned to me and said, "Imagine it! Without your Parthenophobia, you'd have no trouble talking with girls."

Then he turned to Mako and said, "Without your Paraphobia, you'd have no trouble getting a girlfriend."

He had a valid point. If it weren't for my fear, I'd have normal relationships with girls. No girl would think that I was a weirdo anymore. As for Mako... Well...

"No fair!"

"Huh?" The white figure reacted.

"Mako's already good looking and sociable! Even without his fear, he'd still be popular and everybody would still like him!"

"But... We got our phobias the same way..." Mako explained.

"It doesn't matter! No matter what you do, people will still like you! And if you lost it just like that-"

"Oh, I can't just take away your phobias." The white figure reiterated, "At least not for free."

"What does that mean?" Mako asked.

The white figure walked around the stage and explained, "You know how in video games, you have to improve your equipment if you want to progress in the story, and it's so expensive that you'd rather proceed without getting that new equipment but end up dying in the end?"

"Yes." we both answered.

"Well, there's a much better way of getting new equipment without digging for money." he continued, "Just trade your equipment! That way, both parties get what they want without risking anything."

Of course we knew that situation. We played lots of RPGs when we were kids, and we were still playing them. But how come a deity knew something about video games? More importantly, how did telling us that help us in curing our phobias?

"Well, think of blessings as equipment. In order to gain blessings, you must offer something of equal value as the blessing."

At that point, we stopped caring. We simply left through the portal, ignoring the white figure. Besides, we weren't sure if he was telling the truth. Anyway, we left the white figure alone, disappointed.

"...That was a waste of time..."

"I know..." Mako replied.

Then all of a sudden, a huge rock fell down in front of us. Where the heck did it come from?!

"W-what...!"

"T-that could've killed us!" Mako reacted.

"Well, technically, that would only kill you because they can't kill the main character."

"Hey! Don't mix this up with your delusions!", he replied, "Besides, why are you the main character?!"

"Because I'm the one at the cover."

"But I'm there too..."

Then as we entered the main building, we saw students wearing rally gears waiting for us. And so we ran away from them as fast as we could. But they were so persistent that they chased us all over the school.

"W-why are they chasing us?!"

"Probably because they think you're a yokai!" Mako answered.

"Well, I'm not! So stop chasing after us already!"

While running, we saw the stairs. We decided to hide there for a while until the mob had passed by.

"What is wrong with this school...?"

"What did I do to deserve this...?"

Mako checked to see if the coast was clear, "...I think they're gone."

Thank goodness they were gone. Before I could relax, however, I looked to my right and saw high school girls ogling at Mako's back. I quickly pulled on his shirt to get his attention.

"What's wro-" he turned around and saw his fans stalking him. Then they too started chasing us.

"Who are those girls?!"

"They're my fans!"

"Friggin' harem king!"

Hearing the commotion, the mob followed the noise and spotted us. Again, they chased after us.

"Hey! Get back here!" The mob shouted.

"We just want a strand of your hair!" The fangirls exclaimed.

Our situation got even worse. Just how did things end up like that? Then, while running (for our lives), we saw an open classroom. we decided to hide there for a while. But when Mako went ahead to enter, he saw... two students "getting it on" on top of a table. He quickly closed the door and stood at the corner.

Meanwhile, the mob and fangirls lost us on the previous curve, so we were finally safe. But when I saw Mako all alone at the corner, I asked what was wrong.

"...I'm never... gonna do that... never... never..." he mumbled.

"...Are you okay?"

We stayed at the neighboring classroom until five, waiting for the mob and fangirls to go home. I spent the whole time looking at the sunset, reflecting on human existence.

"What is life? Why do we exist?"

I stared intently at the sunset, leaning my head at my arms, "Perhaps we were all made to die..."

"Um... Hakura?"

"No, I think life is more precious than that."

"I see..."

Closing my eyes, I came up with a conclusion, "Harem kings must die."

"How did you come up with that?" Mako asked, confused.

I ignored Mako and continued staring into the sunset. We had been friends for as long as I could remember. But for some reason, we were total opposites. He spent his kindergarten days playing football with his other friends. Meanwhile, I spent it playing alone. As time passed, he became the most popular guy in school, and I was the most hated. He was cool and good looking, and I was scary and plain-looking. I hated how much he stood out, how he got all the attention. Soon enough he's gonna leave me all alone. all alone... I don't want that...

Then as I was having my moment, I blacked out. The next thing I knew, the sun had set. Mako was raising a talisman with the words "power" on it. He always did that whenever I blacked out, saying that my "miasama" leaked out.

All of a sudden, he left the classroom.

"W-where are you going?!"

I tried chasing after him, but he suddenly disappeared. 'Where could he had gone?', I wondered. Knowing him, he'd probably run back home, or...

Then I realized: He was the type of person to take the blame on everything. Despite being a harem king, he was still a considerate person. Looking back at my sudden outburst a while ago, I think I knew where he went.

I hurried on to the white figure's tent and saw Mako talking to the deity, "I'm sure!"

Then I barged in like a boss and exclaimed, "STOP!"

All their attention was on me. They were shocked. It seemed like I entered just at the nick of time. They both anticipated what I was about to say next. However...

"...I forgot what to say..."

"Seriously?!" they both exclaimed.

After a while, I remembered my speech.

"I won't allow you to trade with him! Yes, I'm jealous that you get all the attention. But you're still my best friend, and I'm older so that makes me your senior!"

"What's going on?" the white figure asked.

"So if there's a need for a sacrifice... Then take me!"

Confidently, I stood my ground and stared at the deity seriously. Then Mako approached me and said, "I was about to sacrifice for you!"

"No, I'll sacrifice for you!"

"Then we held hands and said, "Let's sacrifice together!"

"Huh? Is this some kind of BL (boys love)?" the white figure reacted.

We calmed down and faced the deity together.

"When I said trade, I didn't mean your life." he said, "What I want right now is a giant rock."

That was it? Well, it wasn't really a challenge, but oh well. Then I remembered the rock that almost squashed us before. Maybe that was the rock he was referring to. So we left the tent for a little while and carried it back in. For some reason, it was very light. I wonder where it came from?

"GOOMUUUU!!!" the deity exclaimed in excitement as he jumped in and hugged the rock.

"What's he doing?" Mako asked.

"I don't know..."

Then he stood back up and said, "As promised, I'll give you my blessing."

He stretched his arms and bright lights suddenly appeared from his palms. Suddenly, I felt lighter and I could feel his blessings flow into me. It felt like my miasama had been purified. Wait, did Mako ask for my purification? I thought he asked him to dispel his phobia. He really cared... too much, if I may add.

After the blessing, the white figure advised me a lot of things: "Your miasama is still pretty dangerous, so I recommend you come by everyday. For now, my blessings prevented the students from thinking you're a yokai."

I bowed my head and thanked him. Then Mako and I left the tent together. We looked back at the storage room, thinking of what the white figure was doing at that moment. Oh well, at least I knew that there was a chance for us to remove our phobias, and with an actual deity too. As strange as the day went, it was very exciting for me because it was something different. And I could only imagine what strange things would happen the next day, in this world where strange things are normal...