Chapter 47: Is that Nozomi Tojo From Long Live?

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"Nozomi Tojo!!!"

Haru stared dumbfounded at the purple-haired maiden before him. Her stunning beauty, her voluptuous figure that even the loose-fitting Miko attire couldn't conceal – she looked exactly like the famous 2D idol, Nozomi Tojo, from his previous life. 

Haru screamed internally: Holy crap, I actually met the real-life leader of the Love Live cult! 

"Oh? Do you know her?" Haru's obvious recognition of the Miko set off alarm bells in Sora's mind. She clung to his arm, her eyes fixed intently on Toujou Miki, silently asserting her claim. 

"Oh, no, she just looks a lot like a friend of mine named Nozomi Tojo." With his arm caught by Sora, Haru, who had known her since childhood, instantly understood her intentions. 

He had merely been startled by the Miko's appearance. Calming down, he realized something was amiss. He had never heard of the Love Live competition in this world.

But looking at that incredibly familiar face, Haru became uncertain. *I'll have my subordinates investigate the existence of Otonokizaka High School when I get back. I remember it's located in Chiyoda Ward.* The thought of the nine Muse members sent a thrill through the heart of the shameless Haru.

"Oh, really? Introduce her to me sometime! There's someone who looks like me?" Toujou Miki said with a smile, amused by the interaction between the siblings.

"First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Toujou Miki, the former High Priestess of this West Heaven Palace. And yes, my real name is Nozomi Tojo!"

Toujou Miki introduced herself gracefully, then pulled forward the trembling little Miko beside her.

"This is little Kiyo, a Hime Miko who takes care of me. Don't underestimate her. She's a full-fledged Hime Miko, just a little timid." Toujou Miki held the adorable little Miko like a beloved doll.

"I'm not timid…" Kiyo responded bravely, but when Haru's gaze fell on her, she buried her head in Toujou Miki's embrace, her small body trembling. Clearly, Haru had frightened her. 

Haru watched the little Miko, her expression clearly saying, "I've seen a ghost," his lips twitching. 

"Wow! So you're the 230-year-old Miko!" Sora looked at Toujou Miki in shock. Though Haru and Sayanomiya Kaoru had warned her, she was still astonished to see it with her own eyes. Toujou Miki looked like a youthful maiden in her prime, yet she had lived for two centuries. 

Sora gazed at Toujou Miki longingly, coveting the secret to her everlasting youth. 

Toujou Miki glared at Sora. No woman liked to be reminded of her age. 

After Toujou Miki turned twenty and became the High Priestess, the nominal highest authority figure at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, discussing her age became taboo. Sora had committed a grave offense by bringing it up in front of her. 

Looking at Sora clinging to Haru's arm, a playful glint flashed in Toujou Miki's eyes. She quickly composed herself and turned to Haru with a charming smile. "So, my lord, your purpose in coming here is, as expected, for the Monkey God, right? Please follow me…" 

Before she could finish, Toujou Miki covered her mouth with both hands, feigning a slip of the tongue, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Haru was speechless. He looked at Toujou Miki, baffled. We have no quarrel, why are you doing this?

As if struck by lightning, Sora raised her head, her expression blank, her gaze fixed on Haru's face. "Looks a lot like a friend? Which friend? I think I've met all of Haru's friends. For the past sixteen years, all of them…"

Seeing Sora's darkening expression, Haru knew he was in trouble. He glared at Toujou Miki, who was stifling a laugh, and felt Sora's grip tighten on his arm. Can I choose how I die?

Toujou Miki clapped her hands. "Alright, it was just a joke. Kiyo and Kaoru, please excuse yourselves. Your Majesty and Your Highness, please come with me. 

And Your Majesty, your flirting skills need some work. Even for me, that line is old-fashioned!" 

Toujou Miki teased playfully, then pushed open the door and entered the inner hall. 

Sayanomiya Kaoru watched the unfolding drama with a twitching lip, then took Kiyo's hand and left. 

Haru looked at Sora awkwardly, but all he received was a glare.

"You womanizer!" Sora muttered, shaking off Haru's arm and entering the shrine.

Haru quickly followed.

Inside the inner hall was a very ancient-looking shrine, neither grand nor ornate. It resembled a humble, rustic shrine one might find by the roadside in the countryside. 

Low trees grew around it, bearing unripe fruit. A closer look revealed them to be peach trees, the fruit of which – peaches – were a monkey's favorite food. 

Shimenawa (sacred ropes) encircled the shrine and the peach trees. The ropes radiated a strong magical energy, a physical manifestation of a barrier.

Toujou Miki stepped within the shimenawa, placing her hand on one of the knots. Her rosy cheeks instantly turned pale as she channeled her magical energy, activating her Calamity Power. 

The magical energy within the shimenawa temporarily dissipated. After taking a deep breath to compose herself, Toujou Miki's face regained its color. She turned around and said, "Please follow me."

A pitch-black cave suddenly appeared before them. Toujou Miki stepped inside first. Haru took Sora's hand and followed her into the cave. The shrine fell silent once more. 

The cave was pitch black. The floor felt like concrete, easy to walk on, but there was almost no light. After walking for several minutes, a glimmer of light appeared – a square-shaped opening. Light streamed through from the other side.

They stepped through the square opening. Before them was a dilapidated hut, seemingly abandoned, built in the style of a stable. The sun shone brightly outside, and the air was pleasantly cool.

In the distance, they could see a magnificent structure. A massive house, no, a castle, or perhaps even a palace. It resembled the Forbidden City, a Japanese-style palace. This must be the stables within the palace.

In a corner of the stable, lying on a pile of hay, was a monkey.

Its fur was a brilliant, almost orange-gold color. It was about 80 centimeters long, with a pointed snout and mischievous eyes. Haru recognized it instantly. 

The Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong! 

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