Shrine of The Goddess (5)

"Time to move," Yasushi said, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Yinhaie and Xinyi should be back any minute now." They had taken a short break, with just ten minutes remaining before the expected return of the two.

He looked up at the night sky. The blizzard had lessened to a light snowfall, and the temperature had eased from the frigid cold of earlier. The once fierce storm had calmed, leaving only gentle flakes drifting down.

The two butlers and Jingliu, in agreement, stood and began to leave the shrine's grounds. As they walked along the path, they observed that the snow, which had once completely blocked their way, had mostly melted. The entrance, previously obstructed, was now only partially impeded by fallen trees. These natural barriers could be easily navigated around, allowing them to return safely to the main road.

"We won't need these any longer, but you two certainly do," Yasushi said, pulling several packets of warm liquid from inside his coat. He handed them to the two men, who clutched the packets with a desperation that suggested they were a lifeline.

Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged amused glances as they watched. Yasushi then offered one of the men his scarf and the other his coat. The men tried to refuse, but Yasushi waved off their protests. "I'm used to this kind of cold," he assured them. "I'm perfectly fine." He still had some of the warm packets tucked inside his clothing, so he wasn't feeling the chill as much.

After a short wait, Yinhaie arrived in her car. Everyone climbed in, Yasushi taking a seat in the back with the two butlers. Jingliu and Xinyi occupied the front, Jingliu's expression clearly showing her displeasure with the seating arrangement.

"So, you two went through the same ordeal we did, right?" Yasushi inquired as the car continued its journey toward the final shrine.

"Yes," Yinhaie responded. "But our path wasn't obstructed by fallen trees and deep snow. It was a straightforward walk to the shrine. Once we arrived, everything appeared normal. However, after receiving your message, I decided to inspect the shrine's interior. That's where I discovered what was causing the disturbance. It seems our actions have helped reduce the snow and blizzard affecting the entire country."

One of the butlers spoke up, "I've been following the news in Japan, and it seems that many people are just as puzzled by the sudden change. They had anticipated the blizzard would persist for weeks, yet it has significantly lessened overnight."

The other butler nodded in agreement. "I have relatives in Okinawa who've reported similar changes. The waters and beaches there had frozen over, but now they're starting to thaw. This shift has brought a sense of relief to many of them."

For the remainder of their hour-long drive, the conversation continued to revolve around the strange phenomenon they were witnessing. They discussed the peculiar changes in weather and the impact it was having across various regions. Five minutes before reaching the final shrine, Yasushi's phone buzzed with a new message from Furuya.

"Hey, some teachers are going to be waking up soon. You'd better hurry, or you'll get caught. If you can't make it back in time, come up with a really convincing but utterly absurd excuse."

Yasushi glanced at the message and quickly typed a response. "Got it. I'll come up with something. Thanks for the warning."

+-+

"Then I'll make this quick," Yasushi said as he stepped out of the car, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.

Upon reaching the final shrine, Yasushi observed an odd change in the group. Yinhaie and Xinyi, who had been lively and full of energy, now appeared unusually drowsy. The fatigue was evident in their sluggish movements and heavy eyelids. Yasushi attributed their weariness to the long night they had endured, but he himself felt unusually alert, a state he was accustomed to and found unremarkable.

He decided to proceed alone, as Jingliu had opted to stay behind and keep watch over the others, a decision Yasushi had readily agreed to. The path ahead was mostly clear, though small patches of snow remained, creating a light covering that would not hinder his progress significantly.

As he made his way along the stony path, he noticed an unsettling sensation, an inexplicable feeling that tugged at his senses. Before he could fully grasp or analyze this strange occurrence, everything around him was abruptly enveloped in a blinding white haze.

+-+

"What the…" Yasushi muttered as he opened his eyes and looked around.

It seemed he had been transported to an entirely different place. All around him stretched a harsh landscape of jagged ice mountains, snow swirling in a blizzard. The scene was monotonous and unchanging in every direction, except for one distinct feature that stood out in the distance.

Before him lay a snow-covered path, interspersed with sharp, uneven chunks of ice protruding from the ground. Farther ahead, he could make out the faint outline of what appeared to be a bridge, its structure partially obscured by the storm. Yasushi was bewildered by the sudden change in his environment but knew he had little choice but to proceed.

As he began to walk forward, he noticed an unusual aspect of his situation: despite the harsh, wintry setting that seemed to suggest sub-zero temperatures, he didn't feel as cold as he should have. The chill that would normally penetrate through layers of clothing and freeze one's breath in the air was surprisingly muted. It was as if the icy environment had no effect on him, leaving him feeling unusually warm and comfortable despite the surrounding cold.

The closer Yasushi approached the bridge, the more unsettling his surroundings became. He had an eerie sensation that he was being observed, as if a pair of unseen eyes were tracking his every move. Despite his efforts to locate the source of this feeling, he could not determine who, or what, might be watching him. Frustrated, he decided to disregard the sensation and move forward.

When he finally reached the bridge, Yasushi took a moment to study it carefully. He gazed at the structure and then looked beneath it, discovering a sheer drop into an abyss so deep it was swallowed by darkness. The sight made his throat tighten, and he hesitated at the edge, contemplating whether to step onto the bridge.

A thought crossed his mind: if this was indeed a trial set by the goddess, then it was likely another test of his resolve. With that in mind, he decided to step onto the bridge without further hesitation. In a previous life, before his rebirth, he might have approached such a challenge with reckless abandon. But now, after living a new life and finding a renewed purpose, he was determined to face this challenge with caution and avoid jeopardizing his life.

"Can't stay here forever," Yasushi muttered to himself as he took his first tentative step onto the swaying bridge. He reached out to grab the rope that lined the bridge's edge, using it to steady himself as he began his crossing.

With each step, the bridge shifted beneath his feet, swaying precariously from side to side. Halfway across, the wind picked up dramatically, whipping around him with a ferocity that threatened to topple him into the abyss below. The bridge rocked violently, and he could hear the ropes creaking ominously, as if on the brink of snapping.

Yasushi braced himself, clinging tightly to the rope and pushing through the intense gusts. After enduring what felt like an eternity of this turbulent ordeal, the wind finally began to ease, and the bridge settled into a less violent motion. His heart raced, pounding heavily against his ribs as he resumed his cautious trek.

Another grueling three minutes passed before he reached the other side. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived. Standing at the end of the bridge, Yasushi was confronted with a daunting sight — a massive hill that rose steeply before him, the start of a long climb up the mountain.

He let out a deep sigh, his breath visible in the cold air. "This is one hell of a trial, Miss Goddess," he said aloud, his voice tinged with both exhaustion and incredulity. "It better be worth it. Otherwise, I might just be dreaming all of this because of the cold and still be napping in the car…"

+-+

Yasushi's climb felt never-ending. He had lost track of how long he had been scaling this steep incline, whether it was a hill or a mountain was of little consequence now. The number of steps and minutes had become irrelevant once he reached a hundred thousand. The terrain seemed unyielding, each step heavier than the last.

Despite his well-built physique and extensive experience, Yasushi was nearing his limit. Exhaustion had set in with a vengeance. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his legs trembled with every movement, and his vision grew increasingly blurred. The physical strain was overwhelming, and he was starting to doubt his ability to continue.

He found it astonishing that he had managed to persist for so long, but the end seemed nowhere in sight. His frustration was clear as sweat streamed down his face, mingling with the cold air and freezing into small droplets on his skin. "Damn it, how long is this going to take?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.

Gritting his teeth, Yasushi forced himself to look upward again. The mountain — or hill — appeared endless. Despite the effort he put in, it felt as though he wasn't making any significant progress after passing the halfway mark. Each step seemed to bring him no closer to the summit, amplifying his sense of futility and exhaustion.

Finally, Yasushi collapsed onto his knees. The sheer exhaustion overcame him, and he sank into the snow, his hands pressing against the icy surface as his face followed suit. His strength was utterly depleted, and the effort to continue had become too much.

Slowly, his eyes started to close despite his efforts to stay awake. He fought against the encroaching darkness with every ounce of willpower he had left, but it was a losing battle. His body, pushed beyond its limits, refused to go any further.

"Damn it…" he muttered, his voice a weak whisper. The last thing he saw before his world went dark was the blizzard swirling around him, blending with his fading consciousness.

+-+

He had no idea how much time had passed, but the biting cold winds had vanished. Instead, he felt the softness of a fabric beneath him and faint, rhythmic humming in the distance. Yasushi's eyes fluttered open slowly. As his vision adjusted, he saw white fabric directly in front of him. His mind was foggy, struggling to piece together his situation, but he couldn't quite grasp what had happened.

With a sudden jolt, Yasushi lifted his head and took in the scene around him. To his astonishment, he had somehow reached the summit of the mountain. The view was breathtaking: an endless expanse of blue sky stretched above with no clouds in sight, and the sun shone brightly, illuminating a vast field of trees and grass below. The serene beauty of the scene contrasted sharply with his recent struggle.

"What the… when and how did I get up here?" he murmured, his voice filled with bewilderment.

He then heard a soft, gentle chuckle behind him. "You have passed, young one," a voice said. Yasushi, startled, stumbled back and turned to face the source of the voice.

His eyes went wide with astonishment at the sight of a woman standing there. She had long, flowing pale blue curls that cascaded down her back and gray eyes with a hint of blue. Her attire was a pristine snow-white kimono that seemed to blend seamlessly with the snowy landscape. She regarded him with a warm, inviting smile and continued, "How has your new life been?"

The question left Yasushi even more stunned. He stared at her, his mind racing to find the right words to respond. 'She knows about my reincarnation…? Wait… is she…' he thought, his eyes widening with a sudden realization. "Goddess… Hakufubuki?" he managed to ask, his voice filled with disbelief.

The woman's smile widened as she gave a nod. "Correct, Yasushi Futakao. I am indeed the goddess who played a role in the creation of the city you now call home. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person," she said, extending her hand and gently placing it on his cheek.

In that moment, Yasushi's mind was overwhelmed with countless thoughts. Questions tumbled through his head: "Why was I brought here?" "What is the purpose of my reincarnation?" "Why are your hands so cold?" Despite the swirl of confusion, Yasushi remained silent for a few seconds, grappling with the realization that this encounter was undeniable proof of the supernatural's existence.

Hakufubuki, noticing his stunned reaction, began to speak. "First, I must express my gratitude for the repairs and the upkeep you've done on my shrines throughout the city. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Because of this, I am willing to assist you with your investigation into the recent events." She paused briefly before continuing, "The vandals are not of significant importance. They are students from one of the schools in Ginsukimura, just four boys who defaced the shrines to seem 'cool.'"

Yasushi's expression shifted to one of incredulity. "All for that ridiculous reason?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. Hakufubuki nodded in confirmation, which only served to aggravate him further. "I can't believe it…ugh, how infuriating," he muttered, clearly irritated by the trivial motives behind such disruptive actions.

Hakufubuki's smile remained warm as she continued, "Do not worry. I have faith that you will handle this situation effectively. However, our time together is brief, so I need to share several important things with you. To start with, regarding your reincarnation: a god from another world chose to offer you a new opportunity at life. The exact reasons for this decision remain unclear to me, as they were not disclosed. Nevertheless, they entrusted your fate to me, which is why you were reborn in my city, under my watchful eye."

Yasushi was taken aback by this revelation, though on some level, he had anticipated a connection of this nature. What he hadn't expected was for a god from his previous life to place him under Hakufubuki's guardianship.

Hakufubuki continued, "Yes, I am indeed responsible for the weather here. This was part of a commitment I made with the city's first mayor. I have honored this promise for many years because… he simply wanted to create his own 'winter wonderland' in Japan. There were no other significant motivations behind it." Yasushi found himself chuckling at the trivial reason, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all.

Hakufubuki stood upright and gently took Yasushi's hand. In an instant, they began to levitate and glide above the sprawling fields beneath them, which took Yasushi by surprise and made him momentarily stiffen.

"This world you now inhabit is brimming with enigma and untapped wonders," she began, her voice steady and reassuring. "There are mysteries yet to be uncovered, some of which may remain beyond your time, but I want to share this knowledge with you now."

They drifted above the coast, taking in the vast, unspoiled beauty of the ocean stretching endlessly before them. Hakufubuki's gaze was contemplative as she spoke. "I am aware of the details of your previous life. I admire how you have continually evolved and improved as a person. However, it's essential for you to remember, Yasushi, that your past is an integral part of who you are. Do not shy away from it. Instead, embrace it, learn from it, and use it to foster your growth. Accept it, and find it within yourself to forgive the shortcomings of that past."

Hakufubuki glanced back at Yasushi, her gaze filled with warmth and affection. She then shifted her eyes past him, her expression growing more thoughtful. "Our time here is almost up," she said softly, "so I must be brief. This won't be our final encounter. There is a chance you might see me again wandering through your town. Occasionally, I take walks to observe it from different perspectives."

She offered him a reassuring smile before continuing, "But for now, it's time for you to return. I had my own reasons for testing you, reasons I won't go into, but I must tell you that you have passed with flying colors. Always remember, I will be watching over you, so remain true to the path you have chosen."

As she spoke, Hakufubuki began to dissolve into a gentle, shimmering blue light. Simultaneously, the world around Yasushi started to blur and fade. He had little time to react, his chance to speak or respond slipping away. In that fleeting moment, as the last of their conversation lingered in the air, Yasushi felt the gravity of their brief yet significant exchange.

Yasushi saw the deep affection in Hakufubuki's eyes, as if she were a mother watching over her child as they grew and matured. A surge of unfamiliar emotions welled up within him — emotions that were mostly positive, a mix of gratitude and awe. He wanted to express his thanks, to tell her how much this moment meant to him, but his voice had failed him. It was as if the words were trapped, unable to escape.

In his heart, he hoped she could sense his gratitude, that she understood how much her actions meant to him. And then, just as quickly as it began, his vision was once again overtaken by a brilliant, blinding light, consuming everything in its path.

+-+

Yasushi found himself standing before the final shrine he had set out to visit. His body was tense and fatigued, but there was a surprising warmth that he hadn't felt before. As he surveyed the area, he saw the first light of dawn breaking through, casting a gentle glow over the melting snow that had blanketed the ground.

He glanced up at the sky, his breath visible in the chilly morning air. A determined smile spread across his face as he spoke quietly to himself, "I'll make you proud, Hakufubuki. Just watch me." With a renewed sense of purpose, he turned away from the shrine and began making his way back to his friends. He needed to hurry if he wanted to avoid any trouble and get back to school in time.

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Alternate Title: Even if That Warmth is Small