Setting:
Shimotsuki City, Nekomata Mountain’s Shimotsuki Nekomata Shrine
Characters:
- Gondawara Gonsou: A man who lives near the shrine and visits it every month without fail. He is in his late 30s and has a somewhat absent-minded nature.
- Nekomiya Neko: An apprentice miko at Shimotsuki Nekomata Shrine. She is 18 years old, cheerful, energetic, and a bit clumsy. She loves cats.
- Nekomata Matatabi: An old cat living at Shimotsuki Nekomata Shrine, believed to be a divine messenger. It seems to understand human speech.
Chapter 3: Summer Festival and a Hint of Romance!?
Preparing for the Summer Festival
The calendar turned, and summer arrived.
Preparations for the annual summer festival at Shimotsuki Nekomata Shrine were in full swing.
Lanterns were being hung around the precincts, and the construction of the festival tower (yagura) had begun.
Neko was busily running around, making preparations for the festival.
“Mr. Gondawara! Excuse me! Could you hang those lanterns a bit higher?”
“Sure thing!”
Gonsou was also roped into helping with the festival.
Usually laid-back, he was quite enthusiastic this time around.
“It’s getting lively, isn’t it?” he said, looking around the precincts.
“Yes, thanks to you. It seems more people will come this year compared to previous years,” Neko replied happily.
The Day Before the Festival
The day before the festival, Neko and Gonsou were making the final preparations.
Stalls were set up around the yagura, adding to the festive atmosphere.
“Phew, it’s almost done,” Gonsou said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Yes, thanks to you, Mr. Gondawara. You’ve been a great help,” Neko expressed her gratitude.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Let’s enjoy the festival tomorrow!”
“Yes! I’m really looking forward to it!”
Neko’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
The Day of the Festival
On the day of the festival, the shrine precincts were bustling with people from the morning.
Neko, dressed in miko attire, was busy attending to the visitors.
Gonsou, on the other hand, was going around the stalls, buying food.
“Festivals are all about yakisoba!” he said, nodding with satisfaction as he munched on the noodles.
Bon Odori (Bon Dance)
As evening fell, the festival reached its peak.
Bon Odori began at the yagura, with many people dancing in a circle.
Neko also changed into a yukata and joined the dance circle atop the yagura.
“Neko-chan, you look great!” Gonsou called out to her.
“Thank you!” Neko smiled shyly.
Break Time
When the dancing paused for a break, Neko came down from the yagura.
“Shall we take a break, Mr. Gondawara?”
“Yes, I’m getting thirsty. Let’s get something cold to drink.”
They walked towards the stalls.
There, they found a goldfish scooping stall.
“This brings back memories. I used to do this a lot,” Gonsou said, squinting his eyes.
“I used to do it a lot as a child too, but I could never scoop any,” Neko said a bit sadly.
“Alright, let me give it a try!”
Gonsou enthusiastically tried his hand at goldfish scooping.
However, the result was dismal.
The paper scoop tore immediately, and he couldn’t scoop a single fish.
“…I can’t do it… not a single one…”
Gonsou’s shoulders slumped.
“Don’t worry!” Neko laughed, encouraging him.
Fireworks and Changing Hearts
At that moment, fireworks were launched.
Large flowers bloomed in the night sky, and the precincts were filled with cheers.
“Wow! So beautiful!” Neko looked up at the sky, her eyes sparkling.
Gonsou also looked up at the fireworks but glanced at Neko beside him.
Her profile, illuminated by the fireworks’ light, was very beautiful.
(…Beautiful…)
Gonsou’s heart skipped a beat. He realized he was starting to see Neko as more than just a friend.
After the fireworks ended, they walked side by side in silence for a while.
“…Mr. Gondawara…”
Neko broke the silence.
“…What is it?” Gonsou responded nervously.
“Thank you for today. The festival was so much fun thanks to your help.”
Neko said shyly.
“Oh no, I had fun too. I’m really glad I could go to the festival with you, Neko-chan.”
Gonsou honestly expressed his feelings.
Neko looked a bit surprised but quickly smiled happily.
At that moment, a different air flowed between them.
It was a sweet and slightly exciting atmosphere.
New Feelings Emerging
After that, they went their separate ways home.
However, the events of the day left a deep impression on both of them.
Especially for Gonsou, he was bewildered by feelings he had never experienced before.
(…What is this feeling…?)
Gonsou whispered to himself as he looked up at the night sky.
Chapter 4: The Secret of Nekomata Mountain!?
Gonsou’s Confusion
After the summer festival, peaceful days returned to Shimotsuki Nekomata Shrine.
However, something had changed inside Gondawara Gonsou.
Since the night of the festival, he couldn’t interact with Neko as casually as before.
He continued to visit the shrine every month, but he was restless and couldn’t settle down.
Their conversations became awkward, and he spent more time playing with Matatabi than talking to Neko.
On the other hand, Neko noticed the change in Gonsou but couldn’t understand why, and she was puzzled.
She worried about Gonsou’s distant behavior since the festival but didn’t know how to approach him.
Discovery of Ancient Documents
One day, Neko found an old book in the shrine’s ancient document library.
Titled “Nekomata Mountain Tales,” the book contained various legends about Nekomata Mountain.
Among them, she found a passage that mentioned, “Deep within Nekomata Mountain, there is a place imbued with sacred power since ancient times.”
The exact location and details were vaguely described.
“Deep within Nekomata Mountain…?”
Neko read the book with great interest.
Reunion with Gonsou and the Invitation to Nekomata Mountain
That afternoon, Gonsou visited the shrine as usual.
Neko gathered her courage and spoke to him.
“Mr. Gondawara, can I talk to you for a moment?”
“…What is it, Neko-chan?”
Gonsou answered awkwardly.
“Actually, I found this in the ancient document library.”
Neko showed him the book, “Nekomata Mountain Tales.”
“Well, well… this is…”
Gonsou showed interest and began reading the book.
“…Deep within Nekomata Mountain, there is a place imbued with sacred power since ancient times… huh…”
Gonsou muttered.
“If such a place really exists, wouldn’t you like to see it?” Neko said with hopeful eyes.
“…Yes, that sounds interesting…”
After a moment’s thought, Gonsou agreed.
Though still hesitant about being alone with Neko, his curiosity won out.
Adventure into Nekomata Mountain
The next day, Neko and Gonsou ventured deep into Nekomata Mountain.
For some reason, Matatabi followed them.
The mountain path was steep, and they progressed while catching their breath.
They almost got lost or fell from cliffs a few times, but eventually, they reached their destination safely.
It was a small clearing surrounded by trees. In the center stood an old, moss-covered stone monument.
“Is this… the legendary place…?” Neko said, looking around.
“It seems so,” Gonsou replied, approaching the monument and trying to read the carved letters, but they were too old to decipher.
Sacred Place
At that moment, Matatabi began wandering around the monument.
He found a small hole behind the monument and entered.
“Matatabi! It’s dangerous!” Neko tried to chase after him, but Gonsou stopped her.
“Wait, Neko-chan. There might be something there.”
Gonsou carefully peered into the hole.
He saw a faint light deep inside.
Resolute, they decided to enter the hole.
Inside, it was narrow, and they had to crouch to proceed, but eventually, they emerged into a spacious area.
It was a cave formed by natural forces.
The walls had mysterious patterns believed to be created by water over many years, and in the center was a flat rock resembling an altar.
In the back, there was a blue-white glowing crystal-like mineral, seemingly rising from the ground.
The air felt sacred.
“This is…!”
They both gasped.
They were at a loss for words, quietly gazing at the scene. The place itself felt special.
Neko quietly prayed that she could grow into a fine miko at this shrine.
Gonsou wished that he could become even closer to Neko than before.
Their respective wishes seemed to resonate quietly but surely in the sacred space.
Return and New Relationship
When they exited the cave, it was already dark outside.
They silently began descending the mountain.
On the way back, Gonsou gathered his courage and spoke to Neko.
“Neko-chan…”
“…Yes?”
“…Since the festival, I didn’t know how to interact with you… I’m sorry…”
Gonsou conveyed his honest feelings.
“…I was also worried because I didn’t understand why Mr. Gondawara was acting differently…”
Neko replied shyly.
“…I… I…”
Gonsou began to speak but swallowed his words. He still didn’t have the courage to express his feelings clearly.
However, Neko seemed to understand his feelings and smiled gently.
“…I also enjoy spending time with you, Mr. Gondawara…”
Hearing Neko’s words, Gonsou felt relieved.
And a much calmer, warmer atmosphere than before flowed between them.
Epilogue
After that, Gonsou visited the shrine more frequently than before.
Conversations with Neko flourished, and playing with Matatabi became even more enjoyable.
Knowing the secret of Nekomata Mountain, their slightly unusual relationship would continue to grow.
Thus concludes ‘The Mysterious Connection of Nekomata Shrine.’
Thank you for reading!
