Chapter 75
Chapter 75
The God Who Is Just That, Part 3
"So, do we have a chance of winning?"
As they descended the stone steps, Esato asked Miyaki.
"Honestly, I don't know. But we don't need to defeat or exorcise it. I mean, we can't."
"Right. We just record it. That's the job of the special investigation division."
Esato muttered, stepping irritably on the stone steps dusted white by the sea breeze.
Through the gaps between the old-fashioned houses, they could see the sparkling sea and countless boats lying on their sides, bellies exposed. Miyaki squinted.
"Esato, do you remember what that god looked like?"
"What?"
"They say the God Who Is Just That alters the perception of those who see it within a short time."
"Ah... I think I remember. A gray body like a dog, with a tail like a snake..."
"Why hasn't our perception changed, then?"
Miyaki placed her hand on her chin and pondered.
"I was thinking about what that lady said earlier. About how her husband looked scary and was misunderstood, or how she said he wasn't actually a bad person..."
"Take the villagers' testimonies with a grain of salt. They might already be under the influence of Territorial Divine Offenses."
"That's true, but... maybe people who never feared or hated that god from the beginning don't experience any change in perception."
"That makes it even more dangerous. It could be disguising its true, nasty nature."
"I just don't feel that way. Maybe that's the influence too?"
Esato shook his head gloomily.
"In any case, stay alert. There's at least two of them—one small and one large."
"Speaking of which, what's the relationship between those two..."
Just then, there was a slithering sound. The two turned toward it. On the shore visible between the houses, a mackerel had been washed up.
A black shadow fell over the fish writhing and rubbing sand onto its body. A mass of iron-rust-colored fur leapt at it.
"Ah!"
Miyaki dashed off.
"I just told you to be careful!"
Esato stumbled after her.
The blazing sunlight pecked at their backs as they burst onto the beach.
Two monsters with dirty iron-colored fur and snake tails were devouring the washed-up fish.
One bit off the fish's head and tossed the remaining half to its companion. The one chewing with narrowed triple eyes was about two sizes smaller than the other.
Letting out high-pitched squeaks, the two rubbed their bodies together, slick with sand and fish fluids. They looked just like siblings.
Behind the stunned Miyaki and Esato, the light dimmed. The smell of tide and beast filled the air.
Esato stopped Miyaki just as she was about to turn around.
"Idiot, I told you not to look!"
"But, Esato..."
Miyaki gently brushed off Esato's hand and turned to face behind her.
A massive being sat there. Far larger than the previous two. Its long fur, soaked in seawater, was split in the middle, and something like a mouth squirmed within. Three gray eyes, reflecting the sunlight, rotated slowly.
Miyaki took a step back, clearing the path. The God Who Is Just That looked down at them with its triple eyes. Cold sweat trickled down Esato's cheek.
The giant god slithered forward slowly. Then, it passed right by Miyaki and Esato and reached the two who had finished gnawing the fish. The smaller ones wriggled and hid behind the large one.
The giant god narrowed its three eyes and vanished.
Only the traces remained on the wet beach, like a heavy fishing boat had landed.
As the waves erased the gods' footprints, Esato sat down on the sand and pulled out a cigarette.
"So... they're like a family or something, sneaking fish to live on. They altered memories because they couldn't survive if the villagers feared them. Is that it?"
"They really are 'just that,' huh."
"Ridiculous..."
Miyaki, sitting beside him, gave a wry smile.
"I'm sure those gods don't tamper with the memories of people who don't persecute them. They just want to protect their family."
"So my worries were unfounded. They had nothing to do with the god of my hometown. Just oversized stray cats. Absolutely ridiculous..."
"Territorial Divine Offenses are neither good nor evil, after all."
Esato exhaled a heavy breath along with the smoke.
"Even though I know they're monsters."
Miyaki blinked.
"Even those monsters do terrible things to protect their family. But your dad vanished to save a total stranger. What an idiot. He couldn't do any cost-benefit math at all."
Esato shook his head and exhaled smoke again. Seeing Miyaki's shoulders slump, Esato opened his mouth.
"But maybe it's because he was that kind of idiot that things are the way they are now."
"What do you mean?"
"Kirima was saved by your dad a long time ago. That's why he carried on his will and formed the special investigation division, and why he still looks after you. Not everything was pointless."
Miyaki gave a small smile.
"So Kirima and my father were friends."
"More like bad influences on each other. Did you know? Back in the day, Kirima was a total thug. When he came to my hometown, he punched me and flying-kicked your grandpa."
"Seriously?!"
"Yeah, now he pretends to be all tame though."
Miyaki burst out laughing.
A small boat swayed on the horizon. Esato stubbed out his cigarette in the wet sand.
"Finally, our ride's here."
"Can you tell me more stories on the way back?"
"None of them are any good."
Miyaki brushed off the sand and stood up. Esato rose to his feet as well.
The smoldering cigarette smoke built a misty bridge across the sea.