A Sacred Encounter

The early morning bell echoed softly through the ancient temple shrouded in mist.

Seiichiro Hojo walked slowly through the thick fog. Today, his usual entourage of secretaries had respectfully declined to accompany him. It had been three months since he lost his wife, only daughter, and grandchild in an accident. Even as a powerful figure in the business world, he found himself powerless against this overwhelming sense of loss.

As he climbed the stone steps wet with morning dew, each footfall seemed to echo with memories of the past. His wife's gentle smile, his daughter's bright voice - now mere shadows of a time he could never return to. As chairman of the Hojo Group, he was expected to maintain his composure and dignity at all times. But here, in this misty temple grounds, he could simply be a man grieving his losses.

His normally impeccable gray suit showed signs of neglect, and his salt-and-pepper hair, usually perfectly groomed, was slightly disheveled. His face, marked with deep wrinkles, revealed a weariness he never showed in public.

The morning chill bit into his seventy-year-old body, yet somehow the cold felt welcome. At least it was proof that he was still alive.

As he climbed the stone steps leading to the main hall, Seiichiro closed his eyes briefly. The pain of losing his wife and daughter still felt raw. Yet his business-trained mind kept reminding him that he couldn't remain lost in grief forever. The Hojo Group had thousands of employees depending on his leadership.

That's when he noticed something unusual. Before the main hall, a strange light flickered in the fog.

At first, he thought it was his imagination. But the light was undeniably real. Despite the thick morning mist, that spot alone seemed mysteriously bright, as if particles of light were dancing in the air.

And in the center of that light stood a young girl.

Seiichiro stopped in his tracks. The girl wore pure white clothing, her black twin-tails swaying despite the lack of wind. Her appearance was almost divine, as if she had descended from heaven itself. Around her, the fog had cleared, and mysterious particles of light emitted an otherworldly radiance.

As a business leader, Seiichiro had met countless important people - political and business figures who moved the world. He prided himself on his ability to read people. But the scene before him defied all his experience and understanding.

His breath caught in his throat.

The girl slowly turned around. In that moment, Seiichiro gasped. Eyes filled with deep compassion met his gaze directly. These were not the eyes of a human child. They held the benevolent, sacred gaze of one watching over the mortal world from above. Her translucent skin and the small beauty mark below her eye only enhanced her divine presence.

No words were exchanged between them. Yet Seiichiro felt a clear voice resonating in his heart. A strong sense of purpose welled up from the depths of his soul - the certainty that he must protect this child. It was an instinctive conviction that transcended reason or logic.

In that moment, the light around the girl grew even brighter. At the same time, he could see strength gradually leaving her body. The girl quietly closed her eyes and began to collapse.

Seiichiro rushed forward and caught her small frame. The body in his arms held the warmth of a human being. The divine expression from moments ago had vanished, leaving only the innocent sleeping face of a young girl.

"From now on, I will protect you."

His words echoed across the temple grounds like a vow. His eyes held firm determination.

Later, this girl would be named Sora and registered in the Hojo family registry as his late daughter's child. Sora herself would grow up without any memory of this encounter, raised as a member of the Hojo family. She would warm the hearts of those around her as a naturally cheerful girl under the loving care of her "grandfather."

Seiichiro carefully documented that day's events in his diary. It marked a turning point in his life.

By day's end, the fog had cleared completely, giving way to the first rays of sunlight. Beyond the ancient temple gates, a new story was about to begin.