Mutilated Vegetables

I stared at the gap in the wall where Little Shit had disappeared. God dammit. Maybe I should-

The crunch of footsteps on volcanic rock interrupted that thought. Someone was climbing the makeshift steps outside.

If it wasn't for the priest robes, I would've mistook her for a delinquent. Her blue hair hung in messy waves, partially obscuring a face. The traditional white haori was layered above what looked like a hoodie, sleeves rolled up to reveal toned forearms. Dark circles under her eyes completed her 'don't fuck with me' look.

"Tatsuhara household?" Her voice was hoarse.

"Yeah, that's us."

She scanned our apartment, not even blinking at the absurdity of it all. Her eyes landed back on me with unsettling intensity.

"Ryūka! Who at door?" Gran Gran's voice preceded her as she hobbled out of her room, still clutching her cleaning rag. She stopped short when she saw our visitor, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "Where young man?"

"He's… not here. I'm Reina. I'll be performing your home shrine blessing today."

"You're early! Blessing not until afternoon!"

Reina shrugged, her oversized hoodie shifting over her priest robes. "Yeah, well, wasn't like I had anywhere else to be. No one really asks for blessings these days. Not since everyone ditched this dump months ago."

"Hmph! Know why nobody call you? Look like yankee! Bring curse, not blessing!"

I winced. Why did Gran Gran have to say exactly what she thought, volume cranked to max?

Hurt had flashed across Reina's face, just for a second. Made me wonder if she got that a lot.

"Want the blessing or not?"

Gran Gran made that dismissive "tch" sound she usually reserved for door-to-door salesmen and my life choices.

"Fine, fine. Follow." She turned and shuffled toward our house shrine.

I trailed behind them, stomach knotting. If Gran Gran slides open that door-

"What this?! Who dare eat offering?!"

"It was Li- ugh, our pet that ate them." I caught myself before saying 'Little Shit' in front of the priestess. Not that she looked like someone who'd care about cursing, but better safe than sorry.

Reina's eyes darted between me and the mutilated vegetables. "What happened?"

"Our... dog ate the offerings and I got mad, then told him to get lost."

Reina's sharp eyes softened for a moment. "If it were me... I'd say sorry. Stuff like that sticks with you if you don't."

I blinked at her. Was she trying to compare my situation with Little Shit to something more serious?

"Can shrine still be blessed?" Gran Gran interrupted, gesturing at the sad remains of vegetables. "Or need make new offering?"

"It's fine." Reina pulled prayer beads from her hoodie pocket. "The spirit of the offering matters more than what's left of it."

I'd seen shrine blessings before, but something about Reina's was different. Her movements were like a dance, and the usual droning chants took on an almost musical quality in her voice. Between one blink and the next, the little shrine felt... cleaner somehow. Like someone had wiped away a layer of dust I hadn't even noticed was there.

After the blessing, Reina tucked her prayer beads back into her hoodie pocket. "You two joining the obon festival at the park later?"

"Festival?" I frowned. First time I'd heard about it.

"Ah yes!" Gran Gran nodded vigorously. "Very small this year. Most organizer already leave town. But we try make special, since last festival ever!"

Huh? Even Gran Gran knew about it? Was I living under a rock or something?

"You should come. Both of you."

"We be there!" Gran Gran declared before I could even ask what the festival was about.

We waved Reina off as she descended our volcanic staircase, her priest robes brushing against the steps. Once she was out of sight, I retreated to my room and pulled out my phone.

--going to the obon festival at the park later?

I typed into the three-way group chat between me, Kurumi and Toukawa-san, trying not to sound as out of the loop as I felt.

Kurumi's reply came instantly:

--Nya-hello~! Yup!! See you there!

Toukawa-san's message followed shortly after.

--I'll be there too.

I stared at my phone. So everyone knew about this festival except me? The hell?

My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I should probably tell them about Little Shit running away. But what would that accomplish? Kurumi would worry and make a big fuss, and Toukawa-san would be silently disappointed. Besides, Little Shit would probably come back on his own once he got hungry enough. He always did.

--cool, see you guys there

I typed instead, then tossed my phone aside.

The empty spot where Little Shit usually napped on my desk felt bigger.

"Stupid kaiju," I muttered, but the words came out flat.