Festival

The three arrows traced three light arcs through the air. Two sailed straight past the bronze pot and struck the wall, while only one feathered arrow hit the mouth of the pot—but it did not fall inside, instead bouncing onto the ground.

Three arrows, and not a single hit.

Hoshimi Shota lowered his head dejectedly.

"My turn, then." The fox woman smiled and grabbed the three feathered arrows before her, just about to throw them...

"Achoo!"

The fox woman suddenly sneezed.

Her hand holding the three arrows trembled, and all three arrows scattered at once, falling directly onto the ground several meters away from the bronze pot without even touching it.

Hoshimi Shota froze.

The fox woman rubbed her nose and spoke regretfully.

"Oh dear, my hand was shaky today... I didn't even touch the edge of the bronze pot. Looks like Shota finally won for once today..."

Hoshimi Shota stood stunned for a long while before coming back to his senses. Realizing that he had truly beaten the fox woman, he excitedly sprang up from the ground.

"Hahahaha! I really won!" He turned and ran over to the fox woman, speaking earnestly. "Today, I want a prophecy concerning the descendants of Yurina Kurotetsu!"

"No problem."

A hazy red glow filled the fox woman's eyes. A moment later, she leaned close to Hoshimi Shota's ear and whispered something.

The next instant, Hoshimi Shota's pupils suddenly contracted!

Evening.

Osaka Festival.

Bright yellow paper lanterns hung along both sides of the road, illuminating a corner of the dim sky. Lively, bustling stalls crowded the sides of the stone-paved street, and the aroma of food filled the entire road—grilled squid, oden, takoyaki...

The stall owners stood behind their carts with black headbands bearing the words "Strive On," their sleeves rolled up as