7 Playing with Children in the Night

Tonight was unlike any other. The air was heavy with uncertainty, and the moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the landscape. As I stood in my private garden, facing the mysterious young girl who had appeared at my estate's wall, I felt a sense of curiosity mixed with suspicion.

The girl had asked me if I wanted to play with her, which was a peculiar request since I didn't know her and it was the middle of the night.

"Play? At this hour?" I responded, taken aback by the unexpected invitation. "Also, who might you be? Where do you come from?"

Despite my bewilderment, there was something about the girl's demeanor that intrigued me, a mixture of innocence and ambiguity that seemed to shroud her.

The girl glanced around as if assessing her surroundings. Then, with a tentative voice, she replied, "My name is Mikoto. I live in an orphanage near the shrine."

Mikoto's words piqued my interest, urging me to take a closer look at her. Her appearance, though humble and worn, exuded a calm strength and resilience that spoke volumes about her character. She seems like a trustworthy individual, to say the least.

"Delighted to make your acquaintance, Mikoto. I am Kamisato Ayaka," I introduced myself, offering her an uncertain smile. "May I ask why you chose to play at this late hour?"

She shifted nervously before responding, "You see, my friends and I have always wanted to play with noble girls like you. But we were too afraid to ask you in the daytime because your parents are intimidating." 

Her explanation resonated with me, sparking a sense of empathy for Mikoto and her friends. It was a reminder of the constraints that constantly separated different walks of life, even within our own community. Perhaps I should try to play them for a short while.

However, realizing the time and the potential concern my absence might cause, I considered how I could address this predicament while still honoring Mikoto's request to play. But then an idea struck, and I hurried back inside, grabbing paper and an ink brush to write a note.

I briefly wrote my decision to play with a new friend, assuring my family that I would return shortly. After leaving the note on the table, I returned to Mikoto and nodded at her.

"Very well, Mikoto, I'm ready. Please lead the way," I declared, expressing my willingness to join her and her companions.

Mikoto nodded in return, extending a hand to guide me through the wall. Though I somewhat trusted her, a part of me couldn't shake the uncertainty that awaited me beyond the estate's walls at this late hour.

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Strolling along the dirt pathway, the moonlight painted an ethereal glow upon the landscape, revealing hidden wonders with each step. Mikoto guided me through winding paths, the soft sounds of leaves and distant crickets creating a tranquil melody that resounded through the peaceful illuminated night.

Upon reaching a wide clearing, I saw a group of children awaiting us eagerly, accompanied by a woman exuding warmth and kindness. As we approached them, their faces lit up with excitement, and their eyes gleamed with interest.

"Hey, everyone! Mikoto brought us another friend!" exclaimed one of the children with joy.

Mikoto took a moment to introduce me to her companions. This includes Ouka, a tall boy with black spiky hair, and Chigusa, a girl with partially covered hair.

While exchanging greetings, the woman overseeing the gathering stepped forward. With tied blue hair and humble attire, she exuded peaceful stability and compassion. Despite her worn appearance, her presence carried a sense of resilience that caught my attention.

"Hello there, young lady. My name is Tsukuyomi, the guardian deity who takes care of these orphan children," she greeted me with a warm smile, her voice brimming with sincerity.

Her introduction struck a chord within me, reminding me of the god of the moon in Japanese mythology, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. The connection between the deities of this world and the folklore from my previous life stirred within me. However, the fact that her gender appeared to have reversed perplexed me for some reason.

"Delighted to make your acquaintance, goddess Tsukuyomi. I am Kamisato Ayaka," I replied, offering a respectful bow as a gesture of courtesy and gratitude for her hospitality.

The goddess chuckled lightly, amused by my courtesy. "The pleasure is mine, dear. Please, enjoy your time with the children."

With her gentle encouragement, I engaged myself in the company of Mikoto and her friends, eager to partake in the night's entertainment.

"Woah, your clothes are so pretty," exclaimed Chigusa, her partially covered eyes gleaming with curiosity and admiration. 

Ouka nodded in agreement, fascinated by my appearance. "You're just like our other friend."

Curious about their comments, a peculiar girl within the group caught my attention. With long blonde hair and noble attire like mine, she stood out. However, what captivated me the most were her foxlike ears and tail.

"Hey, may I ask her name?" I inquired, curious about the reserved girl hiding behind them.

Mikoto smiled enthusiastically and brought her friend over. "This is Haruhime, she's a noble girl just like you. Though she's quite shy, our friend is a very nice girl."

Hearing Haruhime's introduction, my curiosity was piqued, prompting a desire to learn more about her background and the story behind her noble heritage.

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As I encountered the shy yet beautiful noble fox girl, a sense of interest took hold of me. Her presence exuded a mystique, silently provoking me to uncover the hidden mysteries behind her timid demeanor.

"D-delighted to make your acquaintance. My name is Kamisato Ayaka," I stuttered, my voice betraying a hint of awkwardness as I bowed at her courteously.

The fox girl's eyes widened in surprise at my gesture, her fluffy ears twitching restlessnessly. However, she accepted my greeting with a gentle smile. Her reserved nature gave way to a warmth that seemed to come from within.

"Umm, nice to meet you too, Miss Ayaka. I'm Sanjouno Haruhime," she greeted back softly, her voice melodic and soothing like the gentle rustle of leaves in an evening breeze.

As we exchanged pleasantries, I couldn't help but notice the intricate details of her attire, the elegance of her demeanor mirroring that of a noble lady despite her apparent shyness.

"Alright, now that we've all introduced ourselves, let's begin playing," Mikoto suggested with excitement, breaking the momentary silence.

With Mikoto's lead, we played a series of games beneath the moonlit sky, filling the evening with laughter and joy. Despite the late hour, we were full of energy and camaraderie as we engaged in various activities, each one strengthening our connection and sense of unity.

After a lively round of games, I found myself needing a moment to catch my breath. Beside me, Haruhime also appeared weary from the excitement. Taking this opportunity, I decided to strike up a conversation with her.

"Hey Haruhime, may I ask about your noble heritage? I want to know what it's like in there?" I inquired gently, feeling curious about the story.

However, when I posed the question, her expression quickly shifted, and a faint frown tainted her features. Then, with a hushed voice, she responded, "It's quite lonely back home."

"Eh? Why is that?" I asked again, concerned by her sudden change in tone.

To my surprise, Haruhime confessed to me about the solitude she had experienced because of her noble upbringing. She described her home as a cage, explaining the complete isolation she endured, always locked up in her room with no companions. Not only that, but her father imposed strict rules on their estate, forbidding anyone from interacting with her.

Listening to the weight of her words lingered in my mind, reminding me of the stark contrast between the privileges and isolation a noble life could bring.

"That sounds terrible. How could a father do such a thing to you?" I murmured, sympathizing with her plight.

Contemplating my question, Haruhime looked down and replied, "Ever since my mother died after giving birth to me, my father became bitter and considers me as a constant reminder of her death."

I was utterly shocked that such a parental figure could inflict such emotional cruelty upon his own child. Just thinking about this made me so upset that I couldn't help but clench my fists in frustration.

"Miss Ayaka, are you okay? You're trembling," Haruhime asked, her voice filled with concern.

Hearing those words, I took a deep breath and nodded reassuringly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Wanna join the others?"

"Yes." 

Just as I stood up and invited Haruhime to play with the children, I noticed them staring in a certain direction. Curiously, I went to investigate what was happening.

However, as soon as I got closer, my face turned pale upon seeing my parents standing there along with a fox person who looked like Haruhime. Just then, my father stepped forward with a serious expression and began to speak.

"Where is my daughter?" he demanded, his fatherly tone cutting through the night air with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.