5 Chapter 5: A Foxy Encounter part 1

After Me and Kashima-san finished sweeping the leaves, we returned the brooms to the storage room.

"I guess our job here is done, shall we go meet with the others and play with Haruhime-san?" Kashima-san invited me now that we have finished sweeping the ground.

"Sure, but I should tell Tsukuyami-sama that I have finished my task. You should go ahead; I will catch up later"

"Ah I see, if you going to catch up, meet us by the playground area. Also, please ask permission from Tsukuyomi-sama" I nodded and we separate ways towards our own destination.

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Walking towards Tsukuyomi-sama's room, I arrived at her doorsteps and knocked at the sliding door.

"Who is it?" The voice of the goddess can be heard on the other side of the door

"Ah, it's me miko, I wish to speak with you, kami-sama"

"Please enter" I was then permit entry and entered her room

I then see Tsukuyomi-sama is having tea with Takemikazuchi-sama in front of a coffee table while sitting in seiza on the floor.

Both of them noticed me enter and they smiled at my presence.

"Hello Miko-chan, how can I help you"

"I finished sweeping all the leaves and debris from the entrance and around the Shrine, Tsukuyomi-sama"

"Very good Miko-san, well done"

"Umu, you did a fine job, is there anything else you want to talk with"

"Then may I go now and meet with the others, Kashima-san said they want me to meet with Haruhimi-san" I said to them enthusiastically while wagging my nine tails. They giggle with my childish outburst, but then they became serious afterwards. Because of the quick change in their expression, I was startled a bit.

"I will allow you to join them, however, be wary if anyone else see you" I was confused on the second part of what Tsukuyomi-sama just said and wanted to ask her why. But before I got the chance to ask "If anyone from the Sanjouno family sees you, they will definitely want to take you no matter what. So please retreat immediately, do you understand?"

Y-yes I understand, Tsukuyomi-sama"

"Then off you go, you may leave"

"Thank you, Tsukuyomi-sama" I then bowed at them and promptly leave the room.

*sigh* Tsukuyomi sighed after Miko left the room

Takemikazuchi noticed Tsukuyomi's nervous and worried demeanor

"What's wrong, you seem worried, Tsukuyomi"

"Yes, I am worried that the Sanjouno family will forcibly adopting Miko even without her consent. That poor girl will suffer their strictness and perfect-headedness"

"You are maybe right. you might as well watch over them" he said as he sipped his tea

Tsukuyomi pouted at his insensitiveness and stands up from her sitting position

"Honestly, you should be more sensitive with the children sometimes" she said as she promptly leaves the room before Takemikazuchi can react and followed to where Miko is heading.

"Eh? What was that for?" I questioned himself while being clueless on what was conveyed to him, not before he takes another sip at his tea.

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[Few minutes later, Miko's POV]

After I reported to Tsukuyomi-sama, I went to the playground area and saw Yamato and the others waiting for me.

"Hey guys, sorry that I made you wait for too long" I apologized to them

"It's okay, we didn't wait that long, come on we want you to someone" Yamato-san said as she grabbed my hand and start running to the entrance

"Now now children, be careful not to trip yourselves" I heard a voice from behind and we all turned around and saw Tsukuyomi-sama following us. Does she want to watch over us?

"Tsukuyomi-sama, can we bring Miko-san to meet with Haruhime-san?" Yamato said with excitement in her eyes

"Of course, Mikoto-chan, but be careful not to be caught by her family" Tsukuyomi warned us

"Yes, Tsukuyomi-sama" Yamato-san promptly replied

"Also please hide Miko-chan from them as well, we don't want any issue with those people" She also repeat what had said earlier

"Yes, we will do as you said, Kami-sama"

"Then let's go, I bet Haruhime-san is waiting for us"

""Hai"" Me and others all replied simultaneously

Then we all walk together towards the path of the clearing where we will play with Haruhime-san

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[Haruhime's POV]

It's awful

The room that I was forced to stay in is quite awful, and yet I have no rights to complain to my father about it.

I have been like this ever since I was born, I was placed in a permanent pedestal by my parents and kept me in a room being isolated from the outside world.

All I can do in my life was reading books to keep me busy from my lonesomeness. The books were bought by my father not because he pitied me, but just to keep me in my room.

I strictly not allowed to go outside the room by my father and scolded me if I do so. Only when guest from other families comes, then he will only let me out of the room. However, my movements are strictly prohibited. I wasn't allowed to move from designated location and will not allow any involuntary movements. I was taught to do things professionally and perfectly. Any mistakes were made will not be tolerated by my father.

Truly, my life is quite awful. I hope someone will cheer me up from my loneliness.

That is...one night, I heard someone outside my room

"w-who's there?" I was panicking and was about to call for help

However,

"psst, hey Haruhime-san look here" A small whisper can be heard.

I look around and I heard the noise from behind the door that leads to the backyard.

I looked closer and saw a small figure peeking in the gap of the slightly opened door

As soon as I recognized the figure, I sighed in relief

"Mikoto-san!"

"Ssssh, not so loud, they will hear you" Mikoto-san panickily whispered to lower my voice

"Ah, sorry"

"Come, let's go play outside" Mikoto-san invited me to go outside. However, I am reluctant because I might be caught by my father and scold me

"b-but how about-"

"don't worry, we got this under control. Also, we want to meet somebody" I was curious to who this person she wants me to meet

I hesitated a bit, but after a few second of checking the halls for security or anybody from my family member. When the coast is clear, we sneak out of the residence and went to the clearing where we used to play at night.

Few minutes later and we made it to the clearing

At my arrival, I was shocked

Not because of the field of flowers that glows in the dark, but rather the person who is standing at the middle of it.

The person has a small and skinny figure. She has a pair of long fox ear that droops to the side. Long silky pink hair that is tied at the end. She wore a white robe and overcoat, and a scarlet blouse that reach to her ankles. And the most surprising of all, is her nine-fox tail that is display behind her like a huge fan.

She then noticed me and gently smiled at me while waving her hands to me. I felt a calm and comforting feeling from just looking at her. Her gentle expression made my heart warm up and perhaps skip a beat.

"Haruhime-san, meet our new friend. Her name is Miko" Mikoto-san introduced me to the Renard named Miko.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Momochi Miko" She bowed to me, showing me a display of courtesy.

"Miko-san, this is Haruhime-san, she's our friend that we used to play with often during the night" I bowed to Miko-san, returning the courtesy she gave me.

"My name is Sanjouno Haruhime, the daughter of the Sanjouno family leader, nice to meet you Miko-san"

"Come on guys, let's play tag" Mikoto-san proudly declares

We all then came together and play in the field of glowing flowers in the middle of the night.

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