Chapter 38: The Real Toshi

"That Kirisame? I can't seem to think of any business he has in this Sacred place."

Mylene asked after hearing what Yato just said.

"Yeah, he's someone who only has his eyes on areas that can be his potential market, but that's too far off from this land."

Akafuyu second Mylene's remark.

"Nevertheless, his name just pops out of nowhere. Well you see…I've been using my mask whenever I can."

Yato then taps his mask a few times.

"Oh, I see. That's how you heard someone mention his name."

Yato's mask is a Unique type of mask that is best for spying or gathering intel, since its ability is to enhance the senses of its wielder, be it eyesight, touch, smell, taste and hearing.

"I used to sneak by during the night while equipping my mask and gathering any information that I could. But the Temples are off-limits, they're heavily guarded."

"Well that's to be expected, the High Priestess is inside one of those temples after all."

Mylene raises his shoulder.

"Alright, as said earlier, we're going with Kannushi Toshihiro later to discuss some details regarding the recent incident. We'll talk again after we gather enough information. Would that work well for you, Lord Akafuyu?"

Akafuyu nodded in response.

"Just be careful you two, I know that you're in good hands since it's a Kannushi we're talking about, but I can't shake the feeling that something within them is also amiss…"

After their briefing with each other, they went to their separate lodges and spent the remaining time resting since it's not that long after they have arrived.

As the night finally came, Kiyoto and Yato went out to return to the place of the incident to meet Toshihiro.

"Let's see if he holds true to his words."

They reached their destination and noticed that there's a man waiting for them, wearing a casual Yukata and a white shirt underneath it. He also wears traditional slippers, and can be seen smoking a kiseru (Japanese bamboo tobacco). To their surprise, it was Toshihiro, whom they noticed after he waved at them.

"Ah. Here I thought the two of you forgot about me already."

Toshihiro jokingly remarked.

The two of them couldn't make a word out of what's happening. Of course, the respected Kannushi who are all disciplined and serious back then look and talk like someone who scams people right now.

"Haha, nice disguise man. Now would you tell us where Toshihiro-dono is?"

Yato keeps up his poker face while Kiyoto, well, no one can see his reaction anyway.

Toshihiro laughed.

"Hahahaha, come on. There's only one of me and it's in front of you, Mister envoy and dear guest."

"....."

"I-IT'S HIIIIM!"

Yato and Kiyoto synchronized their reactions as they pointed at Toshihiro with disbelief.

"Hehe, wait, are we doing a stand up show or something? Where is the camera?"

Toshihiro begins to look around for the camera like he means it.

Kiyoto then stopped fooling around and asked the real question.

"Uhm, Toshihiro-san…I'll get straight to the point. What's with your outfit? I mean…it doesn't really fit all the Kannushi stuff back then."

"Pft!"

Yato was surprised about how direct Kiyoto's question was.

"Ah, you see, I am indeed a Kannushi in discipline and belief. But that doesn't mean I don't get to be a normal person, no? After all, spending time on comfortable things is one of life's greatest blessings. So what I wear and what I do, I do it because I'm comfortable with it." Toshihiro explained himself.

"Oh, you have a good point there."

Yato regained his calm mind.

"Well that's a good thing. I have the impression that you're one of the secretive and staid ones. I apologize for assuming."

"Can't blame you there lad, I'm already used to it though. People judge what they see first and not look for proofs until they see it for themselves."

Toshihiro puffs a smoke, he then looks at Kiyoto who's hiding his head with a hood.

Kiyoto backs off for a bit. Toshihiro would then raise a brow after finally realizing something.

"Lad, I think we're in a safe spot, no need for masks to be worn."

"Uh…"

As soon as Kiyoto was about to speak, Yato butted in to be the one doing the explanation.

"Actually, here's the situation about my friend here. You see-"

Yato explains Kiyoto's current situation, but he held back the information regarding his dream. Also, Yato still doesn't know the fact that Kiyoto can destroy masks.

Toshihiro assumes a thinking pose.

"I see. Now you piqued my curiosity there lad. Alright, walk with me. In exchange to that detail, I'll show you something that you may also find hm…interesting."

"We're following you then."

Kiyoto and Yato followed Toshihiro as he ambled towards a certain direction. They walked past a riverbank and a handful of Sakura Trees along the way.

While walking, the three seemed to be talking a lot with Toshihiro as the lead conversationalist, as if they have already known each other for a long time.

"So they don't mind seeing you like this Toshi-san?"

Kiyoto inquired.

"Of course there are those who mind, but who are they to stop me anyway? I do what makes me comfortable while still following the oath we took in our priesthood."

Toshihiro puffs another smoke.

"Sounds like you have it rough with the chatters amongst your ranks."

Yato remarked as he placed his hands behind his head.

Toshihiro then laughed.

"Hahaha! You got that right lad, I'm not really the popular sort in our ranks. Although I can confidently say that I'm likable when they finally know me."

He said it, beaming with confidence.

'Gueh…' Yato thought as he listened to him.

Kiyoto chuckled. As soon as Toshihiro gave them a sign to stop, they did so. They are now currently in front of a secluded house with dim lights, the quietness that surrounds the area is also mysterious.

Toshihiro stepped forward and stopped in front of the house's wooden gate.

"Habiki, I've brought them."

After hearing this, Kiyoto and Yato raise their guards. The words "I've brought them" is something to be suspicious about after all.

After a short while, the gate finally opens, revealing a familiar figure.

"....."

A man wearing a bard's clothing.

"Toshi-san…? What is the meaning of this?"

Kiyoto inquired as he was slowly raising his fists.

"Kiyoto, Yato, you two are someone I can trust with this. Please hear us out and decide on your next course of action after we explain our side."

The two then looked at each other. Yato squinted his eyes and nodded towards Kiyoto as if he had already decided on something by himself.

"I'm actually dying to know what all the ruckus is about. So we'll listen for now."

Yato then equipped his mask.

"But I'll wear my protection just in case, is that alright?"

"Hm?"

Kiyoto looked around after noticing some movements around them. After a while, he realized that they're already surrounded. Toshihiro then replied to Yato's inquiry:

"Sure, lad. Feel free to."

A heated discussion? Or a heated battle?