Figuring Out Who You Truly Are

The meeting with Raiden had taken an unexpected turn. As the tension in the room eased, I found myself contemplating the goddess's request. Her abrupt demand for me to stay, while everyone else was prompted to leave, stirred up a whirlwind of questions in my mind.

I watched in silence as my family and the other guests exchanged perplexed glances before quietly exiting the room, leaving me alone with the thunder goddess.

As the door closed behind them, Raiden turned her attention fully to me, her gaze piercing and inscrutable. The air seemed to crackle with anticipation, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle in the pit of my stomach.

"U-um, what is it that you wish to discuss with me, Your Excellency?" I asked tentatively, my voice betraying a hint of apprehension.

The thunder goddess regarded me with a thoughtful expression before finally speaking, her tone measured and purposeful. "Kamisato Ayaka, daughter of the Kamisato clan, your mere presence has caught my attention ever since yesterday."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, the weight of her gaze pressing down on me like a heavy burden. What could she possibly mean with her words, I wondered, my mind racing with endless possibilities.

"You see, I've been observing your actions closely," she continued, her voice low and intense. "From the way you speak to the way you conduct yourself. It is clear to me that you are not just an ordinary mortal."

I felt a bead of sweat form on my forehead as I pondered how Raiden had noticed something about me, feeling exposed under her scrutiny.

"B-but Your Excellency, I'm just a child. I have no idea what you were talking about," my voice barely above a whisper as I hesitantly replied.

Raiden's gaze softened slightly, a hint of amusement glinting in her solitary eye. "There's no need to feign ignorance, Ayaka. I figured out who you truly are."

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The words of the goddess hung in the air like an ominous cloud, casting a shadow over the hall. My heart raced as I grappled with the significance of her revelation. How could she have possibly discovered the truth about me?

"I-I don't understand," I stammered, my mind racing to comprehend the situation. "What gave me away?"

Raiden maintained an impenetrable expression as she answered, "The way you introduce the pastries as new recipes was a lie. I can tell you already knew these formerly."

As soon as she spoke, a shiver ran down my spine. I suddenly realized the prospect that she might have seen through the facade to hide my true identity. Nonetheless, it's too late to turn back now that she figured me out.

"I never meant to deceive anyone," I murmured, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and guilt. "I just wanted to live peacefully since I got a second chance at life."

"Second chance at life, you say?" Raiden reiterated, her voice holding a hint of curiosity as she leaned forward, narrowing her eyes slightly in contemplation.

Nodding in confirmation, I mustered the courage to explain my circumstances and recounted the events that culminated in my death in my previous life and subsequent reincarnation as a child of the Kamisato clan.

As I narrated my story to Raiden, she listened intently, her expression undecipherable as she absorbed every detail. It was a surreal experience, sharing my most closely guarded secret with a goddess. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that her interest in me ran deeper than mere curiosity.

"I see, it all makes sense," she murmured, her voice tinged with a note of clemency. "To think a soul could traverse from one world to another, it's a phenomenon rarely witnessed even by the gods."

Raiden's acknowledgment of my unusual circumstances left me both relieved and worried. It was a relief to finally share my secret with someone, especially for a goddess as significant as her. However, the suspense of her motives lingered in the back of my mind.

"Are you going to tell everyone about my secret?" I asked, unable to mask the apprehension in my voice.

The deity's expression softened, a trace of empathy coloring her features. "Of course, not. I have no intention of exposing you to anybody, so your secret is safe with me."

With a sigh of relief, I nodded, grateful for her understanding. But as her declaration settled over me, I couldn't shake the feeling that our conversation was far from over.

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While my secret was now disclosed, the sense of tension still hung heavy in the air. Raiden's assurance brought temporary relief, but the way she looked at me implied a deeper interest that I couldn't quite comprehend. It was as if she saw something in me that went beyond my mere existence as a reincarnated soul.

"Your story fascinates me, Ayaka," she remarked, her gaze lingering on me with an intensity that sent more shivers down my spine. "Tell me, do gods and goddesses coexist with mortals in your previous life?"

As Raiden's question hung in the air, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me. Her curiosity seemed genuine, yet there was an underlying intensity in her manners that made me wary.

"To be honest, the existence of deities was only a matter of belief and mythology in my past life," I began cautiously, choosing my words with care. "While some people believed that the divine walked among mortals in ancient times, others dismissed them as mere fantasy."

Raiden nodded thoughtfully, her expression mystifying as she absorbed my response. "I see, then does that mean I exist in the other world, correct?"

"Y-yes, you do exist. Though your appearance differs greatly from the Raiden I knew in my past world," I replied, feeling a tinge of apprehension at the implications of her question.

In response, the goddess raised an eyebrow, intrigued by my answer. "Different appearance, you say? How so?"

My pulse hastened as I pondered how much to reveal, wary of overstepping boundaries. So, I took a deep breath and responded to her question.

"W-well, you see, the Raiden I knew... happens to be a man."

"Eh?"

"To be precise, he is a terrifying individual resembling a demon..."

"Ehh?"

"With a fierce, frightening face, a muscular body, and gravity-defying hair."

"Ehh?!"

Raiden's incredulous reaction echoed in the room, her lone eye widening with surprise. The revelation seemed to catch her off guard, challenging her preconceived notions of her own existence in another world.

"An individual resembling a demon, huh?" she reiterated, her voice tinged with a mixture of incredulity and curiosity. "I never thought my appearance was considerably different from the version of me in the other world, but at least I'm the only one who was varied, right?"

As the goddess contemplated the unexpected revelation, I hesitated momentarily, unsure how to respond. But eventually, I mustered the courage to gather my thoughts and speak.

"Actually, Lady Tsukuyomi was supposed to be a man too," I confessed, feeling the pressure wash over me. "Though the people in my previous life knew little about her gender, she was considered to be a male."

"Hmm, it's bothersome to think that the mortals of the other world were not able to discern a deity's gender," said Raiden, furrowing her brows in contemplation before letting out a tired sigh. "However, it's an interesting discovery, Ayaka. Thank you for bringing it to my attention."

"Um, you're welcome, Your Excellency. Is there anything else you want to ask me?" I inquired, feeling a hint of trepidation about what other inquiries she might have.

Fortunately, Raiden shook her head and stood up, her face showing deep reflection but also constraint. "No, that will be all for now. However, I will be keeping an eye on you, Ayaka. Your unusual circumstances may prove to be valuable in the future. Until then, farewell."

With those daunting words, the goddess made her exit, leaving me alone in the meeting hall with my thoughts and a lingering sense of uncertainty about what would come next.

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After my conversation with Raiden, I found myself lost in contemplation as I wandered the quiet corridors of the Kamisato estate. Thoughts of her discovery of my true identity and our discussion about her existence in the previous world weighed heavily on my mind, leaving me with more questions than answers.

The dim light filtering through the windows cast eerie shadows along the walls, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere as I walked. Not only that, but a sense of being watched lingered, contributing to the growing unease within me.

tap... tap... tap...

Lost in contemplation, I was startled by the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning, I saw my brother, concern etched on his face as he called out to me. "There you are, Ayaka. Where have you been? You just disappeared after Her Excellency stepped out of the meeting hall."

"Oh, it's you, brother. Don't worry, I just needed some time to clear my head," I replied while forcing a smile to brush off his concerns. 

However, Ayato wasn't convinced, his brow furrowing with worry. "Are you sure, Ayaka? You seem... troubled."

I hesitated for a moment, considering whether to confide in him about my conversation with Raiden. But ultimately, I decided to keep it to myself for now to avoid confusion.

"No, it's nothing, really," I insisted, "Just some personal thoughts I needed to sort out."

Ayato studied me for a moment, his expression filled with concern. "Alright, if you say so. Now come on, we still have to give our farewells to Her Excellency."

"I understand."

Together, we made our way to the main entrance, where Raiden and her companions were preparing to depart. Despite my attempts to ignore my worries, a sense of dread remained, casting a pall over the estate and making it hard to say goodbye.