You Always Build It Better the Second Time Around

Chapter 3 - Unique (Is What You Are)

Day eleven I believe it is since Yuichiro became my familiar. Also the day I decide to bring Yu along with my wish granting business, and that means right back into the city. Today we've already met with two other humans. The first two times Yu sat back and watched. The first wish was to get a love letter across; I can't tell you how many times I've done that. The second time I was asked by a fellow earth-dwelling god- surprisingly lower than I am- to help with her tasks. Goddess Mitsuba really is a handful. I'm starting to question whether Shinoa, her fairy familiar or whatever she is, would be better suited for the tasks that Goddess Mitsuba has.

The third time Yu helped out the best he could provided he knew nothing of what he was doing. And that was to attract costumers to a flower shop. It worked well, if anyone was wondering. Almost immediately, in fact, for Yuichiro and I were, upon a quick look-over from the owner and fellow workers of the flower shop, agreed we were to tend to the plants anywhere near the windows. Poor Yuichiro was nervous from the many people bombarding us with questions that I put myself to the task of making sure he didn't burn anything he touched. That also worked, for all I had to do was quietly whisper to him to calm down or that I'll take care of it- which I did. I had to whisper that to him probably once or twice, and then all I had to do was lightly touch him on the shoulder or with a pat on the head. The latter I probably shouldn't have done because many people starting freaking out in a "good" way. And then more questions like if the two of us were dating and things like that.

I had to change the subject one too many times without it being too suspicious, though only a few silently caught on to what I was doing. If I had just said no, then I would've been asked to go out with countless of the women who entered- which I was. If I said yes, I would put Yu into a terrible situation with myself included.

This fourth costumer is yet again a fellow god. He's as low as Goddess Mitsuba, but they're not too far down from where I am. God of Fate (among couples might I add), Yoichi, got into contact with us through a message sent from his snake familiar by the name of Shiho Kimizuki, I believe. He had asked us to assist in clearing out some mid-level yōkai around his shrine; to which we accepted. Yu was skeptical, at first. He wasn't after I assured him it was fine even though mid-level yōkai are basically high-level for us lower gods, and that it would be best if he helped so he could practice on combat.

It will be good for him, considering he can work on combat while defending both Yoichi and I. I don't doubt Shiho is capable enough considering snakes are strong and dependable by nature, but so are foxes as much as they are loyal by nature. 

And so here we are, in the Lord Yoichi's shrine. We get down to business after I direct us there after quick greetings between us gods (who are close friends with each other), and formal greetings by our familiars to each other and the other god. However, Yu and Shiho don't seem to be getting along well when even though, from my knowledge of Yu (which isn't much), they've just met.

Yoichi informs us of what has been happening, and we head out into the forest around his shrine similar to mine but closer to civilization by a flight of stairs which undoubtedly means he gets more prayers than I do. I don't mind. Yoichi is a fun-loving god who cries a waterfall when he has to end a relationship with two compatible humans who just aren't working it out good enough.

Upon entering the forest I feel a change in the once bright atmosphere. Yu seems to feel the same for he's on edge with what I assume to be nervousness if not anxiousness. Probably to get this finally over with.

We make it pretty far into the forest when we encounter the first yōkai. Shiho takes care of it with a bit of Yoichi's and my help. Shiho gets on to Yu for not helping before getting a timid reply that his primary use is for defense. To which I respond, "Which is why you're out here to help get you use to combat. If it were only us two, then it would be a lot harder for you to practice while trying to protect me."