The other shrine maidens looked at Lumine with sorrow, some even quietly wiping away tears.

It was as if they were thinking, "Such a young, lively girl… and she's about to be gone."

"Why are you all looking at me like that?! What if this thing's wrong?!"

Lumine placed her hands on her hips and shot them an annoyed glare.

But that expression only made the maidens feel even sadder.

Such a lively, cheerful, optimistic girl… and she's supposed to be gone?!

Ayaka also looked worried, speaking softly:

"Lumine… you should still be careful. The fortunes at Narukami Shrine have never been wrong.

In the past, those who drew the absolute worst fortune… didn't last long afterward…"

Lumine pouted.

"I don't believe it! It's just the absolute worst fortune!"

"Ryen said it well—so long as my fists are strong enough, the whole world will have to treat me nicely!"

"As long as I'm strong enough, everyone in the world is good!"

She snorted, pulling the Serenitea Pot out of her pocket and slamming it on the table. The pressure of the dragon horde slowly radiated out.

Then she pulled an RPG from behind and propped it against the floor.

Her eyes glinted dangerously as she looked up at the Sacred Sakura.

"You better give me some good news! Or else, I'll chop you up!"

Gendou Ringo looked at Lumine with a hint of regret. She couldn't understand this series of actions, but in her heart, Lumine had clearly been overwhelmed by grief.

Pursing her lips, Gendou Ringo said cautiously:

"Miss Lumine, if you just pay attention, you can still… live a little longer…"

Before she could finish, the Sacred Sakura suddenly shone brilliantly. Pink light flooded the shrine, enveloping it completely.

The entire Narukami Shrine seemed submerged in a sea of pink.

The maidens had never seen anything like it and were momentarily flustered.

Cherry blossom petals fell like a gentle meteor shower, glowing faintly as they drifted down, converging on the draw container.

Then, suddenly, a wooden slip popped from the container, snapping everyone back to attention.

Gendou Ringo quickly looked down, eyes wide in disbelief:

"A… an Excellent Fortune! Great luck!"

No sooner had she spoken than another slip popped out.

"Another Excellent Fortune!"

Then the slips seemed to go wild, jumping out one after another.

Soon, seven Excellent Fortune slips were neatly lined up on the table—the total number of Excellent Fortunes in the container.

The pink glow gradually faded. At the very last moment, a cherry blossom petal gently floated down above the previous absolute worst fortune.

"Crack!"

A crisp shattering sound rang out.

The slip representing misfortune—the absolute worst fortune—split into pieces.

This strange scene left everyone in stunned silence.

After a moment, Lumine tilted her head back with all the confidence in the world.

"Hmph! Cowards always pick on the weak!"

"If Ryen were here, wouldn't you have smashed all the worst fortune slips and used the cherry blossoms to spell out a 'Great Luck' character?"

The shrine maidens looked at Lumine with complex expressions, as if they were witnessing some kind of monster.

Their Sacred Sakura… seemed to have submitted?

Why?!

At this moment, the image of the Sacred Sakura completely collapsed, and the maidens' faith was shattered on the floor.

Lumine placed her hands on her hips and looked at Gendou Ringo.

"Shrine Maiden, so… am I unlucky or lucky now?"

Gendou Ringo snapped back to reality, pursed her lips, and smiled bitterly:

"If this isn't considered great luck, Miss Lumine… I suppose there's no point in us being shrine maidens anymore."

"Excellent Fortune! Great Luck! Everything goes smoothly, as you wish!"

Lumine smiled happily, put away her weapons and the Serenitea Pot, and glanced at the Sacred Sakura.

Just a moment ago, it dared to give her the absolute worst fortune—now it knows who's boss? Hmph.

"This Ryen thing really taught me well! Fate? Destiny? Give it a punch, and it learns to behave!"

"As long as my fists are strong enough, my mood is the world's fate!"

"My rules are the world's rules!"

"My will is Heaven's will! My heart is Heaven's heart!"

Paimon clapped her hands excitedly:

"Amazing! Lumine! Great luck and prosperity!"

"Our future is bright!"

Ayaka pursed her lips and smiled lightly.

Though things had developed somewhat strangely…

Sometimes, to achieve the next step, you can't follow the ordinary path.

Sometimes, you really need someone bold like Lumine to break through.

"Oh my…"

A small, playful sigh came from behind. The shrine maidens stepped aside as Kamisato Ayato walked over, smiling.

"You really know how to cause a big commotion… fascinating."

"In the five hundred years since the Sacred Sakura was born, you are the first to dare threaten it and succeed."

"Truly interesting. Little one, I'm quite intrigued by you. Care to have a chat?"

Lumine sized him up, but her gaze quickly got distracted by his fluffy ears.

Her hands itched a little…

She muttered to herself, unable to resist looking at Ayato's back.

Unfortunately, no tail was in sight, or she would have at least tried to touch it.

Ayato's gaze carried a teasing hint.

"What, want to see if I have a tail?"

"Can I?"

Lumine looked at him expectantly.

Ayato smiled silently, which oddly made Lumine a little nervous.

She waved her hands quickly:

"Never mind, never mind, just kidding!"

Although a bit disappointed in her heart, it was fine—touching or petting a cat is the same, after all.

But judging by Ayato's demeanor, Lumine thought it might be best not to let Ryen meet him.

Otherwise…

A fox-eared, fox-tailed shrine maiden…

Directly targeting Ryen's weak spot?

If Ryen doesn't end up chasing Ayato to pet that tail, it'll only mean Lumine underestimated him…

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