Unconsciously, a week passed, and Yoshino's manga began its serialization.
Lately, she had been drawing at home; she didn't want to become one of those manga artists hounded by editors for drafts.
Toujou Nozomi also came to check Yoshino's work as a fan. Yes, she was responsible for checking.
Tomorrow was Muse's first live performance. Yoshino, wearing her newly bought white pajamas, sat by the bed, looking at the moon outside the window.
At this time, Kousaka Honoka and the other two should be at Kousaka Honoka's house.
She remembered that Minami Kotori had just finished making clothes and shown them to Sonoda Umi, and she still recalled the hilarious facial expression Umi displayed at that time; it was truly amusing.
"Nozomi-neechan, do you think Muse's live performance tomorrow will be successful?"
Yoshino asked, looking at Toujou Nozomi, who was still engrossed in the 'Gosick' manga.
"Well, my tarot cards originally showed growth through failure. I don't know why, but recently, they've shown a different answer. It's as if something interfered with this matter."
This place was clearly a world of common sense; could Toujou Nozomi's tarot cards be beyond common sense?
"The result is that there's a variable here, and because of this variable, Muse will have a good start tomorrow, an even better start than before."
Toujou Nozomi was also surprised by this divination result; except for Yoshino, she had never been wrong before.
"Nozomi-neechan, you really believe in this, don't you? Why?"
Yoshino came and lay down beside Toujou Nozomi, resting her small head on her lap.
Toujou Nozomi gently stroked Shiina's small head and explained.
"I've never failed a fortune-telling or a draw before (Yoshino doesn't know I've failed before anyway). This time, using my tarot cards, I found that Muse's live performance will have a dazzling result. So, I decided to watch from the sidelines. And even though Eri-ri says she doesn't acknowledge Muse, she actually really wants to join. I want to persuade her later; maybe she'll join Muse."
Seemingly imagining Ayase Eli joining Muse, Toujou Nozomi couldn't help but smile.
"Nozomi-neechan really cares about Sister Eli." Yoshino turned her head, burying it in Toujou Nozomi's lap, and said with a slightly muffled tone. This unprecedented feeling made Yoshino a little uncomfortable.
"Hehe, is Yoshino jealous?"
Looking at Yoshino, who had buried her head in her lap, Toujou Nozomi found it a bit amusing, thinking she was just being clingy.
"Jealous? I don't know, Yoshino feels heavy-hearted and a little uncomfortable right now. Is this what jealousy feels like?"
Heaven help her, Yoshino had never been in love in her previous life, didn't even know what love felt like, let alone jealousy.
"You child." It seemed she really was jealous, but just didn't realize it.
"Do you want a hug, Yoshino?" Before she could hear an answer, Toujou Nozomi picked Yoshino up, letting Yoshino rest her head on her shoulder.
She really was a Little Loli with no dark past. Looking at Yoshino, who was somewhat enjoying resting on her, she truly wondered how her family had gone. But what was that scene she had seen before?
Thinking of the photo in the camera earlier, where Yoshino was surrounded by a blue light, Toujou Nozomi began to speculate in her heart.
She wasn't an atheist; she believed in the existence of gods. Yoshino's appearance, the Shiina personality in her hand, and her abnormal powers—she now had some idea.
"You're very clever, Toujou Nozomi. But don't just blurt it out."
Shiina's voice appeared in her mind, making Toujou Nozomi look at Shiina in Yoshino's hand with some surprise.
"Please don't reveal Yoshino's current identity. This is the only secret Yoshino has hidden from you. If this secret is revealed, it won't be good for Yoshino. You must know that Yoshino is still too fragile."
"Then your identity shouldn't be a second personality either, right?"
"...I am an independent personality created when Yoshino's spiritual power connected to the puppet in her hand."
"Spiritual power, is that the blue light from before?"
"...You really are a peeping tom."
It hadn't even noticed Toujou Nozomi peeking; what a failure.
"So for now, don't say anything. Let your gentleness help Yoshino grow up well."
"Understood, I will always watch over this child." Ignoring Shiina, she lay down on the bed, holding Yoshino.
The two had been sleeping together for the past few days, and Yoshino could say she had grown accustomed to the feeling of Toujou Nozomi sleeping beside her.
She snuggled closer to Toujou Nozomi's arm, looked up at Toujou Nozomi's gentle gaze.
Feeling at ease, she let Toujou Nozomi's chin rest on her forehead. Yoshino felt she was starting to like this feeling.
"Nozomi-neechan, do you think there are gods in this world? Are there angels? Are there Spirits?"
If there were no gods, she probably wouldn't have been able to transmigrate into this world and become Yoshino.
"Hmm, I believe in the existence of gods, you know. I'm a shrine maiden, after all; every day at the shrine, I feel the strong spiritual energy there."
"Is that so?" Then she wondered if Toujou Nozomi could feel her spiritual power?
Thinking this, Yoshino, unconsciously, allowed the spiritual power within her body to enter Toujou Nozomi's body. Neither of them noticed this happening.
"I want to go see tomorrow's live performance. I want to see Honoka and the others' dazzling show."
To be able to see a live performance, why not?
"Hehe, it seems Yoshino also really likes Muse."
"Yes, I like them the most. It feels great being with Honoka and the others. Everyone is kind. But they all love to pat Yoshino's head, which I don't quite understand." Thinking of the head-patting scene that always happened, Yoshino frowned slightly.
"Don't you like it?" How could anyone see Yoshino and not want to pat her head? No one could resist that.
"I don't dislike it, but I always feel a little shy. Sometimes Honoka doesn't just pat my head, she also rubs my cheek, which tickles." The joyful expression after each rub was something Yoshino always wanted to understand.
"Isn't that because they really like Yoshino?"
Since Yoshino is so cute, it's normal to not be able to resist her.
"Hmm~ I'm a bit sleepy, Nozomi-neechan."
Slowly closing her eyes, Yoshino's steady breathing soon filled the air.
"Good night, Yoshino."
After a soft kiss on Yoshino's forehead, Toujou Nozomi also closed her eyes and slowly drifted into dreams.