Chapter 201: The Plan to Hook a God; The Harem King Saves the World
"Eh..."
Hearing those words, Hina Amano turned her head. When she saw that Yoru's gaze wasn't on the rainbow, but fixed squarely on her, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head, her face burning.
Did I misinterpret that? When he said it was a 'beautiful view' he wanted to keep seeing... was he talking about the rainbow, or... me?
Hina was too embarrassed to speak. She wanted to ask, but she didn't have the courage. She quickly tried to change the subject in a small, shaky voice.
"S-Since the rain stopped... we should get moving."
"Yeah. Let's go."
Yoru nodded, and the two of them stepped off the station platform together, their shoes splashing in the puddles as they walked side-by-side.
As a city girl through and through, Hina found the rural landscape strangely calming. Breathing in the fresh, rain-washed air helped settle her nerves. Of course, the scenery was only part of it. The real reason her mood had lifted was that Yoru had shattered her internal conflict.
She had spent so long agonizing over her fate—terrified of vanishing, yet feeling like it was her "duty" to die so the rest of the country could have sunshine. She hadn't told anyone in the Super-Quant Club about her condition because she knew how they'd react.
Rio, Miko, Mai, Yui... even the blunt Saki or the ice-cold Kazusa. If they had to vote on whether to let Hina sacrifice herself or kill a God, there was only one choice they'd ever make.
The club didn't do "compromise."
But Yoru's logic had finally clicked for her. Her sacrifice was meaningless if the cycle just repeated a century later. This mission wasn't just about saving Hina; it was about ending the era of human sacrifices once and for all.
As they walked down the narrow country road, the shimmering Red Threads representing the God of Itomori reappeared, floating beside Yoru like a scrolling subtitle box.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Due to the freak storm, all bus services are canceled for the day."
Seeing this, Hina offered a bright smile. "No need to worry about that. Yoru can fly."
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "OH?! You can fly as well?! Truly, your list of divine talents is—"
Yoru raised a hand, cutting off the text. "Cut it out. You're like a Gacha bot that just detected a keyword. Stop the auto-combo."
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Hehe, my apologies! It's just my heartfelt admiration leaking out."
The threads did a little "wiggle" of flattery before settling into a more serious sentence.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Actually, I believe it would be best if you rested for the night and entered Itomori Town tomorrow morning."
"Going for the 'Lure' strategy, are we?" Yoru asked.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Hehe, as expected, you catch on quick."
Hina looked between the boy and the floating threads, her head tilted in confusion. The God of Itomori noticed her bewilderment and began to explain.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "That last wave of spirits was just the 'Weather God' hijacking local ghosts to do his dirty work. The only thing that actually cost him power was that lightning strike."
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "He clearly underestimated Lord Yoru, thinking some generic mobs would be enough. But after that slaughter, he knows the score now. The next time he attacks, he'll have to commit his full power. It's better to wait and let him stew in his anxiety."
Hina nodded slowly. "I get it. If we fight him now, he might cause collateral damage to the town. Out here in the middle of nowhere, we don't have to worry about the residents."
The red threads vibrated happily. In just one sentence, the God of Itomori had become a fan of Hina. She was just like his own medium, Mitsuha—kind, gentle, but with an iron core.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "No wonder you're Lord Yoru's lover! You're perfect for each other!"
Hina's brain stalled. She looked at Yoru, then back at the threads, her face turning a deep shade of crimson as she waved her hands frantically. "N-No! It's not like that! You've got it all wrong!"
Seeing Hina's flustered state, Yoru chuckled. "He's just trolling you, Hina."
"Oh... I see..."
Knowing they weren't "official" yet, the threads wove themselves into a thoughtful expression. The God of Itomori had a long-term goal: he wanted to save Itomori from a future disaster (a meteorite he had foreseen). Saving the people was key, but if he could save the town itself, that was a bonus.
A human alone might not be enough. But if Yoru wanted to save the town, he could.
The God hatched a plan: Mitsuha is about the same age as Lord Yoru. If I can set them up... then Yoru becomes the town's son-in-law. No guy lets his girlfriend's hometown get vaporized. It's a win-win!
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Then please, Lord Yoru, rest for the night. There's a traditional inn just down that path."
Half an hour later, they arrived at a small, rustic inn. It looked aged, but the interior was spotless and cozy.
A kind-looking elderly woman greeted them with a bow. "Welcome, travelers. Looking for a room?"
"Yes."
"We have plenty of space. Will that be one room, or two?"
Hina opened her mouth, her face heating up as she struggled to figure out how to say "one room" without sounding like a degenerate, but Yoru beat her to the punch.
"One room is fine."
"Very good."
As the grandmother processed the check-in, Yoru leaned in and whispered to Hina, "Since we're at risk of being ambushed by a God, we should stay in the same room to watch each other's backs. It's for 'safety,' right?"
Hina's voice was barely a squeak. "Mmm... I... I'm okay with whatever..."
"Aight then."
The granny led them to a classic washitsu (Japanese-style room). It was so traditional it didn't even have a bed—just floor mats (futons). Through the window, you could see the lush green fields and the setting sun.
"Here is your key. If you need anything, just call. We serve simple home-cooked meals here, but you can eat as much as you like—it's included in the price."
"Thank you very much," Hina bowed politely.
"Oh, no trouble at all, dearie!" The granny smiled warmly. Seeing two young, attractive kids traveling alone to this remote spot, she had already written a whole "Runaway Lovers" fanfiction in her head.
Once the door shut, Hina looked at Yoru. He was sitting by the window, staring out at the fields. "Um... if we stay here, won't the granny be in danger if we're attacked?"
Yoru waved a hand dismissively. "There are no 'Doors' to the Otherworld nearby, so no high-level spirits can manifest naturally. That Weather God can only send generic mobs. To a 'normie' like her who can't see ghosts, they're just a nuisance—maybe a mild headache or a heavy mood. They can't physically hurt her."
"I see. That's a relief."
Hina felt lucky that "Doors" were currently only a major phenomenon in Tokyo and Kyoto. If they were fighting in a city, the Weather God could manifest a Disaster-Class spirit that would level the whole block.
Night fell. The dinner was simple—pickled vegetables and tea-soaked rice (Chazuke)—but it was comforting.
The summer night was alive with the sound of cicadas. A cool breeze drifted through the cracks in the wooden window frame.
"It's 11:00 PM..." Hina murmured. She looked at the floor, where only a single set of futons had been laid out. She bit her lip and looked at Yoru. "You... you should sleep. I'll stay awake and keep watch tonight."
"We'll deal with that in a sec," Yoru said, turning to her. "The real question is: how long do we wait? If that guy in the sky realizes we're just sitting here, he can play the long game and send small waves of ghosts to tire us out. We can't afford to waste time."
Hina frowned. He was right. The Weather God was smart enough to use "moral kidnapping" to get sacrifices; he wasn't a mindless beast. If he decided to starve them of sleep, they'd be in trouble.
Yoru looked at Hina with a glimmer of "Abstract" intent in his eyes.
"To catch a fish, you need the right bait. And a reason for the fish to bite now."
Meanwhile, in the Miyamizu Residence, Itomori.
Mitsuha, who was fidgeting with her phone in her room, saw the Red Threads manifest.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Mitsuha, I need your help."
"L-Lord God!" Mitsuha stammered.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Don't be so formal. We're basically sisters."
"Sisters...?" Mitsuha didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her grandmother called this being "The Great Deity," and here it was, acting like a gal-pal. "What do you need me to do?"
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Tomorrow morning, if the buses are still down, I want you to find a friend with a car. You need to drive out and pick up Lord Yoru. He's entering Itomori."
"Tomorrow morning? Got it. I'll handle it."
Back at the Inn.
The Red Threads appeared before Yoru and Hina.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "I've thought of a way to back that bastard into a corner and force him to bite."
Yoru looked at Hina, his tone becoming meaningful. "Is the plan you're thinking of the same one I'm thinking of?"
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Based on your expression, yes. Precisely that 'method'."
"Well... it is the only logical solution."
Hina looked between them, her "Sunshine Girl" innocence on full display. "What method? What are you guys talking about?"
The red threads wove themselves right in front of Hina's face, the text appearing very formal and grave.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Hina. You know that to fix the weather and stop the cycle of sacrifices, we have to stop this 'Weather God' once and for all, right?"
Hina nodded, her gaze firm. "Yes. I'll do whatever it takes."
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Have you made your peace with that? Are you truly resolved?"
"Yes. I am."
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "Excellent." The threads did a little nod of approval. [GOD OF ITOMORI]: "In that case, please proceed to engage in 'Intimate Physical Acts' with Lord Yoru immediately."
"EHHHH?! WHAT?!"
Hina's face exploded into a supernova of red. She looked at Yoru, her tongue tied in knots. "W-Wait! What does that have to do with saving the world?!"
"It has everything to do with it," Yoru interrupted, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Think about the legends of the Weather Maidens. What is the one defining trait of the girls chosen as sacrifices?"
Hina thought for a second. "They're... they're always young?"
"Exactly. They're 'Maidens.' Pure. Untouched."
"U-Untouched...?" Hina finally saw where he was going.
"The one thing that 'God' in the sky cannot tolerate," Yoru continued, "is his chosen sacrifice being 'contaminated.' If you... well, if you lose your 'purity,' the bait is spoiled. He'll panic. He'll be forced to strike now before he loses you entirely."
Yoru sighed, looking incredibly "noble." "It's a tough job, but I suppose I'll have to step up. I can't let the mission fail just because I'm shy about my own 'purity,' right?"
Hina stared at him. 'Purity'... what a choice of words.
Looking at Yoru, she realized he was "sacrificing" himself to put on a show for the God lurking in the clouds. It seemed like the only logical way to force a confrontation.
[GOD OF ITOMORI]: "I'll leave you to it then! See you at the Shrine tomorrow!~"
Feeling the mood turn... electric... the Simp God vanished instantly.
Hina and Yoru were left alone in the dim light of the inn.
"I... I..." Hina lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. "T-To save the world... I guess it can't be helped, right? But I'm... I'm really nervous, so..."
Yoru stood up and walked over to her, a small smirk on his face.
"Looks like the 'God of the Harem' has to save the world once again."
"Mmm..." Hina whispered. Even though she knew this started as a "tactic," feeling Yoru's presence so close made her heart race at a terminal velocity.
She summoned every ounce of her courage and reached out, taking Yoru's hand. She squeezed it with all her might and whispered:
"Actually... I don't really find the idea... 'contaminating' at all."