Chapter 104: The Exorcism Martial Exhibition
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“Are you talking about... the exercise?”
Upon hearing this word, Qiao Qiao immediately perked up.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Maki Niiki nodded.
“It’s organized by Heian Shrine and includes participation from Fushimi Inari Taisha, Yasaka Shrine, Kitano Tenmangu, Atago Shrine, Kibune Shrine, Iwashimizu Hachimangu, and our Kamo Shrine, among a dozen or so others.”
“For a month following the start of the Gion Festival, every night there will be exorcism martial exercises near Mount Hiei. The final winner will be decided based on exorcism performance and time.”
“That sounds pretty intense.”
Suzuka remarked. She had recently watched several documentaries, including ones about military drills, so she figured exorcism exercises would be similar.
“So, Miss Niiki, are you asking me to offer some advice to Shimogamo Shrine?” Qiao Qiao inquired.
“More precisely, to train the shrine maidens of our shrine.”
Maki Niiki’s smile carried a hint of bitterness.
“?”
Qiao Qiao was puzzled.
As a historically renowned grand shrine, Kamo Shrine’s exorcism methods must be exquisite—surely they wouldn’t need my help.
Seeing Qiao Qiao’s confusion, Maki Niiki explained.
“You may not know, Qiao-san, but Kyoto’s Kamo Shrine is split into two. Kamigamo Shrine, also known as Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine, venerates Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami. It has a deep heritage, so there’s no need to elaborate.”
“Our shrine is Shimogamo Shrine, commonly called Shimogamo, dedicated to Tamayorihime no Mikoto and Kamo Taketsunokami. Compared to Kamigamo, we fall far behind.”
“In recent years, all the talented newcomers have gone to Kamigamo Shrine. Those left here are mostly underperformers. Last year at the Gion Festival, we ranked last.”
“If we come in last again this year, I’m afraid our shrine won’t be allowed to participate in the next Gion Festival.”
“That’s serious.”
Ariko Asano sighed.
“Isn’t the Aoi Festival at Shimogamo Shrine still quite popular? How did things suddenly get like this...”
Shimogamo’s Aoi Festival, Yasaka Shrine’s Gion Festival, and Heian Shrine’s Jidai Festival are known as Kyoto’s three grand festivals, each celebrated with great splendor.
“To be honest, we’re only decent at hosting festivals. When it comes to exorcism, we’re completely out of our depth.”
As Maki Niiki spoke, a sleek black limousine pulled up beside them at Shimogamo Shrine’s side gate.
“It’s so quiet here.”
Just stepping out, Suzuka commented.
“Yeah, surprisingly no tourists around.”
Qiao Qiao glanced around.
The Kamo River flowed quietly, and Shimogamo Shrine was exceptionally tranquil.
The shrine was nestled within an ancient forest known as Tadasu no Mori, where the trees ranged from two to six centuries old.
The forest’s most famous feature was two entwined trees known as the “Enmusubi no Ki” or “Trees of Binding Fate,” making Shimogamo Shrine the most renowned spot in Kyoto for prayers related to love luck.
“This is where the shrine maidens live and train. Normally, there’s hardly anyone here,” Maki Niiki explained as she led the two women and one yokai deeper into the shrine grounds, through the serene forest path, arriving at a side hall.
Removing their shoes and entering the hall, Qiao Qiao soon saw several young women around her own age.
They were all quite youthful.
However...
“Ah, missing Soda’s concert really made my whole life feel dull.”
“Wanna go to karaoke this afternoon? Should I invite some handsome guys?”
“It’s summer break, and yet I have to waste it at the shrine. Ugh, I just rented a bunch of DVDs to have fun at home.”
“Don’t say it—I even turned down my family trip to Hawaii. Thinking about it now, that was a huge loss. I should be sunbathing on Waikiki Beach right now.”
“Shhh, quiet—Maki-san is here.”
At Maki Niiki’s entrance, the girls quickly sat up straight.
“Let me introduce: this is Ariko Asano, a shrine maiden from Atsuta Shrine, Tokyo’s exorcist Qiao Qiao, and Miss Suzuka,” Maki Niiki gave a brief introduction.
“Oh, and Suzuka is a deer yokai, so please don’t be startled.”
No sooner had she said this than the girls’ faces turned pale and they retreated into a corner.
“Y-Yokai!?”
“Are we finally going to be eaten?”
“Don’t come near me!”
“I-I haven’t even had a relationship yet; at least let me get out of here before I die—[bleep]!”
“?”
Watching their reaction, Qiao Qiao began to grasp some of Maki Niiki’s concerns.
Normal exorcists might feel uneasy around yokai but wouldn’t be this terrified.
Besides, Suzuka was only a three-year-old deer.
“Ryoko Kitagawa, her family runs a supermarket. She awakened her spiritual power at sixteen and was sent here to Shimogamo Shrine.”
“Haruka Sasaki just awakened her spiritual power less than a year ago. She has attempted exorcisms three times—all failed.”
“Kotone Hashimoto is the daughter of a shrine priest. She discovered her spiritual power at fifteen but hasn’t performed any exorcisms yet.”
“Nanase Hayami just started high school. She found out she has spiritual power six months ago and is still learning.”
Maki Niiki pointed to each girl in turn, introducing them by name.
“They’re all very young.”
Qiao Qiao reflected.
From Maki Niiki’s words, it seemed these shrine maidens had all awakened their spiritual power quite late.
Originally, Qiao Qiao had assumed shrine maidens awaken their powers in early childhood and begin training immediately—like Ariko Asano.
But it seemed more common for them to only realize their spiritual abilities in their teens, then be sent to the shrine by their families.
Whether it was someone like Masaharu Ii, trained from birth as a young lord, or Mikoto Hoshikawa, who rapidly advanced after awakening, or even shrine maidens like Asano and Fujiwara starting training young, they were all exceptions in the exorcist world.
Realizing this made Qiao Qiao feel that her research was all the more meaningful.
Even exorcists were so rare and precious; developing tools for ordinary people to combat vengeful spirits was urgent.
“Don’t be fooled by their youth—they’re all rookies. Though they have spiritual power, it’s only enough to handle ordinary vengeful spirits.”
Maki Niiki didn’t spare their feelings as she spoke bluntly.
“Besides, many of them are particularly timid. They’re scared not only of vengeful spirits but even horror movies.”
“I see.”
Qiao Qiao could somewhat sympathize.
Imagine being an ordinary high schooler, suddenly told you have spiritual power and must fight vengeful spirits at a shrine every day—it would be unbearable for most.
“Moreover, their training is quite lazy. Some even want to find boyfriends to help them [bleep] to avoid training. Wake up! It’s already the 21st century; shrine maidens no longer have those [bleep] restrictions.”
Maki Niiki said helplessly.
No restrictions, huh?
This was the first time Qiao Qiao had heard that.
He had always thought shrine maidens, as divine representatives, were supposed to maintain [bleep].
No, no, that’s not the point.
“In short, these few won’t be able to place higher than last in the exorcism exercises.”
Maki Niiki bowed deeply to Qiao Qiao, performing a formal apology.
“Qiao-san, please train them well and help them become excellent exorcists within a month.”