The night was as dark as ink, dotted with countless stars.

Under the moonlight, Yuzuru Shrine appeared exceptionally tranquil. The vermilion torii gate was gilded with a layer of silver light, and the night breeze rustled the wind chimes on the eaves, producing a crisp sound that echoed softly in the night.

Before the statue, Kimie Shimabukuro, dressed in a red and white shrine maiden outfit and holding a Kagura bell, was performing an evening prayer for the deity. The flickering candlelight illuminated her devout profile in shifting light.

"Lord God..."

She softly recited the prayer, her voice like a babbling brook, echoing in the empty shrine.

Yuzuru leaned against the door frame, quietly admiring the scene.

He deliberately shuffled his feet, wanting to see how long the shrine maiden could maintain her focused expression.

Sure enough, in less than three minutes—

"!"

Shimabukuro Kimie seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around.

When her gaze fell upon that familiar figure, her already bright eyes instantly shone even brighter, like fireworks suddenly bursting in the night sky, her surprise and excitement overflowing: "My Lord!"

She hurriedly put down the Kagura bell, took a few steps, then remembered her manners and quickly stopped to straighten her clothes, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement: "Y-you, what brings you here?"

"Come see my personal shrine maiden~" Hanyu Nan walked into the shrine, stopped in front of the statue, looked up at his own sculpture, and couldn't help but laugh, "That girl Ai, she sculpted me quite handsomely."

Shimabukuro Kimie gazed at him reverently: "The divine being is indeed so magnificent."

Yuzuru chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair: "I told you, just call me Yuzuru."

"Yes... God."

Well, it's still quite difficult to get a fanatic to change their mind.

"What are you praying for? You seem so focused."

"In...in..."

Shimabukuro Kimie's ears turned bright red instantly, and her fingers unconsciously twisted her sleeves. She couldn't very well admit that she was praying to stay by the god's side forever; it was just too embarrassing to say.

"It's just... a normal, everyday prayer..."

She lowered her head, her voice growing softer and softer.

Yuzuru didn't expose her, casually picked up an apple from the offering plate and took a bite. Eating the offerings that were meant for him shouldn't be considered stealing offerings, right?

Thinking this, he casually asked, "Junhui, do you know magic? Or any witch skills?"

After all, the Mermaid Shrine has been around for so many years.

Logically speaking, the Shimabukuro family should have a lineage of shrine maidens. Previously, they might not have been able to cultivate outside due to the lack of spiritual energy, but here at the villa, there is a purifying spring that continuously provides spiritual energy, making their cultivation conditions exceptionally favorable.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing the deity's words, Shimabukuro Kimie was taken aback, then lowered her head in shame, "Aside from basic blessing rituals and Kagura dances... I don't know any other orthodox magic..."

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.

Being a priestess without magic is as awkward as a chef not knowing how to cook.

But there was nothing they could do; their family's magic books had all been burned in a fire when her mother was a child because she was mischievous...

The daughter has to pay for her mother's debts; what a terrible injustice!

"What kind of priestess can't cast spells?"

Yu Sheng Nan smiled and ruffled her hair. "I'll teach you another day."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips: "By the way, I know someone who definitely has a complete lineage of magical arts..."

"Who?" Kimie Shimabukuro asked curiously.

"Koizumi Akako," Yuzuru grinned mischievously, "a witch~"

Kimie Shimabukuro blinked: "A witch... and a shrine maiden, are they the same thing?"

"Almost there~" Yuzuru snapped his fingers. "They all serve the gods, just with different names."

He was already planning in his mind how to "borrow" Koizumi Akako's magic book—of course, through "friendly negotiation."

"My Lord God..." Shimabukuro Kimie's eyes reddened with emotion, "Will you go and beg that witch for my sake?"

"beg?"

Yuzuru gave a sly smile. "Of course, we're going to 'borrow' it."

As for how to borrow it, we'll talk about that later.

Shimabukuro Kimie suddenly had a bad feeling: "Um... God, the witch... she..."

"Don't worry~" Yuzuru waved his hand, "I will discuss it with her very gently."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the shrine maiden's chest, which rose and fell slightly with nervousness. Her red and white shrine maiden clothes looked exceptionally holy in the candlelight, yet they also carried a hint of ascetic allure.

The vibrant colors contrasted sharply with her fair skin, adding to her captivating charm.

“Speaking of which…” Yuzuru suddenly leaned closer, his breath almost brushing against her earlobe, “Kimi looks really beautiful in her shrine maiden outfit.”

"!"

Shimabukuro Kimie froze, her cheeks instantly burning red.

The sudden approach of the deity made her heart race like a runaway deer. The cool, refreshing scent lingered in her nostrils, making her dizzy and her mind go blank, leaving her completely at a loss.

"God... Your Majesty..." Her voice trembled, her long eyelashes fluttering, "This... is too close..."

Yuzuru chuckled softly, and instead of backing away, he reached out and stroked her pretty cheek: "What? Does my shrine maiden not like me getting close?"

"No, no!" Kimie Shimabukuro hurriedly shook her head, her hair swaying gently with the movement. "It's just... I..."

Her incoherent ramblings were incredibly cute, and Yu Shengnan couldn't help but move even closer, almost trapping her between himself and the altar, creating an ambiguous and intimate atmosphere.

The candlelight cast their shadows on the wall, creating an intimate silhouette. A few petals from the offering table drifted down due to the slight tremor and landed on Shimabukuro Kimie's shoulder.

"Junhui..." Yu Shengnan called her name softly, gently lifting her chin with his fingers, "Close your eyes."

As if under a spell, Shimabukuro Kimie's eyes became hazy and submissive. She obediently closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her red lips parted slightly, looking as if she were ready to be taken.

However, the expected kiss did not come; instead, a light flick of the finger was given on the forehead.

"Thump!"

"Ouch!" Shimabukuro Kimie cried out in pain, clutching her forehead. She opened her eyes, her large, watery eyes filled with confusion. "God..."

"What are you thinking about?" Yuzuru Nanagi chuckled mischievously and took a step back. "I just wanted to see your reaction. As expected, my shrine maiden has ulterior motives towards her god~"

"Hmm..."

Realizing she had been tricked, the shrine maiden was filled with shame and indignation. Her pink cheeks flushed red, and her eyes reddened as well: "God, God, you are so mean!"

The shrine maiden holding a gohei