Chapter 85

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 Ayato was at the Narukami shrine meeting with Yae Miko aka Lady Guuji about his engagement to Momo, The Engagement Ceremony and the Wedding date.

"So the Yashiro rascal is finally engaged to be married" Miko chuckled at Ayato's expression. "Yes Lady Guuji I am, that's why I'm here to speak to you," Ayato said calmly. "I want to book the date for Momo and me to do our Engagement Ceremony and as well for our wedding" Ayato added to Miko.

Miko smiled at him "Well you and Momo are certainly taking things at your own pace. Alright, you may choose any date between now and the end of the year for your engagement. As for your wedding, we have a tradition that noble couples should wait for a few months before they tie the knot. So, I would advise you to wait around December" The fox youkai said to him.

Ayato nodded "I understand, Lady Guuji. That will give us time to plan everything out. Thank you for your advice. I'm thinking about doing our ceremony in late August and for the wedding, I will speak to Momo about that" Ayato said

"Of course, Lord Ayato and don't forget to buy a dowry for Momo and once you both get your wedding date please come back to see me," she said

"Yes, Lady Guuji. I won't forget that. I will be sure to choose a special box for Momo. Now, I'll take my leave if there's nothing else." Ayato bowed respectfully to Lady Guuji before heading out of the shrine. He felt a sense of relief and anticipation wash over him. The meeting had gone smoothly, and he had everything he needed to plan the next step in his life with Momo.

As two days went by Ayaka was at the Iwashiro Shrine interviewing a young shrine priest named Haru who as a few years of experience under his belt.

"So, how long have you been working as a priest?" Ayaka asked, taking a sip of her tea. The young man smiled politely, looking around the room as he answered.

"I have been a priest for four years now," Haru said

"So what made you want to become a priest in the first place?" Ayaka asked, taking some notes. The young man thought for a moment before answering.

"My ancestors worked for The Iwashiro Shrine for many generations before it closed down. My great-great-grandfather was the last priest. When the shrine was going to be reopened, I felt a deep connection to it and wanted to continue the family's legacy. I have always been drawn to the spiritual aspect of life and felt that becoming a priest would allow me to serve others in a meaningful way." Haru said, a look of determination in his eyes.

"That's a wonderful story, Haru. You have a deep passion for your work. So, how do you feel about the recent changes at the shrine?"

Haru thought for a moment before responding. "I must admit, it's still the same as I saw in the pictures and it is brand new as I see it now that why I want to work here to make it more meaningful and more spiritual just like my ancestors have done in the past. The Iwashiro Shrine has always been known for its beauty and sacredness. I want to keep that tradition alive and make it even more special for everyone who visits. The recent changes have brought in new people and new ideas, and I think that's a good thing. We need to adapt and evolve while still maintaining our core values."

"That's a very mature perspective, Haru. You understand the importance of balance. As the new head priest, what changes do you hope to implement at the shrine?" Ayaka asked.

"Well, firstly, I want to focus on maintaining the spiritual aspect of the shrine. I believe that this is what sets us apart from other tourist attractions in the area. I plan to organize more spiritual ceremonies and workshops, as well as create a space for quiet contemplation. At the same time, I want to make sure that we are welcoming to everyone who visits, regardless of their background or beliefs. I think that by blending the old and the new, we can create a unique experience that appeals to a wide range of people."

"In addition, I think it's important to reach out to the local community and get more people involved in the shrine's activities. We have a lot of resources and expertise here that could be shared with those who are interested. This could include things like meditation classes and even workshops on traditional Inazumen crafts. By becoming more integrated into the community, I believe we can deepen the connection that people have with the shrine and make it an even more important part of their lives." he added with a smile.

Haru's vision for the Iwashiro Shrine resonated with Ayaka. She could see the passion and dedication in his eyes as he spoke about preserving its legacy while adapting to the changing times. As she took down her final notes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about the possibilities that lay ahead.

"Thank you, Haru, for sharing your insights with me. Your perspective is truly inspiring. I believe you would make an excellent head priest for the Iwashiro Shrine. I will consider your ideas as we continue to discuss the future of the shrine." Ayaka said, giving him a warm smile.

"Now let's go meet the shrine maidens, there in the practice room rehearsing their performances for the opening ceremony," Ayaka said, leading Haru out of the room. They walked down a long corridor, the sound of traditional music drifting towards them from a room at the end. 

Three young women, dressed in traditional shrine maiden costumes, were practicing a dance together, their movements fluid and graceful. While the other three were taking a break and were sitting on the side, watching them intently.

As they entered the room, the maidens paused and bowed respectfully to Ayaka. "Good afternoon ladies, I want to introduce you to the head priest this is Haru you will be working for him," Ayaka said with a warm smile. Haru bowed respectfully in return, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm looking forward to working together and helping to make the Iwashiro Shrine a success."

The maidens exchanged glances, some looking a bit nervous, while others seemed excited by the prospect of having a new leader. One of the maidens who was sitting on the side, her long dark hair tied back into a neat bun, stood up and introduced herself. 

"I'm Sumire, the senior maiden here. We're all very pleased to have you as our new head priest, Haru. We'll do our best to support you in any way we can." Her voice was calm and reassuring, putting Haru at ease.

Haru smiled warmly in response. "Thank you, Sumire, I'm sure we'll make a great team." He turned to the other maidens and continued, "I'd like to hear more about your ideas for the opening ceremony. What kinds of things have you been practicing?"

-

Note 

Ayato and Miko are own by Hoyoverse

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