A priestesses' fate isn't so cruel

Chapeter 7

"IMPERFECT! REPEAT THE STEPS AGAIN!"

Sarata yelled, making a hand gesture to the other priestesses who were practicing the kagura dance.

It's sunday , the day after saturday. The head priestess saw some imperfection so she had assigned Sarata to instruct the others.

"Kriing!..Kriing!" the bells dangling on the kagura stick rang pleasantly. Shina was clearly panting, trying to keep up with the strict young instructor.

Sarata observed everyone like a hunter watching its prey. She noticed that Shina was obviously terrible at it, and pitied that she might get a lecture from the head priestess.

"It's only 8 in the morning.. god.." Shina panted while managing to say her words. "Good heavens! you aren't even trying. Dismissed, all of you did well so far." Sarata dismissed everyone, and most of them feeling tired rushed out the room.

"Except you, Shina." She held Shina back from the door way.

"Huh?.. but i-" Shina looks at Sarata.

"Sigh.. your performances aren't well, you have to stay back and practice. And you're lucky because i don't usually give out extra teaching." She strictly looked at Shina.

"Uh.. okay then" She replies hesitantly.

And the training began.

.."Higher! gentle face expression!"..

"Position your hands lower! .."

"Lower!!"

...."Look at the audience and repeat the steps properly!"..

When the extra training finally stopped, Shina made some effort at least, just a little.

She collapsed from tiredness and sweat drenched her uniform.

"Can.. can i be dismissed now?" she pants with exhaustion while looking up at Sarata.

"Ok! i permit you to. Not bad, you made some changes. Now you can do this list of chores next." She hands Shina a list of her daily chores.

"What?.." she panted while her sweaty palms moisturised the paper.

"Of course. This is what a shinto maidens do. I have to go now. Please do your chores." Sarata glanced at Shina and left the dancing train room.

Shina got up, went for a bath and proceeded to her chores. She just wanted to get it over with, really.

As always, she grabbed the broom and started sweeping the yard that was always messy with sakura petals or some other dirt.

As she started sweeping, She heard another broom sweeping next to her.

Makoto held the broom and started sweeping.

"Eh, Makoto! why are you here.." she blushed a little, while looking at his gentle but manly expression.

"Well, i decided to help. This yard is huge, why would they only assign it to one girl?" he smiled while he started sweeping.

"Then.. thank you.." she looks at the floor completely red.

While they were sweeping, Shina got curious and decided to ask him some questions.

"Makoto.." she swept slowlier.

"Yes?" he looks at her seriously.

"Why are you here.. i mean.. like what made you into a yin yang master?" she asks out of curiosity.

"Oh! that.. well kind of a long story. Long story short, i became one of the yin yang masters at Gochirei temple due to some family complications.."
his face saddened.

"oh.." She could see the sadness in his eyes.

"I studied finance and buisness and my father arranged a marriage with a girl i've never liked or really talked to. She liked me alot, but i couldn't accept her feelings because i just.. don't want to be forced." he continues.

Shina stared at him, and she could tell there were alot of stories written in his eyes.

"So i became a yin yang master at Gochirei's temple, father was upset but agreed anyway because i was a failure in his eyes..and my family's eyes. But because Gochirei's temple was quite far, i decided to move to this temple and serve Imanko because its closer to the town, and my family." he finishes his story with a bitter smile.

"Wait!.." Shina spontaneously interrupted.

"hm?" Makoto with a suprised expression looked at her.

"You're Makoto from the Senichi family!!.. and you're the supposed heir of the company .. right?" she held a hand to her lips and bowed immediately.

"Sorry for not recognising you!.. forgive me.." she apologizes deliberately.

"No!.. stand up.. and yes.. i am the company heir.. but not anymore because i'm already a temple servant.. and you don't have to bow.." he brought her to stand up.

"But.." she blushes again.

"Its okay.Speaking of curiousity, i'm more curious about you. How did you get here?.." he asks.

"that.. i.. well .. lets just say it's some complications." She bitterly replies while holding back her tears.

"Hm.. i think we should head back." Makoto notices her saddened expression and pities her.

"Ah! ok..." Shina smiles nervously while her cheeks flushed.

She had never felt so happy really. She whispered under her breath,

"Thank you..".