Trust between people had long since crumbled because of power, status, and self-interest...
And now there were nonhuman things mixed in, too.
Being rescued while on the verge of death should have been cause for joy, but... why...?
"The clothes are over there. Change into them."
[...]
"Is there a problem?"
[That's... a shrine maiden outfit, right?]
"Do you think you can't wear it?"
[No...]
"Stop wasting time. No one's been to this shrine in ages. I did pretty well to find you clothes this big."
Why do I, a man who's almost two meters tall, have to... change into women's clothes?
[Could you please... show me somewhere a little more secluded where I can change?]
"We don't have much time. Change here."
[This... doesn't seem right, does it?]
"Such is the nature of humanity. If only you learned a thing or two from those drinking oni... Anyway, change."
Though I was very reluctant, I had to admit that the clothes were warm and soft. The pure cotton was nothing like the leather that had rubbed my skin raw before... Even if they were women's clothes... I didn't mind.
But they really were... surprisingly comfortable.
This is a story about a god and the god's "shrine maiden" rekindling hope in a world on the edge of chaos.
