Hand in Hand With A Miracle
Hand in Hand With a Miracle
???
..nae.
???
...Sanae.
???
Sanaaaeee?
Sanae
Ah?!
Student A
It's rare for you to fall asleep at school. The next class is about to start.
Sanae
Hmnn... Um, what?
Student A
Haha, are you still half asleep? You can be pretty silly sometimes, huh?
Student A
C'mon, we gotta get to the science lab. Grab your stuff.
Sanae
R-Right... OK...
Sanae
...
Umm... What's going on?
Something feels off. Who am I...?
I'm... Sanae Kochiya. I'm a high schooler, and I live at Moriya Shrine.
I'm at school right now. Of course, I am. It's the middle of the day, so where else would I be?
Umm, we just had social studies for the second period, so next is... science.
Urgh. I'm kinda hungry.
...
Wait, why did I think something felt off?
Today is just like any other day.
Student A
How long is this gonna take, Sanae?
Student A
I'm going on ahead, OK?! Don't be late!
Sanae
Oh, sorry!
Sanae
...
Oops. I gotta get a move on.
Uh-oh! I really have to hurry!
???
Hm? Are you talking about Sanae?
...?
Did I just hear my name?
Wait... Why am I hiding?! This makes it look like I'm eavesdropping!
Student B
Yeah. You're friends with Sanae aren't you?
...!
Student A
Huh? Well, sure, I guess.
Student B
I bet she talks to you about gods and stuff, doesn't she?
Student A
No, not really.
Student B
Oh, that's surprising.
Student A
Well, hardly anyone actually believes in gods anymore, so I doubt she truly believes in them, either.
Student B
You think? But she's the shrine maiden of a really big shrine... No, umm, not a shrine maiden, a wind something or other.
Student A
I wouldn't call it big. It's got hardly any followers. My family used to be followers until my parents' generation.
Student B
Wow, you know quite a bit about it, huh? Though, now that you mention it, I think my family used to be followers, too.
Student A
Gods aren't scientific. Like, praying doesn't actually do anything. The way I see it, religion's a thing of the past.
Student B
I know, right? People who still believe in religion nowadays are kinda scary. Like, who knows what they're thinking?
Student A
Yeah, people have gone bankrupt from sinking all their money into religions... Not to mention those scary incidents.
Student B
Exactly! That's what I was getting at. Those incidents were crazy dangerous. Like, I hope Sanae doesn't turn out like that.
Student A
You said it. It's not Sanae's fault she grew up in a shrine. I bet I could be her friend forever if she stays normal.
Student B
Right... It's just that the news is always going on about that stuff lately, so I wanted to get it off my chest.
Student B
Sanae's got her head on straight, so it's not that I actually believe she'll go crazy or anything.
Student A
Yeah, Sanae's like the definition of common sense.
Student B
I still can't help but worry, though. Oh, class is about to start. Catch ya later.
Student A
See ya.
...
...
Sanae
What's wrong? Why are you all here so late?
Shrine Follower A
Thank goodness you're here, Lady Sanae! Please hear us out!
Shrine Follower B
Moriya Shrine won't last if things keep on like this. We aren't getting nearly enough money from donations!
Shrine Follower C
There's no excitement! No passion! How can we display the majesty of our gods if we can't hold proper festivals?!
Shrine Follower D
We're completely out of ideas. Could you perhaps sort this out with some kind of divine power, Lady Sanae?
Shrine Follower E
We've been followers of this shrine for generations. And when I die, this is where I'll be buried.
Shrine Follower F
This is because of all those ungrateful fools who forsook their faith. It sickens me that so many of them live in our town.
Shrine Follower G
I have the utmost faith in you, Lady Sanae. You truly are a living god! I feel blessed just being in your presence.
Shrine Follower H
I would like to make a booking for my daughter's wedding sometime soon. Would that be OK?
...
...
Gods, huh?
Shrine Followers
No, but... At times like this, we should... Isn't that going too far...? We have to make a decision...
Sanae
―I understand.
Sanae
Please give me some time. I'll get back to you tomorrow.
Shrine Follower A
Ohh, thank you so much.
Shrine Follower B
That is most gracious of you, Lady Sanae!
Sanae
It's getting late, so please be careful on your way home.
Shrine Follower C
We're counting on you, Lady Sanae.
Shrine Follower D
Good night.
...
Shrine Follower E
But, really... Do you think the shrine will be OK?
Shrine Follower F
I doubt it. We may have faith, but we're not delusional.
Shrine Follower G
Our continued faith just makes this more difficult for Lady Sanae. It's not right for us to put her through this...
Shrine Follower H
I think we should consider stepping away now before it's too late... for her sake and ours.
...
...
Gods.
I knew some gods.
The gods of Moriya Shrine spoke to me when I was little.
They were there, even if I couldn't see them. And they created miracles. Miracles of protection, growth, and prosperity.
They would still the wind one day and make it blow the next. Some days, they were kind, and at others, severe.
They were always by my side.
...At least, I think they were.
But they're not here anymore... I'm all alone.
Gensokyo.
I think the gods said that they were going to such a place.
I don't know why, but I chose not to go with them.
Do I regret that decision? Or am I glad that I didn't go?
I'm not sure. Honestly, I'm not sure about anything.
Well, except for one thing. I'm sure that eventually...
I'll also forget about this vague sense of unease that I'm feeling right now.
One time, when I was little, I was looking up at the night sky full of stars...
I can't remember why, but I was alone, and I was crying.
But then I suddenly felt the gods by my side. They said...
"Sanae, you can make your ideal future come true. Envision it, and don't let it go."
"Things that are truly precious cannot be seen, but that doesn't make them any less valuable."
But I...
...can't see anything anymore.
Is this what it means to become an adult?
If so...
...it's pretty disappointing.
Many years later―
Sanae
Good work, everyone! I made some onigiri! I'll leave them here, OK?
Shrine Follower A
Thanks, Lady Sanae!
Shrine Follower B
Oh, Lady's Sanae's onigiri? It's my lucky day.
Shrine Follower C
This will give us the energy we need to get ready for the festival!
Sanae
Just don't hurt yourself, OK? You're not young anymore.
Shrine Follower D
Hahaha, true that!
Shrine Follower E
Nah, I'm still in my prime! In fact, preparing for the festivals each year is what keeps me going!
Shrine Follower F
Whoa, steady on. We seriously don't want you getting hurt. It might cancel the festival.
Shrine Follower G
If I can make Lady Sanae smile, that's good enough for me.
Shrine Follower H
C'mon, less talking, more working.
Shrine Follower I
Wait a second, please teach me how to do that!
Sanae
Ahaha, don't work too hard, OK?
Sanae
All right. I've hired some girls to be shrine maidens for the day, and I've already sent the necessary forms to the police.
Sanae
All that's left... is to provide info to the press. It's a pain, but I suppose I should get it out of the way now.
...
...Moriya Shrine is doing well.
It continues to be a pillar of the local community. In fact, we have even more followers now.
We can also hold fairly big festivals every year since we don't have to worry about not getting enough donations.
We've managed to preserve the visible parts of our culture. And I'm sure it will stay that way for a long time to come.
There's the problem of who will look after the shrine once I'm gone, but I've got plenty of time to think about that.
...
I think there's a bright future ahead for Moriya Shrine. The followers are good people, and they all get along.
We tried our hardest, and things worked out OK. What more could we really ask for?
Asking for more would just invite trouble.
There is one problem, though...
Not a single person believes in the gods.
Sanae
Huh?! What was that...?
Sanae
...!
Sanae
Am I dreaming?
Sanae
Maybe I've been working too hard lately...
???
Sorry for the wait, Sanae Kochiya.
Sanae
Wh-Who's there?!
???
It took way too long, but we managed to bring you here...
???
...Sanae Kochiya, the Moriya Shrine Maiden.
Sanae
Who are you?! Answer me! And how do you know my name?!
???
Hm?
???
Oh, now I get it. My apologies.
Shukushin
I am Shukushin. You can call me that if you like.
Shukushin
My other names are Shukuji, Shukujin, Sukujin, Shukushi, Misakuji, Mishaguchi, Mishakuja, Ishigami, Shakuji, Shakujin...
Shukushin
Shakuji'i, Sakugami, Shaguji, Shagoji, Saguchi, Saguji, Shugojin, Shogosan, Shikijin, Shikiji, and Oshamoji...
Shukushin
But perhaps you are more familiar with this name...
Shukushin
Mishaguji.
Shukushin
I have also been called Okina, but that's not important.
Sanae
Th-The Mishaguji? Are you serious?!
Shukushin
Yes, I was worshipped at your shrine. Do you remember me now?
Shukushin
I'm also here with another god.
Takachio no Toyohime
I'm Takachio no Toyohime. Also known as Yasakatome.
Takachio no Toyohime
You've heard of me, haven't you?
Sanae
Yasaka...? Th-That definitely rings a bell!
Takachio no Toyohime
Good. I thought it might.
Takachio no Toyohime
You know that big lake on the mountain where you live? That was made by me and my fellow sea gods.
Takachio no Toyohime
Go on, worship me.
Sanae
Wow...! You two must be the gods who watched over me when I was little!
Shukushin
That's right.
Takachio no Toyohime
Of course, we are.
Sanae
Wow!
Shukushin
Now, let me quickly explain why we brought you here.
Shukushin
This land, called Gensokyo, used to be ruled by a certain youkai, and it took some time to steal it from her.
Shukushin
It is a place where lost things gather.
Shukushin
It's basically the last remaining paradise for beings like us.
Shukushin
I was welcomed to Gensokyo as one of the sages, but that youkai was the one who possessed the true power here.
Shukushin
I managed to kick her out with some backdoor diplomacy, and then I built a new Moriya Shrine.
Shukushin
I have just restored the barrier that encircles Gensokyo. I call it the Great Moriya Barrier.
Shukushin
And it will soon be complete now that you're here. You are the Moriya Shrine Maiden, this great barrier's protector.
Takachio no Toyohime
Take a look around.
Takachio no Toyohime
It's not pretty, is it? This spacetime has fallen to ruin. But there's no need to worry.
Takachio no Toyohime
It will become the perfect paradise once the barrier is complete. And for that, we need you.
Takachio no Toyohime
You will help us, won't you? We sacrificed everything to come this far.
Sanae
Oh...
Sanae
Um... I see...
Sanae
That's great, b-but...
Takachio no Toyohime
Is something the matter?
Sanae
No, it's just...
Sanae
It's not really a big deal, but I was wondering...
Shukushin
Speak clearly. What is it?
Sanae
No, um, it really isn't that important, but...
Sanae
If this Gensokyo is such a wasteland, why didn't you come home?
Shukushin
Because there's no longer any faith in the outside world. I'm sure you've witnessed this firsthand.
Takachio no Toyohime
Gods cannot exist without faith. So, we had no choice but to place our hopes in this new world.
Sanae
R-Right...
Sanae
But wouldn't coming home be better than this? Why did you stay here?
Shukushin
Because leaving this world isn't easy. There's a great barrier, after all.
Sanae
...But didn't you just say you restored it? Couldn't you have left when it was still broken?
Takachio no Toyohime
Umm...
Takachio no Toyohime
This is such a pain!
Shukushin
I wholeheartedly agree!
Sanae
...Huh?
Sanae
W-Where are you going?
???
*sigh* This really is a pain.
???
The Great Moriya Barrier? The Moriya Shrine Maiden? Telling such elaborate lies never seems to pay off.
???
Though, I'm surprised you haven't realized that your appearance and age have reverted back to normal yet.
Sanae
Back to normal...? Oh, I see.
Sanae
It was kind of hard to tell since I haven't really changed much since high school. But I guess I do feel younger...
???
Then your memories about Gensokyo should start coming back to you soon.
???
Or rather, talking to me will force you to remember them whether you want to or not.
???
It's almost impossible to talk with yourself and remain sane... unless you've received special training.
???
But I guess that's fine. I wouldn't even call this a mistake on my part.
Sanae
What are you talking about?! Who even are you?!
???
...
???
I'm reluctant to explain because that would just make our memories come back faster. But, well, I guess that's on you.
???
I'm the Lady of Revelations, one of the masterminds behind the Lost Word Incident.
Sanae
Lady of Revelations? But didn't you just say something about talking to myself...?
Lady of Revelations
Now, let me give you a revelation. It doesn't really matter what you or the others learn.
Lady of Revelations
Restoring one or two Lost Words won't stop the incident. It barely even impacts the rate at which it spreads.
Lady of Revelations
And even if that wasn't the case...
Lady of Revelations
You still don't know anything about the True Lost Word affecting every world at once, do you?
Sanae
The True Lost Word? What are you on about?!
Sanae
And show yourself already, you coward!
Lady of Revelations
...Why would I do that? Seeing something lessens its significance.
Lady of Revelations
If you knew what I looked like by seeing my colors and form...
Lady of Revelations
You'd think less of me and presume limits to my power and nature.
Lady of Revelations
These presumptions reduce gods and youkai to the level of humans. It's a great miracle that makes everything human.
Sanae
I've got no idea what you're talking about...
Sanae
...But hearing about Lost Words has jogged my memory.
Sanae
Now, I'm sure that I've been witnessing a dream for a very, very long time.
Sanae
And I know that I haven't changed at all. A mastermind is right here before me, but I still can't do anything.
Sanae
I almost wish that I hadn't remembered.
Lady of Revelations
So your memories have returned. That's good.
Lady of Revelations
You better get ready then. Here I go...
Sanae
Uh oh...!
Lady of Revelations
Please join us.
Sanae
...
Sanae
......
Sanae
.........What?
Lady of Revelations
I know you might not be able to understand us fully, but I want to clear up a huge misunderstanding on your part.
Lady of Revelations
The Lost Words were never made to destroy worlds. Every parallel world is fated to end anyway.
Lady of Revelations
In fact, the Lost Word Incident is what keeps many worlds going. You're me, so you should be able to understand this.
Lady of Revelations
Continuing to fight against myself is tearing me apart. I want us to be on the same side.
Lady of Revelations
Besides, you're a god and a human, so I'm the only one who can truly understand you.
Lady of Revelations
Take my hand. Just say yes, and we can put all this behind us.
Lady of Revelations
Please...
I'm not some wannabe hero who'd jump at any opportunity to save the world.
All I want is to return things to how they were. I dearly wish for my old life back.
And if my friends share this wish, then I have to protect this world for them as well.
...I have to believe.
If I don't follow my heart, I'll never be able to step forward into the future.
Sanae
I...
Lady of Revelations
...
Sanae
......
Lady of Revelations
.........
Sanae
............refuse.
Lady of Revelations
No way!
Sakuya
Too bad, Lady of Revelations. It seems your empty words couldn't convince this Sanae.
Reisen
Don't you know that no one can ever truly understand someone else? You and Sanae are no different.
Youmu
Wow, that's pretty harsh. But I guess you've got a point.
Lady of Revelations
Argh!
Sakuya
Surprised? Well, you shouldn't be. You're both miraculous living gods, after all.
Reisen
Do you have to wait until someone's memories and ability return before you can recruit them or something?
Youmu
That must be it. Because we're here thanks to this Miss Sanae's miracle... At least, I think that's what happened.
Sanae
Miss Sakuya! Miss Reisen! Miss Youmu! I'm so glad you're here!
Sakuya
I'm still not sure how we got here, though, since this place shouldn't really be accessible.
Reisen
Yeah, I don't know how it works, either.
Youmu
But we're here now. That's all that matters, right?
Lady of Revelations
You three are all beings who stand on a boundary.
Lady of Revelations
Miss Sakuya lives in a youkai's mansion even though she's human. Miss Reisen is a moon rabbit yet also an earth rabbit.
Lady of Revelations
And Miss Youmu is half human, half phantom. When things stand on a boundary, you should expect the unexpected.
Sanae
Thanks for the explanation. Does that mean you surrender?
Lady of Revelations
Of course not!
Lady of Revelations
Beating a miracle is simple!
Lady of Revelations
All you need is another miracle!
Sanae
R-Right, you're the same as me! Sto―
Lady of Revelations
Too slow!
Sanae
No way...
Lady of Revelations
I sent them back to the beginning. They're probably lingering somewhere at the end of some other parallel world.
Lady of Revelations
And now that we're alone, I think I'll send you back to the beginning as well.
Lady of Revelations
That way, I can try to recruit you again.
Lady of Revelations
All you've done is steal one grain of sand from a desert, so perhaps I should let it slide.
Lady of Revelations
But it's always better to be safe than sorry. I won't ignore a single quark out of place.
Lady of Revelations
Only then will I―
Lady of Revelations
Who is it now?!
Lady of Revelations
Enough! It doesn't matter who you call here. I'll send them flying just like the others.
Sanae
No way! Is it really you?!
Sanae
Lady Kanako!
Kanako
I'm here to teach you some manners!
Lady of Revelations
Eep!
Lady of Revelations
(That shrine she's carrying is obviously capable of correcting fate! How did she know to bring that here?!)
Lady of Revelations
(Someone must've fed her information. Is there a traitor among us?)
Lady of Revelations
(There's no way it was Lady of Fantasy, and it couldn't be Lady Scarlet Devil or Lady Peacock.)
Lady of Revelations
(I've been suspicious of Lady Dream Colors and Lady of Rapturous Death for a while now, but...)
Lady of Revelations
(If there is a traitor, it has got to be Lady of Shooting Stars!)
Lady of Revelations
*sigh* I give up. There's no way I could beat you. You're like the perfect counter to me.
Lady of Revelations
Threatening you now would make me sound like a third-rate villain. So I'll just say... Goodbye. I'm sure we'll meet again.
Kanako
Good, she's gone.
Sanae
Lady Kanako.
Kanako
You've done all I asked of you, Sanae. You being here proves that.
Kanako
You've really grown up.
Sanae
L-Lady Kanako...!
Kanako
Whoa.
Sanae
Lady Kanako...! Lady Kanako!
Kanako
There, there. It's been a long and arduous journey, hasn't it?
Sanae
*sob* *sniff*
Kanako
You've done well, Sanae. *pats head*
Kanako
You can let it all out now...
Kanako
...Or I guess not. It seems I'm running out of time.
Sanae
What?! B-But you just got here!
Kanako
I rushed here by hastily improvising with my bunrei.
Kanako
Bunrei aren't meant to work this way, so I can't stay here for long. We'll have to save our reunion for another time.
Sanae
B-But...
Kanako
Don't worry.
Kanako
Precious and important things don't have to be seen to exist. As gods, we're the perfect example of this.
Kanako
However, this isn't limited to just gods. All your precious prayers, wishes, feelings, and memories...
Kanako
...will continue to exist even if you can't see them.
Kanako
And that's OK.
Kanako
You don't have to forget about the outside world.
Kanako
Those memories help make you who you are.
Sanae
...
Sanae
They're a part of me...
Sanae
Originally, wind priestesses weren't living gods.
Sanae
But when people saw a wind priestess perform miraculous acts on a god's behalf, they assumed she was also a god.
Sanae
This is similar to how people started believing that gods reside within shrines, even if their shintai is a mountain.
Sanae
Humanity's flaw is that they can only believe in what they can see. But gods will not spurn any humans that rely on them.
I still can't believe all that actually happened!
Sanae
Have you written everything down in your journal? ...Good.
Sanae
Then we better get going.
Sanae
First, we have to find Lady Suwako. If we find her, I'm sure we'll find Lady Kanako, too.
Sanae
The three of us all feel the same way, after all.
The Perfectly Clear Mirror and the Bells of Infinite Prosperity have been imbued with memories of the outside world.
Not Sanae's memories, but Kanako and Suwako's memories of Sanae from when they watched over her.
Kanako's memories are in the mirror, and Suwako's are in the bells. Combined, they replicate Sanae's memories and ability.
It's like how looking at a toy you used to play with when you were little brings back fond memories of the past.
Kanako and Suwako are more than just gods that lend their powers to Sanae.
Sanae may have forgotten, but they helped raise her.
They're her precious family, and they're fated to meet again.
