It was the twenty-fourth day of the Second Month of Fire. With the morning weather clear and the temperature pleasant, I spent my early hours on my usual routine—brushing Bell and watering the World Tree sapling. Once my chores were done, I decided to head out for a bit of shopping.
I didn't have anything specific in mind to buy, but there was a certain charm to just wandering about.
Leaving behind the street of high-end boutiques I often frequented, I made my way to the largest thoroughfare in the capital of Sinfonia. It was bustling with people, a true main street lined with such a diverse array of shops that just window-shopping was entertainment enough. I set a leisurely pace toward the royal castle.
As I strolled along, observing the passing crowds and the storefronts, a shop with a striking, brand-new exterior caught my eye. A standing sign out front read "Grand Opening Today."
I wondered what kind of place it was. The architecture was chic, and the doors were adorned with intricate, ethereal patterns. It had a distinctly magical vibe... maybe it was a magic tool shop?
If so, I was more than a little interested. The atmosphere was inviting, and as a Japanese person, I had a natural weakness for new openings. Since I was already there, I figured I might as well step inside.
I reached for the door and entered.
"Welcome! You are my very first commemorative customer... number... o... n... e...?"
"..."
Greeting me was a woman with slightly messy brown hair that hung low over her eyes, obscuring them from view. She wore a black robe covered in mystical patterns. I recognized her instantly.
After her initial cheerful welcome, she froze the moment she saw my face. A few seconds passed before she slumped over, planting her hands on the floor in utter dejection.
"Seriously? Did I commit some horrible crime in my previous life? Why of all things does my first customer have to be a human I know all too well? Or rather, at this point, isn't he basically a regular...?"
"Um... you’re the one who was doing fortune-telling at the Six Kings Festival, right?"
Yes, I remembered her well. She was the owner of the compatibility fortune-telling stall I’d found while wandering with Isis-san. I’d ended up visiting her several times after that at my companions' requests.
Come to think of it, during my date with Shiro-san on the final day, Shiro-san mentioned that it might be nice if this woman had a shop in Sinfonia.
"W-Well, regardless, as much as I might loathe it, a customer is a customer. Welcome, human."
"Ah, right. I'm Kaito Miyama."
"I'm Elise. You don't really have to remember that. Now then, please, come this way."
She didn't seem particularly interested in learning my name. While she didn't seem hostile enough to actually hate me, she clearly viewed me as a source of trouble. Given the headaches I'd caused her at the festival, I couldn't exactly blame her.
"Even so, this is a surprise. You don't look the type to be interested in fortune-telling. Still, I suppose I have to give you credit for having the eye to choose my shop."
"Oh, er, yes. It had a very stylish and beautiful exterior. It piqued my interest."
I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth—that I had no idea what the shop was and only stepped inside because it was new.
"Heh. You certainly have good taste. I was quite particular about the design, you see."
Flattering the shop's appearance seemed to do the trick, as Elise’s mood shifted to something more cheerful. She moved behind a table in the back of the room, presumably for her readings, and spoke.
"So then, human? Would you prefer 'accurate fortune-telling' or 'fortune-telling that gives good results'?"
"Wait, there are different types?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, to turn a profit, I have to offer entertainment-focused readings for the masses. Usually, I decide based on the customer’s vibe, but I'll let you choose. I also owe you for helping me get this shop established, so the first session is on the house. However, if you want any of the merchandise, you'll have to pay."
I looked around and noticed she was indeed selling various good-luck charms and spiritual items.
"In that case, I'll take the accurate reading."
"Understood. Take a seat in that chair."
"Okay."
I sat in the chair across from her at the table, which was draped in a purple cloth. It fit the classic fortune-telling image perfectly, though if there had been a crystal ball, it would have been complete. There was none, however.
As I sat, Elise took out a deck of cards that looked like tarot and sat down opposite me.
"Now, I'll begin. What would you like to know? If you don't have a specific request, I can just look into upcoming events in a general sense."
"Let's go with that, then."
"Very well. Here I go."
She nodded and tossed the deck into the air with a careless flick. Instead of falling, the cards began to drift and rotate in a circle, moving of their own accord.
It was impressive. She was likely using magic, but it certainly set the mood.
Out of the spinning ring of cards, four descended face-down onto the table. The rest gathered back into a deck and returned to Elise’s hand.
"Here are your results. Flip them over one by one, starting from the left. I'll explain each as you go."
"I understand."
I nodded and flipped the first card on the far left.
"The Night, upright. This card represents a 'period.' Specifically, the Night in an upright position signifies a 'milestone.' A turn of the month, a turn of the year, or perhaps an anniversary... Around such a time, a major event will occur for you."
"I see. And the second one?"
"This one is reversed... The Sword. This card signifies the 'nature of the event.' The Sword represents a 'battle.' Upright, it means a literal fight. Reversed, it means a battle of the spirit rather than one of arms."
A milestone, a spiritual battle... I had a feeling I knew exactly what this was pointing toward.
"The third card is... God, upright. W-Wait? That's strange. This card represents a 'person'—specifically, the one you will be facing. God? You’re going to fight a God?"
"Ah, er... I have a pretty good idea who that is."
"I see. You're as far beyond common sense as ever. Well, moving on... the fourth card is... hmm. The Door, reversed."
As I flipped the final card, Elise’s expression darkened into one of confusion and concern. There was little doubt in my mind now; this was about my upcoming match with Shiro-san.
The one-year milestone since my arrival in this world, a trial of the spirit rather than strength, and a God as my opponent.
"What does the fourth card mean?"
"This card represents 'action.' Beyond the door lies the goal—in other words, your victory. If it were upright, it would signify a formal path. You would achieve victory by winning the battle through standard means."
"And since it's reversed?"
"The reverse position indicates a 'hidden path.' It means that simply fighting and winning normally 'will not be a true victory for you.' You must find a specific key to open this door."
I tilted my head, mulling over her words. So, simply overcoming the trial Shiro-san had set for me wasn't enough? I had to find something hidden within it? Otherwise, it wouldn't be a victory I could truly be satisfied with... was that it?
A strange restlessness stirred in my chest. It felt as if I had dropped a vital piece of a puzzle... or perhaps, as if I had 'forgotten' it entirely.
Dear Mother, Father—the future predicted by the fortune-teller Elise, whom I met again by chance, has left a strange sense of unease in my heart. Something is bothering me, but I can't quite grasp what it is. What is this feeling? Perhaps the key to opening that door is something I simply cannot see—something that might already be within me.