Chapter 265 265: Falling for 2D (Part 2)

The forum Mikoto logged into was called MikoMikoMi.

The reason she knew about this forum was because she had met some truly hopeless players while playing online games with Shido. After they learned that "Mr. Rabbit's" real life identity was a shrine maiden, they recommended this forum to her.

Because of curiosity, Mikoto registered an account on the forum. Her ID was still "Mr. Rabbit."

She discovered that this place seemed to be a gathering place for shrine maiden enthusiasts. Although at first, she had not planned to make posts or replies, after browsing around, she discovered that many people had incorrect understandings of shrine maidens.

For example:

Do shrine maidens have to be high school girls?

If you want to become a shrine maiden, first you must learn kyudo!

Actually, proper shrine maiden outfits must expose the armpits. Refer to Touh[beep—], etc…

It was not that Mikoto wanted to use this website to develop followers. She simply felt that it would be good if everyone could understand a little more about real Shinto culture.

With that purpose in mind, she began replying to posts and making some of her own.

Because the girl was a real shrine maiden, and also had Tsukuyomi's memories, her answers and posts were all quite valuable. Some questions came from fundamental misunderstandings. Some were old customs from the past that had already been abandoned today. Others were local customs, or ceremonies from a single shrine being mistaken as rituals used across the entire country. Mikoto could point them out very precisely.

As time passed, the ID "Mr. Rabbit" became quite well known on the forum.

Of course, precisely because of that, she would occasionally be asked some strange questions.

For example:

-Do shrine maidens have to be virgins? @Mr. Rabbit

-I heard shrine maidens can't wear underwear beneath their shrine maiden outfits. Is that true? @Mr. Rabbit

-Does your shrine sell shrine maiden outfits? I want to buy one! @Mr. Rabbit

-She opened the forum and looked at the recent posts.

-What is that golden thing shrine maidens wear on their heads when dancing kagura?

-Detailed method for making kuchikamizake!

-Looking for detailed instructions on braiding cords! The more detailed, the better!

With one glance, most of the posts were related to that recently popular movie.

However, Mikoto was not logging into this forum now to wander around or answer questions.

She had come to seek help.

Although this was a shrine maiden forum, Mikoto somehow felt that many people here emitted the same wavelength as Nia. For example, things like Hakurei Rei○mu is my waifu! or Sanya is my waifu!

If it was here, maybe she could ask something.

-A friend wants to cosplay as Tokiya to trick an innocent girl. Is there anything he needs to pay attention to? Waiting online.

After thinking for a moment, she tapped the screen with her fingertip and made that post.

Before long, replies appeared.

Minimum three years, maximum death penalty. Just pay attention to that. (TL:This is...*giggle* nostalgic)

"Cough, cough!"

Seeing that reply, Mikoto almost choked.

-Huh? Cosplaying as Tokiya to trick girls? Didn't he get the target wrong?

-Agree with upstairs. If it's Tokiya, the only girl he likes is Hibari, right? Using that appearance to confess to anyone else would only feel wrong, wouldn't it?

-Yeah, yeah, Tokiya x Ryu is the royal road.

-I'm from the Toki x Tora faction. Upstairs, come fight me properly!

…

The number of replies rose visibly. Mikoto quickly browsed through the valuable parts while summarizing the image of the character Tokiya in her heart.

And then…

-He likes his little sister Hibari and is chasing the enemy who killed her. His friends are Ryugo and Kotetsu. Basically, he is defined as a lonely traveler and avenger.

The worst thing had happened.

-According to the forum users, Tokiya was a character who would absolutely never fall in love with any woman other than Hibari.

In other words, as long as Shido tried to confess to Nia as Tokiya, or tried to kiss Nia, it would cause the character to break.

That meant Shido cosplaying as Tokiya could never capture Nia, because the character's own position was that he would not capture any woman.

"Kotori, hurry and stop Shido!"

Thinking that, Mikoto shouted into the earpiece.

However, it was already too late. In her vision, Shido, who was cosplaying as Tokiya, was already trying to kiss Nia.

And then…

Nia, who had been charmed by Tokiya just moments ago, became furious and kicked Shido out of the hamburger shop.

"Haa…"

Seeing that scene, Mikoto sighed helplessly.

"Ah… I can't anymore…"

After returning from Akihabara to Tengu City, Shido lay on the table inside Ratatoskr's underground base, with several pain relief patches stuck to his body.

"Well, this is the price of playing with a maiden's heart."

Kotori said while biting on a Chupa Chups.

"You sure dare to say that. Who was the one who made me end up like this?"

Shido stared at Kotori and said that.

"I-it's not like we got nothing out of it. Look, Nia's affection level really did go up."

Kotori guiltily turned her head away.

"But that was only her affection for Tokiya, right?"

Shido said in dissatisfaction.

No matter how perfectly he acted, it did not change the fact that Shido was not Tokiya.

He could not be Tokiya for the rest of his life just for Nia. Otherwise, even if they sealed her, her spiritual power would sooner or later flow backward because Shido stopped cosplaying.

"We're also researching a countermeasure for that. Right, Mikoto, do you have any good ideas?"

Kotori turned to Mikoto and asked.

"Leaving aside how to make Shido become 2D, what I'm more concerned about is why Nia can only fall in love with 2D."

Mikoto said.

Although there was a high chance it was because of Rasiel, they could not rule out the possibility that something in her life had caused some setback or trauma.

No matter what, Nia had lived in human society for quite a long time.

"I see. That's also a method. Do you need any help?"

Kotori thought for a moment and asked.

"I want to investigate BLAST's headquarters and try to understand the place where Nia works. But I'll need everyone in Ratatoskr to help with that."

Unlike the Miku incident, Mikoto did not have any good way to enter BLAST as a company.

"I understand. We'll find a way to get you in there."

Kotori nodded. Then she took out her phone and began communicating with someone.

_____________

About five minutes later…

"Okay. Ratatoskr has already spoken with BLAST. Mikoto and Hina will visit them as Honjou Nia's friends."

Although visiting as friends sounded a little strange, considering that Honjou Nia had reappeared at BLAST after disappearing for five years, it would actually be stranger if no close friend or family member went there to ask about what happened.

"Mm. Then I'll head out."

Mikoto nodded and stood up.

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