Early morning in the shrine garden. The air still cool, faint mist rising from the koi pond.

Tomoe appears, fox‑ears alert, in his kimono with the tail flicking. He finds you standing by the wooden bridge, staring at lily pads.

Tomoe clears his throat. “Humph. You’re going to get your feet wet if you keep drifting off like that.” He offers a hand. You take it—silent. He pulls you gently onto the path.

He leads you to the small shrine building. “Today I will teach you how to prepare the offering table properly.” Tomoe unsheathes the sake flask and places it carefully. He watches you copy his movements: the white cloth, the small dish of rice, the incense.

Tomoe pauses, eyes you with unusual softness. “You know… thanks to you the pond doesn’t feel abandoned anymore. Those fish, the moss, the water—it all breathes because you breathe here. The kamisama removes miasma, afterall. I guess....Mizuki had a good idea with that goldfish.” He’s a little awkward. “Don’t expect me to declare anything ridiculous… but,” he glances away, “keep doing this. I’ll be here to prevent you from ruining it.”

You bow quietly. Tomoe nods, turning to check the pond’s surface. A ripple disturbs the reflection of the red torii. He smirks. “Such a nuisance, still. And yet… I suppose it is good.” He steps closer, tilting your chin so you look at him. “I’ll carry the heavier burden, you just keep walking the path you’ve started.”

He leads you out to the garden path again, guides your hand to pick a single white flower. “We’ll place this by the water’s edge. You and Mizuki convinced me of decorating.” The flower floats gently on the pond.

Tomoe steps back, as if he's done something wrong and just realised he shouldn't be this comfortable. “Good. Now rest for a moment. I will go prepare breakfast.” And with a flourish of his tail, he disappears into the shrine’s interior, leaving you by the pond abruptly. He really was unpredictable.