CHAPTER 53: CH 53: BE CAREFUL AROUND THESE PARTS- PART 2

Evaya cleared her throat sharply, snapping the moment back to something more grounded.

"That’s enough. Let’s focus on why we’re actually here."

She said, stepping forward and straightening her robes.

Kana blinked, still a little rattled, but nodded as Evaya gestured toward a cushion set near a small table.

"Sit. I’ll bring tea."

Kana lowered herself to the floor, her hands resting in her lap. She watched as Evaya moved with practiced precision, pouring warm, fragrant tea into delicate cups and placing a tray of neatly arranged snacks between them.

The scent was soothing—floral with a hint of citrus—and it helped ground Kana’s nerves.

High Priestess Jenna took a seat across from Kana, looking far too relaxed for someone who’d just been scolded.

Her expression shifted slightly—just enough to let Kana know that what came next would be important.

Once the tea was served, Evaya returned to her spot beside the priestess and looked directly at Kana.

"We’ve brought you here because we need your help. There’s something we’re looking for, and you... are the only one who can help us find it."

She said, voice calm but firm.

Kana furrowed her brow.

"What kind of help?"

Evaya paused, as if weighing how much to reveal, but before she could continue, High Priestess Jenna let out a sigh and waved her hand.

"Oh, stop dancing around it. Our goddess has gone missing."

She said, lifting her teacup.

Kana froze.

"Your... goddess?"

The priestess nodded casually.

"Yes. The goddess we serve—our divine link, the one who grants blessings, hears prayers, protects the faith... Her presence vanished a few days ago. None of us can hear her voice anymore—not me, not the other High Priestesses. It’s as if she’s simply disappeared."

Kana tried to process that, her mind spinning.

"But... how does a goddess go missing?"

"Exactly!"

Evaya muttered, crossing her arms.

"She’s always been a little clumsy. For all her divinity, she has a habit of wandering off. Wouldn’t be the first time she went for a walk and forgot how to return. Maybe she hit her head this time and lost her memory."

High Priestess Jenna added with a shrug, completely unbothered.

"High Priestess! You can’t just say that!"

Evaya snapped, her tone sharp.

"It’s the truth! You know she wouldn’t care if we talk about her like this. She’s not the vain type."

Jenna replied.

Evaya rubbed her temples, clearly restraining herself.

"Regardless of the... speculation, we know something’s wrong. High Priestess Jenna performed a reading—"

"An incredibly accurate one."

Jenna interjected with a smug smile. Evaya ignored her.

"—and it pointed her directly to you, Kana. That’s why she went to the city to find you. We believe you’re connected to whatever is happening. Maybe the goddess is near you. Maybe she’ll reveal herself through you. We don’t know for sure, but what we do know is that you’re important."

Kana sat back, stunned. Her mind jumped back to the pink-haired girl in the bushes—the girl who’d reached toward her, eyes filled with something important she couldn’t remember.

Could that...?

She shook her head.

"But I’m not someone special...for the most part. I’m not a priestess or a chosen one. I don’t even understand how magic works. What could I possibly do?"

She said quietly.

High Priestess Jenna smiled again, softer this time.

"Sometimes, it’s the people furthest from the divine who are needed most."

Kana stared down at her tea, thinking. She wanted to say no. This wasn’t her problem. She didn’t even want to be part of whatever divine mess this was.

But when she looked up, the desperate hope in Evaya’s eyes—and the quiet faith in High Priestess Jenna’s expression—made it hard to turn away.

They weren’t manipulating her. They were genuinely worried.

And if there was even a chance that the girl from earlier was connected to this... then Kana needed to know.

She let out a small breath.

"Alright. I’ll help. If I find anything—or anyone—that seems out of place, I’ll let you know."

Evaya visibly relaxed.

"Thank you."

High Priestess Jenna gave her a playful wink.

"I knew you were a good one."

Kana wasn’t sure how she felt about that wink, but she let it slide.

Jenna clapped her hands once.

"Now that that’s settled, Evaya, please show Kana to her room. She’ll need a place to rest."

Evaya stood and gestured for Kana to follow.

"Come. I’ll take you there now."

As Kana rose and followed her out of the small room, she couldn’t shake the strange twist in her stomach.

Somehow, things had spiraled far beyond her expectations—and she had a sinking feeling they were only just beginning.

As they made their way through the quieter halls of the temple, the low murmur of distant chants fading behind them, Kana glanced sideways at Evaya.

The older woman walked with a calm, measured pace, her expression unreadable. Kana hesitated before speaking.

"Are you close to the High Priestess?"

She asked.

Evaya let out a scoffing laugh.

"Everyone’s close to the High Priestess. She’s... that kind of person."

Kana raised an eyebrow.

"That’s not what I meant."

Evaya’s footsteps slowed slightly as she turned to look at Kana more directly. Her eyes, normally cool and composed, held something sharper now—less guarded, but more cautious.

"If you’re asking whether I know the true High Priestess...Then no. I don’t think anyone does."

Evaya shrugged, gaze turning forward again.

Kana stayed silent, processing that.

"She’s powerful...And kind. But she keeps secrets like second nature. So don’t mistake her warmth for transparency. People get drawn in by her charm, and that’s fine, as long as you know where you stand."

Evaya continued, voice quieter.

Kana nodded slowly, her mind drifting back to how the High Priestess had cupped her face earlier, her eyes unreadable, too intense. It was a look that stayed with her.

"I’m not trying to scare you, but take care of yourself, Kana. Always put yourself first, no matter what anyone says—even if they say it’s for the goddess."

Evaya added after a pause.

They turned a corner, and a pair of polished doors came into view. Evaya gestured to them.

"This will be your room."

As Kana stepped toward it, Evaya spoke again, more firmly now.

"And listen—this temple might look beautiful, but it’s not immune to... strange incidents. We’re dealing with something unknown now, and that makes everything more unstable than usual. Keep your guard up."

Kana turned to her, lips parting to respond, but Evaya cut her off with one last warning.

"And never open the door to anyone you don’t know. No matter what they say."

Kana blinked.

"Even here?"

"Especially here."

Evaya pushed open the door and gestured her inside. The room was modest but warm—soft light spilling in from high, narrow windows, a plush bed tucked to the side, and a small writing desk set in the corner.

A teapot already waited on a tray.

Kana stepped in, glancing around the space, then turned as Evaya leaned on the doorframe and added, half-muttering, "And don’t forget to eat. People here forget that’s important."

A small smile tugged at Kana’s lips. The warning was serious, but the tone was oddly comforting.

No one had ever scolded her like this in her previous world—not because they cared, at least. Not because they were worried.

"Thanks."

She said softly.

Evaya only grunted and stepped back.

"Rest while you can."

And with that, the door shut quietly behind her, leaving Kana alone in the room, a strange warmth blooming in her chest.