CHAPTER 477: 168. FUKAERI INESCAPABLE DESTINY_2

As the music began, Fujiwara Reya took a moment to glance over.

Dressed in a golden gauze dress, styled as a goddess, Kitagawa Ryoko appeared in the center of the stage, flanked by young women dancers. Her tall and graceful figure, coupled with slender arms and a waist seemingly as thin as a palm, with bare legs faintly visible through the gauze, made her appear very soft and perfectly suited for dancing.

After stepping onto the stage, she gently swayed her waist, holding a flower with her elegantly poised lips.

With eyes that carried a hint of seductive intoxication and dreaminess, she slowly turned, inadvertently discovering the Mountain God appreciating her dance.

Thus, Kitagawa Ryoko’s elegant form began to dance vigorously as if wound up.

Under his mother’s influence, Fujiwara Reya had a solid understanding of traditional Japanese culture.

The moment the accompaniment began, he recognized the tune of the ancient song "Hagoromo" from where, deep in the stage design reminiscent of China’s splendid palace halls, numerous fairies in white gauze were performing. Some played ancient zithers, while others struck drums with mallets. The music lacked the lingering charm of Chinese style, instead offering a Japanese flavor akin to the languid trembling of a summer afternoon’s fly wings.

Leading the dance, Kitagawa Ryoko, with her fair and beautiful face, displayed a look of disbelief.

The accompanying dancers around her, some sitting as if paralyzed, others twisting with ribbons descending towards the ground, made the whole stage seem to welcome an impending arrival, colorful dresses scattered everywhere, exuding an untouchable lazy atmosphere.

"Chirp!"

A phoenix cry echoed, and rainbow light shot skyward, illuminating the entire hall.

What happened?

The guests all exclaimed in surprise, their eyes fixed tightly above the stage.

Fujiwara Reya suddenly thought of a question.

The Furukawa Conference Hall was an earthly observatory for Amaterasu, so the dances of these young women at the hall would undoubtedly be related to their lady... As he thought this, the rainbow light dissipated, and the music’s melody waned.

"Chirp!"

The clear and melodious voice of a phoenix sounded once more.

In a dazzling light like the sun, a noble silhouette swept past, bowing over Kitagawa Ryoko.

At that moment, what once seemed a slightly naive girl unleashed a charm capable of luring people into realms of beauty and fantasy. This nearly tangible allure fluttered away like gold leaf peeling off her, dancing in the center of the stage.

The goddess’s skin was smooth, covered in a gloss like condensed fat.

Ordinarily, the goddess shone day and night.

This was akin to the sunny face of time, universal, beautiful, and joyful golden sand slipping down from the girl’s body. The beautiful shape of her nose, the tender and glamorous shimmer, dripped down like beads and jade from her slim, jade fingers, creating a magnificent and grand painting.

Ethereal and clear, luxurious and solemn.

The old lady gave too much face... Fujiwara Reya gently rubbed his forehead, sighing helplessly after a moment.

Hmm.

As for the dance, it’s truly beautiful.

No matter what the old lady thinks, just enjoy the performance now, and let her play whatever little tricks afterward... he couldn’t resist anyway, so might as well enjoy it.

At the end of the dance, Amaterasu’s divine presence departed.

Reverting to a slightly naive appearance, Kitagawa Ryoko tilted her head slightly, revealing a smile.

"Bravo!"

"As expected of the Furukawa Conference Hall..."

The hall echoed with prolonged applause, and Kitagawa Ryoko, standing on the stage, endured a period of gazes and comments. Finally, she reached up to straighten her hair, smiling with lips pressed together, her movements somewhat bearing Yukino Ritsuko’s mark but lacking Yukino’s serene and calm temperament. After scanning around a few times, she spotted where the Mountain God stood and then leaped lightly off the stage towards him.

A maid brought a drink to her.

The girl, holding the cup in both hands, walked towards the Mountain God with her head lowered.

This was a tradition of the Mountain God Festival, where a performance that captivated the Mountain God’s attention could receive the Mountain God’s blessing by the end, meaning the Mountain God’s protection.

From the side of the crowd, Kawashima Miki had already approached with an imposing expression.

Fujiwara Reya’s expression twitched slightly.

Soon after, Kitagawa Ryoko arrived before him, gracefully curtsied, and with a smile, offered the cup to the Mountain God.

"Mountain God..."

"Uh..."

"Please."

"Um, this god does not hold his liquor well..."

"?"

Kitagawa Ryoko was a bit baffled.

For a moment, she thought she had done something wrong, annoying the Mountain God.

Just then, a very faint voice reached her ears from the balcony on the second floor: "He is Fujiwara Reya."

It was the lady’s voice... Kitagawa Ryoko paused, and her gaze towards the Mountain God carried a stunned confusion, as if her idol had fallen. With it, her tone suddenly turned impolite: "Hurry up and drink!"

Behind her, Kawashima Miki looked on with a cold smile, her gaze firmly locked on him.

Fujiwara Reya felt a chill run down his spine.

Mrs. Miki was most prone to jealousy. Should he drink this cup or not?

"Maybe I’ll owe it first..."

"Hmph, can you owe something like this? So many people are watching, don’t I need face?"

"Making trouble out of nothing..."

"It doesn’t matter... Hurry up and drink."

"A forced drink doesn’t taste good."

"Even if it doesn’t, you still have to drink it."

"Fine, I concede... but..." Fujiwara Reya sighed, bending slightly, a man and woman exchanging glances, "after I drink it, you have to explain to my lady that there’s nothing between us."

Instinctively, Kitagawa Ryoko glanced around.