Living in the Heart of Tokyo

"Eriri, come here—I want to introduce you to two new friends. They absolutely love our One Punch Man," Kyousuke said, pulling Eriri over to the two little girls after finishing the introductions.

"Remember you two asked who painted the picture of the lucky koi fish? It was her—the famous illustrator Lily-sensei, one of the top artists in the animation industry."

The moment they heard that, Sachiko and Kayo immediately stepped forward, looking up slightly—to gaze at Eriri with wide, sparkling eyes.

'So this is the supervisor of the art department—the genius who even gave those koi such amazing names! Incredible!'

"Eriri-oneechan!" they called sweetly in unison, eyes twinkling like stars.

"Huh? Ahahaha! Alright then, let's go check on the fish again!" Eriri grinned brightly.

She had no idea what was going on, but the sheer joy of being adored by these little girls completely swept her away.

Normally, she couldn't be bothered with troublesome kids.

But they just called her "oneechan"! How could she resist?

Originally, she'd been planning to drag Kyousuke away for dance practice the moment he got back, but... they called her "oneechan"!

Children are so cute!

Having never truly enjoyed the experience of being an older sister, Eriri was completely charmed.

Grinning from ear to ear, she led the two eccentric girls out into the garden.

And for someone like her—who constantly gathered real-life inspiration and twisted it into doujin plots—clicking with two oddball girls like this might even spark fresh ideas for her next creation.

With the two kids successfully distracted, Kyousuke turned around and saw that Yotsuba had cozied right up beside Kasumigaoka Utaha, trying to fish for information.

As someone who had played the role of Yotsuba's big sister for a while—teaching her all sorts of "girl knowledge"—Kyousuke knew this little fox all too well.

She might look sweet and innocent, but her mind was far more calculating than Mitsuha's.

After all, this was the girl who once tried to sell homemade kuchikamizake online.

(She stopped when she realized she'd probably get reported, but quickly pivoted to selling miko outfits instead.)

Unfortunately, she'd chosen the wrong target this time.

Before Utaha, all of Yotsuba's little schemes were completely transparent.

Letting out a breath, Kyousuke dropped onto one of the bar stools by the kitchen.

The living room sofas were already packed.

He grabbed an unopened can of cola—one Eriri had left behind—and popped it open.

Girls who are still growing shouldn't drink so much soda anyway, he thought smugly, so I'll help out.

As he gulped down a huge mouthful, the blissful fizz rising up in his throat, he heard Yukinoshita's cool, crisp voice cut through the room.

"Well then... isn't it time to start your dance practice?"

What the hell? Kyousuke nearly choked.

Is this woman trying to humiliate me in front of Mitsuha and everyone else, then snatch Sakura away while I'm down?

Coughing, he was just about to use Megumi Kato's request as an excuse to escape when Mitsuha chimed in cheerfully:

"Oh, right! I totally forgot about that! Honestly, it's embarrassing—after all the incredible sword training you gave me.

And you can't even handle a simple group dance for the school festival? If Dad knew, he'd probably laugh himself silly!"

Clapping her hands in excitement, Mitsuha seemed genuinely eager to show off her dancing skills to everyone, even if this hadn't been her original plan for coming today.

Like Yukino said—leaving a mark in Tokyo was harder than expected.

So many people, so many cultures mixed together.

Back in Itomori, being a shrine maiden and performing kagura dances had been considered old-fashioned, even embarrassing, by the younger generation.

But here in Tokyo? Shrine maiden experiences were trendy now—something you could package and sell for girls interested in Shinto culture.

Even Yotsuba's online shrine project, Mitsuha knew about that too.

She'd thought of asking her information science seniors at school for help... but then realized this was the perfect excuse to keep Kyousuke's attention focused on her instead.

Her identity as the miko of a thousand-year-old shrine hadn't caused the slightest trouble at school—in fact, it had become her unique charm.

Even among the children of politicians and elites, a family name as ancient as Miyamizu's was a rarity.

As for kagura dance—the one thing she'd sworn to abandon when she left the countryside? No way.

After years of training, her supple waist and graceful moves were treasures few others could match.

Even that girl who wanted Kyousuke to practice dance—she looked like a proper young lady from her posture—but when it came to dancing?

Mitsuha was certain: I am the strongest here.

What's more—she had an absolute advantage.

No girl in this world understands Kyousuke's body better than I do!

Meanwhile, poor Yotsuba—her attempt to subtly gather secrets had utterly failed.

Without realizing it, she'd even accidentally given away sensitive info, like how many stores the Gouguchi family owned in Kyoto.

And now, suddenly, she felt a strange shift in her sister's aura.

Kasumigaoka's smile deepened slightly with satisfaction.

Seeing Mitsuha arrive had instantly lifted her mood.

After all, it was thanks to this "Naoto-kun" that she'd finally met Kyousuke in person.

And among all the girls living here at the Ruyi Dorm, Mitsuha was certainly in the top three when it came to closeness with Kyousuke.

With her onside... Yukinoshita Yukino's chances of staying were slim indeed.

Now, all she had to do was gently push this paranoid girl—

"Forgive my bluntness... but I think you're underestimating the difficulty of teaching Hojou how to dance," Yukino said coolly.

She'd wanted to question Mitsuha's teaching qualifications outright—but then Sakura's strange words echoed in her mind.

That scatterbrain was full of nonsense, but hidden in the nonsense were truths. If you stripped away the madness, useful information remained.

This Miyamizu Mitsuha... she wasn't ordinary.

Anyone who could grow up as Kyousuke's childhood friend and be so confident about teaching him to dance had to be skilled.

But skill at dancing didn't guarantee skill at teaching!

'My, my... Miss Yukinoshita's becoming awfully considerate after just two days here,' Kasumigaoka mused, her smile widening.

Sitting beside her, Yotsuba swore she could see the glint of a fox spirit ready to feast on human souls.

"Huh?" Mitsuha's beautiful eyes flickered with interest at Yukino's challenge.

She glanced at Kyousuke, the corners of her mouth curling into a knowing smile.

All these years... and this was the first time she'd met someone daring enough to underestimate Kyousuke.

'Yukinoshita Yukino... what a lovely name. But you're completely different from Yukino-sensei.'

Mitsuha glanced toward Sakura, who sat by the kitchen bar with Kyousuke—half her face hidden behind a white porcelain bowl, her bright yellow eyes darting mischievously.

'That girl... hasn't changed a bit.'

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Mitsuha saw Sakura raise her right hand to flash her a subtle "good luck" sign.

Smiling softly, Mitsuha didn't know exactly what Sakura expected—but she wasn't the kind to stir up conflict.

Her classmates often praised her as "the shrine maiden who crossed a thousand years, from the age of the samurai."

The weight of a millennium's worth of manners and grace clung to her every move—effortless and undeniable.

Even sitting on a sofa so soft it felt like one could melt into it, Mitsuha's slender waist remained perfectly straight.

Her long legs were neatly pressed together, subtly angled to the right, elegantly showcasing their graceful lines.

But now, after casting a glance at Sakura, Mitsuha's gaze shifted back to Yukinoshita Yukino—the girl whose words had been laced with a faint disdain for Kyousuke.

Slowly, Mitsuha crossed her right leg over the left, lifting the hem of her skirt slightly as she did so.

Her body relaxed into the seat as she leaned back ever so slightly, her crimson lips parting softly to speak in clear, flawless standard Japanese:

"I probably understand Kyousuke's abilities better than anyone. But, as you said... forgive me for being blunt, sometimes the issue isn't the student's capability—it's the guidance they've received.

Just yesterday, I attended an educational seminar. Professor Kenmei said something that truly resonated with me."

Pausing there, Mitsuha smiled gently and turned her bright, confident gaze towards Yukinoshita Yukino, sitting on the opposite couch.

Rather than rushing her point, she respectfully sought the room's interest, as if inviting everyone to share in her thoughts.

This... this was the kind of opponent Yukino respected.

Not like that mischief-loving Kasumigaoka Utaha who always toyed with her.

Even though she was being contradicted, Yukinoshita Yukino felt strangely invigorated.

That hopeless perfectionist engine in her chest—the one fueled by nothing but "victory"—began to roar to life.

She returned Mitsuha's smile and gave a graceful nod, signaling her to continue.

Without hesitation, Mitsuha went on:

"A teacher and student form a single unit."

"When a teacher finds teaching difficult, the first question they must ask isn't about the student's shortcomings—but rather, whether their own method of teaching is flawed. They must ask themselves: is the lesson truly difficult, or am I making it difficult?

One must always remember—the teacher and student are one."

Yukino didn't respond right away.

The words hit home.

After all, she was finding teaching him frustrating.

Of course, that didn't mean Mitsuha had won the argument.

Yukino prided herself on her clarity of self-awareness—the greatest weapon of a truly "perfect" girl. She never shied from her own flaws.

This was the core of her strength, whether in arguments or life itself.

Just like when Kasumigaoka tried to mock her flat chest—laughable, really.

A childish insult that might have crushed Eriri's innocent heart, but not her.

Yukino had long since made peace with her features and the way shallow minds might judge her for them.

Preparation was everything; composure was victory.

So while Mitsuha's words rang true in theory, they didn't apply to her.

Yukino's problem was that Kyousuke was an impossible student to teach—not that she was a poor teacher.

Swallowing lightly, her thoughts flickered back to that terrifying moment when Hojou had pinned her down.

The vivid memory of his firm chest under her fingertips made her pale blue eyes unintentionally drift toward him, sitting relaxed at the bar.

Even when they'd met outside school that day, she'd noticed.

His chest didn't seem that big under the shirt, and yet the texture when touched...

Ahem.

"I—"

"You really are the pride of Ochanomizu Women's University, Mitsuha. You've given me a whole new impression of that prestigious school. Maybe I should consider applying there after all."

Kasumigaoka Utaha gracefully cut in, voice smooth as silk.

Yukino, having also opened her mouth to speak, immediately fell silent out of habit, letting the other girl finish.

Yukino breathed deeply in the way her Aikido teacher had once taught—calm, silent, focused.

"No more words. Let's see this in practice. Hojou—step forward and be taught. Let's find out whether the problem lies with the teacher... or the student."

Her tone was crisp, decisive.

 Though Yukino rarely backed down in debate, she never believed in victory through words alone.

Proof required action.

Coincidentally, as someone who'd spent plenty of time managing both Hojou's reckless swordsmanship and the chaos of the Kendo Club, Mitsuha favored direct resolution too.

Like the time she'd cleanly disarmed her instructor on the very first day of university Kendo practice.

"Kyousuke, come here."

Mitsuha smiled, holding out her hand to him.

Facing the intense gazes of both girls, Kyousuke casually reached over and grabbed Sakura's bowl of white fungus porridge, downing it in one gulp.

"At least let me change first. If this suit gets ruined, I will be upset."

He was still wearing his tailored formalwear—perfect for fighting or killing, thanks to years of practice keeping his clothes pristine even in battle.

But dancing? He didn't trust himself not to wreck the outfit.

This wasn't like swordplay where he could control every move with ease.

The last time he fell carrying Yukino, his slacks nearly split at the seams.

And now his instructors were Mitsuha... and maybe even Utaha.

The thought made him gulp.

Things were shaping up exactly the way he'd imagined.

"Good point. In that case, I should change too. Pity I forgot to bring my shrine maiden outfit—I promised to show you that Kagura dance last time," Mitsuha said regretfully.

"I've got one!"

Naoka, who had been delighting in Hojou Kyousuke's every word, eagerly raised her hand.

How could she, the queen of catering to otaku clients, not stock shrine maiden outfits?

Especially after Kyousuke added a miko-themed heroine to One Punch Man just for her store's sales.

That heroine's charm wasn't her power—it was her beauty, modeled exactly after Miyamizu Mitsuha, down to the gleaming golden headdress and crimson lips.

"Naoka?" Mitsuha tilted her head curiously.

"And I learned that hairstyle you did for me at the Cherry Blossom Festival," Naoka giggled.

"Is that so? Then I'll count on you," Mitsuha replied warmly.

Yotsuba watched her sister with confusion.

Mitsuha had once mentioned the body-swapping incident with Hojou, but it still baffled Yotsuba.

How could her clumsy, awkward sister manage to make so many incredible friends in Tokyo?

The elegant Kasumigaoka beside her... the striking Ueno Naoka... they all shared a strange, familiar closeness with Mitsuha, like Sayaka from their hometown.

Sayaka... now there was a name she hadn't thought of in a while.

When would Sayaka and Teshigawara finally get married?

With her personality, Sayaka would surely raise children well—crying together over unfinished homework and calling Mitsuha in desperation for help.

At that time, she could lend a hand too—after all, Sayaka was her beloved but clueless friend.

Speaking of which, she definitely needed to add a "God of Learning" attribute to her online shrine's deity.

That would make things so much easier.

She could even get Kyousuke and her sister to serve as free advertising.

Then she, as the head priestess and first miko, could personally bless Sayaka and her future child.

Feeling like she'd just grasped the ultimate secret to wealth, Yotsuba was already busy designing a special Kyousuke-themed omamori in her head.

Her thoughts is always as fluffy and unpredictable as drifting clouds had long since flown off into the infinite world of the internet, where she was crafting the blueprint of her very own digital Takamagahara.

"Yotsuba, do you want to join us? It's been a while since we danced the Kagura together, hasn't it? You haven't forgotten everything yet, right?"

Mitsuha stood up and gently patted her sister's head as she passed by the sofa.

"As if I'd forget! I just... just reviewed it yesterday!" Yotsuba quickly blurted out.

Phew—close call.

She almost let slip that she'd secretly recorded herself practicing the Kagura dance and uploaded it to YouTube.

If her old-fashioned, stubborn country-bumpkin of a sister ever found out, she'd probably get a full-on family cleansing.

Honestly, her sister just didn't get how incredible the internet was—or that the future of reviving the Miyamizu Shrine depended entirely on Yotsuba and the almighty power of the web!

"That's good to hear. Come on then, I'm sure Naoka has something in your size, right?"

Mitsuha turned toward Naoka, pleasantly surprised.

Who would've thought that the girl who was merely good with needlework back then had evolved into a full-fledged fashion designer?

How wonderful.

From the bottom of her heart, Mitsuha felt happy for her friend's growth.

The lingering traces of time on her friends allowed her to glimpse the beauty of their shared past, while the brilliance they now carried—refined by the flow of years—reminded her of everything they'd been through together.

Both the past and the present were proof of the bonds she and Kyousuke shared with this world.

These memories, these friends—they belonged to the two of them.

———————————————————————

Daily Uploads!

Unlock bonus chapters by reaching specific milestones with [Power Stone] votes!

Go to p-atreon.com/InsomniaTL to access more than 50 advanced chapters.