“S-since when have you been standing there?!”
“Since the part about ‘inappropriate places.’ …There are kids around, you know. Keep it down.”
At Tenka’s words, Arisa shrank slightly and replied in a small voice, “Yes…”
“Honestly, it’s more normal than I expected.”
“Of course it is. It’s just a regular health spa.”
Tenka answered Yuzuru with a hand on her hip.
As it happened, this health spa was operated by people connected to Tenka.
The official manager had a different name, but the real owner was the Nagiri family.
When Yuzuru and Arisa were looking for a place where she could practise swimming, Tenka had introduced this place—
and even offered to guide them around.
“Thank you for today.”
“Yes, yes, I know.”
With Tenka leading the way, the two followed her further inside.
As her friends, they didn’t even have to pay.
They were being thoroughly looked after.
“The people working here… are they all followers of your family’s religion?”
“Not all of them.”
Tenka answered casually.
Meanwhile, Arisa looked through the brochure with interest.
“Oh… you have several locations, not just this one. Does that mean your family is fairly well-off, Tenka-san?”
“Not at all.”
Tenka let out a small sigh.
“We’re actually barely getting by. …Your father’s company is doing much better, Arisa-san. It seems business has been booming lately.”
“Yes… well, thanks to certain connections.”
Arisa’s adoptive father, Amagi Naoki, had once struggled financially.
But with investment, equipment, and contracts coming from the Takasegawa family and their network, the company had turned things around.
Naturally, the Amagi household had benefited as well.
“Our side is tight on money. …This is basically to make sure our followers can make a living.”
“So the main religious side isn’t doing so well?”
At Yuzuru’s question, Tenka shrugged.
“…We’re managing, just barely. But we’re not really in it to make money in the first place. It’s not meant to be a business, so it’s fine.”
“That’s admirable… unlike the Uenishi family.”
When Yuzuru thought of “religion,” the Uenishi family came to mind.
And they were known—at least within the Takasegawa circle—for being very money-minded.
Even Chiharu had once laughed and said, “The inside of a charm is just a piece of paper, you know.”
“The Uenishi family… well, their main business is actually land ownership.”
Tenka gave an ambiguous smile.
It seemed she didn’t want to criticise them outright.
“Do you plan to inherit your family’s role, Tenka-san?”
Arisa asked.
Tenka nodded firmly.
“Of course… that’s the plan.”
“…Is there a reason?”
Tenka paused for a moment before answering.
“A reason… well, I think it’s a job where I can help people.”
She smiled, a little shyly.
Arisa looked at her with something like admiration.
“That’s amazing… I think that’s very admirable.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. Having a clear vision for your future is something to be proud of.”
“I-it’s not that impressive.”
Embarrassed by the praise, Tenka scratched her cheek.
“It’s just that I don’t have any particular dream job, and I don’t dislike my family’s work… that’s all.”
If you don’t have another dream, and you don’t have a negative view of the family business—
that alone is reason enough to take it on.
After all, most people don’t become salarymen because they passionately want to—they just do.
“Since we have the chance, I’d like to ask the future head of a religious organisation something.”
“What is it, Yuzuru-kun?”
“How do you personally view gods… or faith?”
Tenka tilted her head.
“What’s the intent behind that question? You’re not thinking of joining, are you?”
“Just small talk. A bit of philosophy. …If you’re going to inherit the role, I wondered if you had a good way of explaining that sort of thing.”
“Hmm… I see.”
Tenka rested her hand on her chin, thinking for a moment before speaking.
“Imagine you’re on a train, and suddenly you feel like you’re about to… lose control.”
“…That’s quite the example.”
Still, it seemed easy enough to follow, so both Yuzuru and Arisa listened.
“You’d think—please, get there quickly. Help me. Don’t let this happen… right?”
Both of them nodded.
No one wanted that situation.
“But thinking that doesn’t make the train arrive any faster. No one comes to save you. And no matter how hard you wish for it, your body won’t suddenly cooperate either.”
That was undeniably true.
If you really wanted help, you’d have to say it out loud—not just think it.
“That’s what prayer is. When we’re pushed into a corner, we can’t help but pray to something that may not even exist. That ‘something’ is what we call God.”
Even people who claim they don’t believe in God—
in that kind of situation, they still end up praying.
Whether God truly exists or not—
people inevitably rely on the idea of God as they live their lives.
That was Tenka’s explanation.
“…I see. That’s easy to understand.”
“…That’s quite interesting.”
Yuzuru and Arisa both responded with admiration.
Tenka, slightly embarrassed, gave an exaggerated shrug.
“…Well, I’ve talked long enough. You two enjoy your date. I’m going to get a massage before heading home.”
With that, Tenka bid them farewell—
and headed off towards the massage room.
