I was Reincarnated as the Scum Older Brother of the Protagonist in a Romance Battle Game, But I don't want to Die, so I'll do my Best - Episode 41

Touring Hokkaido with Tora… After getting mobbed by two cat-loving college girls from Tokyo at our first stop, Sapporo Gokoku Shrine, he’s clearly still holding a grudge.

Even on the bus ride to our next destination, he’s perched on my shoulder, incessantly grumbling in my ear the whole 30-minute trip—about how the Four Sacred Beasts guard the Four Gates, about divine status, about how I lack sufficient reverence for the gods… With other passengers watching, I can’t talk back, so he just keeps nagging the entire time.

An old lady sitting in front of me, watching me grimace in agony while gripping the handrail, kindly tries to offer me her seat.

“N-no… This is just how my face normally looks…”

I blurt out that spur-of-the-moment lie, forcing me to spend the entire bus ride making weird expressions to keep up the act.

“Kukuku… Serves thee right for failing to revere me… Pathetic~ Kukukuku.”

With other passengers around, I can’t say anything. I just endure in silence… He’s seriously annoying.

Finally freed from that hellish bus ride as we arrive at our destination…

“Oi, Jōji. Hand over those Western sweets that woman earlier (the old lady) gave thee.”

Turns out, when we got off, the old lady gave me three bags of “Shiroi Koibito”—a famous Hokkaido treat: square-shaped rusks sandwiched with white chocolate.

“Hah? Why the hell should I give you any? … Munch munch… Munch munch… Damn, this is GOOD—!”

“Thou fool!! Offerings to the gods are common sense!!”

Passersby probably think I’m abusing a crying kitten, given how Tora’s “Myaa-myaa” wails draw scornful, disapproving stares as they walk past…

(This is so unfair!!)

Unable to bear the public scrutiny, I reluctantly hand Tora a Shiroi Koibito. He devours it greedily, still “Nyaa-nyaa”-ing.

“Munch munch… More importantly, Jōji, this place is…”

Hokkaido Shrine (Hokkaidō Jingū)

A shrine adjacent to primeval forests and a zoo.

Hokkaido Shrine—Hokkaido’s chief tutelary shrine—is bustling during cherry blossom season and New Year’s visits. It draws the highest number of New Year visitors in Hokkaido and is renowned as the prefecture’s most powerful spiritual spot. Worshipping its enshrined deities is said to grant blessings for good fortune, health, victory, and even love, attracting countless visitors nationwide. It’s Hokkaido’s most famous shrine.

Its grounds, lush with century-old Japanese elms and katsura trees, are also a paradise for small animals like Ezo squirrels, making it a great spot for strolls.

It’s an absolute must-visit for touring Hokkaido’s shrines and temples.

“This is Hokkaido’s most famous shrine. Especially its main deity, Ōkunitama-no-Kami—he’s the guardian deity of Hokkaido’s land and widely known.”

“I see… Ōkunitama-no-Kami, Ōkuninushi-no-Kami… and Sukunahikona-no-Kami…”

Tora stares intently toward the main hall.

“Huh? Is a god staying here right now?”

“Hm? Ahh, yes. Seems Ōkunitama is present at the moment.”

“Whoaaa! That’s amazing!!”

“Hey now… I’m a god too, you know? In rank, I’m equal or superior to the deities enshrined here.”
“Meh~”

“Tch… Well, even that one seems displeased by an outsider like me wandering the grounds. Sukunahikona might’ve been more forgiving… Gods in their Aramitama (wild spirit) aspect are too hot-tempered.”
“Guess my level of divine perception isn’t high enough to actually see them…”

“……………..Well, no, probably not……………..”

Feeling slightly uneasy about Tora’s reply, I stroll through the grounds when—

“Whoa!!”

I keep tripping over stones, nearly falling… Is this because the gods don’t welcome me?

“Well, perhaps he’s wary… Allowing a great calamity into his own sanctuary would be beyond remedy.”
“Wary? Calamity? What are you talking about?”

“Never mind that… More importantly, this place isn’t very comfortable. Leaving soon would be wise.”

His answer felt evasive, but I was genuinely tired from walking around, so I decided to head home as Tora suggested.

The bus route home is almost empty…

So I chat quietly with Tora about our impressions of touring Hokkaido’s sights and some questions I had.

“I might just be ignorant, but what did you mean earlier by ‘Aramitama’?”

“Haaah~ So you dared attempt the Sacred Ground Trial without even knowing that… I’m beyond speechless—almost impressed.”

I could tell I was being mocked, so I ripped open the last bag of Shiroi Koibito I’d saved for Tora and stuffed it all into my mouth at once.

“Ah—! That was the last one! How dare you, without my permissio—!”

“…Sigh… Fine… ‘Aramitama’ literally means a god’s wrathful spirit. Simply put, it’s when a god is angered. Conversely, when bestowing blessings upon people, it’s called ‘Nigitama’ (gentle spirit).”
“Ohhh~ But I’ve also heard of ‘Sakitama’ (blessing spirit) and ‘Kushimitama’ (wondrous spirit). Just from games, though…”

“Hooh, these ‘games’ make thee quite knowledgeable. But fundamentally, Sakitama and Kushimitama are subdivisions within Nigitama…”

As we talked, we arrived at the bus stop near home… From here, since we might be seen, I have Tora use his concealment ability to move unseen.

Then, I ring the doorbell beneath the nameplate marked “Kitano” and announce, “It’s Jōji.”

Creeeeak

The large wooden double doors swing open, and several maids bow as they come out to greet me.

“I’m home.”

Just as I greet the maids and step inside…

“I’ve been waiting for you, Brother-in-law.”