☀️ Arselia and Akonia

<blockquote("- Oh, why would you say such a thing," blushed the red-faced Minako-chan, "- it's not g-golden at all, just an ordinary one.
- Does this mean that Minako-chan will become a miko-san?")

Only smiling at this false, albeit very virtuous modesty, she says to Sonata:
- Generally speaking, a miko-sama, but still, considering that it is temporary and that there is no background of being fully devoted to this path of life with all its duties and trials, then if we split hairs, yes, it turns out to be san.

<blockquote("- Hmm?" Sonata didn't understand. "- You know, when I asked Hein why he was late for training, he told me he was on a date with you, which is why he was delayed. What a joker, isn't he?")

- Ah, Muda-kun... or Rot-kun? Listen, is his surname even real—does it appear in any official documents, or did he just tell it to you? It doesn't sound very Margelian. One might assume Zimivian roots if not for the name and phenotype, but otherwise, it's completely unclear. No, his excuse makes sense, but with one important clarification—it wasn't a date, but a fading. Because he saw me while I was waiting for Minako-chan after her lecture and decided to say hello. We discussed a couple of philosophical topics as if we were in a session with Jun-san, and then he galloped off. There's no point in sugarcoating it—his manners are atrocious, and his speech is sometimes such that I want to smash both my eardrums with crossbow bolts. But in any case, from this one meeting, I didn't feel any malice in him, which is surprising given his origin. I got the impression that while being in this transitional period of his life—when the old paradigm of existence no longer works and he hasn't yet grown accustomed to the new one—he is trying to find new meanings for himself, even if he denies it. He says unflattering things about the shackles of civilized everyday life, but he doesn't look like a convict on a chain, nor does he have a clear plan for the future. I think it might be possible to integrate him into decent society if we help him find these life-affirming, decent meanings.

<blockquote("- And how did you manage to use this land for those purposes?" the student inquired. "- As far as I know, it belongs to the state... Or the imperial family? I've forgotten exactly who; sometimes these concepts blur in my head and it becomes difficult to differentiate them.")

- Mmm... Anuzish helped. You don't believe me? Then prove that it wasn't Anuzish. Fine, there is no secret here—this complex exists by the grace and benevolence of Her Highness-Hime Denki Narii es Diesra Arual. She deemed this project a worthy aesthetic and spiritual addition to the suburban territory and allocated resources and people for its construction. So... - saying this, she placed her palm on the nearest torii, running it over its rough surface, then took a deep breath of the natural air and looked around the surrounding grove, through which distant hills were visible. - If not for her, none of this would be here.

Sonata was very impressed by this fact.
- Is this a common tradition in Nihon when building temples? I never knew about such a thing before. It seems that even at my advanced age, one can continue to learn new things.
- Advanced? - Minako laughed. "- You're being too hard on yourself..."

<blockquote("- Got it!" Minako entered all the information she heard into her notebook. "- I'll do everything exactly according to the instructions!")

- Women, - Ayano shrugged. - As soon as they find themselves in the company of a young student, they immediately feel like one...
- No, not common. People try to keep it to a minimum as much as possible, but nature does not always provide people with the luxury of an ideally marked spot around the shintai. If people were guided solely by this, there would be thousands of times fewer such sanctuaries, let alone large temples. Look way over there—do you see that tall, spreading tree? A plane tree. You won't find another like it—or any other at all—either in this grove or in the forest around it. This is an obvious vessel for the local Kami—the shintai to which all of this is attached. It was here that my heart and soul resonated with them most of all. Let's go closer, - she led them toward the haiden, continuing her explanation on the way.
- The fact that it is a "vessel" does not mean they literally "live" there, and if the tree dies, they die too—such a way of thinking is incorrect. However, the shintai represents a physical manifestation of the divine-natural to which people can direct their prayers so that they may be heard. It could be a mountain, a river, a waterfall, a lake, or a cave—there are many options, but if you see something majestic in the nature of a specific area that clearly stands out from the rest of the landscape, then it will almost certainly be a place of concentration for the Kami, where a person can establish a spiritual connection with them. In our case, it is the forest—hence the name "Kamimori"—and the giant tree. Accordingly, having chosen this forest massif as the location and this forest king as the shintai, in the process of construction, it is obviously better to avoid disrupting the established natural system around it as much as possible.

Reaching the double building, she explains:
- Attached to the shintai is the honden—the inner sanctuary. Only a miko may enter there for official business; the way is closed to ordinary people. So, I won't be able to show it to you... Although, when Minako-chan takes her post, it will become possible for her. There won't be much to do there—just dusting once a week. And this is the haiden—parishioners are allowed here, provided they remove their dirty boots. Here is the offering box, - she shows and explains the prayer scheme, while also trying to determine if the Lord has already worked on it or not yet. - ...over there is the place I marked for private conversations, or "confessions," if you will. In general, you can quite actually do this too, Minako-chan; a spiritual rank is not required for this, only honesty and a kind heart. People who come for advice need understanding and direction above all—but not permissive agreement. Therefore, if you happen to receive a person in this regard, be sincere and do not hesitate to say what you think if you feel it can help and bring them benefit. That is exactly why they will come here—in a foggy period for their soul; insincere or pityingly tactful nodding can already be obtained from friends or loved ones. Absolutely of course, all this within the bounds of propriety and mutual respect. Although, this doesn't require separate stating, I have full confidence in you, - she smiles at her warmly and encouragingly. - Over there are also seats for parishioners in case some rites or readings are held, but that is my concern; you won't need to do anything about that.

Leading them back outside, she points with her sleeve in one direction:
- That building, like... a gazebo... is the maidono. The dance for special occasions is performed there; you won't need that either. But what you will need is... - she led them into the shamusho.