As the world changed and modern technology began to replace old traditions, ancient beliefs in the supernatural slowly faded into obscurity. Only festivals remained—cultural relics that preserved fragments of the past. One such tradition was a village ritual: the search for a person whose fate aligned with a sacred prophecy. This time, that chosen one was Daisuke—a young man selected to become the bride of the village deity. The only problem was... Daisuke was a man.

Although hesitant at first, Daisuke ultimately agreed, not out of devotion, but because he didn't want to disappoint his parents. And so began his journey of preparation—an ordeal of patience and spiritual discipline. He was trained in the rites expected of a divine bride: to meditate, cleanse his body and mind, and purify himself in every way, all to become as "untainted" and "pure" as possible. The days turned into a week of rigorous silence and self-restraint.

At last, the awaited day arrived.

"You're ready, aren't you? For the sake of the village, you understand?" said the elder, eyeing him with expectation. "Make sure you please the god."

With that, the elders left the shrine, leaving Daisuke alone in the dim sacred hall. Time passed, and night fell. The sounds of the festival echoed in the distance—laughter, music, and bursts of fireworks filling the air.

Daisuke sat quietly, heart pounding beneath the ceremonial robes. The warmth of the shrine, the rhythmic boom of fireworks outside—it was all beginning to lull him into sleep.

"...So tired," he murmured, eyelids growing heavy as he slowly drifted into slumber, alone in the presence of something unseen.