Before I knew it, I was standing in an unfamiliar place. No—maybe it was more accurate to say I had become something like a presence, rather than standing. I had a body, but it felt somehow insubstantial. I looked at my hands. I bent my fingers. It was fine, they moved properly—but I wasn't entirely confident that this body was really mine. Before me stood a massive gate. It was made of wood, yet it emitted a metallic luster, a strange and wondrous gate. A framed plaque reading "UTSUSHIYONOMA" hung above it. I could read it, but when had I learned these characters—before I could even wonder, the gate opened on its own. "......Where is this?" Speaking aloud, I was finally able to confirm that I was myself. Beyond the gate was a grand Japanese-style hall. The ceiling was absurdly high. Looking up, I saw timber assembled in complex patterns, almost like the bones of a living creature. Light streamed in from a skylight, but it wasn't sunlight. It was, how to put it—a gentler, white light. The air was faintly mingled with the scent of incense. "HAKARINOMA"—for some reason, the name of this place surfaced in my mind. There was a round table. A large, circular desk. Eight seats were arranged at equal intervals. On the table's surface, a map of the Japanese archipelago shimmered faintly. Ancient place names, ones that shouldn't exist anymore, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, were inscribed in fine detail. And there were presences. Someone else was here besides me. No, to be precise—everyone besides me was already seated. At the seat furthest back sat a person of overwhelming presence. A figure clad in white robes, impossible to tell whether old or young. Only that person's chair was raised a step higher, and though there was nothing behind them, an overpowering atmosphere filled the space, as if something immense was there. (That's...... a god......) I understood. I understood it intuitively. This being was Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami. The supreme deity of Takamagahara. I comprehended this naturally, somehow, and a chill ran down my spine. As I shifted my gaze, I saw the others seated as well. The first to catch my eye was a woman clad in vivid crimson robes. Her hair was adorned with countless ornaments of jade and agate. Her eyes were a deep black, and geometric patterns were painted on her face. I couldn't guess her age. She could have been in her twenties or her forties. But her eyes seemed to be looking somewhere far away, as if her heart wasn't here. Next to her sat another bizarre figure. A noble from the Asuka period in full court attire—a crown and a long sword. He thrust his chin out and leaned back arrogantly. His attitude practically screamed "I am the greatest here" to everyone. His gaze was sharp, and he wore a sneer that looked down on people. Soga no Iruka—the name surfaced. *That* Soga no Iruka. Next to him. There was a man of indeterminate age, dressed in a white hunting robe. He had a thin face and strangely narrow, slanted eyes. His expression was utterly unreadable, as blank as a doll's. But in his hand, he held a talisman inscribed with a pentagram. A faint, pale light leaked from his fingertips, making it clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person. (Abe no Seimei......) The legendary onmyouji of the Heian period. At the next seat sat a young samurai. His armor was simple, but his features were astonishingly refined. His black hair was tied high, and his determined eyes looked straight ahead. His back was perfectly straight, and just by sitting there, he seemed to change the very air around him. Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The very epitome of the underdog hero. And then, a monk who stood in stark contrast to Yoshitsune. An elderly man clad in black priestly robes. He had a round face and was smiling cheerfully. He exuded a gentle atmosphere, like a grandfather watching over his grandchildren. In his hand, a set of prayer beads. Rennyo Shounin—the restorer of the Jodo Shinshu sect. Next to him, the atmosphere shifted completely again. A warrior with piercing eyes. He had a stern, bearded face, and chainmail was visible beneath his kimono. Akechi Mitsuhide. The mastermind of the Honno-ji Incident. Finally, one more person. A unique blend of Western and Japanese clothing—a black haori coat over slacks. An older man with a close-cropped, nearly shaven head and a mustache. Katsu Kaishuu. The hero of the late Edo period who achieved the bloodless surrender of Edo Castle. Incredible. They were all too incredible. People I had only ever seen in textbooks. Heroes who had shaped the course of Japanese history. And I was among them. It made no sense. Why was I here? Wasn't this a mistake? No one told me to "take a seat," but my feet moved on their own, heading towards the last empty chair. I sat down. The feel of the wooden chair was terribly real. "[cold]Everyone is assembled, it seems." The god's voice seemed to resonate directly through the hall. "[serious]We shall now begin the Kamuhakari—the Divine Council. First, state your names in order." At the god's words, the woman in crimson was the first to rise. "[gentle]......Himiko. She who ruled Yamatai." Her voice was thin. A voice lacking confidence, seeming to fade away. (Yamatai's...... Himiko......?) Was it really her? Was this truly *that* Himiko? Next, the arrogant man stood up. "[arrogant]Soga no Iruka! Minister of the Imperial Court. That I should be summoned—the gods truly have an eye for talent!" (Wow, what incredible confidence......) I couldn't help but shrink back. "[calm]Abe no Seimei. An onmyouji." A flat voice. Devoid of inflection. Yet, that single sentence tightened the atmosphere of the room. "[serious]I am Minamoto no Yoshitsune. I shall be of service through martial skill." A youthful, yet resolute voice. "[gentle]I am called Rennyo. I am but a humble country priest, so I know not if I can be of any use." A cheerful smile. His voice was so gentle that just hearing it brought a little relief. "[serious]......Akechi Mitsuhide. One who was a vassal of Oda Nobunaga." He cast his eyes down and stated his name curtly. There was a weight of implication in his words. "[laughing]Katsu Kaishuu! Come from Edo. Well, I'm counting on you all." A hearty voice. In this tense atmosphere, he alone had a brightness that felt out of place. —Next, it was my turn. I stood up. My legs were trembling. Everyone's gazes pierced into me. Himiko, Soga no Iruka, Abe no Seimei, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Rennyo Shounin, Akechi Mitsuhide, Katsu Kaishuu, and Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami— They were all amazing people. Was it really okay for someone like me to be here? I had to introduce myself. I had to say my name. But my name, compared to these people— "Uh, um[scared]...... I'm...... Ina...... ho......" My voice was too small. It practically faded away at the end. A moment of silence. "[laughing]Ina? Inaho, is it? Haha, 'the bough that bears most hangs lowest,' eh? A fine spirit!" Katsu Kaishuu laughed with his mouth wide open. "[confused]M-My name is—" "[laughing]Inaho. It's a good name. You're Inaho from today on." I wanted to say he was wrong. But I couldn't. The others looked uninterested. Soga no Iruka even openly snorted in derision. I had become "Inaho." Just because of a single failure to state my real name. I sat back down. My face was burning. I knew I was blushing to my ears. (I want to go home already......) But the god, paying no heed to my feelings, continued speaking. "[cold]I shall tell you the reason for convening this Kamuhakari." The atmosphere changed. "[serious]Modern Japan is in crisis." The god's words were matter-of-fact. Yet, each word was heavy with gravity. "[serious]I have prepared this place to borrow your strength and save this nation. However—" There was a pause. "[cold]There is a traitor among you." Everyone's expression changed. "[cold]A Werewolf—a Hitogami. One who plots the collapse of Japan has infiltrated your ranks." I heard someone gasp. "[cold]Each time dawn breaks, the Werewolf will eliminate one participant from this Utsushiyonoma. You must discuss amongst yourselves and discover who it is." "[angry]W-What nonsense is this! I did not come here to listen to such talk!" Soga no Iruka stood up. He was shouting, his face bright red. But the god was unmoved. "[cold]It is the law of the Kamuhakari. You cannot defy it." "[cold]Night will fall soon." A quiet voice. But those words alone sent a chill down my spine. A Werewolf—a killer of men. That person was here, among us. Who? Fearfully, I looked around at the other participants. Soga no Iruka was trembling with rage. Himiko kept her head down. Akechi Mitsuhide had erased all expression. Minamoto no Yoshitsune had his hand on his chin, deep in thought. Katsu Kaishuu had his arms crossed, grunting, "Hmm." Rennyo Shounin was— "[gentle]A dreadful matter this has become. But it is ordained by the gods. We have no choice but to obey." He was still smiling cheerfully. How could he smile in this situation? That was when it happened. "[calm]Wait." Abe no Seimei quietly stood up. "[serious]I possess the art of Urami—divination. It is the power to read the color of a subject's soul and determine whether they are a Werewolf or not." "[surprised]What? Is that true!?" "[calm]However, I can only divine one person per night. Furthermore—" Seimei's eyes narrowed slightly. "[cold]Urami consumes a great deal of spiritual power. Using it consecutively would endanger my life." A stir went through the room. "[whispers]......I, too, can do the same." This time, Himiko spoke up. "[sad]I also have the power of divination. So, if two of us divine, we can more reliably—" "[excited]Oh! Then the matter is simple. If Lord Seimei and Lady Himiko divine, we will quickly know who the Werewolf is!" Soga no Iruka clapped his hands in delight. But Katsu Kaishuu made a sour face. "[skeptical]Hey, wait just a minute. Having two diviners means—isn't it possible one of 'em is a fake?" At those words, everyone started. The possibility that the Werewolf was posing as a diviner— In other words, either Seimei or Himiko might already be the Werewolf. "[cold]Tonight, I will first divine one person. The result will come tomorrow morning." Saying only that, Seimei left his seat. "[sad]......I will also go and prepare." Himiko also stood up. Her eyes seemed, perhaps, a little red. —And so, the first day of the Kamuhakari ended. We were instructed to return to our respective rooms, and I headed to the private room I had been assigned—the "Hitoribeya." It was a Japanese-style room of about twelve tatami mats. A simple room with only a futon, a small writing desk, and a candlestick. Outside the window, I could see a garden—the "Niwa." It was a garden combining a dry landscape and a pond stroll style. It was beautiful, but beyond it, a thick fog hung in the air, and the outside world was completely invisible. Apparently, even if you entered that fog, you would just end up back in this building. We were trapped. Together with the Werewolf. Even after getting into the futon, I couldn't sleep. (Who in the world is the Werewolf......) I wondered if I could be suspected, too. I hoped my timid introduction hadn't made me seem suspicious— No, maybe it made me more suspicious. After all, everyone else had impressive titles, and I was just plain "Inaho." (I should have said my real name.) But it was too late now. Saying it now would only make me seem more suspicious. Besides, I doubt anyone even knows who I am anyway. I tossed and turned. Staring at the grain of the wood on the ceiling, I just waited for time to pass. —How long had it been? Suddenly, I heard a voice from afar. "[shouting]Someone! Someone, come quickly!!" A shout. It was Minamoto no Yoshitsune's voice. I leaped up. The sound of running in the hallway. The foot