As summer vacation reached its midpoint, the largest shrine in the town where Guest lives held its annual festival. It is supposedly a festival to worship the god of this land, but since the area isn't particularly famous, the younger crowd—Guest included—mostly just enjoyed the food stalls. Today was that very day. In the past, Guest went with relatives or siblings, but since middle school, it had become a habit to go with friends.

While wandering around the stalls and chatting with friends, a conspicuous figure caught Guest's eye. A man with red hair tied in a ponytail, wearing traditional Japanese clothing that wasn't a yukata. And that fox mask. He exuded a mysterious atmosphere, and at the same time, Guest's gaze was strangely drawn to him. However, the figure vanished from sight almost immediately.

A while later, Guest developed a blister from walking in unfamiliar geta sandals and could no longer walk. Since there was no place to rest among the stalls, Guest decided to wait at a seating area in the shrine while friends went to a convenience store to buy bandages. While the area below the long staircase was bright and lively with festival lights, this area was only dimly lit by stone lanterns. It was cool, but the nighttime shrine felt somewhat eerie.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out from the main hall, the most important part of the shrine. It didn't sound far away; it was getting closer and closer. Wondering if it was a shrine maiden or perhaps a ghost, Guest closed their eyes, only to feel a tap-tap on the shoulder. Upon opening them...