*Nitsuj is riding a bus while dreaming. In his dream he’s in a luxurious forest surrounded by nature. As Nitsuj explores taking in the scenery he spots a girl with fox ears and tail*
(Nitsuj): Hey.
*Nitsuj calls out to her but she instead runs away. Nitsuj quickly chases after her*
(Nitsuj): Wait! Come back! I just want to talk to you. And if possible touch your ears.
*Despite Nitsuj calling out to her the fox girl still runs away all the while smiling and giggling. Just when Nitsuj finally catches up to her he wakes up*
(Nitsuj): What! Oh~ shoot. I had that dream again. *Takes a deep breath* Who are you fox girl?
*As Nitsuj sits there wondering who the fox girl is his bus reaches its location which is Itano in the Tokushima prefecture. After gathering his things he exits the bus where he sees many people walking around wearing a white hat and a conical Asian hat resembling his strawhat a little bit. As the sun slowly begins to set Nitsuj looks for a place to lodge for the night all while taking in the sights and the mysterious people he sees wondering what’s going on? He eventually comes to a traditional Japanese inn where he manages to get a room*
(Innkeeper): You are quite lucky. You just got the last room.
(Nitsuj): Wow, really? Business must be booming for you.
(Innkeeper): Yes. Especially around this time of the year. I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of people in white walking around yes.
(Nitsuj): Yes, I’ve noticed that. What’s that all about some kind of festival or something?
(Innkeeper): Technically, they’re pilgrims and monks going on the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
(Nitsuj): The Shikoku Pilgrimage.
(Innkeeper): Yes. It’s a popular pilgrimage here on the island. Shikoku is famous for its multiple temples and in the past a man by the name of Kukai a devote believer in the ways of esoteric Buddhism went on a journey and visited 88 temples on the island here. Now, many people undertake the pilgrimage as well. Since it’s summertime it’s the perfect time to go on a pilgrimage with the weather being nice and everything and this is one of their stops.
(Nitsuj): Interesting. So why do they go on this trip?
(Innkeeper): Some of them are monks doing this as a way to expand their knowledge or as a test, others are simply devote followers of Buddhism, and others are just tourist who took an interest in the pilgrimage and decided to do it.
(Nitsuj): You seem pretty knowledgeable of this pilgrimage I take it you’ve done it before?
(Innkeeper): A little. Originally I’m from the Chubu region but came here for work-related reasons. I tried to do the pilgrimage in my younger days as a way for fun and to say I did it but around the 20th temple I got into a bad car accident and had to be hospitalized for a month or so. When I got out I met my wife who turned out to be the daughter of an innkeeper, married her and soon inherited the inn. After that the journey just started to fade from my mind and I decided to just settle down with my wife and kids. So how about you, here to do the pilgrimage as well?
(Nitsuj): Uh no, I’m just passing through. I’m going to Kagawa to get to the mainland as part of my vacation.
(Innkeeper): Ah~ I see.
*The Innkeeper and Nitsuj arrive at Nitsuj’s room*
(Innkeeper): Well here you go, enjoy your stay and vacation. Oh, and if you have time tomorrow why not take in the sights and visit some of the temples. You might just learn something new.
(Nitsuj): I’ll take that into consideration. Thanks.
(Innkeeper): My pleasure. Have a good night.
*The Innkeeper hands Nitsuj the key to the room and leaves. Nitsuj heads inside to unpack and settle in for the night. After taking a quick bath he heads down the lounging area to eat and then returns to his room where he falls asleep and enters another dream where he returns to the luxurious forest at night*
(Nitsuj): So we’re back here again? No matter how many times I come here this place never ceases to amaze me.
*As Nitsuj walks through the forest he hears a waterfall and rushes to it. When he arrives he sees the fox girl dancing and bathing herself in the water however it’s so dark that he can’t see her face or body fully. Not wanting to be discovered Nitsuj remains quiet and just stands there amazed at the beauty of the fox girl. As he stood there he tries to lean in closer to see her but instead slips into the water alerting the fox girl who turns her attention to him covering up her private parts*
(Nitsuj): Damn it I screwed up. Before you start beating me up just let me say you have a very attractive body.
*As Nitsuj closes his eyes and prepares himself for a beating the fox girl instead giggles and kisses him on the cheek before walking away and putting on a kimono. Nitsuj sits there blushing and confused at what just happened*
(Nitsuj): That was new. Not that I’m complaining mind you.
*As the light of the moon comes out from the clouds Nitsuj now clearly sees what the fox girl looks like. Draped out in a purple kimono the fox girl had green eyes and long bright orange hair and a tail. Nitsuj stood there in shock for a few seconds as he was rendered speechless*
(Fox girl): It would appear my kiss cast a spell on you.
*She said in a voice that sounded like Brina Palencia’s voice as Holo from Spice and Wolf*
(Nitsuj): Beautiful. Like the stars are bright and the moon lights the night, you are beautiful.
*Smiling slyly and blushing a little the fox girl takes her leave up a path with Nitsuj right behind her*
(Nitsuj): Oh no not this time.
*As Nitsuj follows after her he sees her pass through the gates of a temple and enter said temple. Before Nitsuj can go into the temple he wakes up once again*
(Nitsuj): Christ~! Again! I was so close! Well at least I know what she looks like now but the question still remains who is she and why do I keep seeing her in my dreams?
*As Nitsuj wonders about this he sees that it’s morning and gets out of bed. He brushes his teeth, washes his face, goes to eat breakfast, and checks his schedule for the day*
(Nitsuj): Let’s see, my bus for Awa leaves at 1pm today. It’s already 8am so that gives me about 5 hours to kill.
*Wondering what to do Nitsuj notices all the monks, pilgrims, and tourist talking about the temples*
(Nitsuj): Well, seeing as I got time to spare why don’t I go on a little pilgrimage myself.
*After saying this Nitsuj goes back to his room and packs all his things, returns his room key to the innkeeper and heads out to check out the temples*
To be continued