Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

…Half an hour passed after they drove out of the vacation house.

“Thank you for bringing us, Ryunosuke.”
“Nah, don’t mention it. And Miyuki, I’ll also come here for new years, so work hard.”
“Yes I will, Papa. Thank you.”

After that, the car with the adults drove off again…

“Alright, time to go then.”
“Yes, could you follow me please?”

Picking up their duffel bags with all their clothes, Kou and the rest followed Kikyo and Hinagiku.

…Tone Shrine had been erected on the peak of a rather low mountain there, surrounded by much taller ones, and was the biggest shrine of the area.
A street carefully paved with stone led to it, which was also the place where many stalls would open for New Years.
Everyone followed alongside it, passing through a torii, and then going up a lengthy stone staircase, then past a Zuishinmon Gate…

“Woahh, it’s so big!”
“Ohhh, this is even more beautiful than I thought for a shrine up in the mountains.”

Hijiri and Subaru were right behind Kikyo and Hinagiku, so they were the first ones to see it.
There were lion-dog statues standing guard both sides of the entrance, and inside they could see various other shrine maidens and shinto followers working.
The stone path leading straight to the front shrine was surrounded by white gravel, and all the snow had been cleaned off already, making it easy to walk there.
Kou and the rest constantly looked around with curiosity…when a man came out from the shrine office to the right.

“You must be the helpers Hinagiku mentioned…right?”
“Ah, yes. I’m Mitsuki Kou.”

After Kou, Hijiri and Subaru, Kasumi, and Miyuki all introduced themselves in order, while the man listened attentively with a welcoming smile.

“Thank you so much for making the lengthy trip to this sacred site. I’m Hinagiku’s father, and the priest of this shrine. Tone Takahisa. The holidays are always a busy time for us, so I greatly appreciate your help.”

He welcomed them all, still smiling, and everyone bowed to him.

“That’s all well and good, but dear, I’m sure they would like to drop off all their luggage, so could you show them the way to their lodgings?”
“Oh you’re right. I’m sorry for keeping you here, please come with me.”

The priest quickly turned around to show them the way, and Kikyo walked right next to him.
Everyone followed suit…and at some point Hijiri lightly tugged on Kou’s sleeve, moving her aside and whispering to her.

“Psst, Kou, you can’t go to churches, right? Do you have any issues with shrines?”

She brought up a good point. Ever since Kou’s body transformed, every time she set foot in a church she would be overcome by a sudden fatigue and weight.

“No, I’m fine here. I asked my mom about it, and I don’t really understand all of it…but basically the issues are the religious beliefs behind it.”

Kou tried to reassure her, while repeating what her mother had said.

“In *those* churches, they see vampires as humans that sold their souls to the devil in exchange for immortal life, so they’re monsters that should die.”
“Oh true, there’s a bunch of movies with priests or nuns fighting against vampires.”
“Yes, and those religious beliefs permeate into their churches and symbology like crosses, or holy water, causing damage to us. We Noble Red are much closer to spirits in nature, so we’re also more affected by spiritual forces like that.”
“Ohhh…”

Kou glanced at Hijiri, making sure that she understood everything so far before continuing.

“But a religion like shinto…it venerates spirits instead. It’s a religion that mostly sees ancestral spirits and nature as divine, including more scary ones that live in the night and darkness. So I actually feel better inside here than outside in the mountains.”
“Ohh… So that’s the difference with churches.”
“Mhm, so I’m fine here, but thank you for worrying.”

As they discussed that…they went to the left around the front shrine, then went past the main shrine as well, heading to a building a bit further away from the rest.
That building was also connected to another that looked like a regular house, likely where the Tone family resided…and it was also the lodging house for everyone who came to work there.

“These are the rooms where you’ll stay until the third day of the next month.”

The priest then went inside with them…it was a quite old building, but it was well kept. There were many beautiful traditional Japanese rooms, and the floor was made of tatami mats.
And obviously they would not the only male there, Subaru, stay together with the girls, so Takahisa took him to a small separate room.
Meanwhile Kikyo took the girls to another, much bigger room.
There they put down their luggage, finally easing the weight off their shoulders.

“Everyone, you completed the necessary paperwork with your school, correct? Do you mind if I look over it?”
“Ah, of course, go ahead!”

Hearing that, Kou quickly opened her bag and fished out the paperwork allowing her to work through winter break, showing it to Kikyo.
She quickly looked through it, making sure that everyone was in order, and then gave an affirmative nod.

“…Good, I can see you all have permission to stay and work here. But as Kudo Miyuki is still in middle school, she can’t work at night. I’ll have her help with smaller chores indoors together with Hinagiku.”
“Ah, okay! I’ll make sure to learn from her.”
“Yes, I’ll take good care of you!”

Kikyo glanced at the two girls, giving a light nod with a smile, then quickly became serious again.

“Now, I’ll explain a few things to watch out for while you’re here as our helpers.”

They realized that was something serious, so Kou and the rest stopped unpacking their things and paid attention.

“First, you’re not allowed to refer to your work here as a job. You’re our *helpers*, so always be mindful of that, okay?”

Everyone nodded, showing they understood.
Shrine maidens were a part of Japan’s traditional culture, working in the consecrated grounds of shrines, so it warranted more respect than simply a job.
And in the same vein, when selling charms and other items during a festival, they could not refer to it as a product or merchandise, but something to confer upon others.
There were other similar rules, like how to properly greet visitors…and since there were only two days left before New Years’ Eve, they would spent most of the next day rehearsing and practicing all of that.

“Tomorrow and the morning of New Year’s Eve you’ll be practicing proper manners and the duties you’ll fulfill here. There’s a lot to learn, so always keep a notebook and pencil at hand.”

Kikyo spoke with a more stern voice than usual, and everyone listened attentively, nodding when necessary.

“And your hair, Mitsuki Kou… Normally shrine maidens are required to keep their hair black, but since that is your natural hair color, I’ll allow it. And the same for you, Furuya Hijiri.”
“I understand, thank you.”
“Thank you! Phew, I was a bit worried about that…”

Kou and Hijiri had been worried about their hair since they also knew that, but hearing Kikyo they let out sighs of relief.

“And that’s all. You may take it easy for the rest of today, but tomorrow we start in earnest.”

Kikyo finally gave them a soft smile before turning around and leaving…

“Hahh, I was so nervous.”
“I’ve never seen Hinagiku’s mom like that until today.”

Hijiri and Kasumi breathed heavily, the pressure finally gone.
Somehow Kikyo had been far more serious this time, not being harsh, but precise with her words, everything she said carrying a weight to it, which made everyone stand up straight the entire time.
That was very different from how they usually saw her, as a more aloof and uncaring woman.

“Is your mom always that strict while working?”
“Yeahh…”

Everyone turned to Hinagiku, wondering that, and she just said that it felt normal once one got used to it.

There were only two days left before this long long year finally came to an end…
And at the same time, Kou’s first experience working was starting…

Afterword:
The shrine in this novel is completely fictional. Even if one exists with the same name, it’s completely unrelated to this one.