Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The first step was to know the place they would work in a bit better.
So after a simple meal of onigiri with pickled vegetables, Kou and the rest gathered to take a walk. She also figured that it would be nice to bring Rouge along, so she placed the probe in their room and called her.

*”Oh, so this is Hinagiku’s home!”*

As soon as the AR image manifested in their NLDs, Rouge pressed her face against the window, looking outside with curiosity.
That much was understandable. There were no traditional Japanese shrines inside of Destiny Unchain Online, so everything felt completely new to her.
But…there was something else that Kou could not stop staring at in confusion.

“Umm, Rouge…where did you get that outfit?”
*”Ah, right. Amari prepared these shrine maiden robes for me when I mentioned I would be helping out at the shrine too!”*

Rouge happily spun around, showing off her white robe and red hakama…the usual outfit of shrine maidens. It was expertly designed, with even the stitching details included.
It was cute seeing Rouge so happy, but Kou could not help but grumble about being left in the dark again, mumbling “Damn it mom…not again” under her breath.

“Mhm, you look really cute.”
*”Thank you!”*

Saying that, there was a quick poof and Rouge turned into fairy form, before requesting access to Kou’s NLD, which was obviously granted, and she sat on Kou’s shoulder.

“Alright, we’re ready now. We only have two days before we work, so we should go check the place out. Can you show us around, Hinagiku?”
“Yes, I can. I’ll do my best to show you everything!”

Hinagiku was rearing to go with them, and they all followed her as she showed them through the shrine precincts.

The main spots were the Shrine and Amulet Offices, where they would work, while she also commented and explained all of the various Gods enshrined and deified there.

“Oh, are you the new helpers?”
“Ah, yes, nice to meet you!”
“We’ll probably mess up a lot, but we’ll appreciate any advice or help!”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Thank you for helping us.”
“It’s going to be cold and really crowded, so let’s just all do our best, okay?”

They also passed by other shrine maidens already there, who were a bit older, around college age, so the group was a bit nervous but tried their best to talk with them.
In response they all chuckled elegantly or called them cute before gracefully going on their way.
Then again, it made sense that more sensible and kind girls would pick a job that had such deep cultural connections.
And amongst them…

“Wait, isn’t that Crim over there?!”
“No way… You’re right, I can’t believe it! It’s the real Ditzy Lord!”

…there were also a few shrine maidens who played Destiny Unchain Online, who quickly caused an uproar when seeing Kou.
Some of the shrine maidens had also been *working* there for three years, and knew various tricks like how to amend their outfits to fend off the cold better. Overall it was a productive afternoon for the groups.
Soon it was past 3pm, with the sun slowly setting down the horizon, and the group reached a small building in the rear.

“Is this…a fencing dojo?”

It was far smaller than the Hasekura Dojo that Kou attended, but it was clearly a similar place, quite well kept.
And in the further end was a well weathered training dummy, with bundles of bamboo for repairs nearby, as well a pile of frayed and cut down bamboo nearby as well.

*Did someone train with an actual katana here before?*

The thought crossed Kou’s mind for a second, but she brushed it aside.

“Is this where you learned how to use a sword, Hinagiku?”
“Yes, my mother still teaches me from time to time too.”

Hijiri was the first one to raise her voice, and Hinagiku quickly replied.
She also offered to show them around inside, and they all gladly accepted, getting past the locked doors to get a better look.
In a corner of the chilly dojo they could see Hinagiku’s shinai, clearly used a lot too, judging by its darkened hilt from sweat.
She even picked it up, wielding it with far more experience than her age would suggest.

“…I even asked my mother if I could try using the real katana, but she always says ‘You’re still too young for that’ and won’t let me even touch it.”

For a moment she deepened her voice, mimicking Kikyo’s way of talking…while Kou and the rest internally thanked Kikyo for that, and prayed that Hinagiku would never get to wield a real blade.