Kamisama Kiss (神様はじめました)

High school student, Nanami Momozono,

otherwise known as the protagonist in this story.

As you can see, ordinarily, darling Nanami is possessed of

a lively beauty but, right now, she appears to be

rather worn out, as they say.

And who could blame her?

Unfortunately, Nanami's father loves to gamble.

Therefore, their household is awash in debt.

It's no wonder she's like this.

Oh, what a terribly unfeminine lunch box.

Oh, I forgot to tell the worst part.

Orders have been issued to evict you!

What?

Where is my father?

He what?

Daddy was long gone, having run away from it all.

His whereabouts are unknown.

Poor Nanami was driven from her house,

and found herself homeless.

What, oh what, will become of our Nanami?

Now, don't worry, this isn't one of those depressing stories.

It's a proper romantic comedy.

Prepare to enjoy the thrills and the chills to the very end.

How could that stinking old man do that to me?

Someone help!

Please, you've gotta help me!

Can you please get that dog out of here!

Shoo, shoo.

You're a lifesaver.

Thank you.

I had just come back to this town for the first time in

a while, but that dog ran out of nowhere and barked at me.

So, you must be afraid of dogs?

Kind of, yeah.

I guess the people who live around here

don't exactly feel welcoming towards me.

Are you a local person yourself?

Um, yes.

Well, sort of.

At the moment, I don't have a place to live.

And so, she explained.

Wow.

Your father was in serious debt.

I'm sure you must hate him intensely

for running away like that.

Well, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I abandoned my home.

It's been decades since then.

There's no telling how everyone is doing.

Tomoe's bound to jump kick me as soon as I show my face.

Tomoe?

Is that his wife?

But still.

At least you have a home to go back to.

Sounds kinda awesome; I don't even have that anymore.

I can give you my home.

I don't mind.

The house shouldn't be left unattended forever.

And if you were there,

I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

Most importantly.

You are more worthy of that house than I am.

Try going to this place I've mapped out.

If you tell them Mikage told you to go there,

they will be sure to welcome you.

You'll be their new lady and mistress.

Uh.

Their what?

New lady and mistress?

Might as well roll with it.

I don't have anywhere else to go.

I got played.

I swear, I am never gonna trust another adult again ever!

Lord Mikage?

Welcome back home, Lord Mikage.

What?

Lord Mikage.

Ghosts!

Indeed, it is you.

Where have you been?

I have waited quite some time for your return.

Twenty years feels like an absolute eternity to me;

how about you?

Die, you fiend!

Rats.

Bad news.

This is not Mikage.

What?

Impossible.

Master Tomoe, as you can see, the mark of the land god

is here on the forehead, exactly where it should be.

And I sense Lord Mikage's spiritual energy.

Yet that does not make her him.

Now, then, woman.

Tell me.

Who are you?

Supernatural things are everywhere!

I'm in a yokai shrine!

Look, Master!

Yes, this moronic handwriting has to be Mikage.

He said since I had nowhere else to go that I should

come and live here.

Wait, so, Tomoe is a guy?

He's gorgeous.

So you know, the man you met was the land god of this region.

And this shrine is the home of that land god.

The fact he sent you here as the new lady and mistress

can only mean he left you to be the land god in his place.

Oh, what a happy day!

The land god has finally returned to the shrine!

We must prepare a feast for the occasion at once!

Please enjoy, Lady Goddess of the Land!

Help yourself!

Wait!

Hold on!

So.

Uh.

You said that I was a land god, right?

I'm just Nanami Momozono, just a normal high school student.

I mean, how and why did I become a god?

'Tis simple.

It all happened the moment that you received this mark

on your forehead.

I have a mark?

Really?

Moment?

He kissed me.

Oh no.

That was it.

You call this a god?

What could a pathetic looking thing like her even do?

At the most, she might be able to weed the yard

or perhaps count the money offerings.

Unacceptable!

But this lady--

--was referred by Lord Mikage himself!

I care not.

Throw her out.

'Scuse me!

You're being awfully high

and mighty and rude to me for no reason!

I bet a rundown shrine

like this doesn't even get money offerings!

You couldn't pay me to do it!

Now, now!

Lady Nanami, please do not say that.

We are overjoyed to have you!

If you intend to give that creature a place here,

I shall leave this shrine.

Master Tomoe!

I am Mikage's familiar.

I do not intend to serve anyone else.

If you like, ask a stray dog or something to step in

as my replacement.

Wait!

Don't go!

So um.

I don't suppose you could at least put me up for the night?

With pleasure!

Talk about a weird dream!

My dad had run away and the house got seized,

so I didn't have anywhere to live until this man gave up

his own home for me, but when I went there,

it was a rundown shrine with little ghosts in it

who told me I was a land god, which made me all like,

what the heck,

and then this obnoxious guy with ears named Tomoe

or whatever wouldn't stop saying the whole thing

was unacceptable.

How funny.

Good morning, Lady Goddess of the land!

And now, if you please.

Get right to it!

To what?

Your duties as a land god, my lady!

We can begin with a cleaning of the yard!

All filth is to be purged to keep evil spirits at bay!

Next, neatly clear away the fallen leaves!

Then, wipe the hall of worship with a damp cloth!

Hurry!

We still must weed the flowers!

This is what a god has to do?

Hold on.

I don't think I ever actually agreed to be this land god,

did I?

Oh no!

What are you saying?

Now that Master Tomoe has left us.

You are the only one who can protect this place,

Lady Nanami!

With us!

Onikiri!

Kotetsu!

We shall be here to help support the shrine!

And we shall support you, Lady Nanami!

So please do not hesitate to ask whatever you wish!

You know.

Yes?

Who is that Tomoe anyway?

Oh!

Master Tomoe is a familiar who serves Lord Mikage!