[Requests Accepted] [Whirlpool] 涼風のメルト −Where wishes are drawn to each other− [VJ01002331]

**Story** Mishiro Town is rapidly developing due to urban development. Once, it was said to be a town protected by a land deity and spirits, but that legend has long since faded. Nowadays, hardly anyone believes in such tales. Still, the Land Deity Festival, held once every ten years, is a major event that the entire town participates in. The protagonist, Akito Segawa, who attends Mitakaoka Academy and comes from a long lineage, is chosen to serve as a priest during the festival. Additionally, his childhood friend, Nasana, is selected as the shrine maiden in charge of protecting the land deity, making it a special festival for Akito. However, as the town buzzes with preparations for the festival, strange incidents reminiscent of children's pranks begin to occur frequently. These incidents soon spread as mysterious rumors throughout the town. "I saw a strange creature." Akito, who naturally doesn't believe such rumors, one day catches sight of an unusual being that no one else can see. "I really could see it." Nasana reveals that it is a spirit that has lost its home due to urban development and has wandered into their world. She takes the bewildered Akito deep into the forest, to a forbidden area that ordinary people cannot enter due to a barrier, to return the spirit. There, Akito meets the beautiful, silent land deity, Suzune, who has lived in this land since ancient times. After interacting with her, Akito resolves to protect the spirits that appear throughout the town and return them to the forest. Thus begins a timeless 'story of bonds' between humans and non-human beings. --- **Characters** - **Nasana Tsubaki (CV: Soyogi Tohno)** A childhood friend living next door to the protagonist. She is an idol-like figure at school and a member of the local history research club alongside Akito. Since childhood, she has always been with Akito, often sneaking into his room through the window from her second-floor room. She is very conscious about maintaining her figure and has a strict diet due to her lack of athleticism. Her cooking is average for a girl her age, but she knows Akito's preferences well, making her food incredibly delicious for him. She has a severe fear of water and usually watches from a distance when they go to the pool. This year, she will inherit the position of shrine maiden during the Land Deity Festival. She has known about the existence of spirits for some time and will guide Akito in his encounters with the land deity and spirits. - **Kaharu Enomoto (CV: Nazuna Goyou)** Akito's classmate and Nasana's best friend. She is the president of the local history research club, fueled by an insatiable curiosity about the local history surrounding the land deity worship. She can be somewhat pushy, often dragging Akito and others into her pace without them realizing it. Though a bit simple-minded and forceful, she is straightforward and has a tomboyish personality, earning her unusual popularity among her peers. She is slender and slightly taller than average, and she feels a bit self-conscious about her small chest. She is immune to risqué topics, turning bright red when she reads such books. Though Akito tries to hide his connection to the spirits, he eventually reveals his secret due to her relentless questioning, and she joins the spirit protection team. - **Ue Hagiwara (CV: Miru)** A transfer student who arrives at the academy during an off-season. She moves to the town with her sickly younger sister and meets Akito by chance. She is full of energy, polite, and embodies the spirit of a cheerful girl, with a strong sense of empathy for others. Despite not having great stamina, she is agile and has good athletic ability. She always wears an antique pendant, which Kaharu notices and somewhat forcibly makes her join the local history research club. Though she is a first-year student, her repeated transfers have made her mature and polite in her interactions with others. She often shares wisdom like a grandmother, showing that she is surprisingly reliable despite her youthful appearance. - **Tsukine Hiiragi (CV: Risa Matsuda)** A third-year student and Akito's senior. She has a gentle and laid-back personality, unconsciously bringing comfort to those around her. Once the president of the local history research club, she stepped down when Kaharu joined. She is skilled at making tea and is responsible for serving tea during club activities. She knows a lot about flowers and decorates the club room with vibrant flowers she has picked from somewhere. Her family is quite wealthy, making her a bit of a lady. She keeps a rare creature called "Chocolat," which does not seem to belong in a biological encyclopedia, and insists to Akito that it is just a dog. - **Suzune (CV: Elena Unabara)** A deity that appeared in this land long ago. She has watched over the town's history from the very beginning until now. Having been drawn to this land and its people, she has lived here and granted many wishes, earning her the reverence of being known as the "Land Deity." She has set up a barrier deep in the forest, where she lives with the spirits. Though she seems to avoid contact with humans, she is actually quite lonely. Her favorite food is modern sweets. Akito accidentally brings some sweets, and she becomes hopelessly addicted to them. Due to certain circumstances, she has stopped speaking but can communicate telepathically with Nasana. - **Spirits** Originally beings that took shape from the feelings of plants and animals. They have lived deep in the forest since ancient times. Usually, they cannot be seen by humans, but they can reveal themselves and communicate with those they trust. They typically reside in a forbidden area protected by a barrier, but due to recent urban development, they often wander into the town. - **Akito Segawa** The protagonist of this story. A second-year student at Mitakaoka Academy. He is intelligent and has a passionate heart. However, his desperate actions often appear foolish. He is kind-hearted and can stand up firmly against wrongdoing. Due to his long lineage in Mishiro Town, he was chosen to serve as a priest during the Land Deity Festival. After meeting Suzune, he resolves to protect the spirits and return them to the forest.