Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Golden Envelope and the Uninvited Radiance
In the quiet residential district of Suginami, Tokyo, where rows of modest two-story apartment buildings stood shoulder to shoulder under the indifferent sky, lived Hiroshi Tanaka, a thirty-two-year-old salaryman employed at a mid-sized trading company.
His daily existence followed a rigid, unremarkable rhythm: wake at 6:15 a.m., board the 7:12 express train, endure nine hours of meetings and spreadsheets, return home at 9:40 p.m., consume a convenience store bento, and collapse into bed by 11:00 p.m. Weekends were reserved for laundry, light cleaning, and the occasional purchase of discounted beer. It was a life devoid of surprises.
Until the day the golden envelope appeared.
Hiroshi discovered it slipped under his front door one humid July evening. The paper was thick, luxurious, and emitted a faint, warm glow that seemed to pulse gently. No postage stamp. No sender’s address. Only his name, written in elegant, flowing calligraphy that shimmered like sunlight on water:
“To the Honorable Resident, Tanaka Hiroshi.”
Inside was a single sheet of paper and a small, perfectly round mirror no larger than a coin.
The letter read:
“Due to urgent divine circumstances, the Great Amaterasu Ōmikami shall temporarily reside in your humble dwelling. Please provide suitable accommodation, three meals daily, and absolute discretion. In return, you shall receive the blessings of the sun. — The Heavenly Court Administrative Bureau”
Hiroshi stared at the letter for a long moment, then laughed once, a short, dry sound. He assumed it was an elaborate prank by his section chief or perhaps a new marketing campaign from some eccentric shrine. He placed the letter and the mirror on the kitchen counter and went to take a shower.
When he emerged fifteen minutes later, towel around his waist, the apartment was no longer empty.
A woman sat cross-legged on his living room floor, bathed in soft golden light that had no visible source. She wore a simple white kosode that seemed woven from actual sunlight, her long black hair cascading like midnight silk down her back. A crimson ribbon tied a portion of it high, and eight small magatama beads floated lazily around her head in a perfect orbit.
Her eyes—bright amber with vertical pupils that caught the light like a cat’s—regarded him with mild curiosity.
“You are Tanaka Hiroshi, yes?” she asked. Her voice was clear, melodious, and carried the subtle resonance of temple bells. “This dwelling is rather small for a kami of my stature, but it will suffice for now. I require the western room with the best sunlight. Also, I do not eat processed foods. Fresh rice, grilled fish, and seasonal vegetables will be acceptable. Sake of good quality is mandatory.”
Hiroshi’s towel nearly slipped.
“Excuse me… who are you?”
The woman tilted her head, causing the floating magatama to chime softly.
“I am Amaterasu Ōmikami, sovereign of the High Plain of Heaven, goddess of the sun, and progenitor of the Imperial line. Currently, due to certain… complications in the divine realm, I have been placed in your care.” She smiled, and the room brightened by several lumens. “You may address me as Amaterasu-sama, or simply ‘Ama’ if you are feeling particularly bold. Though I advise against the latter until we are better acquainted.”
Hiroshi opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
“This is… a dream. Or I’ve finally lost it from overtime.”
Amaterasu raised one elegant eyebrow. “Mortals these days have such fragile constitutions. Very well. Allow me to demonstrate.”
She snapped her fingers.
Instantly, every light in the apartment turned off. Through the window, the night sky outside bloomed with sudden, impossible daylight. Cherry blossoms that had no business blooming in July drifted lazily past the glass, glowing with inner radiance. Somewhere far away, roosters crowed in confusion.
Then, just as quickly, the phenomenon vanished. The room returned to normal fluorescent lighting.
Hiroshi’s legs gave out. He sat down hard on the tatami.
Amaterasu nodded, satisfied. “Good. You comprehend. Now, regarding my NEET status—”
“Your what?”
“NEET,” she repeated calmly, as though discussing the weather. “Not in Education, Employment, or Training. The Heavenly Court has suspended my official duties for an indefinite period of ‘rest and cultural observation.’ In other words, I am on divine welfare. You, Tanaka Hiroshi, have been selected as my sponsor.”
She leaned forward, eyes sparkling with innocent mischief that somehow managed to look regal.
“Therefore, from today onward, I shall live here as a proud, unemployed sun goddess. Please take care of me.”
Hiroshi stared at the most beautiful and terrifying creature he had ever seen, currently occupying his living room floor like it was her personal throne.
He exhaled slowly.
“…I need a drink.”
Amaterasu clapped her hands together once, delighted.
“Excellent! Sake first, then dinner. I prefer Junmai Daiginjo, chilled but not cold. And do hurry—I have not eaten since the 17th century.”
Thus began the strange cohabitation between a chronically overworked salaryman and the idle sun goddess who had decided his modest apartment would serve as her temporary palace.
Outside, the moon hung in the sky, looking faintly embarrassed.
End of Chapter 1
