Kotori spent several days very peacefully after the hiccup with the village boys.

No one had come to bother her. In fact, the boys had even come up to her and apologized after their parents forced them to.

She was busy thinking of ways to gain more karma. Crop rotation was helpful but it wasn’t really a “heavy” hitter in terms of what was needed to gain large amount of karma.

[Hmm, save slaves?] Kotori had considered the thought of doing random acts of altruism, but she had already learned that such acts may have unintended consequences. It would be better for her to avoid getting involved in too many things and work to be a force for good.

She thought back to one of the first plans she once had.

[Gain followers…] While Kotori’s party could be “considered” followers she saw them more like close friends and traveling companions.

[If it’s gaining followers then wouldn’t it be better to make an organization for those sorts of things… Maybe a religion?] She thought

A Religion was an attractive proposal. If Kotori designated herself as a high-level official in one she would have a lot of power to direct actions and get lots of karma from the indirect actions of her followers.

She didn’t want to be a pope character though, that was too conspicuous.

She spent the better part of the day thinking of scripture. She wanted to make sure her teachings were at least internally consistent.

She made up an origin story about a fairy goddess who asks people to do good work.

Those who were diligent in her teachings would become a fairy as well and work with the beautiful goddess.

[Who’s going to be my pope?] She needed someone who was able to talk eloquently and passionately about a single subject.

Incidentally, at that moment, Umi came walking by.

“Hey Umi” Kotori casually said

“Yes?” Umi answered

“What exactly do you like about me?”

Umi’s face lit up

“Of course, Well I love Kotori-sama very much, she’s my goddess. Her dainty hands must’ve been sculpted by the gods themselves, she is the most supreme being on this earth. Her benevolence knows no bounds and her fashion sense in impeccable. Kotori-sama hair must’ve been sculpted from the gods themselves and her voice drawn from the muse….”

[What did I get myself into!] Kotori listened to Umi rattle off compliment after compliment extolling her virtue, her perfect looks, and even the length and smell of her hair?

[Why does Umi even know that…] Kotori decided that Umi would be her pope for her new religion.

Kotori stopped Umi who was still listing off the virtues of Kotori and explained her scheme.

Umi gave a puzzled expression

“Why must I act like there’s any other supreme being in this world other than you?” She said tilting her head. It seemed like the concept of a “god” was muddled for her.

“Just pretend it’s me you’re talking about when you talk about the god” Kotori explained.

“I see,” Umi said a slightly confused expression on her face.

It was helpful that Umi had the bearing of a high-class lady. The way she carried herself made people think she was much more important than she was. Still, the way she was dress right now would work for the kind of Pope, Kotori was envisioning.”

“Hey, Umi can you change your clothes?” She asked

“Why of course!” Umi said with a large smile.

Her form seemed to blur and then instantly Kotori was met with a fully naked Umi in front of her.

“AH!” Kotori shielded her eyes instantly out of shame. Although she was technically a girl herself she was still a bit uncomfortable seeing a naked women in front of her.

“Put your original clothes back on!” Kotori said still covering her eyes with her hands. She could see Umi’s face but everything else was covered with her fingers.

Umi gave a devious smile

“Oh? Do you like this Kotori-sama?” she said walking closer trying to show off her body.

“Please just put your clothes back on.” Kotori pleaded

Umi sighed

Her form shifted again, and she was once again wearing her normal Kimono looks.

“What did you mean by that question then?” She asked

“I meant if you could change the types of clothes you wore.” Kotori explained.

“Hmmm, I never tried that but I don’t see why not? This form is not really real anyway” Umi said

“Then can you wear something like that Kimono except make it pure white and make the robe portion?” Kotori asked.

Her image of a pope was of an elderly man wearing white robes but she would have to adjust for Umi. Plus, Umi had to look cute in it after all!

[Cute is very important] Kotori thought

Umi change her form and soon she was wearing something similar to the robes Kotori had envisioned.

Kotori looked at it and frowned

[Not quite right?]

It looked closer to what Kotori had envisioned. But not quite, it seemed Kotori would have to make her design different from what she had in mind

“Umi trim this portion here and tighten this one here.” Kotori said pointing to several portions of the robes. Umi quickly made adjustments according to Kotori’s specifications.

“Is this right?” Umi asked

The clothing that Umi currently wore looked more like Shiromuku* than papal robes but it seemed to fit her quite nicely.

*Traditional Japanese wedding dress

Umi can you try a hat as well. Kotori tried to explain the concept of a Mitre to Umi and she diligently tried to make a hat according to the description Kotori gave.

[This is just a Shiromuku isn’t it…] Kotori thought looking at the clothes Umi was wearing. Even the hat she made looked just like Wataboshi.

Umi seemed quite pleased

“Kotori-sama, I quite like these clothes,” she said

“Umi you don’t have to push yourself to please me you can change back” Kotori said.

“No I don’t want to!” Umi pouted.

Kitsura

What I imagine Umi wearing, except slightly more scaley and a different hat.